Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1418 Discord

Chapter 1418: Chapter 1418 Discord

Liu Yuanbo felt uneasy, as he had almost called out "second brother" just now, how affectionately that would have been.

Yu Die had already closed the window, and Lin Qing looked at her intently, whispering, "What’s the situation?"

The surprise in the Second Young Master Liu’s eyes just now was clearly seen by her, and he did put on quite a performance!

Yu Die mumbled vaguely, "It’s nothing."

Lin Qing didn’t buy it, but since she hadn’t married Ming Rui after all, she didn’t feel it was her place to pry further, though of course, she would keep her lips sealed.

Yu Die’s ears reddened as her mother had discussed her marriage prospects with her last night, and it was likely to be the Liu family. Her impression of the tight-fisted Second Young Master Liu was indeed profound, and hearing of his recent behavior, Yu Die found him quite amusing.

The Second Young Master Liu had just shown off the newly purchased fabric, this time not haggling over the price and putting on an act of generosity that made her want to laugh.

Ming Teng sent the others away and stood by the carriage on his horse. Liu Yuanbo could only gaze longingly as the carriage departed, yet he felt elated. Today, he had spoken quite a bit to Zhou Yudie - by his count, seven or eight sentences!

Lin Qing pulled back the window curtain, dragging Yu Die over, "So it turns out to be Miss Shangguan. I think she recognized the Heir of Prince Qi; you saw how swiftly she dropped the scholar."

Yu Die pursed her lips, "It seems the stories about scholars and young ladies are all deceptive. Miss Shangguan used the scholar, and the scholar too discovered Miss Shangguan is Mr. Guan’s daughter."

Lin Qing scoffed, "Ladies from prominent families are meticulously cultivated from a young age. How could they dare to err and bring shame to their clan? One misstep could tarnish the reputation of all the girls of the tribe, and they certainly wouldn’t go easy on those with poor judgment."

Yu Die knew more, as her grandmother had told them these stories since they were young.

Hanlin Academy, at the time for closing the government office, Mingyun tidied up the desk and came out to see Wen Rong massaging his eyes, "What’s wrong with your eyes?"

Wen Rong frowned, "Today, my eyelids have been twitching terribly."

His first thought was that it was not a good sign. Ever since his second brother returned to the capital, the Emperor had taken the chance to suppress the Wen family, and lately, they had been keeping a low profile.

Mingyun suggested, "I think you should see a doctor."

Wen Rong smiled, "Thank you, I will go see a doctor."

Mingyun left the Hanlin Academy to find his grandfather’s carriage there, and he was overjoyed, "Grandfather!"

Zhou Shuren smiled, "I just left the palace and thought I’d pick you up on my way home."

Mingyun hastened his steps and climbed into the carriage, not asking his grandfather what he was doing in the palace, "Grandfather, we should wait a moment for my fourth uncle."

Zhou Shuren said, "Let’s not wait for him; we’ll head back first."

Mingyun replied, "I’ll go and call fourth uncle. Since you’re here, he would surely want to go back with us."

Zhou Shuren waved his hand, "No need. Doesn’t he enjoy spending time at the Hanlin Academy? Let him continue to stay there."

Mingyun couldn’t help but laugh out loud; lately, his fourth uncle was coming home later and later. It wasn’t because the Hanlin Academy was that busy but rather because his fourth uncle was repairing an ancient book. Nowadays, he usually went home first, and then the carriage would come back to the Hanlin Academy to wait for his fourth uncle.

Zhou Shuren felt helpless about his fourth son; had the second wife’s family not suddenly risen to prominence, the fourth branch of the family wouldn’t have such an easy time. Who would have imagined Chang Yi would truly make a breakthrough!

Chang Zhi had always loved reading; staying at the Hanlin Academy for him was like a mouse ending up in a rice jar. Without any pressure on him, Chang Zhi was living a very comfortable life.

Wen Rong stood in front of his own carriage motionless. Although they were both grandfathers, his grandfather and Chief of Staff Zhou were different. His grandfather never had such intimate conversations with him and instead, it was mostly demands, all their conversations centered around his expectations.

Wen Rong straightened his back; he was not envious.

The mountain village, Ming Rui and Shangguan Liu are staying together. Ming Rui props a stick against the door and looks at the window while holding a basin of water, tearing off the clothes he changed out of into strips and soaking them in the water.

Shangguan Liu watches in confusion. "What are you doing?"

Ming Rui whispers, "I feel there’s something off about this mountain village; haven’t you noticed there’s not a single elderly person here?"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Liu realizes, "Right, and there are very few children as well."

Ming Rui looks downcast, "Nobody inquired about us when we entered the village either; this isn’t normal. We have blood on our clothes, yet they acted as if they didn’t see it."

Shangguan Liu’s hair stands on end, "We can’t be that unlucky, can we?"

It would be like getting out of the tiger’s den and into the wolf’s lair.

Ming Rui continues, "They didn’t drug our food, and they gave us clothes willingly. Maybe they also don’t want any trouble and just want us to leave quickly. I’m doing this as a precaution."

Shangguan Liu becomes too anxious to sleep, "I won’t sleep tonight either."

Ming Rui touches his dagger, "That’s probably for the best."

He has thought about taking Shangguan Liu and leaving, but he’s afraid that leaving suddenly might startle the enemy and then they would not be able to escape.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan is sorting through her son’s letters, "Our son is diligent in writing his letters; I only get a few from Ming Rui, and I have no idea how he is."

Zhou Shuren is also worried; from his grandson’s letters, he can tell that the Crown Prince is using Ming Rui and Shangguan Liu as a cover, and now that their whereabouts have been exposed, the Grassland Tribe is restless, and there are many who do not wish for the Crown Prince to return to the capital smoothly.

Not to mention the Grassland Tribe, neighboring countries also have their designs; a promising successor is not something the neighboring countries would want to see.

There are also those who hate the royal family, too many people who wish for the Crown Prince’s demise.

Yet a sapling cannot grow into a mighty tree without weathering storms; this journey is significant for the Crown Prince, and even the Emperor must endure his worries for the sake of his son’s growth.

These days the Emperor’s mood has been truly foul, and if it weren’t for the inability to take leave, Doctor Wen would rather be cooped up at home.

Zhulan says, "I’m still worried about Ming Rui; you see, Chang Yi may not express it, but ever since the Crown Prince’s whereabouts were revealed, he’s had ulcers in his mouth. I heard from the Zhao family that Chang Yi has been unable to eat recently."

Zhou Shuren confirms, "Indeed, Chang Yi has lost quite a bit of weight."

If the eldest son of the second wife were to meet some misfortune, Chang Yi and his wife would not be able to bear it.

Meanwhile, back in the mountain village, Ming Rui hears a noise and pricks up his ears, quickly takes out the prepared cloth and covers his mouth and nose, signaling Shangguan Liu to do the same.

Shangguan Liu carefully covers his mouth and nose, staring nervously at the window. The moonlight tonight is bright, casting some light inside the room; Shangguan Liu can see someone standing outside the window.

Shangguan Liu feels a cold sweat down his back; with no real martial strength to speak of and relying solely on Zhou Ming Rui, they will not be able to escape the village.

The person outside the window stands for a while, followed quickly by other noises. It seems there’s quite a number of people outside.

Shangguan Liu feels his heart in his throat; Ming Rui too grips his dagger tightly, wondering whether to flee the village immediately upon realizing the danger but immediately dismisses the idea, knowing that if he overreacted, they would never make it out of the village.

At the entrance of the village, the government soldiers arrive by moonlight, thoroughly exhausted from searching over the mountains; stumbling upon this village, it’s very likely that if the two young masters had left, they would have headed here.

The soldiers enter the village swiftly, making quite a racket.

Ming Rui had initially chosen this particular house on the outskirts precisely because it would be easier to flee if need be. With the departure of the people outside, Ming Rui breathes a sigh of relief.