Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1111: Excavation

Chapter 1111: Chapter 1111: Excavation

The Zhou family, Zhou Shuren returned home with Chang Zhi, and Zhulan was listening to the fraternal twins recite poetry. Small as they were, they were quite clever, able to memorize the verses with just a few prompts.

Zhulan, seeing Chang Zhi, was surprised, "How come you’re back?"

Chang Zhi’s eyes were fixed on his son and daughter, his mind fully occupied with thoughts of the children. After looking them over a few times, he said, "The son brought a chest to the capital."

Zhulan laughed, "Alright, I won’t ask you anymore, take the two kids out for a bit!"

Chang Zhi grinned broadly. His son and daughter had grown a lot, and after not seeing them for over half a year, he missed them dearly, "Mother, I will take the children and head back first."

Anyway, father was there, and he knew more than he did.

Zhou Shuren changed his clothes and came out, Chang Zhi had already left. The children had initially been a bit estranged, but after warming up to him for a while, they both allowed themselves to be held in his arms.

Zhou Shuren signaled for the maids to leave and then recounted the events that had transpired in the Palace.

Zhulan digested the news for a while, then said softly, "So the keys prove that the Rong family has hidden a great deal of wealth."

Zhou Shuren curled his lip, "It’s a pity that man’s schemes are inferior to those made by heaven, she didn’t tell our mother, and those who knew have died."

Zhulan knew Zhou Shuren was referring to the Emperor’s uncle. She fiddled with the fan in her hand, "I think this gold and silver haven’t left the capital; the most dangerous place is the safest. Moreover, people are quite interesting at times, they truly trust what they see. Who decreed that a cellar can only have one layer?"

Zhou Shuren laughed, "That’s what I think as well. I reckon the Emperor might have come to the same conclusion. Just wait and see, the construction in Rong Yuan that had just commenced will have to halt again."

But in Zhulan’s mind, now that the Zhou family’s status had been confirmed, even though they had been removed by three thousand miles, there were still some connections left. And with Zhou Shuren’s formidable abilities, the future still looked quite promising, "The Rong family has certainly served as a warning to the Emperor!"

They’ve severely trapped the Yao family and the Zhang family. Who could have expected the Rong family’s schemes to be so numerous and so deep? In order to eliminate future troubles, the Emperor will think of a foolproof plan.

Inside the Palace, the Emperor had already notified Prince Qi to halt the construction of Rong Yuan. He knew more, even though he had suppressed it back then, he was aware that the Rong family had poisoned the well. Previously, he had not thought there was anything wrong with their poisoning, as the idea of dragging others down seemed quite right. However, now that he saw the keys, he realized it was wrong; clearly, they did not want anyone to continue digging. This also conveyed a similar mindset of dragging others down with them, so naturally, he would not delve deeper into the Rong family.

The Emperor wanted to investigate the Rong family but needed someone trustworthy. Shi Qing was thus summoned to the Palace.

Shi Qing had performed well over the years, had established his merits, and since his progeny were few, the Emperor trusted him even more. Hence, the digging was assigned to Shi Qing, without the need for too many people, taking their time.

Receiving the order, Shi Qing was delighted. Such an important task was entrusted to him; it signified trust, "Yes."

The Emperor, observing Shi Qing, soon faced the triennial assessment. Stroking his beard, he thought this man should stay in the capital. An idle post would be best, away from prying eyes, "Don’t go during the daytime; proceed at night."

Shi Qing, "Yes."

The Emperor was very pleased with Shi Qing, "You may go now."

The Crown Prince had remained silent. As for Shi Qing, though his father the Emperor was satisfied, he planned to slowly cultivate his own people after his ascension to the throne. Shi Qing would have to step down – not out of distrust for his father, but because he wanted to have complete control over crucial departments in his own hands.

At night, the Zhou family was very curious about Chang Zhi’s sudden return. With a reminder from his father, Chang Zhi said with a smile, "I missed home, and since the ancestral tomb was moved, I wanted to come back and check on it."

Zhou Ladu didn’t believe him but didn’t press further, showing more concern, "Now that the capital’s drought is over, the most important matter at home is the county examination. Do you have confidence in it?"

Chang Zhi smiled, "Yes, big brother, rest assured, I have a plan."

Zhou Ladu, a scholar of minimal achievement, had a brother who also had little interest in studying, but now had no choice but to try. However, despite forcing himself to learn, he made little progress. Turning to their mother, he said, "Mother, we have grown a lot of vegetables on the farms; now that the drought has ended, we have a bit too many."

Zhulan knew too. She looked at her eldest, "What are your thoughts?"

Seeing that his father was also looking at him, the eldest straightened his back and said, "My wife’s pickled vegetables are very tasty, better than those you can buy outside. I went to the Xu family because, after all, there was not much fresh produce available at sea. These pickled vegetables are quite popular. Before, they had asked my wife if she wanted to sell the recipe, but we did not. So, now we plan to give the recipe to the Xu family for free and have them take all our vegetables, including those from my younger sister."

This was certainly no small matter, including the produce from each branch of the family and the parents’. There was even more to say about the younger sister.

Although they still had land to grow grain, they grew a lot of vegetables as well.

Zhulan was very pleased, "It’s a good idea. Go ahead and do it. However, since the recipe belongs to your branch, and the benefits will be shared among the various branches and your younger sister, ten percent of the sales should go to you to compensate for the recipe."

The eldest wanted to say it was not necessary, but Zhou Shuren spoke up, "That’s settled then."

The eldest dared not make a sound anymore. Lady Li’s lips curled into a smile, her eyes almost disappearing in laughter. She was willing to hand over the recipe, but with years of living with her in-laws, she knew better than anyone that her parents-in-law would not let her suffer a loss. Indeed, she didn’t. A large sum of silver flowed into her account.

Zhao and Chang Zhi had no objections. When it came time to grow the vegetables, they also joined in, though it was only on the lands near the capital. The lands in the south still grew grain.

As for the third branch, when they left the capital, they had already entrusted their nearby lands to the eldest branch.

At the Shi household, Shi Qing returned home and didn’t see his son, asking his wife, "Where’s the child?"

Yao Yao replied, "The nanny took him to show my father-in-law."

Shi Qing had a knot in his heart. The reason he had left his father and his legitimate mother alive was entirely for his own sake; they had to live, now more than ever. As he was on the rise, he didn’t want to die because of anyone and perform the filial duty of mourning at home.

So, he had been very attentive to them these past few years. Compared to his mother, who was bedridden, the old man was in a much more comfortable position. He may not have had any say in matters, but now he could at least leave the house.

Fortunately, his career was stable, and his father no longer made trouble. Now, his attention was focused on his grandson.

Yao Yao actually didn’t want her father-in-law to have contact with her son, but she had no choice. Ever since the birth of her son, her father-in-law would come by now and then; if not entering the yard, he would wait outside. Her son needed to go outside for air too; her solution was to have the nanny take the baby over for him to see each day. With a young servant and the nanny there, she could be at ease.

Yao Yao, not asking about work matters, said, "Let’s eat first."

Shi Qing did not move, only holding his son when he was brought back to go eat; the child was his lifeline.

The nanny had already reported what the old man had given, which she had taken charge of and collected.

Shi Qing was satisfied, "You may leave now."

Yao Yao served soup for the two, "You’ve lost weight these past days; eat more."

Shi Qing nodded, "Mm, you too."

The next day, Zhulan was no longer concerned about her family’s melons; all that needed to be eaten had been finished, so she went to visit her daughter and granddaughter.

Xue Han, who was in her month of confinement after childbirth, was not suffering at all, feeling blissful, "Mother, your daughter is fortunate indeed. Ever since the first heavy rain, the temperature dropped, and I haven’t felt uncomfortable at all this half month; I’ve been comfortable."

Zhulan thought to herself that it was because her daughter was the heroine; naturally, she would have good luck. She hadn’t even used any luck in her lifetime, and everything had been well arranged by her and Zhou Shuren. This good fortune came to light after marriage; look at the daughter she had given birth to, "Yes, you are fortunate."

Although it was not widely known in the capital, some words had spread about the day of the child’s birth, but it soon stopped, probably because someone had been warned.

Xue Han’s eyes and eyebrows radiated happiness, and when a person was happy, their appearance reflected it, "When I was giving birth, Rongchuan was so frightened, he even said he didn’t want children for a few years, to give himself a break."