Chapter 1661: Chapter 1661 Tears
Ming Teng heard the news and came out of the study, entering the room where his wife and mother-in-law were playing with his son, “Mother-in-law.”
Madam Ma saw her son-in-law’s thin figure, “I’ve missed you all, so I’ve come to visit.”
Her son-in-law had become Mr. Hou, her daughter became Mrs. Hou, the decree had come, she visited the residence when her son-in-law wasn’t so thin, feeling Ming Teng’s deep affection, and was pleased with this affection.
Ming Teng reached out to take his son who was about to be hugged, “Is everything well at the residence lately?”
Madam Ma smiled, “All is well.”
She had already entrusted the house to her eldest daughter-in-law, spent her days watching her grandchildren, and other than worrying about her husband working outside, the family life was good.
Lau Jia chimed in, “At our Feng Residence, someone sent invitations to my elder and younger brothers, but they both rejected them.”
This was also why mother had personally come.
Ming Teng thought, this was because Lu Residence knew that the young masters of Zhou Residence were stubborn, thus they targeted his brothers-in-law, saying to his mother-in-law, “Don’t pay any attention.”
Madam Ma had received a reply from her daughter earlier and now hearing her son-in-law, felt more assured, “It’s getting late, I’ll head back first, take care of yourselves.”
Ming Teng said, “I’ll escort mother-in-law.”
Madam Ma waved her hand, “No need.”
She feared her son-in-law might catch cold, seeing as he was currently so thin.
Lau Jia rose to see her mother out, Madam Ma, once she walked out of the courtyard, remembered to ask, “Have you been living here all along?”
Lau Jia replied, “We’ll be in mourning at Rong’an Hou Residence for a year, then we’ll return to Zhou Residence.”
Madam Ma smiled, “Returning will be good.”
She hoped her daughter could live on her own, but recently heard her son say someone was scheming against her son-in-law, so she felt it best to return home.
Lau Jia held her mother’s hand, “Mother, my husband won’t take a concubine.”
She knew her mother was worried that living here under the Rong name, without elders pressing, her husband might fall for schemes.
Madam Ma whispered, “People are greedy, and I am no exception. You and your husband are so well-matched, I wish for your harmony throughout life.”
Lau Jia, “Mother, rest assured.”
In the evening, Zhou Shuren chatted with his grandson, understanding his grandson would take good care of himself, thus reassuring him. After hearing what Ming Teng had to say about Madam Ma, “Your two maternal uncles are commendable.”
Ming Teng, “Grandfather chose a good family for grandson.”
Not adding trouble, knowing one’s place was itself a help.
Ming Teng looked at his grandfather, thinking for a moment before he couldn’t help but speak, “After great-grandfather’s burial, grandson dreamed at night.”
Zhou Shuren, “…”
Ming Teng saw his grandfather’s silence; why did he recite Buddhist scriptures every day, not just for great-grandfather but also for the Rong family clan, “Grandfather, would you write a scripture for grandson?”
Zhou Shuren’s heart skipped a beat, “Did the old man visit you in a dream to say so?”
Ming Teng nodded, “Mm.”
Great-grandfather’s dream visitation was a farewell, advising him to take care of himself, only mentioning the scripture at the last, saying in a tone of regret that it would be better if grandfather could write one, because grandfather was ill, and he wished he could substitute for grandfather to accomplish the same.
Just seeing grandfather negate his idea, he felt great-grandfather wanted grandfather to write one.
Zhou Shuren didn’t want to ask what the dream entailed, “Alright, I’ll write one for you.”
He’d assumed the identity, remembering the good done by Fourth Uncle, and he had to admit that the royal family’s trust in him wasn’t solely due to loyalty and ability but also because he shared Rong family blood—the Retired Emperor had only one relative left.
Ming Teng felt instantly lighter as grandfather agreed, “Thank you, grandfather.”
Zhou Shuren smiled, “You should eat more even as you abstain from meat, your mother often weeps to your grandmother.”
Ming Teng touched his nose, “Grandson is unfilial.”
Zhou Shuren patted his grandson’s shoulder, “Go back.”
Ming Teng, “Mm, grandfather should rest early too.”
“Alright.”
Time flies, on this day of the morning assembly, Zhou Shuren listened to the urgent Zhezi sent to the capital, his face turned completely dark, indeed, he’d been wondering why Ming Hui and others were delayed; now it was clear.
The Crown Prince glanced at Marquis Zhou, seeing his face so unpleasant, it seemed he was unaware.
The Emperor continued, “Water Bandits are rampant, do any of your Ministers have anything to say?”
Zhou Shuren glanced furtively at his colleagues in the court; all knew someone was protecting the water bandits. This time, Ming Hui encountered water bandits bypassing the local magistrate; merchants handed them to Magistrate Wu of another province. This lord bypassed provincial borders and cracked a water bandit den—all a merit while trampling Magistrate Wang’s pride.
Zhou Shuren thought the two magistrates must have a grudge, and as for Ming Hui and Yu Yueyang’s names appearing in the Zhezi, clearly Magistrate Wu investigated them, borrowing from Zhou Residence and the Yu family’s influence.
Now implicating Ming Hui and Yu Yueyang meant he and Lord Yu must intervene.
Zhou Shuren looked up at the Emperor; why did the Emperor read the Zhezi in court? Clearly, Magistrate Wu’s actions caught the Emperor’s eye; a clever man indeed.
The Emperor sensed his gaze, looked at Zhou Shuren, and their eyes met; Zhou Shuren stepped forward, “Minister has something to say.”
The Emperor, “Zhou Minister, please speak.”
His tone was not angry but rather kind.
A hush fell inside the hall with his words; officials feared Zhou Shuren’s unconventional ways.
Zhou Shuren spoke solemnly, “On that ship was one of the Minister’s grandsons and two granddaughters. Had the Minister not been anxious and personally arranged for numerous guards, today Minister might hear not of Magistrate Wu’s credit but the tragic news of my legitimate grandson and granddaughter’s demise, along with Lord Yu’s legitimate second son, my future grandson-in-law.”
Lord Yu sensed the attention on him, maintained a cold expression—Marquis Zhou could handle all!
Other officials internally scoffed; what demise? Water Bandits wouldn’t dare kill everyone on a ship, perhaps just kill guards for money, otherwise, had they killed everyone, it would’ve escalated, now was not a time of chaos.
They understood the inner workings while casting suspicious glances at colleagues, wondering who collected tributes every year.
The Emperor, “Water Bandits are incessant, year after year failing to be eradicated, I am extremely puzzled.”
Zhou Shuren said with equal puzzlement, “Why was it after being handed to the neighboring magistracy, a den was eliminated?”
As he spoke, his eyes reddened, choking, “Minister fears, fears reprisals against his grandson and granddaughters; alas, who knew the bands they brought wielded such prowess, what a coincidence!”
The Crown Prince turned his head to stifle a smile; Marquis Zhou expertly coordinated with the Emperor, also admiring Mr. Hou for speaking in the hall, ensuring none dared blame Zhou Minghui and others despite Magistrate Wu’s Zhezi credit.
The Emperor was momentarily distracted, wondering when Marquis Zhou became adept at shedding tears when needed, recalling Zhou Shuren’s last faint, he fell into an eerie silence.
Lord Yu exhaled relief, reassured knowing only Marquis Zhou dared plainly speak. He himself lacked such boldness or face.
After a while, the Emperor said, “Marquis Zhou, fear not, I shall see who dares act.”