Chapter 126: The Way of the Gentleman

It was another workday filled with frustration and irritability; the eldest young master of the Zhuo family wore that world-weary face of his as he slowly walked home.

He could already see his front gate ahead, and he silently recited to himself several times: A gentleman possesses great ability yet does not show it off... obscure yet daily becoming more manifest... don't be impulsive, the Way of the gentleman! Restraint, restraint!

After adjusting his mindset and smoothing away the dejected expression on his face to become calm and composed, he finally stepped through the gate.

One must not bring negative emotions from the outside into the home.

However, just as he entered, he suddenly stopped.

He stared fixedly ahead, as if he had seen some strange sight; he had unexpectedly encountered someone who should not have been in his home.

He was filled with doubt and suspicion.

"Wen Gu?"

Realizing that addressing him by his given name was quite improper, the eldest young master of the Zhuo family very politely performed a greeting between peers: "Ward Chief Wen!"

Wen Gu was walking from the inside out at that moment and had not expected to run into the eldest young master of the Zhuo family returning from his shift.

Calculating the time, the eldest young master of the Zhuo family had finished his shift quite early, with absolutely no intention of working overtime.

He did not seem very motivated.

Pondering this, Wen Gu kept a pleasant expression and returned the greeting: "Ward Chief Zhuo."

Since the other party's attitude was rather distant, he would address him by his official title first.

Fortunately, the day's business was concluded; Wen Gu exchanged a few polite pleasantries with him and took his leave.

His carriage was waiting outside; for this visit to Prime Minister Zhuo, the old gentleman had only agreed to see him alone. The guards and Cheng Zhi were all waiting outside.

Back in the carriage, Cheng Zhi asked in a low voice, "The eldest young master of the Zhuo family just returned from his shift; didn't you chat with him more, Ward Chief?"

Previously, Wen Gu had said he was coming to the Zhuo residence to visit the ailing Prime Minister Zhuo, and Cheng Zhi had assumed Wen Gu wanted to ask the eldest young master of the Zhuo family to step in.

The Zhuo family was a true family of officials!

It was just that the Zhuo family's current situation was not very good. A little bit of inquiry would reveal that the Zhuo family was currently supported entirely by the eldest young master alone, while Prime Minister Zhuo had been bedridden for a long time.

Originally, Cheng Zhi had thought that the Ward Chief had come early to visit Prime Minister Zhuo with the intention of lying in wait for the eldest young master returning from his shift. Now it seemed that was not the case?

Wen Gu was in a good mood and explained, "For this kind of matter, if one can invite Lao Zhuo to take action, one should naturally invite this person of high attainment."

Cheng Zhi was even more confused: "Isn't Prime Minister Zhuo physically weak and ill, and always bedridden?"

Wen Gu merely exclaimed, "A thin frame cannot hide his true character!"

He had previously inquired about Prime Minister Zhuo's condition from Lady Shen; generally speaking, after suffering repeated setbacks and exhausting his mind and body, combined with some difficulty adjusting to the local environment, Prime Minister Zhuo had suddenly fallen ill. He had not improved after resting for so many days, which might be due to some lingering heart-sickness.

Wen Gu had indeed come to visit the sick this time, and also to test whether this old gentleman could "sit up from his illness."

If he could not, he would then choose the eldest young master of the Zhuo family.

Now it seemed, one could not underestimate the resilience of a political creature!

As expected of someone who had once held the position of Prime Minister, his vitality was still very tenacious!

The Zhuo residence.

The eldest young master of the Zhuo family watched Wen Gu's departing back, his expression turning serious.

Wen Gu had just said he came to visit the old gentleman today, but he did not believe it for a second!

He was aware of the recent rumors in the city, and at the same time, the gates of the Zhuo residence had been closed to the outside for these past few days, declining visitors on the grounds that the old gentleman needed quiet recuperation.

Even if someone came, the old gentleman would not see them.

The eldest young master of the Zhuo family had thought there would be no intersection between the two parties in the short term.

However, why did the old gentleman see Wen Gu when he came today?

Wen Gu had not stayed here long, and it appeared to be just an ordinary visit, but he always had a feeling of trepidation.

The eldest young master of the Zhuo family turned and called for the household steward, asking, "What exactly did Wen Gu come here for?"

The steward also wore a look of surprise: "I don't know, I only know that he chatted with the old master in the room for a while."

The eldest young master of the Zhuo family asked for details while walking inside. Since he really could not find out anything, he hurriedly changed into clean clothes and went to the old gentleman's side to ask about the situation.

When he arrived, he was told that the old gentleman had just finished his medicine and was resting.

"Now is not the old gentleman's time for medicine." The eldest young master of the Zhuo family felt his suspicions deepen.

"That Ward Chief Wen came to visit the sick, brought some new medicinal herbs, and the Doctor added another dose of medicine." The attendant by the old gentleman's side replied this way.

The eldest young master of the Zhuo family was still worried about his father's health, so he quietly opened the door and looked inside without a sound.

The old gentleman was indeed resting, and his complexion looked alright. He could only suppress his doubts and leave first.

With matters weighing on his mind, the eldest young master of the Zhuo family tossed and turned all night and did not sleep well; before going to his shift the next day, he ran to the old gentleman's side to take a look again.

Just as he stepped into the room, he froze.

Inside the room, Prime Minister Zhuo, who usually lay in bed due to illness, was now sitting by the window, looking at the scenery in the small courtyard.

The scenery in Beidi was very monotonous, but at this time of year, the weather was warming up, and the bare branches had already sprouted green leaves, regaining their vitality.

The person sitting by the window was the same.

Although the old gentleman still looked obviously sickly and was somewhat weak leaning against the chair, his mental state was much better than before!

The eldest young master of the Zhuo family was first happy, then worried, fearing this was a "final flare-up" before death.

He said cautiously, "Father? Do you have any other instructions..."

The old gentleman raised his hand and waved it: "Hurry off to your shift."

His voice was still a bit weak, but it was not as intermittent as before.

The eldest young master of the Zhuo family was extremely worried, but he knew his father's temper; he hesitated to speak, and after the old gentleman waved his hand again, he swallowed his words and left, heading to work full of anxiety.

Having not slept well all night and filled with worries, the eldest young master of the Zhuo family had dark circles under his eyes, and he could not even maintain his usual world-weary face.

Other colleagues were curious and came over to probe with a few questions, but they could not get any useful information, so they could only discuss it privately: Could it be that Prime Minister Zhuo was failing?

After finally managing to endure until the end of his shift, the eldest young master of the Zhuo family walked hurriedly, running all the way back.

His place of work was not far from home, so he usually did not ride a horse and always walked.

It was just that the officials had always seen the eldest young master of the Zhuo family walking at a leisurely pace, yet today, it was rare to see him running back in such a hurry.

Everyone's speculations grew even more.

The eldest young master of the Zhuo family was worried about the old master's physical condition, yet when he ran home panting, he discovered the old master was not in his room, but had gone to the ancestral hall, and would not let anyone disturb him.

The eldest young master of the Zhuo family became even more anxious.

They had come north to this place, and before even tidying up their own living quarters, they had built the ancestral hall first.

Placed there, besides the spirit tablets of the deceased ancestors and elders, were also many clansmen who had perished in this recent catastrophe.

The eldest young master of the Zhuo family worried that the old master, having finally recovered a bit of spirit, would worsen his illness in the ancestral hall due to excessive grief.

But since the old master would not allow him to enter and disturb him, he could only ask the Doctor who delivered medicine to the old master.

The Doctor, however, kept his mouth shut, clearly having received orders from the old master and not daring to say anything more.

The eldest young master of the Zhuo family was so worried he paced in circles on the spot, wishing he could immediately run to Jingxing Fang and drag Wen Gu out to interrogate him: What the hell did you say to the old master?!

Tossing and turning, unable to sleep through the night, the eldest young master of the Zhuo family went to work the next day with even darker circles under his eyes, appearing even more exhausted and heavy-hearted.

Seeing this, the others hurriedly sent their attendants to make inquiries.

It was said that the Zhuo family residence remained with its doors tightly shut, as quiet as usual, and even the stewards and servants who went out to purchase supplies were silent and reticent.

It was said that from the outside, the Zhuo family's courtyard walls and the roofs of those buildings could be seen to be newly constructed, but the entire residence lacked vitality, appearing desolate and lonely.

Could it be…

Is Old Master Zhuo really about to kick the bucket?!

The third day.

The eldest young master of the Zhuo family walked with heavy steps, just about to go to his post.

He first checked to see if the old master had returned to the courtyard. He originally hadn't held much hope, but discovered there was quite a bit of activity in the old master's courtyard!

He walked over quickly and took a look inside, and was completely stunned—

Robes and headgear, dressed in full attire.

Although the old master's face was still pale and weak, and he was gaunt after many days of illness, his entire aura was completely different from before!

His sharp edge was piercing!

The servants and guards nearby were also making preparations, as if they were about to head out with him.

The old master had even strapped on his Gentleman's Sword!

What is he planning to do?

Start a fight?!

The eldest young master of the Zhuo family no longer had the heart to go to work; in this instant, his thoughts raced.

The old master's change began from the day Wen Gu visited!

What exactly did Wen Gu say that day?

What plans has the old master been making these past two days?

How exactly did those two collude in secret?!

That man surnamed Wen is no simple character! Father, you must absolutely not be fooled!

Seeing the old master's frail body about to head out carrying a sword and leading men, the eldest young master of the Zhuo family hurriedly stepped forward:

"Father! Father! The Way of the Gentleman! The Way of the Gentleman!"

What happened to the promise of restraint?!

(End of chapter)