Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1022: Fetal Movement Qi

Chapter 1022: Chapter 1022: Fetal Movement Qi

The next day at Zhou Residence’s second wife’s quarters, Chang Yi had risen early and carefully adjusted his official robe until his wife awoke, then reluctantly withdrew his hands.

Mrs. Zhao opened her eyes startled to see a silhouette; the room wasn’t very bright. Once she realized it was her husband, she asked, "When did you get up?"

Chang Yi hadn’t slept much the previous night, yet he was still spirited, "I’ve been up for a while. Why are you up so early too?"

Mrs. Zhao sat up, "I wanted to iron your official robe, so I got up."

His official robe, brought back last night and never worn before, was going to be worn for the first time today and she had been thinking about it all evening.

With a smile on his face, Chang Yi responded, "You could have let the maids do it."

Having already put on her shoes, Mrs. Zhao shook her head, "For the first ironing, I’ll do it. After today, the maids can handle it."

Today was different, she wanted to do it herself.

Chang Yi understood his wife’s feelings and sat beside her, "Alright."

An hour later, after Chang Yi had dressed and washed up in his official robe, his daughter and son were already waiting in the hall. Chang Yi shook his sleeves, "How do I look in my official robe, kids?"

Yushuang, composed yet excited, knew her father becoming an official had changed their branch of the family. Although his stout frame didn’t quite suit the robe, through her eyes, "It suits you well, Father."

Ming Rui smiled, "Father, you look the most handsome today."

Chang Yi playfully knocked on his son’s head, "Are you complimenting your father, or are you teasing me?"

He knew he wasn’t close to being dashing.

Yu Die pointed at her brother and sister, "They’re both right."

Mrs. Zhao chuckled and kissed her little daughter, "You’re the cleverest."

Chang Yi was in particularly high spirits, the excitement from the previous night was still with him, "Let’s go have breakfast, I need to head to the Ministry of Rites soon and can’t be late."

Watching his father’s brisk walk, Ming Rui looked toward the rising lights in the distance. It was good; their family’s future would be even better.

The morning court had ended, Zhou Shuren was leisurely heading out when Li Zhao approached, "Congratulations, Mr. Zhou."

Zhou Shuren had heard many congratulations that day, "Thank you."

Li Zhao whispered, "All over the capital, your reputation grows. Mr. Zhou, would you have time for a few cups of tea together?"

Zhou Shuren watched Mr. Li, laughed lightly, and then without giving Mr. Li a chance to grab his robe, he swiftly walked away, quickly turning into a run, and soon outpacing him.

Zhou Shuren internally scoffed; it was all scheming, surely leading to a discussion about money. Claiming poverty wouldn’t work now.

Li Zhao’s mouth twitched; he genuinely just wanted to invite Zhou Shuren for tea—he was taking too many precautions!

Time passed quickly, and in a blink, ten days had gone by. Thanks to his excellent translation abilities, Chang Yi had secured a stable position within the Ministry of Rites. Guided by Zhou Shuren, he found a path to promotion and diligently learned foreign languages; his progress was commendable.

The ambassador left the capital without satisfactory answers, awaiting the next negotiation. This back-and-forth would take almost a year; everything was postponed until next year. This was the Emperor’s strategy to delay; to give the Navy and future diplomats time to prepare.

Zhou Shuren knew the Emperor had secretly commissioned experts to sketch foreign ships. During a conversation with Mr. Fang, who had lamented about being far behind and had seen the designs in the government hall, it was evident the Emperor closely scrutinized the corners, which showed wear from frequent handling. The Emperor was keenly aware of the gap.

Zhou Shuren dared not speak up, nor did he say much else. The current Emperor was sharply aware of potential crises—he did not need to reveal more of himself by speaking unnecessarily.

The Zhou family, Zhao, returned from the Hu family and Zhulan, concerned, asked, "Did you see Liufeng?"

Zhao nodded, "I saw him, Liufeng is in good condition and told me to rest easy, he feels confident about tomorrow’s exam."

Zhulan, "With Mr. Hu and Mr. Gu around, there really isn’t anything to worry about."

Zhao knew that she was still anxious, her future son-in-law participating in the younger scholars’ exam was a significant event, vital for her daughter’s future, "My only fear is that something unexpected might happen."

The competition for the younger scholars’ exam in the capital was fierce, with many officials’ children participating; she worried that Liufeng might encounter some mishap, especially since he had stopped attending the Academy to study at home, she had often told Lady Hu to keep him within the estate if possible.

Initially, Zhulan hadn’t paid much attention to Liufeng’s younger scholars’ exam until Zhao continually mentioned it, she could almost recite Zhao’s words by heart and had grown reluctant to engage in conversation, listening quietly was enough.

Zhulan watched Zhao’s expression, ever since Chang Yi had become an official, even as an Eighth-rank Official, Zhao had changed a lot and appeared more spirited and confident.

Zhao, feeling uneasy under her mother-in-law’s gaze, asked, "Mother, why are you looking at your daughter-in-law like that?"

"It’s nothing, I just think you seem even more beautiful."

Previously it was just the outer appearance, but now with added confidence, her beauty radiated from within.

Zhao touched her own face, unable to resist a sweet smile, her husband had said the same, but she had always found it hard to see any difference in her face and thought her husband was just placating her, but now that her mother-in-law mentioned it as well, being fond of beauty, she was no exception, "Mother, have I really become more beautiful?"

"Yes, you have become more beautiful, and the more I look, the prettier you seem."

Zhao blushed slightly, hoping that if this year went smoothly, she might have a child, thinking of adding another child to the second wife’s branch, Zhao had already pushed her son-in-law to the back of her mind.

At that moment, the steward hurried in, looking somewhat panicked, "Madam, the young mistress has had a fright in her pregnancy, the Ning Duke Residence has sent someone to ask you to come over."

Zhulan immediately stood up, too forcefully, causing a moment of darkness before her eyes; she didn’t even change clothes before stating, "Let’s go to the Ning Duke Residence."

Zhao hurriedly followed, "Mother, I’ll come with you."

Zhulan waved her off, "I’ll go by myself."

Zhao, heeding her mother-in-law’s words, could only anxiously wait at home for news.

Zhulan left the estate and directly boarded the Hou Residence’s luxurious carriage, but she had no time to care about the grandeur of the carriage as she asked the maid, "How did she suddenly have a pregnancy scare?"

The maid dared not speak; since it involved the Crown Prince’s residence, she, a mere maid, could only remain silent.

Zhulan, eyeing the maid who kept her lips tightly sealed, felt a pit in her stomach; this involved someone important, otherwise, she wouldn’t be so tight-lipped.

The Hou Residence’s carriage moved quickly, upon arriving, Zhulan went straight to her daughter’s courtyard, the smell of brewing medicine reaching her as she walked, and once inside, she saw the Imperial Physician speaking with Marquis Ning.

Zhulan quickly paid her respects, then without waiting for Marquis Ning to speak, she hurried into the inner room, finding her daughter leaning back, consuming her medicine; disregarding her somewhat pale face, her spirits seemed fine. She carefully sat beside her, "How did you get so frightened to have a pregnancy scare?"

Xue Han held her mother’s hands, her own hands cold, "I was frightened today, that’s why I had the scare."

The room was crowded with maids and servants.

After drinking the medicine, Xue Han felt somewhat better and spoke, "You all may leave now."

The maid wanted to advise her to talk less and rest more but didn’t dare to say it and obediently exited the room.

Now with no one else in the inner room, Zhulan looked at her daughter, "Now you can tell me, how were you frightened into having a pregnancy scare?"