CHAPTER 1602: CHAPTER 1602 REFUSAL

The sound of drums echoed in the painting shop, and the interior fell silent. Everyone looked at the shopkeeper hosting the event downstairs. The shopkeeper first cupped his hands before speaking, "The painting shop can hold competitions every year, thanks to the support of esteemed guests. Today’s refreshments are free as a token of gratitude to all for witnessing the event."

Responses echoed within the painting shop, but at the shopkeeper’s gesture, quiet resumed, signaling that the fifty participants were ready.

The shopkeeper pointed to the lit incense, "Paint with snow on-site, done within the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn."

Zhulan first glanced at her son-in-law, who was poised and confident, then shifted her gaze to others, her eyes settling on Mr. Gu. There was no helping it; among the fifty below, he was the most handsome.

Zhulan lifted her hand, pointing, "Do you think the gentleman in the grey long robe is handsome?"

Tao Shih followed the direction of her gaze, eyes lighting up, "Lately, everyone says Zhuo Guyu is handsome, but this one isn’t bad either."

Zhulan mused that it was no wonder her granddaughter was so impressed. Due to illness, he had gained a delicate pallor, which, she thought, made him look even better!

This appreciation of beauty is something everyone possesses. Naturally, someone attractive garners attention, so Tao Shih didn’t find it boring anymore.

Many daughters of officials had come to the teahouse, all arriving in groups. Though mindful of decorum and refraining from discussion, their eyes never strayed.

The private box where the Fourth Prince was located was large. His presence alone caused the box to clear out, so many knew that the Fourth Prince had arrived.

Standing outside the half-open box, Zhuo Guyu bowed and said, "Upon hearing the Fourth Prince was here, I came to pay my respects."

Feeling bored while waiting, the Fourth Prince lifted his eyes towards Zhuo Guyu, amusement in his gaze, "The eldest grandson of the Duke of Yongan."

Zhuo Guyu replied seriously, "Yes."

The Fourth Prince glanced at the people behind Zhuo Guyu, "Come in."

Zhuo Guyu felt a slight relief, "Thank you, Your Highnes."

The guards outside the box made way, allowing Zhuo Guyu to bring in his sister, followed by greetings, this time directed at Yu Wen, given her title!

Chang Xhong and the others nodded. None of them held a title, so no one was considered nobler.

Zhuo Guyu quickly scanned everyone in the box, pausing in surprise to find they were all linked to the Zhou Hou Residence, pondering the close relationship between the Fourth Prince and the Zhou Hou Residence.

Zhuo Ya sat at a table with a girl, the only one she recognized being Magistrate Anhe, "What is the Magistrate looking at?"

Since entering, she’d noticed the Magistrate looking down constantly.

Yu Wen replied, "Admiring the scenery."

She couldn’t very well admit to watching the handsome gentlemen!

Zhuo Ya believed it, "Whom does the Magistrate think will take the top prize?"

Yu Wen responded promptly, "It must be Uncle!"

Zhuo Ya choked, "What if not?"

Yu Wen became displeased, rested her chin on her hands, and continued watching Mr. Gu, ignoring Zhuo Ya.

The private box was only so large; naturally, the commotion reached the ears of the Fourth Prince and the others, though it was inappropriate for them to interject. Now, the Fourth Prince chuckled, "Cousin, I also think Mr. Jiang can take the top prize."

Yu Wen, "..."

Each time she heard "cousin," her heart trembled!

This sound made Zhuo Guyu, who was upset due to his sister’s embarrassment, turn his head, admitting that Magistrate Anhe indeed had grounds for her pride.

Smiling faintly, Chang Xhong swept a glance over the Zhuo siblings; they had pursued them this far, their cheek quite thick!

At the Ministry of Revenue, Qiu Yan restrained himself several times before asking, "Any joyous occasions at home?"

He’d been in a good mood all morning!

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "Tonight, my son-in-law will honor me with a painting."

Qiu Yan realized, "Your eldest son-in-law?"

"Yes, I’m also surprised at his talent in painting."

Qiu Yan felt a pang of envy; although his son-in-law was a match, he wasn’t so dutiful. He was well aware of how much Jiang Sheng’s paintings were worth in silver.

Just as they spoke, Jing Yan entered, "Marquis, the Duke of Yongan invites you for tea."

Zhou Shuren stood up, telling Qiu Yan, "I’ll leave this to you for a while. I’ll be back soon."

"Ah, all right."

Qiu Yan returned to his thoughts after speaking. Why would the Duke suddenly invite Zhou Shuren for tea? His gaze fell upon the young guard, suddenly understanding why.

The Old Duke hadn’t expected Zhou Shuren to be so easy to invite. He thought he’d have to invite him a few times, so he composed himself, "Marquis Zhou, please sit."

For a marquis with real power, the Duke dared not be too presumptuous, maintaining the utmost politeness.

Zhou Shuren sat, "I’ve always been straightforward, the Zhou Hou Residence will not form a marriage alliance with the Duke of Yongan Residence, so the Duke needn’t worry."

The Old Duke’s smile turned a bit forced. It was too blunt, "My eldest grandson is outstanding; it’s difficult to find a young man more outstanding in the capital."

"Indeed, your Duke’s grandson is outstanding, but that has nothing to do with my Marquis. To be frank, many have their eyes on your Duke’s grandson, so you needn’t cling to our Marquis Residence."

Zhou Shuren paused and continued, "I dislike schemes the most, and those who try to use me end up no good. I am petty, whether it’s scheming or trying to leverage, it won’t work."

Originally, he could refuse more politely, but the Duke Residence’s relentless approach made handling them tedious.

The Old Duke was inwardly annoyed but showed no change. Having climbed from grassroots to his current position, he knew not to offend Zhou Shuren. A word from Zhou Shuren could impact the Duke Residence, "No need to be agitated, Marquis Zhou. Even if not in-laws, we can still have more interactions."

Besides, Magistrate Anhe was still young, his grandson could wait. He had confidence in his grandson.

Zhou Shuren smiled subtly, "We are both men of understanding. I don’t want to state the game the Duke Residence is playing too clearly. Today, I’ve drunk the tea and have other matters, so I take my leave."

Having come this far, there was no need to stay when the tea wasn’t satisfying and the conversation was unnecessary.

The Old Duke watched as Zhou Shuren left, sweeping the teacup to the ground with a darkened face.

Suddenly, the door opened again, and the Old Duke nearly had a heart attack!

Zhou Shuren’s face was cold as well, "I intended to say more, but there seems to be no need now."

With that, he flung his sleeves and strode out, his aura intensely oppressive. Those he passed didn’t dare breathe heavily.

The teahouse was bustling with people full of curiosity, gossiping in small groups. By the time the Old Duke emerged, speculation varied, with many concluding that the Zhou Hou Residence and the Duke of Yongan Residence had become adversaries.

At the painting shop, the fifty participants had completed their works and submitted them to await results, sitting and resting on chairs.

Zhulan noticed at a glance that Mr. Gu hadn’t recovered from his illness, clearly persevering now. She instructed Qing Xue, "Send some hot soup to my son-in-law and Mr. Gu."

Qing Xue bowed, "Yes."

Mr. Gu was exhausted sitting there, having overestimated himself. His head was slightly dizzy now, pondering his condition, he closed his eyes, taking a long lesson this time.

Just as Mr. Gu was resting with his eyes closed, he heard, "Mr. Gu, my family’s old madam sent you some hot soup. Drink it while it’s hot, and you’ll feel comfortable."

The hot soup was fortified with medicinal herbs, no longer simply soup, and became a medicinal meal before him.

Mr. Gu opened his eyes in puzzlement, getting up, "Miss, I don’t know your family’s old madam."

Qing Xue lowered her voice, "You are acquainted with Mr. Chang Xhong from our family, and when the old madam saw you unwell, she happened to be preparing soup for my son-in-law and sent you a bowl."

This time, Mr. Gu didn’t hesitate and accepted the soup, "Thank you, old madam."