Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 833 Can’t Understand

Chapter 833: Chapter 833 Can’t Understand

Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren waited for Qiu Yan to return before he stood up, "Mr. Qiu, did the Grand Master of Writing come back with you?"

Qiu Yan’s eyes were somewhat distracted, especially upon seeing the ledgers on Zhou Shuren’s desk, he looked at Zhou Shuren with a hint of sympathy, "No, the official is still inside the palace."

Zhou Shuren reluctantly sat down, "Is that so? How has Mr. Qiu been lately?"

Qiu Yan touched the top of his head, these days had not been good, especially these past few days, the hair loss during this morning’s combing was severe, he sincerely said, "Mr. Zhou, welcome back."

Zhou Shuren, "...."

He really wanted to ignore Qiu Yan’s action, gauging Qiu Yan’s scalp, he ached as he drew his gaze away.

At the Zhou Residence, Zhulan was seeing Lady Jin, Gu Liufeng’s aunt. Zhulan truly hadn’t expected Lady Jin to pay a visit.

Lady Jin sat in her chair very rigidly, it was her first time stepping into the home of a third-rank official, as she had always only dealt with her equals, and the highest rank she had encountered was fourth-rank. With a smile on her face, she said, "I should have visited the lady personally a long time ago, but I never found the right opportunity. Today I finally mustered the courage to visit, I hope the lady can forgive my tardiness."

Zhulan, thinking of the honest Mr. Hu, and the saying about not striking a smiling face, smilingly said, "Lady Jin, you need not be so formal, please, have some tea."

Lady Jin came with trepidation, fearing that Mr. Zhou’s wife might bear a grudge. If it had not been for Young Master Zhou inviting Liufeng yesterday, she would not have dared to come, "I thank the lady for her magnanimity in not taking offense at my actions."

Zhulan looked at Lady Jin with amusement. This woman might be overbearing, but she wasn’t stupid. Considering Mr. Hu’s temperament, although he was soft, he wasn’t foolish. Lady Jin also had her own way of surviving. Zhulan’s impression of her improved a bit. However, when it came to the way Lady Jin raised her daughter, Zhulan still had no good feelings, "If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would’ve forgotten about it. Let’s leave the past in the past."

Lady Jin stared intently into Madam Yang’s eyes, not seeing any perfunctory emotions, she felt reassured, "I came today in person to also thank Young Master Zhou Mingyun for looking after Liufeng."

Zhulan felt a stir in her heart, "Come to think of it, I only caught a brief glimpse of Young Master Gu’s mother last time; I thought you might bring her along today to say thanks."

Lady Jin was slightly taken aback but quickly responded cautiously, "Liufeng’s mother is a more timid soul. Shall I bring her along next time for you to meet?"

Ever since the master had mentioned Mr. Zhou’s favorable impression of Gu Liufeng, she had softened a lot towards this younger sister. However, she still looked down upon the sister’s temperament. Her decision to visit today had indeed included asking her, but as expected, she hadn’t dared to come along.

Zhulan’s interest, which had been piqued a moment ago, faded after hearing this. She felt that Lady Jin was a calculating person, one who wouldn’t overstep boundaries as long as her status was asserted. So, she asked a bit more about Gu Liufeng’s mother, noting that being too timid really would not do. Who knew if she might depend too much on her son? Forget it, forget it.

Zhulan laughed, "If the opportunity arises."

Lady Jin understood, she wouldn’t make a special trip to bring her to the Zhou Residence. Madam Yang had no interest in this younger sister.

In the second wife’s quarters, Zhao Shi picked up the letter that a maid had brought over, and Yushuang lifted her head, "Mother, whose letter is it?"

Zhao Shi recognized the handwriting on the envelope, "It’s from your uncle."

As she spoke, she tore open the letter quickly, fearing something had happened to her brother in Lizhou Province. After reading the letter, Zhao Shi was stunned.

Yushuang didn’t hear any noise for a while and looked up to see her mother’s eyes were red and her voice somewhat urgent, "Mother, what’s happened to uncle?"

Zhao Shi wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, "No, your uncle is fine, I’m just happy. He sent us some furs and local products, and they have already been sent with the Yang family."

Yushuang took the letter from her mother’s hands and read it carefully. Indeed, many things had been sent. At the end of the letter was a list.

Yushuang said, "Uncle has grown up."

Zhao’s was moved. When their mother was alive, she rarely gave her gifts, but now that the mother had passed, her little brother remembered to offer presents even at his young age. She felt reassured. In the past, it was as if she had no maternal family, and now she had one again.

After Zhulan had seen Lady Jin off, Zhao’s came, "Mother, my little brother sent the New Year’s gifts over through Uncle."

Zhulan thought to herself that sending this child to live at the Academy had been a very good decision—not only was he unaffected by Zhao’s mother, but look now, he understood the ways of the world. "Your little brother isn’t having an easy time by himself in Lizhou Province either. When the New Year’s gifts from Lizhou arrive, let’s send back more. Right, there’s a lot of high-quality ink and brush goods in the storeroom. I’ll have the servant girls pack some up later, to include them when we send our return gifts."

Zhao’s was delighted. With her mother-in-law speaking up, her father-in-law would surely pay more attention to her little brother. With their mother gone, and after she had heard her husband say so many good things about her little brother, she too wanted him to do even better, "Thank you, Mother."

Zhulan, "What’s there to thank? We are family after all, this is what we should do."

After Zhao’s left, Zhulan had Nanny Song take the servant girls to the storeroom to get ready. There really was a lot stored up, and since the gifts received during the holidays couldn’t be sold, the amount accumulated every year.

A few days ago, Rongchuan had brought over some more, saying that the Ning Duke Residence’s storeroom was too full; the Zhou family had many scholars, so he moved two boxes over.

In the Yao Duke Residence, Yao Yao lay on the bed, feeling a painful twisting in her lower abdomen. She had just taken some fetus-preserving medicine and was lying completely still.

Shi Qing sat beside the bed, "Do you really not want to see me?"

Yao Yao silently cried. She didn’t know whether it was because of the pregnancy or because she felt wronged deep down, but she just didn’t want to speak to Shi Qing.

Shi Qing sighed and reached out to hold his wife’s slightly cold hand. He had been shocked to hear of her risk of miscarriage; after all, wasn’t everything he did—fighting tooth and nail—just to ensure the baby’s safety?

Upon hearing footsteps, Shi Qing saw Magistrate Shen, "Magistrate."

Magistrate Shen looked at Yao Yao crying and stood awkwardly; she had come at a bad time, "It’s good that Yao Yao is alright. I just came to check in."

Yao Yao got up, "Thank you for earlier, sister-in-law."

Magistrate Shen patted Yao Yao’s hand, "You’ve had a hard time these past days. Leave the rest to me, and you should rest well. The child is what matters most."

Yao Yao knew deep down that her sister-in-law was the one who was happiest about their mother’s death. Though it left a sour taste in her mouth, she couldn’t let it show. With the backing of the Shen Duke Residence, her sister-in-law held the power, "Um, thank you for your troubles, sister-in-law."

Magistrate Shen didn’t mind the trouble. The eunuch was getting older and wouldn’t remarry; in the future, what she said would go in the Hou Residence, so no matter how many worries they piled on her, she never felt tired.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren finally met with Mr. Xiao. Xiao Qing clutched his chest, "It’s nearing winter, and I haven’t been feeling well these past few days, even starting to cough."

Zhou Shuren watched Mr. Xiao’s performance. Just because he drank tea to soothe the lungs did not mean he believed him, "Sir, there are some accounts that should be audited by you. I wouldn’t dare overstep."

With that, he placed the records he was holding onto the table.

Xiao Qing glared. Zhou Shuren had actually returned everything, "Stubborn fool, if I didn’t say anything, who would have known?"

Zhou Shuren bowed, "I’ve just arrived in the capital and dare not take a wrong step. There are no walls without wind in this world; I am the sole support of my family, and truly do not dare to misstep."

Xiao Qing glared, spat, and thought Zhou Shuren didn’t have such a small courage; the lad just didn’t want to do his work for him. He gritted his teeth, "The Emperor has mentioned you several times to me and has always been full of praise."

Zhou Shuren acted as if he didn’t grasp the hint, not understanding, not understanding, "I am grateful and deeply honored by the Emperor’s appreciation; I shall take my leave now."

Xiao Qing, "...."