Clearly, our Jiao Jiao loves to ponder things in her heart, and yet he says she is obtuse. I’ve never seen soone so muddle-headed. If the Beijing Zhou Family had him there, it would likely have fallen into ruin. Fortunately, he returned to his hotown, saving us from losing face and bringing sha to our ancestors."
Mr. Cheng was silent for a mont, then said to them, "This Zhou Family mber who is still alive is probably the son of the side branch of the Zhou Family, or a less outstanding offspring from one of the branches. You don’t know the Beijing Zhou Family; those in Jiangnan who are sowhat notable and love literature all know the Beijing Zhou Family. What everyone knows as the Beijing Zhou Family refers to the direct descendants of the elder branch of the Zhou Family. Before the fall of the Daqing Dynasty, all mbers of the elder branch withdrew from the political scene, as they couldn’t stand the authorities. The Zhou Family has always been upright and never sycophantic.
During the Republic period, the elder branch had two very outstanding sons. The eldest son was so excellent that when soone invited him to take office, he refused, earning the admiration of everyone in the literary circle. The younger son was said to have an eidetic mory, composing eloquently by age three or five. Later, he studied abroad and returned, but also didn’t enter politics. The younger son of the elder branch, in particular, was betrothed to the only heir of the elder branch of the largest family from Jiangnan, the Gu Family. Old Lin, your wife knows about this.
Let first talk about his fiancée; she was a true talent, a genuine talent and a true noble daughter, an heiress whose family was imnsely wealthy.
Nowadays, when people talk about ’talented man and beautiful woman,’ what does it compare to? They were truly a perfect match. I still rember that year; the date and place of the wedding were all set between the two families, but tragedy struck before they married. First, the groom died, then no one knew what happened to the bride. So said she fled because soone harbored ill intentions towards her, others said she committed suicide for love.
Your wife and the Gu Family mber were technically first cousins within the Five Tribes. Your father-in-law always claid to be part of the Jiangnan Gu Family, but he’s not part of the main branch, rely a side branch.
The fiancée of the Zhou Family’s younger son was indeed from the main branch of the Gu Family. They had no male heirs, nor did they have any adopted sons. The mbers of this branch either died or disappeared; the Gu Family experienced great turmoil, but what turmoil? It was all a struggle for the main branch’s inheritance.
But in the end, apart from real estate, all the gold and valuable items disappeared. Everyone speculated that the young lady might still be alive and feared she would return soday; later, the real estate was sealed up awaiting her return for inheritance. They waited until a few years ago during an audit, and since no one showed up, it was confiscated.
The Beijing Zhou Family truly belonged to a scholarly lineage, aside from ancient books and paintings, there wasn’t much wealth. No wonder Zhou Xiaozheng’s father would return to the ancestral land. He wanted to go back to Beijing, but the old house wasn’t his either.
Mr. Fang sighed after hearing this, "What a tragic fate for a woman of beauty, she’s likely no longer in this world. These were chaotic years, especially for a woman."
Mr. Lin was enthralled upon hearing this, and after a mont, he murmured, "Thus, keeping a low profile is right. Fa too great easily attracts misfortune. What a loss. An eidetic mory is a great talent, but fortunately, our Jiao Jiao is smart and knows how to hide her talents. When Shanshan returns to the Northeast, I must remind her to warn Jiao Jiao; these are indeed blood tears of warning."
Mr. Cheng felt a sudden tightness in his heart and promptly asked, "That Jiao Jiao has an eidetic mory as well?"
Mr. Lin shook his head urgently, then thought and shook his head again, smiling as he said, "I honestly don’t know. I only know that by age three, this child had mastered the Three Character Classic and the Thousand Character Classic, and by age five, she could recite the prescriptions passed down by her Huang Family grandmother. Before even turning ten, she had learned all her grandmother’s skills. Even if I have suspects, I’ve never asked, as asking would be pointless; if the child has such a talent she wouldn’t reveal it."
"That child is indeed outstanding. Ask her to co and let us take a look."
"Haha, she’s a big girl now; it takes up to three months before she can go out, and we can’t rush it. I’m telling you, don’t have any ideas about my granddaughter; she just wants a peaceful life." After saying that, Mr. Lin looked at him guardedly.
Mr. Cheng laughed heartily and said to Elder Jiang and Mr. Fang, "Look at him, having such thoughts about his granddaughter? She’s already married! I’m not trying to set her up with my grandson. What’s a little girl going to do in the army? Her mom is in charge of the Art Troupe, what could she possibly want? The lights out call is ringing, I’m off, how about you guys?"
Mr. Lin watched as they prepared to leave and quickly called out to Lin Lishan, "Pack three portions and send them over first."
After speaking, he glared at them, "What’s the rush? We should at least finish this wine."
Mr. Fang laughed and took he took down his glass in one gulp. Seeing the three of them all ready to leave, Mr. Lin didn’t try to stop them, personally escorted them out, watched them enter his courtyard, and waited at the door for Lin Lishan.
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