Chapter 839 - 842: Finding Something to Do

Chapter 839: Chapter 842: Finding Something to Do

Empress Zhou still had some impression of Consort Li. During this year’s draft, the Holy Emperor had assigned her to the Eastern Palace. If her memory served her right, the woman was the legitimate daughter of Prefect Li from Nanfu City. She had an aunt who married into the Xu Family as the wife of Xu Zhiwen’s grandson. Looking at the Crown Prince, she saw that Hua Zhang had also realized this connection, causing his expression to darken even further.

Since entering the Eastern Palace, Consort Li had been exceptionally sweet-talking and eager to please. She also possessed some literary talent, which made him enjoy sitting with her for short visits, granting her a fair amount of his favor.

He wondered how their previous conversation had gone. As Hua Zhang tried hard to recall, he felt increasingly foolish. Because of the woman before him, he had nearly been rejected by his father, the Emperor, and almost caused a disaster. If he hadn’t hesitated for a moment today and taken the initiative to ask, but instead directly demanded the person from Gu Wenheng, things would have ended disastrously. His reputation as a tyrant Crown Prince who threw his weight around would have been confirmed, and he would have offended Gu Wenheng for no reason. If Gu Wenheng decided to side with another Prince instead, the amount of trouble it would bring was unimaginable.

Without even bothering to interrogate her, he ordered his men to drag her away. Consort Li’s expression drastically changed. Just as she was about to loudly beg for mercy, her mouth was tightly gagged.

With only the mother and son left in the study, Empress Zhou silently sighed. "My imperial son, even if I want to favor you, I have to point out right now that you still fall far short when compared to your father, the Emperor."

"Mother, I have burdened you," Hua Zhang said.

"It doesn’t matter if I am burdened," Empress Zhou replied, looking at the memorials on the desk. "I have always known how difficult it is to be the Emperor, but I still had to push you into this position. If you can’t be a good Crown Prince and a good Emperor, then what awaits our family of three will be a bottomless abyss. Zhang-er, we have no choice. You cannot relax for even a single moment."

At this moment, both mother and son fell silent. Although the position of Crown Prince had been secured, there were still other Princes in the harem, and the Imperial Concubines were waiting like wolves. Everyone was waiting to catch their mistakes. If the Crown Prince hadn’t hesitated today and had acted impulsively instead, he would have faced the impeachment of the courtiers next.

"The harem is not allowed to interfere in politics. I have abided by this for many years," Empress Zhou continued. "I hope you can always maintain a clear mind and never be led astray by beauty again."

Hua Zhang wanted to retort, but looking at the Empress’s back, he couldn’t speak. Standing in place, he reflected on himself. He had indeed become arrogant lately. Being constantly flattered by those around him had influenced his way of thinking. It seemed he would have to remain vigilant at all times from now on. But to say he was seduced by beauty... that was honestly a bit unfair.

Everything happening in the Imperial Palace seemingly had nothing to do with Gaoling Village. ℯℯ𝑙.

Jin Qianqian felt a headache coming on when she saw Hu Dong have his men carry in a large basket of account books. "Weren’t all of these handed over to you before? You can just handle them as you see fit."

"Madam, I’ve already led my men to calculate these," Hu Dong replied. "But you still need to look them over."

When they were far away, Hu Dong would only send a general ledger, and he would also conveniently clear up the accounts for other places. Now that the masters had returned, he figured he could take it easy for a while.

"You’ve worked hard all these years," Jin Qianqian said. She knew Hu Dong had helped them tremendously over the years. Having him keep an eye on things here in Fu County had truly saved them a lot of trouble.

"This is what I ought to do," Hu Dong said with a smile, genuinely believing it in his heart.

If not for Mr. Gu saving his life back then, along with his employer taking him in and cultivating him, he would have faded from this world long ago. To have a respectable life now, as well as a happy family, was all given to him by his employers. Furthermore, they hadn’t forced him into a slave contract. His two boys were now studying at the Gu Family School and could participate in the child student examination next year. This was something he wouldn’t have even dared to dream of in the past. For this kindness, Hu Dong was determined to follow his employers for the rest of his life.

Gu Wenheng hadn’t seen Hu Dong for many years. He didn’t expect the once skinny child to have grown a beard. "Your boys look exactly like you."

Hu Dong was a little excited as he looked at Gu Wenheng. "Did you recognize my boys, Mr. Gu?"

"Heh, they’re a bit chubbier than you were when you were little, but their facial features are exactly the same," Gu Wenheng said. "A few days ago, when I went to the Gu Family School, those two boys were sitting in the very front row, bobbing their heads. They looked quite the part. As expected of twins, they look exactly alike."

Hu Dong was truly moved. Despite managing a thousand things a day, Mr. Gu still remembered that his two boys were twins and could recognize them based on his memories of Hu Dong. He was truly considerate.

"Those two mischievous boys love the Gu Family School the most. As soon as they come home, they can’t stop talking about their teachers and friends there." When speaking of his children, Hu Dong’s eyes shone with light and laughter.

Gu Wenheng smiled and nodded. "They are good children. Let them know later that if they can pass the exam to become a Scholar, they can follow by my side for a while."

Hu Dong’s eyes sparkled. He immediately knelt and kowtowed. "Thank you, Mr. Gu."

He knew better than anyone the weight of those words. To follow by Mr. Gu’s side was what everyone in the Gu family hoped for the most, but not everyone had such an opportunity. Not only would their studies improve, but anyone who came out from under Mr. Gu’s wing would show massive changes in how they conducted themselves. For his two young children to be personally singled out by Mr. Gu, how could he not be thrilled?

Gu Wenheng walked over and personally helped him up. "We’re all our own people, so there’s no need for so much formality. It will also depend on the boys striving hard. When I take them by my side, how much they can learn will depend on their own destiny."

The reason Gu Wenheng offered this was because Hu Dong had worked so wholeheartedly for them for so many years, even without the constraints of a contract. Such character and morals were worth him lending a helping hand.

Jin Qianqian casually flipped through a few account books before setting them aside. "We also haven’t been back for many years. You’ve been helping take care of everything inside and outside the house. It’s a pity I haven’t been to the Gu Family School these past few days and haven’t met your boys. Bring them over to play at our house another day."

Hu Dong quickly agreed. "In a few days, when you and Madam are less busy, I’ll bring them over to intrude. However, many of our shops in various places have closed down, and a lot of people are asking what arrangements the masters have planned next."

Hu Dong had received quite a few letters from old acquaintances recently. Once everyone became idle, they felt a bit panicked. In the past, their lives had been fulfilling and respectable. Now, although they had free time, they felt insecure.

Jin Qianqian was also troubled by this. Every person had their designated place, and they couldn’t just shove everyone into the restaurant and the escort agency. "Does Chief Steward Hu have any ideas?"

"Madam, keeping these people out of work for a long time will easily cause panic," Hu Dong said. "I’m afraid they might resort to desperate measures in their anxiety. How about we acquire a few more shops to give them something to do?"

The money from closing the shops in most places had passed through Hu Dong’s hands. He knew the masters weren’t lacking in Silver Taels right now, which was why he dared to make such a suggestion.

Jin Qianqian fell into deep thought. "But right now, our family is in the mourning period. It really isn’t suitable to start a massive undertaking."