Chapter 1666: Chapter 1666 Unpleasant to the Eye
Zhulan, "I want to frame the contract first, so it doesn’t get damaged over time."
Zhou Shuren laughed out loud, "Alright, I’ll listen to you."
Zhulan first packed the contract, then asked, "The Emperor actually agreed."
Zhou Shuren, "First, you can’t appear under your real name in the records, the Emperor feels guilty. Second, we benefited from the blessings of the Fourth Uncle’s passing. Third, it’s due to my years of achievements."
The Emperor was silent for a long time before writing down the contract. Two hundred taels a year is not much for the Emperor.
Zhulan, "Do you think I should give Silver every year? Until I die?"
"It’s up to you."
Zhulan’s brows curled, "No rush, I haven’t received this year’s Silver Coin yet!"
Chang Xhong came in surprised, "It’s dinner time, why haven’t we served the meal?"
Zhulan said, "Today there’s good news, so I asked the kitchen to prepare a few extra dishes. We’ll eat in a while."
Chang Xhong sat beside his father, "Dad, what’s the good news?"
Zhulan showed off in front of her son, "Take a look."
After looking, Chang Xhong’s eyes widened, "This?"
Zhulan carefully put it back, "Isn’t it good news?"
Chang Xhong happily said, "Of course it’s good news."
Zhou Shuren looked at his youngest son, then at the box, finally setting aside his selfish thoughts. After a hundred years, it would be better to hand it over to the eldest. He raised his hand to touch his son’s head, still a mortal after all!
Chang Xhong was puzzled, "Dad?"
Zhou Shuren lowered his hand, "Nothing."
Zhulan glanced once more at her husband, heart-to-heart communication was difficult, she instantly understood, reaching out to touch the box, this was a guarantee!
In the blink of an eye, the Hanlin Academy was on vacation. Chang Zhi and Chang Xhong went to the Duke of Yongan Residence, Ming Hui returned to the capital and stayed at home. Upon knowing, he wanted to visit, bringing along Ming Hui.
Lady Li’s illness was cured, but she had lost weight. The wrinkles on her face increased, making her look several years older.
Zhulan was pained, "Now that your health is better, make sure to replenish yourself."
Lady Li, having eaten less during her illness, had a reduced appetite, "Mother, you don’t have to worry about me, I’ll recover soon."
Zhulan held Lady Li’s hand, "Seeing you like this, it saddens me."
Lady Li’s nose tinged with a sourness. Her parents were gone, and returning home meant her brother’s home, no longer her parents’. Her voice was hoarse, "Mother, you must live a long life."
Zhulan’s eyes reddened, "Yes, yes, a long life."
Lady Li, once recovered, stayed with her, unable to be chased away; she treated this as her solace.
After a pause, Lady Li smiled again, "I heard from my husband that my sister and brother-in-law won’t be returning for the New Year?"
Zhulan, "Hmm, it’s tough traveling in winter, Jiang Zhu won’t allow it. They’re waiting for spring before returning."
Lady Li thought of her eldest son, "I wonder how Mingyun is doing."
She hadn’t informed her eldest son about her illness, fearing he’d worry. Now that she’s better, she worries about him.
Zhulan also didn’t know, as there haven’t been letters sent from the grasslands lately. However, since Mingyun is in the town, he should be doing fairly well!
Lady Li said, "A few days ago, Mrs. Ma came to see me and mentioned Sir Lau. Mrs. Ma plans to visit her in-laws next year."
Zhulan thought of Ran Wan, "Next year Ran Wan will also go over, and you’ll have to take care of the children."
She’s getting older and not able to care for children as much as before, preferring quiet, and is not as close to her great-grandchildren.
Lady Li laughed, "That’s why the daughter-in-law needs to stay healthy."
On the grasslands, Mingyun looked at the snow outside, picked up dried fruit and chewed, "Ow, it hurts."
Wu Ming pushed open the door, took off his gloves and picked up dried fruit to eat, "I knew you’d still have some left."
Mingyun pointed to his mouth, "Been overeating meat and got inflamed, mouth sores."
Wu Ming, "Oh, who knows when the snow will stop."
Mingyun waited for the snow to stop to send letters back to the capital. He missed dried vegetables and frozen pears, thinking of the chilled frozen pears made the dried fruit taste bad, "Luckily, the family sent a few large carts of charcoal ahead."
The grasslands lack everything, in the freezing weather, firewood is most scarce. In town, there’s always a queue at shops selling charcoal.
Wu Ming, "Pack some dried fruit for me to take back."
Mingyun, "I really don’t have much left."
"The capital sends you plenty every time, yet you eat it too fast."
He lived frugally.
Mingyun spread his hands, "The guards who came with me have family visiting; I shared some with them. It’s impossible for me to be stingy with those who defend me."
Wu Ming stood up, "I’m envious."
Mingyun laughed heartily. His father spoiled their family’s estates, and since he was on the grasslands, his parents prepared plenty of dried vegetables and other provisions. If not for the snow blocking the roads, life wouldn’t be bad. It’s his family’s spoiling that led to him getting inflamed for not having vegetables for a few days.
At the Duke of Yongan Residence in the capital, Gu Sheng arrived just on time, not fearing being gossiped about but wanting to see Zhuo Guyu.
As soon as he stepped off the carriage, he heard, "Gu Sheng, wait for me."
Wu Shiheng got off his carriage, "I knew you wouldn’t come early."
"Did you wait outside the gate just for me?"
Wu Shiheng smiled, "Yes, I don’t want to see Zhuo Guyu much either. If I didn’t know you were coming, I wouldn’t want to be here."
Gu Sheng knew, Wu Shiheng feared he’d be troubled, "Thanks."
"We’re friends."
He rarely found someone he got along with.
The two entered the gate together. In the hall, everyone’s eyes turned toward them. Wu Shiheng smiled, "We’re not late, are we?"
Zhuo Guyu came forward, "No, please, this way."
The future prince consort didn’t move, smiling, "I’ll sit with Gu Sheng; no need for special attention."
Zhuo Guyu was puzzled, not understanding how the future prince consort from a noble family became friends with Gu Sheng, "Then, this way, please."
Chang Xhong suddenly spoke, "Over here."
Wu Shiheng’s eyes lit up, "We’ll go over ourselves. Mr. Zhuo must be busy."
The seat beside Chang Xhong was always empty. Someone wanted to sit but Chang Xhong said it was reserved, now knowing who it was for.
Gu Sheng sat down, "Mr. Zhou."
Chang Xhong smiled, "It’s been a while, Mr. Gu. How have you been recently?"
Gu Sheng curved his lips, "I’ve been well lately."
Gu Sheng sat between the future prince consort and Marquis Zhou’s younger son. Those at Hanlin Academy who mocked Gu Sheng remained silent. Gu Sheng was low-key at Hanlin Academy and never flaunted whom he knew. Zhuo Guyu certainly wouldn’t speak up, leading the noble families to frequently gossip behind Gu Sheng’s back.
Zhuo Guyu’s face remained unchanged, and when most people had arrived, he smiled, "Today we’ll appreciate three paintings, two collected by my grandfather and one I’ve recently acquired."
As he spoke, a maid brought in the paintings.
Chang Xhong pursed his lips. What collection? Clearly taken forcefully in times of chaos, eyes on the scroll made it evident, the Duke of Yongan Residence’s collection indeed rare to see.
The first painting unfolded, everyone could see clearly.
Wu Shiheng covered his face with a fan, whispering to Chang Xhong, "I heard back in the day the Duke of Yongan was constantly fighting in the south."
Chang Xhong turned, "Do you recognize this painting?"
Wu Shiheng squinted, "I say, no wonder I’ve always disliked Zhuo Guyu!"
Chang Xhong was surprised, "Did I guess right?"
Gu Sheng also turned, Wu Shiheng was indeed from a southern noble family!