Chapter 1573: Unpredictable Things
Zhou Shuren left the government office and went home. Zhulan said, "After you change your clothes, go to your fourth uncle's yard and persuade him that he can't raise the child."
Zhou Shuren had already thought of what to say when he received the news at the Ministry of Revenue. "Don't worry, I'll have my fourth uncle send the child back."
Zhulan sighed, "Yeah."
Zhou Shuren changed his clothes and drank a few cups of hot water before slowly walking towards his fourth uncle's yard. When he arrived at his fourth uncle's yard, the gate was closed.
Zhou Shuren, "!!"
Should he be glad that his father did not move directly back to the Rong family next door?
Just as he was about to knock on the door, Zhou Shuren raised his hand and knocked on the door himself, "Fourth Uncle, closing the door won't solve the problem. What's the point of hiding for a day? You can never hide from me."
The courtyard was very quiet. Zhou Shuren stopped knocking on the door after he finished speaking. Soon, footsteps were heard and the closed door was opened. Two servants hurriedly greeted him, "My Lord."
Zhou Shuren nodded and walked in. When he entered the house, he saw his fourth uncle sitting on a rocking chair. He didn't see his grandson, and his wife didn't see the child today. The old man was being willful and didn't care.
Rong Yuyun spoke first, "I know why you came. I'm telling you the truth. I'm worried about Liu Jia raising the child. The Liu family is from a small family. The environment she grew up in made it possible for Liu Jia to marry into a family of equal status and become a good mistress. The child has her own merits, but she won't be good enough to marry into the Rong family. Not to mention me, she herself doesn't have the confidence to marry into the Rong family. This child cannot be raised by her."
Zhou Shuren found a comfortable place to sit down, signaled the maids who were serving snacks and tea to leave, and waited until there were no servants in the room before he spoke: "I don't object to what Fourth Uncle said, you are right."
At that time, the Zhou family did not have the power and status that they have now, but who could predict the future? The Zhou family inherited Mingteng, and for the sake of the reputation of the Rong family and the Zhou family, they could not cancel the engagement. Not to mention the harm to the woman in ancient times if she canceled the engagement, even the reputation of the two families could not be tarnished.
Rong Yuyun was surprised. He didn't say he knew his nephew very well, but he knew about 70% to 80% that this nephew was not the type to listen to his elders. Moreover, Zhou Shuren relied on him to get to where he was today. As an elder, he lacked confidence in front of Zhou Shuren.
Rong Yuyun, "Do you agree to my adoption?"
Zhou Shuren shook his head slowly, "I disagree."
The old man glared angrily and lay back in the rocking chair.
Zhou Shuren laughed, "First of all, your starting point is good. You were the one who raised Ming Teng. Before Ming Teng took over, I didn't have too high expectations for him, so Liu Jia was very suitable for Ming Teng at that time. Later, Ming Teng has the responsibility and ability today, all thanks to your careful teaching. I believe that the child handed over to you for raising will definitely be an heir that will satisfy the undead of the Rong family."
Rong Yuyun turned his head and stared at Zhou Shuren. He wanted to hear what Zhou Shuren had to say.
Zhou Shuren said slowly, "But you are old. I am telling you the truth. Don't be angry. How many years can you live? Can you guarantee that you will live until your children grow up and inherit the Rong family? No, you don't know how long you can live!"
Rong Yuyun narrowed his eyes and said, "I will leave the person in my hand to the child."
Zhou Shuren smiled and shook his head, "Not enough. Parents are the ones who teach by example when it comes to a child's growth. It is natural for a child to desire his parents. You cannot replace the child's parents. You will only create a gap between the child and his biological parents. Liu Jia is the child's mother. Don't underestimate the gap between a mother and her child. People's hearts are biased. You cannot control the future after you die."
Rong Yuyun was silent for a long time before he said, "Aren't you still here?"
Zhou Shuren pointed at himself and shook his head. "I can't do that either, Fourth Uncle. I'm not young anymore. Human life is too fragile. I can't even guarantee that I can live to see Chang Lian and his family take over the Zhou family."
Rong Yuyun's voice was a little hoarse, "You are still young."
Zhou Shuren shook his head, "I am not young anymore. As I grow older, I will worry about our Zhouhou Mansion. The roots of the Mansion are not deep enough. Although Changyi and Changlian are officials, they are not yet influential. The power and prosperity of the Zhouhou Mansion today are due to me. Once I die, the emperor will take care of me because of my merits, but how long can he take care of me?"
Rong Yu was deflated. "You are right. The Rong family was so prominent back then. Your Zhou family is far behind. They are also far behind the aristocratic families in the capital. Without your protection, the survival of the Zhou Marquisate would be even more difficult. Your sons, Chang Lian, are still slow to grow up."
Zhou Shuren, "Sometimes luck is very important. Changlian should have been promoted, but a series of disasters trapped him in Qizhou. So it is said that things are unpredictable. Fourth uncle, if you really care about the child, give the child to Mingteng and his wife to raise. When the child grows up, what is the difference between you personally enlightening and teaching him and adopting him?"
Zhou Shuren continued, "Fourth uncle, this is truly good for the Rong family. You don't want brothers to fight with each other in the future and the Rong family to fall apart, right?"
Rong Yuyun lowered his head and waved after a while, "It's getting late. You've been busy all day, go back and have dinner."
Zhou Shuren didn't stay any longer and stood up quickly, "Then I'll go back and have dinner."
"Go back."
Zhou Shuren left without any hesitation. There was no point arguing with the old man. Just analyze the situation clearly. The old man had experienced too many ups and downs and understood everything.
Rong Yuyun got up and went to look at the child. The child looked like Mingteng. He was silent for a while before turning back with a sigh.
In the main courtyard, the food has been delivered. Zhulan saw Shuren's relaxed expression and asked, "Is it done?"
"When he thinks things through, he will send the child back. Liu Jia just needs some rest, so there is no rush."
Zhulan poured the soup and placed it in front of Shuren. She picked up the chopsticks and couldn't help but sigh, "It's not easy for a rich family to marry off their daughter."
Zhou Shuren said quietly, "Yu Lu is indeed a blessed girl. She gave birth to two sons in succession. The five-year agreement is no longer a sword hanging over her head. This girl is very blessed."
Zhulan thought of her granddaughter and smiled more. "The Wang family almost worshipped Yu Lu as their ancestor. They gave her all the good things. Tao said that the old lady said Yu Lu was a contributor to the Wang family. Even Yu Lu's mother-in-law wrote a letter to Yu Lu. Your granddaughter almost walked away in the Wang family."
Zhou Shuren laughed softly, "Yulu has indeed changed the Wang family's lack of offspring. Wang Ju said that the other two families were envious. You didn't see how proud Wang Ju was."
Zhulan, "I can imagine that. This also shows how much the noble families care about the inheritance of their offspring."
Zhou Shuren: "Yes."
The next day, Zhou Shuren accepted congratulations during the morning court session. Too many people envied him, and it was a boy. What the aristocratic family lacked was a legitimate son or grandson.
Zhou Shuren raised his eyebrows when he saw Zhao Bo coming over. Zhao Bo had not looked for him since he came to Beijing.