Family Rise by Daily Intelligence

Chapter 881: Chapter 332: Marriage, Heritage, Schemes

Prince’s Mansion, Cangming Hall.

Zhou Xuanming anxiously waited outside the gate, which was tightly closed.

Inside the hall.

The Seventh Prince sat poised on a luxurious chair, quickly flipping through various memorials from the fief. Soon, a thick stack was fully annotated. Rubbing his brow, the Seventh Prince closed his eyes wearily. Over the years, all resources within the fief had been fully exploited, yet the expenses of the Prince’s Mansion remained high, and it seemed like they were barely covering their costs.

”Prince, have some Celestial Cloud Tea to refresh yourself.”

Housekeeper Zhou considerately offered the prepared tea cup to the Seventh Prince.

Once the Seventh Prince’s brow relaxed a bit.

Only then did he bow his hands and say:

”Prince, the Second Young Master is just outside the hall. He said there’s an important matter to discuss with Your Highness. Do you wish to see him, or...”

The Seventh Prince frowned at these words.

Thinking of this son made his already displeased mood even more impatient. He initially thought not to see him but remembered the Jin Family and changed his words:

”Uncle Zhou, do you know why he has come this time?”

Housekeeper Zhou had watched the Seventh Prince grow up, and since he was respectfully called Uncle, he naturally could speak a few words:

”Prince, the Second Young Master has come for his marriage proposal.”

”Marriage proposal? His marriage with the Young Lady is managed by the Jin Family, why does he need to step out?”

”Reporting to the Prince, several years ago, the Second Young Master fell in love with a young lady from the Fu Family from Jingzhou. Now she’s pregnant, and the Second Young Master seems deeply in love with this Miss Fu, having quarreled several times with Lady Ce, even declaring he will marry none but Miss Fu in this lifetime.”

”Utter nonsense. His marriage with the Young Lady is due in half a month, and invitations have already been sent. With this commotion, won’t he bring disgrace upon the Prince’s Mansion? You need to tell him that whether it’s Miss Fu or Miss Yang, I have no objection if he wants to bring a few home later. For now, the marriage must proceed smoothly.”

”Exactly as the Prince says,”

Housekeeper Zhou agreed with the Seventh Prince.

After venting, the Seventh Prince noticed Housekeeper Zhou hesitated:

”Uncle Zhou, we’re not strangers, just say what’s on your mind.”

Housekeeper Zhou saw the Seventh Prince had calmed down and answered with a respectful yes, then explained Ningning’s background and origins.

After hearing,

The Seventh Prince’s eyebrows revealed a hint of surprise.

Seeing this, Housekeeper Zhou quickly said:

”Prince, I believe the Second Young Master has inadvertently made the right choice this time. The rise of the Fu Family is unstoppable, whereas the Jin Family, despite our covert support for many years, shows no progress. Moreover, Lady Ce’s father is near the end, and the person succeeding as head of the Jin Family is not closely related to Lady Ce. Their ties are diminishing, so expecting support for the Second Young Master later is unlikely.”

”Furthermore,”

”Forgive me for saying,”

”The Young Lady raised by Lady Ce is excessively delicate. Once separated, whether it’s greeting guests or handling major events, she can’t assist the Second Young Master, who himself is...”

The Second Young Master is quite a dullard.

Together they might only sink deeper into hardship.

The Seventh Prince, being highly intelligent, understood immediately. He had been dissatisfied with the Jin Family marriage but was swayed by pillow talk and couldn’t bear to see the Jin Family cry, so he didn’t have the heart to cancel this marriage.

The Seventh Prince tapped the table, obviously still indecisive.

Housekeeper Zhou added:

”Prince, they say Patriarch Fu will soon arrive in Jingzhou. If you’re uncertain, meet the future in-laws first. With your mastery in Dragon Gazing Technique, you’ll know their destiny simply by exploring it, won’t you?”

The one holding up the Fu Family is Fu Changsheng; if his fate isn’t promising, there’s no need to trouble oneself.

The Seventh Prince nodded:

”Fine, handle everything, Uncle Zhou. Before any conclusion, remember, do not let the Jin Family know.”

”Yes, Prince.”

Housekeeper Zhou exited the hall.

Zhou Xuanming immediately approached, instinctively linking arms with Housekeeper Zhou, anxiously asking:

”Grandpa Zhou, how did it go?”

Housekeeper Zhou pointed towards the side hall.

Inside, Zhou Xuanming adeptly poured tea for Housekeeper Zhou, indicating a good private relationship between them.

Zhou Xuanming might seem mediocre, but he’s innately amiable, neither arrogant from royal blood nor flaunting his mother’s favor in the Prince’s Mansion. He frequently calls Housekeeper Zhou grandpa.

Housekeeper Zhou had no offspring.

The Prince grew up under his care; due to his mother’s favor, he interacted often with Zhou Xuanming. When Zhou Xuanming was young, the Prince had high hopes, personally educated him, but later admitted he was unfit and gave up.

Housekeeper Zhou cast a Daoist Technique onto the Array.

He sipped tea to smooth his throat, then said:

”The Prince agreed to meet the Fu Clan Leader first.”

”Really?”

”When has your Grandpa Zhou ever deceived you?”

”That’s great, I can finally marry Ningning. Grandpa Zhou, I knew your intervention would work. Once Ningning’s child is born, I’ll definitely have him call you great-grandfather first.”

”You chatterbox.”

Housekeeper Zhou laughed, teasingly scolding, deeply appreciative inside.

After a pause.

He put down his teacup, solemnly warned:

”Though the Prince has agreed, whether it succeeds depends on his meeting with the Fu Clan Leader. Bring Miss Fu along then, and remember not to spread the news. If your mother finds out, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

”Don’t worry, Grandpa Zhou. I’m no fool; I’ll keep it tight-lipped.”