Chapter 1542: Chapter 1542: Good Spirit

Zhou Shuren appeared very tired, rubbing his icy hands together, and signaled for the maidservants in the room to leave. Only then did he whisper, “The Retired Emperor caught a cold and is seriously ill.”

“How did you get this information?”

Zhou Shuren’s voice dropped even lower, “Rongchuan returned from Huguo Temple, he sent someone to inform me, and he has already entered the Palace.”

Zhulan’s heart skipped a beat, “Why did he suddenly become seriously ill?”

“Recently, I haven’t heard any news about the Retired Emperor. I didn’t see him when I entered the Palace, so he must have been ill. Now that his condition is serious, it’s hard to keep it a secret.”

Zhulan motioned for Shuren to change his clothes, and as he followed into the room, she asked, “Has the news spread throughout the capital?”

“By tomorrow, everyone who should know will know.”

Zhulan thought that the Retired Emperor had been retired for many years and had little influence on the court. Those truly affected were several Princes, the Empress Dowager, and the Ning and Rong families.

Zhulan thought of the Rong family, “Should we inform Uncle Four about this?”

Zhou Shuren sighed, “We can’t keep it a secret. The incident with Ming Teng last time showed that Uncle Four has his own sources of information. It’s not something we can hide just because we want to.”

Zhulan said, “Then let’s tell Uncle Four tomorrow.”

“That would be good.”

Zhulan suddenly said, “Just when Prince Liang was recovering, the Retired Emperor’s severe illness impacts the Prince Liang Residence the most.”

Zhou Shuren replied, “The Retired Emperor has grown softer over time. When I last saw him, he spoke a lot about Prince Liang.”

“After all, he is a father.”

That night, the capital was quite unsettled, with many families even sending people to keep an eye on the Palace so they wouldn’t be slow to react to the bell-ringing; most believed the Retired Emperor wouldn’t get through this time.

Zhou Shuren also didn’t sleep well that night. The Retired Emperor had always supported him over the years, despite treating him like a workhorse. Setting aside their social status, he was somewhat like a friend.

In the morning, Zhou Shuren didn’t look well, his face pale and eyes bloodshot, showing the exhaustion that comes with age.

Zhulan instructed the kitchen to prepare simple noodles for breakfast, and the couple ate little.

There was no morning court session today; the Emperor had sent word before dawn, showing that he was by the Retired Emperor’s side.

Zhulan ate her meal, thinking of Rongchuan and Xue Han, “I wonder if they’ve eaten; Xue Han hasn’t fully recovered yet!”

“Don’t worry, Rongchuan will take good care of Xue Han.”

Inside the Palace, the Emperor and his brothers did not eat breakfast, none of them were in the mood for it, and the Emperor sighed and ordered the meals to be removed.

Rongchuan was not present; he was the Empress Dowager’s youngest son, and he was with his wife accompanying the Empress Dowager.

Prince Qi glanced toward the sleeping palace, worried for his father, but also for himself. Days with a father and without are different; if the father passes, they will only have the relationship of a subject with the Emperor.

Prince Chu was also anxious. These past years, their father still treated them kindly; with the father present, the Emperor wouldn’t go too far.

Prince Liang was much calmer; he had already arranged matters within the Prince Liang Residence.

On Rongchuan’s end, he was holding a bowl, “Mother, I made this for you with my own hands. You haven’t eaten all day; drink some porridge. If you collapse, Father will be upset.”

The Empress Dowager’s head was aching as she looked at the bowl of white porridge before her, “Did you really make this?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t lie to you.”

The Empress Dowager had no appetite, but facing the son she felt most guilty toward, she still took the bowl and drank slowly. The female officer was so pleased that she nearly cried with joy. The Empress Dowager managed a small bowl before she couldn’t drink any more, “Don’t mind me; you all should go eat breakfast.”

Rongchuan helped Xue Han stand, “Mother, please rest for a while.”

The Empress Dowager nodded, “Alright.”

Rongchuan took his wife to have breakfast, mindful not to speak too much in front of his parents. He indicated to his wife to eat more, knowing these days would be tiring.

Rongchuan was also worried about his father but did not share Prince Qi and the others’ concerns; being a legitimate son gave him an advantage.

Xue Han was quite exhausted; the Empress was not in good health and had fainted from staying up half the night yesterday. The Empress went to rest, leaving matters to her, and she hadn’t closed her eyes all night.

Rongchuan felt sorry for his wife, but the strict rules in the Palace prevented him from suggesting she rest, not wanting to leave a negative impression. All he could do was hold her hand.

Xue Han returned his reassuring smile; she became Princess Qin, aware of the stakes involved.

At the Zhou family, Rong Yushang remained silent after hearing the news; the Rong family’s descendants still hadn’t spoken up. In the hearts of the elder and the Retired Emperor, even though Rong Enqing was the legitimate heir, he couldn’t bear the Rong family’s glory. First, he entered commerce, then Rong Enqing, being an illegitimate son, married a girl from the Yao family—their inner dissatisfaction persisted.

Zhulan was very worried about her uncle, “Uncle, are you alright?”

Rong Yushang shook his head, “I’m fine, just feeling sentimental. The Retired Emperor said not long ago that once Ming Teng’s child is born, he’d personally add him to the family registry!”

Zhulan was taken aback that such a thing was planned, “There’s no news from the Palace yet; the Retired Emperor will certainly recover.”

Rong Yushang wasn’t as optimistic, sighing, “I hope so.”

He felt deeply regretful; the Retired Emperor personally adding Ming Teng’s child to the family registry was not only an honor but also a guarantee for the entire Rong clan. Ever since Ming Teng had a child, he had entered the Palace more frequently, naturally for the child. Occasionally, he would express with emotion that the Rong family had an heir and hoped the imperial family would treat the Rong clan kindly.

All calculations failed to anticipate the Retired Emperor’s severe illness, and Rong Yushang even thought about praying for blessings. He sincerely hoped the Retired Emperor would live for several more years, as he was the Rong family’s greatest pillar.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren was reviewing the data Zhang Jinghong had brought back from the grasslands. Zhang Jinghong had completely fulfilled his task and was currently resting.

Qiu Yan entered, “Still looking at the data?”

Zhou Shuren replied, “Yes, the grasslands progressed step-by-step from the basics; looking over it gives me peace of mind.”

When it came to allocating Silver in the future, he would have a clear understanding.

Qiu Yan sat down, “You’re quite calm.”

Zhou Shuren knew what Qiu Yan wanted to say, “It’s best not to discuss it right now.”

Qiu Yan understood the limits; he dared not discuss it, but feeling uneasy, he came to see Zhou Shuren. Zhou Shuren’s calm demeanor helped soothe his emotions, and they changed the subject, “It seems my life is set this way.”

Zhou Shuren internally agreed, “Then what are you worried about?”

Qiu Yan sighed, “It’s my descendants I worry about. If my son were as promising as yours, I wouldn’t fret.”

Zhou Shuren continued looking through the account book, “I raised my son bit by bit, teaching him over the years.”

His eldest son, though straightforward and somewhat dull, had been taught bit by bit by the couple over the years and now could manage independently. Qiu Yan’s son’s starting point was much higher than his eldest son’s.

Qiu Yan felt the sting; his son’s talent wasn’t great, and he hadn’t taught him well. Both fell into silence.

At this moment, Jin Yan brought Zhang Eunuch inside, “Marquis Zhou, the Emperor requests your presence at the Palace.”

Zhou Shuren’s heart skipped a beat; he feared this invitation to the Palace was possible evidence of the Retired Emperor’s critical condition and intent to entrust matters to him. It wouldn’t be a case of temporary recovery—no, no, only the good should come true!