Chapter 1511: Chapter 1511: My Health Has Collapsed
Leaving the government office, Zhou Shuren stepped out of the Ministry of Revenue and saw the Princely Heir of Marquis Ogodei still lingering. "Heir, you should just go back."
He didn’t want to meet him, yet this person kept standing at the door, waiting.
Ge Lu was reluctant to leave the capital. He had received an edict and went to the Wen Residence, only to be turned away at the door by a steward.
Wen Li had been relegated to the estate outside the city, still harboring a faint hope that Marquis Zhou’s Manor ignoring him would mean the matter would blow over. Unexpectedly, he was sent off to raise livestock.
Before he entered the capital, he was a minor prince who aided in overseeing the affairs of the entire tribe. When had he ever raised livestock?
Ge Lu bowed deeply. "Please, Marquis, let us step aside for a private conversation."
Zhou Shuren remained motionless. "Heir, there’s nothing for us to talk about. Don’t bother lingering here again tomorrow."
With that, Zhou Shuren walked toward his carriage. Regret has no cure. Since they chose to scheme against his son, they should have expected the consequences of failure.
Standing straighter, the Princely Heir of Marquis Ogodei felt the weight of lost ambition. Everything he had sought, everything he had desired—gone. Did he regret it? Oh, he regretted it.
Inside the carriage, Jin Yan asked, "Marquis, should we have someone keep an eye on him?"
"Hmm, watch him until he leaves the capital."
In truth, the smarter one is, the less likely they are to take reckless, irreversible risks. This type of person cherishes their life the most. He hadn’t completely disgraced the heir, after all—his title remained intact. With hope still in sight, he wouldn’t risk it all on a desperate gamble.
The Princely Heir of Marquis Ogodei didn’t continue running around the city. A few days later, he honestly left the capital, and the marquises of several tribes behaved even more obediently, often frequenting the theater.
In the capital, a notable event occurred—Old Master Wong officially retired. The Emperor made a gesture of trying to retain him, but Old Master Wong insisted, ultimately fulfilling their bond as sovereign and subject. The old master retired home.
Following his retirement, the Wong family hosted a banquet, attracting a large number of guests. The Wong family’s longstanding heritage prevented anyone from looking down on them simply because the old master had stepped away.
Zhou Shuren specifically took leave to attend. Upon seeing him, Old Master Wong was quite pleased. "Marquis Zhou, sit beside me."
Zhou Shuren personally handed over a gift to the old man. "This is a chess manual you’ve always liked. I brought it for you."
"You’re finally willing to part with it."
Zhou Shuren’s face revealed a touch of pain. "It’s a rare original copy."
The old man laughed heartily, clutching the chess manual tightly. "Over the years, you’ve hoarded quite a few treasures. Don’t be stingy."
Still pained, Zhou Shuren muttered about the rarity of the original manual. He considered this generosity quite a sacrifice today. The Zhou family had arrived early, and those who stayed by the old master’s side were either vital allies or distinguished guests. The Wong clan’s younger generation came only briefly to pay their respects before departing.
Wong Ju, as the eldest son and successor to the Family Head, was the busiest person of the day. His two younger brothers didn’t even get a chance to greet the guests, instead tasked with meeting members of their own clan.
Zhulan brought Lady Li directly to the courtyard. The backyard had numerous women. The matron of the household was seated in the central position. Upon spotting Zhulan, she greeted, "I was just thinking about you, and here you are."
Zhulan smiled and asked, "What were you thinking about me for? Let me hear it too."
The matron replied, "I was saying you’re truly blessed, and even the granddaughters you teach are fortunate."
Zhulan understood immediately—they were talking about her granddaughter. Yu Lu was pregnant again, elevating the position of the Zhou family daughters higher once more. Lineage, legitimate heirs—these were crucial for any family. Being fertile was certainly capital. Ah...
While it wasn’t explicitly stated that marrying a Zhou family daughter excluded taking concubines, neither Yu Shuang’s nor Yu Lu’s husbands had concubines by their side. It kept many suitors with ulterior motives at bay; otherwise, the Zhou family’s doorstep would’ve been trampled flat.
Far to the northeast, Wong Wei had just received an urgent letter from the capital and learned he was going to become a father again. Wong Wei felt a bit dazed—were children really this easy to have?
A colleague nudged him. "What’s in the letter? Why do you look so dumbstruck?"
Wong Wei snapped back to his senses and finally grew excited. "I’m going to be a father again!"
The colleague was stunned too. "I thought the Wong family struggled with having heirs?"
Someone else interjected, "Didn’t you just get married not long ago?"
Wong Wei grinned cheerfully. "I didn’t expect to have two in three years. No, I need to find some good gifts to send back home!"
If he’d known earlier... Well, never mind. Even if he had, he’d have still come to Dongbei for personal growth.
Right now, Wong Wei was brimming with energy. No—his priority was to write home first.
After finishing the letter, Wong Wei took leave to search for furs and medicinal herbs to send back to the capital. By coincidence, he ran into Prince Liang. Wong Wei barely recognized him there; the prince’s hair had turned significantly white. Though not old in years, he looked older than Prince Qi.
Having met Prince Liang before, Wong Wei nearly stumbled upon seeing him again. The prince waved him off with a cough or two. "Why are you out here?"
Wong Wei explained the reason for his leave. "I’ll return shortly."
The prince coughed again, "Good."
Wong Wei couldn’t help but lament internally. Prince Liang’s health was thoroughly ruined. The moment the weather shifted, his coughing became incessant and unbearable to witness.
Back in the capital, the Wong family received notable regard from the Emperor, who maintained a favorable stance toward neutral families. Old Master Wong voluntarily retired, and the Emperor granted him much face. The Crown Prince even came bearing calligraphy penned by the Emperor himself.
The old master personally escorted the Crown Prince out, then turned back and again urged everyone to eat and drink well.
Zhou Shuren noticed the old man had indulged in quite a bit of alcohol and advised, "I know you’re pleased, but you shouldn’t drink any more. Come, let me accompany you with some tea instead."
Zhou Shuren held sincere gratitude for the old master, who had offered him considerable guidance. Zhou Shuren craved the concern of elders, and in his heart, the old master held a special place.
The old master chuckled warmly. "Alright, I’ll listen to you."
Nearby, Wong Ju felt a pang of bitterness. He was the biological son, yet his father clearly favored Zhou Shuren’s words. Earlier, he’d also tried discouraging his father from drinking, but a mere look from his father had him retreating in silence.
When the banquet ended, the Zhou family was among the last few to leave. On the carriage ride home, Zhulan caught a whiff of alcohol. "How much did you drink?"
"Not much, really. It’s just that this wine was exquisite, hence the lingering scent."
Zhulan shot him a glance, clearly unimpressed. "You definitely didn’t drink a little. You seemed awfully happy today?"
"Yes, quite happy indeed."
Zhulan felt sorrowful. Zhou Shuren’s background left him longing for affection. He cared deeply for Old Master Wong.
Upon arriving home, Steward Ding held a letter in his hand. "An urgent message from the Dong family."
Zhulan opened the letter. Zhou Shuren sat down, took a sip of tea, and asked, "What’s so urgent with Lady Dong’s family?"
Zhulan passed the letter over. "Mr. Dong is deteriorating."
Zhou Shuren read through it. "Wasn’t he reported to be in good health in their last correspondence?"
"The letter doesn’t mention the cause. It seems to be a private scandal."
Zhou Shuren nodded in agreement. The various branches of the Dong family had long been restless.
Zhulan addressed Steward Ding. "Go to the Jiang family and inquire if Jiang Zhu and his wife have returned."
"Understood."
Zhou Shuren considered aloud, "The Dong family’s letter suggests Mr. Dong doesn’t have many days left. Have our eldest represent us and make the trip."
Zhulan replied, "Then our eldest will bear the burden."
"Chang Lian won’t be able to return, but Lady Dong should go back."
Zhulan commented, "Qiizhou Province is too far away. Even with the urgent letter, news hasn’t yet reached Qiizhou. Lady Dong wouldn’t make it in time for anything significant upon returning."
"Ah, the difficulties of transportation."
With those words, Zhou Shuren fell silent. Another familiar face was about to depart from the world.