Chapter 1605: Chapter 1605: Who to Help

The Emperor glanced sideways, “Stop mumbling, isn’t this the result you wanted?”

Zhou Shuren looked up, “This old minister knew he couldn’t hide from the Emperor. I owe everything I have today to the Emperor’s great grace. I have never dared to hope for what is not mine, yet I stick to my duties, and some won’t let me be!”

The Emperor gestured for him to continue, and Zhou Shuren said, “I do not wish to be someone else’s stepping stone, nor do I want to be entangled in my granddaughter’s marriage affairs. Additionally, I am afraid.”

The Crown Prince looked sideways, could Zhou Marquis actually fear something?

Zhou Shuren coughed, “I fear forming relations with ingrates. My achievements are not to make them someone else’s dowry, I fear Zhou Hou Residence may end up shattered.”

The Emperor and the Crown Prince remained silent. Zhou Shuren subtly implied that the Duke of Yongan Residence was not trustworthy and insinuated that he feared being discarded after he’s outlived his usefulness.

The study was too quiet, Zhang the eunuch was breaking out in cold sweat, this Zhou Marquis was indeed quite audacious!

Zhou Shuren wasn’t afraid at all; he had accomplished enough. As long as he did not break the law, the royal family had no reason to reproach him. At this point, he wasn’t afraid to express his feelings, indeed, he feared the Zhou Hou Residence would become nothing but a fleeting moment.

The Emperor said, “You have always diligently fulfilled your duties. As long as you have no regrets towards the Imperial court and the people, what you fear will not happen.”

Zhou Shuren’s eyes were deep, the outcome of this test satisfied him, “Thank you, Emperor.”

The Emperor personally helped him up, “My father and I trust you.”

He could see very clearly whether a person had the country and the people at heart. If not for concerns, Zhou Shuren should have received more.

Zhou Shuren asked quietly, “If I argue or even fight with the Duke of Yongan, whose side will the Emperor take?”

The Crown Prince, “??”

The Emperor, “… Can you win?”

Zhou Shuren was at a loss for words, the question was a bit off, yes, the Duke of Yongan was a military general, but who said fighting had to be done personally. Knowing you can’t win yet fighting is foolish, “I have the experts sent by the Emperor.”

The Emperor, “…”

Zhou Shuren subtly continued, “I think it’s not good for the Retired Emperor to have a grudge pent up inside.”

Back in the founding days, the Retired Emperor surely faced difficulties, and this grudge was certainly remembered.

The Emperor, “…”

The Crown Prince, “…”

After Zhou Shuren finished his report, he cheerfully walked out of the palace, drawing glances from the patrolling guards. The Commander of the Imperial Guards, familiar with Zhou Shuren, purposely stopped, “Does the Marquis have good news?”

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, “Indeed, there is good news. The Commander has worked hard.”

The Commander of the Imperial Guards smiled, “Then I won’t delay the Marquis.”

As trusted individuals of the Emperor, with no conflicting interests, their relationship remained good.

At Zhou Hou Residence, Zhulan found herself speechless with her eldest daughter-in-law and son-in-law, “Hiding is not a solution.”

They had come hiding early in the morning, what is this supposed to mean?

Xue Mei said decisively, “I figured hiding for a few days would let them know my husband has no intention of accepting apprentices. Even if they don’t give up, they won’t be as persistent as they are now.”

Jiang Sheng agreed with his wife’s idea, “Mother, we have disturbed you.”

Zhulan waved her hand, “This is not a disturbance, you don’t need to stay with me, go rest in the courtyard.”

Having spent most of last night checking the gift list upon returning home, Xue Mei felt exhausted and went to rest in her own small courtyard.

Xue Mei and her husband had just left when Qing Xue entered, “Rong Marquis and Madam have brought the Princely Heir.”

Zhulan was surprised, “Please invite them in.”

Rong Enqing and his wife entered, Zhulan looked at Rong Anxing, “The child didn’t go to the Academy, why did you bring him here today?”

Yao Yao turned her head towards her husband, Rong Enqing nudged his son, “I’ve invited a teacher for Anxing to learn painting, Anxing has some talent in painting, and today, boldly, we come hoping to have him apprenticed under Mr. Jiang.”

Zhulan was not surprised by Rong Enqing’s straightforwardness, there’s no need for pretense these years. She motioned Anxing forward, “This child has grown into a young man in the blink of an eye.”

Anxing often accompanied his parents here, showing great respect towards the old madam, and quickly greeted, “How has the old madam been recently?”

Zhulan, “Good, good.”

This child increasingly resembles Rong Enqing in his youth.

In recent years, Rong Enqing had often gone to teach orphans, as if finding a new goal, he seemed more spirited, and with his smile, father and son looked even more alike.

Yao Yao looked at her son with soft eyes, this aware child pained her heart. If it weren’t for having a mother like her, he would’ve had a better future; instead, renowned teachers now refuse to teach him, all because the Yao clan was purged.

As a Yao’s daughter, one carries the surname burden for life.

Zhulan quite liked Anxing, this child was just too well-behaved, lacking the ostentatiousness of a noble’s child, “You arrived just in time, Xue Mei and her husband are here at the residence. I’ll call Jiang Sheng over, but let me make it clear, I won’t interfere in whether Jiang Sheng accepts or not.”

Rong Enqing was grateful, “Helping us ask is already a great favor.”

Jiang Sheng came quickly; being out much over the years, he wasn’t familiar with Rong Anxing, who was too quiet and usually went unnoticed during New Year’s, “I indeed don’t have plans to take on apprentices.”

After speaking, he saw the disappointment in the young man’s eyes and added, “But I can offer guidance. I teach Ming Jia and Yu Wen, and you may join.”

Rong Anxing quickly saluted, “Thank you, sir.”

Rong Enqing also smiled, this was already a good result, “Thank you.”

Jiang Sheng replied with a smile, “No trouble, we are all relatives.”

Time flew. Those who wanted to apprentice under Jiang Sheng, upon seeing he had no intention of taking on students, mostly gave up, leaving a small few who wouldn’t quit but wouldn’t push too hard either. Jiang Sheng could finally stay in the mansion and paint peacefully.

This year, as winter set in, several snowfalls occurred, but then ceased. The south still saw snowfall, although less than last year, which was a good thing.

Zhulan received a family letter from Chang Lian, saying everything was well in Ningzhou, and spoke of the scenery behind the Ningzhou Government Office. Only at the end did he mention missing his parents at home, expressing unfilial guilt for not having visited the capital in years.

Zhulan felt discomfort upon reading the letter. Her third son had been out of the capital for many years; Yu Yi and the others had grown up, and she hadn’t seen her third son since. It’s said he grew a beard, but she had no idea what he looked like now.

Qing Xue noticed the old madam’s low spirits, “If you continue like this, the third master will be concerned.”

Zhulan sighed, “There’s no telling how many more years it will take for him to return to the capital. It’s too far.”

In modern times, one could fly back after saving some vacation days. In ancient times, Ningzhou was too far from the capital to come back easily! As the one managing a state, it’s even more impossible for him to leave!

Zhulan considered not sending the children to Ningzhou, since the couple must also miss the children. However, faced with the long journey, she decided against it, though the thought left a mark in her heart.

At the Jiang family gate, Gu Sheng stood for a while before stepping forward to knock. The doorman, having been instructed by the master, promptly opened the gate, “You must be Mr. Gu. My master is waiting for you!”

Gu Sheng, holding a painting in his arms, was just about to step in when he heard a shout from behind, “Mr. Gu, Mr. Gu.”

Gu Sheng turned with pursed lips, only to see a carriage come to a stop, with Ji Deming alighting from it, followed by another person, causing Gu Sheng to frown even deeper!