Chapter 1549: Chapter 1549: Need for Comparison

Zhou Shuren supported his wife as she stood up, “Be careful, watch your step.”

Zhulan nodded, her eyes on Qing Xue.

Qing Xue replied, “The Jiang family’s steward said that Young Master Jiang Ping is ill. The doctor used by the Jiang family has always been from the Hou Residence, and Mrs. Jiang can’t wait any longer, so she sent a steward over.”

Zhulan was already dressed; she was anxious. Since the twins sent back the medicinal herbs last time, there had been no news, and now news came that he was ill.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren went to the outer room and said to Qing Xue, “Ask Steward Ding to send someone to invite the doctor to the Jiang family, and let the Jiang family’s steward in.”

Qing Xue quickly went out and brought the Jiang family’s steward in. Although it was cold outside, the steward was sweating heavily. Knocking on the Hou Residence’s door in the middle of the night, he really came with courage, “I have seen Mr. Hou and Madam.”

Zhulan gestured for him to rise, “What exactly happened?”

The steward didn’t dare to raise his head, keeping it lowered as he replied, “Young Master Jiang Ping returned in the middle of the night. Mrs. Jiang felt his forehead was burning hot and was extremely anxious. She panicked and sent me to the Hou Residence to fetch the doctor.”

Zhulan frowned, gesturing for others to leave, and asked Shuren, “Jiang Ping was on a secret mission for the Imperial court; how could he return ill?”

Logically, he should have recovered before coming back.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, “This kid probably thinks it’s nothing serious, plus the in-law’s old lady is a bit dramatic, so they came knocking.”

Zhulan wanted to go to the Jiang family to take a look but before she could speak, she met Shuren’s disapproving eyes, “I’ll send Qing Xue over.”

Zhou Shuren nodded, “The old lady hasn’t seen her grandson for a long time; it’s understandable for her to be nervous. Jiang Ping should be fine.”

Zhou Shuren was right; soon after, a servant from the Jiang family came over, saying there was nothing serious. Only then did Zhulan feel relieved, but her sleep was gone. She lay there for a long time, thinking about her grandson, unable to sleep.

The next day, Zhulan went to the Jiang family without having breakfast. Mrs. Jiang was very embarrassed and spoke nervously, “I was worried about Jiang Ping and caused you concern, disturbing you and Mr. Hou’s rest.”

Zhulan, “What disturbance? Jiang Ping is also my grandson. What did the doctor say?”

Mrs. Jiang’s face turned pale, “This kid got injured but didn’t mention it. How could he be so audacious!”

Hearing this, Zhulan hastened her steps. At her age, she had nothing to avoid. She walked directly into the room, only to see Jiang Ping, who was originally lying down sleeping, alertly open his eyes at the noise, his gaze sharp as a knife.

Zhulan frowned, and Mrs. Jiang was startled. She was genuinely worried for her grandson; what had this child been through to have such a murderous look!

Jiang Ping got up, “Grandmother, why are you here?”

“I came to see you, you scared both me and your grandfather to death.”

Seeing her grandson helping with the bandage, Zhulan felt even more heartbroken, “What should I say about you?”

Jiang Ping rubbed his nose, “I’m fine, it’s just my appearance that’s alarming.”

Mrs. Jiang was not pleased, “What do you mean just your appearance? Look how thin you’ve become, and with that beard, how can I explain this to your parents?”

Jiang Ping, “…..”

Alright, he did look alarming, but it was all for the sake of delivering the message back; he had barely escaped death all the way.

Zhulan comforted her in-law with a few words without asking what Jiang Ping was doing, nor Jiang An, knowing it would be useless to ask, “You should rest well at home for now, and I’ll have your elder uncle send some good food to nourish you.”

Jiang Ping dared not move much; his back was still in great pain.

Mrs. Jiang was heartbroken for her grandson; she didn’t know how many tears she shed last night. She didn’t know how much the twin grandsons had suffered; when she asked, they just said they couldn’t talk about it, saying it was confidential work for the Imperial court. “Stop sitting; hurry and lie down.”

Zhulan stayed at the Jiang family and ate with her grandson. When the doctor came again to check his pulse and confirmed that there was nothing serious as long as he rested well, she finally felt at ease.

In the palace, the Emperor wore a serious expression. Two countries on the northeastern border wanted to unite and invade the northeastern border.

Prince Qi said, “The Imperial court just went through two major wars.”

Prince Liang also looked very displeased, “Do they think we are easy to bully?”

Rongchuan squinted his eyes, “It seems several neighboring countries are severely lacking in grain.”

Men die for wealth as birds die for food.

The Emperor held in his hands the spy reports, “Last year, hundreds of thousands died of starvation in the two countries due to lack of grain, and this year winter is hard to endure, especially north of the northeast. Look at the information sent back.”

The gathered officials passed the reports around, taking cold breaths.

Prince Qi muttered, “So many people died.”

The Crown Prince said, “And those are just the reported numbers, there are those unaccounted for and those underreported out of fear.”

Li Zhao stroked his beard, “Last year was difficult for the court too; now I realize how impressive Marquis Zhou is.”

Without comparison, one doesn’t know, but this comparison instantly brings a sense of gratitude.

The Emperor, “…”

The Crown Prince, “…”

The officials, “…”

Unfortunately, Zhou Shuren wasn’t present to hear this, and on that day, he wouldn’t want to hear it!

Rongchuan thought, without comparison, one doesn’t know how hard it was for his father; last year, his father really aged a lot. Yet he felt proud; his father was impressive.

The Crown Prince firmly engraved in his heart the resolve to stabilize the country, realizing Marquis Zhou’s prowess.

The Emperor thought about the nightmare his father faced if not for Marquis Zhou. This year would again be a snow disaster; the court would face the union of the two countries. The nation truly teeters on the brink!

Though Zhou Shuren wasn’t in the hall, thanks to Li Zhao’s words, he had yet brushed up his presence. Even those who envied Marquis Zhou had to admit at this moment, Marquis Zhou was remarkable.

Li Zhao added, “Alas, preparing provisions for the war, Marquis Zhou will be busy again.”

Zhou Shuren being there made him feel secure. Regardless of Zhou Shuren always claiming poverty, when it comes to major matters, he never muddles through.

Rongchuan, “…”

At this moment, he truly felt for his father.

The Emperor’s gaze drifted a bit; he initially planned to promote Marquis Zhou, but perhaps staying in the Ministry of Revenue was for the best.

In the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren sneezed, startling Qiu Yan, “Shall I call the Imperial Physician?”

Currently, anyone in the Ministry of Revenue could fall ill, but Zhou Shuren absolutely couldn’t.

Zhou Shuren raised his hand to touch his forehead. It wasn’t warm. He frowned, “Could I have caught a chill last night?”

Hearing this, Qiu Yan quickly sent someone to invite the Imperial Physician, and Zhou Shuren raised his hand to stop him, all in vain. He thought just a cup of Ginger Tea would suffice, really not needing to make such a big deal.

Zhulan had already returned home and took out paper to write a letter to her daughter, who had returned to the Zhou Family Village. Now that Jiang Ping was back, she could inform her daughter to ease her mind.

Her eldest son also returned from the estate, bringing back many sheep and poultry, knowing how to keep low-key, having slaughtered them before bringing them back.

Meanwhile, news of calling the Imperial Physician at the Ministry was reported to the palace, unsettling the Emperor. Marquis Zhou couldn’t afford to fall ill at this time, waiting for the physician’s return.

The physician quickly returned, “Marquis Zhou caught a slight chill but it is nothing serious.”

He thought the officials in the Ministry of Revenue were too nervous; this minor issue could be resolved with a cup of Ginger Tea.

The Emperor, “You should stay in the Ministry of Revenue for the time being.”

The Imperial Physician, “…”

No, Marquis Zhou is really not sick!