Chapter 1500: Chapter 1500: Recommendation
Ming Rui clenched his fists. Today’s cold arrow was aimed at him. He is the eldest son of the second wife’s family and listed before the Crown Prince. If he were to fall, all of the second wife’s plans would crumble. By the time his younger brother grows up to bear responsibility, the opportunities would have passed, and every step would have gone wrong.
Among the grandsons of the Zhou family, he stands out. As the eldest son of the second wife’s branch, targeting him is equivalent to targeting the entire Zhou family.
Ming Rui took the handkerchief from Yu Yi and crouched down to wipe the sweat off Ming Hui’s forehead. "If it hurts, cry it out. Don’t hold back."
Ming Hui’s eyes brimmed with tears. "You said so! Alright, I’m really going to cry then. Hey, Third Brother, it doesn’t actually hurt. I’m not crying, no way!"
He was really struggling. He was the injured one, yet he still had to consider his third brother’s feelings. But what could he do? Third Brother was the most sensitive one. The calmer Third Brother acted, the angrier he actually was.
If it were Eldest Brother or Second Brother, he would’ve been crying his eyes out by now.
Yu Die was utterly at a loss. Ming Hui had been injured on behalf of her own brother. With a choked voice, she said, "We’re all family here. Why are you still trying to act tough? If crying makes you feel better, just cry. No one will dare to laugh at you."
Liu Yuanbo quickly raised his hand to signal, "I absolutely won’t laugh."
Ming Hui: "..."
He forced back his tears. Young Master Liu was surely buttering up Sister Yu Die too much.
Yu Yi picked up the arrow. "No markings of any kind. This was premeditated."
Shangguan Liu, who had already examined the arrow, added, "Our hunting plans were no secret."
Ming Rui let out a hum and continued wiping the sweat from Ming Hui’s forehead.
Ming Jung was beside himself with worry. Ming Hui was his own older brother, the one who protected him the most. His plump little body squeezed past Third Brother. "I’ll take care of Big Brother."
Ming Hui wore an expression of pure rejection. He had always been the one looking after Ming Jung. He had no confidence in Ming Jung’s ability to care for him!
When Zhulan arrived with the Imperial Physician, Ming Hui finally couldn’t bear the pain and burst into tears, soaking the handkerchief through.
Zhulan used the time while the Imperial Physician examined him to glance over all her grandchildren, only relaxing once she saw they were unharmed. Afterward, all her attention focused on Ming Hui.
The Imperial Physician carefully inspected the leg and let out a breath of relief. "It’s a fracture. Fortunately, the young master has good fortune protecting him. The injury is not severe. Once I set the bone, as long as he recuperates cautiously, his leg will recover fine."
Zhulan asked worriedly, "There won’t be any long-term repercussions, will there?"
Stroking his beard, the Imperial Physician replied lightly, "None. I can guarantee it."
He had seen countless such fractures before. As the most experienced in the Imperial Hospital for such injuries, he could speak without ambiguity.
Zhulan felt reassured. The Imperial Physician treated nobility and rarely made guarantees during diagnoses, so his confidence today indicated Ming Hui’s situation was not serious. She signaled him to set the bone.
Ming Hui swallowed nervously. Bone-setting—just the thought sounded terrifying.
Ming Rui extended his hand. "If you’re scared, just hold on to me tightly."
Ming Hui shut his eyes and shook his head. He wasn’t about to grab him.
Lady Li cried until her eyes were swollen. When the bone was being set, her tears flowed even harder seeing her son in pain.
The Imperial Physician was skilled and quick. Zhulan did not blink as she watched. As the physician got up, she asked in surprise, "Is that it?"
The Imperial Physician nodded. "Once the young master’s leg is immobilized, it must not be touched. Return to the capital, follow the prescribed medications, and three days later, I will return for a follow-up."
The journey back to the city was slow. Zhulan thought to herself how thankful she was that the roads had been repaired. The carriage’s jostling wasn’t too noticeable. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have dared to bring Ming Hui back to the capital.
Zhou Shuren was the first to learn of Ming Hui’s fall from horseback. Zhulan had sent news to the Ministry of Revenue as soon as she left the capital.
Zhou Shuren’s intuition told him that the Wen family was behind this. Old Master Wen was not a gentleman. After the alliance between the Zhou and Yu families, it would be surprising if Old Master Wen could swallow his anger. Yu Yueyang had also attended the hunt. Even if they investigated, the truth would lead them only to pre-arranged scapegoats.
Yet even a clay idol has some temper, let alone him, who was no clay idol. Ming Hui was lucky enough to escape with a fractured leg. But what if he had hit his head first?
When Zhulan returned home, she stepped down from the carriage to see Zhou Shuren. "You’re back."
Zhou Shuren asked, "How is Ming Hui?"
"The Imperial Physician said the fracture is not severe and there will be no long-term effects."
Zhou Shuren finally relaxed and personally went to the rear carriage to meet Ming Hui.
When Ming Hui saw his grandfather, he was initially dazed, then quickly became aggrieved. "Grandfather, you nearly lost your grandson today. If I hadn’t diligently practiced my skills, it wouldn’t just be a broken leg."
Now that they were home, he could complain. And complain, he must.
Zhou Shuren fell silent. This boy’s lively spirit showed that his injury truly wasn’t severe. "Grandfather will avenge you."
Ming Hui broke into a smile. "Alright."
The Imperial Physician, standing at the carriage door, found it awkward to step out. Was it really fine for the Marquis to openly declare his intentions for vengeance?
Chang Yi only learned of Ming Hui’s incident after leaving the government office. Feeling distraught, he didn’t even bother changing out of his official robes and went directly to see Ming Hui. Upon entering, he saw Ming Hui eating fruit and enjoying snacks, pointing for people to bring him whatever he wanted.
Ming Rui noticed his father and quickly rose. "Father, you’ve returned from the office."
Chang Yi nodded. "Why didn’t anyone notify me of such a major event?"
Ming Rui was taken aback. "I thought Mother told you."
He had even been wondering why his father hadn’t returned when their grandfather had.
"Your mother thought you had already said something."
His wife—he understood her too well.
Ming Rui sheepishly rubbed his nose. That was indeed possible.
Chang Yi sat down and said sincerely to Ming Hui, "Second Uncle must thank you today. You saved your third brother."
Ming Hui blinked. "Second Uncle, no need to thank me. I was just nearby today. If it had been Ming Jung, he would have done the same."
It wasn’t just about family ties but also an understanding among them. Eldest Brother Ming Rui carried the responsibility of being the second wife’s eldest son. Ming Hui, on the other hand, had elder siblings above him. Sacrificing himself for Third Brother Ming Rui’s safety wasn’t a loss to him.
That evening, Zhulan accompanied Zhou Shuren as he wrote a Zhezi, drafting many suggestions on appropriating land for farming.
Zhulan asked, "What’s your aim?"
Zhou Shuren cryptically said, "You’ll see tomorrow."
The next morning, during court, the incident of the cold arrow targeting the Marquis Zhou’s grandson during the hunt was on everyone’s minds. Many ministers cast glances at Marquis Zhou.
They were disappointed. Zhou Shuren didn’t even so much as scowl. He remained smiling at everyone.
Wong Ju, who knew Zhou Shuren well, swallowed nervously. The calmer Zhou Shuren appeared, the bigger the plan he was likely hatching.
After court ended, Zhou Shuren stayed behind with several other ministers to meet the Emperor in the government hall. On the way there, Old Master Wen remarked, "I heard about yesterday’s incident, Zhou Marquis. One mustn’t be too prominent. In the future, you’d do well to restrain yourself."
Zhou Shuren pointed to his own eyes and then rolled them dramatically at Old Master Wen. "That’s my attitude."
Old Master Wen: "!!"
Zhou Shuren let out a derisive chuckle and stepped ahead into the Emperor’s study. Without waiting for the others to arrive, he pulled out a Zhezi and presented it.
The Emperor, already aware of yesterday’s events, was curious about Zhou Shuren’s Zhezi. Once all the ministers were seated, he signaled for them to rise, then began reading. After finishing, he smiled and said, "Marquis Zhou, your suggestions align perfectly with my thoughts. Who do you believe would be suitable to oversee the program for convict farming?"
Zhou Shuren stepped forward. "Your Majesty, I do have someone in mind. I recommend Old Master Wen’s eldest and fourth grandsons, as well as Wen Rong."
The study fell silent. All eyes turned to Zhou Shuren.
The Emperor asked, "Why so?"