Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 818: Find the Opportunity

Chapter 818: Chapter 818: Find the Opportunity

Chang Yi didn’t think there was anything amiss; he and his older brother had had an even tougher childhood, growing up in the fields as well, "They’re helping their parents."

That would spare them the trouble of going back to pick up any missed sheaves of rice later, saving quite a lot of effort.

He didn’t calculate pay by the hour but by the acre, how much silver coin for cutting one acre. The capable could earn more, and it also prevented people from slacking off and skimping on work.

Chang Zhong saw a child fall down but quickly get up to continue working. Blinking back tears, he clutched tightly at his second brother’s neck. It was the first time he had so directly confronted the fact that people’s destinies could be so different.

That evening, Zhulan received a letter from the manor, written by Chang Yi, mainly about what Chang Zhong had observed—how well-behaved the children of the farming households were while working.

After reading the letter, Zhulan turned to Zhou Shuren and said, "This child, having always been around servants, has never had any reaction to them, but today, he seems to have grown up quite a bit."

Zhou Shuren picked up the letter, "Hmm, it seems that there were benefits to going to the manor after all."

Zhulan asked, "Are you really going to take leave to recuperate tomorrow?"

"I’m thinking of sleeping with the windows open tonight, make it seem more real."

Zhulan felt distressed, "Is that necessary?"

Zhou Shuren whispered, "I don’t dare gamble with the Emperor’s intentions; better to make it truly convincing."

Zhulan leaned on her husband’s shoulder, "I hate to see you suffer, and I worry for your health. If pretending to be sick worked, I would rather be sick myself."

Zhou Shuren tightened his grip on his wife’s shoulder, "Pah, pah, I’m scared of you falling sick. You’ve only just recovered; don’t scare me like that."

Zhulan felt stifled, deeply troubled by the suppressiveness of the era of imperial power.

That night, a heavy rain fell. Zhou Shuren really did open the windows, and Zhulan tossed and turned all night, staying by her husband’s side.

Zhou Shuren eventually fell asleep in the second half of the night and even had a good dream.

Upon waking in the morning, Zhulan, wrapped in a thick quilt, had not caught a cold, but Zhou Shuren’s nose was a little stuffy from the chill.

Fortunately, it wasn’t serious, but it provided a good excuse to take some time off to recuperate.

First thing in the morning, Zhou Shuren, feeling pleased, sent a Zhezi into the palace and also dispatched someone to inform the Crown Prince, then contentedly waited at home for the doctor to visit.

After the morning court session, the Emperor saw the Zhezi— a request for convalescence extending quite a few days, a full ten days.

After reading it, the Emperor tossed the Zhezi aside, "Such a sly fox."

He believed Zhou Shuren was seizing the opportunity, fully aware of last night’s goings-on at the Zhou residence.

With a grunt, the Emperor commanded, "Have the imperial physician from the Imperial Hospital pay a visit to the Zhou residence, and also, select some fine ginseng to be sent over. Convey my message to Zhou Shuren that he should take good care of his health."

You may have ten days today, but you will have to repay them later.

Eunuch Liu bowed his head, "Your command shall be obeyed."

The Crown Prince, having received the message, said to Minister Sun upon his return from the morning court, "Minister Sun, there’s much you can still learn—merely feigning sleep won’t cut it."

Look at Zhou Shuren, how adept he is at seizing opportunities.

Minister Sun’s mouth twitched before finally settling into a sigh. If he had Zhou Shuren’s favor with the Emperor and his luck, he would be no worse off. But now, any comment was futile; he only hoped to leave the Ministry of Justice smoothly.

At the Zhou residence, Zhou Shuren’s illness was a big deal. Chang Lian took a day off, "Father, we should still call for the Imperial Physician."

Zhou Shuren was merely a bit under the weather, certainly no need for an Imperial Physician as if stricken with a serious ailment. Waving his hand, he said, "I heard you were going to a gathering yesterday. Don’t stick around for me. Go on now."

Chang Lian no longer wished to go. What gathering could be more important than his father’s illness? "Father, I will stay with you."

Zhou Shuren was pleased his son worried about him, yet he was at a loss for words. He just caught a cold; it really wasn’t any serious illness!

Zhulan came in with the freshly brewed medicine. "You should stop keeping watch by your father’s side and let him rest properly."

Chang Lian remained seated, still unwilling to move. "Mother, I’m worried about father."

Zhou Shuren grew impatient. "Enough. Last night, I deliberately left the window open to catch a cold. You don’t need to ask anything else. You shouldn’t concern yourself with matters that you are not supposed to know."

Chang Lian was taken aback. He had never expected his father to intentionally fall ill. "Father."

Zhou Shuren waved him away. "Go, go, leave now. It’s not easy for your old man to get some rest. Stop buzzing around and vexing me."

Chang Lian walked out in a daze, just in time to see the steward leading Eunuch Liu into the courtyard. He quickly greeted him. "Eunuch Liu."

Eunuch Liu replied politely, "The Emperor is concerned about Minister Zhou and has specially dispatched the Imperial Physician to have a look."

That settled it, Chang Lian couldn’t leave. He went back inside, fearing his father might give himself away.

As it turned out, Chang Lian realized his concern was superfluous. The Imperial Physician prescribed many restorative formulas, and with the Emperor’s words, Chang Lian waited for Eunuch Liu to leave and then quietly said, "Father, does the Emperor know you are feigning illness?"

Zhou Shuren looked meaningfully at the restorative prescriptions and the ginseng that had been delivered. "Mmm. The Emperor doesn’t want your father to continue meddling. Resting is a good opportunity. Once the resting period is over, your father should return to the Ministry of Revenue."

Although it was a shame not to go to the Ministry of War, the thought of Minister Li Zhao made him think better of it. Not going was fine by him.

Chang Lian shuddered. He was indeed too young, thinking he had learned much, only to discover now that he hardly knew anything at all. "Father, your son is leaving now."

Zhou Shuren responded, "Mmm."

Once Chang Lian left, Zhulan spoke up. "It seems we frightened our son."

Zhou Shuren’s gaze shifted away from the ginseng. "Sooner or later, he’ll have to face such things. An early encounter might make him more vigilant."

Zhulan picked up the prescription. "The Emperor wants you to take care of yourself so that you can continue to serve the Royal family!"

Pointing at the ginseng and other tonics, Zhou Shuren said, "All this ginseng is of fine quality. I don’t need so much. Store them all away."

Over the years, Zhulan had accumulated quite a lot of ginseng, not to mention the yearly gifts from Wu Ming. The Zhou family had no shortage of ginseng, but none could compare to what the Emperor bestowed. "I’ll save some for our daughter’s dowry when she marries."

Zhou Shuren’s eyes curved into a smile. "After resting for a couple of days, let’s go to the villa. I’ve calculated, and we can stay there for six days."

Zhulan was delighted. "Ever since we entered the capital, I’ve been on edge. It’s time we relaxed a bit."

As she spoke, Zhulan became restless; she had to prepare the luggage. Yes, except for Chang Lian, who had just started his post, all other households should go as well.

Zhulan caught herself in thought. In the past, she just wanted to be alone with Zhou Shuren, but now that desire was gone. After long being the Family Head’s wife, she had to consider the whole family in everything.

At the Duke Residence, Rongchuan was in his study, listening to his grandfather and father talk.

Duke Ning commented, "Zhou Shuren’s illness is most opportune. Could it be a sign of an impending issue?"

Ning Xu shook his head. "The Emperor hasn’t summoned me for quite a while. I don’t know much, but it likely has something to do with the Ministry of Justice."

Duke Ning sipped his tea. "The Crown Prince is currently at the Ministry of Justice. The Second Prince has also returned to the capital, and I heard that yesterday the Second Prince was there as well."

Ning Xu replied, "Yes. Zhou Shuren probably feigned illness because he did not want to be involved in the strife between the Princes."

Duke Ning felt it wasn’t so straightforward and instructed Rongchuan, "You don’t need to tutor Ning Zhao and Ning Ming today. Go take a look at the Zhou family."

Rongchuan had been concerned the whole time but followed his father to the Duke Residence first before saying, "Yes."