Chapter 722 - 372: Mr. Zhou’s Departure

Chapter 722: Chapter 372: Mr. Zhou’s Departure

Zhang Dashuan and He were also very satisfied. They had been completely stunned by the name Banli, unable to tell if it was good or bad, and had only agreed because they trusted their younger son. But Cong’s name was just as Juhua had said—it had a pleasant ring to it. ’Our granddaughter looks so spirited,’ they thought. ’Ling’er is a wonderful name for her.’

Zhang Yang ignored Banli, who was smiling at him, and handed the baby to Huai Zi. He then bent down to pick up Cong, saying excitedly, "We haven’t had a baby girl in our family for ages! Niece, you’re a real treasure!"

Before he could finish, He chided him with a laugh, "What are you talking about? Isn’t your mother a woman? Isn’t your sister-in-law a woman? Do we not count?"

Zhang Yang quickly said with a laugh, "I meant a baby girl. I’ve always wanted a younger sister but never got one. Now that I have a niece, it’s just as good."

Cong, having just woken up, was in high spirits and not the least bit shy with strangers. Since the room was warm and she’d only just been picked up, Juhua hadn’t put her little padded jacket on yet. Her small arms flailed about until, somehow, she managed to grab the scholar’s cap on Zhang Yang’s head. She tugged on it, making her second uncle wince and exclaim, "HEY! Cong, you can’t pull that! You’re going to pull Second Uncle’s hair loose!"

The little girl, of course, didn’t understand and refused to let go. Her bright, bubbly laughter filled the room, which in turn made Banli start to laugh as well.

He stepped forward to gently pry her granddaughter’s fingers open, chattering away to Zhang Yang about how the baby had such quick hands, meaning she’d be good at grabbing money and handling affairs when she grew up. Zhang Huai also smiled, watching his daughter with pride.

Far from looking disheveled, Yangzi happily started to play with Cong, and the room was filled with boisterous laughter and chatter.

Seeing them all gathered around Cong, Juhua carried Banli back to their room to nurse him. Thanks to his second uncle’s favoritism, the little boy finally got to drink his fill of his own mother’s milk. As for Cong, she was taken by Aunt Liu to be fed.

Since they planned to invite the Zheng Family over for dinner, Juhua took Aunt Liu and Pu Pao to the kitchen to get busy, leaving He to talk with her younger son. He felt warm and content, and after a brief, polite refusal, she stayed in the main hall, nestled among her children and grandchildren, enjoying the family bliss.

Her younger son was back, and with new additions to the family this year, the Zhang’s courtyard was exceptionally lively. Even the dogs barked with joy. The aroma of meat drifted through the air, making it feel just like the New Year. With Zheng Changhe, his son, and others invited over to chat and laugh with Yangzi, the main hall was filled with a boisterous clamor.

But before it was time for dinner, Li Changyu’s long-term follower, Wuzi, arrived, covered in sweat. He had come to summon Zhang Yang, saying that Mr. Zhou wanted him to hurry to the village schoolhouse for something urgent.

Zhang Dashuan said, "I was just about to suggest inviting Mr. Zhou for dinner tonight. Yangzi, when you go, ask him to come back with you. It’ll save your brother a trip."

Zhang Yang nodded, handing Cong—whom he had been holding the entire time, showing his clear favoritism—to He. He turned and asked Wuzi, "Did Mr. Zhou say what it was about?"

Wuzi shook his head. "No. The Second Young Master sent me. He said Mr. Zhou is waiting to speak with Scholar Zhang, Scholar Zhao, Scholar Liu, and several other scholars right away. He asked for Scholar Zhang to head over first, as I still have to run to Scholar Zhao’s house." After a quick bow, he hurried out.

Zhang Yang frowned, feeling a little uneasy. He turned to his family and said, "If I’m back late, Dad and Uncle Zheng, you go ahead and eat. Don’t wait for me. We’re all family, so there’s no need for formalities. Just save some dishes for me. I just ate, so I’m not that hungry anyway!"

Qingmu laughed. "Who’s hungry? It’s just more lively with you around. You should hurry. And bring Mr. Zhou back with you. I haven’t seen the old gentleman in days—not since we had him over for a meal on the day we butchered the pig."

Zhang Dashuan nodded, also urging his son to go and return quickly.

Zhang Yang turned and left, but He hurried out from her room, holding a new padded jacket. She made him take off his outer robe and put the jacket on underneath before she would let him go.

Zhang Yang wasn’t gone for long, returning only about an hour later. His expression was grim. A servant from the Li Family followed behind him, carrying a small wooden box. The servant entered the house, set it down, and Zhang Yang signaled for Zhang Huai to give the man a few coins before sending him away.

Looking at his younger brother’s expression, Huai Zi asked in surprise, "What’s wrong? Yangzi, why didn’t Mr. Zhou come?"

Qingmu and the others all looked at him.

Zhang Yang sighed. "Mr. Zhou is gone."

A stunned silence fell over the room. The news was so sudden, with no warning whatsoever, that for a moment, no one knew how to react.

After a while, Qingmu finally asked, "Where did Mr. Zhou go? I thought he didn’t have any relatives. Where else could he go? The New Year is just around the corner, and in the bleak midwinter of the twelfth month, it’s freezing outside. He’s an old man—what if this journey makes him sick? Besides, it’s almost dark. Even if it was an emergency, he should have waited until morning. We could have at least seen him off properly."

Zhang Dashuan and the others, having come to their senses, chimed in with questions, chiding Yangzi for not stopping Mr. Zhou from leaving on such a cold night.

Zhang Yang was already agitated himself. Seeing them all crowd him, he quickly waved his hands and said evasively, "Mr. Zhou... he does have relatives. He had urgent business and had to leave immediately, so it wasn’t our place to stop him. Don’t worry, a carriage came to pick him up. He’ll switch to a boat at Xiatang Market; it’s all been arranged. Dad, everyone, please stop asking. Would I really have driven Mr. Zhou away?"

Everyone was stunned once more. ’Mr. Zhou actually has relatives?’ He had taught alone in Qingnan Village for so many years—why had not a single relative ever come to visit? They once again turned their questioning gazes to Zhang Yang.

Zhang Yang, eager to get them to drop the subject so he could have some space to think, said sternly, "You all should stop asking about this. Mr. Zhou has his own reasons, and he can’t be expected to explain everything to each of you. Even the few of us who were there don’t fully understand, and we didn’t dare press him for details. In short, if anyone asks, just say Mr. Zhou went home. There’s no need to say anything more."