Chapter 1564 Suspicion

Back in the main courtyard, Zhulan changed into casual clothes and drank tea while saying, "You just lied to Minghui, right? For so long, the Wen family has only been keeping an eye on the Zhou family. However, this Sixth Master Wen is quite interesting. He has been keeping an eye on Minghui. He is very thoughtful."

Zhou Shuren took the teacup from his wife and said, "It scared Minghui."

He paused and said, "It's hard for a bastard to get ahead. Minghui and Mingrui are his chances to get ahead. He is really patient. This time, Wen Liu will get the opportunity he wants."

Zhulan, "It's a good opportunity to teach the little ones in the family a lesson through Minghui's beating."

Zhou Shuren said in a gloomy voice: "Mingrui didn't take good care of his younger brother, and the younger ones also gave Minghui a big shield. They all deserve to be punished."

"Then I'll ask the kitchen to make some more delicious food today."

Zhou Shuren was happy, "Okay, make more and let them have a good meal first."

After Mingrui came back from school and learned what happened, he brought his brothers to ask for punishment. Mingrui admitted his fault, "My grandson didn't take good care of his brothers. It's all my fault."

Zhou Shuren knew Mingrui was busy, couldn't fall behind in schoolwork, and had to worry about the orphanage, but it was wrong, "You are indeed wrong."

Mingrui neglected his younger brothers these days, which gave Minghui the opportunity to skip school. Minghui must have made several attempts by pretending to be sick this time.

Mingjia said, "My grandson is also wrong."

Zhou Shuren snorted, Mingjia and the others shrank their necks. They, they were providing cover.

Zhou Shuren's expression was stern. "You are kind enough to give Ming Hui a big cover, but have you ever thought that if Ming Hui gets into trouble outside, you will be accomplices. How can you live in peace for the rest of your life?"

Mingjia and the others lowered their heads even lower. They were scared at the thought.

Zhulan came in, looked at the quails with their necks shrunk, and smiled, "Today, grandma asked the kitchen to cook your favorite dishes. We won't be frugal today. Are you happy?"

Mingrui, how many, "......"

No, they are not happy.

Chang Yi and his men went to the government office. After hearing this, Chang Yi felt embarrassed and hurried to see Ming Hui. Then he apologized to his elder brother, "It's all my fault. If I hadn't taken Ming Hui to the theater, Ming Hui wouldn't have been able to help skipping school to go. It's all my fault."

After being angry, Zhou Laoda felt distressed. Minghui looked like his mother, so he really loved this son. He said tiredly, "Second brother, I know Minghui saved Mingrui, so you treat Minghui as your own son. Give Minghui money when he wants it, and bring him gifts every now and then. I know this child is not interested in a career, and I want him to live a comfortable life. Anyway, he has his brother to support him, but he is still young."

Chang Yi quickly apologized, "Yes, yes, it's all my brother's fault. I got used to it. I won't do it again in the future. If you want to be angry, just be angry with me. It's all my habit."

Just as the eldest brother said, it was because Dad knew Minghui's thoughts and did not make strict demands on Minghui that he dared to do so. Otherwise, he would have dared to do so even if he had eight courage!

Changzhi continued, "I will teach Mingjia a lesson later. These kids are smart. I don't believe they don't know."

Changyi, "Yes, and Mingrui, how to be a brother."

Minghui, "......"

This time none of the brothers could escape.

In the end, except for Mingyun and Mingteng, all the grandchildren were punished and will suffer until the New Year.

At the next morning court session, Old Master Wen looked around but did not see Zhou Shuren. He was so angry that his face was as black as a pot when he left the court session.

Elder Wen stopped Qiu Yan and asked, "Why didn't your Lordship attend the court?"

Qiu Yan was nervous. He didn't know how the Minister had offended Old Master Wen again. He replied carefully, "The Ministry of Revenue is not busy recently. The Minister asked for leave yesterday, so he won't have to attend the morning court in the next few days."

Master Wen, "!!!"

Zhou Shuren must have done it on purpose!

Zhou Shuren felt a little wronged. He really didn't mean it. Yesterday, he talked to the emperor about the slippery road in the snow and he almost fell during the morning court session. Then the emperor said that if it was not important, he could ask for leave and not attend the morning court session. Zhou Shuren saw the ladder and felt sorry for himself if he didn't climb it. Who would want to get up early in the winter? So he asked for leave without hesitation.

It was really not to avoid Lord Wen. He had never lost a fight with anyone, and in the end he wasn't the one holding his breath anyway.

Time flies. This year is a cold winter with a severe drop in temperature, creating the lowest temperature in ancient times since Zhulan. The only thing to be thankful for is that there is no heavy snowfall across the country.

As the days passed, the festive atmosphere became stronger and stronger, and Li was very busy, busy shopping for the New Year.

Zhao and others were also busy. Their accumulated wealth had grown large, and they also had to prepare New Year gifts for their servants.

The busiest person is Su Xuan. She has to make an inspection tour at the end of the year and brings back a lot of account books every time she goes out.

Zhulan, on the contrary, had more free time. She read books and did handicrafts every day and lived a very comfortable life.

Su Xuan came in with an air conditioner, "Mom."

Zhulan, "You came back early today. Have you finished your inspection?"

Su Xuan stood by the charcoal brazier to warm herself for a while before sitting down next to her mother-in-law. "It's basically done. I've been so exhausted these past few days."

Zhulan, "You said you wanted to break up with Yuwen, but look, you yourself can't bear to let her go."

Su Xuan laughed dryly. She said it tough, but when she really wanted to train her ladyship, her heart softened. Who said that there were too few children? They were all her treasures. "Mom, who did you see today?"

Zhulan couldn't guess, "Just tell me directly."

Su Xuan, "Shen Yile, County Lord Shen."

"Doesn't she seldom go out?"

Since Yao Zheyu believed in Buddhism, it was said that County Lord Shen also believed in it. The couple seldom went out except to worship Buddha, which made people think that Yao Zheyu was going to become a monk!

Su Xuan sighed, "I was shocked when I saw her today. It seems like we are of different generations. She was wearing dark clothes and no bright jewelry on her head. She looked lifeless."

Zhulan also lamented, "Men are afraid of choosing the wrong career, and women are afraid of marrying the wrong man."

In ancient times, husband and wife were one body. Although they could divorce, few of them actually did so. It was even more impossible for Yao Zheyu and County Lord Shen to divorce, as their marriage was a gift.

Su Xuan hesitated as she took the fruit. "I saw Shen Yile looked haggard today. I don't know what happened."

Zhulan no longer paid attention to Yao Zheyu, so she was not curious after hearing what he said.

However, Zhou Shuren came back from the government office and told the story. Zhou Shuren said, "I really know it."

"What is it?"

Zhou Shuren changed his clothes slowly. "Yao Zheyu is sick. He has been sick since winter. He has not recovered from the illness and it keeps coming back."

Zhulan, "......How do you know so much?"

Zhou Shuren blinked his eyes. "Zhang Jinghong said so. My fourth uncle also mentioned it."

Zhulan, "!!"

I forgot that my fourth uncle always felt uneasy when Yao Zheyu was alive. He must have been afraid that Yao Zheyu would become restless, so he kept watching him with concern.

Zhulan lowered her voice again, "Isn't it possible that he was poisoned?"

She had reason to suspect that her fourth uncle felt that he was too old and wanted to take Yao Zheyu with him. The more she thought about it, the more this seemed possible!

Zhou Shuren really didn't think of poisoning, and raised his eyebrows, "It shouldn't be poisoning."

Zhu Lan expressed her guess, "Fourth Uncle will never be able to get over the knot in his heart. I don't think he will be willing to let Yao Zhe live."

Zhou Shuren, "...You have a point."

Zhulan's eyes widened, "So he's really poisoned?"