Chapter 1472: Chapter 1472: Paying a Visit
The Imperial Court had just announced the year-end holiday, and on the second day of the holiday, the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month, Master Yu came visiting with his two sons.
The Zhou family had already received the Yu family’s invitation before the holiday. Early in the day, Zhou Shuren was waiting in the front yard along with his eldest son and eldest grandson.
Master Yu expressed his gratitude, saying, "I thank Marquis Zhou for coming to my rescue."
Zhou Shuren, still pondering over the Yu family’s formal visit, replied with realization, "Ah, it’s been quite a while since that incident."
Master Yu spoke with embarrassment, "It’s all my fault for delaying this for so long."
Zhou Shuren waved his hand dismissively, "Don’t put all the blame on yourself. No one could have predicted my severe illness."
Master Yu exhaled in relief; Marquis Zhou was truly understanding. "I know you like playing chess, Marquis. By chance, I had some old chess manuals at home. I hope you don’t find them unworthy."
Zhou Shuren fell silent for a few seconds. Chess manuals—of course, the Retired Emperor himself had written about the times he dragged Zhou to play chess. Zhou had recently been contemplating writing his own autobiography. Smiling, he said, "Yes, I like them. Are these your eldest and second sons?"
Master Yu confirmed, "Correct. These are my legitimate sons. My eldest son participated in the imperial exams the same year as your grandson-in-law."
Zhou Shuren was naturally aware the Yu family’s eldest legitimate son had been retained in the capital by the Emperor intentionally. "Ah, that’s quite the coincidence then."
Yu Yueyang, who had been keeping a stern face all along, nearly broke into a smile several times when met with Zhou Shuren’s gaze, but managed to hold back.
Noticing Zhou’s attention shift to his second legitimate son, Master Yu introduced him, saying, "This is my second legitimate son. The boy is fifteen this year and already a Scholar."
Zhou Shuren observed, "He looks rather youthful—doesn’t quite seem fifteen."
Master Yu wasn’t surprised by the casual tone of Marquis Zhou. A fifteen-year-old Scholar wasn’t rare among noble families. "Indeed, the boy looks young, which is why I plan to sharpen his temperament and wait until he’s twenty or so before he attempts the imperial exams again."
Zhou Shuren silently noted in his heart that even at twenty, this young man might not look his age. "It’s never easy for a parent to worry about their children."
Master Yu discerned the genuine understanding in Zhou’s tone. Indeed, Marquis Zhou hadn’t spared any effort in planning for his own sons—how else could Second Young Master Zhou hold an official position in the Ministry of Rites?
Because of the pleasing countenance of the Yu family’s second son, Zhou Shuren couldn’t help but cast a few more glances his way. He was just about to avert his gaze when he caught sight of the boy smiling. The prominent dimples on his cheeks made him appear even younger, and Zhou couldn’t help but stare in surprise for a few seconds. Then, he noticed Master Yu’s face stiffen.
Zhou Shuren chuckled, "This boy has such prominent dimples! I’ve rarely, if ever, seen dimples as deep as these."
Master Yu sighed heavily, "Indeed."
The boy’s mother had one dimple, and his grandmother had one as well. But this boy inherited both! Despite being the second son, he was the most pampered child in the family. Master Yu often thought about tempering the boy’s personality, but one smile from him would soften his resolve. Ah, how helpless!
Mingyun, knowing his grandfather very well, saw how Zhou Shuren had taken an interest in the young man. Ahem. He had heard Ming Rui mention that this young Scholar had a sweet tooth. Mingyun watched closely; sure enough, the boy kept glancing toward the pastries on the table.
Mingyun thought to himself—his younger brother wasn’t some cunning fox nor a scheming rogue. Yet, no younger brother of his had ever been quite this... adorable.
Mingyun, "!!"
Adorable? For a boy? What kind of pairing is that!
Meanwhile, Zhulan, unaware of the happenings in the front yard, was busy writing a letter to her youngest son. Her son couldn’t return to the capital for the New Year. This was his first time being away from home for so long, and her youngest was feeling nostalgic.
Chang Xhong wrote about how much he had learned from Wu Ming and how he had grown taller, among other things.
Zhulan finished the letter and sealed it in an envelope. The letter would have to wait until after the New Year to be sent. She also intended for the young servant to enjoy a good New Year celebration.
Lady Li entered with her maidservants and elderly helpers. Zhulan asked, "What delicious dishes have you prepared this time? Bringing along two food boxes?"
Lady Li signaled for the maidservants to place the boxes on the table, then personally opened them and laid out the contents one by one. "Mother, last time you praised the soup I made as delicious. This time I’ve specially stewed some for you and Father. There are also some snacks to help pass the time."
Zhulan’s heart warmed. Over the past few days, all the soups and snacks she and Zhou had consumed had been personally prepared by Lady Li without passing through the hands of the kitchen maids. "I’ve already told you, your father’s health has improved. There’s no need for you to continue doing this."
Lady Li took a seat and replied, "I’ve found that you and Father seem to prefer the food I cook. If it weren’t for you forbidding me from managing daily meals, I would be in the kitchen every day preparing meals for the two of you."
Zhulan said, "There’s a kitchen maid to handle the cooking. I understand your filial intentions—there’s no need to overexert yourself."
"But her cooking doesn’t match my skill," Lady Li insisted.
This was the first time she had been so adamant. She was determined to fatten up her parents; only then would she feel at ease.
Later that afternoon, after dinner, Zhou Shuren finally returned from the front yard. Zhulan commented, "You look rather pleased."
"Indeed. Let me tell you—the Yu family’s second legitimate son is quite a remarkable child."
Zhulan was intrigued. "Oh? What makes him so interesting?"
Zhou Shuren recounted what he had seen, then added, "The information from the Emperor about this boy wasn’t very detailed. It doesn’t include his preferences or appearances either."
Zhulan replied, "...Honestly, it’s already quite comprehensive."
Laughing, Zhou Shuren added, "You wouldn’t believe it—the squirrel-shaped mandarin fish was set in front of this boy, and I saw him several times wanting to reach for it but deliberately diverting his hands elsewhere."
Zhulan’s eyes sparkled with amusement. "That must have been quite an effort for him."
Zhou Shuren continued, "Master Yu has several concubines. His illegitimate son is the youngest child, and there are several illegitimate daughters as well."
Zhulan said, "According to the Emperor’s account, there’s harmony within their household."
Zhou Shuren nodded. For a noble family like the Yu’s, the Emperor’s intelligence was unlikely to be false. It was rare to find concubines and wives coexisting harmoniously—the Yu family’s matron must be a remarkable woman.
Zhulan’s cheerful mood dampened slightly. "So, we mustn’t rush things. I’ll need to meet Lady Liu, Master Yu’s wife, first."
Whether she truly had a kind demeanor or was merely pretending—it would become clear in time.
Zhou Shuren thought that if the marriage proceeded, Yu Yi would have no difficulty keeping the Yu family’s second legitimate son in hand. But for now, there was no urgency.
On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month, Steward Ding rushed into the main courtyard early in the morning. "Marquis! Madam! The Ege Tribe has sent New Year gifts!"
Zhou Shuren asked, "Hmm?"
"The items are at the gates—this servant didn’t dare accept them."
Zhou Shuren exchanged a glance with Zhulan. Just as the New Year was approaching, this suddenly arrived—why would the Ege Tribe send gifts to the Zhou household? "Who delivered them?"
"The young prince of the Ege Tribe."
Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow. Sending New Year gifts—did they hope to persuade him to plead their case at court? The Emperor had asked them to relinquish their royal titles, yet they hadn’t shown any signs of compliance. If memory served, the Ege Tribe belonged to Princess Aerola’s faction within the harem.
Narrowing his eyes, Zhou Shuren instructed, "Send the Princely Heir to meet them."
After receiving the order, Steward Ding left. Only then did Zhulan speak, "Do they seek your intercession?"
Frowning, Zhou Shuren surmised, "Likely so. The Zhou family is currently at the height of its prominence; they probably believe I can influence the Emperor’s decision."
Those people truly didn’t want to relinquish their titles!
Zhou Shuren’s eldest son was left stunned after hearing Steward Ding’s report. "Me? Meet the young prince?"
Steward Ding confirmed, "Yes, Young Master. You are now the Princely Heir."
For stewards of households belonging to important court officials, their intelligence was inevitably well-informed. As for these grassland princes? They were no longer taken seriously—Marquis Zhou was clearly using the young prince as practice for his eldest son!