Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1117: Frustration

Chapter 1117: Chapter 1117: Frustration

The following day, Zhulan and her daughter entered the palace together; they were ordered by the Empress to bring the child back home. Zhulan wondered how Lin Xi could leave the palace, but within the Empress’s bedchamber, she saw another child.

Zhang Yang’s son had been accidentally dropped by Zhang Yang yesterday. Zhulan was still wondering whether the child was dead or alive, only to discover he had actually been brought into the palace.

The Empress held Lin Xi in her arms, reluctantly handing her over to Xue Han, "Bring the child to the palace more often in the future, no, never mind, take Lin Xi home and take good care of her."

Xue Han was extremely happy; she had just been longing for her daughter yesterday, and today she was taking her out of the palace, "Yes."

Suddenly, another infant cried out. The Empress hid her impatience well; if she hadn’t been worried that Zhang Yang would kill the child, the Emperor wouldn’t have brought him into the palace, and she wouldn’t have had to send her granddaughter out of the palace.

Zhulan glanced from the corner of her eye towards the curtain where a palace maid was carefully holding and coaxing the crying child, listening to the sound of the cries, it seemed the child hadn’t been injured yesterday.

Seeing that her granddaughter was also pursing her lips to cry, the girl was especially good at crying, making her granddaughter cry too. The Empress had wanted to talk a bit more with Lady Yang, but decided against it, "You should leave the palace now."

Zhulan and her daughter paid their respects before withdrawing, led out of the palace by a Female Officer.

Xue Han held her daughter and never let go, feeling immensely grateful for the fifth Prince’s child entering the palace.

At the palace gate, they got onto a horse-drawn carriage, and Zhulan, who had been silent throughout the journey, finally spoke, "I will take you back to the Duke Residence."

Xue Han, holding her child, said, "I won’t go back. I told father yesterday that I wanted to stay a few more days. Mother, I’ll take Lin Xi and stay a bit longer, you haven’t had the chance to spend time with your granddaughter properly!"

Zhulan took her granddaughter, the little girl well cared for by the Empress, fat and white, now looking around with wide-open eyes, "Alright, let’s go home."

Xue Han’s lips curved into a smile; she slightly opened the carriage curtain and said to the young servant outside, "Tell the Princely Heir that the young miss has left the palace."

The young servant, "Yes."

Zhulan had just gotten home when the Xu family had already been waiting for a while. This time it was Xu’s eldest, who had been gradually taking charge of the family affairs over the years.

The eldest of the Xu family paid his respects before saying, "This is a letter from the second master."

Zhulan’s eyes lit up with joy; Chang Yi had been away for some time, and this was his first letter home, "Thank you for the trouble."

The eldest Xu had a naive face and laughed naively, "It’s my duty. The second master also brought back some food; I’ve already given it to the steward."

Zhulan didn’t rush to read the letter but instead inquired, "How is your mother’s health now?"

The eldest Xu sighed, "It’s still not getting better."

The family had already prepared the coffin and shroud early on, grateful for the Crown Prince’s favor. The Imperial Physician had examined her, but her mother didn’t have much time left.

Zhulan understood; since the previous year, the old Madam Xu had been ill, and it seemed she wouldn’t pull through.

The eldest Xu spoke a little more, then took his leave.

Only then did Zhulan pick up Chang Yi’s letter. In it, Chang Yi wrote about the events in the surrounding countries and said he’d return later than expected because he had some investigations to carry out. He asked his family not to worry. There was another letter within; seeing "For my wife’s eyes only," Zhulan didn’t read it, handing the letter to Qing Xue, "Take this to the second madam."

At Hou Residence, Yao Wenqi was so frustrated he felt like spitting blood. Zhou Shuren’s ancestral background was easy to investigate. This branch of the Zhou family had fallen on hard times before they merged into the Clan, unsuccessful in the imperial examinations, and later settled in Zhou family village. As for Zhou Shuren’s mother, his premonition had come true; the root of the issue lay with her.

Yet for so long, the Zhou family remained the Zhou family, Zhou Shuren hadn’t changed at all, and the Emperor hadn’t paid much attention. This made him uncertain of his next move.

Therefore, he was desperate for news, trying to infiltrate people within the Zhou family is now proving too difficult.

The more he thought about it, the more depressed he became; it was tough to place his people among the Zhou’s Servants. Sending people to court Zhou’s eldest was fruitless, as he stayed in his manor with no progress made, and targeting the eldest grandson of the Zhou family was even trickier, as he was even sharper.

These days, the schemes were nonstop, yet Zhou Shuren’s eldest grandson hadn’t fallen for them even once.

The steward suggested, unable to hold back, "Mr. Hou, among Zhou Shuren’s sons, Zhou Changli is the least noticeable. Do you think we should make our move starting with him?"

Yao Wenqi furrowed his brows, "And keep a close eye on Zhou Changyi as well."

He couldn’t understand why the failsafe beauty trick kept failing with the Zhou family.

Zhulan didn’t know about Yao Wenqi’s frustration; knowing for sure she had to raise her hand to signify her contribution.

At the Zhou family’s manor, the refugees from the drought had gradually been returning to their hometowns, leaving some still in the manor.

Zhou Changli, checking on the chicks with the manor’s steward, was surprised, "These chicks are well-raised."

They looked noticeably spirited.

The steward smiled, "These chicks were raised by the Liu siblings. I had my doubts when they said they could do it, but now I believe them."

Zhou Changli said, "Bring them to me; I want to have a look."

The steward replied, "Yes."

By the time the siblings arrived, Zhou Changli already knew their basic information—refugees from the drought who would have had to work if they returned to their hometown. There was a wage for work in the manor, so when their parents left, the siblings stayed.

Seeing the siblings, Changli was taken aback; they were good-looking and young, around sixteen or seventeen. He inquired, "You’ve done a good job raising the chicks. Share your experiences with others. This is your reward."

A young servant had already brought forward two silver taels.

The Liu siblings happily accepted, "Thank you, sir."

Changli smiled and gestured for them to leave. However, the sister twisted her ankle, and Changli reflexively took a big step back. The girl fell solidly onto the stone floor.

Frowning, Changli looked at the young servants staring straight at the Liu girl, his brows knitting even more tightly after the siblings left.

He instructed the steward, "That girl is beautiful, which could be a disaster to keep in the manor—there are too many young men here. Ask if she’s betrothed. If not, arrange a match for her. If she is, send someone to escort her back to her hometown."

The steward was taken aback, then chuckled, "Yes."

That evening, when Changli returned home, he mentioned it. Lady Li felt indifferent; Mingyun gave her father a few curious glances, while Zhulan, hearing her son’s reaction and solution, couldn’t help but laugh.

Mingyun also found it funny, clearly aimed at their father, yet unfortunately, their father was too thick-skinned and straightforward in his thinking.

At the Shi residence, Shi Qing came back and didn’t see his son, so he headed straight to his father’s courtyard. Before entering, he could hear his son’s laughter from inside.

Old Master Shi heard the door opening and saw his son, twitching his mouth corners before finally saying, "You’ve come to pick up the child."

Shi Qing hummed a response, walked over, and took his son from his father’s lap. His father and son had been roughhousing, hair disheveled. Shi Qing picked up the child quickly, only glancing once, "It’s time for the child to eat."

Old Master Shi mustered his courage, "He could actually stay and eat here with me."

There was a faint expression on Shi Qing’s face, "No need."

Old Master Shi adjusted his hair, looking down.

Once outside, Shi Qing paused, furrowing his brows and pondered carefully. But when he heard his son say he was hungry, he forgot it all again.