CHAPTER 1573: CHAPTER 1573: THE UNCERTAINTY OF WORLDLY AFFAIRS

Zhou Shuren returned home from the government office and Zhulan said, "After you change your clothes, go to Fourth Uncle’s courtyard and persuade him. The child cannot be given up for adoption."

Zhou Shuren had already thought of what to say when he received the news at the Ministry of Revenue, "Don’t worry, I’ll have Fourth Uncle send the child back shortly."

Zhulan sighed, "Alright."

Zhou Shuren changed his clothes, drank a few cups of hot water, and then walked slowly towards Fourth Uncle’s courtyard. When he arrived, the courtyard gate was closed.

Zhou Shuren, "!!"

Should he be grateful that the old man didn’t directly move back to the neighboring Rong family?

Jinyan wanted to step forward to knock, but Zhou Shuren raised his hand and went to knock himself, "Fourth Uncle, closing the door won’t solve the problem. What’s the point of hiding for a day? You’ll never avoid me."

The courtyard was very quiet. After Zhou Shuren finished speaking, he didn’t continue knocking. Soon, footsteps could be heard, and the closed door was opened by two young servants who greeted him, "Mr. Hou."

Zhou Shuren nodded and stepped inside the house, only to see Fourth Uncle sitting in a rocking chair. He didn’t see his grandson, and today his wife hadn’t seen the child either. The old man was being capricious and disregarding everything.

Rong Yushang spoke first, "I understand your intention. Let me be honest; I’m not assured of Liu Jia’s upbringing of the child. The Liu family comes from a modest background, and the environment in which Liu Jia grew makes her a good mistress for a family of equal status. This child has his own merits, but marrying into the Rong family, she falls short. Even if I don’t mention myself, she herself isn’t confident about marrying into this family. She can’t be trusted with raising the child."

Zhou Shuren found a comfortable place to sit, gestured for the maids serving refreshments to leave, and began when the room was cleared of servants, "I won’t argue with Fourth Uncle, you’re right."

Back when the engagement was set, the Zhou family didn’t have the power and status it holds now. But who can predict the future accurately? The Zhou family adopted Ming Teng, considering the reputation of both the Rong clan and the Zhou family; they couldn’t break the engagement. Considering the harm marriage revocation would bring to women, not to mention the tarnishing of both families’ reputations, it was not an option.

Rong Yushang was surprised. Even if he didn’t fully understand this nephew, he had a decent grasp—70 to 80 percent. This nephew wasn’t one to simply listen to his elders, and more so, Zhou Shuren relied on himself to achieve today’s status. As an elder, he felt inadequate in front of Zhou Shuren.

Rong Yushang asked, "Do you agree with adoption?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head slowly, "I disagree."

The old man glared with anger and then laid back in the rocking chair.

Zhou Shuren laughed softly, "First of all, your intentions are good; you initially educated Ming Teng after all. Before Ming Teng was adopted, I didn’t have high expectations for Ming Teng, so Liu Jia was quite suitable at that time. After the adoption, Ming Teng’s current responsibilities and capabilities are all thanks to your painstaking guidance. I believe entrusting the child to you would make him a satisfactory heir to the Rong clan."

Rong Yushang turned his head and stared straight at Zhou Shuren, waiting to hear what he had to say after setting such a foundation.

Zhou Shuren, unhurried, stated, "But you are getting old; I say this candidly, please don’t be upset. How many more years do you think you have? Can you guarantee you’ll live to see the child grow up and inherit the Rong clan? You can’t; you don’t know how long you’ll live!"

Rong Yushang squinted his eyes, "I will leave people I trust to the child."

Zhou Shuren shook his head with a smile, "It’s not enough. As a child grows, parents are the ones who teach by word and deed. A child’s longing for their parents is innate. You cannot replace the child’s parents; it will only create a rift between the child and his biological parents. Liu Jia is the child’s mother, and you shouldn’t underestimate the rift a mother can feel towards her child. After you’re gone, you can’t control the future."

Rong Yushang was silent for a while before speaking, "Aren’t you still here?"

Zhou Shuren pointed to himself and shook his head, "I can’t either, Fourth Uncle. I’m not young anymore. Human life is fragile; I can’t guarantee that I’ll live long enough until Chang Lian and the others can support the Zhou family."

Rong Yushang’s throat was a bit hoarse, "You’re still young."

Zhou Shuren shook his head, "Not young anymore. With each passing year, I worry more about our Marquis Zhou Residence. The foundation of the Hou Residence isn’t deep enough. Although Chang Yi, Chang Lian, and the others are officials, they are not yet mature. The current power and prosperity of the Marquis Zhou Residence rely on me. Once I’m gone, even if the Emperor remembers my contributions, how long can we expect his care?"

Rong Yushang deflated, "You’re right. Alas, how glorious the Rong clan once was. Your Zhou family is far from it, and compared to the noble families of the capital, it’s even further. Without your protection, the survival of the Marquis Zhou Residence will only become more challenging. Your sons, Chang Lian, is developing too slowly."

Zhou Shuren said, "Sometimes luck is really important. Chang Lian should have been promoted, but successive calamities kept him trapped in Qiizhou Province. So you see, it’s hard to predict the future. If you truly care for the child, let Ming Teng and his wife raise him. Once the child is a bit older, you can personally mentor and guide him; how is this different from fostering?"

Zhou Shuren continued, "Fourth Uncle, this is truly for the good of the Rong clan. You wouldn’t want future internal strife among brothers, leading to the disintegration of a well-founded Rong clan, would you?"

Rong Yushang lowered his head, and after a while, he waved his hand, "It’s getting late; you’ve been busy all day, go have dinner."

Zhou Shuren didn’t linger, got up swiftly, "Then I’ll go back for dinner."

"Go on."

Zhou Shuren left without hesitation, knowing there’s no point in arguing with the old man; a thorough analysis is enough. The old man had been through so much; he understood everything.

Rong Yushang got up to see the child, who looked like Ming Teng. After a moment of silence, he sighed and turned back.

In the main courtyard, food had already been served. Zhulan saw Shuren’s relaxed face, "Did it work?"

"Once he thinks it through, the child will be sent back. Besides, Liu Jia needs rest; there’s no rush."

Zhulan filled a bowl of soup and placed it in front of Shuren, picked up her chopsticks, and couldn’t help but sigh, "It’s not easy for a noble family to marry off their daughters."

Zhou Shuren said softly, "Yu Lu is indeed blessed; she has borne two sons in succession. The five-year agreement is no longer a sword over her head. That girl is truly blessed."

Zhulan thought of her granddaughter, and her face lit up with a smile, "The Wong family is practically worshipping Yu Lu as a goddess, showering her with gifts. Tao mentioned the old madam said Yu Lu is the Wong family’s benefactor. Even her mother-in-law wrote to Yu Lu in person. Your granddaughter almost runs the Wong family."

Zhou Shuren chuckled, "Yu Lu indeed changed the Wong family’s lack of heirs. Wong Ju said the other two branches are dying of jealousy. You should’ve seen how boastful Wong Ju looked."

Zhulan, "I can imagine. This just shows how much noble families value the inheritance of heirs."

Zhou Shuren, "Indeed."

The next day, at the early morning court session, Zhou Shuren received many congratulations. Too many envied Zhou Shuren, who had another boy. Noble families particularly lack legitimate precious sons and grandsons.

When Zhou Shuren saw Zhao Bo approaching, he raised an eyebrow; Zhao Bo hadn’t sought him since arriving in the capital.