CHAPTER 1540: CHAPTER 1540: RUTHLESS PERSON

In the evening, Zhou Shuren returned, his cloak covered in snow. Zhulan asked, "Why didn’t you use an umbrella when getting off the carriage?"

Zhou Shuren took the hot tea his wife handed over. "The wind outside was too strong, so I didn’t bother."

"The roads on the way back must have been difficult to pass through."

"Indeed, if the wind continues like this, there’s no need to attend court early tomorrow."

Zhulan noticed Shuren’s furrowed brows. "Are you worried that continued heavy snowfall might lead to a snow disaster?"

"Yes, the first major snowstorm of the year being this intense doesn’t bode well."

Zhulan sighed as well. "Who wouldn’t think so? Luckily Rongchuan has returned from the grasslands; otherwise, who knows how much suffering we’d endure!"

Zhou Shuren went to his room to change clothes and came back out, saying, "This year we’re short on cotton and charcoal. Alas."

Zhulan said, "After this snowfall, the prices will rise even further."

"Yes, charcoal will be hard to procure as well."

Zhulan sighed again. The noble families are fond of hoarding goods—whatever can be hoarded, they’ll hoard in large quantities, with no concern for whether the market has enough charcoal.

Zhou Shuren sat down and asked, "Do the orphanage’s villages have enough firewood and charcoal?"

"Since autumn, we’ve been collecting firewood, and then bought some charcoal to conserve use. It’s just enough. But this winter will still be tough, and I’m afraid it may lead to an increase in the number of orphans."

"The orphanage you manage is doing well. It’s practically self-sufficient. By next year, you could establish more across the different provinces."

Zhulan wasn’t planning to expand all at once, worried that moving too fast might ruin herself. "We’ll start with establishing them nearby. Luckily, we’ve already bought enough villages and land, which saves a lot of effort."

"Hmm."

Once Shuren had warmed up, Zhulan shared what Yu Wen had mentioned. "That girl is afraid of being engaged to the Ning family."

Zhou Shuren laughed. "I’ve long known that girl’s thoughts. There’s no rush for the twins’ marriage arrangements."

Zhulan replied, "Hmm."

The next day, the snow stopped. The eldest Zhou son finished breakfast and said, "Mother, I’m going to the Ning family."

"Alright, go early and return early."

Lady Li accompanied him as they went. Sitting in the carriage, Lady Li remarked, "Traveling on a day like this isn’t ideal."

"Right. The wind howled all night, snow sealed the roads, and it’ll take days to clear up outside the city."

Lady Li hugged a hand warmer. "Ning Zhixiang isn’t in good health. I wonder how he’s doing now."

The eldest Zhou son thought of Ning Ming and said, "It’s hard on Ning Ming, that child."

Lady Li agreed, "Yes."

When the couple arrived at the Ning Residence, there weren’t many visitors. The Yu family wasn’t prominent, and since the Ning family split up, Yu Shi hadn’t kept close ties with her maternal kin. Hence, not many came today.

The eldest Zhou son held the rank of the son of the Marquis from the Hou Residence, carrying a notable status. With the growth he had shown this year, no one underestimated him anymore. He was the future Marquis Zhou, after all. Even if he lacked capability, he had many sons—the eldest was promising, and he had good brothers too.

The eldest Zhou son greeted Ning Zhiqi, "Lord Ning."

Ning Zhiqi responded, "My younger brother fell ill yesterday. The piercing cold proved too much for him, and he couldn’t come out."

The eldest Zhou son understood and quickly asked, "What did the Imperial Physician say?"

"The physician advised us to ease our worries."

Ning Zhiqi felt a pang of sorrow. This was his own brother, and he feared for his safety. No matter what one said about Yu Shi, her relationship with his younger brother was genuine.

Lady Li was chatting with Song Shi. Song Shi knew what her younger sister-in-law had been feeling. Back then, Yu Shi had sought her assistance. Although the schemes hadn’t worked out for her, Yu Shi had left Ning Ming some words. Despite further machinations, Ning Ming had to observe mourning for his mother, leaving him inwardly relieved. At least mourning provided some respite.

Song Shi asked, "I’ve been busy lately and haven’t visited the old Madam. How is she doing these days?"

Lady Li began speaking at length about her mother-in-law. "Mother-in-law is doing great. Recently, she’s taken a liking to making faux flowers, and they look incredibly real. Sometimes I mistake them for real flowers."

Song Shi laughed. "The old Madam is quite skillful."

"Indeed, my mother-in-law is unparalleled in talent."

If it hadn’t been for the setting they were currently in, Lady Li would have loved to sit with Song Shi for tea and chatter about her mother-in-law’s remarkable skills.

The eldest Zhou son also met with Ning Ming. "My condolences."

Ning Ming thought of his mother’s last words and felt an overwhelming sense of powerlessness. His father held no official rank, and his mother’s scheming was something that Marquis Zhou clearly saw through. As far as favors went, Ning Ming would rather rely on the Zhou family to give him a helping hand than to attempt scheming against the fifth Zhou daughter. It was even suggested that support could be offered privately, but he simply couldn’t bring himself to act on it.

Moreover, the impression Zhou Fifth Miss left him didn’t align with his mother’s claim of her being easy to manipulate. Despite her lack of a notable reputation, based on what he understood, the Zhou ladies were all formidable in their respective ways. Zhou Fifth Miss’s outwardly quiet demeanor was likely deceptive.

Back at the Zhou family, the eldest Zhou son and Lady Li returned to the main courtyard, where Lady Li shared the situation at the Ning Residence and added, "Quite desolate. I also heard Song Shi say that Yu Shi’s eldest sister-in-law is talking about intermarrying within the family again. Yu Shi just passed away, yet they’re bringing it up at the Ning Residence."

Zhulan frowned with disapproval. "Discussing it at the Ning Residence?"

Lady Li nodded. "Yes, far too inconsiderate. Their manners were appalling. Mother, you should’ve seen Yu Shi’s eldest sister-in-law surveying everything, her gaze never resting."

Zhulan smirked sarcastically. "It’s tough on Ning Ming, that child."

After all, kinship ties aren’t easily severed.

The eldest Zhou son added, "Ning Zhixiang’s health is poor, and Ning Zhiqi is quite worried. Right now, Ning Zhiqi is busy assisting Ning Ming with managing matters."

"That’s brotherly affection for you."

The eldest Zhou son asked, "Mother, where’s my younger brother?"

"Your sister took him to Qin Prince Residence. Zeze missed his uncle."

The eldest Zhou son chuckled. "Your younger brother has a way with children; all the kids in the family adore him."

"He’s an elder who can play wildly with them—it’s no wonder they all like him. That boy also took Lu Jia Qing along."

The eldest Zhou son furrowed his brow slightly. "Since coming back, my younger brother has been spending all his time with Lu Gongzi."

"The necessary investigations were conducted. Since he stays close to your younger brother, he’s trustworthy enough to bring people comfort."

The eldest Zhou son felt reassured and said, "Mother, we should return now."

"Go on, then."

Zhulan, after her eldest son left, thought about Lu Jia Qing. Her son didn’t keep secrets from her and had mentioned what made Lu Jia Qing unique—this was certainly a child with a story.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the snow from the initial storm was finally cleared. Prince Liang also finally returned to the capital.

Zhou Shuren had the privilege of seeing Prince Liang in the palace. His expression was full of shock—was this really Prince Liang? The prince’s hair had turned white, his body so thin that he was barely more than skin and bones. Though still young, he looked like an aged man nearing his twilight years.

The Emperor remained silent for a long time. Hearing the prince’s coughing, he gestured for him to be seated. "Your health has deteriorated so severely?"

Prince Liang coughed as he responded, "Your minister brother is fine. Some rest and care will suffice."

Zhou Shuren stayed quiet, suspecting that the prince might be slowly crippling himself, essentially engaging in self-destruction.

The ministers in the study remained equally silent, though inwardly they all thought the same thing: Prince Liang was ruthless to himself.

Prince Liang kept his gaze lowered. From the information he gathered, the Empress’s health wasn’t ideal, and he had tormented himself heavily during his return journey.

Zhou Shuren couldn’t help but admire Prince Liang’s ability to push himself to this extent. His hands were emaciated to the point of being just a thin layer of skin.

The Emperor waited for the Imperial Physician’s arrival and addressed the ministers. "You may leave now, dear ministers."

The ministers, eager to depart, all paid their respects and filed out.

Zhou Shuren stepped out of the government hall and glanced back before noticing the Minister of Rites waiting for him up ahead. Zhou Shuren smiled. "Waiting for me?"