Chapter 1466: Chapter 1466: Donating Grain
After the morning court, the Zhou family learned the news. The Emperor sent an eunuch to deliver the message, which essentially stated that once Shuren could get out of bed, he was to choose an auspicious day for his reward. However, to the officials, the Emperor only mentioned choosing an auspicious day for rewards without mentioning Zhou Shuren.
When Shuren awoke, Zhulan mentioned it, “If not for this severe illness, the Royal family, accustomed to your capabilities, would always think you’re invincible!”
She wasn’t concerned about the reward, only distressed for Shuren, whose hard work and perseverance over the years weighed heavily on him.
Zhou Shuren leaned against the pillow, “This illness has brought considerable benefits. According to the Emperor’s usual habits, no matter how high my merits, he wouldn’t grant me too many rewards, fearing that future favors would run out. Now, he’s granting the rewards in advance and specifically informing me, indicating that the reward is significant and that they won’t dare to oppress me excessively in the future. I can finally relax a bit.”
Having been in ancient times for so many years, this year was his most exhausting yet. The burden on his shoulders was heavy, and he didn’t dare to fall ill, fearing it would delay military opportunities and result in unnecessary sacrifices among the soldiers. He felt the weight of lives upon him and was genuinely tired; this illness allowed him to rest properly.
Zhulan looked at Shuren’s pale face, feeling her heart ache, “Let’s not talk about troubling matters, have some more porridge.”
Zhou Shuren found no taste in his mouth, or rather, there was a taste, the bitterness of herbal medicine. After drinking the porridge, he felt like sleeping again, suspecting that the herbal medicine had a calming effect.
Zhou Changli entered and whispered, “Mother, someone from the Wen family has come.”
Zhulan asked, “Who?”
Zhou Changli replied, “The eldest grandson of the Wen family has brought gifts to visit Father. Should he be seen?”
Zhulan sneered, “Why not see him, given the gifts delivered to us? Mingyun can go, you don’t need to.”
Zhou Changli nodded, “Yes.”
Zhulan tucked the quilt around Shuren and heard footsteps, seeing Lady Li come in, “Mother, the soup to reduce fever is ready, I’ve brought it for you, please drink it while it’s hot.”
Zhulan motioned for Lady Li to sit, “You’ve worked hard these past few days, providing meals for your father and me.”
Lady Li shook her head, “My two younger sisters have been more diligent, constantly staying by your side and Father’s.”
Since Mother and Father didn’t let her serve them, she actually preferred to stay by her mother-in-law, but her two sisters took the responsibility directly.
Zhulan sighed, “Your younger sister still needs to recuperate. I told her not to keep vigil at night, but she didn’t listen.”
When daughters became stubborn, even mothers like her felt helpless.
Lady Li smiled, “My sisters are the most filial.”
Zhulan felt moved, realizing that when one grows old and falls ill, they most cherish having their children around. Although she preferred quiet, having her children by her side brought her joy, filling her with warmth from the soup.
“You all should get more rest.”
Lady Li hadn’t rested all night. It’s fair to say that the entire Zhou family, except for the youngest who couldn’t endure, hadn’t rested. The patriarch was the Zhou family’s pillar, and when he fell severely ill, a shadow fell over the family.
In the front courtyard, Wen He waited impatiently. Upon seeing Zhou Mingyun, he restrained his expression, “I’m here on behalf of my grandfather to visit Grand Master Zhou. This is a small token from the Wen family.”
Mingyun glanced at the few boxes on the table. Noting the Wen family’s grand gesture in gift-giving, he sighed, “Grandfather hasn’t awakened; Young Master Wen made the trip in vain.”
Wen He said, “I can wait for the Grand Master to wake up.”
“I can’t say for sure when Grandfather will wake.”
These words automatically translated in Wen He’s ears to mean that Grand Master Zhou was continuously unconscious. Seeing the worry and tiredness on Zhou Mingyun’s face, Wen He understood.
Wen He stood up, “Since that’s the case, I won’t disturb further. I wish Grand Master Zhou a speedy recovery on behalf of my grandfather.”
Mingyun’s tone eased a bit, “Thanks for Young Master Wen’s kind words. I believe my grandfather will recover soon.”
Wen He left with a smile, looking back at the Zhou mansion after exiting, curling his lips. Without Grand Master Zhou, the Zhou family wouldn’t have the confidence to stand against the Wen family in the future, his tone full of complacency, “Let’s go back to the mansion.”
Mingyun opened the boxes and spoke to his coming father, “The gifts are all ceramics and ornaments, not a bit of medicine for recovery, showing how little they hope for Grandfather’s recovery?”
Zhou Changli looked at the Wen family’s gifts with annoyance, “Put them in storage, don’t let your grandfather see them.”
Mingyun laughed, “Father, Grandfather won’t be displeased. Grandfather will certainly appreciate the gifts’ value.”
Cheng Li rare-found some smile on his face, “Mm.”
In the Li Family Village, Jiang Miu listened to Jiang Li’s words. A quarter of an hour later, Jiang Miu asked, “Finished?”
Jiang Li, her mouth dry, drank two cups of tea to moisten it, “I am genuinely thinking for your good. With the current grain shortage, Li Family Village is among the top villages. If you lead by donating grain, your reputation and that of Li Family Village would greatly improve.”
Jiang Miu, “Is this the County Magistrate’s intention?”
Because of her lack of grain sales, Li Family Village naturally had no grain shortage. In the neighboring countryside, many places sold grain due to high prices, and now even counties that initially had no shortage were facing scarcity.
Li Family Village is one of the wealthiest in the county, along with the Li family village. Her grandmother’s side, the Li village, which helped her grandfather manage the estate, hadn’t sold grain this year. She was aware many had set their eyes on the Li family!
Jiang Li’s expression turned unnatural. Her father-in-law fretted over grain, and her husband mentioned the Zhou and Li clans several times, knowing they held considerable reserves. Her husband wanted to win his father-in-law’s favor, so she naturally sought ways to help.
Her self-awareness acknowledged that she didn’t dare approach the Zhou clan for persuasion. Her father-in-law was merely a County Magistrate without a family backing him, with limited future prospects, while the Zhou family had produced many Scholar Candidates and Graduates in recent years. She knew her own limitations.
Her plan was clever: if Jiang Miu could be persuaded to donate, the Zhou clan would naturally follow, and the Li family wouldn’t fall behind either.
Jiang Miu, seeing Jiang Li’s delay in responding, shut her eyes briefly. Did she take her for a fool?
Jiang Li, “The officials are all donating grain, and being the granddaughter of a Grand Master, it wouldn’t look good if you didn’t. I truly mean well for you.”
Jiang Miu chuckled lightly, “How much did the County Magistrate donate?”
Jiang Li faltered, “You know my father-in-law doesn’t have a strong foundation, and our family’s assets are limited, donating just ten stones.”
Jiang Miu, speechless, knew well enough whether or not the County Magistrate had a solid foundation. Her grandfather had long researched the County Magistrate, informing her when she returned home. It simply reflected the reluctance to donate from their resources, seeking alternative grain sources.
Grain had to be donated, yet it couldn’t go directly to the county office. Jiang Miu planned to discuss it with her husband upon his return and consult the Clan Leader.
Days passed in a flash, until the Imperial Physician finally left the Zhou mansion. In those few days, the capital managed to calm down; Zhou Shuren wasn’t in any immediate danger.
Chang Yi returned to the capital during this time, hearing from the steward about the events of those days, rushing back to the rear courtyard.
He left the steward and others like Zhao behind.
Upon entering, Chang Yi saw Zhou Shuren playing a solo game of chess with himself, and fell to his knees exclaiming, “Father, your son wasn’t by your side during your illness, unable to fulfill filial duties.”
“You’re too old to be crying, won’t you fear the kids mocking you? Moreover, who said you didn’t fulfill your filial duties? Isn’t Ming Rui your son?”