Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 783 It’s Time to Take Care of Your Health_1

Chapter 783: Chapter 783 It’s Time to Take Care of Your Health_1

Clan Leader Zhou sat in the chair, looking at the spacious classroom, feeling very proud. The Zhou clan was renowned for their family school within ten miles, and this was all thanks to Shuren. Over the years, he had continuously bought lands for the family school to expand. The earnings from these lands were substantial. But when it came to books, "Our Zhou family is considered to have many, all left by your father."

Chang Zhi had also understood these past few days how much the family had invested in the family school. Not to mention the land, the books were the main concern. "I’ve looked through the family school’s collection of books. It’s decent, but still a bit lacking. Since these children can’t go out to gain experiences, they can only obtain knowledge from books. I’ll copy a few of the books they need before I depart, and the rest, I’ll look for them when I return to the capital."

Clan Leader Zhou said, "I don’t even know what to say, uncle thanks you on behalf of the children for your family’s great kindness."

Chang Zhi laughed, "Clan Leader Grandfather, don’t say that, our family is also part of the Zhou clan."

Clan Leader Zhou, looking at Chang Zhi, felt emotional. The environment has a great influence on a person, and the more he interacted with Chang Zhi, the more he believed that this child would surely do well once he entered the officialdom.

In the pavilion at the Duke Residence, the Duchess had already dismissed the young ladies, only keeping the two girls from the Zhou family, mainly Xue Han, with Yushuang included incidentally.

The Duchess kept saying, "Good, good."

She had taken a liking to the girl from her actions towards Miss Liu earlier. Their Ning family came from a military background and appreciated boldness.

Xue Han was genuinely embarrassed now. The Duchess kept praising her, and she didn’t know how to respond!

Ning Ting evaluated Zhou Xuehan—she wasn’t a beauty and certainly couldn’t compare to her niece by her side. But the great-grandmother placed importance on Miss Zhou, which she couldn’t understand more and more.

Yushuang’s eyes also widened, her heart fluttered—her aunt was already betrothed!

It was only after some time that the Duchess spoke, "I’ve heard that you’ve managed your household for a few years, and quite well at that."

Xue Han modestly responded, "It’s all thanks to my mother’s good teaching."

The Duchess said, "Your mother has indeed taught you well; she knows how to raise children. But you’re a wise person too, and managing a household is full of twists and turns."

Xue Han smiled, "The Zhou family’s household is relatively simple."

So there really weren’t that many twists and turns; she just needed to manage the account books and servants. With her mother overseeing everything and the sisters-in-law not engaging in too much scheming, her role as steward was rather relaxed.

At noon, in the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren dined with Mr. Qiu and the Crown Prince, Mr. Qiu being especially restrained.

Zhou Shuren was much more at ease. Perhaps because he had seen more sides to the Crown Prince, the prince’s image had somewhat crumbled in his mind. He even felt the Crown Prince could be down to earth, beckoning, "The chefs at the Ministry of Revenue are from the palace. Knowing the Crown Prince is here, they prepared many dishes to your taste."

After finishing, Zhou Shuren grew despondent. With the Crown Prince’s presence, all the dishes catered to his preferences. Being young and the royals emphasizing health, the dishes were particularly bland. For someone like Zhou Shuren who preferred saltier food, the meal was somewhat torturous.

Crown Prince looked at the array of dishes, truly liking very few of them. Most were feigned preferences the chefs thought he enjoyed. After a few bites, he said, "Mr. Zhou, why are you only eating rice? Have some dishes."

Zhou Shuren picked up a chopstick of vibrantly green vegetables with just a light, clear broth over them. These types of dishes, which emphasized the natural taste of the food, were really not to his liking; he preferred stronger flavors.

Crown Prince was quite aware of Zhou Shuren’s preferences. "Mr. Zhou, you have also reached the age for nurturing your health. It’s better to eat lighter food. In these days, I have refined a diet. Mr. Zhou should also take good care of himself."

Zhou Shuren, "...."

Wait, did this mean the Crown Prince planned to stay at the Ministry of Revenue for a good while?

Zhou Shuren was very distressed. Pah, he didn’t want to nurture his health. He thought his taste was fine as it was. He really didn’t want to commit his life to the royal family’s health regimen, which sent chills down his spine just thinking about it.

Qiu Yan’s vision darkened. He was afraid he too would be lumped in with the Crown Prince’s faction. Why was it so hard to remain uninvolved with anyone?

Zhulan got into the carriage to go home. Yushuang was terribly anxious, sweating profusely as her aunt showed no intent to speak. Unable to hold back any longer once they arrived home, Yushuang blurted out, "Grandmother, the Duchess gave Aunt a pair of bracelets, saying it was the duchess’s dowry. She took them off her wrist, Grandmother, what does the Duchess mean by this?"

Zhulan took her daughter’s hand, "Is this Warm Jade? This is too precious."

Zhou Xuehan, who had been in a daze, had now become calm. "Mother, the Duchess seems to really like your daughter."

"To give you such priceless Warm Jade, it’s more than just liking. It’s clear that she’s been wearing this pair for a long time."

It seemed that Rongchuan indeed greatly resembled the deceased eldest son of the Duke’s family. Otherwise, the Duchess wouldn’t have shifted her affection to Rongchuan, nor would she have taken a liking to Xuehan out of love for her house.

Xue Han had a thought, "Mother, by giving the Warm Jade this time, does the Duchess intend to acknowledge Rongchuan again?"

Zhulan nodded, "Hmm, your father has been notified a couple of days ago."

Xuehan said, "Rongchuan didn’t come home last night and had dinner with Mr. Hou yesterday. I guessed as much."

Yushuang felt a bit foolish, "So, Uncle Rongchuan is the child of the Duke Residence?"

So that was it, it all made sense now, no wonder her aunt was so composed.

Zhulan instructed her eldest granddaughter, "Don’t tell anyone yet."

Yushuang nodded, "Your granddaughter understands."

Then she became excited. Her little aunt was recognized by the Ning Duke’s Residence. Her aunt’s marriage wouldn’t change, and she was happy for her aunt.

At the Ning Duke’s Residence, the old lady had returned to her courtyard. Ning Ting hurried to find her grandmother, her heart pounding as the great-grandmother had actually given the Warm Jade bracelets to Miss Zhou—that was a pair!

The Princely Heir’s wife frowned, "Where are your manners?"

Seeing that only her grandmother’s maid was in the room, Ning Ting paid her respects and then said, "Grandmother, the great-grandmother has given the Warm Jade bracelets she always wore to Miss Zhou."

The Princely Heir’s wife’s teacup slipped out of her grasp, hitting the table, "Could you repeat that?"

Ning Ting repeated, "I saw it with my own eyes."

The Princely Heir’s wife couldn’t wrap her head around it. She knew about this pair of Warm Jade bracelets—it was her mother-in-law’s dowry, the only pair. She had coveted it herself. Later, her husband told her not to think about it, as the bracelets were meant for the eldest daughter-in-law, and even without the big brother, the mother-in-law would not pass them to her.

But now they had been given to an outsider. How could she not be upset?

The Princely Heir’s wife felt indignant. She had tended to her in-laws; if not for merit, she had at least put in hard work. Yet the mother-in-law had not given the bracelets to her. Getting up in a huff, she declared, "I need to ask the old lady about this."

The maid hurried to stop her, "Wife, don’t rush. There’s something fishy about this. You’d better ask the Prince first."

It was the first time Ning Ting had seen her grandmother so enraged, and she was a bit frightened, quickly saying, "Grandmother, the great-grandmother values Miss Zhou very much."

Lady Du calmed down, recalling the flower banquet the eunuch hinted at being for her husband, which now seemed to involve the Zhou family. Remembering the jokes her sister-in-law made at home about how Ning Xu treated Zhang Rongchuan like a son, at that time it sounded like a joke. But now, feeling like she might have guessed the truth, she became even more impatient and went directly to confirm with her husband.