Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 784 Don’t Put on Airs_1

Chapter 784: Chapter 784 Don’t Put on Airs_1

The Hanlin Academy, Rongchuan sent his father away and took out half of the fruit in his hand to share. These were fruits that the Hou Residence had just acquired, transported from the south; they are not yet for sale in the capital.

Rongchuan kept half of them to take back for his uncle and aunt and the rest of the family to eat.

Scholar Lv spoke up after Rongchuan left, "Is Marquis Ning perhaps too generous towards your future brother-in-law?"

If it hadn’t been so blatantly obvious that it was favoritism towards Zhang Rongchuan, he would have overthought it. Now, he was only pondering why Marquis Ning was so good to him; the influence on the Zhou family and Zhou Changlian was not insignificant.

Chang Lian thought to himself that it was because Rongchuan was his father’s son, but he couldn’t say that aloud, "It’s about personal chemistry."

Scholar Lv didn’t buy it, "Personal chemistry calls for sending such expensive fruits? And baskets of them?"

Logically speaking, since Zhang Rongchuan was living in the Zhou family home, the favor owed to Duke Ning should have been Zhou’s, and Marquis Ning should be good to Chang Lian. He couldn’t figure it out, but Zhou Changlian’s lips were sealed tight.

Chang Lian swept his gaze around those with pricked ears eavesdropping; they were all very interested, and rightly so. Marquis Ning was no longer making any effort to hide his favoritism towards Rongchuan—it was not just the Hanlin Academy that was suspecting, the whole capital was abuzz with rumors.

At the Ministry of Revenue, the Crown Prince also received some fruits. He divided them and said to Official Zhou, "My uncle is quite the lavish spender."

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, if you were in the palace, you definitely wouldn’t have sent them to the Ministry of Revenue. You know you’re being ignored here, yet you’re still sensitive, "Mr. Hou has always been very generous."

The Crown Prince smiled, "My uncle also sent a basket to the Hanlin Academy. Speaking of which, Zhang Rongchuan is also my brother."

Zhou Shuren considered the Crown Prince’s words; that last ’brother’ was quite skillful, "Mr. Hou has already informed me and even I didn’t expect this."

Qiu Yan’s eyes widened with surprise; he overheard a secret. He and his wife had speculated and were quite curious about Marquis Ning’s actions. Could it be that Zhang Rongchuan was Marquis Ning’s son?

This was—He didn’t want to know the secrets, didn’t want to know too much. Now, is it too late to cover his ears?

The Crown Prince supported his uncle acknowledging Rongchuan. To say he had deeply felt emotions for his brother would be a lie; it was more about the affinity and pity that blood relations brought. Without having grown up together, it was different. The Emperor was getting old, and as the Crown Prince, this was a crucial moment. An unexpected brother meant he had more to consider.

The current situation was beneficial for everyone; the Emperor also had his considerations, definitely thinking of him more, hence such a decision.

The Crown Prince, with a smile, "By this logic, I and Official Zhou can be considered relatives too."

Zhou Shuren felt apprehensive, "This official is flattered."

The Crown Prince smiled and said no more; everything that needed to be said had been expressed.

Qiu Yan was now convinced that Official Zhou was on the Crown Prince’s side; they even had a family connection. It looked like Official Zhou’s daughter’s marriage arrangements hadn’t changed.

Thinking this, Qiu Yan envied Official Zhou. Marquis Ning wasn’t young anymore, recognizing a son meant he might confer the title of Princely Heir. Official Zhou would have a son-in-law who was a marquis, one raised by the Zhou family at that—he was as envious as if he had fallen into a vinegar jar.

In the Duke Ning Residence, Lady Du, having heard her husband’s recounting, "So that’s the way it is, no wonder you told me to drop the idea."

Lady Du might have dropped the idea, but she still felt a sense of loss, still harboring considerations. She wondered if in a few years her husband might change his mind. Now, there was no need to think about it any further—her brother-in-law now had his own biological son.

Ning Hui said, "Mother took a stand today too, father will pick a day to formally acknowledge the relationship. When the time comes, we’ll need your arrangements. The Zhou family owes a great debt to our family, and from now on, you must be courteous to them."

Seeing as Rongchuan was truly the fifth prince, the Zhou family’s daughter would be the future fifth prince’s consort; the Zhou family would be kin to the royal family.

Lady Du replied, "I’ve taken note."

Ning Hui paused and then said, "When Miss Zhou marries into our family, don’t act like an elder. You’re the second wife, not a mother-in-law. Try to be as courteous as possible."

The Empress herself was the real mother-in-law. If Lady Du were to give Miss Zhou a hard time, the Empress would be upset. Her own sister—he knew her well—was very protective, and with the Emperor’s pettiness on top of that, the already declining Du family couldn’t afford a real mishap; his own authority would be of no use then.

Lady Du understood her husband’s meaning, which was to have her keep her mouth shut as much as possible. Thinking of her brother-in-law, Lady Du still felt intimidated, "I understand."

Ning Hui sighed inwardly, hoping his wife truly understood but couldn’t help adding, "Our branch of the family has no one who has made their mark; in the future, we’ll need to rely even more on Rongchuan."

Lady Du was envious of her brother-in-law. Her acknowledged son was a Third-rank Scholar and even without inheriting a noble title, his future was exceptionally bright—unlike their branch, where the eldest son was a disappointment, the younger son was even less promising, and the grandsons were too young. Even the granddaughters had not managed to gain the Empress’s favor, "I will reprimand Lady Yu."

Ning Hui nodded, "Mm."

Lady Du continued, "Can I tell our son and daughter-in-law now?"

"Tell them," Ning Hui said, "to prevent any mishaps from being too sudden. It’s better to give them an early warning."

"I’ll tell them tomorrow then."

Today, she needed to gather her thoughts.

At the Zhou household, after Zhulan and the girls of the family left, she took out a box and looked at the dowry list for her daughter. Autumn harvest was approaching, funds needed to be recouped, and her daughter’s dowry required the addition of some accompanying estates. She gestured to Nanny Song to have a young servant go and speak with Scholar Deng to scout in advance—this time, she wanted to purchase an existing large estate, rather than looking at smaller ones.

In the second wife’s quarters, Lady Zhao held her daughter’s hand, "How was the flower banquet today?"

Yushuang said dryly, "Quite nice; the Duke’s Residence is majestic."

Lady Zhao frowned, "Is that all?"

"Ah, the flowers in the garden were also very exquisite."

She hadn’t paid much attention, having stayed with her aunt the whole time. Later, she had the good fortune to meet the Duchess thanks to her aunt. With the Duchess having retired to rest due to fatigue, her mind was preoccupied with her aunt, and she truly hadn’t noticed much else.

Lady Zhao was speechless—she felt her daughter’s visit to the Duke Residence had been a waste. Then she thought that her mother-in-law must already have everything calculated and thus didn’t inquire further, "Hurry up and change out of your clothes; they are too elaborate and wearing them must be tiring."

Yushuang responded, "Mother, you knew?"

Lady Zhao replied, "I bought them, how would I not know? I wanted you to look beautiful, hurry on!"

"Mm."

In the evening, Zhulan enjoyed the fruit that Rongchuan brought back. After Rongchuan left, Zhou Shuren said, "The Crown Prince also received fruit, but there are too many officials in the Ministry of Revenue; distributing one to each wouldn’t be enough."

Holding the fruit, Zhulan said, "I’ve already had some; this is Rongchuan’s filial piety. Having a son-in-law like a son, we’ve made a good match."

"More than just a good match."

In fact, it was a windfall.

Zhulan remarked, "The Duke Residence should acknowledge their relatives soon, right?"

Zhou Shuren nodded, "I guess it should be on a day when I have leave."

Zhulan added, "That’s what I’m thinking. So, there isn’t much time left."

At Zhou Residence, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren enjoyed the fruit while listening to their younger son recite his studies.

In the capital, many families speculated about Marquis Ning’s actions, particularly the Yao Marquis Residence. Yao Wenqi was somewhat confused; Ning Xu was too favorable towards Zhou’s Zhang Rongchuan.