Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 725: Getting Married_1

Chapter 725: Chapter 725: Getting Married_1

In the evening, Zhou Shuren was startled awake by the sound of thunder, just as a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, casting a brief glow in the pitch-black room, followed by an ear-shattering clap of thunder.

Zhou Shuren sat up and reached for his coat, intending to go outside and take a look.

Zhulan was also awakened by the thunder. With each flash of lightning and peal of thunder, she quickly grabbed her clothes, her mind on her son.

Zhou Shuren had already put on his shoes. Shen Xing was still keeping watch outside, and when the door was pushed open, he saw the dark night sky illuminated by lightning, as if a dragon were darting chaotically through the air.

Shen Xing was visibly elated, "Sir, it’s raining."

Zhou Shuren’s mouth quirked up, "Yes, this downpour is sure to be a heavy one."

He wasn’t worried about the dikes; his years in Jinzhou Province weren’t spent in vain. However, should the rain be too heavy, some attention must be paid to the mountains to prevent landslides from causing casualties.

Zhulan entered her son’s room, where the old nursemaid was on night duty. In a hushed voice, she said, "The young master is sleeping soundly."

Zhulan, holding a candlestick, watched her son, who was indeed in deep slumber. Despite the loud thunder, he showed no response at all, hugging his pony-sized pillow and sleeping sweetly. "Keep a closer watch tonight," she instructed.

The old nursemaid nodded, "Yes."

Zhulan stepped out of the room. The rain had intensified, and she hurried back to her own. Zhou Shuren was sitting up waiting for her.

Zhou Shuren handed a cloth to his wife, "How’s our son?"

"Sleeping like a piglet, didn’t wake up at all. Rest assured, everything is fine."

Zhou Shuren, "You should also change quickly, your clothes are all wet."

"Alright, it’s still early, we can sleep a little longer. You lie down and rest first!"

Zhou Shuren indeed hadn’t woken up fully. The weather had been hot and stuffy in recent days, preventing him from having a good night’s sleep. Now that it was raining and cool outside, he could catch up on some needed rest, "Alright."

When they awoke in the morning, the rain was still falling outside, the pattering sounds almost hypnotic, making Zhulan somewhat reluctant to get up.

Zhou Shuren had gotten up, and Zhulan lay in bed a while longer before sitting up. She could still hear the maids laughing and talking; rain was a cause for joy.

The door opened, letting in the moist air, and the vegetation in the courtyard seemed to stretch out its leaves and come to life.

While combing her mistress’s hair, the old maid spoke, "This rain was enough; the lake in the garden has risen considerably."

Zhulan, looking at the rain curtain outside the window, "That’s good, the peasants have been waiting for this downpour!"

"Indeed, this year will be another good one."

Zhulan smiled, "Mhm."

In the capital, the Emperor and the Crown Prince had finished morning court, and the two of them walked along holding their umbrellas, the Emperor remarked, "The sound of this rain is truly delightful."

The Crown Prince also breathed a sigh of relief, "Yes, it is."

The Emperor was in an especially good mood today; heaven knows how much he dreaded droughts—or, rather, any kind of disaster. "Let’s go, we should head back too."

The Crown Prince matched his father’s pace, his mood quite agreeable today as well.

At the Jinzhou Residence Government Office, as soon as Zhou Shuren arrived, Wong Ju began to pester him. Zhou Shuren glowered, "Have you spun around enough?"

Wong Ju’s head wasn’t spinning, but Zhou Shuren’s was beginning to.

Wong Ju stopped in his tracks, his head a bit foggy, though his mind was clear, "Sir, you really have a way with words. You call for rain, and it rains."

Zhou Shuren snorted, "It’s only because we’re on good terms that I’d say this, otherwise, I’d truly believe you were trying to harm me. Are such words even permissible?"

As if he controlled the rain himself, proclaiming rainfall simply by his word.

Wong Ju, "Is there anyone besides us in this room?"

Zhou Shuren, "Intense heat is bound to be followed by heavy rain, this too can be predicted from experience."

Realizing his mistake, Wong Ju knew how careful and cautious Zhou Shuren always was; he truly wouldn’t leave behind any loophole, "Indeed, in past years there have also been heavy rains following the heat waves."

Zhou Shuren was satisfied, "Hmm, this rain won’t stop anytime soon. Since you’re here, I have some tasks for you."

"My lord, please go ahead."

Zhou Shuren listed the precautions for the heavy rain, such as prohibiting passage on hillside roads, paying attention to safety on both sides of the river, not allowing people to stand under trees, and also sent people to inspect some old houses to prevent them from collapsing and killing people in the heavy rain.

The heavy rain lasted for a day and a night before it slowly seemed to stop, as if it was making up for the previously owed rainfall, and perhaps even compensating a bit too much. However, fortunately, there were no casualties.

In the capital, at the Hou Residence of Yao Yao, she touched her fiery red wedding gown. Tomorrow she would be married. Her hand left the gown, scanning her boudoir. She was about to leave this cage. There was no sense of loss, only a feeling of liberation, finally being able to depart.

Lady Bai entered with her maid, "Yaoyao, what are you looking at?"

Yaoyao turned around. "I’m taking one last look at the room I’ve lived in."

Lady Bai pulled her daughter closer, "You can still see it when you visit home. Come here, this is the silver coin your mother has saved for you. Keep it safe. Mother knows you understand more than I do. I won’t say much more. Just keep it safe; this will be your support in the future."

Yaoyao did not refuse, opening the box to see a case full of silver notes, "Thank you, Mother."

Lady Bai said, "I was worried the heavy rain would delay the auspicious time tomorrow, but luckily it has stopped."

Yaoyao held her mother’s hand, "Mother, after I get married, please think more of my brother and yourself."

Lady Bai felt very anxious, reciprocating the grip on her daughter’s hand. She always felt that her daughter might have discovered something. She had realized there was an issue as she began considering more for herself and her unhealthy son, holding her daughter’s hand tightly, "After you marry, you must think more of your husband’s family. You needn’t worry about your family here. Do you hear me?"

Yaoyao lowered her eyelids, "Mother, I understand."

Lady Bai noticed the marks on her daughter’s hand and quickly released it, "Look at me, not knowing how to moderate my strength."

Yaoyao, "Mother, I’m not hurt."

At the Hanlin Academy, Shi Qing, though inconspicuous, knew about the marriage and received congratulations from everyone.

Chang Lian stepped forward, "Congratulations."

Shi Qing was truly looking forward to getting married, "Thank you, make sure you come tomorrow."

Chang Lian understood that while the words might sound the same to everyone, Shi Qing sincerely hoped that he and Rongchuan would attend, "Sure."

Shen Yang did not step forward; he gloomily fiddled with his purse. Another sum of silver had been spent. Ever since his arrival in the capital, his expenses had been particularly high. He had written home the other day and it was time for a reply, but he had yet to hear back, and now he had only a little over ten silver taels left.

The next afternoon, after leaving the Hanlin Academy, Chang Lian and Rongchuan headed by horse carriage to Shi Qing’s house. Rongchuan dismounted and looked at the red silk ribbons on Shi Residence’s gate with envy in his eyes. He didn’t even have a house to call his own yet, let alone think of marriage.

Chang Lian followed, holding a box. There weren’t many guests at the Shi Residence, "It really is a bit quiet."

Rongchuan, "Indeed, it is quiet."

Shi Qing stood at the door to welcome guests and, seeing Chang Lian and Rongchuan, his smile grew much warmer, "You’ve arrived, please come in."

Chang Lian and Rongchuan presented their gift box, "We carefully selected this gift."