Chapter 1506: Chapter 1506: Children and Grandchildren are Well
Zhou Shuren pushed aside the crowd surrounding him and crouched in front of Old Master Wen. He clicked his tongue twice internally, then pressed the philtrum of the unconscious man with his mud-covered hands. For a few seconds, Old Master Wen’s eldest son was dumbstruck, watching in stunned silence as his father’s mouth was smeared with mud.
After pressing firmly twice, Zhou Shuren deftly let go of his hand, "Old Master truly fainted—someone hurry and call the Imperial Physician!"
The crowd: "..."
At a time like this, who would dare fake fainting? Besides, it really was genuine. Everyone privately suspected that Marquis Zhou might have been seizing the opportunity for some retaliation.
The Crown Prince arrived, expressing his concern. After all, the man was his maternal uncle by marriage. He quickly signaled for the Imperial Physician to check on him. The Imperial Physician, possessing real skills, applied acupuncture a few times, and Old Master finally regained consciousness.
The Imperial Physician stood up and announced, "Old Master is suffering from extreme overexertion and needs rest."
The Crown Prince understood his father’s intention behind the trip—to teach the ministers to value agriculture and prepare them for the forthcoming push toward frugality. Obviously, it wasn’t to push anyone into actual illness. "Send Old Master Wen back to rest."
Old Master Wen glared at Zhou Shuren in frustration. He had fainted from trying to catch up with Zhou Shuren.
Zhou Shuren smiled faintly, "No need to look at me, Old Master. I didn’t save you, so there’s no need to thank me."
The Crown Prince: "..."
The crowd: "..."
As the day darkened, the agricultural labor finally came to an end. The military officers, with their superior physical fitness, survived the ordeal relatively well. Meanwhile, the civil officials, though clenching their teeth in determination, were utterly drained, resembling bedraggled grandsons. When the Emperor declared they were heading back, many even sprawled on the ground to rest, not caring about the filth.
Zhou Shuren’s lower back ached severely as he fixed his gaze on the Emperor. The man was astonishingly resilient, striding off with the Crown Prince as if nothing had happened.
Chang Yi ran over and crouched beside him, "Father, you must be exhausted. Let me carry you back."
Zhou Shuren, full of fatherly concern, replied, "You’ve been working all afternoon too. Just help me walk back; that’s enough."
Chang Yi smiled, "Father, we’ve all trained in martial arts. I’m not tired. Let me carry you back."
Seeing his son still energetic, Zhou Shuren finally relented. Among a sea of envious gazes, he climbed onto his son’s back.
Chang Yi adjusted his father’s weight and felt this rare moment of closeness. As a son, he felt deeply for him. "Father, when we get back, eat a couple of eggs to replenish your strength. And have extra jerky. I’ll cook up a dish of your favorite stir-fried meat myself tonight."
Zhou Shuren felt his stomach growling after all the labor. "Alright, I’ll listen to you."
Wong Ju, being supported by Chang Zhi, couldn’t help but envy Chang Yi and Chang Zhi. These two boys were impressively strong. "Does Chang Yi know how to cook?"
Chang Yi grinned, "Of course, Uncle Wong. My grilled meats are the best in the family. How about I make some for you someday?"
"I’ll be sure to try it the next time you’re off duty."
Zhou Shuren managed to stir up animosity yet again. Especially among the other officials who brought mere snacks; they were all craving meat. But alas, the portions were too scant.
Back at the family courtyard, Zhou Shuren relished his sons’ filial care: one cooking while the other boiled water for his foot soak. As he soaked his feet, he teased Wong Ju, "You’re lucky to benefit from my sons’ attentiveness."
Wong Ju: "..."
What a showoff this old man was!
The next morning, many people couldn’t get up—the pampered life had made them ill-equipped to endure the hardships of farming. However, fearful of imperial authority, some resorted to having young servants carry them to the fields.
Zhou Shuren was among the few who walked to the fields himself. Cheerily, he waved to the group as he passed.
Meanwhile, in the capital, Lady Tao and Yu Lu returned together. Lady Li clung to her grandson, unwilling to let go. Lady Tao fretted, "I barely slept last night. How could my husband possibly have done manual labor?"
"Everyone’s worried."
Lady Tao whispered, "My father-in-law said the Emperor wants noble families to adopt frugal practices and save grain, which led to this farming ordeal."
"Wong Ju foresaw that outcome. Shuren says the same thing."
Lady Tao furrowed her brows, "This life keeps getting harder. Who knows how far we’ll have to go with this frugality?"
Zhulan sighed, "We’ll find out soon enough. My only concern is people trying too hard to show off."
Show-offs were never in short supply. They lacked real ability but excelled at scheming.
Lady Tao thought of the families who married into the tribes, "Their intentions are far too obvious. It’s downright infuriating."
Zhulan guessed Lady Tao’s thoughts, "I heard those families turned their fortunes around—not only buying servants but also purchasing farmland."
"It’s all from the dowries of those tribal brides. They’ve got no shame—so thick-skinned."
"Face doesn’t amount to Silver Coin; they got real benefits, and that’s all that matters."
When Lady Tao saw Yu Lu and Lady Li leave with the child, she added softly, "Someone’s been probing into your family’s fourth house and its two children."
Zhulan: "...Ah, such a headache."
Lady Tao smiled, "I’ve always envied how many descendants you have. Now that I see you fretting over marriage arrangements, I feel quite relieved myself."
"The two children aren’t in any rush."
Lady Tao chuckled, "Your family’s Yu Wen doesn’t draw much attention; most of the focus is on Ming Jia."
In the main house, Lady Li’s eyes widened with surprise, "Really?"
Yu Lu felt shy, "This month I was late by a few days. I thought it was just my mood caused by my husband being away on official business. I secretly calculated and think I might be pregnant. But I’ll wait a while before going to see the doctor, just in case."
Lady Li was so thrilled she immediately forgot about her grandson. Standing up, she fussed over her daughter, "If this one is a son, I can finally set my mind at ease."
Yu Lu protested, "Mother, daughters are wonderful too."
"It’s your husband’s family that’s short on sons. Having another boy would be best. My daughter is truly capable!"
Yu Lu’s face turned red, "Mother, keep your voice down."
Ran Wan laughed, "Mother is just overjoyed—she hasn’t been this happy in a long time."
A mother-in-law may mentally understand the rationale behind her son’s actions, but as his mother, emotion is hard to set aside. She sympathized.
Lau Jia’s smile was tinged with bitterness. Her sister-in-law was pregnant again. If only she could conceive, too—then she wouldn’t feel so alone. Every time she saw the two children in her elder brother’s family, she couldn’t help but envy them.
After Lady Tao left, Lady Li finally shared the good news, "Yu Lu hasn’t informed the Wong family yet. She wants to wait a bit longer so there won’t be any false celebrations."
Zhulan couldn’t help but acknowledge the fertile constitution. Yu Lu clearly inherited that from Lady Li, who was extraordinarily fertile herself. Had she not been on medication for control, the main house would have had even more children.
The next day, at noon, the ministers, after resting all morning, finally traveled back to the capital in carriages.
While most were carried by young servants, Zhou Shuren, still being carried by his son, passed by Old Master Wen.
He sighed, "Ah, having sons is wonderful—so caring, so attentive."
Old Master Wen shot a sideways glance at his eldest son. The man wasn’t young anymore, yet both father and son had been worn out these past two days. The son couldn’t even take care of him properly, leaving Old Master Wen to fret. Though envying Zhou Shuren, he couldn’t admit it and snapped, "Servants are more meticulous in their care."
Zhou Shuren rejoiced, "I know you’re jealous of me, Old Master. Alas, what can I do? My sons are simply exceptional!"
Old Master Wen retorted sharply, "My grandson is the top scorer."
Zhou Shuren replied coolly, "Oh, just one grandson excelling? Look at mine—my eldest grandson may not be the top scorer, but he’s the second place scholar. My second grandson is the future Marquis and already handles assignments independently. My third grandson isn’t just handsome but also remarkably learned—and lucky, too! Just look at those who tried scheming against him, only to bring disaster upon themselves. As for my fourth grandson—well, need I say more? The unity among my family’s children and their sense of responsibility for the family is simply unparalleled."
Old Master Wen: "..."
The other ministers who overheard: "..."
They all envied such familial solidarity! Selfless dedication for one’s brothers and family—it was astonishing and utterly jealousy-inducing!