Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1465 Reward

Chapter 1465: Chapter 1465 Reward

Zhou Laoda saw his mother’s pale face and was startled, "Mother, I will fetch the Imperial Physician immediately."

The Imperial Physician was resting in a side room within the courtyard and arrived quickly. After feeling the pulse, he said, "The elder matriarch is anxious and has not rested well. She needs peaceful recuperation."

Zhou Laoda let out a breath, "Thank you, Imperial Physician."

Xue Han stopped crying and supported her mother, "Mother, after you take the sleeping pills, rest well. Father has us here to watch over him!"

Zhulan said, "Laoda, go inform Xue Mei."

The news cannot be hidden, so it’s better to have the eldest daughter come over too.

Zhou Laoda replied, "I’ll arrange it immediately."

Chang Zhi and Mingyun didn’t go to the government office; both took leave. This was their way of showing filial piety, though it led to some misunderstandings—was Zhou Shuren’s condition really that dire? It was sudden, after all, just one night.

Relatives of the Zhou family came by to inquire about the situation. For the Wong family, Wong Wei came personally, even taking leave for this purpose. The Lau family sent Lau Jia’s second brother, while the Ran family sent Ran Xun.

The Gu family and others also sent representatives, along with some acquaintances who maintained good relations with the family.

Mingyun, as the eldest grandson, took charge, bringing his younger brothers to entertain the visitors.

When Xue Mei arrived, Zhulan had already taken the sleeping pills and fallen asleep. Zhulan was unafraid of appearances, lying down beside Zhou Shuren to sleep. She wasn’t concerned about contagion either, and even Zhou Laoda’s urgent attempts to kneel in protest were ineffective.

The couple held hands as they slept. Xue Mei, tears streaming, used a handkerchief to wipe her eyes, deeply moved by her parents’ devotion to each other but also terrified. Their love was so profound—if something truly happened, her mother wouldn’t live alone.

Xue Han’s heart also grew heavy. Leveraging her status, she pressured the Imperial Physician, interrogating him repeatedly for confirmation. The Imperial Physician, far from losing patience, seemed eager to swear an oath by the heavens that Lord Zhou was not in critical condition. His illness was simply caused by exhaustion and would not become life-threatening under proper care.

By noon, Wong Ju arrived. She wanted to enter the room to see, but since Zhulan was also sleeping, she refrained from going in.

Wong Ju asked Zhou Laoda, "He’ll recover with peaceful recuperation?"

Zhou Laoda replied, "That’s what the Imperial Physician said—that my father is overly fatigued. His illness came on rather suddenly, but as long as the fever doesn’t persist, with proper rest over time, he will recover."

Wong Ju’s heart settled, "You don’t know how wild the rumors outside have gotten. They’re practically saying your father might... Pah, pah!"

Zhou Laoda’s face darkened. These people’s mouths were too vile.

Chang Zhi’s face also turned cold. The Zhou family had benefited significantly in recent years. Some people couldn’t wait to see them lose their father’s protection.

Wong Ju, noticing their grim expressions, said, "You must honor your father more. Everything the Zhou family has today is thanks to him."

Zhou Laoda’s eyes reddened. They had all watched the family rise step by step. The changes in their father’s hair were most evident to them as his children. "I am unfilial, as the eldest son I failed to share my father’s burdens."

Thinking of his father’s stooped back this year, his tears became uncontrollable.

Chang Zhi felt even worse. His father had told him to follow the rules and take things slowly, so he had contentedly stayed cooped up in the Hanlin Academy. "Eldest brother, I am the truly unfilial one."

Second Brother and Third Brother were already able to shoulder responsibilities for their father, and Mingyun was paving the way for the Zhou family’s future in government. Only he...

Wong Ju had to admit that Zhou Shuren had raised his sons well.

Not long after Wong Ju left, Zhulan, still worried about Zhou Shuren, woke up despite having taken the sleeping pills. The first thing she did upon rising was to touch Shuren’s forehead. It was now afternoon, and his forehead was burning hot again.

Xue Mei and Xue Han, who had been keeping watch, immediately supported their mother as she got out of bed. Xue Mei spoke softly, "Father woke up around noon and told us not to disturb you. He had some porridge and medicinal soup before falling asleep again."

Zhulan asked, "What did the Imperial Physician say?"

Xue Han replied, "The Imperial Physician said the fever might come and go but told us not to worry too much."

Zhulan simply wiped her face, and a servant girl brought porridge and light dishes to her bedside.

Xue Mei handed over chopsticks, "Mother, have something mild to eat."

Zhulan nodded and had some porridge followed by fever-reducing medicine. However, she couldn’t fall asleep again. She signaled to her daughters to rest, choosing to keep watch herself. Once her daughters left, Zhulan spoke softly, "I’ve always been the one to frighten you, but this time you truly scared me."

She murmured for a long time. Zhou Shuren eventually woke up. Zhulan asked, "Did I wake you?"

Zhou Shuren, feeling weak all over, lay still, unwilling to get up. He raised a hand to touch the tears on Zhulan’s face. "I scared you."

"Yes, let me call the Imperial Physician in."

Zhou Shuren quickly held her back. "I know my own body. There’s no need to call him in. I’m just overly tired, that’s all. After sleeping a bit more, I just want to spend time with you quietly."

Zhulan took a damp cloth to wipe Zhou Shuren’s hands. "Alright, we’ll stay together quietly."

Zhou Shuren was indeed frightened. He feared he might truly be reaching his end. There was so much he was unwilling to let go of—his youngest son, still so small; the older sons he had nurtured, who were not yet independent. As for Zhulan, he wasn’t worried; they were one heart and soul, after all.

That night, the security in the Zhou household was at its strictest. Even their in-laws wouldn’t dare spread rumors. The two Imperial Physicians stayed, originally out of the royal family’s regard for Zhou Shuren, but this very fact fueled speculations among others that Zhou Shuren’s condition was truly alarming.

All of the Zhou family’s children gathered within the estate. Even Yu Lu, a granddaughter who had married out of the family, returned home.

The next morning during court assembly, even if Elder Lord Wen feigned composure, everyone could sense his good mood.

That day, Elder Lord Wong also attended court. He glanced toward Elder Lord Wen but did not give him an additional look.

When the Emperor and Crown Prince arrived, the Emperor began by saying, "The war has been over for a long time, yet because the army has not returned, I have yet to distribute rewards and honors."

Everyone’s thoughts were immediately drawn to the subject of rewards. They had long been calculating their merits—why was the Emperor bringing this up today?

The Emperor continued, "After much thought, I have decided to distribute rewards before the Lunar New Year, so that all who have served meritoriously can have a festive celebration."

Elder Lord Wong squinted. Since grain supplies and the army’s logistics were intertwined, Zhou Shuren earned significant merit. Thinking of Zhou Shuren’s current illness, Elder Lord Wong’s lips curved upward slightly.

If Elder Lord Wong could think of it, the other crafty old foxes on the court surely thought of it too.

The Emperor went on, "The entire nation faces a grain shortage, yet the life-saving fish cakes and other measures have rescued countless impoverished citizens—these deeds are of great merit and will also be rewarded."

The smile on Elder Lord Wen’s face disappeared, leaving only stiffness. The Wen family had led the charge in donating grain and received nothing in return. The Emperor seemed determined to lavishly reward the Zhou family.

Elder Lord Wen took a deep breath, reasoning to himself that perhaps Zhou Shuren’s condition was truly critical, and the Emperor wanted to bestow titles and honors before his passing. Yes, this must be it.

The Emperor observed the expressions of his courtiers. Heh, some only cared about their family’s interests, not the lives of the common people. They’d rather slaughter livestock than sell it to the Imperial Court, just to preserve their stock. The thought infuriated him.

Livestock propagation not only alleviated meat shortages but also pacified the nomadic tribes on the steppes, leading to the virtuous cycle that Zhou Shuren had described. Thinking of Shuren’s concern for the people, the Emperor narrowed his eyes. Yes, rewards must be given.