Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 479

Chapter 479: 479

Zhulan sighed in relief; Lady Dong was wise to take her words to heart. "Alright, you should rest too. If there’s anything, just let me know—I’ll be on my way back now."

Lady Dong replied, "Mhm."

In the afternoon, after Chang Lian returned from Graduate Meng’s house, Zhulan called him over, "Don’t keep calling out ’son, son’; sons and daughters are the same. Are you heartless? Can’t you see Lady Dong has lost weight?"

Chang Lian touched his nose, "Mom, I’ve stopped saying ’son’ a long time ago, but when I advise Lady Dong, she doesn’t listen."

These days, to comfort Lady Dong, even though he didn’t like sour foods, he ate them anyway, and he didn’t dare to eat special meals lest Lady Dong felt uneasy knowing about it. He thought he was truly a good husband.

Zhulan believed Chang Lian’s words and waved her hand, "Alright, go back and spend more time with Lady Dong!"

Chang Lian glanced at the gift list in his mother’s hand, "Mom, are you arranging a marriage for Chang Zhi?"

Zhulan affirmed, "Yes, the matchmaker will visit the Wang residence the day after tomorrow."

Chang Lian had already visited Chang Zhi at noon and learned of the incident at the Min family; he laughed so hard he cried, while Chang Zhi still didn’t know why. He even felt sorry for the Magistrate.

In the capital, the Emperor was busy all day and only then had the time to check the news from Jinzhou City. He glanced at it, was momentarily stunned, and then chuckled, passing it to the Crown Prince, "You have a look too."

He knew the fourth son of the Zhou family as a young Scholar with a high talent for learning, of marriageable age, and currently a favored son-in-law candidate watched by everyone in Jinzhou City. He had initially thought about using him, but then he had just dealt with some other people and decided not to push too far.

Later, the fourth son of the Zhou family returned, as did An He. Upon investigation, it turned out the two really did have a destiny together. Out of some lingering feelings, he considered bestowing a marriage; unexpectedly, Zhou Shuren’s wife was very fond of An He and had already found a matchmaker, so there was no need for his interference.

He knew there would be those who couldn’t restrain their scheming, but he hadn’t expected such a dramatic show. The fourth son of the Zhou family was indeed interesting.

The Crown Prince rarely twitched a corner of his mouth— the Zhou family really produced talents. Then his eyes lit up; if used well, this person could be incredibly powerful!

In Jinzhou City, at the Zhou residence, Zhou Shuren had been laughing ever since he came back, leaving Zhulan speechless, "Enough is enough."

The man’s laughter seemed unending.

Zhou Shuren coughed, "If you had seen Mr. Min’s face—turning from green to pale to black—it was truly spectacular. Today, I learned how eloquent these officials can be; the words they used to satirize Mr. Min are too indelicate to repeat."

He had really indulged himself today; it had been worth making rounds everywhere.

Zhulan said, "Your son was bullied, and as his father, you did nothing? I’ve stoked the fires, waiting for your fanfare!"

Zhou Shuren stroked his chin, "I originally planned to write a memorial at the end of the year, but it seems I’ll have to do it sooner. Since everyone is waiting for our family’s response, I’ll give them a big surprise."

A dark glint shone in Zhou Shuren’s eyes. The Min family dared to plot so openly because they thought the Zhou family was easy to bully. This wasn’t good; it was time for the Zhou family to show their blades!

Zhulan knew that Zhou Shuren had been researching Jinzhou, "What have you found out?"

Zhou Shuren smiled slyly, "The Emperor has locked the neck of Maritime Affairs; I’m just adding a few more locks to secure its limbs."

Zhulan became curious; her attention recently had been either on her youngest son or on Chang Zhi, and she hadn’t paid much to Zhou Shuren’s preoccupations, "Tell me?"

Zhou Shuren took a sip of tea, "Pinggang is too chaotic, with merchants from various countries; who knows how many spies are there? For the sake of Jinzhou’s security, precautions must be greatly enhanced."

Zhulan, "..."

So, don’t provoke Zhou Shuren; he was not one to let grievances slide and had long remembered them, waiting to strike back.

He was just acting sooner than planned, and the Emperor would indeed like Zhou Shuren’s memorial.

Zhou Shuren stood up, "Tonight, I will write the memorial with Master Meng, and it needs to go out tomorrow. I probably won’t come back this evening, so you should rest and not wait up for me."

The thought of waiting to see the Zhou family’s counterattack, and the issuing of the imperial decree, excited Zhulan strangely—why did she feel so thrilled? The next morning, Zhou Shuren, with dark circles under his eyes, headed to the government office, yawning and staggering as if he could fall asleep at any moment.

Prefect Wang was very curious; they had been taken advantage of before and knew that Zhou Shuren was not harmless. The Min family had schemed against the Zhou family openly the day before, and he was waiting for Zhou Shuren’s reaction. After waiting for what seemed like forever, who should arrive but a drowsy Zhou Shuren!

Zhou Shuren woke up after drinking the served strong tea and felt the woes of being in his forties—his body just wasn’t up to it. Sensing the gazes of Prefect Wang and others, Zhou Shuren was left speechless, "Why are you all staring at me?"

As his words fell, everyone knew to get back to their business. Experience had taught them that whatever spectacle Zhou Shuren made was not pleasant to witness.

Prefect Wang stayed; news had already spread from the Zhou family, just waiting for the matchmaker’s visit. In the future, the two families would be somewhat related. If the Min family dared to make a move, he thought he must throw a wrench in their plans.

Even without Su Xuan, his family’s elder hoped he would befriend Zhou Shuren. Prefect Wang whispered tentatively, "My lord, if you need anything, just let me know."

Zhou Shuren thought of a joke—if he literally just responded with a "squeak," it might kill Prefect Wang with frustration.

Prefect Wang was silent, wondering what Zhou Shuren was laughing at?

Zhou Shuren put down his teacup and stopped smiling. Prefect Wang, and others who sought his friendship, clearly wanted to form connections. This was all about networking, and indeed, the Wang family was worth befriending. However, Zhou Shuren didn’t plan to oblige; his current influence was limited, and the relationship would be unequal. Taking favors now would only mean owing more later, "Thank you."

Prefect Wang’s ears twitched; did he actually hear Zhou Shuren say ’thank you’? It was extremely rare. But after mulling it over and observing Zhou Shuren’s exhausted demeanor, his mouth twitched; surely this man couldn’t have spent the whole night thinking of how to trap others? He had rested well before when scheming against them, but this sleepless night—just the thought was frightening!