In the afternoon, Mingteng came back and ignored Mingrui. He rushed to the main courtyard without waiting for the maid standing outside to report him. He rushed in and saw his grandmother painting.
Ming Teng thought about it all day and felt more and more aggrieved. Seeing that his grandmother could not control her emotions, he did not want to go look for his parents. In his heart, only his grandmother could make his grandfather change his mind.
The painting on Zhulan's desk was ruined, so she motioned to Mrs. Song to put it away. After washing her hands, she saw Mingteng dropping gold nuggets. Her heart ached, and she waved, "Come here and let grandma see it."
Ming Teng took a step forward, and the sturdy boy cried, "Grandma, I don't want to be adopted."
Zhulan gently wiped Mingteng's tears with a handkerchief, "You are adopted but you will not leave home. You will still live at home, but your last name will be changed."
Ming Teng was stunned for a moment, "No, not leaving home?"
Zhulan pulled Mingteng to sit down and poured a cup of fruit tea for her grandson. "Well, your fourth uncle will live in the mansion in the future. When the new house is repaired, it will be connected until you get married and have children. Of course, if you don't want to seal it, it's okay. When your grandfather and I are a hundred years old, the house will be left to your eldest son."
By then, the entire house will belong to the eldest wife, and whether to seal it or not will be entirely up to Mingteng himself. Except for the different surnames, he will still live with the eldest wife.
This was what Zhou Shuren and Yu Yun had discussed, and Yu Yun naturally agreed. Yu Yun adopted the child only to keep the heir of the Rong family, not to sever ties with the Zhou family, and Yu Yun was eager to have more contact. They were all brothers, so why should they go alone? Only by uniting and supporting each other could they go further.
Ming Teng's anxiety disappeared, but he said, "Why me? My grandson is naughty, but he is very obedient."
Zhulan smiled. She first dispelled Mingteng's biggest worry. When she heard her grandson stop panicking, she continued, "It's because you are obedient and true to yourself that parents think deeply about their children. Your grandfather and I are the same. We plan for each of you. But your grandfather and I are old, and we are greedy. We don't have that many resources, but we want all of you to have a good future."
Ming Teng felt his heart swell. He was a straightforward person and didn't show that he knew little. Some of the children of officials in the academy were fighting for resources at home for their own future.
Ming Teng knew that their family was different, they were united and there was no mess at home, so he ignored it. Now thinking about it, Ming Teng lowered his head and dared not look at his grandmother. He already understood why he was adopted.
The words of his parents last night echoed in his ears again. His parents were reluctant to let him go, but they agreed for the sake of his better future.
Zhulan touched Mingteng's head and said, "In an era when imperial power is supreme, there are too many frustrations and injustices. What your grandfather and I can do for this family is to try our best to create a better future for everyone in the family in this unfair era. Even if there are calculations and considerations, as long as it is good, we will go with the flow for the sake of our family."
Zhu Lan paused and continued, "Grandma knows that although Ming Teng is not as good at studying as your brothers, you are a smart child. Your mother is like this. With such a smart child, grandma and your grandfather don't want you to take a detour. Since there is a way to send you directly to your destination, your grandfather, your parents, and your brother are willing to do so."
Ming Teng's fear and resentment disappeared completely, and he lay on his grandmother's lap, "Grandson, I have made my family worry."
Zhulan likes this child. She pats her crying grandson with smiles in her eyes. She can teach children the principles of life, but she is helpless in studying. He is obviously a top student, but when it comes to ancient Chinese, she has a headache. She has worked hard for so many years, but is still not as good as Zhou Shuren, who is an expert in his field.
Boss Zhou and Mrs. Li were standing at the door. When they heard Mingrui Ming Teng rushing towards the main courtyard angrily, they knew something bad was wrong. They wanted to go in, but Mrs. Song stopped them. Then they heard what their son and mother said.
What Dad said last night were all reasonable, while what Mom said were what was in her heart. Li wiped her tears, pulled the head of the family, and signaled them to leave.
The last bit of reluctance of Zhou Lao Da was completely gone. His parents had paid too much for their family behind the scenes. Without his mother telling them, they could only see the surface. After leaving the main courtyard, Zhou Lao Da also had a nasal voice, "I will not leave home if I change my surname. For this, my parents have to support my fourth uncle."
Li wiped her tears and said, "The greatest blessing in my life is meeting my mother."
Boss Zhou, "..."
No, shouldn't the greatest blessing be to marry him? Only by marrying him can I meet my mother!
In the evening, Zhou Shuren came back. When Zhulan was helping Zhou Shuren change his clothes, she said what she had said to Mingteng. Zhou Shuren looked back at Zhulan. He couldn't bear to hear everything Zhulan had said.
Today, Rongchuan and his wife, and Xuemei's family all came. After dinner, they talked about Mingteng's adoption, and this time it was officially announced.
As for Mingshan, he has returned to the capital today and bought a house. It was Zhulan who helped him buy it. It is in the south city, a pretty good place.
The Zhou family's children accepted it calmly. Yu Shuang and Yu Lu looked at Ming Teng worriedly, but when they saw that Ming Teng's eyes were bright and he was not unwilling, they breathed a sigh of relief.
After the meal, Zhou Shuren left his sons and grandson behind and told his fourth uncle what the emperor had said, "I think your title of marquis will be hereditary. If it is not hereditary, your title may be promoted."
Promoted to Duke, Ming Teng inherited a lower level, also a Marquis, and it depends on the Crown Prince how to reward him.
Chang Yi and Chang Zhi both looked at their eldest brother. Boss Zhou was dumbfounded. He understood why Ming Teng had the title of Marquis. Since he had abandoned Rong Enqing, his son would have a powerful Marquis. Besides, his son would not leave home, so luckily his father was there to support him, otherwise he would not be able to take it.
Yu Yin said, "I have been going to the palace quite often recently. The emperor has already revealed some information. So, since the emperor has mentioned it, I mean, we should choose a date as soon as possible. What do you think?"
Zhou Shuren was quite happy. It was only a matter of time. "Okay, Fourth Uncle, thank you for worrying about me. I don't have much energy. If you need anything, ask Changli for help."
Yu Yin was smiling. After living in Zhou Mansion, he was even more reluctant to go back to his own house. The Zhou family was large and lively, and when he got old, what mattered most was popularity. He slept well and ate well in Zhou Mansion, and he felt that he could live for another ten years without any problem.
Yu Yun was happy that Ming Teng would not leave home, and he could live with him. "Okay, I'll choose a date. My residence is in the south city. I was thinking of doing it at your house first, a simple adoption. When I return to the newly built mansion, I'll dress up and decide on the prince. It can be considered a triple blessing. What do you think?"
Zhou Shuren had no objection, "Fourth Uncle's arrangement is very good."
Changyi and Changzhi sincerely congratulated their elder brother. Seeing that Changyi and Changzhi were not squinted by the title, Zhou Shuren stroked his beard with satisfaction.
Yu Yin was also satisfied. He thought Shu Ren was very good at educating children. Children of the Zhou family were better. They were also related by blood. Well, their bloodline was better.