CHAPTER 1746: CHAPTER 1746: CONTRAST

The commotion in Changzhong’s courtyard was clear to Zhulan and her husband, the two chatted while playing chess. Zhulan was on the verge of losing again and played dirty, "Let me have a move."

Zhou Shuren retracted his hand holding the chess piece, "Calculate how many moves I’ve let you have in one game?"

Zhulan had already made her move, but instead of responding, she said, "No wonder the Emperor values him as a prince consort, he truly is smart."

Zhou Shuren glanced at the chessboard and placed his piece down, "Handpicked and selected."

He still vividly remembers the information on the shortlist.

Zhulan looked up, "Then let him stay at home?"

Zhou Shuren, "Yes."

This is also what the Emperor wishes to see, anger is anger but it’s not real annoyance.

Zhulan frowned, looking down, and placed the piece in her hand down, "Lost."

"This game has taken quite a while."

He said while tidying up the chessboard, not planning to continue, packed the pieces away, and leaned back against the cushion half-lying, "It’s more comfortable lying down."

Zhulan waited for the maids to withdraw again, poured herself a cup of fruit tea, "Want some?"

"Yes."

Zhulan looked out the window and said, "It’s snowing."

Zhou Shuren looked up, "Last snow of the year."

The couple doesn’t always talk when together, they enjoy the quiet of each other’s company, after finishing a pot of fruit tea, Zhulan spoke again, "After the seventh, Changzhong will set off for his hometown."

Zhou Shuren, "Going back early can give him a few more days of rest."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "Ming Hui can also sit for the exam, this child is very silent."

Zhulan said, "Ask him?"

"Forget it, let Ming Hui decide for himself."

Zhulan continued, "It’s almost New Year’s, Ming Teng hasn’t come back, isn’t he coming back for the celebrations?"

"Without the Emperor’s word, he can’t move."

High-yield grain seeds, the result of many years of effort, with much manpower and resources invested over the years, finally yielding results. Ming Teng worries if he doesn’t stay by the Emperor’s side.

Zhulan smiled, "Not coming back is good too."

If Ming Teng returns, the couple would visit the Hou Residence, and the number of visitors can’t be stopped.

In the Palace, the Emperor emerged from the empress sleeping quarters, upon hearing the news of Wu Shangheng’s visit to the Marquis Zhou Residence, he said to Eunuch Zhang, "Crafty monkey."

Eunuch Zhang knew the Emperor quite liked the future prince consort, "Probably staying for a few days."

"Let him stay."

Eunuch Zhang thought, the Emperor’s anger has dissipated.

The Emperor added, "Inform Zhenyue."

To prevent the eldest daughter from worrying, yesterday in the garden the daughter waited for him instead of going to the government hall, not knowing how long she waited, and fearlessly assuming he wouldn’t bypass the garden.

Eunuch Zhang instructed the young eunuch beside him to deliver this message, thinking to himself, the Emperor treats his daughter far better than the Princes; to the Emperor, his daughter is as a father, while to the Princes, he is Emperor first, father second.

The empress asked the Female Officer, "Where has the Emperor gone?"

The Female Officer replied softly, "Judging from the direction, he’s gone back to the government hall, the Emperor didn’t visit any of the consorts."

The empress smiled, "Their efforts are wasted."

The Female Officer said, "The more they stir up, the more they displease the Emperor."

The empress acknowledged, some people don’t understand the Emperor, who greatly respects and cherishes the Retired Emperor, saying he’ll observe mourning and will certainly adhere to it. If one wants to prompt a visit, directly saying it might make him consider, manipulative tactics test his ruthlessness as it’s genuine.

The empress lowered her eyelids, "Go check on Jing Xuan."

The Female Officer answered and stood, leaving with a sigh, the relationship between the mother and legitimate daughter not close at all!

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve, the Marquis Zhou Residence had an additional future prince consort who hid in the residence, not stepping out, but out of courtesy, sent many gifts to the residence.

The annual reunion dinner was still lively, summarizing the year and looking forward to the next.

Wu Shangheng drank in silence instead, the warmer the atmosphere, the more bittersweet he felt, all due to the stark contrast in the New Year’s ambiance.

He was accustomed to the calculations at reunion dinners, where even toasts were a matter of pulling ranks, at home, he was among those squashing the legitimate brothers, and with the family’s fake smiles, the dinner was full of scheming.

Changzhong lowered his voice, "Don’t mention it."

Father didn’t speak but still allowed Wu Shangheng to keep hiding, indicating the Emperor’s permission, what else is restricting!

Wu Shangheng smiled, "Alright."

He liked associating with Zhou Changzhong, for he has an aura he lacks, hence the courtyard was quite pleasant, then reflected with a self-mocking smile, as the future prince consort, he cannot take concubines, the Emperor would have his head!

In a large mansion in the capital, several Jiangnan noble sons gathered, not a hint of New Year’s cheer, instead their faces looked grim.

They didn’t expect Wu Shangheng would run, even more annoyed he hid, without responding to their messages.

They searched yet unearthed nothing, while the Duke Residence remained quiet, making them feel edgy.

In the Duke of Yongan’s residence, the New Year’s ambiance was also unpleasant, this year has been unfavorable, as if the ship would overturn any moment, the meal was eaten in quiet.

The Duke said to his eldest grandson, "You must stay close to the Crown Prince."

After issues arose, the Crown Prince visited his grandson frequently, assuring him greatly, something he previously couldn’t discern, failing to recognize now could end the Duke Residence.

Whether the Emperor uses the Duke Residence as a sword or has other plans, as long as there is value, he shall worry less.

Zhuo Guyu squeezed the wine cup, "Grandson understands."

The Duke sighed inwardly, if only he hadn’t hidden initially, now he is suppressed to serve.

With New Year’s concluded, in the blink of an eye, it’s the daughter’s homecoming, Zhulan’s two daughters returned, but the married Yu Lu did not.

Grandchildren exchanged New Year greetings and went out to play, leaving the elders in the room.

Zhou Shuren did not take his son-in-law to the front yard, instead asking his elder son-in-law Jiang Sheng, "I heard someone imitated your paintings?"

Jiang Sheng replied, "There have long been imitators, I’ve bought a piece myself, imitation is imitation, someone with understanding can detect instantly."

Zhou Shuren gave Jiang Sheng a look like seeing gold, his elder son-in-law’s hands not for painting, but ordinary stones seemed to turn into gold, "Prince Qi has a collection of your paintings."

Jiang Sheng said, "I owe today’s status to my father-in-law’s protection."

Without his father-in-law, he’d lack today’s renown.

Zhou Shuren was satisfied his son-in-law hadn’t floated away from flattery, "That’s because you have true skill."

Without ability, he wouldn’t impress the discerning Princes.

Rongchuan cut in, "Big brother-in-law, could you spare time to paint a piece for me too?"

Zhou Shuren laughed, "Not free, you’re the wealthiest in this room."

Fortunately, the current Emperor being the legitimate brother, Rongchuan was guided in knowing when to advance or retreat, else immense wealth could prove disastrous.

Jiang Sheng hurriedly said, "I won’t take silver, my brother-in-law has also helped me much."

Protected by the duo, father-in-law and brother-in-law, even those eager for his paintings wouldn’t dare pressure him!

Zhou Shuren said, "If you don’t take silver, paint one for me too."

Zhulan laughed, "Your father was just waiting for you to say no need for silver!"

With these words, everyone in the room burst into laughter.

In Changzhong’s courtyard, Zeze pulled his uncle aside, confirming that surrounding talks were unheard, then asked, "Uncle, have you investigated Lu Jia Qing?"