Chapter 1628: Chapter 1628: Grudges Resolved
Two days later at noon, Zhou Shuren received the news at the Ministry of Revenue that Prince Liang had passed away. It was said he departed peacefully, even with a smile.
Zhou Shuren put down the brush he was holding, his heart was complicated; Prince Liang had just passed away without any worries left behind.
Qiu Yan sighed, “I heard yesterday that things were not good. The Retired Emperor is still at Prince Liang Residence. I wonder how he is holding up?”
Zhou Shuren thought to himself, he must be heartbroken, after all, he lost his son!
The news of Prince Liang’s death spread throughout the capital. The Prince Liang Residence was covered in white early on, as funeral preparations had been made in advance, so there was no chaos.
Zhou Shuren had heard many things, such as how Prince Liang had long prepared for his burial to ensure everything was ready after his passing.
After leaving the government office, Zhulan had more information, “The Retired Emperor is still at Prince Liang Residence.”
Zhou Shuren said, “Prince Liang must have said something to the Retired Emperor before he passed.”
Zhulan replied, “Tomorrow we will go to Prince Liang Residence.”
“Yes, we will go together.”
Zhulan whispered, “Today the Crown Prince went to Prince Liang Residence and hasn’t left yet.”
“The Crown Prince is worried about the Retired Emperor, fearing something might happen to him.”
Zhulan pointed to the sky, “I wonder what feeling is in the Palace now.”
Zhou Shuren changed his clothes, “It doesn’t concern us, let’s keep a low profile for now.”
The capital will be quiet recently; the Retired Emperor’s demeanor makes people dare not act rashly, for who knows if he might get angry over Prince Liang.
The next day’s breakfast, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren went together to Prince Liang Residence, Lady Li and the elder Zhou followed behind.
The tightly closed gates of Prince Liang Residence now opened wide, with many carriages stopped at the entrance. All because many avoided the Retired Emperor before, now they all come to visit.
Zhou Shuren helped his wife into the entrance, the courtyard’s white decor was oppressive, with cries heard even from afar, with constant wailing making the whole prince’s residence even more oppressive.
For Zhou Shuren and Zhulan, it was their first time attending a prince-level funeral, with no mood for watching a spectacle.
At the mourning hall, Zhou Shuren immediately saw the seated Retired Emperor, with the Crown Prince standing behind him.
The Heir of Prince Liang greeted them, “Marquis Zhou, the old madam requests.”
Zhou Shuren observed the Heir of Prince Liang, with the young boy’s red swollen eyes, and a grief so visceral one could see how strong the bond was between Prince Liang and his son, “Condolences.”
The Heir of Prince Liang repeated the invitation, then retreated to the side.
Zhou Shuren looked upon the coffin, taking a deep breath; death takes away everything.
As Zhou Shuren made way for those behind him, the Retired Emperor called him over, “Walk with me.”
Zhou Shuren glanced at the Crown Prince, who did not follow, nodding to him before accompanying the Retired Emperor away.
The Retired Emperor did not walk into the garden but towards the outside of the residence, and after leaving, they boarded a carriage, heading straight to the place for cultivating good breeds. The Retired Emperor signaled Zhou Shuren to sit, then fell silent.
Zhou Shuren didn’t speak; the Retired Emperor at this moment did not need comfort, having gone through many storms before. The lack of news about the Retired Emperor passing out in grief showed he had stabilized his emotions.
It took more than half an hour before the Retired Emperor spoke, “Having too many sons is troublesome.”
Zhou Shuren thought, that’s something specific to the Royal family.
The Retired Emperor continued, “The fourth son died, indeed better dead.”
Zhou Shuren did not even lift his head, for only the Retired Emperor could say such things, others dare not try!
At midday, Ningzhou Government Office, Yu Yi got off the carriage, and immediately saw her parents, running over as soon as she steadied herself, ignoring etiquette, “Dad, Mom.”
She had been away from her parents the longest, missing them dearly.
Lady Dong hugged her eldest daughter, raised her hand to touch her face, with the girl all grown up and eyes red, “Good, good.”
Chang Lian felt bitterness watching his crying wife and daughters, having missed too much of their growth.
Yu Jiao also ran over, “Mom, I’ve missed you and Dad.”
Lady Dong touched her younger daughter, then her youngest son, with her heart finally at ease seeing them arrived safely, “Mom missed all of you too.”
“Third uncle, third aunt.”
Chang Lian turned to look at his nephew, staring at the familiar face, dazed, “You really resemble your grandmother.”
Ming Hui smiled, “Indeed, I resemble her more the older I get.”
Chang Lian then heard his elder brother and sister-in-law’s voice, and turned around, “Who is this?”
Yu Yueyang said, “Uncle, I’m Yu Yueyang.”
Chang Lian, “!!”
Is this his future son-in-law? The meeting was a bit sudden; there was nothing mentioned in the family letters back home!
Lady Dong was also startled, then said, “This isn’t the place to talk, let’s discuss at home.”
Yu Yueyang maintained a calm visage, though he was internally panicking, following inside not daring to glance at Yu Yi.
Inside the courtyard, Chang Lian sat down uneasily, with the joy of seeing his daughter diminishing at once, eyes critically observing his future son-in-law, feeling aggrieved; how could a man have two dimples!
Lady Dong took her two daughters to the back, with Yu Yi walking decisively, not worrying about her fiancé.
Chang Lian asked, “Why did you come to Ningzhou?”
He didn’t believe his parents would permit it, even being engaged didn’t mean he should come along.
Yu Yueyang explained, “I was returning to the countryside to visit my grandmother, coming along the way.”
Chang Lian fell silent, having accompanied all the way to Ningzhou City and to his future father-in-law’s home, this lad didn’t seem as harmless as he looked!
Ming Hui didn’t speak, but thought inwardly, indeed Yu Yueyang had courage.
Chang Lian couldn’t just send him away; his future son-in-law had escorted his daughter home, he couldn’t drive him off, closing his eyes, “You’re quite something.”
Yu Yueyang felt relieved, he hadn’t been chased out; as for the expression of the future father-in-law gritting his teeth, he ignored it automatically, after all, he had successfully visited!
Indoors, Lady Dong asked about outside, “What’s happening?”
Yu Yi smiled, “As you saw, he escorted me back and wanted to visit you and Dad.”
Lady Dong was puzzled, “I heard your future husband has two dimples, making him appear somewhat immature.”
Such appearance might not be up to tasks, could it leave her daughter burdened?
Yu Jiao interjected, “Grandma said the future brother-in-law is quite bold; elder sister witnessed it firsthand on this journey, he’s quite calculating and, Mom, don’t be fooled by looks, he dared to visit the family!”
Lady Dong chuckled softly, “Then I’m not worried.”
Seeing it from a woman’s perspective differs from how her husband views a son-in-law; she hoped someone could protect her daughter, given he escorted her all the way, she was satisfied with the future son-in-law.
In the capital, Zhou Shuren accompanied the Retired Emperor for quite a while, until he voluntarily said, “I’m returning to the Palace now, you should go back too.”
Zhou Shuren was also tired from sitting, watching the Retired Emperor leave. The Retired Emperor dared not speak to the Empress Dowager; alas, he had become the Retired Emperor’s only confidant!
In his casual clothes, Zhou Shuren didn’t need to return to the Ministry of Revenue today. Upon thinking of resting, his oppressive feeling vanished, leaving only joy.
In the Palace, the Retired Emperor returned directly to the government hall, entering the study to find his eldest son in a daze, pulling out a letter from his chest, “This is a letter from the fourth son to you.”
The Retired Emperor hadn’t peeked at its content, being the solitary request from the fourth son before his death.
The Emperor awakened and picked up the letter, not long it was read, passing it to the Retired Emperor, “You should read it too.”