Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1005: Lost Weight, Got Tanned

Chapter 1005: Chapter 1005: Lost Weight, Got Tanned

Chang Yi stood in front of the gate for a while until the steward could no longer hold back and came up to ask, "Second Master, why don’t you go inside?"

In his midnight dreams, Chang Yi had always longed for home. After wandering for nearly a year, he had finally returned home, "I haven’t been home for a long while and wanted to take an extra look."

He remembered he had guests with him and stepped inside. Because of the guests, he didn’t move as quickly; he missed his parents, his wife and children, and his brothers.

The steward followed behind the Second Master, Yuguang always keeping an eye on the guest, whose hair color was indistinguishable from theirs, only dressed somewhat differently—this must be a foreigner.

Upon entering the main courtyard and seeing his seated mother, Chang Yi immediately knelt down, "Mother, your son has returned."

Zhulan quickly got up and helped him, taking a careful look at Chang Yi, "You’ve lost weight, you’ve gotten darker."

This time, it wasn’t just ’thin’ in his mother’s eyes; Chang Yi really had lost weight and had darkened quite a bit. Touching Chang Yi’s hands, she noticed callouses—something that hadn’t been there since the Zhou family had prospered and Chang Yi hadn’t needed to work physically.

Zhulan’s heart ached, and her eyes reddened, "You’ve suffered, you’ve probably been through a lot, but it’s good you’re back now."

Indeed, Chang Yi had suffered. There was plenty of wealth to be discovered abroad, yet there were many difficulties, especially conflicts. He had experienced several conflicts abroad, none of which he dared to write about. Despite the dangers, he found he particularly enjoyed it; he realized he relished the adventure and was restless by nature.

Helping his mother to sit, Chang Yi said, "Mother, your son is fine, just a bit unused to being abroad, and the darkness is from the sun."

He had stayed in a country not too far from home, just taken a detour, hence the longer distance, and the climate was hotter than the south. Fortunately, the Xu family always had a doctor travel with them, as he initially suffered from acclimatization issues.

Zhulan watched Chang Yi closely; this return of her second son brought noticeable changes. Previously overshadowed by his older brother and Chang Lian, Chang Yi had been inconspicuous. Now there was a new aura about him, clearly hardened by his trials, "Don’t just stand there; sit down."

Chang Yi then remembered the guest he brought along, "Mother, this is my friend, Bahu. His grandfather is a prince. He came back with me to gain some insights; I received a lot of care from Bahu while in his country."

Zhulan observed the guest’s skin and features, and had her thoughts, "Can he understand what I say?"

Chang Yi shook his head, "He can only manage simple greetings; he doesn’t understand the rest. Their country has merchant fleets too, but having been robbed by pirates several times, they dared not come before, so he came back with me to take a look."

Understood by Zhulan—who realized the ’care’ was well considered from the start due to their lack of naval power but still wanting to look around, then befriending Chang Yi. Since he couldn’t understand, she didn’t have much to ask, and turning to Chang Yi she said, "You go take the guest to rest; I’ve had the steward prepare a small courtyard in the front yard."

Bahu understood nothing; however, he hadn’t been idling. Since landing, he had been opening his eyes to new sights—the expansive harbors, ships from various nations, and numerous exquisite buildings he had never seen before. He noticed Chang Yi particularly because of the Xu family, realizing that it wasn’t just care but an unusual respect they showed him, he knew this man was special.

In the past, those who came to their country were merchants and, of course, some were dignitaries, but they wouldn’t stay. It was hard for Bahu to form connections, and he feared being deceived if he followed someone and couldn’t return. But meeting Chang Yi, he saw an opportunity; everything went smoothly. He took a ship to this land brimming with wealth, and indeed, the rumors were true—look at how fine even the servants’ clothes were, an expensive fabric back in his country.

Chang Yi first took Bahu to the front courtyard. The courtyard wasn’t large, but it had enough space for Bahu and the few people he brought, "You rest here; if you need anything, just tell my young servant, and he’ll arrange it."

Still feeling unsettled, as everything was unfamiliar, Bahu had guessed correctly—Chang Yi had never mentioned his own home, but from the moment he entered, he knew it was no ordinary place, "Alright."

Now in the main courtyard without strangers, Yu Die still didn’t approach her father. Her memories as a little child weren’t deep, and with her father having changed quite a bit, she hesitated to come closer initially.

Mrs. Zhao had been wiping her tears with a handkerchief ever since she saw her husband. Missing him and distressed for him, her eldest daughter was too old to cling to her father; their son was at the Academy today, and only the little daughter was there. She nudged the little girl’s back, "Didn’t you always miss daddy? Daddy’s back now."

Yu Die looked back at her mother, then at her father, and still, due to their blood connection, she ran over, "Daddy, the gift you sent to Die, Die has received it."

Chang Yi missed his wife and children, especially when seeing children abroad. His little girl was particularly precious to him; she was delicate, and he admittedly doted on her more, unlike his expectations for his eldest daughter. Of course, he didn’t need to push his eldest, the eldest grandchild of the Zhou family, who set high standards for herself.

Chang Yi picked up his little girl and weighed her, "You’ve gained weight, that’s good."

The little girl grinned, now feeling bolder, "Daddy, did you bring back any gifts?"

Zhulan smiled upon hearing this; children are still children, and if she were older, she might understand to pity her father.

Chang Yi, pleased by his daughter’s affection—blood is thicker than water—said, "Yes, I brought back many things. Daddy bought quite a bit of land abroad and planted many fruits; I even shipped some back, not much of the fresh ones left, but a lot of dried fruit."

Big brother Zhou had been eager to speak, "You really did bring back a lot, eight carts worth."

Chang Yi grinned, the year abroad had indeed been fruitful, "I brought back quite a lot of timber, which is for our daughters’ dowries. We’ll distribute it in a bit."

Big brother Zhou, "I can’t just take it for free; you’ve been through a lot. Tell me how much silver you spent, and I’ll give it to you later."

Chang Yi waved his hand dismissively, "I didn’t spend much silver; I found these on leased mountain land."

Logging was selective, leaving the small trees and cutting the big ones. If only the merchant ships were their own and the Xu family didn’t need them for their cargo, he would have transported everything back. Now, he could only bring back a bit at a time.

Su Xuan’s eyes brightened; she had fishing boats and wasn’t short of silver. The more she thought, the more feasible it seemed to let her men invest in the merchant business; they all did this...no, she still needed to think it over.

Zhulan asked Chang Yi how his year abroad was, and Chang Yi, hiding his pains, claimed everything was fine. Zhulan didn’t probe further, understanding her son withheld details to spare her from worrying. Once Zhou Shuren returned, he would definitely share.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren had already learned his second son was home and had brought a foreigner with him, absentmindedly stroking his beard.

Wong Ju had already handled the handover; normally it was somewhat relaxed at year-end, now even more so, "I’ve been here for a while, why haven’t you said anything?"

Zhou Shuren looked up, "I was just thinking about some things."

Wong Ju reflexively tensed up, then patted himself—why was he afraid? After New Year, he was heading to the Ministry of Rites!