Chapter 1655: Chapter 1655 Greed
The next day, Zhou Shuren attended the early morning court, standing at the palace gate and looking up at the sky. Today it was overcast and windy, really cold. Now that the autumn harvest was over, winter would soon come, and he hated attending the early morning court in winter.
Zhou Shuren pulled his cloak tighter around him, feeling the cold, and didn’t notice the inconspicuous glances at him. Who let him have a cloak with a hood that covered everything?
There were no significant matters in today’s morning court, and the Emperor dismissed everyone shortly.
Zhou Shuren stepped out of the hall and noticed the waiting Elder Wen, continuing to walk forward without looking sideways.
Elder Wen’s beard moved with the wind. Gathering his energy several times, he finally caught up, “Marquis Zhou, may I have a word?”
Earl Ye regretted it greatly, as he spoke too late.
Zhou Shuren stopped his steps, “Do you have a matter to discuss?”
Indeed, Elder Wen had a matter. He gestured for Zhou Shuren to walk alongside him and, seeing Zhou Shuren’s expressionless face, breathed a sigh of relief, “I heard the grandson of the Minister of War went to teach today?”
“Your information is really well-informed. You can even find out about matters concerning the Minister of War’s family. I admire you, truly admire you.”
Elder Wen’s expression did not change; this was the familiar Zhou Shuren, the familiar sarcasm, “I have also been to the manor.”
“So?”
“Guessing the Emperor’s intentions, this old man can fathom one or two things.”
Zhou Shuren sneered, “You’re being modest.”
Only one or two, when clearly he figured out eight or nine!
Elder Wen wasn’t here to argue, “Marquis Rong is leaving the capital. Not only this old man is watching; the manor is now managed by your wife, and the future holds many possibilities.”
Seeing Zhou Shuren remain silent, Elder Wen continued, “Having seen it, I feel deeply impressed that a mere woman has such abilities. But once the manor changes, you wouldn’t want the Hou Residence to lose the fruits of its labor, would you? How about mutual benefit?”
Zhou Shuren sneered inwardly, “Some people want profit, some want fame. You want both, don’t you?”
Elder Wen’s thoughts were exposed, yet he wasn’t angry, “Isn’t it the same with your Hou Residence?”
Zhou Shuren, “As for mutual benefit, let’s forget it. The future of the manor is in the Emperor’s hands. I’m busy; I’ll be going first.”
With those words, he led Qiu Yan, who was waiting ahead, away.
After leaving the palace, Qiu Yan got onto the Ministry of Revenue’s carriage and finally spoke, “I overheard a bit earlier, not intentionally.”
He was standing in a wind-sheltered spot, but who knew the wind direction would change a bit, and he only caught a few words.
Zhou Shuren, “Hmm?”
Qiu Yan curled his fingers, “My grandson is not outstanding.”
He had tried strict education, yet his grandson did not shine. He was a bit anxious, looking intently at the Chief of Staff.
Zhou Shuren and Qiu Yan had worked together for years, cooperating well. Qiu Yan had indeed helped him over the years, “Pick a child who can calm down and send them to the manor.”
Qiu Yan was grateful, “Thank you.”
Zhou Shuren, “No need to mention this in the Ministry of Revenue.”
Qiu Yan understood that he could only secure a chance for his grandson because of his years-long friendship with the Chief of Staff.
Zhou Shuren agreed swiftly, due to the Emperor’s attitude yesterday. The Emperor wasn’t bothered with such trivial matters, and he glimpsed a book his wife had organized on the Emperor’s desk, merely a foundational volume, leading to some faint speculation.
At the Hou Residence, Yu Wen held an invitation, “Grandmother, the Crown Princess Consort invited me to the Crown Prince Residence?”
Zhulan was also surprised, “Yes, I’ve already sent a maid to the Qin Prince Residence to ask your aunt if you are the only invitee or if Lin Xi was invited as well.”
Su Xuan frowned, “Since the Crown Princess Consort’s marriage, she hasn’t personally held any banquets and declined all social gatherings. Why the sudden invitation for Yu Wen?”
Zhulan thought for a moment, “Currently, she is the only one at the Crown Prince Residence. Perhaps she wants to have a conversation with Yu Wen?”
With more people aligning with the Crown Prince since the marriage, it was difficult for the Crown Princess Consort to hold banquets. Since their marriage, the couple lived cautiously, with the Crown Prince spending his days in the Palace. The number of girls the Crown Princess Consort could invite was indeed limited.
The maid sent to inquire returned swiftly, “The Princess Consort said that Commandery Princess Lin Xi was also invited, and two princesses from the palace will be going out tomorrow.”
Yu Wen, upon hearing this, said, “I get to attend because of grandfather.”
Zhulan laughed, “I thought you’d say it was because of the title.”
Yu Wen said wistfully, “My mother had a title back then, but she never received an invitation from the Crown Princess Consort.”
Ultimately, it boiled down to family background. Although grandfather wasn’t formally titled as the Crown Prince’s mentor, he did teach him. The Crown Prince respected grandfather, and the Royal family valued him. Thus, she, a titled granddaughter, was chosen. As for why the third sister wasn’t invited, it’s because the Crown Princess Consort’s invitees were either princesses or Commandery Princesses.
Su Xuan gave her daughter a glare but soon laughed, understanding that the same title carried different standings for different people, which she was pleased about.
Zhulan coughed, “Now that we know who is invited, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Yu Wen sat for a while, “Grandmother, I’ll go prepare first.”
“Alright.”
Su Xuan did not leave with her daughter, “When the invitation spreads tomorrow, people will come to probe for information again.”
Zhulan thought of what Shuren said the previous night, that Gu Sheng had turned down numerous marriages, indicating now wasn’t the time to discuss marriage proposals.
Su Xuan noticed her mother-in-law’s distraction, “Mother?”
Zhulan returned to reality, “Let them probe if they will.”
The next day, Yu Wen, rare to rise early, washed and dressed, avoiding the flamboyant red dress and choosing a light blue one. Confirming there were no mistakes, she had breakfast and left the residence.
At the Crown Prince Residence, Yu Wen arrived the earliest, with her status being the lowest, she followed the palace maid into the courtyard.
The Crown Prince Residence had a conservatory filled with plants. Re-decorated for the Crown Prince’s wedding, the flowers in the conservatory had been cultivated this past summer.
When Yu Wen entered, the Crown Princess Consort looked over and smiled, “That outfit suits you well.”
Yu Wen approached to pay her respects, “An He greets the Crown Princess Consort.”
The Crown Princess Consort said, “Please, rise, come and sit.”
Yu Wen was introspective, noting how marriage had brought a significant change. The former Miss Shangguan was similar to her fourth sister; now, as the noble Crown Princess Consort, she carried the aura of authority.
Yu Wen sat down, “What was Her Highness the Crown Princess Consort looking at just now?”
The Crown Princess Consort pointed ahead, “Looking at the scenery outside.”
Yu Wen glanced through the conservatory glass. There weren’t many leaves left on the outside trees; the branches swayed with the wind. She only saw the autumn’s chill, unable to sense anything special.
The Crown Princess Consort noticed An He’s blank face and chuckled, then sighed, “The courtyard was so quiet before you came.”
Yu Wen silently agreed. Following the palace maid, the journey was indeed quiet. Strict rules within the Crown Prince Residence made it so palace maids and eunuchs dared not make a sound, resulting in silence. With numerous courtyards and just the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort as masters, and the Crown Prince spending his days in the palace, leaving only the Crown Princess Consort as the household’s mistress.
Yu Wen thought about the Empress. Since the Empress favored quiet recuperation, it wasn’t easy for the Crown Princess Consort to frequently enter the palace.
Lin Xi arrived soon after, having been doted on since childhood, her lively and appealing nature was evident. Even before she appeared, her laughter preceded her.
The Crown Princess Consort smiled, “What made my sister so joyful?”