Chapter 1639: Chapter 1639 Concealment
Zhou Shuren saw Zhuo Guyu standing without leaving and raised his head, "Is there anything else?"
Zhuo Guyu remained respectful, "The Crown Prince is at the Ministry of Revenue, and the Emperor ordered me to deliver a message to the Crown Prince."
Zhou Shuren signaled to Jin Yan to invite the Crown Prince, who arrived quickly and saw Zhuo Guyu, "What message did the Emperor want you to deliver to me?"
For a moment, Zhuo Guyu paused, the Crown Prince didn’t avoid Marquis Zhou at all, what trust this was, hiding the emotions in his eyes, "The Emperor said for me to stay by the Crown Prince’s side."
Zhou Shuren didn’t pause in flipping through the account books; the Emperor had already expressed wanting to use the Duke of Yongan’s residence, so bringing up Zhuo Guyu was normal.
The Crown Prince smiled, "Then you can go on behalf of me to the families being confiscated."
Zhuo Guyu was pleased in his heart; this was the Crown Prince valuing him, "Yes."
The Crown Prince waited for Zhuo Guyu to leave, "Marquis Zhou is not surprised at all."
Zhou Shuren, "The Emperor’s intentions are clear."
So there’s no need to be concerned about him; he doesn’t care if the Duke of Yongan is heavily used. Sometimes, the more someone is used, the faster they die, and when their value is exhausted, they can be discarded.
In the capital today, the streets were full of officers and soldiers; it had been many years since there was such a big commotion in the capital, and there were fewer pedestrians on the streets.
This is just the capital; smuggling is widespread. The Emperor’s action this time isn’t just to kill a chicken to warn the monkeys but to kill a wave of people, confiscating families involved in various provinces.
At the Hanlin Academy, the top scorer leaned toward Gu Sheng, "Lord Zhuo is highly regarded by the Emperor."
Gu Sheng raised his head, "Lord Wang is envious?"
The top scorer was indeed envious; he was the top scorer, but unfortunately, he didn’t have the background of a Duke’s residence, "Aren’t you envious?"
Gu Sheng lowered his head, "I only want to do my responsibilities well."
The top scorer felt that Gu Sheng wouldn’t use his own conditions to his advantage. If he had Gu Sheng’s handsome looks, he would definitely choose a good marriage to aid himself, "Still too young."
Young people are proud, thinking they can rely on themselves, but it won’t be long before reality teaches Gu Sheng a lesson.
Gu Sheng didn’t like Lord Wang; he knew there were many people like Lord Wang, but he didn’t want to become like him.
The top scorer’s eyes suddenly flashed, "I’m older than you; shall I introduce you to a suitable marriage?"
Chang Zhi really didn’t want to eavesdrop; now that the weather was hot, the windows were open for ventilation, and someone was trying to steal the person her daughter had her eyes on!
Chang Zhi coughed and walked to the window, "Here’s the book you wanted."
Gu Sheng received it with both hands, "Thank you, Lord Zhou."
Chang Zhi, "I’m not in a hurry; just return it to me when you’re done."
Gu Sheng waited until Lord Zhou left, then replied to Lord Wang, "I won’t trouble you, Lord Wang; perhaps you should care more about your wife and children."
He knew that this Lord Wang had two lovely wives.
Lord Wang’s face was awkward, muttering that he was ungrateful, and returned to his seat.
At the Hou Residence, in Rong Yudang’s courtyard, since the Imperial Physician hadn’t arrived, the doctor first checked the pulse. Zhulan noticed the doctor didn’t say anything, and her heart skipped a beat. She signaled to Lady Li to stay, then followed the doctor out of the bedroom.
The doctor, who was employed by the Hou Residence, didn’t hide anything, "The master is old; the madam should be prepared in her heart."
Even though Zhulan had a premonition, she was still shocked, "The master’s health has been good; he hasn’t had a major illness in years."
The doctor said in a low voice, "That’s why this illness came on so fiercely."
It’s been suppressed for a long time, unable to hold it back now, with organs failing badly.
Zhulan pursed her lips. The master had been hiding his illness from Lady Li and the others, and she only came to visit the master because she realized something was wrong.
The Imperial Physicians arrived; Zhulan used the fourth uncle’s token to invite them. The two Imperial Physicians who came were familiar faces; one of them clearly knew everything, and the other’s pulse diagnosis matched that of the in-house doctor.
Zhulan pursed her lips; the master was really good at hiding it. Zhulan asked the Imperial Physicians to think of a way.
Imperial Physician Wu was aware, "Marquis Zhou’s wife, we will do our utmost."
They can only try their best but can’t guarantee anything, trying to prolong the Duke of Rong’s life as much as possible.
Zhulan asked, "Does the palace know about this?"
Imperial Physician Wu had a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, "The Duke said the Emperor is busy, so it’s being kept quiet for now."
Zhulan said, "Prepare the medicine."
Zhao’s wife spoke after the Imperial Physicians left, "It’s also convenient that Ming Teng had official duties out of the capital, allowing the master to hide it smoothly."
If Ming Teng were at home, the master wouldn’t have been able to hide it.
Zhulan thought to herself that the fourth uncle was well aware of his own health, "Yes."
Back in the bedroom, the master lay with his eyes closed, his face somewhat sallow; he’d been ill for days, and the master was indeed able to endure it.
Lady Li was very uneasy, "Mother, it’s all my fault for not being attentive, for not noticing; please punish me."
Zhulan waved her hand, "It’s not your fault."
Even if Lady Li was attentive, it wouldn’t be useful; the fourth uncle’s courtyard is independent, and Lady Li couldn’t manage that side.
Zhulan kept watch for a while until Rong Yudang awoke, and seeing who was sitting on the chair, his breath was weak, "You’ve found out."
Zhulan, "If I didn’t find out, how long did the fourth uncle plan to keep it hidden?"
Rong Yudang gestured for the young servant to help him sit up, "I’m on the mend; I didn’t want to alarm you all. It’s normal for an old person to be ill."
Zhulan understood now; the fourth uncle was very clear about his own health, "I’ve already had a doctor examine your pulse."
Rong Yudang’s expression stiffened, "You know now."
Zhulan sighed, "You should have told us earlier."
Rong Yudang was silent; who wants to die? He wanted to live too; with successors in the Rong family, he especially didn’t want to die, but things didn’t go his way. Who would have thought his health would decline so rapidly, "I’m glad I didn’t raise children for fostering back then."
Zhulan, "I’ve asked the Imperial Physicians to think of a way; don’t give up. If we cooperate with treatment, we can still get better."
Rong Yudang smiled, "Do you think I only let Imperial Physician Wu see me?"
Zhulan, "..."
Rong Yudang, "I’ll cooperate well; you should go back now."
Zhulan stood up, "Then I’ll leave first."
"Mm."
Leaving the courtyard, Lady Li was worried, "Mother, Ming Teng is still handling affairs outside the capital."
Zhulan, "There won’t be a problem for now."
In the future, careful nursing can still prolong his life somewhat, but how long depends on his fate.
Returning to the main courtyard, Zhulan signaled for Lady Li to go and rest. She once again felt the entanglement of life and death. Taking a mirror, she saw her own reflection; there were white hairs, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were increasing. Silently looking at herself in the mirror, she wondered how long she would live.
The fourth uncle’s monthly pulse check-ups always showed he was in good health, but in the end, his health said it would decline, and it did. No one can guarantee the future.
Since Zhulan knew, Rong Yudang’s health situation couldn’t be hidden anymore, and the news had already reached the palace. The Retired Emperor personally came out of the palace, bringing the chief physician along.
Zhulan wasn’t the one accompanying them; the eldest Zhou was with them. After sending off the Retired Emperor, the eldest Zhou said, "Mother, the Retired Emperor ordered the chief physician to think of a way to nurture the master’s health."
Zhulan acknowledged she knew, "You should also go and rest."
Qing Xue entered, "A letter from the family in Ningzhou Province."
Upon hearing this, the eldest Zhou’s face twisted slightly. His troublesome son, whom he cherished so much, sent private funds to, had written back telling his wife after just a few days; how exasperating!