Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1076: Tampering

Chapter 1076: Chapter 1076: Tampering

In the blink of an eye, it had been seven days, and Zhulan was busy. The rainy weather had finally cleared, and the farms needed urgent plowing and sowing; there were many tasks to complete each day.

At the Zhou residence, Lady Li was busily caring for the children. Ming Jung was particularly clingy to Lady Li, who could only manage her own small courtyard.

Lady Zhao was in charge of managing the household and also had to arrange the business of the second wife. The second wife’s affairs were extensive, leaving Lady Zhao very busy.

It was not only the capital racing to plow and sow fields; the same was true everywhere, leading to a shortage of seeds. In many places, people were forced to plant crops like sweet potatoes.

Zhulan had prepared early, but there were still not enough seeds. It was the Xu family who helped find seeds from overseas.

The price of overseas seeds had increased, but, due to price control, the increase was not excessive.

Zhulan felt that the temperature was rising quickly. After it stopped raining, the temperature increased every day, with significant fluctuations, making her feel somewhat lethargic.

Old Mrs. Song entered, "Lady Liu has arrived."

Zhulan’s spirits lifted slightly, "Please, invite her in."

It wasn’t long before Lady Liu entered the room, fanning herself with a handkerchief, "This weather is truly abnormal, it feels like we have jumped straight into summer."

Zhulan handed her a cup of iced tea, "Isn’t that the truth? I really fear a severe drought, the droughts from years past are still vivid in my memory."

Lady Liu, having drunk the iced tea, felt much better, "Indeed, our master at home also keeps mentioning it."

Zhulan, fanning herself, asked, "Isn’t your family busy?"

Lady Liu, smiling, replied, "My daughters-in-law are busy, but I am relatively free. That’s why I came to have a chat with you. But speaking of which, you really don’t like to go out."

Zhulan, who preferred staying at home comfortably, saw no need to go out unless necessary, "As I age, I prefer not to move much. Besides, there is too much gossip in the capital. It’s more comfortable at home."

Seeing that the maids were outside, Lady Liu spoke in a low voice, "Ning Zhiqi has been back to her parents’ house for three days now, and Ning Zhiqi has gone to pick her up several times without success. It’s hard for me, her aunt by marriage, to ask. Ah, this girl doesn’t tell us anything, and her mother is so anxious."

Zhulan set down the fan in her hand, "I thought there was a reason you visited on such a hot day. Are you here to gather news?"

Lady Liu spread her hands, "Aren’t we close enough? And isn’t it our duty as elders to worry about the younger generation? Ning Zhiqi keeps everything to herself, and it pains those of us who are elders. Your daughter is favored by the old Duchess, I can only ask for your help."

Zhulan did know something. Her daughter could not attend the banquet and could only visit her parental home. She had come back a few days ago, infuriated and had spoken a few harsh words, "Ning Zhiqi has always had a strong character; I admire her for that."

Lady Liu felt upset, "Who doesn’t say that? Ning Zhiqi is most loved by our old lady. I also doted on her when she was younger. She can endure a lot, but this time returning to her parents’ house, she really couldn’t bear it anymore."

Zhulan thought to herself, Ning Zhiqi must have been troubled by Lady Du and hadn’t mentioned anything to her family, which was typical, as the Song family had to consider the Duke Residence’s reputation, "You shouldn’t worry too much. Ning Zhiqi knows what she’s doing; you raised her, after all."

Lady Liu didn’t respond, more certain that Zhulan knew something but couldn’t say. Thinking of Ning Zhiqi’s indifferent expression saddened her, "Ah."

She always felt that Ning Zhiqi marrying Ning Zhiqi was a waste, and now there was nothing that could be done.

At the Song family, Ning Zhiqi saw off Lady Bai and absently fiddled with the flowers in a vase, occasionally lost in thought.

Ning Ting, seeing her mother this way, felt heartbroken. During her parents’ quarrel, she had been delivering something and had heard everything clearly. She felt her mother didn’t deserve this—why should her father displace his anger onto her mother, when it was clearly her grandmother’s fault, "Mother."

Ning Zhiqi came back to her senses. Initially, taking her children back to her parental home had been impulsive, but stepping out of the Duke Residence had felt exhilarating, especially exhilarating. She had endured for her husband and children, but now, why should she? Her husband had come several times to apologize, but she didn’t accept his apologies, and now was not the time to accept them, "Mother knows what she’s doing. Don’t worry about me."

Ning Ting, "Daughter just feels sorry for you."

Ning Zhiqi chuckled softly, "There’s nothing to feel sorry about. I’m soon to become the Duchess, Mother is not aggrieved."

She now thought very clearly, since it wasn’t worth it, why should she upset herself? She needed to think about how to handle her husband, for the sake of the children and for herself.

Before, she had been too virtuous, tolerating her mother-in-law and accommodating her husband out of virtue, but to what end? She had gained nothing, so there was no need to be virtuous anymore.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren held the list to confirm, checked it several times, then stamped it and handed it to Lei Langzhong, "Take this to collect the silver."

Lei Langzhong froze, "Sir, do we need to buy so much grain?"

Zhou Shuren replied, "Hmm, just taking precautions."

After this year’s spring plowing was finished, the abnormal temperature had everyone fearful of a poor harvest and even more afraid of drought. The weather was too abnormal. Both the Emperor and the Crown Prince paid close attention, reviewing the daily reports from various regions.

Lei Langzhong, holding the report, said, "Your subordinate will take his leave."

"Hmm."

Qiu Yan spoke up, "Some days ago, we dispatched ships to purchase grain seeds."

Even a round trip to the neighboring countries took quite a bit of time.

Zhou Shuren remained silent. Recently, expenses had been high, silver flowed from the national treasury like water. He recalled several historical severe droughts—when the climate was temperamental, there was really nothing humans could do, even in the future. The power of nature continued to be feared.

Zhou Shuren estimated the time. He had a meeting scheduled with Mr. Fang from the Ministry of Works, "I’m going to the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue is in your hands."

Qiu Yan replied, "Okay."

Zhou Shuren disliked the carriages from the Ministry of Revenue. It wasn’t that those carriages were bad, but he just didn’t like their design. With the weather hot, he preferred to ride in his own carriage.

The coachman from the Ministry of Revenue had received the message and was already awaiting at the entrance of the Ministry.

Zhou Shuren frowned, "I will not use the Ministry’s carriage. Send the carriage back."

The coachman was stunned, "Sir, you had just notified to use the carriage, why not now?"

Zhou Shuren paused in turning around, "I never sent anyone to notify."

The coachman furrowed his brow, "Sir, I wouldn’t misremember. I was notified just now, and even asked twice to make sure."

Zhou Shuren scrutinized the coachman, then silently took a step back. The coachman was a veteran at the Ministry, having driven for over a decade. This mistake wasn’t likely.

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, he was not an official who followed conventions. If another official were to leave, they would undoubtedly take the Ministry’s carriage. But not him; he signaled discreetly to Jin Yan.

Jin Yan grew nervous and carefully went to inspect the carriage. As the coachman realized, he widened his eyes, his lips trembling.

Jin Yan soon returned from his inspection, stating, "The carriage wheel has been tampered with, and—"

Zhou Shuren, valuing his life dearly, asked, "And what?"

Jin Yan pursed his lips, "It’s not yet clear, the carriage needs a thorough inspection, sir. You’ll need to wait a while to go to the Ministry of Works."

Zhou Shuren felt it inappropriate to go out today. He stepped back, "No, I won’t go to the Ministry of Works today. Later, someone can go and speak to Mr. Fang."

Jin Yan, also worried that insisting on going might lead to an accident, relaxed, "Sir, you should go back to rest."

Zhou Shuren’s gaze grew stern. He needed to investigate thoroughly, "I’ll leave this matter to you."