Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1386: Twins

Chapter 1386: Chapter 1386: Twins

Zhou Shuren regretted his actions, having had an unsatisfactory dinner. When he returned home, he asked the kitchen to make wontons.

Zhulan was changing her clothes and said, "I told you not to go over there, yet you put on your official robes and went directly to their door."

Zhou Shuren replied, "The Jiang family has been in the capital for many years, yet they seem to be growing more cowardly."

"You don’t realize the aura you carry with you. Our children are used to being around you, but try that with some other family’s children. Moreover, although our family disregards what the Jiang family does, Jiang Sheng’s parents will remember it forever. Seeing you, they will only feel more nervous and afraid."

After changing his clothes, Zhou Shuren said, "If they still care about it, then I thought they would have stopped caring long ago."

"You’re wrong, as long as our family is doing well, they’ll only care more and more."

Zhou Shuren spread his hands out, "In the future, I won’t visit them personally."

He then asked, "When will Jiang Ming and his spouse arrive in the capital?"

"I heard from Xue Mei today that they will arrive in three days."

Zhou Shuren said, "I thought Jiang Mufan would stay in the capital after his wedding, but this chap actually wants to go back to Zhou Village. It really took me by surprise."

Having seen the Zhou family’s resources, yet still wanting to return, this child has ambition.

Zhulan remarked, "The child made this decision considering various factors. Besides, with Jiang Ming as the father, Mufan has his own resources."

Even though he can’t be helped in the official circles, Jiang Ming’s degree is genuine. He is more than qualified to instruct his own son.

In the blink of an eye, three days passed, and Jiang Ming and his spouse arrived. Zhulan, buoyant with joy, found the couple looking quite youthful.

Meanwhile, in the court, the third legitimate son of the Wen family was demoted and sent out of the capital. Some who had anticipated this were not surprised, but those shocked by it were the ones unfamiliar with the Emperor’s thoughts.

The youngest son of the Wen family had already caught up with the eldest in terms of power, and now being demoted from the capital, this was devastating for the youngest son who was usually full of pride.

During this morning’s court session, faint glances fell upon Old Master Wen, who requested a few days leave and seemed to have aged a lot.

Some restless ministers all shrank back; the Emperor was truly ruthless. The Empress was still pregnant, and the Wen family had just produced a Top scorer!

Zhou Shuren was also awed by the Emperor’s swift and decisive actions, the mark of a mature and uncompromising ruler who did not tolerate any challenge to his authority.

After the morning court, Old Master Wen was still accompanied by many, but Zhou Shuren quickly walked away with his hands behind his back, not wanting to draw the old master’s ire.

Wong Ju was absent from court today; Zhou Shuren was followed by Qiu Yan, who kept his head down after leaving the palace until he got into the carriage, after which he finally perked up.

In a low voice, Qiu Yan said, "My lord is aware that my home is quite close to the Wen family’s."

"Mhm, you’ve told me about it."

Qiu Yan continued, "The Wen family has been in quite an uproar these past few days. It’s said that Old Master Wen’s prideful youngest son coughed up blood."

"Really?"

Qiu Yan nodded, "It’s true, they called a doctor that night. Old Master Wen’s youngest son used to look down on everyone, but being demoted from the capital hit him hard."

Zhou Shuren spoke somberly, "What happened today is the result of past actions; where there’s a cause, there will be an effect. If he hadn’t done anything shameful, if he hadn’t been caught red-handed, it would be hard for anyone to make a case against him. After all is said and done, if he blames anyone, he should blame himself. No one else is responsible."

You’re the one who jumped the highest; who else should the Emperor keep an eye on but you?

Qiu Yan commented, "This young master will never look for reasons within himself. After this incident, the third branch of the Wen family hates the main branch to death."

Zhou Shuren fell silent. The Emperor’s schemes had achieved their goal. Old Master Wen valued his three legitimate sons, prioritized the eldest, and doted on the youngest; otherwise, the youngest son would not have been able to leap to the same heights in official rank as the eldest son.

Despite his reluctance, the youngest son of Minister Wen recovered from his illness and still left the capital. He embarked on his duty alone, without taking his wife and children, traveling by horse-drawn carriage.

It was a joyful occasion for the Zhou family, as their granddaughter was married on an auspicious day. Zhulan lamented the loss of her book-loving Miumiu, as yet another girl from the family was married off.

Xue Mei was the first to marry off a daughter. Unable to see her daughter after she left home, Xue Mei couldn’t help herself and kept wiping away tears.

Jiang Sheng, as a father, also had tears welling up in his eyes. Unable to hold them back, they fell.

There you have it, the couple crying together, which caused the youngest of the Jiang family, Jiang Lei, to start crying as well.

Zhulan, "..."

This scene was all too familiar; the eldest daughter and her partner had also sent off their daughter in the same way.

Now, after sending off her granddaughter, Zhulan was ready to return to her residence with Zhou Shuren.

On the way back, Zhulan suddenly laughed. Zhou Shuren, surprised, asked, "Why are you suddenly so cheerful?"

"Lately, the rumors about our daughters have spread and more people are believing them. The Tao and Hu families are especially convinced, and Yu Lu is almost being worshipped by the Tao family."

Zhou Shuren’s beard twitched, "Those rascals Ming Hui and the others."

Zhulan laughed even louder, "Indeed, who would have thought that so many people would believe the words of a few youngsters."

When matchmakers came knocking at her door these past few days, she was baffled. Given their standing, proposals wouldn’t come directly to their doorstep; usually, both parties would have agreed privately before following the formalities to avoid embarrassment. After all, everyone values their face.

Only later did she find out about the rumors of being a bringer of good fortune to husbands. She was speechless at the time, and even after explaining to the Tao family, they became more convinced about the good fortune once they knew the origin of the rumors.

Zhou Shuren said, "If Yu Lu bears a son, just watch. Even more suitors will come asking for her hand."

"Anyway, Yu Die and the others are still young; we’re not in a hurry."

Zhulan added, "I heard from the matriarch of the Lin family that the arranged match for Wen Rong by the Wen family with the Luo family fell through."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "The Luo family, huh? That’s not a good match either."

Zhulan asked, "Have you seen Wen Rong? There have always been rumors that he was beaten by his uncle, saying his face was nearly disfigured. I don’t know if it’s true."

"It’s probably true."

"What a grudge this must be."

Zhou Shuren let out a cold laugh, "Minister Wen’s legitimate youngest son won’t be able to return to the capital in the future. He will have to dutifully serve as an official in the provinces. How great do you think the grudge is?"

Zhulan, speechless, "But it was his own fault to begin with."

"Let’s not talk about the Wen family anymore. Tell me about Jiang Ping and Jiang An."

Zhulan asked, "You mention it and now I’m curious too, these two boys disappeared after the New Year. Every time I asked you, you were evasive. Are you ready to tell me now?"

Zhou Shuren nodded, "The two boys look too similar to each other. Chang Yi wanted to train them. After the Emperor found out, he inquired about them, and they both daringly agreed. By the time I knew, the Emperor’s men had already taken them away."

He sighed before continuing, "The Emperor’s response to me was also vague, and that’s why I was vague with you. After Jiang Miu’s wedding, I asked the Emperor privately. The Emperor told me that the twins had already set sail."

Zhulan almost collapsed when she heard this, startling Zhou Shuren, "Don’t scare me like that."

Zhulan’s eyes blazed with anger, "How could those two rascals not discuss it with the family? Serving the Emperor is no light task, constantly facing the risk of losing one’s life!"