Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1003: Jealousy

Chapter 1003: Chapter 1003: Jealousy

Many people were actually curious to see the bridal headdress gifted by the Empress. From the start, the Empress had not kept it a secret, and the entire capital knew about it. It was because of this headdress that many people had suppressed their thoughts until the ceremony was complete.

Prince Qi was very emotional, "Mother did not give it to the Crown Princess Consort, she really favors the Princely Heir Ning and Miss Zhou."

The Crown Prince thought to himself that he had also intended to give it to her, but his quick action prevented him from doing so. He, however, did not regret it and was disinclined to bother with the provoking Prince Qi.

Prince Chu didn’t think too much, merely assuming that the Empress was reminiscing about the deceased Elder Prince Ning, "This Mr. Zhou is not outstanding in appearance, unexpectedly so."

The meaning behind his words was clear to everyone.

The Crown Prince rolled his eyes inwardly as he thought about attacking Zhou Shuren even in his absence. His thoughts were more on his brother’s wedding day when he had made a fortune, as both his father and mother had secretly sent gifts.

Thinking this, the Crown Prince felt bitter for his parents, having to secretly give gifts on their own son’s wedding. After the ceremony was complete, he didn’t stay much longer, excusing himself early after speaking with his maternal grandfather and three maternal uncles.

After the departure of the Crown Prince, several princes also left one after another, none wanting to continue watching the Ning family’s joyous occasion. Zhang Yang, thinking better of it, decided not to stay as well; recently, it suited him to keep a low profile.

Inside the bridal chamber, Xue Han was chatting with Yu’s wife. Mrs. Song had not come today as her delivery was imminent.

Yu’s wife, filled with envy, had been keeping an eye on Xue Han’s dowry. Although most of it was covered, she could still see the tiles and lands, and while talking, she surveyed the room. The wood used inside was of the finest quality and the jewelry box on the dressing table was open—those were not dowry items, those were prepared by Rongchuan.

Yu’s wife looked at the mirror—no cheap item that, and such a large piece too. Envy gnawed at her while she maintained a forced smile, her face extraordinarily stiff and twisted.

Xue Han tried not to look at Yu’s wife’s face. Her mother was right, jealousy makes a person ugly. She was also shocked when she first entered; the room was too luxurious. Rongchuan had always talked about giving her a surprise, and indeed, she was surprised and then reflective. The Ning Duke Residence really had silver.

Yu’s wife couldn’t bear to stay longer, fearing she might lose control of herself. If it were not for Rongchuan, this would all be theirs.

After Yu’s wife left, Liu Li spoke, "Miss, the maid from the Hou Residence brought some food; your husband asked you to have a bite."

Xue Han replied, "Okay."

The maid brought the food forward, and Xue Han saw that it was all her favorites. She didn’t eat much, as the wedding dress was quite uncomfortable.

Outside, Rongchuan had drunk quite a bit. Even though some had helped to fend off the alcohol, there were those with ill-intentions attempting to get him drunk. It wasn’t until Marquis Ning could no longer stand by that Rongchuan was able to extricate himself.

Inside the Palace, the Crown Prince learned the scene of the wedding ceremony by heart. The Emperor felt a pang, especially during the kneeling to honor parents part, and waved his hand to let the Crown Prince see the Empress.

When the Crown Prince left, the Emperor desired some solitude and gestured for Eunuch Liu to also go out.

Eunuch Liu carefully exited, sitting outside on a chair, rubbing his knees. He genuinely pitied the Emperor, who had been melancholic since his last meeting with the Empress. He had watched the Emperor and the Empress reach this point in their lives, and in the end, he could only sigh heavily.

The next morning at the Ning Duke Residence, Xue Han and Rongchuan, the young couple, woke up very early. Marquis Ning was up even earlier, eagerly waiting for the tea ceremony.

Xue Han was calm, Rongchuan—now her husband—had frequently discussed how to tease her father-in-law.

Marquis Ning found it difficult to say anything to his daughter-in-law and simply proceeded with the tea ceremony.

Xue Han knelt respectfully, "Father, please have tea."

Marquis Ning was overjoyed, having finally seen his son married. He hoped his son would work hard so that he could hold a grandson next year. Thinking of his grandson, Marquis Ning’s smile deepened, "Good, if Rongchuan ever bullies you, just tell father, and I will take care of it for you."

Yesterday, his assurance at the Zhou family had given him some preparation.

Xue Han still felt a bit nervous because of Rongchuan’s promise. Fearing that her father-in-law might be dissatisfied, she felt relieved after hearing Eunuch Liu’s words. Her cheeks flushed as she said, "My husband is very good."

Ning Xu thought to himself, how could it not be good, completely devoted to his father-in-law. He handed Xue Han the prepared gift for their meeting. "You lack nothing in terms of jewelry, and there are no other women in the family. These are for you, take them."

He, indeed, wanted to give jewelry, but since Rongchuan had prepared it all, he could only give silver.

Xue Han looked at the box on the tray filled with silver notes, quite pleased. She liked it and sweetly said, "Thank you, father."

The young couple respectfully sipped their tea and then had breakfast together before returning to their courtyard.

Upon waking up in the morning, Xue Han had already seen her courtyard’s servants. Now, having eaten, she intended to rest a bit before meeting all the servants of the Ning Duke Residence.

Xue Han was surprised, "Is it already the first day for me to manage the house?"

Rongchuan responded, "We have no other women in our family, now that you’re here, naturally you’ll manage it. Quick, count how much silver my father gave."

He hadn’t expected his father to be so forthright, but he liked it.

Xue Han was also curious, "So, shall we count it?"

"Let’s count."

Xue Han took it out and started counting. After a while, she shook the silver notes, "Fifty thousand taels. The capital always says Ning Duke Residence is wealthy, and it’s indeed no lie."

Rongchuan, although detached from house affairs, also knew quite a bit. "My father scraped together quite a bit of silver before his status was restored. Later, he could only stay in the capital. The Hou Residence also receives a lot of tributes and business profits. I don’t know exactly how much comes in each year, but the rumors in the capital are true."

Xue Han nodded, aware that many merchants seek protection, and there’s plenty of tributes. "Take a look at yours, father also gave you a box."

Before Rongchuan never returned to the Hou Residence, he was someone who saved silver and managed the family wealth. After he returned to the Hou Residence, although he stopped saving silver, the family wealth still increased. He pushed the box he received last night towards his wife, "What father gives me is for you, everything in our home belongs to you."

Xue Han didn’t hesitate, as being polite at this time would seem insincere. Moreover, her words were true, her mother managed all the family’s silver. However, when she opened the box, "Isn’t this a bit too much?"

The box contained deeds, houses, and shops in the capital, and some estate deeds, near the capital and in the fertile lands of Jiangnan.

Rongchuan was also surprised, that this part of the family wealth was too abundant. "Is father transferring some of the property to me ahead of time?"

After her initial shock, Xue Han accepted them. Her mother’s mention of sudden wealth must have referred to today. She truly felt it then pursed her lips, deeply realizing how busy she would be in the future. She glanced at her husband’s purse, "Now that we’re married, you don’t need to carry so much silver."

Rongchuan was quick to act, opening his purse and leaving two hundred-tael notes, giving the rest to his wife. "Even though I’ve brought you into my home, I still had to prepare this little surprise, always emulating my father."

Xue Han agreed, her lips curving into a smile.

In Ning Duke Residence, Rongchuan didn’t need to accompany Xue Han or support her as she smoothly took over management of the Hou Residence, just waiting to officially manage it after returning to her maiden home.

At the Zhou family, Zhulan longed for her daughter’s return home, knowing very well that her daughter would be fine at the Hou Residence, but she still worried deeply.

Nanny Song came in holding a letter, "A letter from the second master."