CHAPTER 1615: CHAPTER 1615: DO NOT INVESTIGATE

Zhulan didn’t wait for Qing Xue to respond, she gestured for Qing Xue to leave, and continued with her work.

On the other side, the Hou Residence’s carriage arrived at the alley entrance of Gu Sheng’s small courtyard. As soon as Chang Xhong entered the house, he smelled the strong scent of medicinal soup, and Gu Sheng, lying on the bed, would occasionally cough. Upon closer inspection, Gu Sheng had become much thinner, no longer resembling the gentleman he once was.

Guk Yan was holding a teacup to feed his younger brother water. When his brother opened his eyes, they were filled with joy, "Awake."

Gu Sheng was very weak, "Brother."

Guk Yan moved aside, "I have no skill, I couldn’t ask Zhou Shuren for help."

He knew his brother did not wish to further trouble Mr. Hou from the Hou Residence, as people like him are difficult to repay, but he truly had no other way.

Gu Sheng propped himself up, weakly said, "Troubling the Mr. again."

Chang Xhong gestured for Gu Sheng to stay covered with the blanket and then asked the young servant to let out the medicinal soup’s smell in the room, "The doctor will arrive soon, keep yourself covered so you don’t catch a chill."

Gu Sheng moved his lips but ultimately sighed. With his brother shielding him from the wind, the smell dissipated after a while, and the air in the room improved a lot, making his chest feel much more comfortable.

The doctor arrived quickly, and as soon as he started, he found the problem, "The previous prescription didn’t have enough dosage. With a new prescription, you’ll be cured in five days."

It wasn’t initially a serious illness. It lingered too long, which caused such weakness.

Chang Xhong sat by, waiting as the doctor wrote the prescription, and after hearing the doctor’s words, realized it wasn’t about taking Gu Sheng’s life but keeping him bedridden, missing the upcoming exam.

Guk Yan took the prescription, pulled out some Silver Coin for the doctor. The doctor glanced at his own young master, who didn’t speak. Only then did he take the Silver with a smile, "Follow me to prepare the medicine."

Guk Yan then took some Silver and left with the doctor, using the Hou Residence’s carriage made for convenient travel.

Chang Xhong quietly instructed the young servant a few words, and after the servant left, he tapped his fingertips on the table, "Do you understand this?"

Gu Sheng thought he had been cautious enough, but still fell into a trap, "I understand."

He tried his best to be careful but still fell victim. Walking down the street, he was splashed with water and couldn’t avoid the carriage; even with his brother giving him a cloak, he fell ill.

Chang Xhong is willing to help but not intervene. This is Gu Sheng’s business, "Today they just don’t want you to attend the spring exams. In the future, if you block their way, it’ll be your life on the line. Do you understand?"

It’s hard for poor scholars to climb up. So what if one gets a degree? Few succeed through exams every three years. Many are forgotten, suppressed, or even lost their lives.

Gu Sheng slowly clenched his fists under the blanket, his head lowered, "If I don’t progress, there’s no future for us brothers."

There’s hope in moving forward; looking back, only an abyss awaits. Truly evil people and hypocrites. Once they gain power, death is what he faces.

Chang Xhong stroked his chin, "The more perceptive you are, the more threatening you become."

Gu Sheng pursed his lips, "I will take care of my health. Today, Mr.’s great kindness, I will repay when I have the ability."

Chang Xhong squinted, "Do you want to find out clearly?"

Gu Sheng shook his head, "I don’t want to."

Chang Xhong’s smile deepened, "For your repayment, Liu Chen will watch over you until you recover. Rest depends on you."

He’s not after Gu Sheng’s repayment; it’s because of his niece. Recently, his niece inquired about Gu Sheng’s family background. He also knew his fourth sister-in-law sent someone to Gu Sheng’s hometown. However, he won’t always protect him. After Gu Sheng recovers and if he falls into trouble again, he will have a good talk with his niece.

At night, Zhulan spoke of Gu Sheng’s illness, "It’s man-made, and Gu Sheng doesn’t want to find out the truth."

Zhou Shuren had washed his feet and dried them, "Somewhat clever."

"Somewhat clever?"

Zhou Shuren, "Delayed asking for help by a few days, foolish."

"Still shallow-minded, lacks insight."

Zhou Shuren gave a sound of agreement, "What did Chang Xhong say when he came back?"

Zhulan mentioned their son had left Liu Chen to "Just ensure Gu Sheng recovers."

Zhou Shuren’s eyes held a smile, "If Gu Sheng falls into trouble again, Yu Wen won’t look at Gu Sheng even if she once fancied his looks."

Zhulan paused, indeed, it was their granddaughter’s nature, "Not many days left until the spring exam."

Zhou Shuren, "Indeed."

Zhulan raised her hand to massage Shuren’s head, "I’ve noticed you frowning lately. Anything worrying you?"

Zhou Shuren, "It’s not so much worry, just that spring is here again, and I’m anxious about this year’s grain yield."

"Is the improved seed developed by the Retired Emperor still unstable?"

Zhou Shuren, "Quality seeds aren’t easy to cultivate; they stabilize over generations. It’s still early after just a few years."

Zhulan smoothed out Shuren’s furrowed brows, "Don’t worry about it, you’ve done enough."

If Shuren weren’t managing the Ministry of Revenue, more people would die every year, not to mention securing many rare resources for the country. Over the years, in terms of merit, Shuren is already highly decorated.

The next day during morning court, Elder Wen was full of joy. The Wen family’s eldest grandson returned to the capital, now even received a position. Even though it’s just a sixth-grade post, it’s still good.

Elder Wen felt moved, thinking farming has now won him an official position, "I should thank Marquis Zhou."

Zhou Shuren felt a toothache; why did the Emperor grant a position so easily? The Emperor clearly wants to exploit the Wen family’s eldest grandson. Does the grandson even know how to farm? Nonsense. The credit for developing land was all planned by the Wen clan. Now that they’re shrinking back, the Emperor brought out the Wen family’s eldest grandson, leaving the Wen clan to support behind the scenes.

Elder Wen, "Why does Marquis Zhou look so upset?"

Zhou Shuren feigned a smile, "I like gold and Silver. Since you want to thank me, giving gold and Silver would be better. I don’t like verbal gratitude. Surely the Elder values face and wouldn’t thank with just words, right?"

Elder Wen, "???"

Zhou Shuren laughed, "Then it’s settled. I await the Elder’s thanks. As for how much is up to how much the Wen family’s eldest grandson is worth."

Elder Wen blew his moustache in anger, when did he agree to this?

Zhou Shuren couldn’t care less if the Elder blew his moustache or glared. He enjoyed dousing cold water on people, which surely brought clarity to the Elder now.

Indeed, Elder Wen was now clear-minded, but regretting was too late. The smile faded from his face as he ground his teeth and left in large strides.

By noon at the Ministry of Revenue, a large number of Silver boxes were carried in, stacked neatly. The Wen family’s steward said, "Mr. Hou, this is a token of our gratitude from my master, five thousand taels of Silver."

Zhou Shuren’s beard twitched, "Is Duke Coleman out of Silver?"

The steward, "..."

There is Silver, just unwilling to give it to you for nothing!

Zhou Shuren didn’t raise his eyelids and told Qiu Yan beside him, "Put it in the storage room. Each state will lack grain seeds for spring plowing. I, the Marquis, donate Silver to buy grain seeds."

The steward, "..."

Why bring it to the Ministry of Revenue? Master wanted to show how much Marquis Zhou loves Silver, yet the Marquis donated it directly!

Zhou Shuren sneered internally. He loves Silver, but it depends on what kind. He gained one Silver from the Wen family, making it hard to count on him to calculate again. That wouldn’t be good for his reputation. He never intended to take this Silver from the beginning.

Qiu Yan stared at the shiny Silver, five thousand taels isn’t a small number. His own household’s annual expenses don’t even reach five thousand taels. Truly, one cannot compare one person to another, such envy!