Chapter 1602 Rejection

Drums were sounded in the Painting Tower, and the room fell silent. Everyone looked at the abbot's shopkeeper downstairs. The shopkeeper first bowed, then said, "The Painting Tower is able to hold the competition every year thanks to the support of all the distinguished guests. Today's refreshments are free. Thank you for coming to witness it."

There were voices of agreement in the painting building, and the room became quiet again with the gesture of the shopkeeper. The fifty contestants were ready.

The shopkeeper pointed at the burning incense and said, "I will be painting with snow on the spot for the duration of one stick of incense."

Zhulan first glanced at her son-in-law who was confident, then looked at the others, and her eyes fell on Master Gu. There was nothing she could do, as he was the best-looking of the fifty people below.

Zhulan raised her hand and pointed at someone, saying, "Do you think the young man in the grey gown is good-looking?"

Tao looked in the direction and his eyes lit up. "Recently, people are saying that Zhuo Guyu is good-looking. This one isn't bad either."

Zhulan thought, no wonder her granddaughter was so impressed. Because of her illness, she looked a little more pale and sickly, which made her look even prettier!

Everyone has a love for beauty. Being good-looking will naturally attract attention, so Tao no longer feels bored.

Many young ladies from official families came to the teahouse, all in groups. Although they remembered the etiquette and couldn't discuss anything, they never took their eyes off him.

The box where the Fourth Prince was staying was very big. Once his status was revealed, the box was vacated without him having to say anything, so many people knew that the Fourth Prince had arrived.

Zhuo Guyu stood outside the half-opened box and greeted him, saying, "I heard that the Fourth Prince was here, so I came to see him."

The fourth prince felt bored waiting, so he looked up at Zhuo Guyu with a hint of amusement in his eyes, "The eldest grandson of the Duke of Yong'an."

Zhuo Guyu said seriously, "Yes."

The fourth prince looked at Zhuo Guyu and saw that there was someone behind him. "Come in."

Zhuo Guyu felt relieved, "Thank you, Your Highness."

The guards outside the box made way, and Zhuo Guyu came in with his sister. There was another round of greetings, this time to Yuwen. Who gave Yuwen the title?

Changzhong and others nodded in agreement. They all had no titles and no one was more noble than anyone else.

Zhuo Guyu quickly glanced at the people in the box and was stunned for a moment. They were all related to Zhou Hou Mansion. He was moved. The Fourth Prince was indeed close to Zhou Hou Mansion.

Zoya sat at the girls' table. The only person she knew was County Lord Anhe. "What is County Lord looking at?"

As soon as she entered the door, she noticed that the county lord was looking down.

Yuwen, "Look at the scenery."

I can't say I'm looking at a handsome young man!

Zoya really believed it, "Who does the county lord think can take the lead?"

Yuwen said straightforwardly, "It must be my uncle!"

Zoya choked, "What if?"

Yuwen was unhappy. She held her chin and continued to look at Mr. Gu, ignoring Zoya.

The box was so small that the Fourth Prince and his companions could hear what was going on here, but they couldn't interrupt. Now, the Fourth Prince laughed and said, "Cousin, I also think Mr. Jiang can come out on top."

Yuwen, "......"

My heart trembles every time I hear my cousin say this!

The word "cousin" made Zhuo Guyu, who was feeling unhappy because of his sister's embarrassment, look sideways. The Lord of Anhe County did have the capital to be arrogant.

Changzhong glanced at the two siblings of the Zhuo family with a half-smile. They even chased them here. They were so shameless!

Ministry of Revenue, Qiu Yan tried to hold back but still couldn't help asking, "What's the happy event at home?"

This has been a happy morning!

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and said, "My son-in-law will give me a painting as a present tonight."

Qiu Yan responded, "Your eldest son-in-law?"

"Yeah, I'm also surprised that he is so talented in painting."

Qiu Yan felt jealous. Although his son-in-law was a good match for him, he would not be so filial to him. He knew how much Jiang Sheng's paintings were worth.

As they were talking, Jianyan came in and said, "My Lord, the Duke of Yong'an invites you to have tea."

Zhou Shuren stood up and said to Qiu Yan, "I'll leave this to you. I'll be back soon."

"Oh, okay."

Qiu Yan came back to his senses after he finished speaking. Why did the Duke suddenly invite Zhou Shuren to have tea? He looked at the young guard again and suddenly understood the principle.

The old Duke did not expect Zhou Shuren to be so easy to invite. He thought he would have to invite him several times. He gathered his thoughts and said, "Lord Zhou, please take a seat."

Facing the powerful marquis, the Duke did not dare to be arrogant and was extremely polite.

Zhou Shuren sat down. "I am a very straightforward person. The Marquis Zhou Mansion will not marry the Duke Yong'an Mansion. The Duke does not need to worry about it."

The old Duke's smile was a little forced, too straightforward, "My eldest grandson is outstanding. It is difficult to find a more outstanding young man in the capital."

"The eldest grandson of your mansion is indeed outstanding, but he has nothing to do with me, Marquis Zhou. To be frank, as far as I know, many people have their eyes on the eldest grandson of the Duke's mansion. You don't have to hold on to our Marquis' mansion."

Zhou Shuren paused and continued, "I hate calculations the most. Those who plot against me will never get any good results. There is no other way. I am a stingy person. No matter if they plot well or want to borrow power, it will not work."

He could have refused more politely and tactfully, but the Duke's Mansion was determined to achieve its goal, so he was too lazy to deal with it.

The old Duke was furious, but his expression remained unchanged. He had come all the way from humble beginnings to where he is today, and he knew that he could not offend Zhou Shuren, as Zhou Shuren's words would affect the Duke's Mansion. "Marquis Zhou, there is no need to get excited. Even if we cannot become in-laws, we can still interact more often."

Anyway, County Lord Anhe is still young, and his grandson can wait. A good girl is afraid of being pestered by a man, and he has confidence in his grandson.

Zhou Shuren smiled, "You and I are both smart people. I don't want to explain too clearly what the Duke's Mansion is planning. I have already had my tea today. I have something else to do, so I'll leave now."

He has come to this day step by step. There is no need to compromise himself. If the tea is not good, there is no need to stay.

The old duke and the others left, sweeping the teacups to the ground with gloomy faces.

The door suddenly opened again, and the old duke almost had a heart attack!

Zhou Shuren's face was also cold, "I wanted to say one more word, but now it seems unnecessary."

After saying this, he flicked his sleeves and strode away. The air pressure around him was very low and his aura was so strong that people dared not even breathe when Zhou Shuren passed by.

The teahouse was already bustling with people being curious, and they started discussing things in twos and threes. When the old Duke came out, all sorts of speculations were made, and they finally concluded that there was a feud between the Marquis Zhou's Mansion and the Duke of Yong'an's Mansion.

In the painting building, fifty people have finished their paintings and handed them in, waiting for the results. Fifty people are sitting on chairs to rest.

Zhulan could tell at a glance that Master Gu was still ill and was just trying to hold on. She said to Qingxue, "Send some hot soup to Aunt and Master Gu."

Qingxue lowered her head and said, "Yes."

Gu Sheng sat there feeling very tired. He had overestimated himself and now felt a little dizzy. Thinking of his illness, Gu Sheng closed his eyes. He had learned a lesson this time.

Gu Sheng was just closing his eyes to rest when he heard, "Mr. Gu, my old lady sent you some hot soup. Drink it while it's hot and you'll feel better."

With medicinal herbs added to the hot soup, it can no longer be simply called soup; the soup in front of you is a medicinal meal.

Gu Sheng opened his eyes and stood up in confusion, "Miss, I don't know your old lady."

Qingxue lowered her voice, "You are acquainted with Master Changzhong of my family. My old lady saw that you were not feeling well, so she just happened to make a bowl of soup for your aunt."

Gu Sheng took the bowl without hesitation this time, "Thank you, Madam."

Light Pen