CHAPTER 1562: CHAPTER 1562: ILLNESS

In the evening, while eating, Zhou Shuren mentioned that Zhao Bo had entered the capital and sighed, "Entering the capital has always been his desire."

"It’s also the wish of the Zhao family. Logically, he should have entered the capital long ago. When you helped him avoid the salt tax case years ago, you had already considered his future. It’s a pity, but even if it’s a few years late, he’s still made it to the capital."

Zhou Shuren peeled a shrimp. "His future depends on himself now."

Zhulan took the shrimp, enjoying its sweet taste, as she loved shrimp too. "He’s already married into the Wang family, so the future is uncertain."

With the Emperor’s recent actions, the harem’s various factions have quietened down. But that’s all—quietened down, still waiting.

Zhou Shuren gestured for the maids to leave. "The snow disaster in the south has ended."

Zhulan asked, "Has the Zhezi reached the capital? Have the losses been calculated?"

Zhou Shuren looked somber, "The losses are significant, and the death toll is high. The sudden cold snap caused a snow disaster, and many children and elderly couldn’t survive."

Zhulan felt uncomfortable too, comforting him, "You’ve done your best. The country has reached this level thanks to you. You have nothing to be ashamed of in front of the people. Don’t blame yourself."

Zhou Shuren put down the shrimp, not wanting to dwell on such a heavy topic. Yet, not talking about it made him feel stifled. Only his wife would understand, "There’s a shortage of medicine and doctors. You wouldn’t know, but many barefoot doctors are just deceiving people."

"Sigh, it’s not something that can change overnight. It requires accumulation. Ming Rui invited doctors to give lectures to orphans, spending a hefty sum, and even so, they’re reluctant to teach too much."

Zhou Shuren said, "I heard from Chang Yi that Ming Rui is compiling medical books on simple diseases."

Zhulan smiled, "Yes, he’s already compiled quite a few."

"Good boy."

This child has his own ideas. Our children are outstanding; he’s just an ordinary grandfather!

The next day, without having breakfast, Zhulan went to her fourth uncle’s courtyard. Her fourth uncle felt unwell this morning; the old man had caught a chill, and the Imperial Physician had already been summoned.

The Imperial Physician arrived quickly since the old man was a senior of the Retired Emperor. "Caught a chill and being of advanced age, it flared up this severely."

Zhulan’s heart tightened as her fourth uncle was indeed not young, "Imperial Physician Zhu, please prescribe liberally."

She feared the Imperial Physician might be timid with the dosage again.

Imperial Physician Zhu understood. He also feared any mishap with the old man and had no excuse, "Yes."

Zhulan reviewed the prescription given by the Imperial Physician. Having knowledge of herbs, she was relieved to see he hadn’t reduced the dosage. Once the medicinal soup was brewed, the old man felt more refreshed after drinking it.

The Imperial Physician didn’t leave immediately but went to rest first. Zhulan asked, "Fourth Uncle, do you feel discomfort anywhere else?"

Rong Yushang pursed his lips; he felt discomfort everywhere, especially in his heart. As Ming Teng’s wife’s belly grew bigger, he kept thinking about it. Glancing at the others in the room, he closed his eyes.

Zhulan, "!!"

Alright, with age and illness, he’s become stubborn.

Lady Li felt uneasy, not missing the impatience in the uncle’s eyes, "Mother."

Zhulan raised her hand, signaling for silence, then waved again, indicating for Lady Li to take everyone out, leaving only Ming Teng in the room.

Ming Teng gave a reassuring look to his wife, signaling her to watch over things, and then walked to sit by the bed. He, too, was troubled. The old man wanted a son, but it wasn’t easy to guarantee a son would be born.

Zhulan spoke up, "Everyone has left. You’ve eaten some porridge and taken your medicine. Do you want to eat a bit more?"

Rong Yushang still didn’t respond, keeping his eyes closed.

Zhulan felt helpless. The child was the old man’s knot in his heart. She gave Ming Teng a look, prompting him to tug at his great-grandfather’s sleeve, "Seeing you like this makes my heart ache."

Rong Yushang opened his eyes, "I’m afraid."

Ming Teng was momentarily stuck. Afraid of what? Afraid of not seeing an heir? "Trust me, a son will surely be born."

Rong Yushang, sick and acting willfully, said something he’d kept in his heart for a long time, "If I had known, I should have regretted the marriage back then."

He couldn’t criticize the child he favored, so he spoke of others.

Zhulan also knew that the old man wasn’t happy with Lau Jia’s status. Lau Jia’s recent actions had angered the old man, and it was hard to keep things hidden from him in the manor.

Ming Teng twitched his mouth, "If I had truly regretted the marriage, who knows what you would think of me now."

Rong Yushang glared, "Your wings have hardened, huh? Don’t think I can’t beat you with a stick."

Ming Teng smiled, "You wouldn’t bear to."

"You brat, get out of here. You only have eyes for your wife, making her the most important. Go, don’t be an eyesore here."

Ming Teng, "It’s all your fault for spoiling me. Don’t get so worked up. Let’s focus on getting well. I’ll stay by your side without leaving an inch these days."

Rong Yushang turned his head; in the end, he didn’t continue to shoo Ming Teng away. This was a child he had invested all his efforts in, a vent for his grievances.

Zhulan gave a thumbs up to her grandson, "I’ll leave this to you. Send someone to notify me if anything comes up."

"Okay."

Zhulan didn’t let Ming Teng escort her out the door. When she opened it, she saw Ran Wan waiting outside, "Why are you standing guard?"

Ran Wan supported her grandmother, "Mother-in-law is worried about Lau Jia and is also concerned about this side, so I stayed to wait for news."

"It’s fine. Go back and rest. Look how cold you are."

"Then let me escort you back first."

"Alright."

In the following days, the old man’s illness repeatedly relapsed. The old man had a heart knot, and his illness thus healed slowly due to his heart’s unresolved grievances.

Fortunately, Lau Jia realized the importance of the pregnancy. Even though she knew the old man didn’t favor her, she didn’t think much of it and focused on staying in good health for the pregnancy.

The old man’s health improved; it was almost close to the end of the year when Zhou Shuren and Zhulan went to the palace together. It was at the Retired Emperor’s invitation.

Seeing the Retired Emperor, Zhulan noticed he had lost much weight after a serious illness, the clothes he wore seeming a bit loose, though his spirit had recently improved.

The Retired Emperor, "I always wanted to leave the palace to visit your fourth uncle, but unfortunately, my health doesn’t allow it."

Zhou Shuren replied, "The old man’s health has greatly improved. Today, when he knew I was entering the palace, he asked me to convey a message, saying he’s fine and telling the Retired Emperor not to worry."

The Retired Emperor was aware of the old man’s heart knot. He too hoped that the Rong family would have an heir, but he wouldn’t interfere in Zhou Shuren’s matters. "With you taking care of things, I am reassured."

They hadn’t sat for long before Rongchuan’s family arrived.

The Retired Emperor laughed, "What a coincidence, you’re here too."

Rongchuan, surprised that his father-in-law and mother-in-law had been invited, smiled and said, "I must clarify, I wasn’t aware of this."

The Retired Emperor chuckled, "Then it’s just fortuitous timing. We can dine together shortly."

Zhulan glanced sideways, realizing she was benefiting from Shuren’s influence. Look at how the Emperor treats Shuren!

In the harem, within the empress’s sleeping quarters, the Empress was aware of Marquis Zhou entering the palace and also heard of Prince Qin’s family entering too. Her eyes flickered as she hadn’t thought of a proper excuse yet. A Female Officer came in, "The Zhang family has sent an invitation to the palace."

The Empress calculated the days, paused for a few seconds, and said, "Consort Zhung holds the rank of Consort. Inform Consort Zhung that I have allowed it."