Zhou Shuren went home from the government office. Zhulan said, "Change your clothes and go to your fourth uncle's yard to persuade him that he can't let him adopt the child."
Zhou Shuren had already thought of a reason when he received the news at the Ministry of Revenue. "Don't worry, I'll ask my fourth uncle to 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 the old man didn't move directly back to the Rong family next door
Jinyan was about to knock on the door, but 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 in a rocking chair. He didn't see his grandson, and his wife didn't see the child either. 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 Liu Jia a good mistress if she married into a family of equal status. The child has her own merits, but she won't be good enough if she marries into the Rong family. Not to mention me, she herself doesn't have the confidence to marry into the 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 go down, and waited until there were no servants in the room before speaking: "I will not refute what Fourth Uncle said, you are right."
At that time, the Zhou family did not have the power and status they have now, but who can predict the future? The Zhou family adopted Ming Teng, and for the sake of the Rong family and the reputation of the Zhou family, they could not cancel the engagement. Not to mention the harm to women in ancient times if they canceled the engagement, even the reputation of the two families could not be tarnished.
Rong Yuyun was surprised. He didn't know this nephew very well, but he knew him about 70% to 80%. 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 don't agree."
The old man glared angrily and lay back in the rocking chair.
Zhou Shuren laughed, "First of all, your intention was good. You were the one who raised Ming Teng. When Ming Teng was not adopted, I did not have high expectations for him, so Liu Jia was very suitable for Ming Teng at that time. Later, he was adopted. Ming Teng has the responsibility and ability he has today, all thanks to your careful teaching. I believe that the child you raise 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 after all the preparations.
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 people I have to the child."
Zhou Shuren smiled and shook his head, "Not enough. Parents are the ones who teach by example when a child grows up. 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 the others take over the Zhou family."
Rong Yuyun's voice was a little hoarse, "You are still young."
Zhou Shuren shook his head, "I'm not young anymore. As I get older, I'll worry about our Zhouhou Mansion. The roots of the Mansion are not deep enough. Although Changyi and Changlian are officials, they are not yet established. 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 contributions, but how long can he take care of me?"
Rong Yuyun 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 will be even more difficult. Your sons, Chang Lian, are still slow in growing up."
Zhou Shuren, "Sometimes luck is very important. Chang Lian 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, you can give the child to Ming Teng 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."
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 for dinner."
"Go back."
Zhou Shuren left without any hesitation. It was useless to argue 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 to look at the child. The child looked like Ming Teng. After a moment of silence, he sighed and turned back.
In the main courtyard, the food had been delivered. Zhulan saw Shuren's relaxed expression and asked, "Is it done?"
"When he figures it out, he will send the child back. Liu Jia just needs to 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 to marry a daughter from a rich family."
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 worships Yu Lu as their ancestor. They give her good things like water. 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 walks sideways 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. So many people envied Zhou Shuren, and it was a boy. What the aristocratic family lacked was a male child who 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.