Chapter 1663: Chapter 1663 Coming of Age
In the evening, Ming Hui and Yu Yi had rested for the afternoon, looking somewhat refreshed. Finally, Yu Jiao wasn’t looking listless anymore and was sitting beside Zhulan, acting spoiled, "Grandma, your granddaughter has missed you. Just look at your granddaughter’s thin face, it’s all because I’ve missed you so much."
Zhulan touched her granddaughter’s face, "Grandma knows, my sweet granddaughter has suffered a lot on this journey."
The family had dinner together tonight; it was vegetarian but still colorful, fragrant, and delicious.
Ming Hui and the others were already aware of the news of Great Uncle’s passing. They understood that even if they hadn’t been delayed, they couldn’t have made it back in time.
Zhou Shuren saw that his children and grandchildren were seated and picked up his chopsticks, saying, "Let’s eat."
The family hadn’t eaten together for a long time. During the meal, Zhou Shuren didn’t ask Ming Hui about the Water Bandit affair but instead focused on his grandson’s health, while Zhou Changyi and others occasionally chimed in.
After dinner, Zhou Shuren didn’t keep his grandchildren for a chat but encouraged them to go back and have a good rest, as the journey had been tiring and they needed a few days to recover.
When only the old couple remained, Zhou Shuren sat beside his wife, "When we first came here, there were so few people in the family, and now we can’t even fit everyone around three tables."
Zhulan asked, "Why this sudden nostalgia?"
"After Fourth Uncle passed away, time seems fleeting. In the blink of an eye, it’s almost New Year again, another year has passed."
Zhulan smiled and said, "Yes, another year. Yu Die is going to come of age."
Zhou Shuren snorted coldly, "I nearly forgot since you didn’t mention it. Recently, Elder Liu wants to set the date for the children’s marriage."
Zhulan didn’t want to marry off her granddaughter so early, "Let’s discuss it after they come of age."
Zhou Shuren replied, "That’s what I said too; better let the granddaughters stay longer."
A granddaughter can live freely until she’s married. Once married, she’s no longer in control. Just think, the eldest granddaughter followed her husband to his post, the second granddaughter is trapped in the Wong family’s back quarters, dealing with endless tasks while honoring elders and taking care of her husband and children. The second granddaughter is the most burdened.
At the Wong family, Wong Wei heard his wife humming a tune, "Ming Hui and the others are back, you’re so happy?"
"Now that they’re back, Mother won’t worry anymore. She’s lost weight recently."
Wong Wei suggested, "Tomorrow, bring some health supplements to Father and Mother."
Yu Lu agreed, "Alright."
Wong Wei apologized, "I’ll be going with the Deputy Minister tomorrow for work, so I can’t accompany you back."
Yu Lu was pleased with her husband’s attention, "I know you’re busy; take care of yourself while working."
Wong Wei, without the pressure of having heirs, shouldered the responsibility of being the eldest son’s stability. He glanced at his wife, "How about in a couple of years we try for a daughter?"
Yu Lu was already overwhelmed by two sons, especially the younger one, who was so spoiled and mischievous at home. She also wanted a lovely daughter, but, "Is a daughter something you can just wish for? What if it’s another stinky boy?"
Thinking of how rambunctious their younger son was, Wong Wei felt suddenly stressed. Just the other day, he broke a beloved vase, and before Wong Wei could reprimand him, the grandmother had already taken the child away!
Yu Lu chuckled at her husband’s frustrated expression.
Wong Wei laughed along, never expecting he’d someday struggle with his sons. Before marrying, he worried about heirs, secretly scaring himself, fearing he wouldn’t have any. Who would have thought after just a few years of marriage, he already has two sons.
The next day, Ming Hui went to the adjacent Rong’an Hou Residence, accompanying Ming Teng in copying scriptures.
Yu Yi and Yu Jiao visited the main residence. Zhulan observed her granddaughters’ expressions and smiled, "Seems like you had a good rest last night."
Yu Yi laughed, "Once we got home, we felt at ease. We fell asleep shortly after arriving and only woke up when daylight broke outside."
Yu Jiao said, "It’s always better at home."
Zhulan signaled Qing Xue to bring some fruits and tea and said to her granddaughters, "Grandma is curious about your journey experiences; today, you must share them with me, alright?"
Yu Yi indeed had much to tell Grandma, "Alright."
The fruits arrived quickly, and Yu Jiao picked up an apple, "It’s difficult to find fresh fruits outside, I want to eat several."
Yu Yi said, "Outside, there were frozen pears and other fruits. I didn’t dare let my sister eat too much."
"You’re right to keep an eye on this girl."
Yu Jiao hurriedly said, "I’m very obedient now."
During the chat, Zhulan learned about the Water Bandit incident and had mixed feelings about Ming Teng’s romantic encounters but was glad the trip broadened her granddaughters’ horizons.
After a while, Yu Lu returned with her two children, and Yu Die and Yu Wen, hearing the news, came to the main residence, where the sisters chatted lively.
While chatting, they talked about coming of age, and Yu Die asked for gifts, "You must prepare good gifts."
Yu Lu chuckled, "I’ve been planning; they’re already prepared."
Yu Wen smiled, "Third sister, I have something ready too."
Yu Yi was delighted, "Coincidentally, I prepared mine while in Ningzhou."
Yu Jiao stretched out her hand, "And I spent quite some Silver on my gift for Third Sister!"
Yu Die became curious upon hearing this, "What gifts did you all prepare?"
The sisters remained silent, and Yu Die realized she wouldn’t get answers, calculating, "After I come of age, it will be Yu Yi, then Yu Wen."
This mention of Yu Wen was particularly emphatic.
Yu Wen stood up, "It’s getting late; I’ll go rest now."
Outside, snow began to fall again, and Yu Wen extended her hand, "It started snowing again."
Her attendant remarked, "Miss, let’s head back quickly; don’t catch a cold."
Yu Wen, however, wasn’t inclined to return to her quarters, "Let’s take a walk in the garden."
After leaving the government office, at the entrance of the Hanlin Academy, Zhuo Guyu asked Gu Sheng, "Are you very short on Silver?"
Gu Sheng didn’t like Zhuo Guyu, "That’s my business."
Zhuo Guyu smiled, "I want a snow scene painting, went to the Painting shop several times but couldn’t find one I liked. Will you sell me one?"
Gu Sheng sensed his colleagues’ glances and sneered internally. If he really cared about reputation, he would’ve rejected the requests for paintings after joining the Hanlin Academy, "Sure, but my paintings don’t come cheap."
Zhuo Guyu responded, "I can pay."
Chang Yi had paused on purpose earlier and now nodded at Gu Sheng and headed towards his family’s carriage.
Gu Sheng’s carriage arrived, driven by his elder brother, "Brother, why are you picking me up today?"
Gu Yan smiled, "My father-in-law sent half a lamb over. Since it’s snowing today, your sister-in-law cooked lamb stew. I came to fetch you for dinner."
Gu Sheng said, "I’ve been craving lamb stew lately."
"Eat plenty today, it’ll be a good boost."
Gu Sheng didn’t sit inside the carriage but rode outside with his brother. As they left the Hanlin Academy, there were few pedestrians on the snowy streets, mainly carriages.
Gu Yan turned his head to look at his brother. He was content with life now, mostly concerned for his brother, and hesitantly asked, "Did I guess wrong last time?"
Gu Sheng thought for a moment, smiling without commenting; Zhou Changzhong hadn’t visited the Gu family in a while, and since their last meeting at the Painting shop, he hadn’t seen Miss Zhou again. However, he saw Mr. Zhou daily at the Hanlin Academy, which was enough for him.
Gu Yan found it increasingly hard to understand his brother but smiled afterward, as it had always been his brother who handled everything since childhood, so he didn’t need to worry much.
At the Zhou Residence, Zhulan listened to Shuren, "Really?"