Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1424: Joy

Chapter 1424: Chapter 1424: Joy

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Let your wife also come to the main courtyard for dinner."

Chang Yi, "... You really are my own father."

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, a moment’s evasion is still a moment, for now, he’ll use Chang Yi and his wife to divert his daughter-in-law’s attention.

Chang Yi felt like crying; his wife either didn’t lose her temper, or when she did, it was lethal. This time he was really done for, with his father using him as a shield, and his mother also sure to settle accounts with him.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "Ming Rui’s contributions will be credited to you, and it’s not just for saving the Crown Prince."

Chang Yi quickly asked, "What else has he done?"

Zhou Shuren lowered his voice, "Ming Rui discovered a gold mine."

Chang Yi’s mouth gaped wide open; he slapped his own cheek, "Worthy of being my son, he was destined to bring wealth."

"You’re my son too."

Chang Yi, "?"

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "If you bring wealth, it’s because you take after me."

Chang Yi opened his mouth, okay then; his father was right. His old man was indeed skilled at amassing silver. Smiling, he said, "We all take after you."

Zhou Shuren was satisfied, "See how good the fortune I’ve passed down is? As my son, you must be filial to your father here, preferably taking responsibility for all the hidden secrets yourself, don’t you think?"

Chang Yi, "..."

He, he’s afraid of his mother too!

Upon returning home, Zhou Shuren stopped his son from running away with a look, and walked back to the main courtyard, gesturing for his son to go in first.

Chang Yi took a deep breath and still went in; the first thing he saw on the table was a feather duster. Looking back at his peeking father, he clicked his tongue twice in his heart, no wonder the old man didn’t dare to come back.

Zhulan said faintly, "Let’s see who has come in, isn’t this the esteemed Zhou himself?"

Chang Yi knelt down very efficiently, "Mother, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have kept it from you, nor should I have prevented father from telling you. If you want to hit someone, hit your son!"

Ah, dear father, as a son, I can only protect you.

Zhulan picked up the feather duster, touched its bristles, "Your idea?"

Chang Yi paused for a few seconds, then firmly said, "My idea."

Zhulan smiled, "Alright, I will let Qing Xue go back with you later. I will tell your wife exactly what I just said. Alas, I have grown old and cannot manage the household anymore. You’ve become capable of making decisions."

Chang Yi, "... Mother."

Zhulan waved her hand, "I can’t control you anymore, you may go back. Oh, and the durian you like, your wife has spent a lot of money to buy you quite a bit today."

Chang Yi had a bad premonition, "Mother, your son admits to his wrongdoing. Whenever you calm down, I will leave."

He didn’t want to go back to his own courtyard at all right now.

Zhulan said, "Don’t stay here, go call your father in."

Chang Yi walked out listlessly; he couldn’t help his father now, "Dad, I’ll be leaving first. I wish you the best of luck."

Zhou Shuren had the look of a disappointed father, "What use are you."

Saying this, he strode towards the courtyard, only to shrink his neck at the entrance.

Chang Yi watched it all happen, rolling his eyes profoundly. How tough you are, old man, step inside with that swagger and don’t back down!

Zhou Shuren entered the room with a forced smile, "Wife, oh dear, the feather duster is so heavy, let me help you with it."

Zhulan slapped the table with the feather duster, "Growing some skills, eh? Quite the deceiver, you better think through what you want to say."

Zhou Shuren was about to shift the blame when he swallowed his words, "I was afraid you’d be worried. You’re not young anymore, and I really fear you can’t stand it. If something happens to you, it would cost me my life."

Zhulan’s anger had long since dissipated, but she still needed to warn the old man, "Is my resilience really that poor?"

Zhou Shuren gave her a look, what do you think?

Zhulan fell silent, wanted to argue, but couldn’t say a word. She sighed, "Old age."

"It’s because you worry about everyone."

"As if you don’t worry," she retorted.

Zhou Shuren, "Don’t be mad, it won’t happen again."

Zhulan huffed, "Sleep in separate rooms, let that teach you a lesson."

Zhou Shuren, "...Don’t be like that, wife."

Human habits are terrifying. They have come so far depending on each other, truly inseparable.

The next day, Zhou Shuren went to the court session looking listless, Chang Yi and Chang Zhi were off to the government office, and Chang Zhi, puzzled, looked at his elder brother, "Second Brother, what’s wrong with your foot?"

Chang Yi moved his foot – it still hurt a bit, he had stepped on a durian shell the night before – "Ah, I twisted it a little."

Chang Zhi didn’t think much of it, Mingyun gave his second uncle a few extra looks, thinking about Ming Rui’s affair, a faint smirk appeared on his face, second uncle has been taught a lesson.

After the morning court ended, Zhou Shuren was sleepy, yawning non-stop as he walked, Wong Ju was puzzled, "Did you stay up happy all night yesterday?"

Zhou Shuren, "Hmm."

Wong Ju sounded hesitant, "That doesn’t sound like you!"

Zhou Shuren hummed and hurried forward. He needed to catch up on sleep at the Ministry of Revenue!

In the following days, the Wen family’s life was difficult, especially for the second wife of the Wen family, who was targeted everywhere. This time, traveling with the Crown Prince resulted not only in casualties but also injuries, particularly severe ones, and without proper rest, the injured might be incapacitated for life.

The Emperor didn’t mince words until the Empress suffered a miscarriage scare with bleeding, and then the Emperor was truly enraged.

Zhulan’s granddaughter and grandson were sent out of the palace again. Lin Xi was frightened, "The Emperor, Uncle, is so scary."

She had just sneaked a peek and was noticed by her uncle. Even though the Emperor reined in his aura, it still terrified her. She had nightmares all night, which was why she was sent out of the palace.

Zhulan stroked her granddaughter’s head, "Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Lin Xi hasn’t done anything wrong. The Emperor wasn’t being fierce to Lin Xi."

Lin Xi understood, "Grandma, the Empress Aunt will be fine, right?"

Zhulan nodded, "Yes, the palace has the best Imperial Physicians. The Empress will be fine."

From her granddaughter’s words, she guessed almost the entire course of events. The Wen family was targeted, and unwilling to be demoted, the second wife sought ways to pass messages to the Empress. The Empress’s pregnancy was already difficult, and the news of the Crown Prince’s assassination was surely hidden from her. The Empress had been worried about the Crown Prince, it would be strange if she hadn’t suffered a miscarriage scare.

The entire capital had their eyes on the Empress, and many were pleased with her troubles.

Old Master Wen was furious. He had forbidden messages to be sent to the palace, and yet, behind his back, messages had been secretly relayed.

Old Master Wen chastised his son and went to the palace to apologize.

Zhou Shuren returned home and told his wife, "The Wen family, blinded by power because of the Empress, with Old Master Wen failing to discipline his son... it’s not just about the Emperor’s concern for the Crown Prince and the Empress. The Wen family’s troubles won’t be settled just by sacrificing the second wife."

The sight of Old Master Wen leaving the palace was now the talk of the capital, his legs trembling.

Zhulan curled her lips, "Nobody pities the Wen family."

The Empress had it worse, pregnant and worried about her son while also having to care for her natal family.

Three days later, news that the Empress was safe finally came out of the palace, and only then did the Wen family breathe a sigh of relief. This time, the Wen family truly settled down and kept a low profile.

In Huizhou Mountain Village, the Crown Prince was still unaware of the capital’s affairs. Having received a reply from his father, the Emperor, he had stayed put in the village, mining along the vein of gold for several days. The Crown Prince was preoccupied with thoughts of the mine when he heard a shout. Standing up, this was it – they had struck gold!