CHAPTER 1614: CHAPTER 1614: ACCIDENT OR INTENTIONAL

Yu Wen was speechless, "I have no rapport with her, what’s her ruckus about?"

Zhulan also couldn’t fathom the young girl’s mind, especially a proud young lady, and asked, "Are you going?"

Yu Wen looked at the snowflakes outside the window, "I’m not crazy."

She didn’t care what Wen Ling wanted to say; she didn’t want to listen, nor would she suffer for someone irrelevant. How comfortable it was to stay in the bedroom eating pastries, sleeping?

Zhulan, "Then why do you bring the invitation?"

Yu Wen, "I heard Mr. Gu thanked my uncle for his care and sent a New Year’s gift?"

Zhulan thought Yu Wen had lost interest in Gu Sheng. Since she last talked with her granddaughter, she hadn’t brought up Gu Sheng again, so she let it go. Unexpectedly, Yu Wen mentioned Gu Sheng again, "Tell grandma what’s on your mind?"

Yu Wen blinked, "I want to live an easy life."

Her thoughts hadn’t changed; having a title made her more confident.

Zhulan, "Mr. Gu isn’t young anymore."

Zhuo Guyu has a purpose, so he will wait until Yu Wen comes of age. However, Gu Sheng won’t; he’s expected to marry after next year’s spring exams. She heard from her son that officials are inquiring about Gu Sheng, obviously noticing him.

Yu Wen’s smile didn’t change, "Grandma, I’m still young."

Zhulan couldn’t grasp her granddaughter’s thoughts. Yu Wen got up, "Grandma, I’m going to check on my little uncle."

Zhulan, "....."

In the palace, Zhou Shuren held the list with mixed feelings, "Emperor, is this list for An He?"

On it were not only young men from the capital but also families from various states, quite a few indeed, slowly filling a sheet of paper.

Emperor, "You’re overthinking; this is for Zhenyue."

Zhou Shuren breathed a sigh of relief. He really didn’t like the royal family playing matchmaker; it being not for An He was a relief. He remarked in surprise, "Didn’t the Emperor say to keep the princess for a few more years?"

How quickly has the decision changed?

Emperor, "Recently, many have been in my ear saying Zhenyue is of age to be betrothed. I thought about it; getting married and being betrothed are two different things. She can be betrothed now and wed a few years later."

He was swayed, afraid that good suitors would be taken. It wouldn’t do if he couldn’t select the best for his daughter.

Zhou Shuren was speechless, "Why show the list to me, Emperor?"

He wouldn’t want to choose leftovers for his granddaughter. Besides, the boys on the list have respectable backgrounds, and their families are prosperous, meaning trouble.

Emperor was straightforward, "I don’t trust their words; I trust your judgment."

Zhou Shuren thought, the Emperor distrusted some for being partial. He wasn’t planning to lean further into the royal family. His assessment was truly unbiased, "The list includes some participating in next spring’s exams."

The Emperor had investigated; those competing in the spring exams are the youngest in their families, free from the burden of family responsibilities. "Hmm."

Zhou Shuren was familiar with several young men in the capital, but not with the noble families from various states. Instead of commenting on them, he focused on the back chambers—whose family matriarchs had strong control and whose family’s inner chambers had much strife.

The Emperor was somewhat engrossed, "You pay attention to these?"

Zhou Shuren, "My wife says a good relationship with the mother-in-law affects future living."

The Emperor, confident that no one would dare trouble his daughter, preferred to avoid complications if possible. He marked off several names with his pen.

Zhou Shuren felt truly conflicted inside; the Emperor really trusted him, yet wasn’t afraid of him babbling nonsense!

The Emperor didn’t consider poor scholars, which didn’t surprise Zhou Shuren. This wasn’t a drama, not everyone could become a prince consort. Thinking about the list stirred complex emotions, even as the Emperor was good to his daughter, the princess’s marriage still carried calculations.

At the Marquis Zhou Residence, Zhulan hadn’t seen anyone from the Duke Residence and asked Qing Xue, "Haven’t they left yet?"

Qing Xue shook his head, "Not yet."

Zhulan was displeased; sending New Year’s gifts was a customary exchange between acquaintances. The Marquis Zhou Residence and Duke Residence had no relationship, suddenly sending gifts was truly infuriating.

Qing Xue noticed the matron’s displeased face and stepped out to give some instructions.

At the gate of the Hou Residence, the steward from the Duke Residence looked at the closed gate, rubbing his cold-red hands; Marquis Zhou Residence gave him no regard.

The small gate of the Hou Residence opened, Steward Ding walked out, his face cold, "Please stop blocking in front of the Hou Residence gate and return."

The steward from the Duke Residence, "This is our Duke Residence’s sincerity; please help us out."

Saying this, he tried to offer a pouch, but Steward Ding took a step back, "If you don’t leave now, it will get ugly, and don’t blame me for being impolite."

The steward of the Duke Residence held a stiff expression. He couldn’t believe that the Zhou Residence would give no face at all; looking at the gate closing again, his cheeks burned, "We’re leaving."

Today the Duke Residence lost face.

Zhou Shuren returned home from the palace and heard, "They had quite the plan."

This was taking advantage of his absence from the residence. If his wife had let them in the Hou Residence, the Duke Residence could claim reconciliation with the Zhou Residence. He didn’t expect his wife to keep them at the gate.

Zhulan, "Hmph, they take me for someone with shallow views."

"Let’s see how long they can keep at it."

Zhulan asked, "You went to the palace despite resting; what happened?"

Zhou Shuren spoke of the eldest princess’s marriage, Zhulan worried, "Will the Emperor intervene in Lin Xi’s marriage?"

Zhou Shuren, "Rongchuan won’t agree with it."

Zhulan was reassured, "That’s good."

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year. The eighth year of Shenghui passed smoothly; after the New Year, it entered the ninth year, with spring exams being the major matter.

After the first month of the lunar year, the weather remained cold, and the wind was biting. Due to this weather, the spring exams were postponed.

Postponement of the spring exams was a good thing; it offered more time to study. Nearing the exams, the capital quieted down, and in the bustling teahouses, not a trace of the Graduates could be seen.

On this day, Zhulan was sorting the village’s accounts when Qing Xue came in, "Matron, there’s a Mr. Gu outside requesting a meeting."

Zhulan closed the account book, "Invite him in, send someone to fetch Chang Xhong."

Qing Xue went out, Chang Xhong arrived first, "Mother, I heard Mr. Gu asked for a meeting?"

Zhulan, "It’s likely he’s here for you."

As they spoke, the person had already come in; Zhulan noted it wasn’t Gu Sheng. This person walked with a limp, it was Gu Sheng’s older brother.

Chang Xhong didn’t ceremonially greet Gu Yan, immediately asking, "Why has Mr. Gu come to the Hou Residence?"

Gu Yan appeared anxious, "I had no other choice but to presumptively come to the Hou Residence; please save my younger brother."

Chang Xhong was taken aback, "What’s wrong with Gu Sheng?"

Due to the spring exams, he hadn’t seen Gu Sheng in a while. Wasn’t Gu Sheng supposed to be preparing properly?

Gu Yan, "My brother is ill; we called a doctor but saw no improvement. I’ve no other choice, so I came boldly to ask for your help."

A sense of helplessness, pure helplessness; he really had no other way. After consulting two or three doctors, there was no sign of recovery.

Chang Xhong looked at his mother, only stood up when he saw her nod, "I’ll send someone to call for a doctor."

Gu Yan expressed infinite gratitude, "Thank you, Matron. Thank you, Young Master."

He clearly saw the matron nod.

Chang Xhong helped the once again kneeling Gu Yan up, "Let’s go and have a look first; the doctor will arrive soon."

Gu Yan’s eyes were bloodshot, "Alright, thank you for your grace, Matron. Thank you, Young Master."

After her son left with him, Zhulan said to Qing Xue, "Do you think it’s an accident or intentional?"