Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 858 Adoption

Chapter 858: Chapter 858 Adoption

At the Ministry of Revenue, Qiu Yan, having said his piece and seeing Zhou Shuren with no reaction, couldn’t help but say it again, "The Emperor has decreed the encirclement of Zhang Jinghong’s estate."

Zhou Shuren raised his head, "I heard you clearly just now."

Qiu Yan, puzzled, "You heard clearly, yet why do you have no reaction whatsoever?"

Zhou Shuren pointed at himself, "My surname is Zhou. Zhang Jinghong and I have no relation. Whether he is arrested or beheaded has nothing to do with me. Why should I react?"

Qiu Yan, with a wooden expression, "Aren’t you the least bit curious?"

Zhou Shuren smiled faintly, "I’m clear on the matter," he said aloud, "I’m not curious. I have plenty of work to keep me busy, let’s not chat anymore."

Qiu Yan stood conflicted for a while, his own curiosity piqued; Zhou Shuren seemed utterly indifferent. He silently turned and went back to his place, settling down to continue his work as he thought to himself that it was fortunate he had already been convinced by Zhou Shuren’s composure.

At Zhang Jinghong’s residence, Zhang Jinghong lay in his bed, his mind initially a blank slate, but now he had calmed down. If the Emperor truly wanted to kill him, why would he beat around the bush? The more he circumvented, the clearer it became that he didn’t wish to kill him. Now that he was encircled, it was simply a matter of using him as bait.

Zhang Jinghong closed his eyes. The Emperor wanted to make a spectacle, and also wanted to use him to see who among them was eager to doom him.

Zhang Jinghong opened his eyes and, not seeing Yao Xin, asked the young servant guarding the door, "Where is Lady?

The young servant, clearly panicked, his voice trembling slightly, "Lady is allowed to leave the estate, she has returned to the Hou Residence."

Zhang Jinghong sat up abruptly, his wounds were healing, but the sudden movement caused him to cough involuntarily, "Damn."

Ever since he was not the fifth Prince, Yao Xin had never returned to the Marquis Yao’s estate; Marquis Yao had long stopped considering Yao Xin as his daughter. Zhang Jinghong knew much and had a clear grasp of these matters. This time Yao Xin’s return, he knew, would surely lead to hardship.

Zhang Jinghong tried to get out of bed, but then retracted his foot. He couldn’t leave; he pursed his lips and gestured for the young servant to go. Strangely, his first reaction was that Yao Xin sought Yao Wenqi for his sake, rather than seeking a divorce!

In the Yao Residence, Yao Xin stood in front of the mansion’s gates, having waited a long time without the steward reappearing. She was now unable to even enter the gates. Clenching her fists, she didn’t feel desolate since she had long known just how indifferent her father could be.

The dowry maid said, "Miss, let’s knock on the mansion’s door again."

Yao Xin looked up at the sky where snowflakes were starting to drift down, "Right, continue knocking. I can’t go back. If I do, what will happen to my husband?"

The dowry maid said, "Miss, the truth about your husband’s past is clear now, a remnant from the former dynasty. Didn’t you come back to seek a divorce?"

Yao Xin turned abruptly, her mouth twitching slightly before she finally closed it. How many couples facing great disaster each go their separate ways, let alone a servant.

Just then, a side gate opened, and the steward came out, "Third Miss, Mr. Hou said that from now on you are no longer a miss of the Hou Residence; he has already had you adopted out. You need not come back to the Hou Residence ever again."

Yao Xin swayed slightly, "Adopted out? To whom was I adopted?"

The steward replied, "A same-surname relative within the clan. You’ve now been severed from the register; in the family records, there is only your name."

Yao Xin laughed softly, "This indeed seems like something Yao Wenqi would do. Not even a relative anymore, the adoption is truly distant. Very well, the severance is complete."

The dowry maid looked terrified, and the steward had already nodded and retreated back inside.

At the Zhulan’s residence, Zhulan had already been chatting with Sir Lau’s wife for a while. Lady Ma, whose surname was Ma, had a character much like Lady Li’s. If unsure of how to answer, she would just keep smiling. Already naturally lovable, nobody had the heart to trouble her.

Zhulan might not have discovered the issue with Lady Ma if it were not for Lady Li. Lady Ma is just too good at pretending.

After the banquet finished, Zhulan had made no breakthroughs either, as Lady Ma attended too many banquets and was extremely experienced. All they could hope for now was that Yushuang and Yu Lu had some success.

On the carriage ride back to the residence, Zhulan saw Yu Lu looking dejected and chuckled, "What, no gains?"

Yushuang heaved a sigh, "Grandma, Miss Liu from the Liu family kept bowing her head shyly, hiding away now and then, Yu Lu and I got nothing."

Zhulan leaned back against the cushion, "I didn’t get anything on my end either."

Everyone in the Liu family seemed to have a talent for playing dumb, a skill that was rather impressive.

Yu Lu laughed out, "Grandma, now I can imagine what my mother looked like at banquets. I think Miss Liu is quite good, really, totally suitable for Ming Teng."

Her eyes couldn’t be mistaken. When Miss Liu covered her face with a handkerchief, there was laughter in her eyes. Though shy on the outside, she must have been a sesame on the inside; that’s something she had heard her grandma saying about grandpa, that grandpa was filled with black sesame paste.

Although Zhulan didn’t gain a deeper understanding of the Liu family today, she was more satisfied with them.

Only upon returning to the residence did Zhulan learn that Zhang Jinghong’s mansion had been surrounded by soldiers, as well as Yao Xin’s situation, "Are you sure the news is accurate?"

Steward Ding replied, "There were a lot of people outside Marquis Yao’s residence at that time. It has already spread everywhere."

Zhulan fell silent. Considering Yao Wenqi’s actions, Zhang Jinghong must be laughing now. As for the siege on Zhang Jinghong, she wasn’t concerned; Zhang Jinghong wouldn’t be in trouble anyhow, "The capital is really bustling with activities."

Steward Ding’s heart was in knots. It hadn’t been even a year since they came to the capital, and every event happening was a major issue involving life and death. Now, every time he stepped outside, he was trembling with fear.

In the Prince Residence of the fifth prince, Zhang Yang revealed a wide grin upon hearing the news. Zhang Jinghong was the thorn in his side. Once that thorn was removed, the Emperor and his elder brother, the Crown Prince, would gradually grow to like him. If Zhang Jinghong died, no one would compare him to Zhang Jinghong anymore.

At Zhang Jinghong’s residence, Zhang Jinghong held Yao Xin’s hand, "If you’re upset, just cry."

Yao Xin shook her head and withdrew her cold hand, "My hands are too cold; I don’t want to chill you."

Zhang Jinghong grabbed her hand again, his heart burning with warmth, "I’ll warm them for you."

Yao Xin’s mouth curved slightly, "I’m not sad, I have always known he was cold and detached. I’m only worried about Concubine. She definitely can’t take it. However, now is not the time to be sad. I have something to tell you. Later, I want to ask the servants who wish to leave the residence. Currently, you’re the only one who cannot go out. I was thinking of letting anyone who isn’t loyal take the opportunity to leave. What do you think?"

Zhang Jinghong warmed her hand with his breath, "I’ll listen to you. From now on, you’ll be in charge at home."

Yao Xin’s eyes reddened, "Alright."

After dinner at the Zhou residence. Zhulan mentioned Lady Ma and also brought up Miss Liu from the Liu family, "I can’t do much from my end; how about you try to find out more from Sir Liu?"

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "Ministry of Justice, huh? It’s also not appropriate for me to directly approach Sir Liu. Let me think about whom to ask for information."

Zhulan, "Nothing’s certain yet; it’s not good to ask the relatives of officials we know since some of them can’t keep their mouths shut. It would negatively impact Miss Liu. You’ll have to be extra attentive."

Zhou Shuren no longer needed to worry about convincing the Emperor, and now his workload was halved. He had some time to spare, "Rest assured, I will clarify everything in two days."