Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 368 Trusted_1

Chapter 368: Chapter 368 Trusted_1

Steward Ding came in and said, "Fourth Young Master has arrived home and is already on his way here to the main courtyard."

Zhulan was genuinely surprised, "Chang Zhi has come?"

Steward Ding, "It is indeed the Fourth Young Master."

Zhulan stood up and went to the main hall with Zhou Shuren, where Elder Brother Zhou arrived with Chang Zhi, who was by himself.

Zhulan looked over Chang Zhi, the young fellow’s clothes hadn’t been changed in days, the hairpin in his hair was made of wood, and his hair was somewhat disheveled, "Didn’t Graduate Xu come back with you? I remember you went on a learning journey together."

Chang Zhi felt so good to be home; he’d had enough of the smell on his body, "Mother, I want to change clothes, and I’m hungry, too."

Zhulan heard Chang Zhi’s stomach rumbling, "Dinner will be ready shortly, first have a few pieces of cake, go take a bath and change clothes with your elder brother, and we can talk more after dinner."

Elder Brother Zhou truly cared for his younger brother, though Father and Mother never mentioned him, "Mother, I’ll take Chang Zhi down first."

"Mm."

After the two sons had left, Zhulan instructed Steward Ding, "Please have someone prepare a courtyard for Chang Zhi; it will be his from now on. As for the young servant to be assigned to Chang Zhi, send Da Han to him!"

Steward Ding respectfully said, "Yes."

Once Steward Ding left, Zhou Shuren spoke up, "Graduate Xu has taken too good care of this boy; Chang Zhi is still ignorant of domestic affairs. It’s obvious he spends silver as if it’s nothing and only realized he was out when he got hungry. It’s a wonder he managed to find his way home."

Zhulan fretted, "The wife he’ll have in the future will indeed have a tough time."

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren waited a while until dinner was ready, and Chang Zhi had tidied up properly. Because Chang Zhi had returned, the kitchen added two extra dishes, which were his favorites.

The young man looked like he hadn’t had a good meal in a long time. If Zhulan had not held him back for fear of indigestion, he might have had yet another bowl of rice.

After dinner, Zhou Shuren asked with a stern face, "Now tell us, what happened?"

Chang Zhi found his father more serious than before, and even intimidated by the aura he exuded, he confessed honestly, "I was traveling with my master, and when he wanted to return to Pingzhou City, I thought it was close to where Father and Mother were, so I didn’t go back with him. I’d have to join my second and third brothers here anyway, so I parted ways with my master."

Zhulan didn’t need Chang Zhi to continue, she picked up the story, "So you found a caravan heading to Lizhou City, but you hadn’t planned your silver well, and eventually you ran out, right?"

Chang Zhi scratched his head awkwardly, "Mother, I didn’t expect the caravan to only go as far as Chuanzhou City. Later, I had to pawn my hairpin to scrape together some silver coins to get to Lizhou City."

Zhulan could have guessed without asking; since Chang Zhi wasn’t familiar with these matters, he probably didn’t get much for the hairpin. She felt a tightness in her chest seeing Chang Zhi safe at home, waved her hand dismissively, "As long as you’re home, that’s what matters. Rest well for a few days, go get some rest now!"

Chang Zhi pursed his lips, knowing he hadn’t caused enough worry for his parents yet, and obediently left.

Outside the door, Da Han quickly followed. He was thrilled inside; he hadn’t expected the Lady to assign him to serve the Fourth Young Master. Dong Zhi and Xiao Han were quite jealous, "Fourth Young Master, your courtyard is ready. Let me take you there."

Chang Zhi was not foolish; he realized this was the young servant his parents had arranged for him, and asked, "How old are you, and what’s your name?"

Da Han replied, "I’m thirteen now, my name Da Han was bestowed by the Lady according to the season."

Chang Zhi’s mouth twitched; his servant was Da Han? Thinking of the names of the household servants, his mother really wasn’t good at naming, "From now on, you’re with me, I’ll give you a new name, Qi Mo."

Da Han immediately knelt in gratitude, "Thank you for the name, Fourth Young Master."

Chang Zhi found it very easy to choose the name Qi Mo for the young servant. His chess skills were poor, which was a good reminder for him to learn chess. Chang Zhi hummed in agreement as he walked out, his thoughts wandering—there really is no place like home!

After Chang Zhi renamed the young servant, Zhulan told her daughter, "The maid that mother gave to you, you can also rename."

Because indeed, it was an unpleasant name.

Xue Han also felt the name her mother had chosen was not good, but as a daughter, it wasn’t right to change a name given by her mother. Now that her mother had suggested it, "Mother, can I really change it?"

Zhulan smiled, "Of course you can. Look, your little brother changed it, and mother didn’t say anything."

Xue Han’s eyes curved in a smile, "Da Shu is insightful, I want to change her name to Liu Li. Jing Zhe is composed and steady in his duties, so Liu Jin."

Zhulan repeated the names twice, "Good names."

Compared to her son and daughter, she truly was the worst at naming. In the future, if she bought more young servants, she would let whoever they were assigned to name them!

When Chang Zhi got home, Zhou Shuren was too busy to think about scholarly pursuits, and Chang Zhi was not eager to study either. The boy thought the name Xiao Shu given by Ming Teng sounded awful and changed it too, giving Ming Teng’s young servant the name Yin Mo.

As for the other young servants, Chang Zhi did not change their names. He only changed those who followed the master closely. He wasn’t foolish—he understood that those his mother arranged to be by the master’s side were those she trusted, and those who were trusted were worth trusting; they were family.

Having stayed home for a few days to recuperate, Chang Zhi grew restless, "Mother, I want to go wander around Prefecture City."

Zhulan set down the ledger book, "Why?"

Chang Zhi’s eyes shone brightly, "Mother, my master and I heard about the changes in Lizhou City when we were in Jiangnan. Master said that father is a good official and told me to wander around as soon as I got to Lizhou City, and then write to him about the situation here."

Zhulan thought for a moment, "You haven’t met Graduate Meng’s youngest son, Meng Jie, right?"

Chang Zhi nodded, "I’ve only heard that he is father’s student, I’ve not yet met him."

Zhulan thought about Graduate Meng, who was supposed to be living in the Zhou residence. However, Graduate Meng had spent silver to buy a house and a shop which now both had increased in value. Every time she saw Graduate Meng, his face was always brimming with smiles.

Zhulan looked at her youngest son, "There is no rush to wander around the city. Graduate Meng is your third brother’s teacher, and Meng Jie is your father’s student. You’ve been back for a few days now, and you should pay a visit."

Chang Zhi replied, "Then I will visit the Meng family today."

"Hmm, Meng Jie is two years older than you. Although he has yet to earn the title of Scholar, you must not look down on him. Everyone has their own strengths; you must learn from others and make up for your own shortcomings."

Zhou Shuren’s student was particularly good at calculations and had often helped Zhou Shuren with bookkeeping!

Chang Zhi said, "Mother, rest assured, your son understands."

Zhulan signaled Liu Ya to prepare gifts for the visit, and once the gifts were ready, she allowed Elder Brother Zhou to take Chang Zhi with him.

Zhulan hoped that Chang Zhi would interact more with Meng Jie and eventually get an understanding of financial matters. She did not expect him to become skilled in investment or finance, but as long as he knew how to manage the spending of silver in the future, that would be sufficient.

Regrettably, Zhulan’s wish did not come true. Chang Zhi and Meng Jie were not cut from the same cloth. The two talked about literary and scholarly pursuits, but couldn’t find common ground on other topics. It wasn’t even about becoming friends— their relationship was merely a superficial acquaintance.

Zhulan often complained to Zhou Shuren about it behind Chang Zhi’s back. She truly worried about Chang Zhi.