Chapter 261: Reunite With Ancestors
Half a month later, Zhou Wangshu received the Emperor’s summons and entered the Imperial Palace.
Great General Who Protects the Nation Su Rende accompanied him at his side. The father-in-law and son-in-law stayed in the Imperial Palace for two hours. Two hours later, notices were posted in various districts, stating that Zhou Wangshu was the Eldest Legitimate Son of Marquis Cheng’an’s Mansion who had been lost for many years. Due to losing his memory after falling into the water and then being trafficked by a human trafficker, he did not remember returning home. After verification from all sides, Marquis Cheng’an’s Mansion had found their Eldest Legitimate Son Zhou Wangshu, who would be added to the genealogy starting today and return to the Xia Family.
“Since he has already been found and plans to reunite with ancestors, why hasn’t he changed his surname yet?” someone among the people discussed.
“I heard that this Eldest Legitimate Son’s mother happens to have the surname Zhou. Since by a twist of fate he took his mother’s surname, they were too lazy to change it, so he kept his mother’s surname. However, according to the rules of various families, the genealogy must use the family’s own surname, so he should change it to Xia when entering the genealogy.”
“I think the name Zhou Wangshu sounds very nice. Xia Wangshu… sounds a bit strange.”
“It’s not that the name Xia Wangshu is strange; it’s that Marquis Cheng’an’s Mansion’s Xia Family doesn’t deserve such a nice-sounding name. You don’t know, the previous principal wife of Marquis Cheng’an, who is also Zhou Wangshu’s birth mother Madam Zhou, came from the top literary elite family of Linyang Zhou clan.”
“A few years ago, didn’t they say their family had rebellious intentions and was executed with the entire family?”
Marquis Cheng’an’s Mansion. As soon as the Marquis entered the door, he saw the Cheng’an Marchioness walking over from the opposite side. There was originally still a smile on his face, but the moment he saw her, the smile on his face disappeared, and the whole person exuded annoyance.
“Marquis, I heard that the Eldest Young Master has already been found. Since that’s the case, when will he move back?” the Cheng’an Marchioness said.
The Marquis of Cheng’an looked at the Cheng’an Marchioness in surprise.
“You are willing to let him move back?”
The Cheng’an Marchioness said coquettishly, “Look at what you’re saying. He is the Eldest Young Master of our mansion. It’s great that he didn’t die. Of course we must let him reunite with ancestors.”
“Madam is truly virtuous.” A smile rose again on the Marquis of Cheng’an’s face. “You handle the arrangement. Just don’t neglect him. The child suffered a lot outside, and now that we’ve finally found him, we must compensate him doubly. By the way, he has lost his memory and doesn’t remember previous things, so don’t deliberately mention some matters in front of him, such as things about his mother, to avoid stimulating him and making him unwell.”
“Don’t worry, Marquis.”
“How is Zhen’er?” The Marquis of Cheng’an finally had a conscience and remembered that son who had caused him to lose all face.
Perhaps seeing how understanding the Cheng’an Marchioness was, he had to hypocritically show some concern.
“Zhen’er knows he brought shame to the Marquis Manor and has not dared to go out and see people. Marquis doesn’t need to worry about him. I will properly guide him.”
“Since he knows he brought shame, he must properly restrain his own behavior. Tell him that if he reforms well in the future, I don’t expect him to bring glory to the family, but at least don’t be as embarrassing as he is now. Now that his elder brother is back, and his elder brother has a great reputation outside, with the Emperor valuing him especially, under his leadership, our Marquis Cheng’an’s Mansion will surely reach new heights. As long as he doesn’t cause trouble, glory and wealth will not be lacking for him.”
The Cheng’an Marchioness smiled and said, “Yes. When the Eldest Young Master returns, Xia Zhen will see such an excellent brother and can follow him to learn in the future.”
“The Emperor has already announced it to the world. I reckon he will bring Madam back in the next few days. Prepare well.”
“Yes.”
The matter that had worried the Marquis of Cheng’an for half a month was finally resolved, and he was in a great mood as he returned to the study with his confidant subordinate.
Xiao Yanci was drinking tea and eating pastries upstairs in the teahouse with Wang Ruyan when he heard noisy voices outside. Looking out from the window, he saw Zhou Wangshu riding a tall horse, with a sedan chair beside him, followed by a vast team carrying many things.
“Lord Zhou is returning to Marquis Cheng’an’s Mansion. Some people are born with good fortune, and this Lord Zhou is just like that. Think about it: he originally came from a wealthy family, fell on hard times due to an accident, but ended up being bought by a kind family. Since ancient times, few people sold by human traffickers have had good lives; only those with good luck who encounter kind-hearted families have a chance to survive. He, however, directly married into the family as a son-in-law and got such a kind and beautiful daughter-in-law, and later had such a powerful father-in-law’s family. That’s not all—he was even recognized by his biological father and returned to the Marquis Manor.”
Xiao Yanci listened to the envious discussions of the people, his gaze fixed on Zhou Wangshu.
“Husband, this errand is very important. You must handle it well. If you do, my father will definitely promote you, and then you’ll be much better than that Zhou fellow.” Wang Ruyan said, holding Xiao Yanci’s arm.
A look of disgust flashed in Xiao Yanci’s eyes.
Wang Ruyan, with her deflowered body, had followed him and acted as if nothing had happened, treating him like an idiot—either thinking he couldn’t tell the difference between a virgin and a whore, or simply not caring about his thoughts. In her eyes, wasn’t he just a man who eats soft rice anyway?
“Madam, rest assured. I will definitely handle the matter entrusted by my father-in-law well. I won’t disappoint him.”
A satisfied look flashed in Wang Ruyan’s eyes.
“Madam, wait here for me. I seem to have seen a few colleagues; I’ll go greet them first.”
“Alright, go ahead!” Wang Ruyan waved her hand. “If you can’t get away, no need to rush back. Just go be busy.”
Xiao Yanci went directly to another dormitory room. After pushing the door open and closing it, he walked toward the woman sitting by the window.
Jiang Yihuan turned her head to look and saw Xiao Yanci, then closed the window.
“Aren’t you accompanying your family’s Prime Minister’s Miss?”
“Zhou Wangshu has returned to Marquis Cheng’an’s Mansion. He will inherit the title in the future and become the next Marquis of Cheng’an. Su Yaoguang will be the Cheng’an Marchioness.” Xiao Yanci embraced Jiang Yihuan’s waist. “You’ve always been jealous of her. Seeing her doing so well, are you content?”
“What can I do if I’m not content? She has good fortune; she casually finds a man and it’s a noble background.” Jiang Yihuan said softly.
“Marquis Cheng’an’s Mansion will definitely prepare a banquet to announce Zhou Wangshu’s return. I can’t do anything about the female relatives’ side, but you can ruin their affairs.” Xiao Yanci said. “If Su Yaoguang is poisoned on the day of the banquet, how will the Great General Who Protects the Nation react? Marquis Cheng’an’s Mansion and the Great General Who Protects the Nation will fall out on the spot. No matter how Zhou Wangshu chooses, he will offend one side, and then they will be at each other’s throats, fighting to the death.”
“Xiao Gege, you’re getting more and more wicked now.” Jiang Yihuan hugged Xiao Yanci’s neck. “But I like it very much.”
Just poisoning is not enough; she wants Su Yaoguang to disappear. Xiao Yanci clearly knows that only if Su Yaoguang dies directly will the General Who Protects the Nation’s Mansion and Marquis Cheng’an’s Mansion form a deadly feud, yet he still couldn’t bear to let her die. Did he think she didn’t know his little thoughts? When the time comes, she would give him a big gift.
