Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 767: Most Reassuring_1

Chapter 767: Chapter 767: Most Reassuring_1

The Crown Prince was silent as he pressed his brow. He hadn’t rested at all last night and now his head ached somewhat. "Continue to keep watch, keep a close eye on anyone they contact."

"Yes," replied the guard.

After the Crown Prince’s retainers had left, he drank two cups of strong tea, which cleared his mind considerably. This purge had to be thorough; otherwise, endless troubles would ensue. When he thought of replacing his blood brother Rongchuan, he wasn’t surprised by these developments. After all, these people had begun to lay their plans as soon as the dynasty was established.

Yet, the anger in the Crown Prince’s eyes was palpable. These people wanted to drag him down, but as the Crown Prince, he had only one path—to ascend the throne. There were those who wished to cut off his path. The Crown Prince closed his eyes. He was not in a rush. If the Emperor had the patience to wait, so could he.

Inside the Palace, the Emperor received a list. "Good, very good."

His sons, whom he had sheltered under his wings, were being schemed against so easily. He felt rage bubbling within. His eldest son, to whom he had devoted so much, and his youngest, whom he had the highest hopes for, were both being conspired against, and it felt like his very lungs had been punctured.

Eunuch Liu shrank his neck realizing that despite the Emperor’s good spirits after Lord Zhou’s departure, he no longer wanted to linger in the hall.

The Emperor, with a grim expression, commanded, "Summon Ning Xu to the Palace."

"Yes," came the response.

The Emperor narrowed his eyes, contemplating that the matter should still be entrusted to Ning Xu. Currently, he was as suspicious of others as the Crown Prince. Ning Xu was the only one he truly trusted.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan returned to her home, where the steward handed her a letter. "Madam, this is a letter from Jinzhou Province."

Zhulan took the letter, which contained messages from the Tao family and from Wu Ning. She smiled as she sat down to read, the Tao family’s letter was filled with trivial household matters, the only point of importance being that the elder Mrs. Wang was very pleased with Yu Lu. Mrs. Tao was overjoyed, feeling validated in her good judgment.

Wu Ning’s letter was also about everyday matters. It had been some time since the Zhou family had come to the capital, and the child was concerned, prompting her to inquire specifically through this letter.

Zhulan said to Grandma Song, "This girl has been raised well."

Grandma Song replied, "You treat Miss Wu as your own daughter; it’s only natural that she feels grateful."

Zhulan stood up to change her clothes and said as she walked, "I don’t expect anything from her, as long as she lives her life well, that’s all I ask for."

Grandma Song felt a pang of emotion, thinking that both the master and mistress of the house had not only kind hearts but also the softest ones. Over the years, the Zhou family had never wronged the children of the Wu family or Scholar Deng’s son.

Grandma Song considered herself fortunate, especially with the fortune she found in her old age. Her time in the Zhou residence had been the most comfortable of her life.

Zhulan, having changed into her clothes, sat down in front of the dressing table and gazed into the bronze mirror. Although glass mirrors existed since the previous dynasty and were available from foreign merchants, they were too expensive. Zhulan had never felt like indulging in one, but the ancient bronze mirror was not so bad either.

Grandma Song deftly began to take down her hairdo, while Zhulan said, "At home, a simple hairdo is fine."

Her head ached from the many hair ornaments she had worn that day.

Zhulan mused further, "It’s been a while since Eldest and Chang Zhi left. I wonder if they have arrived back home."

Zhou Shuren had yet to assume office when they had departed, and now it had been some time since he had started his tenure.

Calculating the days, Grandma Song said, "It will need some more time."

Zhulan, "Hmm, right, and Chang Yi should have already set off for the capital."

At the gateway of Lizhou Province, Yang Wuchun personally saw his cousin off to the capital, watching the departing caravan as he cautioned, "Be careful on your journey."

Chang Yi smiled, "Big cousin, I’ve traveled plenty over the years. You don’t need to worry. I know what I’m doing."

Yang Wuchun, "When you return, give my regards to uncle and aunt. It’s a pity that I can’t leave Lizhou Province; otherwise, I’d accompany you to the capital. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them."

"You have your duties, big cousin. The hour is getting late. You should head back too," said Chang Yi.

Yang Wuchun felt a bit reluctant inside, the Yang family had too few relatives in Lizhou, and with the second uncle’s family not in Lizhou City, his parents hadn’t been this happy in a long time, "Take care on your way."

Chang Yi got on the carriage, finally able to return to the capital. He was in a hurry to get home now, his eyes fixed on the accounting book. This trip to Lizhou had not been a waste; he had purchased quite a few furs and timbers. His father had become the Vice Minister of Revenue, so the dowry for his daughter had to be even less vague. The higher one climbed, the more important a daughter’s dowry became – it was also a matter of the Zhou family’s reputation.

He certainly didn’t want his daughter to get married and be scorned by her in-laws for bringing an insufficient dowry, incidentally saying the Zhou family was poor and unsophisticated. Therefore, the silver he brought, aside from buying gifts for his parents and setting aside travel expenses, was all spent.

Chang Yi pondered in his mind that when the fall silver came in, he would buy some more shops in the capital. Yes, and his son too, his son had ambition, but he also needed to find a wife. Thinking about it, his burden was really not light.

In the capital, Zhulan already knew that Zhou Shuren would not be coming back that night, and this time she didn’t tease her son, but told him directly.

Chang Zhong was pursing his lips, "Mother, father has been working too hard."

Zhulan laughed, "So you know what hard work is?"

"Son knows, my older cousin said that father has to support the entire Zhou family, that’s why father is so busy – said that father is particularly hard-working."

Zhulan touched the hair her son had left growing, "So you must grow up quickly."

"Hmm, son will try hard."

"Chang Zhong is really sensible."

Zhulan felt emotional inside, the environment had such a big impact on children. Back in Jinzhou Province, Chang Zhong would never think of taking some pressure off his father. After entering the capital, with Mingyun and others under more pressure, they also became more studious, and even the young Chang Zhong had come to understand quite a few things.

After a while, Lady Li and a few others came over, and Zhulan looked at Lady Li, "How do I feel like you’ve lost quite a bit of weight?"

Lady Li blinked her eyes, "Mother, you’re not wrong. Your daughter-in-law has indeed lost weight."

Ever since she started managing the household this month, she had not only lost weight but also her hair. She used to be carefree, but now the moment she opened her eyes, she had to manage everything in the Zhou residence. Even in her dreams, she dreamed about doing the accounts. These days, she had no appetite for food.

Seeing her older sister-in-law not smiling as cheerfully as usual, Zhao Shi felt somewhat worried, as it was her turn to manage the household next month.

Zhulan paused and then said, "Well, losing some weight is also quite good."

Lady Li couldn’t believe it, her mother-in-law had always said that being plump was a sign of prosperity, "Mother."

She had been saddened by the weight loss, thinking her good fortune had dwindled!

Zhulan shifted the conversation, "You’ve been managing the household for a few days now, how does it feel?"

Lady Li, like an eggplant hit by frost, lost her spirits again, "Your daughter-in-law only realized today how difficult it is for my younger sister to manage the household. I was all over the place at the start and still haven’t gotten the hang of it."

Su Xuan thought to herself that this was still the Zhou residence without any sordid affairs, no conflicts of interest with illegitimate sons or concubines, otherwise managing the household would be even harder.

Zhulan couldn’t be of much help to Lady Li; managing the household was something Lady Li had to become accustomed to herself, "You’ll get the hang of it in time."

Lady Li, seeing her sisters-in-law watching her, summoned her spirit again and silently reminded herself that she was the older sister-in-law, "Yes."

In the Second Prince Residence, Zhang Jinghong was enjoying a feast fit for a king. With such fine wine and food, he had no burden eating, "Second Brother, you’re really willing to bring out this wine, not easy."

He had coveted it for a long time but never got to taste it.

Zhang Jingyang snorted, "Now you know your brother treats you well."

Zhang Jinghong laughed, "I’ve always known the Second Prince treats his brother well."

Pfft, as if no one knew who was who.