Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1423: Father and Son

Chapter 1423: Chapter 1423: Father and Son

Zhou Shuren and the senior Shangguan left the government hall, having traversed half the way out of the palace, the senior had not uttered a word.

Zhou Shuren looked at the senior with puzzlement, "Why are you so lost in thought, Sir?"

The senior Shangguan hesitated, having been unable to interject since they entered the government hall—his mind was now filled with silver and gold!

Zhou Shuren touched his own face, "Sir, looking at me, is there something amiss?"

"You are fine," he said.

True to the Minister of Revenue, he talks of nothing but silver, his words weighing heavily on my mind; I would rather the Shangguan family discuss literature than silver.

The senior Shangguan felt a need to express, "It is thanks to your grandson that Lu’er survived; this kindness is not forgotten by this old man."

Zhou Shuren, this time, did not insist on dismissing the concern, "It was merely good fortune."

The senior Shangguan thought to himself, what a sly fox. As they reached the palace gate, the senior waved his hand and boarded his carriage to leave.

At the Ministry of Rites, Chang Yi had already learned that his son was unharmed and said to Sir Liu, "I told you, without seeing for ourselves, no one should jump to conclusions."

A number of colleagues hinted yesterday, in the open or in secret, that my son had died.

Today, at last, I can breathe a sigh of relief; not only is my son unharmed, but he also made a significant contribution. Truly, he is his father’s son.

Sir Liu also rejoiced for the Zhou family. The better it fared, the more his future in-laws—the Liu family—would benefit. "Ming Rui has survived the great danger; he has much prospects ahead!"

Chang Yi laughed heartily, "Let me tell you, my son is just like me; we’re both blessed with great fortune."

Sir Liu thought to himself, here we go again. With Zhou’s emotions running high these past days, his boasting won’t end anytime soon today.

The Lin family matriarch kept chanting Amitabha, showing no sign of her previous agitation, her face beaming with joy, "Zhou Mingrui is blessed with good fortune."

Lin Qing, upon hearing the news, wept with joy. She hadn’t slept all night, praying on her knees, hoping Zhou Mingrui would be safe. Now, with her heart at ease, not even her legs ached, and she wished only to sleep soundly with her eyes shut.

Meanwhile, the Zhou family remained oblivious to the news until Mrs. Tao made her visit.

Mrs. Tao rejoiced for Zhulan, "I knew your Ming Rui is blessed with a strong fate; now he has the merit of saving the Crown Prince, ensuring a smooth career ahead."

Zhulan was completely baffled, "Can you explain what this ’saving the Crown Prince’ merit is?"

Mrs. Tao was taken aback too, "You don’t know?"

"What should I know?"

She figured that the old man was somewhat off, mistaking the mouth ulcers as stress from worrying about money; she had often heard him complaining about money being spent too fast lately.

Now it seemed, the old man had concealed a major matter from her!

Seeing Zhulan’s increasingly cold expression, Mrs. Tao regretted her visit, having not dared come yesterday and now arriving early today only to find Zhulan completely uninformed. Zhou was indeed very secretive, "The Minister must have feared you couldn’t bear it."

Zhulan naturally understood the old man’s intentions, but she was still angry, massaging her temple, "Tell me exactly what happened."

Mrs. Tao actually wished to return home, but facing Zhulan’s gaze, she could only dutifully recount the events, concluding, "Despite the twists and turns and great dangers, the outcome was good."

She paused, then continued, "When Ming Rui had the mishap, Yu Lu was in her confinement period. I immediately cut off all news; Yu Lu still does not know about Ming Rui’s troubles. You see how worried I was for Yu Lu and the Minister was concerned something might happen to you too."

Zhulan, "I understand."

Mrs. Tao felt that Minister Zhou would have a tough time when he returned home and hastily changed the subject, "The nanny you helped to find has been well received by my mother-in-law, and she has already entered our residence."

Zhulan, "That’s good to hear."

While responding outwardly, her thoughts were with Ming Rui, who must have suffered greatly.

Mrs. Tao stayed only briefly before leaving, as Zhulan was understandably distracted.

Zhulan saw off Mrs. Tao, then personally went to the second wife’s residence. Upon entering the courtyard, it was full of boxes.

Madam Zhao, upon seeing her mother, smiled and said, "Mother, what brings you here?"

"What are you going to do with all these boxes in the courtyard?"

"These are the newly arrived boxes. I am thinking of organizing the storeroom to keep Yu Die’s dowry stored separately."

Zhulan, "...You are organizing it too early. Yu Die has not even come of age, how old is she now?"

Madam Zhao helped her mother sit down, "Getting organized early eases the mind. I don’t want to be as flustered as when we married off Yushuang."

Zhulan thought to herself that the marriage of Yu Die would still be hectic. She raised her hand, signaling Madam Zhao to sit, and then proceeded to tell her about the matter concerning Ming Rui.

Madam Zhao sat for a while, then suddenly slapped the tea table beside her, "Zhou Changyi did well."

Zhulan was stunned for a moment, it was the first time she saw Madam Zhao so angry. The cups on the table trembled from her slap, showing her great strength, and Zhulan even felt the pain, "Does your hand not hurt?"

Madam Zhao’s eyes reddened, "Mother, it hurts a lot."

Zhulan chuckled, Madam Zhao was rarely so endearing, "Mother supports you in dealing with Chang Yi."

Zhou Shuren and his son, concealing this from them, as if they had no right to know, despite their intentions being good, still merited anger. They were a grandmother and a mother respectively, yet they were the last to find out.

Zhou Shuren and Chang Yi both shivered at the same time, both aware that they were in for trouble when they got home.

In Zhou family’s village, Jiang Miu sat in the shade of a tree, leaning back in her chair reading a book. With dowry maids and servant girls around, she did not have to do any hard or tiring chores. Life back in her hometown was not much different from that in the capital, the only inconvenience being the too frequent visits from the Jiang and Dong families.

Jiang Miu looked up upon hearing a noise, "Why have you come back?"

Mu Fan, seeing his wife, his expression softened, "My lessons are finished. It’s hot outside, shall we go into the room?"

Jiang Miu shook her head, "It’s quite pleasant under the shade of the tree, sit for a while with me."

Mu Fan nodded, taking a seat beside his wife. He liked her tranquility, and it was relaxing to be by her side, "Has my uncle sold his painting?"

Jiang Miu shook her head, "Uncle does not plan to sell it. He wants to keep it as a family heirloom. The buyer offered my second uncle a benefit, but my second uncle is not giving up. Uncle fears that my second uncle might resort to mischief and has considered sending the painting here for safekeeping."

Jiang Miu was surprised, "Already one thousand taels and uncle is still unmoved?"

"Uncle is the smart one, the more he cherishes father’s painting, the more moved my father will be. Knowing my father’s character, as long as uncle remains honest, it is very possible that my father could actually give an original painting to uncle."

Mu Fan picked up a fan to cool his wife, "Uncle is indeed smart."

Jiang Miu, in a secretive tone: "When my grandparents returned, they said they divided the silver among the uncles fairly, but I know that grandmother secretly gave two tenths more to the eldest uncle."

Mu Fan laughed, "How did you come to know this?"

If the old lady kept it a secret, it was meant to be unknown, yet the wife was aware of it.

Jiang Miu smiled, "Because grandma told me."

"Hm?"

Jiang Miu said with a smile, "I didn’t follow you to Zhou family’s village. Grandma was worried the uncles would bother me, so she shared this secret. If the eldest uncle doesn’t keep the others in check, I’ll let the second uncle and others know, so they quarrel with the eldest uncle and then they won’t have time to bother me."

Mu Fan, "Grandma really looks out for you."

Jiang Miu smiled without answering. It wasn’t so much about protection; grandma was afraid that troubling her would upset mother, and with father already harboring a grievance, they feared estrangement with the family home after their passing.

Everything uncle was doing now was for father’s eyes!

Leaving the government office, Zhou Shuren came out and saw Chang Yi. The father and son exchanged glances before Zhou Shuren spoke, "You are joining us for dinner at the main house today."

Chang Yi, "...Father, I wouldn’t want to disturb you and mother."