CHAPTER 1612: CHAPTER 1612: DIVORCE AND REMARRYING IN LOW SPIRITS

Chang Lian’s scalp tingled slightly; too many people wanted to send women to him. Even when he went to the teahouse, there were women who threw themselves at his feet, with some boldly confessing that they didn’t seek status and would be content to be a maid without any name or title!

Now, he had no need to stay indoors all the time. Living behind the Government Office had its advantages; after work, he could go directly home, avoiding the various unexpected incidents on the way.

Lady Dong carefully took the tea her husband offered her. After drinking it, most of her anger dissipated, "In the end, it’s still because of your status, and my status is too low."

This was the drawback. The gap between the Zhou family and the Dong family was huge. Her husband was Mr. Hou, already a Fourth-rank Prefect in his thirties, while the Dong family was of low status. As his wife, she was not respected, and some even thought that if she could be a legitimate wife with her status, then those who considered their status not inferior wouldn’t take her seriously.

Chang Lian hurriedly expressed his loyalty, "You and I have supported each other all the way; I have no ulterior motives."

It wasn’t just because of the rules set by his father; he truly thought his wife was excellent.

Lady Dong sighed deeply, "Our family can’t take concubines, but we can divorce and remarry!"

Some people had precisely this plan. They couldn’t take concubines, so divorce and remarriage was a method, as long as her husband had such intentions, everything would be easy.

Chang Lian was stunned, "There’s such a way?"

Lady Dong’s gaze was deep, "Those who are more ruthless might even get rid of me. Remarrying after being widowed would preserve one’s reputation even more."

Of course, it had to be done cleanly, without leaving evidence.

Chang Lian, "..."

He realized he was still naïve, only thinking about not taking concubines!

Seeing her husband’s silly expression, Lady Dong burst into laughter, "Snap out of it."

Chang Lian held his wife’s hand, "I swear you are my only wife. If something happens to you, I won’t remarry. Ptooey, ptooey, anyway, I will only share a grave with you."

The last trace of resentment in Lady Dong’s heart vanished, "Alright, I’m not angry anymore."

Chang Lian thought about standing up for his wife. Wasn’t it that they didn’t take her seriously? He wanted everyone to know how much he valued her, so he still had to learn from his father!

Time flew by, and before he knew it, it was the twelfth month, getting closer to the year-end. Zhenyue had already returned to the Palace. With Zhenyue back at the Palace, the Ran family calmed down, and so did the Marquis Zhou’s residence.

The cold twelfth month was colder this year than the previous year, and even morning meetings were canceled.

Zhou Shuren didn’t have to get up early and lay comfortably in bed, "I should thank Lord Wen and others. I’ll send some supplements over later."

Zhulan, "If they accept your supplements, Lord Wen’s illness might worsen."

Zhou Shuren laughed heartily, "Their health isn’t good, just look at me, I’m fine."

"If you can’t sleep, get up."

Zhou Shuren snuggled down, "I won’t. Anyway, I don’t have to go to the Ministry of Revenue on time; I’m staying in bed."

Zhulan glanced at the clock, "Alright, anyway, you’re the most senior at the Ministry of Revenue. You can stay in bed; I’ll get up and wash."

She already saw the shadows of people outside. Qing Xue had come a few times, and she didn’t know how many times the hot water had been changed. She couldn’t be lazy any longer.

Zhou Shuren moved over, and once his wife got up, he occupied the entire kang, comfortable in the warm bed.

Zhulan changed her clothes, washed, and waited for Qing Xue to comb her hair. When she turned around, Shuren was asleep again.

Chang Yi and Chang Zhi still went to the government office on time. They didn’t have their father’s merits. With the Ministry of Revenue being slack, their father could be lazy without anyone saying anything, not even the Imperial Censor who pretended to be blind. But it wasn’t the same for them.

Another half an hour passed before Zhou Shuren finally got up, ate a simple breakfast, and sat there not ready to leave.

Zhulan, "Still not leaving?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head, "There’s really nothing important at the Ministry of Revenue."

The only major issue at the moment was salaries. But the salaries were regulated and didn’t require much attention, so it was indeed slack at the Ministry of Revenue before the year-end.

Zhulan added, "Our sons have been at the government office for almost half an hour already."

"How can they compare with me? Hmph, hmph."

Zhulan chuckled, "Alright, alright, you’re the best."

Zhou Shuren glanced at the clock, lazily stood up, "I should indeed be going."

Zhulan also stood up, took the warming stove, and helped fasten his cloak, "Don’t catch a chill."

"Got it, I’ll be back soon."

Zhulan, "....."

Late arrival and early departure, that’s Zhou Shuren for you.

Zhou Shuren arrived at the Ministry of Revenue; the doorkeeper was already waiting, "Grand Master of Writing, the Crown Prince has been here for a quarter of an hour and is waiting for you."

Zhou Shuren looked up at the sky; on such a cold day, the Crown Prince had actually left the palace. He quickened his pace slightly and entered the room where the Crown Prince was drinking tea.

Zhou Shuren unfastened his cloak, "What does the Crown Prince seek from this humble servant?"

The Crown Prince said, "I had some free time today and came here to ask for a cup of tea."

Zhou Shuren, "..."

He had a slight aversion to people coming to ask for tea; those who came for tea were never up to any good.

The Crown Prince had already brewed the tea, "Please, Marquis."

Zhou Shuren blinked his small eyes; it was clear the Crown Prince had something on his mind, "I must say, this tea was a gift to me from the Emperor."

The Crown Prince nodded, took a sip, and said, "Next year, my second brother will be entering court. Can the Marquis guess which of The Six Ministries he’s going to?"

Zhou Shuren also took a sip of tea, "Ministry of Rites."

Looking at the Second Prince’s movements, it wasn’t difficult to guess.

The Crown Prince lifted his teacup, "The Marquis guessed right."

Zhou Shuren felt a sense of nostalgia; the Crown Prince sighed about his younger brothers growing up. He didn’t plan to speak much, because the more you say, the more mistakes you make. It was best to honestly accompany him and drink tea.

The Crown Prince chuckled softly, unconcerned, sipping tea alone, listening to the sound of the charcoal fire, finding it quite pleasant. Unexpectedly, he found a moment of peace in Marquis Zhou’s presence.

The Crown Prince’s thoughts drifted; the capital was vast. There was no place he couldn’t go, yet finding peace was hard.

Zhou Shuren leaned back in his chair; the room was so quiet that it made him sleepy. Hearing the sound of a chair moving, he saw the Crown Prince standing and putting on his cloak.

Zhou Shuren quickly stood up, "This servant will see the Crown Prince out."

The Crown Prince waved his hand, "No need, Marquis, please stay."

Saying this, the Crown Prince swiftly left. Zhou Shuren stood by the window, watching the Crown Prince’s steady steps, a smile forming at the corner of his mouth. The Emperor had indeed taught the Crown Prince well.

In the Palace, the Emperor was well aware of the Crown Prince’s movements, unsurprised that the Crown Prince would visit Zhou Shuren. His son trusted Zhou Shuren as much as he did. What surprised him was that Zhou Shuren had said nothing, almost dozing off himself.

The Retired Emperor smiled, "This is why Zhou Shuren is truly a wise man."

The Emperor sighed, "It’s a pity he’s not young anymore; I wonder if he’ll live to see the Crown Prince ascend the throne."

The Retired Emperor lifted his head from the chessboard, his son was still young. He bowed his head, "I think retirement life is quite good, taking the opportunity to explore the rivers and mountains I governed, it’s also a blessing."

The Emperor placed a chess piece with a small thud, "Not yet."

The Retired Emperor’s beard twitched; this was his son’s answer. Indeed, it was still early, at least his son didn’t resist the idea of abdication.

At the teahouse, Ming Rui glanced down at Zhuo Guyu, "Uncle, you’re paying too much attention to him."

Chang Xhong, "He’s out on such a cold day; his willpower is strong."

"Uncle’s willpower is strong too."

Chang Xhong smiled, "Anyway, I have nothing important to do; just looking for some excitement."

Ming Rui stood up, "I won’t accompany you anymore. I’m going to fetch the screen."

Chang Xhong waved his hand. Ming Rui was really good to his wife, fetching the screen himself in this freezing weather.

Chang Xhong sat for a bit longer, feeling bored, and decided to head back home. On his way downstairs, he met Gu Sheng, "What a coincidence."

Gu Sheng also felt it was a coincidence, "My elder brother just arrived in the capital, so I brought him here for a meal."

Chang Xhong glanced at Gu Sheng’s elder brother; the two brothers shared about a thirty percent resemblance, and Gu Sheng’s elder brother had fewer scholarly airs but looked decent.