CHAPTER 1576: CHAPTER 1576: OX

After Ming Rui got married, Zhulan indulged in sweets a bit too much and felt quite overwhelmed lately. Who would have thought that after Ming Rui got married, he would constantly scatter sugar everywhere with his wife!

Zhao Shi initially felt contented but now avoids the young couple.

Zhulan chuckled, "Why are you hiding here with me?"

Zhao Shi fanned herself with a fan, "My daughter-in-law comes over to digest her meal."

Eating together every day has been somewhat painful. She never noticed how considerate her son was before. Now that it’s their new marriage, it’s not right to let the young couple eat alone, otherwise she truly wishes to separate early.

Zhulan laughed, "Back when you and Chang Yi got married, it wasn’t much different from Ming Rui. Indeed, the son resembles the father; when they truly care, they’re considerate to their wives."

Zhao Shi, who wasn’t young anymore, blushed. Thinking about how her husband treated her back then, she coughed and couldn’t recall, blushing even more, "Mother."

"Oh, feeling shy, are you? You blush at the thought of Chang Yi."

Despite her age, Chang Yi’s heart is entirely with Zhao Shi.

Zhao Shi felt embarrassed talking about her son now, although the contrast between before and after her son got married was somewhat significant.

Zhulan was pleased for Lin Qing; true feelings exchanged for true feelings. Lin Qing used her sincerity to win over Ming Rui. If it weren’t for the newlywed couple being too sweet, she would quite enjoy talking with Lin Qing.

Xue Han came in, and Zhulan asked, "Why are you here so early today?"

She had just finished breakfast, and it’s unlike her daughter to choose such an early time to visit. Usually, it’s after a two-hour break following a meal.

Xue Han held matters in her heart, but didn’t show it, and smiled, "Second sister-in-law is also here."

Zhao Shi noticed that her sister-in-law wouldn’t come without a reason. Seeing her sit down without speaking, she knew it wasn’t meant for her ears, so she stood up, "Mother, I have some matters to attend to in my courtyard, so I’ll take my leave."

"Alright."

After Zhao Shi left, Xue Han gestured for the maids to leave as well, then leaned closer to her mother’s ear and whispered, "The Empress is sick, and it’s been kept a tight secret within the palace."

Zhulan was surprised, "How did you find out? You haven’t been to the palace lately."

Xue Han said, "I haven’t been to the palace, but Lin Xi went in. She discovered it yesterday and told me when she returned. Rongchuan and I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and came over right after breakfast."

Zhulan felt a jolt in her heart, "If it weren’t serious, it wouldn’t be kept hidden. Only if it’s severe would it be kept tightly under wraps."

"I’m worried about the same thing. It’s just difficult to enter the palace. Rongchuan hasn’t taken on significant tasks this year, and visits to the palace have been fewer. Unless visiting the father and mother, he generally doesn’t go in actively, and we aren’t fond of seeking news; thus, our information flow isn’t as smooth."

Zhulan said, "It’s already smooth enough. Lately, the Wen family hasn’t taken any action, which indicates the Wen family doesn’t know either. How did Lin Xi find this out?"

Xue Han felt satisfied with her daughter’s cleverness, "The little princess was in the empress’s sleeping quarters. The Empress cherishes the little princess; she’s her treasure. Since birth, the little princess hasn’t been away from the Empress. Now, being separated from the Empress indicates problems, and the mother intentionally hides the fact that the little princess was not in the empress’s quarters."

Zhulan worried about her granddaughter, "Did Lin Xi discover the little princess without being noticed by the Empress Dowager?"

Xue Han smiled brightly, "That girl’s hearing has been sharp since she was young; she didn’t let anyone notice. She heard the child’s voice."

"That’s good. Let’s pretend we don’t know about this news."

"Okay."

Zhulan digested the news for a while and asked, "How is Xiaxia lately?"

Xue Han looked relieved, "Her health has been robust lately."

"That’s good. Be extra cautious, as there’s been a lot of rain lately."

Xue Han chuckled, "I don’t need to worry too much now. Third Uncle is more attentive than me, his mother. Before I could prepare, Third Uncle had already made all the preparations. Xiaxia loves Third Uncle; though I care for her a lot, she clings to Third Uncle."

Zhulan said, "That must be destiny."

Xue Han nodded, "Rongchuan said the same. Xiaxia has a bond with Third Uncle. When she grows older, she will go to Hou Residence with Third Uncle."

Zhulan was surprised, "You’re not raising her by your side?"

Xue Han smiled reluctantly, "Third Uncle can’t stay at the Qin Prince Residence indefinitely. Rongchuan said since she was adopted, it’s best to let Third Uncle take her; it’s good for both Xiaxia and Third Uncle."

Zhulan tapped her daughter’s hand, "The child is nearby, and you can often visit her."

Xue Han nodded with a smile, "Yes."

In the evening, as the couple laid down to sleep, Zhulan asked, "Didn’t you notice the Empress’s condition?"

Zhou Shuren truly didn’t notice, "The Princes have been behaving normally, and the Crown Prince hasn’t shown anything different; I truly haven’t noticed."

Zhulan listened, "The Crown Prince indeed was taught by the Emperor; his patience and restraint are refined."

"Yes, the Crown Prince has grown significantly over the past two years."

Zhulan spoke with worry, "Our Hou Residence always stands at the forefront. If the Empress passes away, the political scene will be turbulent, and our Hou Residence won’t escape unscathed."

There will be too many looking to drag the Hou Residence down to muddy the waters. Everyone wants to seize this chip.

Zhou Shuren was silent for a long time, "I hope the Empress can live for several more years, at least until Chang Lian enters the capital or becomes a significant official."

Zhulan, ".....you’re hoping for too much."

Zhou Shuren rubbed his nose, "Alas, hopefully, there won’t be any disasters this year, allowing Chang Lian to be promoted smoothly."

"Hopefully, Heaven will bless us with fair weather and a safe year."

Zhou Shuren spoke of a pleasant matter, "Wu Ming wrote that Mingyun is doing well on the grassland."

"Mingyun was taught by you personally, I’m assured. With this place on the grasslands to achieve merits, I reckon Mingyun might be promoted faster than Chang Lian?"

Zhou Shuren, "It’s not as simple as you say. However, if it comes to bringing Chang Lian and Mingyun back to the capital, I indeed need to stir up the creation of a department; otherwise, returning won’t be easy."

Zhulan laughed, "Other families struggle and fight for positions to enter the capital for their descendants. Where there are no positions, they think of ways to create one. Yet here you are directly stirring the creation of a department."

Zhou Shuren laughed too, "I am said to have a conscience and a baseline. Moreover, it’s good for the country, achieving two goals with one move."

After listening, Zhulan sighed. She had seen too many brutal methods in the capital battles. Some tactics were quite bloody, so just thinking about them dirties the mind, "Fortunately, our Hou Residence occupies fewer positions, and no one dares to touch us."

Zhou Shuren said faintly, "It’s challenging for the Zhou family to firmly establish roots in the capital."

"Yes."

The news of the Empress’s illness eventually spread, causing greater joy than sorrow in the capital. The Wen family was worried, and it’s said that the old lady of the Wen family went into the palace and fell ill afterward.

This further intensified rumors. Although it’s not openly spoken of the Empress’s demise, private glances convey this meaning.

During the morning assembly, Master Wen’s face was heavy and did not trouble Zhou Shuren’s matters. After the assembly, he hurriedly left.

Outside the palace, Wong Ju quietly asked, "Do you have accurate information?"

"Don’t you believe the rumor?"

Wong Ju, "A rumor, a rumor; it already indicates it’s not trustworthy. I trust your words more. Is there any news?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head, "None."

Wong Ju was disappointed. Despite Zhou Shuren being trusted by the Emperor, he didn’t know.

Zhou Shuren continued, "I believe the Empress is fine."

"Why?"

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Because Prince Liang isn’t critically ill."

Wong Ju reacted, widened his eyes, and gave a thumbs up, "Impressive."