The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 126 The Way of the Gentleman
It was another workday filled with helplessness and irritability. Young Master Zhuo, with his world-weary face, slowly walked home.

He could already see his house ahead. He silently repeated to himself several times: A gentleman possesses great ability but does not flaunt it... A dignified sun shines brightly... Don't act impulsively, this is the way of a gentleman! Restraint, restraint!
After adjusting his mindset, he wiped the dejected look off his face and became calm and composed before entering his home.

Don't bring negative emotions from outside into your home.

However, as soon as I entered, I suddenly stopped.

He stared intently ahead, as if he had witnessed something strange, seeing someone who shouldn't be in his home.

Doubtful.

"Review?"

Realizing that addressing him by his first name was rather inappropriate, Young Master Zhuo politely offered a greeting befitting a peer: "Chief Wen!"

Wen Gu was walking from the inside out when he unexpectedly ran into Young Master Zhuo, who was returning home from his shift.

Judging by the time, Young Master Zhuo got off work quite early, showing absolutely no intention of working overtime.

They don't seem very proactive.

Thinking it over in his heart, Wen Gu maintained a friendly demeanor and greeted the other party in the same manner: "Director Zhuo."

If the other party's attitude is rather distant, then address them by their job title first.

Fortunately, today's business was finished. After exchanging a few polite words with the other party, I bid farewell and left.

His carriage was waiting outside. This time, the old man only agreed to see him, as he was visiting Prime Minister Zhuo. The guards and Cheng Zhi were also waiting outside.

Back in the carriage, Cheng Zhi asked in a low voice, "The eldest son of the Zhuo family just came back from his shift. Didn't you chat with him much, Chief?"

Previously, Wen Gu said he wanted to visit the Zhuo family to see the ailing old master Zhuo. Cheng Zhi thought Wen Gu wanted to ask the eldest son of the Zhuo family to come forward.

The Zhuo family was a true family of officials!

However, the Zhuo family is currently in a precarious situation. A little inquiry reveals that the Zhuo family is now entirely supported by the eldest son of the Zhuo family, while the Prime Minister Zhuo has been bedridden.

Cheng Zhi had initially thought that the neighborhood head's early visit to see Old Master Zhuo was intended to keep an eye on Young Master Zhuo when he returned home from his shift. Now it seems that this might not be the case?

Wen Gu was in a good mood and explained, "For something like this, if we can get Old Zhuo to take charge, of course we should ask him, since he's the one with the highest level of skill."

Cheng Zhigeng was puzzled: "Isn't Grandpa Zhuo frail and bedridden?"

Wen Gu could only exclaim in amazement: "His thin frame couldn't hide his true nature!"

He had previously inquired about Old Master Zhuo's condition from Madam Shen. In short, after experiencing numerous setbacks and overworking himself, coupled with some acclimatization issues, Old Master Zhuo suddenly fell ill. Even after several days, his condition hadn't improved, likely due to some lingering emotional distress.

Wen Gu's visit was indeed to check on the old man's health, and also to test whether he could "sit up while ill".

If that doesn't work, then choose Young Master Zhuo.

It now seems that the resilience of political organisms should not be underestimated!
No wonder he's someone who's been in a phase of life; his vitality is still very strong!
The Zhuo family.

As Young Master Zhuo watched Wen Gu's departing figure, his expression turned serious.

Just now I mentioned that I came to visit the old man today, but he didn't believe me at all!

He was aware of the recent rumors circulating in the city. Meanwhile, the gates of the Zhuo family compound had been closed to the public these past few days, citing the old man's need for rest and recuperation as the reason for declining visitors.

Even if someone comes, the old man won't see them.

Young Master Zhuo believed that the two sides would not have any interaction in the short term.

But why did the old man see me today when I came to review the past?
Wen Gu didn't stay here for long; it seemed like just a routine visit, but he always felt a little uneasy.

Young Master Zhuo turned around and called over the steward, asking, "What exactly did Wen Gu come here for?"

The steward looked surprised: "I don't know, I only know that he chatted with the master for a few words in the room."

As Young Master Zhuo walked inside, he inquired about the details. Unable to get any information, he quickly changed into clean clothes and went to ask the old man about the situation.

When they arrived, they were told that the old man had just finished taking his medicine and was resting.

“Now is not the time for the old man to take his medicine.” Young Master Zhuo’s doubts deepened.

"That Director Wen came to visit the patient and brought some new medicinal herbs, so the doctor prescribed an extra dose," the old man's attendant replied.

Young Master Zhuo was still worried about his father's health, so he quietly opened the door and peeked inside.

The old man had indeed rested, and he looked alright. He could only suppress his doubts and leave.

With something weighing on his mind, Young Master Zhuo tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep well. Before going on duty the next day, he went to check on the old man again.

He froze as soon as he stepped into the house. Inside, Old Master Zhuo, who usually lay in bed due to illness, was sitting by the window, gazing at the scenery in the courtyard.

The scenery in the North is quite monotonous, but at this time of year the weather warms up and the bare branches have sprouted green leaves, regaining their vitality.

The person sitting by the window is also one of them.

Although the old man still looked obviously sick and seemed a bit weak leaning against the chair, his mental state was much better than before!
Young Master Zhuo was initially delighted, but then worried, fearing that this was a return of some kind of document.

He asked cautiously, "Father? Is there anything else you need..."

The old man raised his hand and waved: "You should go to your shift now."

The voice was still a little weak, but it wasn't as intermittent as before.

Young Master Zhuo was extremely worried, but knowing his father's temper, he hesitated to speak. After the old man waved his hand again, he swallowed his words and left, going to work with a heavy heart.

Having not slept well all night and burdened with worries, Young Master Zhuo had dark circles under his eyes, and he couldn't even muster his usual world-weary expression.

Other colleagues, out of curiosity, came over to probe, but couldn't get any useful information. So they could only whisper among themselves: Could it be that Old Master Zhuo is failing?

Having finally made it to the end of the workday, Young Master Zhuo hurried home.

The place where he was on duty was not far from his home, so he usually walked instead of riding a horse.

In the past, the officials had always seen Young Master Zhuo walking slowly, but today they rarely saw him rushing back.

People have even more guesses in their minds now.

Young Master Zhuo was worried about the old man's health, but when he ran home breathlessly, he found that the old man was not in the house. He had gone to the ancestral hall and did not allow anyone to disturb him.

Young Master Zhuo was even more worried.

They came north to this place, and before they could even settle in their own quarters, they built the ancestral hall first.

The memorial tablets placed there are for deceased ancestors and elders, as well as for many clansmen who perished in this calamity.

Young Master Zhuo was worried that the old man, who had finally regained some of his spirits, would worsen his condition due to excessive grief in the ancestral hall.

But the old man wouldn't let him go in and disturb him, so he could only ask the doctor who delivered the medicine to the old man.

The doctor remained silent, clearly on the old man's orders, and dared not say more.

Young Master Zhuo was so worried he was spinning around in circles, wishing he could immediately run to Jingxingfang and drag Wen Gu out for interrogation: What the hell did you say to the old man?!
Tossing and turning, unable to sleep, the next day when Young Master Zhuo went to work, his dark circles under his eyes were even more pronounced, making him look even more tired and burdened with worries.

Upon seeing this, the others quickly sent their attendants to inquire.

It is said that the Zhuo family's gates remain tightly closed, as quiet as usual, with even the stewards and servants who go out to make purchases remaining silent.

It is said that from the outside, the walls of the Zhuo family compound and the roofs of those buildings appear to be newly built, but the entire compound lacks vitality and appears desolate and lonely.

Could it be...

Is Grandpa Zhuo really going to pass away?!

Day three.

Young Master Zhuo walked with heavy steps, heading to his shift.

Let's see if the old man has returned to the yard. I didn't have much hope, but then I found there was quite a bit of activity in his yard!

He strode over and peered inside, then froze in shock—

They were dressed in robes and headdresses, their attire neat and tidy.

Although the old man was still pale and weak, and had become emaciated after being sick for many days, his overall demeanor was completely different from before!

Its sharp edge is intimidating!

The servants and guards beside them were also making preparations, as if they were going to go out with them.

The old man even carried the Gentleman's Sword with him!
What are we going to do?
Shall we fight?!

Young Master Zhuo lost all interest in going to work; his thoughts raced in an instant.

The old man's change began on the day of the visit!

What exactly was said that day?
What plans has the old man been making these past few days?
How exactly did these two secretly start dating?!

That man surnamed Wen is no ordinary person! Dad, you mustn't be fooled!
Seeing that the old man, in his frail state, was about to leave with his sword and men, Young Master Zhuo quickly stepped forward:
"Father! Father! The way of the gentleman! The way of the gentleman!"

You promised to restrain yourself?!
(End of this chapter)