Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 857: Daily Severance

Chapter 857: Chapter 857: Daily Severance

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that he was pleased that the Emperor had halved his duties, not only because it meant less work for him but also because it showed the Emperor wasn’t confused. He was genuinely terrified; many wise rulers tend to become befuddled with age. Fortunately, this one had his wits about him all along.

As for the Emperor not mentioning Wong Ju, Zhou Shuren felt even more confident. He had expressed what needed to be said and set the traps he needed to set. With Wong Ju in the dark, the plan was progressing smoothly. The more the Emperor kept it to himself, the less likely he was to speak of it, and it was almost certain that Wong Ju would appear in the Ministry of Revenue next year.

In the Government Office of Jinzhou Residence, Wong Ju sneezed incessantly. Sir Wang asked with concern, "Did you catch a cold?"

Wong Ju shook his head, "I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately. I’m not sick, but I keep sneezing, and my ears burn constantly. I have no idea who’s thinking of me so much."

Sir Wang laughed, "Lately, you’ve been corresponding more frequently with Zhou. It wouldn’t be him, would it?"

Wong Ju, startled, clutched his chest, "I hope to God not him. Now that I am in the capital, he could still order me around. I’ve been dreaming of him these days."

In each dream, Zhou Shuren arranged tasks for him. Not only did he dream of his hair falling out in clumps, but Zhou Shuren would also calmly drink tea, angering him to the point of wanting to throw a punch.

In the capital, Zhou Shuren sauntered out of the Palace at a leisurely pace. The coach of the Ministry of Revenue had been waiting outside the Palace. As Minister Xiao had skipped morning court again, Zhou would not have to attend the court session the next day either.

Zhou Shuren boarded the carriage, and the coachman said, "My lord, please take your seat. There was snow last night, and it’s piled up quite a bit."

"Mm."

Back at the Ministry of Revenue, the officials he encountered greeted him warmly. He was a favored courtier, having been summoned several times in the past month, with two of those times being personal audiences—a fact that had significantly increased the attention other officials paid to him.

At the Zhou residence, Wu Ting and Wu Yong had arrived in the capital. Seeing the New Year’s gifts they brought, Zhulan said, "You two live so close, yet you sent New Year’s gifts so early."

Wu Ting explained, "We received a letter from our eldest brother, who asked us to come to the capital to finalize the preparations for his new house. We thought we might as well bring the New Year’s gifts with us since we’re here. Next time, we’ll have to wait for Big Brother to come to the capital himself."

Upon hearing this, Zhulan surmised that Wu Ming was almost certain to come to the capital next year and had likely already made contact with the Crown Prince. "The house was purchased according to your eldest brother’s specifications. I’ve seen it; the yard is quite large, and it has already been cleaned up. If there’s anything missing, just let the steward know. Steward Ding knows where to buy what you need."

Wu Yong said, "Thank you, Auntie, for the trouble."

"There have been quite a few developments since moving to the capital. Today, you two should stay at the residence; people have been sent to tidy up the yard."

Wu Ting replied, "We will do as Auntie says."

The two brothers had been so excited upon receiving their eldest brother’s letter that they hadn’t slept all night. At last, their brother could leave the border, and they were even more grateful to the Zhou family, attributing his opportunity to move to the capital to them.

Zhulan motioned for the two brothers to rest and only then looked at the gift list they had prepared. "It’s half again as expensive as last year’s."

Nurse Song remarked, "The Wu family is grateful."

Zhulan said, "The Wu family’s children are all quite good."

Nurse Song nodded in agreement. With the Zhou family’s growing wealth and status, those with wicked intentions would have already approached or become arrogant by now. As for the Wu family, Miss Wu Ning, fearing she might cause trouble, had only visited once and had not stayed long.

The Wu brothers were visiting the capital for the first time. Had it not been for a letter from Sir Wu, they probably would not have arrived until the end of the year.

At the Academy, in Class Yi, Ran Xun removed the book covering Ming Teng’s head, "Stop hiding. Tell me, you’re quite in demand now. My mother even mentioned you!"

Ming Teng was indeed easygoing, but when it came to marriage, he was shy. Grabbing the book back, he said, "As if you’re not in demand."

Ran Xun pouted, "I’m really not. Even my cousin looks down on me. Anyway, I won’t be faithful to just one person after I get married."

He had always found the Zhou family’s education terrifying, something he couldn’t endure.

Jiang Zhu covered his twitching face with a book, ever since he had come to the Academy, ahem, the clan school back home was simply too naive. Here in the Academy, anything went, and he realized he was like a little girl before!

Ran Xun lowered his voice, "The Zhou family has been arranging matches for you, any suitable ones? We’re brothers, so why not share a bit?"

Ming Teng spat, "You think I’m like you? I don’t bring these matters to my lips, I am an upright gentleman, understand what I mean?"

Ran Xun snickered, "There’s a saying, ’birds of a feather flock together, and people are known by the company they keep.’ We get along so well, if I’m a beast, you can’t be much better."

Ming Teng spoke with a sigh, "It’s all because I was foolish back then, now I regret it too late, I shouldn’t mention it, speaking more only adds to my tears of regret."

Ran Xun was furious, "Fine, very fine, Zhou Mingteng, I’m breaking off our friendship."

Jiang Zhu couldn’t hold back his laughter, no way, this was too funny, it had only been a few days and he’d already heard ’breaking off our friendship’ three times.

Ran Xun felt awkward, and with a snort, he stopped talking to Ming Teng.

Ming Teng chuckled, he was not afraid of breaking off the friendship!

At the Zhong residence, Zhulan took Yushuang and Yu Lu to Lady Gao’s tea party, enjoying the tea amidst the winter snow, very much in Lady Gao’s style.

It was the first time Zhulan had brought both granddaughters together so actively, cough cough, because Sir Lau’s wife was bringing her daughter to the party.

For the family of the junior minister at the Ministry of Justice, Zhulan had inquired clearly, there was no complicated family background. Lau’s family had steadily worked their way up, and valued the ability to feign ignorance, or so Zhou Shuren had said.

Yushuang and Yu Lu walked hand in hand, warm and affectionate, occasionally lowering their heads to whisper to each other.

Yushuang wasn’t worried about her marriage arrangements, now she felt quite relaxed and whispered, "Later, you should chat more with Miss Lau, focusing on her character."

Yu Lu lowered her voice, "I heard Miss Lau is quite introverted."

Yushuang curled her lips, "I think it’s not true, I’ve inquired these past few days, and it seems that the Lau family’s nature is to be non-contentious, non-aggressive, and introverted."

Yu Lu had a realization, such a personality was good. In the capital where nobles were concentrated, to avoid drawing attention was a skill, "I’ve noted that."

Zhulan coughed, and once the granddaughters let go of their hands and stood properly, Zhulan walked in with a smile, "I heard laughter from outside, am I late?"

Lady Gao stood up to greet her, "No, not at all, just in time, come and have a seat."

Yushuang and Yu Lu had already joined the young ladies from the Zhong family where the other girls were. With Yushuang and Yu Lu’s engagements already settled, the other young ladies bore no ill will, as there was no competition with them, thus their smiles were very appropriate.

Zhulan, on the other hand, also felt the warmth of the other officials’ wives. United with her husband, with Zhou Shuren favored by the Emperor, her participation in banquets became more at ease.

Especially when Zhou Shuren was to move from third-rank official to permanent Third Rank after the New Year, Zhulan felt even more confident.

Zhulan noticed Sir Lau’s wife, whom Lady Gao had introduced. It was the first time Zhulan had seen her in person. Sir Lau’s wife was a plump woman, with a round face and especially attractive eyes, seemingly capable of speaking, giving off a friendly vibe.

Mm, her facial features also indicated a life of fortune; after coming to this ancient era, she had listened a lot and indeed remembered a thing or two.