Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1461: Worrying

Chapter 1461: Chapter 1461: Worrying

Afterwards, the ministers began praising the Emperor with words like his benevolence, his wisdom, and kept showering him with flattering remarks that didn’t involve silver.

After the morning court session, Zhou Shuren walked over to Mr. Yu. "Now that Mr. Yu has entered the capital, without a clan academy for the Yu family here, have your sons decided on an academy to attend?"

Mr. Yu froze, only regaining his composure after a while. "Why does the Grand Master of Writing suddenly care about my boys?"

"I’m just curious, isn’t it well-known how famous the Yu family’s clan academy in Dingzhou is?"

Mr. Yu was proudly conscious of his family’s reputation. That sense of honor was ingrained in his bones; after all, the Yu clan had produced two top scorers and numerous degree holders. Their genealogy traced back to many renowned figures from prior dynasties. If not for falling victim to unjust persecution during a previous dynasty and then suffering the chaos of war, the Yu family wouldn’t have only just re-entered the capital now.

Mr. Yu replied, "We only moved to the capital last year. The boys have been studying at home ever since. We had planned to choose an academy this year but have been too busy and delayed it."

Zhou Shuren continued, "The academy my grandson attends is quite excellent."

His eldest grandson had placed second in the imperial examination, and his granddaughter’s husband was also a degree holder. While the academy was already famous, its reputation wasn’t as renowned as it is now. Presently, many children from noble families studied there.

Mr. Yu’s heart stirred; he had indeed considered that academy.

At the palace gates, Zhou Shuren finally parted ways with Mr. Yu. Wong Ju had been trailing along throughout the journey. "Shall we go together?"

Zhou Shuren asked, "Aren’t you busy?"

Wong Ju replied, "I’ve already wrapped up most of my work."

As Zhou Shuren boarded his carriage, he asked, "Has the old master not been attending court recently because he’s feeling unwell?"

Wong Ju whispered, "My father has hinted to the Emperor about his intent to retire, so he’s relaxed now. If nothing particularly important comes up, he simply skips court."

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that the old master’s leisurely attitude was indeed a signal to the court about his retirement intentions. "I’ll visit the old master when court is on recess."

Wong Ju smiled. "When I tell my father, he’ll be delighted."

After a pause, he asked, "Why are you suddenly interested in the Yu family?"

He still remembered discussing recently-arrived noble families with Zhou Shuren, who had shown no interest at the time.

Stroking his beard, Zhou Shuren remarked, "Just as I said, you’re not just hitching a ride in the carriage. You’ll understand in due time."

Wong Ju mulled over it but couldn’t figure it out. He decided to let it go, then laughed and said, "You wouldn’t believe how adorable Zhuo Ping has grown. The little one is so intelligent!"

The only downside was that the child’s father monopolized him. The old master no longer needed to educate the boy; instead, he now spent every day playing with Zhuo Ping, leaving Wong Ju no chance to even hold him.

Zhou Shuren glanced askance at him. "Stop showing off. I know you’re jealous you can’t hold the child."

Wong Ju froze with a stiff smile. "How did you know?"

"It’s easy to guess. Your family has few descendants. Naturally, the old master dotes on the child, while you, unable to compete, can only stand enviously aside."

Wong Ju: "..."

Failed to show off, now feeling peeved.

In Qiizhou Province, the magistrate’s wife came to visit, carrying some fruit. "I don’t have anything particularly good, but I just got some fruit and brought you a portion."

Lady Dong smiled as she accepted it. "You’re too kind."

This year, their family had more frequent interactions with the magistrate’s household, and the magistrate’s wife occasionally dropped by for chats, even though Lady Dong felt their conversations never truly connected.

Mrs. Liu, the magistrate’s wife, said, "I remember seeing your children last time I visited, but you don’t seem to keep any of them by your side now."

Lady Dong smiled. "Why wouldn’t I let them go? They’re better off in the capital than staying with us. As long as they’re well, I, as their mother, am content."

Mrs. Liu smiled faintly. She was quite envious of Lady Dong. Lady Dong’s mother-in-law never meddled in the affairs of the various households and even loved her daughters-in-law, unlike Mrs. Liu’s own mother-in-law, who wanted to be involved in everything but lacked oversight. After causing several embarrassing incidents, her father-in-law took away her mother-in-law’s authority to protect her husband.

Sipping her tea, Mrs. Liu commented, "Speaking of which, I’ve only ever heard of your eldest daughter but haven’t met her before."

Lady Dong’s tone became proud as she spoke of her eldest daughter. "She grew up under her grandmother’s care and learned from her directly. Now she teaches her younger siblings so we don’t need to worry about them. This child, instead, worries about us."

Mrs. Liu set down her teacup. "What a wonderful child."

"Indeed, even the Empress herself has praised her."

From the change in Mrs. Liu’s expression, Lady Dong deduced something—was she trying to propose a marriage alliance? No, it wasn’t that Mrs. Liu looked down on the Shen family’s standing but rather disapproved of the Shen matriarch and Mrs. Liu herself. Mr. Shen lacked substantial family wealth, yet his household was filled with concubines and illegitimate sons.

The Shen matriarch wanted control of the household and tried to keep everything in her hands, while Mrs. Liu had offered up several concubines to Mr. Shen herself, in the name of appearing virtuous, which was simply baffling to Lady Dong.

Mr. Shen was admirable, but his household was a different story. No way would she marry her daughter into such a family.

Mrs. Liu hesitated for a moment, but ultimately left without mentioning marriage alliances. While Mr. Zhou’s rank wasn’t higher than her husband’s, their family wealth was unmatched.

When Mr. Dong returned home, Lady Dong told him about Mrs. Liu’s intentions.

Chang Lian chuckled. "Getting closer to Magistrate Liu has made his wife harbor such thoughts."

Lady Dong remarked, "Yu Die has been betrothed. Now it’s Yu Yi’s turn. I wonder what kind of match my parents will find for her."

Chang Lian laughed. "Our parents will choose wisely. The girls of the Zhou family are all treasures."

Despite his words, he found himself preoccupied, planning to write a letter to the capital after dinner to ask his mother if they’d already selected a suitable match.

The next day in the capital, Yu Die wasn’t home, and with no one to accompany Yu Jiao outside, she held back for several days, but then couldn’t resist any longer. She looked up at her elder sister, who was practicing calligraphy. "Sister, it’s almost New Year’s."

Yu Yi didn’t lift her head. "Mm."

"Qiizhou experienced a disaster this year. Father worries about the people, and Mother oversees the household. They’ve worked so hard."

Yu Yi finally laid down her brush. "So?"

Yu Jiao loosened her pouch. "I’ve saved up quite a bit of monthly allowance."

As she spoke, she poured out silver coins and smaller gold ingots, including those given by her uncle when her little aunt completed her postpartum confinement.

Yu Yi set aside her calligraphy brush. "You want to go out?"

Yu Jiao grinned sheepishly. "Yes, I want to buy supplements for Father and Mother to support their health. Sister, let’s go out together."

This time, Yu Yi didn’t reject Yu Jiao’s request since she shared the same intention to buy supplements for their parents. She instructed the maidservants, "Prepare the carriage."

Yu Jiao jumped up excitedly. "Wonderful!"

Yu Yi’s eyes were full of amusement. Her younger sister had held back for so long before finally finding a proper excuse to go out. "Go change into warmer clothing."

"Okay."

The two sisters headed to the main courtyard. Zhulan, reflecting on the days, felt that she hadn’t gone out much recently. Her outings this year could be counted on one hand. She contemplated going out but then glanced at the snow outside and ultimately gave up the idea. "It’s cold outside; you girls should return early to avoid freezing."

Yu Jiao obediently replied, "We’ll return early."

Only the two sisters went out; in the winter, there was no hope of coaxing Yu Wen out. At this moment, Yu Wen was huddled in bed on the heated brick floor, half-asleep!

The two sisters headed out, accompanied by extra young servants for protection.

Yu Jiao immediately leaned over the carriage window. "Sister, there are quite a lot of people outside."

Yu Yi replied, "It’s almost New Year’s."

Though life was difficult this year, celebrating the New Year still held great importance in the hearts of the people. They hoped to bid farewell to the old and usher in a brighter future.