Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1378: Not Disgraced

Chapter 1378: Chapter 1378: Not Disgraced

The Female Officer said, "Your Majesty, please don’t worry too much, the Imperial Physician said you need to relax and take good care of your health."

The Empress didn’t want to think about it, this child was too unexpected, and with Wen Rong, it disrupted the balance she had maintained. Now, without the energy to suppress her family, she, "vomited"

As she was thinking, she vomited again, tears streaming down, and her head throbbing with pain.

The Female Officer’s eyebrows knotted with worry; the Imperial Physician didn’t dare to say, but she knew the burden this pregnancy was placing on Her Majesty. For the Empress’s health, it would be best not to have this child, yet Her Majesty wished to keep it.

It took a while for the Empress to speak again, "This child will definitely be a daughter."

The Female Officer carefully supported Her Majesty, "You should rest now."

The Empress closed her eyes; she was simply too tired, and she didn’t have the energy to worry anymore.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren looked at the Crown Prince not far from him, "Fourth Son of the Wen family is the top scholar."

The Crown Prince raised his head, "I know."

"This servant is surprised to see the Crown Prince visiting the Ministry of Revenue."

The Crown Prince pointed to the ledger in his hand, "This is what I should be doing."

He didn’t need his maternal family to be too powerful. His mother had understood, but the Wen family had always failed to see. The Wen family had been blinded by power. If Wen Rong was truly wise, the Wen family should have kept a low profile after the pregnancy news of the Empress. Today, the Wen family made too bold a statement.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, now that Wen Rong was rising, the Emperor, in order to balance the powers, would surely have to demote someone from the Wen family. It was just uncertain who it would be. The Emperor would definitely assign a substantial task to the Wen family as a pretext.

The Crown Prince continued to scrutinize the ledger seriously. It was the assignment his father, the Emperor, had left him before he departed the capital. He had a suspicion that by the time he returned to the capital, war would likely be imminent. The Emperor hoped he would learn more, in case he needed to manage logistics and supply movements during the war.

Zhou Shuren also lowered his head to work. The Emperor had seen him alone, and the message had been clear: prepare more grain and other supplies.

War in ancient times was also a battle of logistics and supplies. Many campaigns were lost due to insufficient rations and materials. This was not his first time in charge. During the last campaign in the south, he discovered many problems. This time, he wanted to do better.

The main thoroughfares of the country were now mostly repaired and facilitated transportation, giving them a significant advantage. Once the war began, their side would have too great an edge.

Zhou Shuren unconsciously swayed his writing brush; he aimed to maximize their advantage even further.

At the Wong residence, Yu Lu calculated the time, wondering why her husband still had not returned, her eyes constantly glancing towards the door.

Wong Yun noticed, "Sister-in-law, are you worried about big brother?"

Yu Lu nodded, "According to the time, your brother should have been back by now."

Having heard this, the old mistress of the Wong family said, "Indeed, Wong Wei should have returned by now. Why hasn’t the child come home yet?"

Mrs. Tao said, "The roads must be very congested today. He might take a while to get home."

The old lady, who had been sitting almost all morning and was a bit tired, turned her gaze back to Yu Lu. Looking at her visibly pregnant belly, she perked up a bit.

A quarter-hour later, Wong Wei finally got home and saw his great-grandmother, "Great-Grandma, I’m sorry for coming back late."

Seeing Wong Wei’s face blanched from cold, the old lady felt so distressed, "You must be frozen, come over and warm yourself."

Indeed chilled to the bone, Wong Wei resisted coming closer, "I’m covered in cold; I won’t come over. I’ll warm up over here in a bit."

Since the old lady saw the servant girl bringing a hand stove for Wong Wei, she didn’t insist. There was a pregnant woman by her side; indeed, she couldn’t afford to get cold.

Now Wong Wei was completely at ease, his tone light and cheerful as he recounted the events of the day at the examination hall.

Yu Lu watched her husband quietly. Ever since he had overcome the hurdle of the imperial examination, he seemed reinvigorated. She hadn’t told her husband that in the past few days he had been talking in his sleep, either mumbling about the impossibility of failing or asking why his rank was close to last.

Dreamtalk is all about the husband’s pressure; this is the pressure of being the eldest son and grandson of a noble family, enjoying the resources and expecting to give back to the clan.

The young couple sat for a while longer before taking their leave. The evening would bring the main event as great-grandfather and grandfather returned; having been greeted with congratulations during the day, grandmother was hosting.

Wong Wei returned to his own yard, and as soon as he entered the house he couldn’t resist lifting his wife and spinning twice in joy, "My lady, I ranked ninth, I did not disgrace the Wong family."

Yu Lu patted her husband’s shoulder, "I know you’re excited, I understand your happiness, but you must be careful with my belly."

The old maid and serving girls who came in with them were shocked. The maid recovered first, exclaiming, "Oh my, the belly, the belly."

Wong Wei gently set his wife down, touching his nose, "I was careful."

The old maid pushed past her young master to ask, "Do you feel any discomfort anywhere?"

Yu Lu smiled and shook her head, "Both the child and I are fine."

The old maid breathed a sigh of relief and turned to the young master, "Master must not make any dangerous moves next time."

Wong Wei touched his nose, "Noted."

At the Zhou family, Zhulan also knew whether any members of the Zhou clan were listed in the examination results. This time there were three candidates, all of a certain age, with the oldest being forty-three. Chang Qi, the eldest, passed with a ranking towards the end.

In the evening, Zhou Shuren brought up Chang Qi, "When I saw him, I asked if he planned to stay in the capital should he succeed."

Zhulan asked curiously, "How did he respond?"

"He said he didn’t wish to stay in the capital."

Zhulan said, "The affair with Ming Shan has caused our clan to become apprehensive about the capital."

"Yes, it’s probably good that they are fearful."

Zhulan remembered another matter, "Did you know that Prince Liang is ill? I hear he can’t even leave his bed."

Zhou Shuren’s hand paused from turning pages, "I had not heard that. In recent years, the Prince Liang Residence has kept such a low profile. Apart from appearing at important imperial court gatherings, Prince Liang isn’t seen much otherwise."

Zhulan said, "The Empress is having a particularly difficult pregnancy this time. I’ve heard from girls that she is not receiving visitors anymore."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "The Empress had injured herself when she was the Crown Princess Consort, which might be related to the Prince Liang Residence. Perhaps they fear the Emperor will remember and create trouble, and Prince Liang is preempting by feigning illness."

"I was thinking the same. By the way, is the Crown Prince’s entourage for leaving the capital truly under Prince Chu’s responsibility?"

Zhou Shuren laughed, "You’re better informed than I am, even at home."

"Just tell me whether this piece of news is true?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head, "The Emperor trusts Prince Qi more among the princes."

Zhulan understood, "So, it is Prince Qi who is accompanying the Crown Prince out of the capital."

"Yes, this task is not an enviable one. If it’s carried out well, there’s no reward; if not, all blame falls there. With the ambition of the Grassland Tribes on the rise, accompanying the Crown Prince is a laborious assignment."

Zhulan furrowed her brow slightly, "At such a time, the Emperor still insists on the Crown Prince leaving the capital?"

Zhou Shuren closed his book and did not look at it anymore, "The Emperor has his own considerations."

The Emperor does not gamble with his sons; I believe the Emperor will make proper arrangements.

Zhou Shuren could also guess the Emperor’s thoughts; the Crown Prince is still too immature, having not withstood significant trials and tribulations. How can a sapling grow into a towering tree? This trip also presents a rare opportunity for growth. Once the conflicts end, it will be difficult to find such opportunities for the Crown Prince. The Emperor is going to great lengths for the development of the Crown Prince.