CHAPTER 1613: CHAPTER 1613: ENGAGEMENT

Chang Xhong didn’t want to return to the residence. After a few encounters, Gu Sheng had some understanding of Mr. Zhou’s temperament, "Would you like to have a cup of tea together, sir?"

Chang Xhong, "Sure."

Gu Sheng and his elder brother had just had a meal at the restaurant across the street and came to the teahouse to relieve the greasiness and aid digestion. Because Mr. Zhou joined them, they chose a private room upstairs.

Chang Xhong wasn’t someone who liked to inquire about others’ families. Today, he waited for Gu Sheng to introduce.

After ordering tea, Gu Sheng introduced, "My elder brother is twenty-four this year. He could not stay in the barracks because of his injury and returned home. His name is Gu Yan."

When Chang Xhong went upstairs, he noticed that Gu Sheng’s brother had a bit of a limp, a remnant from the battlefield. He picked up the teacup, "With tea instead of wine, I toast elder brother Gu for protecting the family and the country."

Gu Yan drank the tea from his cup, "You overpraise, sir."

He was only following orders. Was he afraid of going to war? Yes, he was afraid; afraid that he might die and leave his younger brother alone. Of course, he also had the heart to protect the country, but for a small soldier like him, personal concerns weighed a bit more.

Chang Xhong was very sensitive to emotions, and he smiled and didn’t continue asking about the battlefield, "Did elder brother Gu come to the capital alone this time?"

Gu Sheng replied, "I wrote and asked my brother to come to the capital. In the future, he will follow me wherever I go."

Upon hearing this, Chang Xhong realized that Gu Yan wasn’t married. Thinking of Gu Yan’s leg, he looked at Gu Sheng again, feeling that an elder brother was like a father.

At the Zhou residence, Zhou Shuren had just arrived at the doorstep when he saw his youngest son jump down from the carriage. He signaled the carriage to stop, "You mischievous boy, where did you go today? Why are you only coming home now?"

Chang Xhong looked up at the sky, "Dad, you left work early again."

Zhou Shuren knocked on his son’s head, "Mind your own business."

Chang Xhong covered his head, "I went to the teahouse to watch the excitement and chatted with Mr. Gu for a while."

Zhou Shuren sighed, "When will you grow up?"

"I’ve already grown up, Dad. Recently, my expenses have been a bit high. Could you support me a little?"

Zhou Shuren clutched his purse, chuckling and scolding, "Ungrateful son."

Chang Xhong wasn’t afraid, pulling on his father’s sleeve, "Dad, look at my purse!"

Zhou Shuren stubbornly held onto his purse, gesturing for his son to let go and stop pulling his sleeve.

Jinyan had seen this scene too many times and was too lazy to watch, knowing that Mr. Hou’s purse would always end up empty.

The father and son, pulling and tugging, returned to the main courtyard. Zhou Shuren’s purse still ended up in his son’s hand, "Look at your son, no manners at all."

Zhulan couldn’t even be bothered to lift her head, "That’s because of your spoiling."

Chang Xhong grinned, "Mom, Dad loves me the most."

Zhou Shuren cleared his throat, "I’m going to change my clothes."

Only then did Zhulan look up, asking the maid to put away the paintings on the table, tapping her son’s forehead with her finger, "Where did you go again?"

Chang Xhong sat across the table, picking up a preserved pear from the table, "Delicious."

"Hmm?"

Chang Xhong touched his nose, "I knew today that Zhuo Guyu was invited to the teahouse, so I went to see the commotion."

"You!"

Chang Xhong took another bite of the pear, "Son feels he’s too eager to show himself, seems a bit impatient."

Zhulan thought to herself, Zhuo Guyu fears being suppressed in the Spring Examination, so he wants to make his reputation grow stronger.

Zhou Shuren came out after changing his clothes, "This move is unwise."

It seemed as if the Emperor was a partial person. The Duke of Yongan’s residence had left the court for too long, unable to grasp the pulse of the Emperor.

Instantly enlightened, Chang Xhong pointed to the sky, "The Duke of Yongan is afraid."

Zhou Shuren was satisfied with his son’s cleverness, "It’s the dead of winter now. You shouldn’t go out recently, lest you fall sick and suffer."

Chang Xhong understood Zhuo Guyu’s motive and felt it was pointless, "Okay."

The next day, Zhou Shuren was summoned into the palace. The Retired Emperor wanted to see him. Zhou Shuren thought about it all the way, considering it might be about the Crown Prince. Upon arriving at the Retired Emperor’s sleeping quarters, the Retired Emperor was roasting meat, the hall full of barbecue aroma.

Zhou Shuren, "..."

The Retired Emperor’s days had become increasingly carefree. The hall, which used to be filled with incense, now had barbecues.

The Retired Emperor gestured, "Fresh lamb chops, how about you have a drink with me at noon?"

Zhou Shuren sat on the chair brought by the palace maid, casually picked up a skewer of lamb chops, and started roasting, "Alright."

The Retired Emperor stared at the charcoal fire, "I once thought I wouldn’t live through the year, but unexpectedly, I’m still alive and well."

Zhou Shuren was also surprised, "The Retired Emperor is blessed with great fortune and will live a long life."

The Retired Emperor chuckled, "I don’t ask to live a long life. If heaven is kind, let me live until the Crown Prince ascends the throne."

Zhou Shuren, "..."

Quite greedy, never knowing how many years until the Crown Prince ascends!

The Retired Emperor continued, "I’ve heard that the eldest grandson of the Duke of Yongan is greatly admired for his literary talent by aspiring graduates."

"I’ve heard so too."

The Retired Emperor expressionlessly turned the lamb chops, "Has the Duke of Yongan not sought you out again?"

Zhou Shuren knew the Retired Emperor well. Despite his casual tone, he was likely very upset, "The Duke of Yongan hasn’t sought me out since he entered the palace."

The tone was filled with regret; he truly wanted a confrontation.

The Retired Emperor heard it and finally smiled, "I knew you were on my side."

By now, Zhou Shuren understood everything; not only was the Retired Emperor upset with the Duke’s residence, but he was also tired of them.

The Retired Emperor sighed, "Since the founding, I have treated meritorious officials generously, granting them titles without thinking to revoke them."

Zhou Shuren kept his head lowered. The Retired Emperor had thoughts of revoking the title, but unfortunately, it wasn’t easy, as the Duke of Yongan’s residence hadn’t made any mistakes. This was also where the Old Duke was clever, and where the Old Duke was anxious.

Afterward, the Retired Emperor talked about other matters, all concerning grain seeds. They drank together at noon. Zhou Shuren left after the Retired Emperor went to rest.

Leaving the palace, he went straight home, and upon entering, he lay down on the kang.

Zhulan smelled the alcohol, "Did you drink in the palace?"

"Yes, had a few drinks with the Retired Emperor."

Zhou Shuren took the handkerchief to wipe his face, gestured for the maids to leave, removed his clothes, and lay down again, "If the Duke of Yongan’s residence keeps on like this, even their founding achievements won’t preserve their title."

Zhulan froze in washing the handkerchief, "The Retired Emperor has had this thought?"

"Yes, he mentioned it to me directly today. I think the Retired Emperor has been pondering this recently, and the more he ponders, the more he recalls. If the Duke’s residence doesn’t calm down, the Retired Emperor will regret conferring the title."

Zhulan said, "If it were me, I’d also regret it."

Zhulan continued, "I heard from Yu Wen that Wen Ling feels differently about Zhuo Guyu."

Zhou Shuren closed his eyes, "If Old Wen hasn’t noticed, it’s fine. Once he finds out, Wen Ling will certainly speedily get engaged."

Zhou Shuren hit the nail on the head. Before the end of the lunar year, without waiting for the New Year, Wen Ling quickly got engaged, and it was to a noble family from outside the capital. This marriage was very surprising; Wen Ling, a legitimate daughter of the Wen family, was not marrying into the capital but was to marry outside.

Approaching the end of the year, Yu Wen came with a card from the Wen family, "Wen Ling invites me for tea."

Zhulan, "I heard she was confined?"

After hearing about Wen Ling’s engagement, she inquired about some information. It seemed Old Wen had known his granddaughter’s intentions and thus confined her to the residence.