Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1035 Lau Jing’s Youngest Son

Chapter 1035: Chapter 1035 Lau Jing’s Youngest Son

Lau Jing didn’t beat around the bush, for his visit today was to seek a solution, "Princess Liang’s maternal family, the Zhu family."

When Zhou Shuren saw that Lau Jing kept staring at him, he said, "Even without the Zhou family’s connection, your youngest son’s brilliance would also be noticed. It’s rather sad for both men and women alike if they don’t have a family background to protect their talents, isn’t it?"

Lau Jing silently withdrew his gaze. The Lau family had no foundation in the capital, which was their greatest disadvantage; therefore, he played dumb unless he was willing to abandon the capital for a provincial post.

He had climbed into the capital’s circles with great difficulty, so why would he give it up? If it wasn’t for the engagement with the Zhou family, he might have compromised, but now there was hope.

Lau Jing looked fatigued; he had been dealing with this matter for several days, "Please, Sir, help me."

Zhou Shuren replied, "Finding someone with a better family background would solve the problem."

Lau Jing grimaced; if he had the confidence that Zhou Shuren had, he would have already found someone. Why else would he personally come to the Zhou Residence and disturb Zhou Shuren’s rest? "I know."

Zhou Shuren coughed once. He meant no offense and spoke directly, "Wait a moment, I’ll ask my wife."

Saying this, Zhou Shuren went back inside the house and asked, "Didn’t you mention a few days ago that Ning Ting hasn’t chosen a family yet?"

Zhulan lifted her head, "Not yet decided. The Duchess asked Xue Han to look around too, and Xue Han told me about it, so I’ve been helping to look. Why, do you have a suitable family in mind?"

The requirements of the Ning family were difficult to meet. The appearance couldn’t be too poor, they needed ambition, and most importantly, a good family background without complicated affiliations, limiting the options even further.

Zhou Shuren nodded, "Lau Jing’s second son, although not the eldest, has good talents and is of suitable age. He also ranked third in this year’s court examinations. We’ve seen his appearance, what do you think?"

Zhulan blinked, "Isn’t that too low for Ning Ting, considering she’s the eldest granddaughter of the Duke Ning’s Residence?"

Zhou Shuren replied, "Ning Ting isn’t likely to marry high anyway, and the current Duke Ning’s Residence needs to be cautious. Who else is there to choose?"

Zhulan fell silent, indeed, Ning Ting couldn’t marry high; suitable matches were mostly betrothed, or too young. "I’ll send a message to my daughter first and see what the Duke Residence says."

Zhou Shuren felt it was likely to succeed. He hoped Lau Jing would do well and planned to talk to Ning Xu if his wife’s side didn’t work out.

Lau Jing was curious about which girl Zhou Shuren was thinking of; Zhou Shuren’s reaction clearly indicated he had someone suitable in mind, and he hoped for his son to marry into a good family for the sake of his son’s future.

Upon returning, Zhou Shuren said, "I can’t say which family yet, I’m waiting for news here. I’ll tell you once I get any. You hold off for now. Actually, I’ll chat with Sir Zhu at the court tomorrow to help you stall them."

Lau Jing couldn’t express the complexity of his feelings, as Zhou Shuren spoke so casually. Just a chat with Sir Zhu seemed so straightforward, "Thank you, thank you so much."

"We are relatives by marriage, it’s right to extend a helping hand when needed."

Lau Jing thought, I owe them a big favor now. The Zhou family lacks not wealth, but favors which are hard to repay. Let my youngest son repay it; I hardly have the means.

Not long after Lau Jing left, Xue Han sent a message back saying that she and Rongchuan would go to the Duke Residence for dinner to inquire, and they would have news by tomorrow.

At the Duke Residence, the Duchess cherished Xue Han so much, "What brings you here? Didn’t we say you don’t need to visit us unless three months have passed?"

Xue Han hurriedly explained, "Grandma, of course, it’s for something important."

The Duchess’s expression changed, fearing trouble, "Tell Grandma, who has wronged you?"

Xue Han shook her head, "Grandma, it’s about Ning Ting. You told me to keep an eye out, and I’ve found someone suitable."

The Duchess also felt urgent about her granddaughter’s marriage. The Song family wanted to find someone within their family, but she didn’t wish for her eldest granddaughter to marry back into the Song family. Song’s wife was already the eldest grandson’s wife; there was no need for Ning Ting to do the same, and having two major families too tightly bound was not beneficial.

The Duchess quickly asked, "Whose family?"

Xue Han explained the situation of the Lau family, focusing on that year’s examination results. She had received a letter from her mother and immediately asked her father-in-law, who thought it could be possible, so she and Rongchuan came back.

The Duchess had always considered noble families and had not thought about families of officials like Sir Lau. She glanced sideways to see her husband listening intently.

Duke Ning smiled, "Let me inquire about it. Achieving such results at a young age is indeed remarkable."

The Duchess smiled, her husband’s willingness to inquire meant there was a possibility. After dinner, as Rongchuan and his wife left, the Duchess said, "I thought you would refuse directly."

Duke Ning replied, "I said I’d inquire about it."

At that moment, the steward came in, "Today Sir Zhou met with Sir Lau, and soon after, Sir Zhou’s wife went to the Hou Residence."

Duke Ning nodded, "Just as I suspected. It appears that the Lau family’s youngest son is indeed not bad."

The Duchess rolled her eyes internally, wondering when her husband had sent someone to inquire and why she hadn’t known!

The next day, after the morning court, Zhou Shuren walked up to Sir Zhu, "Sir Zhu."

Sir Zhu squinted his eyes. He had people watching the Lau family and naturally knew where Lau Jing had been the previous day, "Don’t you think you are meddling too much, Sir Zhou?"

Zhou Shuren wasn’t bothered by Sir Zhu’s tone, "Can’t help it when we’re related by marriage."

Sir Zhu scoffed, "You really don’t beat around the bush, Sir Zhou."

Zhou Shuren sighed, "What can I do when the Ministry of Revenue keeps me so busy?"

Sir Zhu snorted, "Since you’re busy, you better get going. I have matters to attend to as well."

Zhou Shuren had achieved his goal; he just came to delay things for a few days.

Old Master Wong approached, "Why did you provoke him?"

Zhou Shuren didn’t explain but instead asked, "Do you have something for me, Old Master?"

Old Master Wong saw that there was no one around and spoke softly, "I recently received news that the fourth Prince is looking for descendants of the Rong family, so I thought I’d tell you."

Zhou Shuren blinked, "Why are they looking for descendants of the Rong family now?"

Old Master Wong stroked his beard, "Because the Emperor is very concerned about the Rong family. You’re often summoned; have you heard anything?"

Zhou Shuren, "..."

It was said as a reminder, but it was practically coming to probe him for information. Ever since Wong Ju moved to the Ministry of Rites, Old Master had taken the initiative himself.

Old Master Wong cared deeply about the dynamics in the capital—while it seemed chaotic, it was balanced—but if there were real descendants of the Rong family, it would be different.

Zhou Shuren replied, "Old Master, I truly don’t know. The Emperor rarely mentions the Rong family in front of me."

Mostly, they were trying to extract information from him.

Old Master Wong felt disappointed. He knew Zhou Shuren wouldn’t lie to him; if he didn’t want to answer, he would have diverted the topic like before. He patted Zhou Shuren on the shoulder, "Actually, I think you’re very eloquent. Frequently speak with the Emperor, he’ll be pleased."

Zhou Shuren chuckled inwardly, How tactful of you, hinting that I’m thick-skinned and good at flattering!