Chapter 1502: Chapter 1502: Misunderstanding
Zhulan was not surprised to learn of the Emperor’s stance. Wen Rong, as a person, is someone the Emperor would not allow to be touched. Just like Mingyun and Ming Teng, the Emperor would not allow the Wen family to go too far because it would disrupt the balance he desires.
No matter how mediocre the Wen family’s eldest grandson was, he was still the legitimate eldest grandson, standing as the face of the Wen family. The Zhou family, on the other hand, only had Ming Hui with a broken leg and no distinguished heirs. In the Emperor’s eyes, they were not outstanding. Today, the Emperor indulged Shuren’s wishes, which signaled his attitude—he was on Zhou family’s side, but there were limits.
For the Wen family, however, being publicly humiliated by the Zhou family and having the Emperor’s attitude tilt in favor of Qie Li was already a slap on the face. If another insult were thrown, it would mean disgrace in the capital.
Zhulan didn’t share much of this insight. She understood that once the Wen family started, they wouldn’t stop—there would be a second strike after the first. Zhou family’s retaliation was meant to deter them. She addressed Lady Li and the others, "When the children return, make sure to teach them restraint. When they go out in the future, take more people with them."
Lady Li was truly afraid. Having been bitten by the snake once, she was now scared even of the rope. "Mother, I’ll surely remind them."
Lady Zhao was also worried. Her experience was far too limited. "Mother, have you written to the third son?"
Zhulan thought to herself that Lady Zhao was more attentive. "I have. I wrote the letter last night and sent it out of the capital this morning."
Even though Chang Lian and his wife didn’t have children around them, Zhulan feared someone might set their sights on Chang Lian. Regardless of how unlikely it was, it was still necessary to inform her third son and be cautious going forward to avoid being caught off guard.
At the Hanlin Academy, Mingyun remained composed as he organized the documents, ignoring the probing gazes directed at him. These were the materials he needed to bring to the palace tomorrow.
Lau Song leaned in. "Did you already know?"
Mingyun shook his head. "No."
He wasn’t lying. Last night, Grandfather had only talked privately with Second Uncle, so he truly had not known about Grandfather’s grand plans. Nonetheless, in his heart, he marveled at Grandfather’s wisdom. If the Imperial Household wasn’t swayed, it simply meant the offered leverage wasn’t sufficient. As it turned out, Grandfather’s leverage was more than enough, coupled with the intrinsic value of the Zhou family, leading the Emperor to strike the Wen family on behalf of the Zhou family.
Lau Song’s father often analyzed Marquis Zhou and had said that Marquis Zhou was fiercely protective of his own. Today, Lau Song witnessed it firsthand. He joked, "If one day I were to plot against you, Marquis Zhou wouldn’t spare me, would he?"
Mingyun sneered. "Who’s to say who would plot against whom."
Lau Song felt a jab in his chest. "You’re really blunt."
"You were arrogant first."
If he wanted to scheme against Mingyun, he still needed more practice.
Lau Song laughed grudgingly. He could only wish that Wen Rong would leave the Hanlin Academy—it would be a relief.
In the evening, Zhou Shuren returned home with hardly a smile on his face. Zhulan asked, "Who’s gotten on your nerves?"
Zhou Shuren stepped into the room to change out of his official robes. "The Emperor kept me back today to warn me to exercise restraint."
Zhulan quickly understood. "The Emperor is worried you might make a move on the Wen family’s eldest grandson."
"Yes, he’s worried that if something happens to Wen He, the Wen family would fight us to the end."
Zhulan knew Zhou Shuren had developed thoughts of retaliation. Though he didn’t plan to take Wen He’s life, he certainly wasn’t content to let things go. "By the way, I just received a message from the Qie family. Judging by today’s events, they won’t be welcoming me anymore, so I won’t go."
She knew just how favored Qie Li was in the Qie family, being Mr. Qie’s youngest son, cherished dearly. If she went, she’d just be waiting to be ambushed—the Qie family’s women were not to be trifled with.
Zhou Shuren didn’t want his wife to suffer either. "Yes, don’t go."
Zhulan said, "Then I’ll send the invitation back."
"Alright."
Zhulan asked further, "When are Wen He and Qie Li leaving?"
Zhou Shuren calculated the dates. "They’ll set out after a few days, ensuring they open as much farmland as possible before spring planting begins. I gave them the lowest standards—if they don’t meet them, there will be punishments."
He wasn’t just trying to create trouble for them; he truly worried that they would slack off and half-heartedly work, which would ultimately harm the people by leaving them without sufficient food resources.
Zhulan curved her lips into a smile. "Your suggestion is excellent."
"Yes, the Emperor agrees as well."
In any case, the Emperor had listened to Zhou Shuren’s supplementary advice and had given him several deep looks. Zhou Shuren had fully detailed it in his Zhezi—suggesting farmland management in the form of farms, synchronized farming and breeding initiatives, and so forth. If Wen He and Qie Li still caused trouble, well, they’d only be digging their own graves.
At the next morning’s court session, Zhou Shuren was the center of attention. Since the Emperor relied on him after ascending the throne, Zhou Shuren became the first person to firmly suppress the Wen family—and successfully too. Some thought reparations had been made, while others believed the matter was far from over.
The Wen family’s elder patriarch originally intended to request leave but refrained, fearing it would appear as though the Wen family was afraid of the Zhou family. He attended court with a dark face.
Zhou Shuren wasn’t surprised. He even gave the Wen family’s elder a smile, though he had no intention of continuing to provoke him. In times like these when tempers ran high, there was no need to stoke the flames further and risk making the elder lose his composure.
During the session, the Emperor issued an edict related to agriculture, appointing two additional government officers—both knowledgeable in farming—to assist with the matter.
After court was dismissed, the Wen family elder looked away from Zhou Shuren, his face pale with anger as he left.
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard. It seemed everyone was avoiding him today. Wong Ju approached him and remarked, "My father said you shouldn’t be too aggressive."
Zhou Shuren responded, "Your Wong family has always been neutral and conservative in thought, but that’s not my style. If I don’t intimidate them now, next time you might find the Hou Residence adorned in mourning white."
Wong Ju was at a loss for words, realizing Zhou Shuren was correct. The Wong family rarely offended others, but neutrality was a difficult position to maintain. "You’re right."
As Zhou Shuren walked at a leisurely pace, he added, "Don’t worry; I know what I’m doing."
Wong Ju smiled. "My father has already selected an auspicious date for retirement."
Zhou Shuren kept walking without pause. "That’s good."
Although it was a bit earlier than he’d expected.
Wong Ju lowered his voice. "Actually, today I wanted my father to come to court, but he decided against it. Since our two families are in-laws, him appearing on the court would’ve only provoked the Wen family further, so he didn’t."
Zhou Shuren commented, "You still have much to learn."
"Yes, there’s still so much I lack."
Wong Ju’s father had also explained that their alliance with the Zhou family signified that the Zhou family’s strength would increase. This would only prompt noble families to feel their interests threatened. Once their two families both displayed dominance, challenges would multiply, and the Zhou family would face even greater pressure. That was why his father had chosen early retirement.
Zhou Shuren asked, "After your family divided, do the other two branches still live with you?"
Wong Ju responded, his tone lighter. "No, according to our Wong family rules, only the branch head resides in the ancestral residence after a family division. The others have to move out."
Finally, he wouldn’t have to hear his brothers’ complaints anymore. Their first branch had the Zhou family as an esteemed in-law, which made the second and third branches envious and bitter—he was sick of hearing their remarks.
"Congratulations."
Wong Ju cheerfully said, "The same to you."
Mr. Yu had originally wanted to chat with Marquis Zhou, but unfortunately, Mr. Wong had beaten him to it. All Mr. Yu could do was trail behind, secretly envious of how casually Mr. Wong and Marquis Zhou conversed.
Additionally, after hearing about the incident from his son, Mr. Yu admired the Zhou family’s cohesion and sense of responsibility.
At the Zhou residence, Zhulan examined the invitation that had been returned. "Did the Qie family refuse to accept it?"
Steward Ding nodded. "It was sent back, and they asked that you must attend."
Zhulan smirked, raising her brows. Lady Li asked, "Mother, why are they insisting that you go?"
Zhulan speculated, "Perhaps they misunderstood my attempt to return the invitation."