Chapter 1544: Chapter 1544: Stabilizing the Nation

Within the Zhou family, ever since Zhulan returned with the message, her heart hasn’t been at ease. Zhou Shuren had entered the palace—entering the palace at such a time, and alone, has drawn the eyes of the entire capital upon him. Just the thought of it is frightening!

Zhou Laoda was anxiously pacing back and forth, “Mother, Father has been in the palace for over an hour, yet there hasn’t been any news?”

Zhulan was filled with various speculations but maintained a calm demeanor, “Laoda, sit down.”

Zhou Laoda could not sit still without any news from the palace; when he did sit down, it was as if he had been pricked by a needle. But upon meeting his mother’s gaze, he suppressed his restlessness and sat obediently.

Zhulan looked down at her hands. Now she understood why some people liked to hold a String of Pearls; she wanted to do it too, having something in hand would calm her mind.

In the Zhou family, apart from Zhou Laoda, the other adults capable of handling matters were either at the government office or the Academy, leaving Zhou Laoda with no brothers to confer with.

After a quarter of an hour, Zhou Laoda couldn’t help it, “Mother, should we call my second and fourth brothers back?”

Zhulan glared at him, “The capital is already watching our Hou Residence closely, yet you want to make a fuss by bringing them back? Who knows what rumors that might start.”

Zhou Laoda closed his mouth, but he couldn’t shake his unease.

Zhulan closed her eyes, unwilling to look at her eldest son, whose emotions would affect her own.

At the Ministry of Rites, Chang Yi was equally bewildered, having already sent away several waves of people trying to fetch information, as he knew nothing himself.

Sir Liu was also hesitant to speak.

Feeling irritated, Chang Yi said, “I really don’t know.”

Sir Liu believed him, having somewhat figured out the temperament of his future kin, but still wanted to know more, “Mr. Hou hasn’t given any hints?”

Chang Yi shook his head, “No, my brother-in-law arrived in the capital yesterday, and I didn’t see my father last night or this morning; we didn’t speak.”

Sir Liu felt a bit disappointed but continued, “Summoning Mr. Hou to the palace at such a time should be a good thing. The Retired Emperor indeed values him!”

Chang Yi smirked; his father surely didn’t want such value. Alas, he’s worried about his father, as there’s no news from within the palace, leaving him uneasy.

Speculations abounded outside the palace, but within, Zhou Shuren had already visited the lavatory, eaten snacks, and sat with a blank expression watching the Retired Emperor sleep.

The Empress Dowager had also gone to rest, leaving only him and the Emperor in the sleeping quarters. The Emperor was resting; truly frustrating—he couldn’t leave the palace and was confined within these quarters.

Zhou Shuren glanced toward Zhang Gonggong guarding the door, wanting to go out. Alas, the Retired Emperor’s worsening condition due to ominous dreams compelled him to stay for a sense of safety.

However, Zhou Shuren squinted his eyes; he believed the Retired Emperor’s dreams were real. Without him, the Imperial court would indeed follow the course of the dream. What the Retired Emperor spoke of wasn’t the most severe: abnormal weather, continuous grain shortages, no good solutions, a worldwide grain deficiency, people would fight for survival; naturally, war and turmoil would ensue.

Zhou Shuren exhaled deeply; when the time came, the entire dynasty might collapse, with corpses everywhere. Just thinking about it was oppressive, let alone the dreams of the Retired Emperor. The Retired Emperor cared so much for the empire; small wonder he fell seriously ill.

The Emperor, not fully asleep, twitched his ears and opened his eyes, seeing Marquis Zhou with a heavy expression, “Marquis Zhou, why the sigh?”

Zhou Shuren responded, “May I enter the palace tomorrow? Currently, the entire capital is likely speculating about me.”

The Emperor glanced at his sleeping father. It’s not just his father who was both physically and mentally weary; hearing his father’s nightmare startled him too. Carefully pondered, without Marquis Zhou, his father’s dreams might become reality, sweeping him with cold sweat. It’s not just his father who wouldn’t let Marquis Zhou leave for peace of mind; the Emperor needed reassurance as well.

The Emperor said, “I will have someone notify the Hou Residence. If you’re tired, you can rest here.”

Zhou Shuren frowned slightly. It seemed the decision had been made not to let him leave.

The Emperor continued, “Tomorrow, after the Master of the Huguo Temple reads your fortune, you may leave.”

Zhou Shuren remained silent.

He couldn’t escape, how exasperating.

Within the sleeping quarters, Zhou Shuren could no longer sit still on the small k’ang and ended up relaxing a bit, pulling over a nearby pillow and laying his head down, deciding to sleep it off.

The Emperor was taken aback.

Zhang Gonggong quickly hid a smirk and lowered his head rapidly; his impression of Marquis Zhou rose further. He had become quite impressed with him.

The Crown Prince was still unaware of the developments within the quarters, standing guard outside as some uncles had already left. The Crown Prince couldn’t understand why his grandfather had invited Marquis Zhou into the palace in the first place.

Darkness fell, and those from the Zhou family who had gone to the government office returned, gathered in the main courtyard, listening absent-mindedly to their mother’s recounting.

Chang Yi could not help but reconfirm, “Mother, did you say my father remained in the palace tonight?”

Zhulan nodded, “Yes.”

Chang Zhi swallowed a bit nervously, “Mother, and the Retired Emperor?”

Zhulan’s face remained blank, “The Retired Emperor has woken, and the Imperial Physician says he needs to recuperate well.”

Chang Zhi understood the implication that the Retired Emperor was fine and not leaving any last words, but then why not release his father from the palace?

Mingyun inquired, “Grandmother, did Uncle leave the palace?”

Zhulan shook her head, “No, he’s still in the palace. Now, all of you stop lingering around here, go about your business and return to your rooms.”

Zhou Laoda stood persistent, “Mother, Lady Li and I will stay with you.”

Zhulan waved them off, “No need, you all should go back.”

She asked Zhang Gonggong about the reason Zhou Shuren was kept in the palace, but Zhang Gonggong merely smiled, advising her to rest easy before leaving courteously.

Zhulan racked her brain but couldn’t think of any good news. Promotion was impossible, and since the Retired Emperor was now fine, what could possibly be favorable? Perhaps being made the Crown Prince’s mentor? Could that be considered good news? She felt only unease, along with the royal family’s unreliable words.

That night many around the palace couldn’t sleep, and the Princes were even more baffled; Zhou Shuren was guarding his father in the quarters, a treatment even the Crown Prince didn’t enjoy!

Never mind distant relatives, expelling one’s indignation even at distant kin not known to them.

Rongchuan, faced with his brothers’ inquiries, kept a stiff expression, “Brothers, please don’t trouble me; I truly don’t know.”

He was equally baffled; his father hadn’t seen anyone other than the Emperor after waking, and only his father-in-law, who stayed with him. It was indeed strange.

Zhou Shuren had already changed into casual home clothing; he never expected that this lifetime he would share a sleeping chamber with the Retired Emperor, though the small k’ang wasn’t terribly comfortable.

The next day, the Master of the Huguo Temple discretely entered the palace, and this time the Crown Prince also entered the sleeping quarters. Master Huixin of Huguo Temple, upon hearing the request, was surprised, “Retired Emperor, hadn’t this humble monk calculated for Marquis Zhou already? Why another reading?”

Since meeting the old monk, Zhou Shuren’s anxious heart calmed. The Retired Emperor had secretly had his fortune told!

The Retired Emperor had rested well the previous day; the pallor on his face had somewhat diminished, “I have been plagued by nightmares recently, and in my dreams, Marquis Zhou was absent. I request the Master to read for him again.”

Master Huixin, after hearing the Retired Emperor’s dream, turned to look at Marquis Zhou. Last time, only the natal chart was read, but now seeing his physiognomy, the Master paused for a moment, “This humble monk’s reading was not wrong—Marquis Zhou is destined to bring stability and order to the nation.”

Zhou Shuren was left speechless.