Chapter 1560: Chapter 1560: A Good Marriage

Chang Xhong’s eyes were fixed, then he widened them, was his luck really this good? It turned out to be a genuine item, appraised at a hundred taels.

The Fourth Prince’s eyes were also wide open, “Wow, I’ve played so many times, and this is the first time to get an item worth a hundred taels. Before it was always around fifty taels.”

Chang Xhong’s face showed happiness because of the hundred taels, “A coincidence, just a coincidence.”

The Fourth Prince nodded in agreement, but his eyes still showed envy, “Want to try again?”

Chang Xhong looked at the Fourth Prince, and swallowed back the rejection he was about to utter, “Alright.”

He tried two more times in a row, Chang Xhong hit it once more, this time worth fifty taels, he had already planned to buy gifts for his parents with it.

Three hits in two tries, that’s quite a high probability, and Chang Xhong was getting noticed.

Having just returned to the capital, Chang Xhong’s baby fat was lessened, and being always by Wu Ming’s side, naturally, he picked up some of Wu Ming’s habits, making it difficult to recognize which family’s son Chang Xhong was for a while.

Once they remembered who Chang Xhong was, the discussions started, while the Fourth Prince was ignored because he couldn’t reveal his identity out of the palace, always keeping a low profile.

The ladies’ side also started to gossip, Zhung Rao was here with his brother to see the world, and upon hearing the conversation, Zhung Rao looked up to the second floor, “The youngest son of Marquis Zhou.”

Zhung Commandery heard his sister’s mumble, “I asked earlier, it’s indeed Marquis Zhou’s youngest son, reportedly quite favored by the Marquis, and his name was given by the Retired Emperor.”

If the timing wasn’t bad, he would have liked to go meet the young master Zhou, also curious about the person next to young master Zhou.

The Fourth Prince didn’t bring a eunuch when going out, he had guards instead, and didn’t mind the discussions but quietly asked, “Do you want to bet again?”

Chang Xhong, “…No.”

“Then help me bet.”

Chang Xhong, “…Alright.”

The Fourth Prince laughed, then made five bets, winning twice, which was not a small probability, selling for a total of one hundred and eighty taels, deducting five times fifty taels, there were still one hundred and thirty taels left, subtracting the initial three times, the Fourth Prince also made a hundred taels.

Chang Xhong twitched the corners of his mouth, “We’re attracting too much attention, may I treat His Highness to dinner?”

The Fourth Prince, “Then I won’t be polite.”

Chang Xhong’s heart ached for his purse, it was obvious he was being taken advantage of.

After the two left, the discussions at the Treasure Pavilion grew larger, talking more about the Hou Residence, about how the Hou Residence was blessed with fortune, with tones full of envy.

Zhung Rao pinched a handkerchief and tugged at his brother’s sleeve, “Brother, Chang Xhong is not bad.”

Zhung Commandery’s eyes widened, “You’re older than him.”

Even though young master Zhou was tall, it couldn’t change the fact that his sister was older than young master Zhou.

Zhung Rao didn’t mind, “What’s wrong with the age difference, do you think this is a good marriage match?”

Zhung Commandery always knew his sister was ambitious, didn’t expect her ambition to be this big, if they were back home he wouldn’t care, everything was backed by the family, but this was the capital, he rebuked her, “Don’t talk about it anymore.”

Chang Xhong didn’t know someone had designs on him, and even if he knew he wouldn’t care, there were many in the capital interested in him, with his parents around he wasn’t afraid.

The next day, on his day off, Zhou Shuren slept until almost noon, feeling groggy from too much sleep.

Zhulan brought in some tea to help him wake up, “Wake up.”

Zhou Shuren drank the tea, “Been busy and slept too long, my head hurts. Is anyone visiting today on my day off?”

Zhulan, “Indeed, a few newly transferred families to the capital came to visit today, but since you hadn’t gotten up, I refused them all.”

“Didn’t accept the gifts, did you?”

“No, they were all sent back.”

Zhulan was already used to such visits.

Zhou Shuren got up, “You don’t have to entertain future visits either.”

He was very annoyed, ever since the Zhou family was pitted against the Wen family, more and more people came seeking connections.

Zhulan signaled the maid to bring breakfast, and after they ate, Steward Ding came in, “Mr. Hou, Madam, a message from the Liu family, Mr. Liu got injured on the prairie in a wolf attack.”

Zhou Shuren, “How did he provoke a wolf pack?”

“Entering winter, isn’t it usual for wolf packs to attack people for survival?”

Without eliminating thoroughly, getting retaliated against wasn’t unexpected.

Zhou Shuren asked, “Was he injured badly?”

Steward Ding, “They said it’s not serious, but they want Mr. Hou’s help to look into it.”

Zhou Shuren indicated he understood, Liu family could only rely on the Zhou and Ning families, “Since they sent a message back, it shouldn’t be too bad.”

As things worsen, they would be more hesitant to send news back.

Zhulan thought the same, and said to Qing Xue, “Select some medicinal herbs to send over.”

She also instructed the old woman to inform the main house, it was pointless to hide the news, better to be open about it, the more cautious they were, the more Lau Jia would overthink.

After everyone left, Zhulan whispered, “Lau Jia’s current pregnancy is not easy.”

“What’s so difficult about it, she has good food and drinks, she’s already very blessed.”

Zhou Shuren added, “Wu Ming has written several times mentioning Mingyun, I thought about it, Wu Ming’s suggestion makes sense, letting Wu Ming take care of Mingyun for a few years will help him grow quickly.”

Zhulan hesitated, “Didn’t you have prior plans for Mingyun?”

“Plans can’t catch up with changes, who would have thought Wu Ming would request to go to the prairie, Wu Ming said he can protect Mingyun.”

Zhulan didn’t distrust Wu Ming, he was an influential figure, “Just concerned whether the Emperor might overthink it?”

Zhou Shuren said, “Our two families’ relationship is transparent, might as well be open about it, the Emperor is in his prime, not apt to suspicion yet.”

Zhulan rarely intervened in her grandson’s arrangements, “You should talk with Mingyun.”

Zhou Shuren sighed, “A big family master with endless worries.”

With so many descendants, there was always something on his mind.

A few days later, the Lin family matriarch brought Lin Qing to the Hou Residence, Zhulan was quite surprised, “Old lady, you haven’t left your residence in a while, what brought you here personally today?”

The Lin family matriarch said, “I heard Lin Qing mentioned a few things, so here I am.”

Zhulan was puzzled, what did Lin Qing say that the matriarch took so seriously, “Please, I’m listening.”

The Lin family matriarch said, “Lin Qing and her mother met Lady Zhung’s wife, the Zhung family’s daughter has gotten close with Lin Qing, inquiring a lot about the Hou Residence. I heard from Lin Qing and felt something was off, so I asked more questions, hence the reminder.”

Even though she was old, her mind was clear, so she came to give a reminder to the Zhou family.

Zhulan took a while to recover, were they eyeing their family again? Who exactly, was it Ming Jia? Ming Hui? Or Chang Xhong?

The Lin family matriarch was wise and experienced, and upon seeing that Zhulan knew the Zhung family, she felt at ease.

Zhulan said, “Thank you for the reminder, old lady.”

“I always found the Zhung family quite adept at manipulation since entering the capital, not winning people over.”

Zhulan didn’t like it either, “I’m aware.”

The Lin family matriarch smiled again, “I heard from Qing’er that Ming Rui did quite a bit for orphans, my son praised Ming Rui much for it.”

This marriage was highly regarded, satisfying both her son and her husband immensely.

Lin Qing blushed, meanwhile thinking to herself, Ming Rui is the best.