Chapter 1626: Chapter 1626: Not Taking the Blame
Zhou Shuren signaled his daughter-in-law to massage his shoulders with more strength, “I need to be a bit ruthless to penetrate the face of the Duke of Yongan’s Residence.”
“Does the Duke of Yongan’s Residence still have any face left? You’ve exposed it all today.”
Zhou Shuren recalled today’s actions, “Ahem, I think today’s performance deserves full marks.”
Zhulan chuckled softly, “You scared quite a few people today, even for Yu Yi’s sake, those who are insincere wouldn’t dare come to the door.”
Zhou Shuren, “I’m truly a good grandfather.”
Zhulan sighed as well, reflecting on how much Shuren had changed since he first came, the transformation was remarkable.
Zhou Shuren added, “I wonder where Yu Yi and the others have reached, with no adults accompanying the children, I hope they haven’t faced too many hardships on the road.”
“Both Ming Hui and Yu Jiao are ones who enjoy themselves; don’t worry about them.”
“You speak as if you aren’t worried.”
Zhulan pressed Zhou Shuren’s shoulders harder, “Hmm?”
“Alright, alright, I’m worried, I’m worried, but indeed, Yu Jiao is quite delicate.”
Zhulan laughed, “Chang Xhong isn’t getting married, and none of the other branches are having more children, so Yu Jiao is the youngest granddaughter, with many older brothers and sisters doting on her. Of course, she doesn’t experience any grievances.”
This girl isn’t one to be bullied; when the eldest daughter-in-law took Yu Jiao to a banquet, she was not at all polite to anyone who provoked her.
Thinking of the delicate little granddaughter, Zhou Shuren also thought of Ming Hui and Yu Yi, “With them gone, the house has become quite quiet.”
Zhulan, “The two most vibrant ones have left, so it’s naturally quiet.”
Zhou Shuren chuckled softly, “The third child should have received the letter.”
“It should have arrived.”
The letter written before the children left the capital was expected to have arrived.
In Ningzhou Province, Chang Lian returned to the residence behind the Government Office from the government office and, not seeing his wife, curiously inquired about the arrival of a letter from the capital, then went to the vacant courtyard.
Lady Dong was overseeing the servants moving furniture, and upon hearing footsteps, she turned around, “You’re back.”
Chang Lian was in a cheerful mood, “Why didn’t you inform me?”
“I was so happy I forgot, just busy tidying up the courtyard.”
Chang Lian truly missed the children, “I didn’t expect Mother would agree for Yu Yi and the others to come.”
Lady Dong, “Didn’t you read the letter carefully?”
Chang Lian felt unhappy again, he certainly read it carefully. When his eldest daughter got married, he couldn’t be there, and the daughter missed them and came to accompany them. With a sour tone, he said, “Why do the children grow up so fast?”
Lady Dong also sighed, “Time really flies, ah.”
Chang Lian said wistfully, “I’ll write back to Father and Mother later, Yu Yi is almost of marriageable age, let’s keep her for a few more years.”
As a father, before he could feel much, the daughter was soon to be married off, truly bittersweet!
Lady Dong felt a pang in her heart, and then thought of Yu Yi’s dowry, “It’s also good for her to marry later, I can accumulate more dowry.”
Hearing this, Chang Lian touched his nose, “We’ve spent quite a bit of silver in these years.”
Lady Dong felt the pain too, “It’s all been for good causes.”
The couple didn’t know the future son-in-law might tag along–Zhulan didn’t mention Yu Yueyang in her letter!
The next day, Zhou Shuren attended court early in the morning and discovered that Elder Wen and others were avoiding him. Some even went out of their way to bypass him, “I don’t have a headache today.”
Wong Ju, “I’m a bit afraid of you.”
The commotion yesterday was widespread; even his own elders were stunned.
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, “This is good too, I can have some peace and quiet for a few days.”
With a doubtful tone, Wong Ju asked, “Did you really faint from anger?”
He found it somewhat hard to believe and had a restless night because of the doubt.
Zhou Shuren replied earnestly, “Yesterday, the Emperor even called for the Imperial Physician for me, what do you think?”
Wong Ju’s doubt vanished, as the Emperor wouldn’t cover for Zhou Shuren, it seemed he really fainted, “Ah, you’re really getting old.”
Zhou Shuren, “…I feel we could break ties for a while.”
Bah, he could still live another hundred years!
Wong Ju was dumbfounded, “Don’t, where would our many years of friendship go if we break ties.”
Zhou Shuren said in a forlorn manner, “My first friend is breaking off with me; I’ve always been a straightforward person.”
Wong Ju, “…”
Zhou Shuren turned around and saw the Retired Emperor approaching him step by step, Wong Ju noticed too, aware that the Retired Emperor wouldn’t seek him out, he tactfully left first.
Zhou Shuren saluted the Retired Emperor, “Your face looks radiant, did you sleep well last night?”
Retired Emperor, “I slept quite well.”
These days, he had been recollecting memories, which resulted in sulking and not resting well, it was unfortunate he didn’t see yesterday’s events firsthand.
Zhou Shuren noticed the Retired Emperor in casual dress, “Your Majesty is going out of the palace?”
The Retired Emperor stroked his beard, “Well, the Duke of Yongan fought alongside me to conquer the world, I’m going to ask him a few questions.”
Zhou Shuren, “Why not summon him to the palace?”
With a tone of melancholy, the Retired Emperor said, “Because the Duke of Yongan is ill.”
The Imperial Physician summoned yesterday was not for a feigned illness.
Zhou Shuren, “It has nothing to do with me; when I left, the Old Duke was so angry he wanted to tear me apart, I won’t take the blame for this.”
The Retired Emperor, “Hmm, I’ll go and scare him a bit.”
Zhou Shuren, “…As long as you’re happy.”
The Retired Emperor was indeed pleased; if the old fellow died, the Duke of Yongan’s Residence would be void, though there hadn’t been an opportunity to reclaim the title.
Watching the brisk pace of the Retired Emperor, Zhou Shuren remarked, “I have matters at the Ministry of Revenue to attend to.”
He preferred not to follow, genuinely afraid that the Old Duke might be agitated to death; the old man had been holding onto life with effort!
On the canal, the ship stayed docked overnight and set off again today. Yu Yi and the others enjoyed walking on the deck in the morning, appreciating the scenery and Yu Yi even painted a few scenes.
Yu Yueyang accompanied his fiancée, “I painted a piece yesterday, care to take a look?”
Yu Yi, “Sure.”
Both she and Yueyang could paint, albeit not expertly, painting served as a pastime on the boring voyage.
Suddenly, there was an “Ouch”.
Yu Yi and her companion looked towards the source of the sound. Miss Liu had sprawled on the deck, fallen rather painfully, her face twisted.
Yu Yi chuckled lightly, and Yu Yueyang also laughed.
Ming Hui, who practiced martial arts, could have easily avoided Miss Liu’s approach. In truth, men are generally less agile than women; those who don’t dodge such advances are often swayed by beauty, “Miss Liu, my gentleman doesn’t support unfamiliar women, get up on your own.”
Miss Liu’s face turned red; wasn’t she pretty? To the onlookers, it seemed they were blind, having no sympathy for her, “Sir, I’m in pain.”
Instead, Ming Hui took a step back, “If it hurts, get up yourself. Don’t look at me; I’m wary of being falsely accused.”
Yu Jiao was already laughing heartily, “Miss Liu, lying in that manner is unbecoming.”
Miss Liu’s eyes welled up; this time, she truly wanted to cry, “I just lost my balance earlier.”
Yu Jiao pointed to her eyes, “I’m not blind; you lost your balance on flat ground and fell into my brother’s arms. Get up, Miss Liu.”
Ah, she found she couldn’t utter too harsh words!
Ming Hui ruffled Yu Jiao’s little head, holding Ming Ling’s hand as they walked toward Yu Yi. There were plenty of attempts like this in the capital, so he was used to it.
Miss Liu felt truly bad, on the verge of tears, and if it weren’t for the limited top-layer cabins, she would have lost all face today.
Yu Yi tapped her sister’s forehead, “You, ah.”
Yu Jiao snorted, “I didn’t say anything wrong, she didn’t back off despite knowing better, she should bear the consequences. I’ve already been quite polite.”