Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1017: Pampering the Wife

Chapter 1017: Chapter 1017: Pampering the Wife

Zhou Shuren glanced around, noticing several princes walking slowly. He had many matters to attend to, "Your Highness Prince Qi, I must take my leave now."

Prince Qi grunted in acknowledgment, and only after Zhou Shuren had hastened away, did he snicker, "No need to follow me anymore."

Prince Chu didn’t even lift his eyelids, "This is the way out of the palace, anyone can walk here; it’s not the Qi Prince Residence."

Prince Liang huffed, "The Ministry of Rites used to be under my control, and now my people have been cleared out. I hoped to use the opportunity of receiving the ambassador to place my people there, but Prince Qi seized it," "Second brother, you’re not the Crown Prince yet; it’s a bit early to act like one."

Zhang Yang stayed silent; he had experienced Prince Qi’s prowess and thought to himself, let them continue their squabble, he just needed to wait patiently.

Prince Qi’s gaze grew stern, all his brothers targeting him. After all, the Qi family was weakened, the Phang family nearly annihilated, only the Chen family was left, troubled yet unscathed, making him an obvious target.

Inside the government hall, the Emperor listened to the reports, gestured for the people to leave, then continued carving the jade. He carved meticulously, barely progressing with the jade block. His hands grew tired after a while, so he put down the carving knife and rubbed his hands.

The Crown Prince inquired, "Father, are you planning to wear this Jade Pendant yourself?"

The Emperor shook his head, "No, it’s an item I want to take with me to the Imperial Mausoleum."

The Crown Prince’s pupils tightened, "Father, you mustn’t say such things."

The Emperor was not particularly averse to discussions of life and death, knowing everyone must go through the stages of life, old age, sickness, and death. He had many ambitions and wished he could be younger, yet did not fear death, and rather liked arranging his affairs for after his passing, "Don’t worry, I certainly don’t wish for a long life, it’s not good for you, nor for your brothers."

He understood that if the Crown Prince ascended the throne while he was alive, the other sons would feel more secure and stay ambitious. So, it was better not to live too long, which would make his sons less confident and prevent the resentful eldest from settling scores later.

The Emperor regarded his eldest son, a child like him, ruthless—something to be pleased about. He had to personally handle the influences of the other sons, "I wonder if I’ll be able to see Rongchuan’s daughter, no, a granddaughter is also nice, I still lack a legitimate granddaughter."

The Crown Prince felt uneasy under his father’s gaze and now with the conversation shifting, he realized he wouldn’t have a legitimate daughter, as the Crown Princess Consort’s health made it difficult for her to bear more children, "Certainly, Lord Rongchuan also longs for a daughter."

The Emperor smiled, "They’ve been married for some time now."

The Crown Prince’s lips twitched, his father truly desired a granddaughter, he wanted to say, "Little brother hasn’t returned to the royal family, even if there were a child, you wouldn’t be able to hold them."

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan watched her little girl yawn, a crease forming on her brow, "Didn’t you rest well last night?"

Xue Han blushed, "Mother, what are you thinking? I’ve been resting well these past few days."

Her husband cherished her, and recently she had been weary from social engagements, so, ahem, there had been no disturbances recently.

Zhulan realized she had just asked a normal question and didn’t mean anything by it, "You’re overthinking it."

Xue Han’s head was nearly steaming, and now she stopped yawning altogether, looking particularly energetic, "Mother, I went to the Crown Prince’s residence yesterday."

Zhulan, "Since you married, your mother’s information network has become much more refined."

This was about the level of contact; she still hadn’t reached her daughter’s level.

Xue Han blinked, "So whenever I get news, I come to visit you and father."

She didn’t live with her parents, but visiting her parental home was convenient. Having no mother-in-law upstairs was truly comfortable.

Zhulan laughed, "You, you’re not worried your father-in-law might overthink?"

"He wouldn’t. Father-in-law doesn’t concern himself with anything and enjoys his comfortable life."

Quite unlike father, who is busy to death every day.

Zhulan asked, "I remember you and Ran Yan got along well. When you visited the Crown Prince Residence, you didn’t bypass the Crown Princess Consort, did you?"

Xue Han wrinkled her nose, "Mother, I’m not foolish. In the Crown Prince Residence, the Crown Princess Consort holds the most authority. I also saw Ran Yan. She is doing quite well, at least among all the women there, she has the clearest understanding of her situation."

She was clearly on the side of the Crown Princess Consort.

At noon, Xue Han stayed for lunch. Zhulan watched her daughter eat spicy food bite after bite. "Isn’t today’s chili pepper spicy?"

Xue Han replied, "It’s alright, but not as spicy as at Hou Residence. Mother, I’ll have someone send us some chili peppers."

Zhulan tried a bite hesitantly. For the sake of her health, she had already cut down on spicy food. Today’s dish was her daughter’s request. After one bite, her face turned red and she exclaimed, "It’s quite spicy already."

Xue Han blinked, "Is it? I think it’s fine. Yesterday, Rongchuan ate with me and said the spiciness was just right."

"That’s Rongchuan indulging you. Whatever you say goes."

She was becoming a bit worried about Rongchuan’s stomach now. She knew that Rongchuan wasn’t fond of spicy food. He could handle it, but too spicy was unbearable for him.

At the Hanlin Academy, Rongchuan was holding his stomach. Now that Chang Lian was gone, he had no one to talk to. He had run to the toilet several times today and his legs felt weak.

Shi Qing saw Rongchuan’s condition, "What’s bothering you?"

Rongchuan replied, "My stomach’s a bit upset, but a rest should help."

"Did you eat something bad?"

Rongchuan was embarrassed, "Yesterday, I ate too much spicy food accompanying my wife."

Shi Qing stopped talking, turned around, and walked away. After Rongchuan got married, Shi Qing, who usually didn’t pay attention, could hear tales about Rongchuan spoiling his wife. Zhou Xue Han didn’t realize how many women envied her.

In the Ministry of Rites, because the ambassador hadn’t arrived in the capital yet, Chang Yi was currently teaching a foreign language. Because of this communication need and his willingness to make contact, coupled with his generous manner, Chang Yi, though a commoner, had managed to blend in.

Of course, mainly because Chang Yi had a well-connected father.

Right now, it was the break hour. Chang Yi was already able to drink tea with some officials, the tea he had brought from abroad.

While drinking tea, Wu Ming watched his second brother mingle. Among his godfather’s sons, the most tactful was his second brother who always said the right things. Wu Ming smiled. This kind of person would never let go of an opportunity.

In the evening at Duke Residence, Rongchuan came home from the government office, his stomach was better, but his face was somewhat pale.

The Duchess asked with concern, "Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"

Rongchuan replied, "Grandmother, I’m quite fine, don’t worry."

The Duchess examined him closely. Aside from being a bit pale, Rongchuan indeed didn’t look unwell. "Then you need to nourish yourself well today. You must be tired."

Ning Xu glanced at his son; this was the result of doting on his daughter-in-law. He had heard that the dishes these past few days were all spicy, which is why he had to eat alone.

He was surprised; Xue Han could actually eat such spicy food.

During dinner, the Ning family didn’t like spicy food, so there were rarely any spicy dishes, and Xue Han then had no appetite.

The Duchess smiled and put some ribbonfish into Xue Han’s bowl, "This is the freshly delivered ribbonfish, your favorite. Eat more of it."

Xue Han stared at the ribbonfish. It was indeed delicious. Before, she hadn’t found it fishy, but now her nose was particularly sensitive, making it seem exceptionally fishy.