Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 710: Knowing a Bit Too Much_1

Chapter 710: Chapter 710: Knowing a Bit Too Much_1

The Guard was in a panic; they were still some distance away from the Duke Residence and dared not carry the Duke back. They had already sent word to the Duke Residence, but seeing the Duke’s poor condition was causing them great anxiety.

Regaining their composure, the Guard said, "Thank you, we indeed need a carriage."

At least the Duke would be able to lie flat inside the carriage; as long as the ride was smooth, he could return to the Duke Residence more swiftly.

Zhou Changlian and Rongchuan made way, "Please."

The Guard wasted no time on pleasantries, carefully lifting the Duke onto the carriage and instructing the coachman, "Let’s go."

As for the two who had offered assistance, there was no need to ask further questions; recognizing the robes of the Hanlin Academy, they were familiar to him.

Not until the carriage had left did Zhou Changlian say, "I hope the old gentleman is safe."

He had observed the old gentleman earlier, whose eyes were tightly shut, and the situation did not seem good.

Rongchuan was somewhat distracted, the elderly gentleman he had just seen bore some resemblance to him. He was relieved that today, having gone to retrieve the jewelry, they had chanced upon this incident.

Zhou Changlian hadn’t heard Rongchuan’s reply and waved his hand in front of Rongchuan’s eyes, "What are you thinking about?"

Rongchuan snapped back to reality, "Nothing much, our family is waiting for us to have dinner, let’s hurry back."

Zhou Changlian, not so easily deceived, took a few steps and sensed something was off. The old man did possess a resemblance to Rongchuan. It wasn’t just his imagination — the mystery of Rongchuan’s background remained unsolved. Rongchuan had some resemblance to Lord Ning’s second son, and upon further consideration, the old man must have been the Duke!

Thinking of some details he’d overlooked before, Zhou Changlian felt he might know too much.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan waited for Rongchuan and Zhou Changlian to change their clothes and asked, "Why did you come back so late today? You are nearly two hours later than usual."

Rongchuan’s face turned red, embarrassed to mention the jewelry he had ordered for Xue Han, he looked down, "We were unexpectedly delayed in the streets."

Zhou Changlian thought to himself that Rongchuan had the courage to order jewelry but apparently lacked the nerve to mention it; without exposing him, he said, "We ran into an emergency on our way back and walked home, which is why we are late."

Zhou Shuren spoke up upon hearing this, "What happened?"

He had not yet left the capital!

Zhou Changlian recounted their helpful deed, summarizing, "I believe the elderly man was Duke Ning."

Zhou Shuren knew what Zhou Changlian had based his guess on and felt a mix of emotions. The capital indeed felt small, and he was also relieved that the Duke had been unconscious. His wife has told him that Rongchuan did not resemble the Empress or his parents. When Marquis Ning recently visited their home and sporadically mentioned Ning’s late eldest son, Zhou Shuren had his suspicions confirmed. Today’s events merely validated his speculations.

Furthermore, considering Marquis Ning and Lord Ning’s second son’s reactions, Rongchuan did resemble the deceased Ning’s eldest son, and perhaps strikingly so. Had the Duke been conscious upon meeting Rongchuan today, the shock alone could have been too much for him!

Seeing his father’s silence, Zhou Changlian’s thoughts raced. He felt certain his father knew something, and now that his father remained quiet, he had his answers. Zhou Changlian felt a bit stunned. Could Rongchuan truly be the child of the Duke Residence?

He then puzzled over why, if Rongchuan was indeed the child of the Duke Residence, they hadn’t acknowledged him. Was it due to a lack of proof, or was there some other reason?

Seeing Rongchuan frowning, Zhulan patted Zhou Shuren’s shoulder, "Alright, the food is getting cold, let’s eat quickly."

Zhou Shuren stood up, deciding to let future events unfold as they would and not to overthink, "Let’s go, it’s time to eat."

After dinner, Zhou Changlian lingered, seeming to want to speak but hesitating. Zhou Shuren acted as if he hadn’t noticed, shooing him away, "Off you go, don’t disturb your mother and me from resting. We have a long journey back to Jinzhou Province tomorrow."

Zhou Changlian, noticing the sky was not yet dark, realized his father’s excuses were becoming less convincing. Yet, he was delighted, interpreting this as a sign of his father’s affection — an acknowledgment of his status as a true son. He didn’t need a perfect reason, "Dad, have a good rest with Mom."

Zhou Shuren chuckled, "Scram."

In the garden, Xue Han held the hairpin Rongchuan had given her. Seeing Rongchuan’s furrowed brows, she handed the hairpin to the water maid, asking her to return it, then reached out to grab both ends of Rongchuan’s brow, pulling outward forcefully.

Rongchuan hissed, "It hurts, it hurts."

Xue Han, looking at his smoothed brows, finally let go with satisfaction, "You must not furrow your brows."

Rongchuan was especially bold today, holding Xue Han’s hand, "I know you’re smart, and you must have guessed something. I..."

Xue Han covered Rongchuan’s mouth with her free hand, "Why worry about things beyond your control? Besides, since you didn’t actively seek out the truth in the beginning, you shouldn’t suffer now. Haven’t you already decided to let nature take its course?"

Rongchuan’s lips touched Xue Han’s hand. After so many years, this was their first act of intimacy. Xue Han’s palm was burning hot, as if it had scorched his heart. His ears and hands grew warm.

Xue Han, feeling the heat, hastily let go and pulled her other hand out of his grasp, then ran off quickly, dying from embarrassment. Why had her heated brain made her reach out with her hand like that?

This hand had a mind of its own, certainly not her own thoughts.

Watching Xue Han run away, Rongchuan chuckled softly, his earlier troubles long forgotten. He felt that, instead of worrying about his own origins, he should focus on how to marry Xue Han sooner rather than later.

Chang Lian came out from his hiding place, patting Rongchuan’s shoulder, "Look at you, wanting to get married, huh? It’s just too bad that Dad and Mom want to keep the sister at home for a couple more years."

Rongchuan jumped in fright, then felt his scalp smoking, "How long have you been hiding there?"

"Ah, from the moment you touched my sister’s hand. But that’s you, I held back. Still, you should be careful. Luckily, the sister is going back to Jinzhou Province tomorrow."

Rongchuan glared, Chang Lian may have held his hand back but certainly not his mouth. He was deliberately taunting him, knowing full well he couldn’t bear Xue Han’s departure!

In the courtyard of the third household, Lady Dong was walking hand in hand with her daughter on the ground. Seeing her husband return, she asked, "Didn’t you have something to discuss with Dad? Why are you back so soon?"

Chang Lian spread his hands, "Dad told me to roll back, so I rolled back."

Lady Dong burst into laughter, "Look at you, have you had an epiphany?"

Chang Lian raised an eyebrow. Having married into the Zhou family at a young age, they grew up together, and he knew Lady Dong understood him. Without saying anything, she had guessed his thoughts, "Yeah, I’ve had an epiphany. On my way back, I heard the sister and Rongchuan talk, and I got over it."

Lady Dong didn’t worry about what she couldn’t control. With her mother-in-law in charge of the household, all she needed to do was manage the third household, "Mother is going back to Jinzhou Province tomorrow."

Chang Lian picked up his chubby daughter, "With Mom returning, you’ll have to attend banquets on your own."

Lady Dong’s eyes curved into a smile, "I’m already capable."

These days, Mother had taken her to one banquet and then they visited the Wang Residence. Afterwards, she went on her own once, and now she had a sense of what to do.

Chang Lian’s mouth twitched into a smile, "I knew my wife would have no problems."

Lady Dong felt pleased inside but hummed playfully, "Give me some more surprises, and I’ll be even more amazing."

Chang Lian, "...."

So it’s better for Mom and Dad to return to Jinzhou Province sooner. With them gone, and Rongchuan not around to offer his courtesies, life for him and his wallet would be a bit easier!