Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1048: Noticed

Chapter 1048: Chapter 1048: Noticed

The Zhou family, Zhulan had already left the main courtyard, and the corpses within the estate had been taken away by the soldiers guarding the city. The bloodstains in the courtyard were still being cleaned up, and the three dead young servants had been changed into new clothes, awaiting their coffins. However, their burial would have to be delayed for a few more days since the gates of the capital remained firmly shut.

Mingyun was busy going over the registry and contracts of the young servants with the steward when he heard footsteps and saw his grandmother approaching. He quickly got up to greet her, "Grandmother, why have you come out?"

Zhulan knew her eldest grandson was worried about her and smiled as she said, "It’s alright now, Grandmother is just taking a look around."

Mingyun frowned, "Grandmother, there are bloodstains everywhere."

He was somewhat afraid that she would be frightened.

Zhulan laughed lightly, "Do you think your grandmother has never seen blood before? Back during the times of war, your grandmother saw more than enough blood."

Mingyun had no idea, for he was born after the dynasty was established and knew little about the decade-long war, only aware that many, many people died and that many villages were left empty. Supporting his grandmother to sit down, he said, "Grandmother is truly a valiant woman amid women."

Zhulan thought to herself that she was not, but rather it was her original self, whose bravery was truly formidable. If it weren’t for her original self during the times of turmoil, who knew what would have become of the Zhou family!

Zhulan picked up the opened registry, which she had requested. Even if they had sold themselves into servitude, it had to be clearly stated where their home was and who their families were – and checks would be made. The relatives of the three deceased were all listed, as well as the reasons they were sold.

Of the three dead, two had been sold because their stepmothers bore children, and the original children were cast aside like weeds and hastily sold. It is known that generally, male children are rarely sold; those who are sold are either in dire straits or are considered bothersome to keep around.

Zhulan stared at the last one. This one had truly been destitute, with hardships at home and sick family members, and had voluntarily sold himself. In this case, compensation with silver was straightforward, though the amount given couldn’t be too much. Being powerless and without influence, too much silver could bring misfortune instead.

Zhulan asked, "How are you planning to handle Lin Er’s affairs after his death?"

Mingyun looked at his grandmother, "My intention is to give them a portion of Silver Coin and then exchange the rest for land for them. The Zhou family will handle the contracts officially, to provide them with protection. We’ll make the compensation public, to prevent any misunderstandings about how much Silver we’ve given, lest it brings them trouble later on."

Zhulan smiled with satisfaction, "Then do as you say."

In fact, many compensations were simply made by sending a Servant with Silver, without any further concern. The Zhou family was more humane because both of them genuinely cared about human lives. To the nobility, however, the class structure was insurmountable.

As for the other two, the arrangements were even easier. Zhulan believed that even in death, they would not want their stepmothers to profit. This time, Zhulan took charge, choosing two impoverished children from the same clan to be adopted and brought to the Zhou family’s estate to be raised and taught well to become adults, ensuring that the ancestors would be worshipped and lineage continued.

These people had died for the Zhou family, and what Zhulan was doing was to assure her conscience was clear.

Mingyun watched as his grandmother handled everything and saw the moved expressions of the young servants standing guard. Even Servants are human, and who wouldn’t wish for a good family to serve? His grandmother had a kind heart, yet also knew how to win over people’s loyalty. He thought that the management of the inner courtyard was a profound area of learning; today, he had learned much from watching his grandmother.

The final matter was to reward the young servants with Silver. They had fought for the Zhou family, and it was deserved.

Once Zhulan had taken care of everything, she personally went with her eldest grandson to see the three who had passed away. Zhulan, who had somehow found the modern courage to face the dead calmly in ancient times, instructed the steward, "Make sure their funerals are dignified. After the rituals for Lin Er, find someone to send him back to his hometown for a peaceful burial."

Steward Wang replied respectfully, "As you command."

Even though he was a Servant and the Emperor was his true master, he had initially underestimated his mistress; now he regarded her with increasing reverence.

Having made herself clear, Zhulan then saw Rongchuan, whose clothes still bore visible bloodstains. "Has someone gone to the Ning Duke Residence as well?"

If it weren’t for the smile on Rongchuan’s face, the sight of blood alone would have scared her out of her wits, terrified something had happened to her daughter.

Rongchuan stepped forward to support his mother-in-law, "Mother, the Ning Duke Residence is heavily guarded, no one could sneak past; they still have some sense."

Zhulan halted her steps, realizing those behind the attack were also picking off the weak; targeting the Ning Duke Residence was tantamount to suicide, "As long as everything is fine, that’s good."

As soon as Rongchuan left the Palace, he made a beeline for the Zhou family. Despite knowing they were safe, he couldn’t rest easy without seeing it for himself. After all, two groups had infiltrated the Zhou residence, "Mother, I hope you weren’t too frightened?"

Zhulan replied, "I’ve lived through storms and tumults; I wasn’t frightened. What about you, where did that blood come from on you?"

Rongchuan didn’t keep it a secret; such a matter couldn’t be concealed. The Crown Prince had been attacked on the streets; the assailants were desperate and mad, everyone knew about it.

Zhulan blinked, "Were you there as well?"

Rongchuan seemed a bit dazed, "Yes."

Zhulan heard something amiss in his voice and turned her head, "What’s wrong with you?"

Thinking of the Emperor’s expression and the arrival of the Empress who held both him and the Crown Prince to scrutinize closely, Rongchuan recalled the urgent concern displayed at the time and pondered, "Mother, you say a nephew can resemble his uncle, how closely can they resemble each other?"

The doubts that had suppressed on that day were now lifting a corner, the fissure growing wider. The attitudes of the Emperor and the Empress were not those one would have toward a nephew, especially at the end – the Emperor was busy with the Crown Prince, and the Empress never let go of his hand. He saw the fear in the Empress’ eyes; this wasn’t the attitude for a nephew, nor was it the affection due to one.

His eldest brother and second elder brother were also nephews of the Empress, but the Empress never met with them. As for avoiding suspicion, that was laughable; did it mean he didn’t need to avoid suspicion too? He was a Ning family member after all.

Zhulan opened her mouth, but in the end, she remained silent. Rongchuan was a detail-oriented child; his reluctance to dwell on things didn’t mean he hadn’t noticed, "That I do not know. Some resemble their uncles closely, others not so much."

Rongchuan remained silent; his mind was in turmoil. Recalling when the Third-rank Scholar paraded on the streets, was the tearful lady he saw really just struck by his resemblance to her elder brother? And the suppression he felt in his heart at the time, was it really just discomfort from witnessing the woman’s tears?

All the subsequent events were now as clear as day in his mind.

Rongchuan forced a smile, "Mother, I’ll be heading back to the Hou Residence. I need to tell Xue Han that everything is alright at home, so she won’t worry and come running over."

His wife was one to believe only what she could see with her own eyes; she would only be reassured if he saw it for himself.

Zhulan knew Rongchuan had something on his mind and was also worried about her daughter’s stubborn temperament, "Alright, you be careful as well."

Rongchuan nodded and patted Mingyun on the shoulder, "Send my regards to your father as well."

After his uncle-in-law had left, Mingyun commented, "Grandmother, why did uncle-in-law seem a bit off today?"

Zhulan looked up at the sky, which was overcast, "He’s just come to understand some things."

But she didn’t know that when Rongchuan truly came to understand, whether resentment would brew in his heart. He was a Prince by birth, yet now he was the son of Mr. Hou. The joy at the initial recognition turned to pain today; only Rongchuan knew those feelings.

She could not, and did not want to interfere, as it was a matter for the Royal family.

Within the Palace, the Crown Prince was leading a clean-up operation outside, while the Emperor and Empress sat opposite each other, neither of them initiating a conversation first.