Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 409: Fear of Not Escaping a Bad End_1

Chapter 409: Chapter 409: Fear of Not Escaping a Bad End_1

The next morning, Zhulan got up to find that Zhou Shuren had already written a reply to Wu Ming. After reading the letter, she was surprised, "You actually told Wu Ming not to hold back and to fight back when necessary?"

Zhou Shuren took Zhulan’s hand and explained, "I thought about it all night yesterday. Based on my understanding of the Emperor, I feel that His Majesty didn’t just disapprove of Ding You’s Zhezi because he disfavored Wu Ming. The Emperor wants to pressure Wu Ming. I reconsidered the whole situation based on what you told me. If we hadn’t gotten involved, Wu Ming would have just taken the child candidate exam this year. I’m really afraid that if Wu Ming bears it too well, he might catch the Emperor’s eye again."

Zhou Shuren paused, then continued, "Once he catches the Emperor’s eye, coupled with the Emperor’s prior annoyance with Wu Ming, it’s likely he’ll use Wu Ming harshly. By then, Wu Ming will become the Emperor’s blade again. When the blade is no longer useful, that would be the time for reckoning, and Wu Ming would still not escape a tragic fate. That’s unacceptable. I’ve put in so much effort, and you’ve been so concerned about the Wu family. I’m still looking forward to Wu Ming repaying the Zhou family in the future. I can’t afford to make a loss-making deal."

He had been too busy in recent days to carefully consider Wu Ming’s situation. He had more clarity yesterday and realized there was a problem. He didn’t sleep well at night, worried about making a loss, so he got up at dawn as soon as it got light to write the letter.

Based on his understanding of the Emperor, the Emperor is currently casting a wide net and has not paid too much attention to Wu Ming. He needed to help Wu Ming now, otherwise, once Wu Ming was in the Emperor’s grip, there would be nothing he could do.

Zhulan hadn’t really noticed the Emperor. If Zhou Shuren hadn’t mentioned him, she would have just thought the Emperor disfavored Wu Ming. Speechless, she realized every move of the Emperor’s held profound significance!

Zhulan said somberly, "I truly sympathize with the Princes."

Zhou Shuren, "...."

He also thought the Princes were pitiable, with such a father, their slight tricks seemed secretive, but all were visible in the Emperor’s eyes. From the affairs in Pinggang, he knew that the Emperor was using his sons to settle scores with the maternal relatives of the Princes!

The Princes now have their ’teeth,’ but after the reckoning, they’ll be toothless. A toothless Prince, just thinking about it is pitiable.

Zhou Shuren always believed that the likelihood of the Crown Prince ascending to the throne was high!

Zhulan took a pen and wrote another letter, describing Wu Ning’s situation in detail and asking what had happened. She could only prescribe a remedy once she knew what had occurred, otherwise, without resolving the heart of the issue, Wu Ning would not recover.

Then Zhulan asked about Wu Yong, who was fifteen, and Wu Ting, thirteen, inquiring about their studies.

Wu Yong’s talent wasn’t as good as Wu Ming’s, and he hadn’t taken the child candidate exam this year. With the two brothers now by Wu Ming’s side, Zhulan wasn’t too worried about Wu Ming. At the end of the letter, she simply noted to take good care of themselves and pay extra attention to their health.

At the county yamen, the Wu family had just finished breakfast. Wu Yong looked over at where his little sister used to sit, "Brother, should our little sister almost be at Lizhou City?"

Wu Ming, "She should have arrived."

Since the Zhou family had sent someone to take away his sister, nobody had used the reputation of short-lived kin to mock him. He truly regretted not sending his sister away directly from the beginning.

Wu Ting pursed his lips, "I don’t know whether the Zhou family treats our little sister well."

If it weren’t absolutely necessary, he really wouldn’t have wanted his little sister to leave. She was close to his age, and they had the best relationship. He was truly worried.

Wu Ming was worried too, but he trusted his godmother. As long as she was there, his sister would be alright. As for his godfather, he chuckled to himself—he felt he was the one who understood his godfather best. His godfather was cold to the bone, only caring about his godmother and no one else. He once doubted how such a cold person could be a good local governor, but he was proven wrong.

His godfather had taught him quite a bit about governance. Only then had he realized his godfather’s genuine warmth towards the people, and he was ashamed of himself for ever doubting.

Elsewhere, the three Wu brothers were thinking of Wu Ning, and Wu Ning was also thinking of her brothers.

Wu Ning looked at the food on the table. The Wu family’s situation couldn’t compare with the Zhou’s. Her eldest brother had earned some silver by trading furs over the past two years, but the three brothers weren’t married yet and were saving for her dowry, so the meals at the Wu family were always simple.

Xue Han offered Wu Ning some food, "Don’t just look; eat more."

Wu Ning looked at the exquisite buns and replied softly, "Mhm."

After breakfast, Zhulan asked Xue Han to accompany Wu Ning to the orchard for a walk, thinking that spending time in nature might help ease her mood.

With Steward Ding personally accompanying them, Zhulan had nothing to worry about. In fact, even without Steward Ding, she wouldn’t be concerned if only the young servants were with her.

Zhou Shuren’s reputation had grown even greater than last year, all thanks to Lady Li sending vermicelli to the Qi Clan. The Xu family visited Lady Li to deliver silver bullions and incidentally bought a considerable amount of vermicelli. Without export regulations and quarantine procedures in the past, the Xu family saw a business opportunity and decided to try short-range sea trade. To their surprise, the business thrived so much that they came back to Lizhou Province City for a substantial purchase and even signed a long-term contract.

The people of Lizhou Province had sold all their potatoes and sweet potatoes before harvest, fetching a higher price than last year.

In addition, Zhou Shuren had rented out a few ice cellars to merchants from both the native and foreign clans, yielding silver that was divided into three parts: one for reinforcing dikes, one for road repair, and the last part saved for unexpected emergencies.

All these were beneficial acts for the people. In truth, the common folk are simple; the person who can improve their lives will be held in high esteem.

Fortunately, the Zhou family had shown through actions last year that they wouldn’t take anything from the common folk, otherwise, this year even more people would have come to the Zhou estate with gifts.

With apple sales approaching, it seemed the people’s lives would improve even further.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren both understood that Zhou Shuren would surely be leaving next year. The Emperor does not like to see a minister gaining too much popularity on the local level.

Over the next several days, Xue Han took Wu Ning around to different places, which seemed to improve her condition considerably. Taking her medicine and eating her meals on time every day, she had gained a fair amount of weight.

The ladies in Lizhou City knew that a young girl had come to stay with Zhulan’s family, but no one had extended an invitation, not only because Wu Ning was in mourning but also due to her reputation as a curse.