Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 792 Action of the Duke Residence_1

Chapter 792: Chapter 792 Action of the Duke Residence_1

In Zhou Village, Chang Zhi had silently copied several books and sent them to the clan school with a young servant. After loosening his shoulders, he stepped out of the house, "Elder sister, what are you doing?"

Xue Mei gestured for Chang Zhi to sit and said with a smile, "Your nephews love eating walnuts. These were picked by my father from the mountain. They’re dried now, so I’m packing them up."

Chang Zhi reached out to help pack, "Mountain walnuts are too small."

"Yes, they’re not as big as the ones our parents sent us."

After helping to pack the walnuts, Chang Zhi asked, "Sister, has Jiang Miu gone to the Jiang family again?"

Standing up to dust herself off, Xue Mei replied, "Ah, she gets along quite well with the Jiang family’s Muchen."

Chang Zhi said without changing his expression, "I’ve tested Jiang Muchen in the clan school. The child is quite good. Despite what he’s been through, he can still settle down to study, and his nature is also good."

Xue Mei understood what her brother meant, "You little rascal, now you’ve learned to beat around the bush."

Chang Zhi chuckled, "I’m just worried you might have something on your mind. Sister, have you taken a liking to Jiang Muchen?"

Xue Mei lowered her voice, "Before, I didn’t give it much thought, but later, your brother-in-law mentioned that the child was good. After hearing it enough times, it caught my attention even more. However, both children are still young. Miumiu doesn’t visit that often, and I am aware of this."

"It’s good that you’re aware, sister."

Chang Zhi could not be more concerned, especially since his niece was so well-behaved. It wasn’t easy for women, and he hoped his niece would have a good marriage, finding a man who could truly cherish her.

Xue Mei’s smile was joyful. Chang Zhi had never been serious about anything from childhood, but this time, meeting him, Chang Zhi had truly matured.

In the capital, at the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren drank a cup of tea. The Crown Prince had not spoken yet, looking down at the book in his hands. It was only after he had finished perusing that he spoke, "Master Zhou, would you care to take a look?"

Zhou Shuren’s eyes were not blind; this certainly was not the Ministry of Revenue’s ledger, but rather an assessment record from the Ministry of Personnel, "This servant dares not to overstep."

The Crown Prince flipped to the page concerning Wu Ming, "Wu Ming was promoted this year with very few records noted down, just a few brief notes."

Zhou Shuren was not surprised. For a person in control, wanting to govern everything is natural, so they need to investigate thoroughly. Controlling his tone, he said, "Wu Ming has not had an easy life. An elder brother is like a father; he has two younger brothers and a sister, and lost both parents early on. He had a poor reputation, but he has worried tirelessly for his younger siblings."

The Crown Prince hummed in acknowledgement, "Wu Ming does bear a great responsibility. It’s a pity for such a Top scorer to remain in a border region. By the way, Master Zhou, if it were you going to Jianghuai, where would you start the investigation?"

Could Zhou Shuren curse in his heart? The Crown Prince was using Wu Ming to get him to speak, just look at the tactics. Enduring stomach pain, he saw this rare opportunity, which could also make the Crown Prince remember Wu Ming thoroughly, so he began to speak, "If it were this servant going to Jianghuai, I would first dispatch someone to contact relatives of servants in various households, especially relatives of some servants with a bit of power in their hands."

The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow, "Relatives of the servants?"

Zhou Shuren explained, "Each household can control their own servants, but controlling these servants’ relatives is tough; inevitably, there will be oversights, particularly among the female relatives. Women tend to brag and gossip when idling, and although these bits of news might seem trivial, they are often the key leads. I would first organize the information, then proceed to the next step of the investigation."

The Crown Prince’s mouth curved slightly, "And what is the next step of the investigation?"

Zhou Shuren coughed once, "I would keep an eye on the Prefect of Huaizhou. Whether it is the prefect of a major or minor prefecture, he is the person best acquainted with the whole province. Even if he has nothing to do with it, he will surely know something."

It was his wisdom from experience; he had once been a magistrate himself and knew very well that for a magistrate who wants to find out, it was quite easy, especially within the boundaries of his own province, to conceal things from him.

The Crown Prince felt that Zhou Shuren certainly had more to say, but what he had said was already enough.

Zhou Shuren returned to his room, and if his method worked, Wu Ming should be able to make a move next year.

In the Duke Residence, Lady Du led her two daughters-in-law out of the main courtyard. Lady Du’s mood was low; the Duchess did not neglect her, but she just lacked energy.

Waving her hand, Lady Du said, "You can go back to your own courtyards now, no need to follow me."

Song’s heart was at ease. As for the Duchess constantly praising Zhang Rongchuan, she just let it go in one ear and out the other. Her husband was the Duke Residence’s Princely Heir and eldest son, and the one who would inherit the Residence in the future was her husband. It didn’t matter whom the old lady favored; the loss was simply the old lady’s private Silver. After all, their house would inherit the Duke Residence, which was the most substantial part.

Yu’s face was gaunt, her heart anxious. Before, because her husband was in poor health, the elders of the Residence had been more lenient toward the second wife. Now that Zhang Rongchuan had become the Duchess’s favorite, what status did the second wife still hold in the Duke Residence?

Yu lowered her head. She could already imagine that once Zhang Rongchuan’s identity was fully revealed, and all the servants in the Residence knew, they certainly would not be eager to please the second wife. The reason was straightforward: the second wife had completely lost the possibility of being legally adopted!

In the main courtyard, the Duchess spoke with her husband, "Back then, in order to be low-key and because Ning Hui was in poor health, we specifically chose Lady Du, whose family background wasn’t too high. Lady Du’s family has indeed fallen, and they lack ambition. Among the two daughters-in-law, Song was the one we deliberately selected ourselves, and it’s best not to mention Yu."

The Duke patted his wife’s hand, "Don’t worry about it."

The Duchess said, "I’m just afraid Rongchuan will be wronged."

The Duke smiled, "With us watching, that won’t happen, and we also have Ning Hui and Ning Xu; they know Rongchuan’s true identity."

The Duchess smiled, "You’re right."

In the Zhou residence, Zhulan held the letter she had just received. It was really a coincidence; she had just been thinking of Zhao Bo, and now a letter from him had arrived. Zhulan opened the letter; it was quite serious. Zhou Shuren’s arrival in the capital had also had no small impact on Zhao Bo. Although Zhao Bo did not state it explicitly, the message was clear: thanks to Zhou Shuren, he had had an easier time these days.

Since there were good times, there must have been bad ones, and indeed, Zhao Bo had encountered difficulties.

That evening, after dinner, Zhulan took out the letter, "Take a look."

After Zhou Shuren read it, he remarked, "It’s much as I expected. If not for Wu Ming, I would definitely have introduced Zhao Bo to the Crown Prince. Now it’s just important that Zhao Bo doesn’t get involved."

Zhulan said, "And be careful not to take the blame."

Zhou Shuren put down the letter, "We can’t startle the snake by hitting the grass now. I can’t write to him either. I can only hope that Zhao Bo will be more vigilant."

"Hmm."

In the third residence, Chang Lian held his daughter, who was incredibly cute. "These past days, our little girl seems to have grown taller again."

Dong Chuchu put down her needlework, "She has indeed grown quite a bit; her clothes are getting small. Oh, speaking of which, mother mentioned Rongchuan’s origins today. What do you think we should add to our little sister’s dowry?"

She had thought about it all afternoon, even going through her own dowry, but alas, there wasn’t much in it worth showing off.

Chang Lian suggested, "Let’s add more Silver Coin. Our house has too few valuable items."

Lady Dong smiled, "Alright, as you say."

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was Zhou Shuren’s day off. Early in the morning, all the masters of the Duke Residence mounted their horse-drawn carriages, with young servants following behind carrying gifts. The procession was quite grand, and before long, the activities of the Duke Residence were the talk of West City!