Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 714: Giving Up Position_1

Chapter 714: Chapter 714: Giving Up Position_1

Zhulan perused the letter; Zhao Bo’s message was brief. The main issue was about repaying the Silver Coin. He stated that he would return it in two months when he borrowed it, but now he couldn’t, and needed to wait for two years. Zhao Bo was extremely embarrassed, but he didn’t say why he borrowed the Silver Coin in the first place, which made it seem likely that it was for no good reason—if it had been for a good cause, he would have hinted at it.

Zhulan put away the letter. Zhao Bo was someone who cared about appearances. From the borrowing of the Silver Coin to the writing of this letter, the handwriting showed how unsettled Zhao Bo must have been.

Song Granny entered, "Madam, Mrs. Wong’s wife has arrived."

"Please, invite her in."

Madam Tao came in shortly, holding a fan. As she took her seat, she said, "It’s really hot today, it seems even hotter than the previous years!"

Since Zhulan was convalescing, there was no ice in the room. She told Song Granny, "Bring over some ice."

Knowing that Madam Yang was recuperating, Madam Tao waved her hand, "No need, I’ll cool down after sitting for a while."

Zhulan said, "If you hadn’t come today, I would have visited you tomorrow."

Madam Tao wiped the sweat with a handkerchief. Since giving birth, she hadn’t lost weight, and the heavier she got, the more intolerable the heat became, "If I had known, I would not have come today. But on another note, I received a letter from my sister-in-law. She said that my mother-in-law really likes you."

Zhulan hadn’t expected old Madam Wong to mention her. She smiled and said, "Really? It wasn’t just you saying so, was it?"

Madam Tao took a sip of the cold tea the maid had placed down and felt much cooler, "I’m speaking the truth. My mother-in-law indeed has a good impression of you."

How discerning her mother-in-law was! If her mother-in-law took to Madam Yang, then she couldn’t be more pleased, especially since she didn’t want her mother-in-law to have any prejudice against Yu Lu.

Zhulan was also quite happy. The comments made behind someone’s back were usually the truest, "I have you to thank for this."

Madam Tao raised her chin, indeed she should be thanked. Within the entire Wong residence, she dared to claim she knew her mother-in-law the best. There were many years of matching wits and wrestling of wills—cough cough—she quickly changed the subject, "I heard you went to the palace. How did it feel?"

Zhulan raised an eyebrow, "Isn’t your news a bit too prompt?"

Madam Tao smirked, "It’s because Jinzhou Province is close to the capital, and the Zhou family has a marital alliance with the Wong family. The Wong household pays great attention to these matters. My sister-in-law and I correspond frequently, so I knew this bit of news quite early on."

Zhulan smiled, "It was my first time entering the palace, and overall, it wasn’t bad. I rode on my husband’s coattails, after all."

Madam Tao came in haste today mainly to confirm the news. Mr. Zhou had been in the capital for many days without returning, and her husband had been paying close attention. She mentioned that her husband said Mr. Zhou would certainly come to the capital. Madam Tao felt emotional; Madam Yang had met the Empress before she did. In the previous years, she wouldn’t have dared to imagine the Zhou family rising so swiftly.

In the Duke Residence in the capital, Duke Ning, who had rested for a day, felt much better. Seeing his youngest son arrive, he said, "You’ve come at the right time, help me outside to sit for a while."

Ning Xu saw his father’s complexion was good and then signaled the young servant to set up chairs in the courtyard. Once everything was ready, he helped his father outside to sit.

Duke Ning sat under the shade of a tree, feeling a bit weak in the legs after just a few steps. After taking a few breaths, he said, "It’s quite hot today, and it’s not even noon yet."

Ning Xu, being of a larger build, sweated profusely with any exertion. Sitting down and fanning himself, he said, "Yes, this year’s temperature is higher than in previous years."

Duke Ning frowned, "I hope there won’t be a drought."

Ning Xu said, "The Emperor said the same thing yesterday."

Duke Ning leaned back in his chair and gazed at his eldest son, speaking softly, "I don’t know how much longer I’ll live. Your second brother’s family is just as it is. They will need your care in the future. It would be best for you to be mindful of your demeanor."

The great-grandson was still too young, and it was uncertain how long it would be before he came of age. The second wife’s family had no strong support and would have to rely on his eldest son. He had dared not die when his eldest son returned from the brink of death, but now he could voice these thoughts.

Hearing his father’s words, Ning Xu felt a complex mix of emotions, "Father, I understand the propriety, and you will surely live a long and healthy life."

Duke Ning chuckled, knowing his own health all too well, "Speaking of which, you seem to have a high opinion of Zhou Shuren’s son and your future son-in-law. It’s quite a coincidence. Find an opportunity for me to meet these two youngsters."

Ning Xu, "...Father, when you have recovered."

Duke Ning glared, "I won’t get any better at my age. When people get old, they like the energy of the young; just seeing them won’t be an issue. Arrange it during a rest day at the Hanlin Academy then."

Ning Xu, despite his calculations, had not anticipated his father’s temperament, especially that of an elderly father, who could be quite capricious at times, "Father."

Duke Ning, "Hmm?"

Ning Xu felt doomed as sweat formed on his forehead, "Well, your son will make the arrangements."

Duke Ning squinted, his youngest son was keeping something significant from him, and he was aware of it. Despite the years without seeing his son, he still understood him. He must see this person himself to judge properly.

In the Jinzhou Government Office, Zhou Shuren and Wong Ju were transitioning the work. For more than two years, Zhou Shuren had implemented many reforms, and now the division of labor in the office was well-defined. His absence for several days had not caused any problems.

Wong Ju was the most moved by Zhou Shuren’s departure. He had worried that problems might arise, but days after Zhou Shuren had left, the Government Office functioned as if he had never left at all, allowing Wong Ju to more directly witness the remarkable capabilities of Zhou Shuren. No wonder he was transferring to the capital—the province of Jinzhou really was too limiting for him.

Zhou Shuren raised his head, "Is there anything else?"

Wong Ju replied, "No, nothing else. I do feel somewhat sentimental, not knowing how much longer I can work alongside Your Excellency."

Zhou Shuren fell silent for a moment, "I too will miss you quite a bit."

Wong Ju felt quite pleased, "Really?"

"The abilities of Wong Ju are indeed difficult to part with. Wong Ju seems to have boundless potential. No matter how much pressure is put on you, you thrive. It truly makes you hard to let go of!"

Zhou Shuren had become so accustomed to using his talents that he was contemplating whether to have Wong Ju join him after his move to the capital. He certainly did not plan to shoulder everything on his own; he preferred to make strategic use of his talents.

Wong Ju, "...."

Heh, now all his unwillingness to part had vanished, and instead he looked forward to Zhou Shuren’s swift departure, longing to save his gradually thinning hair!

That evening, after dinner, Zhulan mentioned a letter from Zhao Bo, "I have no idea what’s happened to Zhao Bo."

Zhou Shuren was also quite concerned. Zhao Bo was one of his few friends, "Let’s wait for Zhao Bo to tell us himself!"

Zhulan asked, "What was the reaction in the Government Office today?"

The officials were all quite well-informed and probably had their own considerations.

Zhou Shuren, having taken off his shoes, said, "They were probing, but they didn’t dare go too far. They are all sly as monkeys and very aware of the importance of fostering good relationships. Since they can’t stop it, they try to create as much goodwill as possible. If I had not said I was tired today, they wouldn’t have let me come back."

The thing he heard most today was invitations to drink.

Zhulan was relieved, "Then that’s good."

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, five days had passed—Eldest Brother Zhou and Second Brother Zhou finally returned. Both had lost a lot of weight, especially Eldest Brother Zhou, whose belly was barely noticeable now.

Zhulan, seeing that both brothers were in good spirits, said, "You’ve worked hard."

Second Brother Zhou said, "It’s Eldest Brother who had it the toughest."

As the eldest, during the clan’s ancestral rituals, he had been busy with the preparations; and as soon as the ceremonies were over, he had set off for the Wu family residence. Eldest Brother had not rested at all. For years, Eldest Brother had been diligently studying, frequently seen humbly asking for advice. He had a notebook that he carried everywhere, which Second Brother had curiously peeked at—it was filled with things Eldest Brother struggled to remember.

In the notebook, Eldest Brother would strike through an item once he remembered it. Although Eldest Brother was not clever, he persevered in his own way. Second Brother was deeply impressed by Eldest Brother’s efforts and had developed a profound respect for him.

Second Brother had also reflected a lot on himself. During this trip, he had always looked to Eldest Brother for direction, never overstepping his boundaries. This was the respect Eldest Brother deserved.

Eldest Brother Zhou laughed heartily, "I didn’t find it hard. All this was what I was supposed to do. Second Brother, you worked hard too. When I wasn’t in Zhou Family Village, it was you who dealt with the elders and the clan leader."

Zhulan felt a deep sense of contentment. Eldest Brother had won over his brothers with his own efforts, and Zhulan was clear about the changes in the second brother and the others, "You all worked hard."

Eldest Brother Zhou took out the deeds, "Mother, these are the deeds for the shop. Please keep them safe."

Zhulan asked, "Good. How are Xue Mei and the people from our village doing?"

Eldest Brother Zhou responded, "The clansfolk are doing quite well. The Clan Leader often thanks Father on behalf of his son. He says that our Zhou clan’s well-being is all thanks to Father’s protection. He also told me to convey to Father that he will keep the clansfolk in line and make sure they cause no trouble."

Second Brother Zhou added, "Our sister’s family is also doing well. Jiang Zhu’s scholarship is commendable, and the children are very obedient. Mother, you need not worry."

Zhulan, noticing that Eldest Brother Zhou hesitated, asked, "Is there something else?"

Eldest Brother Zhou replied, "Mother, when we were leaving, elder sister had the idea of bringing Jiang Zhu back with us."

Zhulan thought it was no big deal, "Oh, that’s what it was. Your father and I were just talking about this. Your father’s idea is that, when your father-in-law’s family sends over the grain come autumn, Jiang Zhu should come with them."

Eldest Brother Zhou smiled. He was happy for his sister, "Father really thinks of everything."

Zhulan talked with her sons for a while before letting the conversation wind down. They had all the time in the world now that her sons were back, and they needed their rest.

In the capital, the Emperor was looking over a list in his hands—these were the people who had been reeled in thus far. His fingertips glided over each name, Zhou Shuren was to be transferred to the capital, indeed, it was time for someone to make room.

The Crown Prince glanced at the list, feeling a sinking feeling in his heart. Ever since he found out that Rongchuan was his younger brother, his father the Emperor no longer excluded him from such matters. He had seen the lists in his father’s hands. Heh, many of them had risen through the imperial examinations after the founding of the dynasty.