Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1015: Opportunity

Chapter 1015: Chapter 1015: Opportunity

The following evening, the Emperor’s men arrived—four individuals, all indiscernible in a crowd, one aged twenty and the rest seventeen, all males.

Zhou Shuren hadn’t expected the Emperor to be so generous as to send four people at once, each of them a true treasure.

Zhou Shuren summoned Chang Lian, Chang Zhi, and his eldest grandson, for these were the future pillars of the Zhou family.

Upon their arrival, Zhou Shuren pointed to two seventeen-year-olds with exceptional skills, "Take these two with you when you leave the capital."

Chang Lian felt reassured, viewing this as a security guarantee, "Yes."

Zhou Shuren then pointed to the twenty-year-old, directing Chang Zhi, "This one will follow you from now on."

The last one would be for his eldest grandson, Mingyun.

With the personnel assigned, Zhou Shuren could rest assured about his descendants’ safety.

With the addition of these individuals, aside from the family, outsiders were unaware—information was hardest to come by in the Zhou residence.

During the half-month Chang Lian stayed, Zhou Shuren, no matter how busy, always spent time educating him after returning home, even teaching him about categorized taxation and advising him on the appropriate time to propose it, ensuring that no one else could take credit. For caution, it was suggested to send a letter back home first—it was necessary to play the full part convincingly.

On the eve of Chang Lian’s departure from the capital, he was reluctant to leave, having learnt a lot from his father recently, "Father, might your son stay a few more days before departing?"

Zhou Shuren tapped Chang Lian’s head with a book, "Do not bite off more than you can chew, and remember, no matter what you face in the future, never harbor greed."

Chang Lian winced from the pain of his father’s tap, "Son will always bear it in mind."

"Your father can only impart his experiences to you; they are not yours. While you keep learning from me, I hope more that you will carve your own path. Except in times of severe trouble, I shall not interfere in your career. You must explore independently, my son, for only insights gained by oneself truly suit."

Chang Lian understood his father’s expectations, "Father, your son will not disappoint your hopes."

Zhou Shuren nodded in satisfaction, "Alright, I have said all I needed to these past days. You should rest well, as you will leave the capital tomorrow."

Chang Lian’s nose tingled slightly—his father was very busy. Since the onset of heavy snow earlier this year, had it not been for his father’s emergency funds, the Ministry of Revenue would have been even busier. Despite his schedule, his father still made time to teach him daily, "Father, you have worked hard."

Zhou Shuren too was weary; he wasn’t a machine but a human who was aging, with his physical functions declining yearly. Fortunately, his efforts bore fruit, "Now that I’ve dealt with your matters, it’s your second brother’s turn. Once he is well-settled, I can also have some peaceful days."

Chang Lian recalled his second brother mentioning their father’s plans. Having been preoccupied with his own affairs, he had forgotten to inquire, "Father, what are your plans for my second brother?"

"A new department is to be established in the Ministry of Rites."

Chang Lian gasped, "The Ministry of Rites?"

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "Not to rush; this must proceed slowly as it involves many aspects."

Chang Lian swallowed hard; his father must have been contemplating this for a long time, "Father, can it be done?"

"I never harbored such grand ambitions before, but who could have anticipated your second brother’s linguistic talent? Still, we must not hurry."

The new department at the Ministry of Rites wasn’t established yet. After its establishment, the Emperor would likely validate his words, so he had Chang Yi continue his studies, interact more with foreigners in the capital and not let his language skills regress. He was aware of Chang Yi’s weak spot—no Imperial Examination, which predetermined his future—but it didn’t matter. Once sent abroad for a few years and then assigned to a nominal position, no matter the rank, that would still be an official position, marking a qualitative change for the second wife’s family.

Chang Lian returned to his courtyard, digesting his father’s words. He was leaving, and his father had granted him one great surprise, "Father is indeed Father, the renowned cunning fox of the capital."

Even behind his back, people called him the little fox.

Chu Chu didn’t understand, "Hmm?"

Chang Lian smiled, unable to disclose this matter, "Let’s sleep; we must rise early tomorrow."

The next morning, Chang Lian and his family of four left their home by carriage, and the one who cried the most was Yu Die, who almost followed them.

Zhulan hugged Yu Die, "Alright, stop crying now."

Yu Die cried heartbreakingly, "I’ve lost my sister."

Mrs. Zhao patted her daughter’s head, "Nonsense, your sister is fine."

Yu Die cried even harder. Zhulan wanted to laugh; the two little girls were like conjoined twins. Now that they were separated, the little girl couldn’t adapt.

Su Xuan said, "You still have your sister Yu Wen; you can play with her."

Yu Die stopped crying and stared at her aunt with wide eyes, "Auntie, let Yu Wen come out first, then I will play with her."

She was active and didn’t like staying indoors.

Su Xuan choked on her words; she too wanted her daughter to come out, but her daughter just wouldn’t budge.

Ming Jia, in his father’s arms, said, "Sister is too lazy, Third Sister, I’ll play with you."

Yu Die disapproved of her brother, wiping away tears, "You can’t handle flowers, and you can’t wear pretty dresses."

Ming Jia wanted to say he could, but unfortunately, his father covered his mouth, and he accusingly glared at his father with dissatisfaction.

Chang Zhi hummed, thinking to himself that he was saving his son; Yu Die was really demanding and scheming, and he feared his son would end up crying when he grew up.

Without making a sound, Su Xuan blocked her son, coughing; it was better her son not fall into Yu Die’s hands.

Chang Yi really doted on his little girl, full of cunning ideas like him, "Alright, stop crying, Dad will take you downtown later."

Yu Die stopped crying; her dad was the most generous, "Okay."

Mrs. Zhao gritted her teeth; when her husband was not at home, Yu Die wouldn’t fear her. Now, things were fine; this child wasn’t afraid of her at all!

After Chang Lian left, Zhulan had anxiously awaited her son’s letter. Twenty days later, Chang Lian’s letter finally reached the capital. Chang Lian had bought a house, a small, two-section house without a garden, very small, but they had settled down smoothly, and both children hadn’t gotten sick. Only then did Zhulan feel reassured.

Zhulan had just finished writing her reply when Xue Han returned. Zhulan said, "It’s been some days since you’ve been back."

Xue Han sat beside her mother, "Mother, I’ve been busy. Previously, when the Ning Duke Residence had no women in charge, there were very few invitations. Now that I’m here, there were especially many after the New Year; I had to meet my husband’s family members and some of the Ning family connections. I just got some free time."

Zhulan looked at her daughter, who, even if a month ago was still quite inexperienced after her marriage, now seemed much more mature, "No matter how busy you are, you must take care of yourself; look how thin you’ve become."

Xue Han asked, "Mother, I heard that foreign ambassadors are coming to the capital?"

Zhulan replied, curious about her source, "Your news is quite accurate; why do you ask?"

Xue Han, with a smile, said, "I heard it from Rongchuan. Mother, didn’t father allow second brother to follow Bahu because he was waiting for an opportunity?"

Zhulan raised an eyebrow, "Again, you heard this from Rongchuan?"

"We guessed it together."

"You didn’t come because you missed me today; you came to snoop for information."

Xue Han, holding her mother’s arm, said, "Mother, I’m also concerned about second brother. Rongchuan often goes to the palace and hears a lot; he even heard the Emperor mention second brother’s name!"

Zhulan knew about it too; a few days ago, the Emperor and Zhou Shuren had discussed it, and indeed the arrival of the ambassadors was an opportunity for Chang Yi, "You’ve already guessed it, why ask me?"

Xue Han’s eyes widened, "Really? Father is amazing."