Read Novel Full Chapter 1833: Disaster
Chapter 1833: Chapter 1833: Disaster
The surprise didn’t turn out as expected. Chang Xhong kept a cold face, and no matter how thick-skinned the scholars were, they couldn’t stay any longer. Not to mention Marquis Zhou’s residence, they still need to get along in the Hanlin Academy. Zhou Changzhi’s reputation remains prominent!
The Zodian family in Capital City drew everyone’s attention. Even without the Duke’s title, the Zhuo family lived in a fairly prestigious house. But no matter how low-key its decorations were, they couldn’t escape the scrutinizing gaze.
Zhulan went to the Academy, thinking she would see Zhuo Ya, but she didn’t.
Zhulan couldn’t help but ask, "Zhuo Ya hasn’t come?"
Jiang Ling said, "Since the Zhuo family ran into trouble, Zhuo Ya hasn’t come to the Academy even once."
Zhulan didn’t believe that the Zhuo family would leave Zhuo Ya alone. Now the Zhuo family doesn’t have many cards to play, and Zhuo Ya’s reputation would become a life-saving card. Is Zhuo Ya holding up under the pressure?
Soon, Zhulan stopped thinking about it, as Zhuo Ya didn’t have much to do with her.
Zhulan was more concerned with the registry in her hand, "Already five classes?"
Jiang Ling, "Ever since the teaching books were changed, more female students have been coming specifically to study, with people enrolling every day."
Zhulan flipped through the registry. The girls coming specifically to learn were younger, touching the cover of the book, "I’m very pleased."
These are the foundation of the future Girls Academy and also a source of her confidence.
Jiang Ling’s face was beaming, "I like watching the children become brilliant individuals."
The Girls College has been doing well; the earliest students now have greatly changed perspectives. Even some parents have realized that girls and boys can be equally dependable. The status of girls from families near the Academy has improved significantly.
Zhulan spent almost an entire day at the Academy. She’s not coming to the Academy as frequently now. After Jiang Ling got married, she let go of quite a bit of authority. She is waiting for Shao Ting to get married, and then with Shao Ting handling the Academy, she can be more at ease.
On her way back into the city, Zhulan was still pondering the date of Ming Hui’s wedding. Ming Hui wasn’t young anymore. After their engagement, they discussed the wedding date, which was set for after spring next year.
A smile hung on Zhulan’s face, as she had spoken with the Wei family. Because of their eldest’s involvement in Maritime Affairs, the date for Chang Xhong’s wedding requires further discussion.
The carriage stopped, and Qing Xue asked, "What happened?"
The coachman lowered his voice, "Several carriages ahead have overturned."
Upon hearing this, Zhulan signaled Qing Xue to check it out. How could the carriages have overturned while entering the city, and several of them at that?
Qing Xue quickly returned, "It’s the Zhuo family’s carriage fetching Zhuo Ya."
Zhulan, who had been thinking about Zhuo Ya today, asked, "Who went to fetch her?"
Without anyone to fetch her, Zhuo Ya wouldn’t return on her own.
Qing Xue replied, "Zhuo Ya’s mother and sister-in-law."
Zhulan squinted her eyes, "Zhuo Ya’s sister-in-law?"
If she recalled correctly, she was the daughter of Earl Ye!
As they were close to the city gates, many guards quickly handled the carriages, and Zhulan got news that Zhuo Guyu’s wife had a miscarriage and that his mother injured her leg. Zhuo Ya was quite lucky, suffering only minor injuries, but at this time, even a minor injury could bring blame!
Zhulan felt quite heavy-hearted. To target women, especially pregnant ones, shows the depths to which one can sink.
In the evening, Zhulan asked, "When will the results be out?"
Zhou Shuren, "We’ll have to wait a bit longer."
Zhou Shuren thought his wife was worried about Mingyun and talked a bit more about Mingyun’s situation. Mingyun, backed by Marquis Zhou’s residence and just transferred over, wouldn’t easily be implicated. Noble families feared offending Marquis Zhou as they couldn’t withstand it.
The current Marquis Zhou’s residence, with its wide network, has very clear-headed allies. If you carefully calculate, their strength is quite formidable, not even counting Prince Qin as a son-in-law.
Zhulan mentioned the misfortune of the Zhuo family women today, "Targeting the women, is this a desperate warning?"
Zhou Shuren’s eyes showed disdain, "Such vile tactics."
Zhulan continued, "I wonder what Earl Ye’s reaction will be?"
Zhuo Guyu’s wedding had been postponed repeatedly, and they finally received good news, only for the child to be lost. Why target the Zhuo family’s main branch? It’s evident that the Zhuo family is now relying on Zhuo Guyu!
Zhou Shuren said quietly, "You should know that the Ye family has never voiced out. The meaning is already very clear."
Zhulan fell silent. The Zhuo family losing the title means Zhuo Guyu’s wife is abandoned by her natal family, and this incident won’t see any reaction.
The next day, Chang Xhong and Chang Zhi arrived at the Hanlin Academy on time. As soon as they entered, they spotted Zhuo Guyu. It wasn’t surprising to see him; the more trouble the Zhuo family encountered, the more stable Zhuo Guyu needed to be.
However, the greenish tint in Zhuo Guyu’s eyes was quite apparent, showing he hadn’t rested well.
Zhuo Guyu greeted, "Greetings, Lord Zhou."
Chang Xhong had to return the greeting as well. Zhuo Guyu had risen in position at the Hanlin Academy.
Chang Zhi had no intention of conversing; he nodded and led his younger brother away, leaving only their backs for Zhuo Guyu.
Zhuo Guyu stood there, lost in thought. Last night, he saw his wife sitting alone in the study. Despite being very tired, he had to hold on. He was the only member of the family still in office. Any relaxation on his part could spell absolute ruin for the Zhuo family.
Zhuo Guyu clenched his palm. Recently, many have come to the Zhuo family proposing marriage, not out of regard for the Zhuo family’s daughters, but for their dowries. But who are the ones proposing? They are either wastrels, merely eating and drinking, or illegitimate sons spoiled by their families. It’s blatant that they’re eyeing the Zhuo family’s Silver Coin.
Zhuo Guyu pursed his lips. He was extremely envious of Gu Sheng. A few days ago, he saw Gu Sheng, who was accompanying Magistrate Anhe for tea, with no worries about the future. He envied him greatly, knowing that if he had been engaged to Magistrate Anhe, the Zhuo family wouldn’t have fallen to such a state.
Zhuo Guyu forced a bitter smile. Currently, he couldn’t even reach Gu Sheng’s level. He heard that the future prince consort protected Gu Sheng as a friend and that Gu Sheng had become a frequent guest among many!
At Marquis Zhou’s residence, because of the Zhuo family’s misfortune yesterday, Zhulan started to pay more attention to them. She knew that asking Lady Zhao and Su Xuan would get her clear answers.
Lady Zhao, "Mother, the Zhuo family is having a hard time, and their girls don’t dare to leave the house."
Su Xuan added, "They’re afraid of losing their reputation once they step out and being left with no choice but to marry."
Zhulan, "..."
Lady Zhao continued, "Those proposing marriage to the Zhuo family use it to cover up for their own intentions. Some are just waiting for the Zhuo family to lose so they can strike."
Su Xuan softly said, "Recently, the Zhuo family has been selling many shops and fields. I’ve bought quite a few for Yu Wen’s dowry."
Lady Zhao extended her hand, "I’ve also bought some for Yu Die."
Zhulan said, "The prices must not be high!"
Lady Zhao nodded, "Yes, they’re all below market price."
Su Xuan scoffed, "The Zhuo family is doing this on purpose to buy themselves some time."
Lady Zhao curled her lips. Although the Zhuo family managed to appease some people with their actions, they’ve also whetted the appetites of many. She sighed, seeing that the Zhuo family had no choice. With so many pushing against a collapsing wall, now it’s just a matter of whether the Zhuo family will completely fall.
Zhulan observed the expressions of her two daughters-in-law. The Zhuo family really wasn’t popular.
Lady Li suddenly spoke, "Mother, the Zheng family’s daughter is getting married. What gift should our family send?"
The two families didn’t have much contact, only exchanging gifts on important occasions, so she was unsure how much to gift.
Zhulan calculated the days, "Time flies, the Empress’s anniversary is approaching."