Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1075: Open Strategy

Chapter 1075: Chapter 1075: Open Strategy

Duke Ning resented his son, but resented himself even more. He hated that he should have acted earlier, rather than thinking to wait a while, "I don’t know if there’s resentment in your heart, but if you are to resent anyone, resent me. I agreed to it."

Ning Hui had no resentment, only regret, "Your son harbors no grudge."

Every time Duke Ning thought about it, if it weren’t for his wife, had he truly died, she surely would have been unable to withstand the blow and would have followed him in death. Although Lady Du would still be captured, the Duke Residence would be finished, too. His eldest grandson was not capable of supporting the Duke Residence, the second grandson had his own schemes, and his third son was without progeny. The Duke Residence would fall into decline.

The Duke no longer looked at his second son, "Take good care of yourself. I don’t want to hear rumors that you died for Lady Du."

That would truly enrage him to death.

Prince Qi and Prince Liang met, and Prince Liang had a request for Prince Qi, "Big brother, I’ve been investigating the living members of the Rong family, but I haven’t found any clues. I ask for brother’s help."

Prince Qi thought to himself that ever since he had stepped down, Prince Chu and Prince Liang had become much more polite to him. He had to guard against the younger two trying to win him over but wouldn’t offend them needlessly. After some thought, it was indeed necessary to investigate the Rong family, and it could also help him uncover some information he wanted to know, "You can make inquiries at the Hou Residence."

Prince Liang wasn’t foolish, "Big brother seems quite concerned about the Hou Residence?"

"The great families left from the former dynasty are few and far between. The Yao family held high positions and power in the former dynasty. It would be inconceivable if the Yao family knew nothing, right?"

Prince Liang had also considered the Hou Residence, but had not visited because the Yao family had experienced continuous troubles, "It seems, indeed, that I should make a visit to the Hou Residence."

Prince Qi asked, "Have you checked who swallowed up all the assets of the Rong family’s clan?"

Prince Liang had naturally checked. They were all sons of the Emperor, all with clear minds, "I didn’t find anything useful."

Prince Qi spoke in a low voice, "You didn’t find anything, huh? The traces have really been wiped clean."

He thought about asking the Crown Prince what he had seen at the Zhang family’s estate.

Two days later, Zhulan arrived at the Qi Prince Residence. The number of guests at the Qi Prince Residence’s flower banquet was not large. This was a decline, the power of Prince Qi had vanished, and even though Prince Qi still served the Emperor, the number of flatterers had decreased.

Princess Qi stayed hidden within the residence. She didn’t share the prince’s breadth of mind. If it weren’t for the prince’s orders to hold the flower banquet, she would still be hiding within, facing the empty seats. Her face changed again, the feeling of decline too hard to bear.

Princess Liang covered her smirk with a fan. Their several people’s grudges were far from over, "Sister-in-law, you look so pale. Did you not rest well?"

Princess Qi, "I’m repulsed by certain people I see."

Princess Liang lowered her fan, "Ungrateful at heart. I came especially concerned that sister-in-law’s face might look bad, and true enough, I guessed correctly. Look at these empty seats."

Princess Qi glared, furious, "You..."

"What are you quarreling about?"

Everyone looked, and to their surprise, the Crown Princess Consort had come, and not just by herself but with her sister-in-law from her natal family. No one had expected the Crown Princess Consort to attend.

The Crown Princess Consort looked at the empty seats, and several sisters-in-law of the Crown Prince took a hint and seated themselves, then the Crown Princess Consort smiled, "I heard that my sister-in-law was hosting a flower banquet, and I happened to run into my sister-in-law from home, so I came uninvited."

Princess Qi’s emotions were mixed. She hadn’t invited the Crown Princess Consort, but not only had she come, she had also saved her face. She went up to her and personally assisted her, "I couldn’t wish for my elder sister-in-law to visit more often. Please sit here, big sister."

Zhulan sipped her tea, gazing at the Crown Princess Consort, the Crown Prince’s virtuous helpmeet. Her timing was perfect, her presence advantageous. With the Crown Prince’s position secure and her future as Empress ensured, her support for Princess Qi today would not go unnoticed. Once the news spread, the Qi Prince Residence would no longer be looked down upon.

Moreover, it would send a message that Prince Qi had been subdued by the Crown Prince—it was an open and strategic ploy.

Princess Chu had been silent throughout, ruminating over the Crown Princess Consort’s actions. If this was the Crown Prince’s doing, Princess Chu felt a sinking feeling within her; with Prince Qi submissive and the Crown Prince overseeing state affairs, Princess Chu sighed.

As the flower banquet commenced, Princess Qi’s smile brightened, and her tone towards the Crown Princess Consort became unwittingly more fawning, "All the flowers seem to know Big Sister has arrived, look how vibrant they are. Whichever pot Big Sister likes, I shall gift it to her."

The Crown Princess Consort was very pleased with Princess Qi’s attitude, "I think they all look lovely. Would you really part with any of them?"

Princess Qi felt the sting of relinquishing them, but responded firmly, "If Big Sister likes them, of course."

The Crown Princess Consort smiled, "Younger Sister loves flowers the most, and I wouldn’t dream of taking what you cherish. Just looking at them today is enough."

Princess Qi breathed a sigh of relief, but the Crown Princess Consort added, "You should visit the Crown Prince’s estate more often in the future."

Zhulan, upon hearing this, observed Princess Liang’s displeased demeanor and Princess Chu’s expressionless face. The Crown Princess Consort had been deliberately ignoring both princesses.

Today’s drama was truly a spectacle to behold, with the Crown Princess Consort as the protagonist, controlling the entire scene, a master among masters.

Zhulan listened to the conversations around her. The Crown Princess Consort’s sisters-in-law from her natal family were also no simpletons; in such a short time, they had become chummy with the family of Princess Qi, appearing like intimate friends of many years.

The flower banquet ended early. Following behind the Crown Princess Consort, Zhulan left the grand gates of the Qi Prince Residence. The Crown Princess Consort spoke, "Lady Yang, there is no rush to leave. I have long wanted to have a chat with you. How about we share a carriage ride today?"

Zhulan, "It would be my honor."

The Crown Princess Consort felt a mix of emotions, having only recently learned that Rongchuan was the Crown Prince’s full brother, and Zhou Xuehan his younger sister.

It was Zhulan’s first time in the Crown Princess Consort’s carriage, which was not particularly luxurious but elegantly furnished, with only one Female Officer inside.

The Crown Princess Consort smiled, "When I visit the palace, Mother often speaks of you, saying you are excellent at raising children."

Zhulan hurriedly replied, "I hardly deserve such praise."

Yet, the Crown Princess Consort felt the praise was merited. Rongchuan had been raised by the Zhou family, and his excellence was well recognized. Considering this, she said, "Lady, do not be modest. You should visit the Crown Prince’s estate more often; I would like to seek your advice too."

Zhulan felt the Crown Princess Consort’s warmth towards her was excessive today. In the past, the Crown Princess Consort had been merely courteous towards her; now, her enthusiasm seemed over the top, which was not right. Suddenly, it struck her—could it be that the Crown Prince had divulged Rongchuan’s origins to the Crown Princess Consort? The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

In the Duke Ning’s Residence, Xue Han handed a handkerchief to Lady Du, "Big Sister, don’t keep it all bottled up. If you feel like crying, just cry. There’s no one else here."

Unable to hold back any longer, Lady Du’s tears began to flow uncontrollably, "My heart truly aches. These past days, fussing and bustling about, and then..."

She stopped abruptly, unable to continue. This was something that happened within her own home, yet the more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Managing the aftermath for her mother-in-law, coping with her husband’s recovery—all while today’s careless words had deeply wounded her.

Listening to her sobbing, Xue Han’s heart ached. She felt her big sister’s pain was unjust. Although Lady Du hadn’t said it outright, Xue Han could guess—Lady Du had passed away, and with her death, all the negativity went too. As Lady Du’s biological son, her older brother would remember her fondness, disregarding the numerous times Lady Du had mistreated his big sister or had been punished by the grandmother.

Her brother must be holding some resentment towards Big Sister. Given how strong a person Big Sister was, to be crying like this meant her heart was genuinely broken and sorrowful.