Chapter 1109: Anxious Mood

After the old matriarch of the Hou Fu passed away, the titles for the masters of the Hou Fu changed accordingly.

The Eldest Master, Marquis Pingjiang, is now the head of the Hou Fu and can no longer be called Eldest Master. The Eldest Lady is now the Old Lady.

The Eldest Young Mistress, Lady Lu, is now the Eldest Lady Lu. The heir apparent, Chen Chen Guanfu, is the newly minted Eldest Master.

As for the Second Branch, they are still in the mourning period.

Once the mourning period ends, the family must be divided.

Even if Marquis Pingjiang is not at home, Chen Chen Guanfu will take charge and split off the Second Branch.

Chen Chen Guanlou and Chen Chen Mengxun sat in the pavilion talking, while the Eldest Lady Lu felt somewhat anxious. She worried that Chen Chen Guanlou, being unorthodox, might say all sorts of things to her daughter and harm her.

Yet it was inconvenient to disturb them.

Her husband, Chen Chen Guanfu, had reminded her early on, telling her not to interfere.

Lady Lu agreed on the surface but felt unwilling in her heart; she simply lacked the courage to openly defy Chen Chen Guanfu's orders. But she could arrange for servants to bring water, tea, and snacks under the guise of service to spy on the conversation.

Unfortunately, whenever servants approached, Chen Chen Guanlou and Chen Chen Mengxun would pause their talk and only resume after the servants left.

Lady Lu's heart burned with anger; she twisted her handkerchief, looking both displeased and worried.

When the uncle and nephew finished their talk, Chen Chen Guanlou took his leave to chat with the Chief Steward.

Lady Lu could not wait to pull her daughter aside and asked eagerly: "What did Uncle Lou say to you? That man is truly unorthodox; just listen to what he says, take what is useful, and absolutely do not take the rest seriously."

"Uncle Lou is very good. Mother, do not just repeat what others say; those rumors outside are prejudice, born of their jealousy."

Chen Chen Mengxun certainly had to speak up for her own Uncle Lou.

"Jealousy my foot! Look at him, an old man who still isn't married, spending his days in brothels, never thinking of living a proper life. Can that be a decent person? Besides, the Hou Fu has tried many times to promote him to an official post, and he refused every time. That cannot be a normal person. In my view, there must be something wrong with his mind."

Lady Lu pointed to her own head while saying something that indicated a problem with her own mind.

Chen Chen Mengxun was very dissatisfied. "How can Mother slander Uncle Lou like this? Uncle Lou has his own thoughts; he lives more clearly than anyone else in the world."

"So your so-called clarity means not marrying and not having children?" Lady Lu was furious. "You should have less contact with him. I worry that if you associate too much, you will become unorthodox too. You are about to go to the summer palace for the imperial selection; at this time, you must not let your mind wander and cause trouble. Getting through this safely is better than anything else. Your father said everything has been arranged; you need not fear. The family will support you in everything."

Chen Chen Mengxun made a sound of agreement, not wanting to argue or refute further. Human thinking was indeed stubborn; Uncle Lou was right that one should not try to change a person's temperament, nature, or thoughts.

Chen Chen Guanlou drank wine with the Chief Steward.

The Chief Steward sang a little tune, appearing very enthusiastic.

He asked curiously, "Regarding that girl Chen Mengxun going for the imperial selection, what is the Hou Fu's attitude? Are they happy about it?"

"This matter is quite complex. For a family like the Hou Fu, do you think they need to send a daughter to the palace for selection to maintain their wealth and power?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Chen Guanlou immediately said with a smile: "Like flowers on brocade, like oil on a raging fire."

The Chief Steward sighed and said, "That is exactly right! From the very beginning, the Hou Fu had no such intention. We had already started arranging marriages for the girl Chen Mengxun, but who knew the palace suddenly revealed a desire for the Hou Fu to send a daughter for selection."

It was clear that the Emperor had set his sights on the Hou Fu and would not let them go; what else could be done? Other matters might be negotiable, but the selection cannot be refused. With so many young ladies in the Hou Fu, they cannot all feign illness to marry off and avoid it; that would be a slap in the face, a slap in the Emperor's face, and an open slap in the face. The Hou Fu are subjects of Great Qian; naturally, they must uphold the face of the sovereign father. Don't you agree!"

"So the Hou Fu has been forced to respond from start to finish?"

"It cannot be said exactly like that. The selection has its own rules. Since the Emperor insists on tying the Hou Fu to the royal ship and insists on becoming in-laws, then we just change the way we play. The in-law relationship is both a shackle and an opportunity; it all depends on how it is handled. The Emperor is somewhat impatient; if the old matriarch had not passed away last year, the girl Chen Mengxun would have entered the palace for selection last year. For this reason, the palace specifically delayed it by a year. Such great 'honor' requires the Hou Fu to know gratitude, to know propriety, and to know when to advance and when to retreat."

After speaking, the Chief Steward laughed to himself, his smile revealing mockery and derision toward the Emperor.

Chen Chen Guanlou nodded in understanding. "That girl Chen Mengxun is very smart; I believe she can handle even the royal family with ease."

"A young lady carefully cultivated by the Hou Fu naturally cannot be outshone. Come, drink! Who knows how many more years of peaceful days we have left."

The Chief Steward was quite emotional. Regarding the Hou Fu's situation, his heart was filled with worry. Now that the Marquis is holding things up, the palace is naturally all good. But one day, if the Marquis can no longer hold on, or if his health collapses, where will the Hou Fu go?

Chen Chen Guanfu is trapped in Jingcheng and cannot go out to lead troops.

If something unfortunate happens, there is no one available.

He stared at Chen Chen Guanlou, his eyes burning with intensity.

Chen Chen Guanlou leaned back. "Old sir, do not look at me like that; it makes my heart panic! My little life is not enough for your schemes."

The Chief Steward chuckled and grabbed his hand.

Chen Chen Guanlou:...

If you have something to say, say it; why grab my hand?

The Chief Steward said excitedly, "Brother Lou, you are a good one. If one day the Hou Fu falls into disaster, you must, absolutely must take people out and ensure the Hou Fu has an heir."

"Is that necessary? We have not reached that step yet; old sir, do not worry about imaginary disasters." Chen Chen Guanlou pulled his hand away from the other's grip.

"Promise me first."

Chen Chen Guanlou nodded. "I can promise you. But I still say that same thing: do not be so pessimistic. The situation develops quickly and does not shift according to anyone's will. Much of your current worry is overthinking."

Essentially, between Marquis Pingjiang and the court, there is a game of strategy. This game will not yield results in a day or two, nor will its end be seen after one or two clashes.

The court needs Marquis Pingjiang, and Marquis Pingjiang needs the court's support.

Both sides are cautiously probing; whoever gains the upper hand becomes arrogant.

Xie Changling only wants to focus on handling internal administration and carrying out orderly internal reforms. The Emperor, however, is determined to take down Marquis Pingjiang and reclaim military power.

In this game, Xie Changling is stuck in the middle mediating, maintaining a fragile balance.

When the balance will break, and what situation will arise after it breaks, no one can say clearly. No one can see the future; one can only make assumptions and only gamble.

"Do not worry about whether I am overthinking; in short, you must remember what you promised me today, and remember your surname. Hou Fu."

Chen Chen Guanlou poured wine for the other while saying, "Old sir, rest assured; the Hou Fu will definitely be fine."