Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 826: Having Confidence

Chapter 826: Chapter 826: Having Confidence

Scholar Deng entered, offered his salutations, then sat down. Zhou Shuren knew why Scholar Deng had come: everyone must be currently watching the true and false Princes. The child-swapping incident had happened during Emperor Gengjian’s regime, revealing the true and false Princes, but also many other issues.

Scholar Deng came today seeking peace of mind.

Zhou Shuren put down the bowl in his hands, "I understand your intentions, and this matter will not affect me."

Scholar Deng had been waiting for those words; his entire livelihood was tied to the Zhou family. He was afraid his lord would get dragged in, "I understand."

Zhulan asked, "Have you had your breakfast?"

Scholar Deng wanted to say he had, but his stomach growled. He hadn’t rested the entire night, tossing and turning, and had risen before dawn to queue up and leave the city. Embarrassed, he said, "Not yet."

Zhulan signaled to the maid to go to the kitchen and had more steam buns and porridge brought over, adding another pair of bowl and chopsticks, "Eat here."

Scholar Deng, feeling embarrassed, thanked her, "Thank you, my lady."

Zhou Shuren was almost done eating and asked, "How are things in the capital?"

Scholar Deng replied, "I didn’t dare to inquire too much, I only know everyone is waiting for a reaction from within the palace."

Zhou Shuren had left the capital and was not caught in the vortex, his mind was clear. Now, as an observer, he understood that the Emperor would not be led by the nose. The conclusion of Shen Yang’s origin could wait, "When you return to the capital, do not inquire about any news. Just live your life well."

Scholar Deng had mingled in the capital for many years and knew how to survive, "I will remember that."

In the capital, the court meeting had ended long ago, and Yao Wenqi had still not received any results, sinking his heart. He had studied the Emperor for many years and no longer dared to say the Emperor was being cautious investigating Shen Yang, hence the lack of action. He was anxious—did the Emperor know Shen Yang was a fraud?

Yao Wenqi constantly reassured himself reminding that the nurse had confirmed the child had been strangled in the palace, taken out, and buried—that the real Fifth Prince was dead, leaving no potential issues.

He believed the nurse would not dare to lie; her entire family was in his grasp. To eliminate future problems, he had personally watched her die by poison.

Yao Wenqi kept telling himself that the Emperor was naturally suspicious, and it was only right for him to be doubtful after he had deliberately leaked Shen Yang’s identity. He comforted himself with these thoughts.

Yet, he remained deeply unsettled; Shen Yang should have been recognized smoothly, but complications had unexpectedly arisen—such a favorable move gone awry!

At the Duke Residence, Duke Ning listened with closed eyes as his two sons spoke. Once they finished, he opened his eyes, "What do you two think—will the Crown Prince succeed to the throne without issue?"

Over the years, the Duke Ning Residence had kept a low profile mainly because the Crown Prince no longer needed the support of his maternal family; too much power could actually be a detriment.

The maternal families of the other Princes were high-profile, as if the Emperor knew nothing. Duke Ning had watched the Emperor grow up.

Ning Xu was taken aback; his father had not spoken much to him about the Crown Prince upon his return, and now suddenly brought up succession, "Father, why do you suddenly ask about this?"

Duke Ning’s eyes held a smile, "It’s just that I see things more and more clearly, which is why I asked."

He had pondered over the Emperor’s recent actions towards the Crown Prince and the movements in the harem. He seldom saw his daughter, but there was an understanding between them—the calmer she was, the clearer it was that the Emperor had never been disappointed with the Crown Prince.

Furthermore, the Emperor’s agreement to Rongchuan’s change of surname had already hinted at some issues. The Emperor’s heart was most protective of the Crown Prince, the successor to the realm. Despite the present dangers and the storm brewing in the capital, his vision was clear.

A thought struck Ning Xu; his father had also been an advisor to the Emperor. Despite being a military general, both his brother and he had acquired their shrewdness from their father, "Father, I understand."

To say he was not excited would be a lie; throughout history, few Crown Princes ascended the throne smoothly, most either deposed or driven to desperation.

He could not help but worry. Glancing at his second brother, he knew the Duke Residence did not need a cunning successor; the Emperor would be wary. Although his eldest nephew lacked talent, he seemed just right for the role.

Duke Ning, "As long as you two brothers are aware, in the future you’ll need to safeguard the Duke Residence even more."

The two brothers understood, "Yes."

At the Zhou family estate, Lady Li came to seek her mother-in-law and spoke of her plans to buy land and shops. Zhulan said, "It’s quite fortuitous that Scholar Deng is at the estate."

Lady Li placed the silver she could offer in front of her mother-in-law, "Mother, you also need to find some good quality timber."

Zhulan said, "You don’t need to prepare the timber for the dowry. I’ll handle the materials for the maids’ use at home."

Lady Li’s heart thumped, "Mother, we have quite a few daughters at home, and you’ll need a lot of silver for the preparations."

Especially since the dowry timber was of precious varieties, she quickly calculated in her mind and inhaled sharply—it was a generous sum.

Zhulan smiled, "I’ve planned for this long ago. The Xu family has always engaged in overseas trade, and I asked them to bring back timber. A little each trip adds up; it will be enough for Yushuang and the others’ dowries."

She even prepared for her only granddaughter, Jiang Miu; it goes without saying that she truly missed her. Whatever Yushuang and the others had at home, she would also prepare for Jiang Miu.

Lady Li still felt embarrassed, "Mother, actually, we have the silver for the timber."

Zhulan knew well that aside from the fourth house, the other houses were under pressure, and just the dowry for Yu Lu from the big house was a huge issue. She and Zhou Shuren were in a better position; Xue Han’s dowry was ready, and there was only Chang Zhong to worry about, but she was in no hurry.

Therefore, after discussing with Zhou Shuren, they decided to take on a greater share of their granddaughters’ dowry responsibilities.

In Zhou village, Jiang Miu sat beside her mother, "Mother, it’s been several days since big brother left, where is he now?"

Ever since her son left, Xue Mei had been preoccupied, "Mother doesn’t know either."

Jiang Miu twirled a handkerchief around her fingertips, her head down and silent. She envied her big brother’s opportunity to go to the capital. She wanted to go too—not for wealth, but because she missed her maternal grandparents. She looked down at the bracelet on her wrist, all prepared by her grandmother.

Every year, her grandmother prepared jewelry for her. Whatever her cousin had, she had too.

Xue Mei noticed her daughter’s subtle movements, "Do you also wish to go to the capital?"

Jiang Miu didn’t want to lie, "Yes, your daughter misses her grandparents."

Xue Mei held her daughter’s hand, "When mother has time, she’ll take you there."

Jiang Miu leaned against her mother’s shoulder, "Mother, is it true that big brother won’t be able to return for a few years?"

"Yes, your big brother will come back after he passes the Scholar examination."

Jiang Miu held onto her mother’s hand and asked, "Mother, what about big brother’s marriage then?"

Xue Mei smiled, "Your grandparents will see to it."

Jiang Miu felt reassured knowing her grandparents were in charge, as the Dong family had been visiting persistently these days.

Just as she thought this, Jiang Miu heard her grandmother’s reluctant voice. She exchanged a glance with her mother—sure enough, the people from the Dong family had arrived.

At the Zhou family estate, after Zhou Shuren finished speaking with Scholar Deng, he saw him and handed over the silver, "Prioritize the land. Buy a shop only if one is for sale, otherwise, don’t worry about it."

The capital was only so large, with many nobles vying for property. The shops that the Zhou family managed to buy were thanks to some covert help; otherwise, they could hardly secure a few.

Scholar Deng was initially troubled but felt reassured after hearing this.