CHAPTER 1604: CHAPTER 1604: PIG TEAMMATES

Zhulan’s ears were sharp, she turned her gaze to Gu Sheng upon hearing this, noticing Yu Wen’s excessive attention towards him.

Gu Sheng noticed the gaze of the old lady, momentarily flustered, a hint of redness appeared on his pale face, only regaining his composure once the Hou Residence’s carriage departed.

Ji Deming felt as if his liver was being clawed at, his jealousy intensely uncomfortable, his gaze swept over Gu Sheng’s pouch lightly filled with a silver note, fifty taels not being a small amount. Upon becoming a Graduate, indeed local merchants would send gifts, including sponsorship of silver, but after passing the exam, socialising was frequent and expenses high.

Ji Deming touched his own pouch, the silver sent by wealthy merchants from his hometown was almost spent, most went on hosting social events. Graduates in the capital were abundant; without standing out, no attention meant no sponsorship. Some small merchants he preferred no involvement with, as he also needed to be mindful of his reputation.

Gu Sheng turned to get on the carriage, Ji Deming hurriedly asked, "When did you get to know Magistrate Anhe?"

Gu Sheng’s face turned cold, "Do not tarnish the Magistrate’s reputation. The Magistrate merely accompanied Mr. Zhou to see around."

Ji Deming’s gaze was inquisitive, jokingly he said, "How does Mr. Gu find Magistrate Anhe?"

Gu Sheng’s expression grew increasingly unpleasant, "Be careful with your words."

With that, he turned and got on the carriage, not inviting Ji Deming up, directly instructing the coachman to leave.

Inside the Hou Residence’s carriage, Zhulan had Yu Wen sit with her. Once the carriage entered the bustling street, Zhulan began to ask, "What did you help Mr. Gu with?"

Yu Wen didn’t hold back, "I instructed the maid to find him a carriage and helped raise the price a few times."

Zhulan mentioned that Gu Sheng’s painting shouldn’t have fetched a price of fifty taels, probing, "You seem slightly different towards him."

Yu Wen’s eyebrows arched, "Because he’s handsome."

Zhulan, "..."

Truly a mother-daughter pair.

Upon leaving the government office, Zhou Shuren hurried the carriage home. Upon arrival, he did not enter the house before laughing, "Quickly, let me see the champion’s painting."

Jiang Sheng saw his father-in-law enter, promptly stood up, "Father."

Zhou Shuren directly bypassed Jiang Sheng, heading to the desk to view the painting, "We’ll have it mounted by the master, I need to invite people to admire it."

Zhulan dissected Shuren’s thoughts, "You’re aiming to boast, aren’t you?"

Zhou Shuren did not deny, "Haha, indeed, I want to boast."

The son-in-law truly brought honor today, especially since the words against slandering his father-in-law have spread widely.

Zhulan chuckled, "Go change your clothes first, we’re waiting for you to return before starting dinner."

As Zhou Shuren walked away, he turned his head towards Jiang Sheng, "Tonight, we’ll have a good drink together, you guys and me."

Zhou Lao Da chuckled, "Father only now notices us, yet there’s no sourness, today is the brother-in-law’s good day."

Chang Yi returned a bit earlier, had his clothes changed, was laughing, "Several colleagues at the Ministry of Rites were asking whether my brother-in-law accepts students. To dodge them, I returned home early; in the future, my brother-in-law’s threshold will surely be worn thin."

Jiang Sheng hadn’t gone home, directly followed his mother-in-law back to the Hou Residence, "I didn’t plan on accepting students."

Chang Yi, "You can speak your mind, with father there, no one can force you to take students."

With each passing of experience, Jiang Sheng increasingly understood the significance of having a good father-in-law. He could freely paint all thanks to his father-in-law, "Second brother, I understand."

Chang Yi shifted the conversation, "Find time to paint one for me as well."

Jiang Sheng, "!!"

Dinner was lively, a large family eating a reunion meal. With many family members, three tables were set before they could sit.

Jiang Sheng asked Ming Rui and the others at the table whether they wanted to learn drawing with him. Ming Rui was the first to shake his head, "Uncle, I can’t calm down."

Ming Hui also shook his head, "I prefer the bustle."

Ming Jia thought for a moment, "Uncle, I want to learn from you."

He had a bit of talent in drawing; he wanted to learn not for fame, but to cultivate his temperament.

The remaining younger ones all shook their heads, notably Ming Jung shook like a rattle drum.

Yu Wen raised her hand upon hearing, "Uncle, would you guide me too?"

The hall quietened, Chang Zhi and his wife were the most shocked. Chang Zhi was bewildered; their daughter was talented in academics but showed little interest in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, yet today she proactively wanted to learn to draw.

Su Xuan contemplated that Mr. Gu was adept at painting, her heart trembled, convinced her daughter’s motives were not pure!

Zhulan also found it difficult to articulate, as her granddaughter focused on what intrigued her with vigor, no longer lazy.

Jiang Sheng took quite a while to respond, "It’s naturally good that you want to learn."

Yu Wen nodded, "So my brother and I will trouble uncle."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all."

After the meal concluded, everyone dispersed. Zhou Shuren spoke to his wife about the Duke’s invitation for tea, "I purposefully turned back to let everyone know Hou Residence and Duke Residence are at odds, which is also what the Emperor wishes to see."

Zhulan laughed, "The Duke surely didn’t expect you to turn back."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "You should have seen the Duke’s dark face, had his glare been lethal, I’d have been skewered."

Zhulan, "I don’t think the Duke of Yongan Residence will yield."

"Are you afraid they’ll use means?"

Zhulan said, "Today the fourth Prince called Anhe cousin."

Zhou Shuren, "..."

Isn’t this just adding to the chaos? A true pig teammate!

Zhulan patted Shuren’s shoulder to offer comfort, "Today Zhuo Guyu will echo such sentiments upon return; the more the royal bloodline values Hou Residence, the less Duke of Yongan Residence will yield."

Zhou Shuren expressed some regret, "Had I known, I would have argued more fiercely with the Duke."

He was slightly frustrated, the attitudes of several royal residences were clear, the young lady of Yongan Duke Residence shouldn’t dream of any involvement with the royal residences. For other titled families, with imperial power shifting, their influence wasn’t either reclaimed or fading, while theirs was as bright as a searchlight, unnervingly so.

Zhulan said, "Yu Wen prefers staying home, they can’t scheme against her outside."

As for Su Xuan, she’s not easily deceived; an orphan not only grew up safely but also maintained the family business, who wouldn’t believe she was cunning?

The next morning in court, Zhou Shuren responded to congratulations from everyone, now the already somewhat renowned son-in-law had completely made his name, with ministers in court valuing reputation, its significance blew the master’s brilliance more; although son-in-law hadn’t reached such extent yet, ministers in court had eyes, holding steadfast meant it was only a matter of time.

Li Zhao and others, relying on familiarity, said, "I’ve heard you’re keeping quite a few of your son-in-law’s paintings, when there’s time, bring them out for us to appreciate."

Zhou Shuren smiled so widely that his eyes could almost disappear, "No problem, no problem, when I’m off duty, I’ll invite everyone to appreciate them."

After speaking, Zhou Shuren invited Prince Qi and others, sometimes promotion was necessary, if Prince Qi and others collected, Jiang Sheng’s reputation would be stable.

Prince Qi and Prince Chu chuckled, willing to extend this gesture, "We’ll certainly come when the time arrives."

Zhou Shuren smiled with gratitude, then followed the eunuch to the government hall.

Zhou Shuren stepped into the government hall study, didn’t wait for a formal greeting, the Emperor spoke first, "I heard you argued with the Duke of Yongan?"

"Argued?"

The Emperor put down his brush, "Don’t play dumb, in the teahouse you argued with the Duke of Yongan Residence, it’s spread across the capital."

Zhou Shuren muttered, "Everyone’s keeping an eye on this old minister!"