Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 324 Knowing Too Much_1

Chapter 324: Chapter 324 Knowing Too Much_1

Zheng Hong came bearing gifts; when he walked in and saw Wu Chun, he paused for a moment, knowing Wu Chun dared not come by himself and was just about to speak for him. "You’re here after all; looks like there’s no need for me to say anything."

Wu Chun’s eyes were red from crying, his nasal voice especially heavy, "I’ve made you worry."

Zheng Hong indeed had been worried. After Wu Dong’s death, Wu Chun went berserk, recklessly hacking at people on the battlefield. Many times his eyes were bloodshot, and the fierceness in him frightened the enemy so much that they dared not approach. It was also thanks to Wu Chun that he had been able to capture a chieftain and earn his military merits!

After the war ended, Wu Chun’s mind had been continuously tense. Worrying all the way on this trip to the capital, Zheng Hong was genuinely relieved to see the Zhou family; at least Wu Chun could vent. However, Wu Chun still did not dare to visit, and seeing that they would soon depart, Zheng Hong really feared Wu Chun was avoiding them, so he came.

Zheng Hong patted Wu Chun on the shoulder, "We are brothers, not just in title; you also saved my life. Now that I see you’re alright, I can rest easy."

Wu Chun’s eyes reddened again. He could save others, but he could not protect his own younger brother, "Thank you."

Zhulan sipped her tea to moisten her throat. Zheng Hong had brought quite a few things with him, and she noticed the oranges and longans, "Why bring such valuable gifts when you come?"

Zheng Hong replied, "These were rewards from His Majesty. I don’t like sweets, and they would spoil on the long journey home with the jostling, but I thought of Aunt’s house having children and brought them here; little kids like sweet things."

Wu Chun slapped his forehead in frustration, he had only thought about how to see his aunt and had come empty-handed, "Aunt, His Majesty also rewarded me quite a bit, I’ll bring them over tomorrow."

Zhulan refused, "Don’t bother; I don’t lack fruits here. You should take yours back home."

Wu Chun pursed his lips, "If I send them back, the house couldn’t consume them all either."

Zhulan was speechless—so only she could handle that much, her heart was big enough, was it?

Wu Chun realized he had said something wrong and fell silent upon seeing his aunt’s changed expression; it looked like the fruits wouldn’t be given away this time.

Zhulan took a deep breath, "Aren’t you planning to return home?"

Wu Chun wanted to go back to kowtow to his grandfather and father, but that wasn’t possible, "In three days, we will return to the Northwest."

Zhou Shuren asked, "What achievements have you made?"

Zheng Hong sat to the side sipping tea, leaving Wu Chun to answer this himself.

Wu Chun’s voice was hoarse, "Zheng Hong and I captured a chieftain."

Since Zheng Hong was his superior, his own merits weren’t as grand as Zheng Hong’s, and he had to thank the Zheng family for not taking all the credit; otherwise, he would not have had the chance to come to the capital.

Zhou Shuren guessed, "What is your current status now?"

Wu Chun took a deep breath, "I have been conferred the title of military general, Fifth Rank, rewarded with a thousand taels of silver, and also given a two-entry residence. This time, upon returning, I will be stationed at the Prefect Lizhou Residence with Zheng Hong. I have already sent a letter to grandfather a couple of days ago, asking if our whole family should relocate to the Prefect Lizhou Residence."

The future on the Northwest frontier will be free from war. He was lucky to have saved Zheng Hong’s life. The Zheng family did not claim his achievement and even attested to his merit; otherwise, who knows how many years it would have taken to get ahead.

Zhulan was a stepdaughter, and although her contact with her father had been short, judging from his actions, the Yang family would definitely move to the Prefect Lizhou Residence. Out of his three grandsons, one died, and one was seriously injured, all for the foundation they had now; with a foundation established, it was time for slow development, and there was no reason for her father not to go to Lizhou Province.

Zhou Shuren looked at Zheng Hong, whose rewards must have been even greater.

Zheng Hong did not stay for long before he took his leave. He had come for Wu Chun, and now that Wu Chun was fine, it was best for an outsider like him to leave.

After Zheng Hong left, with no outsiders around, Wu Chun did not know what to say. After venting his emotions, he felt an emptiness inside; no amount of words could fill the void in his heart.

Wu Chun mustered his spirits, "Aunt, I’m now living in the residence awarded to me. I’ll leave you the address; on the days I’m not in the capital, I’ll need you to look after it a bit more."

Zhulan also felt a deep sense of unease in her heart, "Okay."

Zhou Shuren sighed internally, "Seeing that you haven’t rested for a long time, I’ll have eldest brother prepare a room for you, and you can stay here tonight!"

Wu Chun didn’t want to return to his own residence, for apart from the young servants and maids awarded to him, he was the only master there, "Alright."

Zhou Shuren stood up, as he and Wu Chun were not close relatives, it was best to leave these matters to Zhulan, his aunt!

Zhulan saw that Wu Chun’s eyelids were heavy, a sign that he was losing the battle with his sleepiness now that his mind was at ease, "I haven’t told you yet, but your uncle has become a Graduate, and he’ll be sitting for the imperial examinations next spring."

Wu Chun perked up, "That explains it, why aunt and uncle have come to the capital."

Wu Chun had only been thinking about his own concerns and had just noticed, "Aunt, is this a new residence you’ve bought?"

"Yes, we bought it a few months ago. Let me tell you..."

Zhulan told Wu Chun everything that had happened over the year, including events within the family.

Wu Chun was a bit stunned. Uncle had hidden it well, so well that he had never noticed all these years. Pressing his lips together, he considered how cunning his uncle’s schemes were; he had seen too many rise to riches, office, and take concubines. Although uncle seemed to value aunt, could he really resist the temptation once he encountered beauties upon becoming an official?

Zhulan blinked, puzzled by Wu Chun’s sudden severity, "What’s wrong?"

When Wu Chun spoke, his voice was fierce, "Aunt, if uncle ever betrays you in the future, don’t bear it alone. I might not be a valuable general, but I saved Zheng Hong, and when I return, I’ll have a real position. The Zheng family owes me, and if uncle dares to betray you, I’ll definitely take care of him."

Zhulan, "....."

She was touched but wondered whether to tell Wu Chun that his uncle and Old Master Zheng had already formed an alliance.

Seeing his aunt’s silence, Wu Chun became anxious, "Is uncle really showing signs of betrayal? I’ve always known he’s cunning."

These past years, he always felt uneasy whenever he met his uncle, feeling as if he was seen through, and now that his uncle had become a Graduate, it only confirmed his deep cunning.

Zhou Shuren stood at the door, "....."

He had only stepped out for a moment, but how had Zhulan reassured Wu Chun to the point that he now saw Zhou Shuren as a heartless traitor?

Eldest Zhou stood behind his father, "...."

Impressive, big cousin, generals really do have audacity, even thinking about taking care of dad!

Zhulan saw Zhou Shuren entering with a stern face, and her mouth hung open; she had only comforted Wu Chun by recounting the Zhou family’s history of rise to prominence, but she hadn’t expected Wu Chun’s imagination to run wild, "Cough, your uncle is not a man to betray others."

Wu Chun noticed his uncle entering and felt his aunt must have been scared by his uncle, hence her reluctance to speak, so he glared at his uncle.

Eldest Zhou felt he needed to do something to clear the misunderstanding, "Big cousin, you’ve misunderstood dad. I swear on my own head, my dad would never betray my mom."

Some of the suspicion in Wu Chun’s eyes faded, his younger cousin was not one to lie and his words were highly credible.

Seeing the effect of his words, Eldest Zhou continued, "Big cousin, you have to believe me. As a son, I know it best. Let me tell you, every day my dad insists on pouring water for my mom to wash her feet, and complains that we’re an eyesore, almost as if we weren’t his own children. Dad always wants to read by my mom’s side, and whenever Lady Li tries to cozy up to my mom, dad glares at her fiercely. Sometimes, I feel that in my dad’s eyes, apart from my mom, the rest of us are just superfluous."

Zhulan, "....."

She knew that Ming Teng loved to show off and would out someone’s secrets to just about anyone. Today, he had found the right target!