Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 790 Daddy_1

Chapter 790: Chapter 790 Daddy_1

In the afternoon, Zhou Shuren returned home. "Why do I feel like there are quite a few less maids and young servants around the house?"

"It’s not your imagination, now that we’ve got the deeds to the estate today, I’ve selected some maids and servants to go ahead and tidy up, there really are fewer people around the house."

Zhou Shuren was concerned about the reward, "Has the Crown Prince’s residence sent over the deeds?"

Zhulan, recalling the glowing description given by Steward Wang who had seen the place, smiled brilliantly, "They arrived this morning, Steward Wang has already been to check it out. The estate is vast, the architecture quite elegant, warm in winter and cool in summer, complete with several hot spring pools. We could go there to soak in the hot springs during winter days."

Zhou Shuren, thinking that such elegance was indeed characteristic of the Crown Prince’s personality, said, "Take good care of the estate, don’t let it go to waste."

"Rest easy."

During dinner, Chang Lian couldn’t wait to share the good news with his father, "Father, I went to the palace today and received the Emperor’s reward."

Zhou Shuren hummed in response, continuing to watch his third son.

Chang Lian knew how to read the room and quickly continued, "The reward for your son is all thanks to your glory. Without you, I wouldn’t have received today’s honor. Father, let me toast to you."

Zhou Shuren’s lips curved into a smile, "Never become arrogant."

Chang Lian listened humbly, "I will keep Father’s words in mind and be cautious in all things."

Zhou Shuren was very pleased, "Mm, you’ve done well, even yesterday the Emperor casually mentioned you."

Chang Lian was excited, "What did he mention about me?"

Zhou Shuren curled his lips, "For the sake of my face, he said you weren’t bad."

Chang Lian’s lips twitched, "I’m just basking in my father’s glory."

Zhulan, holding back laughter, saw that Zhou Shuren was teasing Chang Lian. Her eyes went to the empty seat, Rongchuan’s usual spot. Today, Rongchuan hadn’t come back for dinner again.

At the Duke Residence, Rongchuan stood before the front gate. "Eating at the Duke Residence today? I... I’m not prepared."

This was just too sudden. It wasn’t so much a surprise as it was a shock.

Ning Xu, patting Rongchuan’s head, felt the joy of being a father these past days. He would verbally dismiss the importance of progeny, but his heart couldn’t lie: he did care. "Your grandfather, your father, has been mentioning you for days. I couldn’t withstand his nagging, so today I brought you back for dinner."

That was a close call—he nearly gave himself away!

Rongchuan hadn’t noticed, his mind on his grandfather. Remembering the frail look of Duke Ning from their last meeting, and aware of his grandfather’s poor health, "It’s my fault, I should have been the one to go see Grandfather."

Ning Xu smiled, "No blame on you, it’s natural to feel this way, let’s go."

Inside the Duke Residence, Duke Ning, hearing from the steward that the guests had arrived at the entrance of the main courtyard, stood up intending to greet them, but he sat down again. He did not want to frighten the child.

The Duchess of Ning had far fewer concerns and stood up to welcome the guests. She had only seen portraits and had not yet met them in person!

Upon seeing Rongchuan, the Duchess broke down in tears, "He looks so much like him; my Shaor has come back."

Rongchuan was a bit panicked. He had heard from his father that he looked like his uncle, and from the looks of his grandmother, it was more than just a resemblance. Not knowing what to say, he allowed her to hold him tightly.

Unable to sit idly by any longer, Duke Ning hurried out to see his wife, his own eyes reddening at each cry for Shaor.

Ning Xu felt a headache coming on, as he had anticipated this reaction. He carefully supported his mother, who wouldn’t let go, her grip surprisingly strong. "Mother, let’s talk inside."

The Duchess was inconsolable, oblivious to her youngest son’s words. She was convinced that Shaor reincarnated as Rongchuan, unable to bear leaving his parents, the pain as if cut by a knife. "Ah, my Shaor."

Listening to the laments, Rongchuan felt tightness in his heart. He hugged his grandmother and patted her back, "Grandmother, please no more tears. My uncle, his spirit in heaven, wouldn’t want to see you sad. I will honor Grandfather and Grandmother in my uncle’s stead, please don’t be upset."

Duke Ning, holding back his own tears, couldn’t any longer upon hearing these words. What a caring child. After so many years, the Emperor had finally done something that entirely won over the Duke Residence’s loyalty. "Good, good child."

In the end, the old lady was exhausted from crying. Well, there’d be no need for dinner now. They called the Imperial Physician, and as the old lady lay there, she continued to hold her grandson’s hand.

Rongchuan comforted her, "Grandson will not go anywhere today; I’ll just stay with Grandma."

The Duchess of Duke Ning smiled at last, "Good, good, good child."

Ning Hui and his wife stood behind, and Lady Du felt a deep sorrow for her own sons, as her mother-in-law was not particularly close to any of the children from the second wife, treating everyone with an exceptional even-handedness.

Now with Rongchuan’s presence, her mother-in-law had changed, seemingly willing to give her heart and soul to be good to Rongchuan, and when they looked at their father, his eyes had never left Rongchuan.

In the Zhou residence, Zhou Shuren had finished the letter to Wu Ming, explained some difficult points to several grandsons, and even gave Chang Lian some extra tutoring before leisurely returning to the main courtyard.

Zhulan asked, "Why have you suddenly decided to write a letter to Wu Ming?"

Zhou Shuren recounted what had been said with the Crown Prince, "I think I should find some way to get Wu Ming to come to the capital, or at least somewhere nearby."

Zhulan thought for a moment and said, "Isn’t it a bit early?"

"Not early, the timing now is just right."

Zhulan, "As long as you’re sure."

Zhou Shuren sat down and saw the ledger on the table; he now got a headache whenever he saw the ledger, and diverted his gaze, "What are you calculating?"

Zhulan said softly, "I’m calculating how much Silver Coin we’ll have in hand next year. I suspect our daughter’s marriage arrangements won’t be delayed much longer."

Zhou Shuren was also aware, "When the time comes, we’ll bring as much dowry Silver as we can."

"Hmm."

Zhou Shuren thought of Rongchuan, who had not returned home, "In a few days, it’ll be my day off, and tomorrow, you can tell our daughters-in-law about Rongchuan’s identity."

Zhulan said, "Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I was planning to tell our daughters-in-law tomorrow."

In the Duke Residence, Rongchuan had a simple dinner, and noticing that Ning Xu seemed a bit weary, said, "Father, you should go back and rest; I will stay here to watch."

Ning Xu’s mind froze for a moment before he came back to his senses, "What did you just call me?"

Rongchuan felt he had been overly sentimental and smiled, "Father."

Seeing Grandma’s sorrowful expression, he had understood everything.

Ning Xu grinned foolishly, "Father, did you hear that? Rongchuan is calling me Father."

The Duke was in good spirits, "I heard it, look how happy you are."

Ning Xu didn’t know where to put his hands, "How could a son not be happy? This is my son."

Rongchuan calling him father meant he truly acknowledged him as his father, and he had finally waited for this moment. Oh, the Emperor hadn’t even heard Rongchuan calling him Father yet, and he was genuinely delighted today.

Warmth filled Rongchuan’s eyes; this was his family, where everyone was waiting for him, and he was not an outsider.

The next morning, after breakfast, Zhulan did not let the daughters-in-law and grandchildren leave, and as for Zhou Shuren, he had left early for court.

Lady Li now looked very much the part of the eldest daughter-in-law. Just yesterday, when selecting servants, she had done it with such propriety, "Mother, do you have something to entrust to us?"

Zhulan stated succinctly, "I have to talk about Rongchuan’s origins," adding, "Rongchuan will recognize his relatives when the Ministry of Revenue is on leave."

This news left the daughters-in-law of the Zhou family somewhat dumbstruck, and even Mingyun and the others were stunned, clearly overwhelmed by the shock.

Lady Li was astonished, "Rongchuan is Marquis Ning’s son? My goodness, doesn’t that make him the Crown Prince’s cousin, an imperial relative!"

Zhulan laughed, "You’re quite well-informed now."