CHAPTER 1570: CHAPTER 1570 FELL INTO THE WATER?

Zhou Shuren’s words brought the Crown Prince back to his senses. The Crown Prince smiled, "I just thought Mr. Hou seems to have gained some weight recently."

Zhou Shuren raised his hand to touch his face, indeed it seemed he had gained some weight, "If the Crown Prince hadn’t mentioned it, I really wouldn’t have noticed."

The Emperor looked up, "Gaining weight is good. I’ve always thought Marquis Zhou was too thin."

Zhou Shuren smiled happily, "Maybe it’s because there have been many happy events recently, so I’ve been eating more and gained weight."

The Emperor, with his hands behind his back, also felt that the Zhou family had good fortunes. Thinking about how Marquis Zhou stabilizes the country, he didn’t find it surprising at all. Marquis Zhou can stabilize a country, let alone manage a Hou Residence.

The Crown Prince let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. The reason he frequently glanced at Marquis Zhou was all because of what his mother said, that the women of the Zhou family bring prosperity to their husbands.

If it weren’t for the Zhou granddaughters being engaged, and the Zhou family having no intention of marrying into the royal family, this rumor would have been more than just a rumor.

The Crown Prince looked down at the Zhezi in his hand, not having read a single word. Was he tempted? He admitted that his mother’s words moved him. When did his mindset change? It all started with two fateful assessments.

But since Marquis Zhou had no intention of marrying his granddaughters into the royal family, he couldn’t act on it. What good would being tempted do? Under his father’s watchful eyes, he couldn’t make any moves.

The Crown Prince thought about his mother’s health, his heart sinking again. After the new year, his mother had lost a lot of weight. Yesterday, her eyes were bright as if she saw through his thoughts, and his mother smiled.

There seemed to be a definite plan behind his mother’s smile. The Crown Prince calmed his mind. His mother’s health had made him mature once more. He thought of his growing younger brothers, and the Crown Prince clenched the Zhezi tightly.

The Emperor glanced at the Crown Prince out of the corner of his eye. Marquis Zhou didn’t think too deeply about what the Crown Prince said earlier, but he knew the Crown Prince met with the Empress last night. The Empress’s health worried the Crown Prince.

The Emperor turned a String of Pearls in his hand. Wasn’t this also a test for the Crown Prince? All he needed to do was observe.

The Emperor suddenly asked, "I’ve heard that the invitations to the Hou Residence are piled up in baskets?"

Zhou Shuren responded, "Yes, it’s all because of the rumors, Your Majesty. The old minister doesn’t believe in that. These matters are about fate. How could rumors be so powerful?"

After a pause, he continued, "And about the rumor of prosperity for the husband, the old minister would like to say something."

The Emperor showed interest, "Go on."

Zhou Shuren said, "A virtuous wife benefits three generations, reducing misfortune for her husband. I think the root lies in whether the wife married is virtuous. This involves the upbringing of the family women. I believe not all young ladies skilled in etiquette, zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting are good. My wife teaches our granddaughters by first establishing their worldview, teaching them to discern right from wrong, then broadening their horizons, and only lastly focusing on etiquette like zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I’m not sure if I’m correct, but this is indeed how our granddaughters were raised."

With his hands behind his back, the Emperor was deeply moved. Zhou Shuren’s granddaughters were indeed impressive, of course with sharp tongues, not ones to suffer losses.

After listening, the Crown Prince thought of the future Crown Princess Consort. He was satisfied with her. Shangguan’s family background and abilities were good. To him, she was suitable, but there was no deeper affection.

His father and mother had feelings for each other, yet he felt nothing when meeting his future Crown Princess Consort. Facing her, he was exceedingly calm. Despite growing up, his evaluation of her remained just two words: suitable.

Zhou Shuren wasn’t aware of the Crown Prince’s inner turmoil. He had long wanted to say these words and was pleased to express them today.

The Emperor suddenly inquired, "Recently, there have been many seeking marriage with the Hou Residence. Have you found any suitable candidates?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head, "I only have two granddaughters left unmarried. One is too young, and I am reluctant to part with the other. Since they are still young, I’m not in a rush to arrange their engagements."

The Emperor casually remarked, "Now that you mention it, you haven’t added any more grandsons or granddaughters in recent years."

Zhou Shuren, "The eldest branch has enough children, and the other branches are not keen on having more. I’m not interfering with them."

He didn’t wish for more grandsons. Granddaughters were fine, but grandsons worried him to death. He wanted to manage the Zhou family’s resources, avoiding expansion that might alert the royal family. The grandsons would have to wait patiently.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan rubbed her cheeks after sending away visitors she couldn’t refuse, involving Yu Wen. Su Xuan had accompanied her all along.

Su Xuan stood up to massage her mother-in-law’s shoulders, "Mother, sorry for the trouble."

"Once the stir dies down, it’ll be fine. Fortunately, Yu Die and Yu Yi are already engaged."

Otherwise, their Hou Residence would be even busier.

Su Xuan thought of the marriage divination for her daughter, "I’m worried about Yu Wen’s engagement. This girl is quite opinionated, and her criteria make it hard to find a suitable match."

Zhulan laughed helplessly at her granddaughter who only cared about being a salted fish, "We’re not in a rush. She’ll find someone eventually."

What else could Su Xuan do? She had to look slowly. She only had this one daughter, and she spoiled her completely.

Before she knew it, it was Zhou Shuren’s day off. The Lin family visited, and Zhulan had already looked at several suitable dates and spoke to the Lin family matriarch, "The soonest is June, and there’s also August and October."

These three dates were carefully chosen and all are good dates.

The Lin family matriarch flipped through the invitations. The Lin family wanted to proceed quickly and finally chose the date in June, "This day looks good."

Zhulan smiled, "Then let’s set it for June."

Ming Rui’s engagement was set, making him more stable. He had been at the orphanage recently, managing the introduction of medical courses effectively.

Speaking of the orphanage, after the new year, nearby provinces around the capital also established them, deploying staff from the capital’s estates. They weren’t permanent fixtures but helped set the orphanages up, ultimately managed by people sent in the Empress Dowager’s name on behalf of the royal family.

Even civilian-run orphanages, once their effectiveness was seen, were controlled by the royal family. Fortunately, Zhulan remained as the person in charge.

The Zhou family was preparing Ming Rui’s courtyard, getting ready for the wedding.

Zhulan was reviewing a list sent by Zhao, which detailed necessary changes. The Lin family had already sent the dimensions of the dowry furniture, "There are quite a few changes needed."

"Yes, the courtyard was previously arranged according to Ming Rui’s preferences. Over the years, he made his own changes, but now everything has to be redesigned."

Zhulan put down the list, "Thank you for your hard work."

Just as she finished speaking, Zhulan noticed Chang Xhong returning, frowning, "What’s happened to your clothes? Why are you all wet?"

Chang Xhong pointed at his hair, "Mother, my hair is also wet."

Zhulan stood up, "Where on earth have you been? Did you fall into the water?"