Chapter 1504: Chapter 1504: Regret
The next day at court, Zhou Shuren was unusually quiet. Elder Wen waited until court adjourned but never saw Zhou Shuren make his move. His steps faltered briefly, and after confirming Zhou Shuren indeed wouldn’t act today, he finally walked away with steady steps.
Zhou Shuren, naturally aware of this, wouldn’t revisit a matter that had already been dealt with.
Wong Ju tugged at the waistband of his official robe. "How’s your Ming Hui’s leg doing?"
"Much better."
Wong Ju added, "Wong Wei is heading to Dongbei for an assignment and might return to the capital with Prince Liang."
"What’s that about?"
Wong Ju explained, "Prince Liang needs personnel from the Ministry of Works in Dongbei, and Wong Wei applied for the position himself. I only found out yesterday."
"That kid has more drive than you."
Wong Ju sighed. "I was groomed from a young age to follow my father’s plans. Wong Wei indeed has more ambition."
His original intent had been for Wong Wei to slowly grind through his career at the Ministry of Works without rushing to achieve merit. Yet, the kid quietly submitted his application—he really had grown up.
Zhou Shuren said, "Dongbei is quite safe now. A young person should venture out—it’s a good way to gain experience."
Wong Ju sighed deeply. "Kids are growing up, while we’re growing old. I wonder how much longer we’ll be able to shelter them."
Zhou Shuren pointed at Wong Ju’s belly. "Your wife tells me you’re feeling unwell. In my view, it’s just because you’re overweight. You need to lose some weight."
Wong Ju rubbed his face. "Ha, it just proves I’m eating well."
He stubbornly refused to bring up weight loss, being an indulgent eater and inherently lazy. He wasn’t about to compromise his meals.
Zhou Shuren was genuinely concerned for Wong Ju’s health. With his weaker constitution, Zhou suspected he might have high blood pressure. "Eating is important, but so is your life. Don’t forget your responsibilities."
Wong Ju sighed, "Responsibilities, huh."
Indeed, for the sake of his responsibilities, he needed to lose weight. Even the Imperial Physician had warned him to watch his diet.
In a blink, the Wen family’s eldest grandson left the capital for an assignment. After his departure, the Wen family stopped troubling the Zhou family and seemed less confrontational.
On this particular day, it was the Qie family’s banquet. Zhulan brought Lady Li along to attend, arriving neither too early nor too late, just as the Qie family’s in-laws had already turned up.
Zhulan caught sight of the Wen family’s eldest daughter-in-law, Lady Qi. Lady Qi’s smile was stiff, but she still exchanged courtesies.
Mistress Qie spoke up, "Marquis Zhou’s wife, come sit here."
Zhulan glanced at the spot—near Mistress Qie—and smiled as she moved over. "Mistress, how have you been lately?"
Mistress Qie felt miserable. She hadn’t been well at all since her youngest grandson left. "Mm."
She had originally intended to corner Yang’s wife, but Yang’s wife had unexpectedly returned the banquet invitation, catching her off guard. She and her daughter-in-law speculated whether the Zhou family was planning to take revenge on her grandson, leading them to return the invitation in an attempt to preserve superficial cordiality.
Zhulan merely gifted Mistress Qie a smile. The more Zhulan smiled, the less confident Mistress Qie felt. She had hosted today’s banquet with Yang’s wife in mind, but her resolve dissipated. At least until her grandson safely arrived at his destination, the Qie family had no choice but to endure.
Lady Qi clutched her handkerchief under the table, inwardly cursing the Zhou family’s ruthlessness.
From the moment Zhulan arrived at the garden, tensions ran high. Zhulan, however, was unfazed; she had already stated she wouldn’t come, yet the Qie family still invited her. It wasn’t her who was being subjected to discomfort.
When most of the guests had arrived, Zhulan observed a curious detail: nearly none of the familiar faces had been invited. If nothing had happened, she would’ve surely been besieged today.
Zhulan smirked faintly. "Some of the faces here seem quite unfamiliar."
Mistress Qie silently cursed her regret. If there hadn’t been an incident, Yang’s wife wouldn’t be leaving peacefully today. Now, it was her who had to put up with this silent indignation. "They’re newcomers to the capital, so they might appear unfamiliar to you, madam."
"Oh."
Mistress Qie held back her frustration with a forced smile, simmering inside.
Back at the Zhou residence, Ming Hui lay sprawled under a book, dozing off again. Ming Jung and his sisters arrived, with Ming Jung calling out, "Brother, brother."
Ming Hui rubbed his ears. "Why have you come again? Didn’t I say I wanted to nap?"
Yu Yi had already picked up the book. "Big brother told you to study, yet here you are, sleeping once he’s gone."
Ming Hui lazily said, "Why are you all here?"
Yu Die pulled out a box. "You’ve been talking about liking my brush washer, haven’t you? Well, I brought it for you."
Ming Hui sat up excitedly. "You’re really giving it to me?"
This brush washer had been given to Yu Die by Gentleman Liu. Ming Hui had admired it but never asked for it—he knew his boundaries.
Yu Die also liked it. "Yes, I’m giving it to you."
Ming Hui calmed down after the initial excitement. "I can’t accept this. It’s a gift from your future husband. Yu Die sis, I helped rescue third brother willingly; the second wife owes me nothing. If you keep insisting on this, I’ll get mad."
Yu Die cradled the brush washer. "I feel awful seeing you unable to move around."
Ming Hui rolled his eyes. "If you feel truly awful, then help me copy large characters and imitate my handwriting."
Yu Die glared at him. "Not a chance."
Ming Hui flopped back down. "Ah, my life. Lying around like this yet still being made to read and write. Big brother’s too harsh."
Yu Yi sat down. "Don’t play the pity card. Big brother’s only doing this to make sure you don’t fall behind on your studies."
Ming Hui preferred slacking off. "I’m really not in a hurry to take the Scholar exams. I’ve already planned to wait until I’m twenty—it won’t be too late."
Ming Jung’s eyes lit up. "I—I’ll wait until I’m twenty-five to take it."
Ming Hui knocked his younger brother on the head. "Not a chance."
Yu Yi wasn’t strict with Ming Hui or Ming Jung; she couldn’t bring herself to be, knowing they were lucky to have older brothers bearing greater responsibilities. Their burdens were lighter, allowing them to live more freely.
Ming Jung rubbed his forehead, glaring at his elder brother indignantly.
Yu Yi gently rubbed Ming Jung’s head. "From now on, no hitting his head. What if Ming Jung uses that as an excuse to avoid studying?"
Ming Jung had initially been smug upon hearing this, but as the explanation became clearer, he was left speechless. Ever since his sharp memory had been discovered, his days had stopped being carefree—he just wanted to slack off too!
By noon, Zhulan left the Qie residence, unwilling to continue the strained conversations. Once outside the Qie household, she spotted Jiang An on the street. This time, she didn’t call for the coach to stop, her gaze instead fixing on Jiang An’s clothes.
Lady Li saw her mother-in-law staring intently out the window, staying frozen for a long while. "Mother, what are you looking at?"
Zhulan withdrew her gaze, her mind unsettled. "Head to the Ministry of Rites."
Lady Li didn’t understand but still asked the coachman to turn towards the Ministry of Rites.
Upon hearing his mother had come to see him, Chang Yi immediately rushed out, finding his mother standing by the carriage. "Mother, why did you come looking for me?"
Hadn’t she gone to the Qie family today?
Zhulan motioned for Chang Yi to step aside and quietly said, "I saw Jiang An on the street."
"That kid finally returned? But wait, why would you come to the Ministry of Rites after seeing him?"
Zhulan described Jiang An’s attire. "The last time I saw him, it must have also been him. Yet, he hasn’t sent any message back. It keeps troubling my mind."
"Mother, do you want me to probe at the embassy?"
Zhulan raised a hand. "I didn’t think this through completely. If he hasn’t sent word, there must be a reason. If we investigate, it might lead to trouble. Consider this meeting as never having happened. Jiang An will send word sooner or later if he intends to. I’ll head back now."
Chang Yi understood; his mother had said everything there was to say. Her reasoning made sense, though he couldn’t help but take her concerns to heart.