CHAPTER 1565: CHAPTER 1565: DEAD

Zhou Shuren, prompted by his wife, actually asked his fourth uncle about it. As a result, Rong Yushang’s eyes lit up, and Zhou Shuren felt that he had given his fourth uncle a hint!

In the blink of an eye, the New Year’s atmosphere in the capital grew stronger. People looked forward to the New Year all year long. The once cold and desolate streets began to fill with vendors and citizens, though everyone was hurrying along since the weather was so cold.

Zhulan chatted with her eldest son, "Yesterday, the Empress Dowager sent word that the orphanage is doing well. With the New Year approaching, she wants the orphans to have a good New Year and sent them New Year’s goods: a hundred jins of meat, two hundred jins of white flour, and two hundred fish. She hopes that there will be fish on the New Year’s table, symbolizing prosperity, and also that the children can eat meat dumplings."

The eldest Zhou said, "Mother, are you suggesting our family also donate some New Year’s goods?"

Zhulan nodded, "Yes, the orphanage is run in the name of the Empress Dowager, and since she has initiated the donation, I’m responsible for it. Our family ought to donate some as well, just don’t overshadow the Empress Dowager."

The eldest Zhou considered, "Then let’s donate fifty jin of fatty meat, one hundred jin of rice, and fifty chickens. The chickens can be stewed for soup to nourish the children."

Zhulan nodded, "Very good, fifty jin of fatty meat can render quite a bit of oil, which is exactly what the children’s stomachs lack."

In fact, the children at the orphanage know how to manage their lives well. Their days are even better than those of the children in the villages. They get to learn knowledge every day and have two meals, even if they’re only half full, it’s still impressive.

As for why they’re half full, one winter, the number of children in the orphanage exceeded a thousand. There was only so much grain; with more children, there was less to eat each day.

Zhulan then asked, "Can Ming Hui get out of bed now?"

The eldest Zhou smiled, "Yes, he’s recovering well."

"This time he learned his lesson. He should understand how difficult it’s been for you."

Zhou Shuren had a stern face, "It’s not just about the son’s difficulty; it’s about the Hou Residence’s difficulty. There are too many people in the capital watching us!"

Zhulan sighed deeply, yes, everyone is watching the Hou Residence, so the Hou Residence cannot afford any mistakes.

The days passed by, and an incident did occur before the New Year: Yao Zheyu died. That’s right, he didn’t make it through and died in the cold winter.

Zhulan was somewhat at a loss, "Just dead like that?"

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, "Surprised? Death comes to everyone sooner or later."

"No, you should know what I mean."

Zhou Shuren, "I believe everyone is the protagonist, and Yao Zheyu’s death benefits his son."

Yao Zheyu, if alive, would only be a shadow over his son.

Zhulan was still a bit dazed, but she agreed with Shuren’s words. Everyone is the protagonist, and each life is a book of one’s own. So, she didn’t dwell on Yao Zheyu’s death.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "I asked the fourth uncle; he didn’t poison him. Although he considered it, his plan was to die together with Yao Zheyu rather than poison him first. The fourth uncle liked seeing Yao Zheyu alive in pain."

Zhulan, "That’s very much the old man’s character. For years, he’s been focused on Yao Zheyu, watching his suffering. The old man certainly couldn’t bear to see him die."

Zhou Shuren, "That’s where the intrigue starts; Yao Zheyu wouldn’t dare commit suicide. So was he really sick, or was he poisoned?"

Zhulan pointed to the sky, "Could it be?"

"No, when the Retired Emperor abdicated, he had already cornered Yao Zheyu with no way out. There’s no need to do extra work."

Zhulan’s eyes widened, "There is someone who wants Yao Zheyu dead."

Zhou Shuren, "You mean Magistrate Shen?"

"Magistrate Shen has a reason to act for her son and herself; being a widow is better than having Yao Zheyu alive."

Zhou Shuren tsk tsk-ed twice, "I’ll go to the palace tomorrow and ask the Emperor; he must know."

Indeed, the Emperor is aware, even though he knows Yao Zheyu cannot stir up waves, he still kept an eye on him.

The Emperor smiled helplessly, "Marquis Zhou being curious about this truly surprises me."

Zhou Shuren didn’t hide it, "I suspected my fourth uncle since he had motivation, but he denied it, which made me curious. I’ve met Yao Zheyu several times, and his constitution seemed alright."

The Emperor paused, the old man did indeed have motivation. Yao Zheyu was a direct descendant of the Yao family line, "Yao Zheyu indeed died of illness, and the cause of the illness is related to Magistrate Shen."

Zhou Shuren, "As expected, a mother’s concern is always for her children."

After all, Yao Zheyu being alive would only drag his son down, better off dead, yet Zhou Shuren felt a bit regretful.

The Emperor thought of the Empress, who, knowing her life was limited, focused all her thoughts on paving the way for her children.

Zhou Shuren asked, "What about Magistrate Shen?"

The Emperor rotated the String of Pearls, "Shen Hou has been loyal to the former Emperor all along, and the former Emperor always had Shen Hou in mind. This matter will not be mentioned again."

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow. Back then, to suppress the Shen family’s power, there was an arranged marriage. Once the Shen family’s power was curbed, they remained quite discreet. Both the Retired Emperor and the Emperor valued the Shen family’s loyalty, so the issue was dropped.

In the evening, Zhulan, upon hearing this, said: "Magistrate Shen dared to act knowing she had the Shen family as a safeguard."

Zhou Shuren, "Yes."

Zhulan whispered, "Do you think Yao Zheyu was so smart not to know that Magistrate Shen acted?"

"He should have known. For him, dying was a relief. He understood dying was beneficial for his son, so he likely cooperated, leading to his eventual death from illness."

Zhulan sighed again, "Let’s not mention him anymore; you should rest tomorrow."

Zhou Shuren laughed, "Yes, after working all year, looking forward to the New Year to truly rest."

Yao Zheyu’s funeral was held very quietly. Time will let people forget many things, and over time, in the capital, fewer people paid attention to Yao Zheyu. He was buried quietly.

The Zhou Hou Residence has already started decorating for the New Year.

During Zhou Shuren’s days of rest, many people visited, and Wong Ju was a frequent visitor. Zhou Shuren was speechless, "Don’t you stay at your own home? Instead, you come here every day."

Wong Ju, holding a fruit platter, "Zhou Hou Residence has so many delicious things. Look at this fruit. I’m really envious; having a son is indeed better."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Envy is useless."

Wong Ju, "My old man at home despises my annoyance. Now all his thoughts are on the little baby. Alas, I have no place in the old man’s heart anymore."

Zhou Shuren was silent, "Speaking of which, I rarely see my precious grandchild."

Each time Yu Lu returned alone, fearing the cold weather might make her child ill, this child was the treasured darling of the Wong Residence. Even Yu Lu didn’t dare bring him out.

Wong Ju, "You should visit my father and see the child; my father would surely be delighted."

His tone was full of jealousy, as in his father’s heart, Zhou Shuren was like a real son. Good things at home were always sent to Zhou Shuren.