Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1069: Deep Schemes

Chapter 1069: Chapter 1069: Deep Schemes

In the afternoon, at the Zhou residence, Zhulan listened to reports from Lady Li and Zhao. Lady Li lacked Zhao’s meticulousness and patience for self-improvement. Lady Li’s handwriting hadn’t progressed in years, unlike Zhao, who practiced daily. After Chang Yi became an official, Zhao devoted herself even more, forsaking handicrafts to focus on reading and writing.

Zhulan noted that Zhao remembered her words that a husband and wife should progress together. While the primary couple had no hope of advancement, Zhao still yearned to keep a firm hold on Chang Yi’s heart.

After the two daughters-in-law finished speaking, Zhulan set aside the characters written by Lady Li. Comparisons were always feared, and compared to Zhao, Lady Li was simply inferior. "Alright, I understand. You worked hard today, you should go back and rest as well."

Zhao wanted to share her mother-in-law’s burdens, already consciously learning how to be a good Mrs. Guan, "Mother, I’m not tired. Please let me stay by your side and help."

Zhulan thought to herself, Zhao, after all these years, had kept Chang Yi close to her heart, yearning for him even when he was away for a year. Zhao was very clever. "Alright."

Zhao felt very grateful to her mother-in-law. The Zhou family had a good family environment, thanks to the mother-in-law’s major contributions. These daughters-in-law must have accumulated good fortune in their past lives, as their mother-in-law was among the most benevolent in the entire capital. "Thank you, mother."

Lady Li, realizing she couldn’t handle such tactful and meticulous tasks on her own, also missed her children, "Mother, I will head back first."

"Go ahead."

Lady Li nodded to her sisters, briskly left, and felt lucky as she did not have the fortune to be Mrs. Guan. She could only hope for her son.

In the Duke Ning Residence, brothers Ning Zhiqi and Ning Zhixiang were kneeling on the ground. Ning Zhixiang, frail in health, had been kneeling for an hour and his body had already started to sway.

The rain started again outside, and despite the cover of the corridor which shielded them from the rain, the chill was still intense.

Inside the hall, the Empress sat motionless, her expression unchanged even upon hearing the coughing from outside. She did not have much affection for her nephews; her own son had been switched at birth, tormenting her for many years. The only person she cared about was her eldest nephew, Ning Zhiqi, aside from her parents and second brother.

Thus, she didn’t have much fondness for the physically weak Ning Zhixiang, even less so since Lady Du chose Yu for him.

Now, because of Lady Du, both nephews had incurred her wrath. The longer they knelt outside, the greater her anger burned. Her parents had been tolerant enough of Lady Du, who had harbored murderous intents, even towards her own parents. Now, as both nephews pleaded outside, imagining their grandparents, she was reminded not to wake her mother—who would be fortunate to awaken!

Xue Han wore a stern face, not understanding why the Empress took her everywhere, almost as if she was her mother-in-law. Surprisingly, neither her grandfather nor her father objected, and even her discredited uncle remained silent.

The Empress heard a commotion outside, saw her second brother quickly stand up and rush out, and hummed dismissively. They were hoping for her mercy, which she would not grant, for her heart had long turned hard.

Ning Hui rushed in, "Empress, Zhi Xiang has fainted."

The Empress replied, "What are you trying to say? That you want me to be moved by his filial piety? Hah, I too am being filial. Whoever dares to harm my parents must be prepared to die. You’ve only hurt your body, not your brain. Remember, our parents gave you chances and tolerated you repeatedly—they owe you nothing."

Ning Xu felt a jolt in his heart; his sister, not even calling him second brother anymore, was truly furious, "Sister, no, Your Highness."

The Empress raised her hand, "Third brother, no need to speak further. I will take the person away; if the two nephews must blame someone, let it be me."

The Empress stood up, turned around, and her expression softened as she looked at her younger daughter-in-law’s belly, "Let’s go, I’ll drop you off at the Zhou residence on my way."

Ning Duke Residence will not see its masters return in the next few days, as the Duke Residence is being cleaned. Keeping the young daughter-in-law there is not safe; the Zhou Residence would make her feel more secure.

Xue Han stood up, "Thank you, Empress."

Half an hour later, at the Zhou family home, Xue Han had changed her clothes and was resting with a hand warmer. "Mother, Lady Du is really foolish. How can she not consider, even if the grandmother got into trouble, that she could escape? What does she take the Duke Residence for? She’s been used by others, that dim sum was not for the grandmother, but prepared for the grandfather. Lady Du was thoroughly exploited."

Zhulan understood everything; it was all because Lady Du was repeatedly oppressed by the Duchess. Even her chanting did not stabilize her mind, instead, she delusionally thought she could take charge of the Duke Residence with the old lady gone, she was exploited and framed the Duke, but by a twist of fate, the old lady ended up being affected.

Xue Han curled her lip in disdain for Lady Du. "When the grandmother was unconscious, Lady Du dressed very plainly to cry and mourn, which made grandfather so angry that he smashed a cup. Later when everything was figured out, Lady Du still wouldn’t admit it."

Zhulan asked, "Is Lady Du still alive?"

Xue Han replied, "She probably won’t survive. The Empress took her away but I could feel that the Empress truly wanted Lady Du’s life. Lady Du was completely paralyzed when she was put on the carriage."

Zhulan pushed the desserts near her to her daughter. "The Empress also acted for the sake of the Ning family."

Xue Han took a bite of the dessert. "Daughter also noticed that it wasn’t just that the Empress had killing intent towards Lady Du, but it was also for the Ning family. Since grandfather has not shown himself, I knew it meant he approved. The Empress taking action was the best choice."

Zhulan, not caring about Lady Du, who had had many opportunities but failed to seize them, thus she was the architect of her own fate, asked, "Isn’t Rongchuan at the Duke Residence?"

Xue Han nodded, "The Crown Prince came this morning and then took Rongchuan with him."

At the Qi Prince Residence, Rongchuan was a bit stunned; he had been brought to the Qi Prince Residence by the Crown Prince. He not only had a meal there but also played chess with Prince Qi.

Prince Qi himself was shocked; he returned home as commanded and thought long about it. Coincidentally, he met the nephew of his wife and heard that the nephew resembled his uncle considerably, which made him think more. Stepping back, he realized many inconsistencies, especially the emperor’s attitude towards Zhang Yang.

The emperor was best to the Crown Prince, but he was also good to his other few sons; the fourth child was the most lively, and the emperor never let him suffer injuries. Not to mention Zhang Jinghong and Zhang Yang, who was already weird, but the last straw was Zhang Yang getting injured.

Especially since he was sure that Zhang Yang had been sterilized; if Zhang Yang had been his own son, the emperor would definitely have protected him.

Eventually, he grew bolder, considering the emperor’s affection for Rongchuan, it was evidently just like for his own son!

Early in the morning, he confronted the Crown Prince, intending to pry some information. Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince very generously told him that Rongchuan was indeed his biological brother!

Rongchuan couldn’t take it anymore, "Your Highness Prince Qi, this servant is concerned about grandmother’s health, and I understand Prince Qi is also busy, so I’ll take my leave first."

Prince Qi, "...."

He felt pity for Rongchuan, who was clearly the true fifth Prince but now recognized as Ning’s son. The emperor really made sacrifices for the Crown Prince. Reflecting a second, what role did the Crown Prince play?

They were used to contending, yet he felt it was the Crown Prince who facilitated this. Today, the Crown Prince’s openness was also a warning to him to stay in line!

Rongchuan had no idea Prince Qi had such thoughts; feeling that Prince Qi’s brain was a bit off after being honest, he even saw sympathy in Prince Qi’s eyes.