Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 861: The Recommended Person

Chapter 861: Chapter 861: The Recommended Person

Zhou Shuren tapped on the table, "How did I educate you? Educating a child isn’t just about focusing on learning, but also on their psyche. A child’s psychological growth is very important. Think about Dong Zhan’s situation for yourself."

Chang Lian recalled that the child seemed to be growing quieter and quieter. He sighed, "It’s my negligence."

Zhou Shuren said, "I have been negligent too. If Jiang Zhu hadn’t mentioned it to your mother today, I wouldn’t have even noticed."

Chang Lian, with shame, lowered his head, "Father, Dong Zhan’s guidance is my responsibility. It has nothing to do with you. You are already very busy, and to have you worried, it’s all my fault."

Zhou Shuren motioned for Chang Lian to lift his head, "In the past, we had Deng Yun at the residence. After coming to the capital, Deng Yun went back to his own home, and the child has received too many letters from the Dong family. Talk to him more, reduce some of his stress, and as for writing to the Dong family, forget it, I will write the letter myself."

Saying so, Zhou Shuren took out paper to write a letter. He wrote about the situation of the Zhou family and mentioned the problem with Dong Zhan. It was a simple letter that, once finished, Zhou Shuren handed to Chang Lian, "Have someone send this."

Chang Lian, holding the letter, replied, "Yes."

Zhou Shuren got up and walked a few steps towards the door of the study before saying, "Let Dong Zhan move to Jiang Zhu’s courtyard. The two children can live together and study together, and it will be good for them to have each other’s company."

"Yes, I will arrange it tomorrow," Chang Lian responded.

"Mm."

Chang Lian returned to his courtyard with the letter. As Lady Dong waited for her husband to enter the room, she asked anxiously, "What did father want to talk to you about?"

Chang Lian explained the matter with Dong Zhan, "We have also neglected this child."

Lady Dong’s face turned red with embarrassment. As his actual aunt, she hadn’t fulfilled her role properly. Moreover, being pregnant, her mind was preoccupied with her own child. Luckily, the issue was discovered early. "It’s my fault."

Chang Lian held his wife’s hand, "Now is not the time to be admitting faults. Let’s pay more attention to this child from now on."

Lady Dong sighed, "I understand."

Seeing that her husband was going to write a letter, Lady Dong gestured for the maid to bring a cloak. After she wrapped herself in it and pushed open the door to leave, the lanterns were already lit. Lady Dong carefully walked to her nephew’s room.

Outside the room, she could see her nephew’s silhouette. As the maid was about to knock, Lady Dong raised her hand to signal quiet and gently pushed open the door.

She seldom visited her nephew’s room, and she never skimped on anything for him; the charcoal fire was the best, and the temperature in the room was not low. Glancing over, Dong Zhan had not heard the sound and continued reading his book.

But Dong Chuchu could clearly see that her nephew was frowning the whole time, occasionally grabbing his hair with both hands, and despairingly laying his head on the desk. Dong Chuchu’s voice was hoarse, "If you can’t focus, then don’t force yourself to read."

Dong Zhan jumped in surprise, only then noticing that his aunt had entered the room. He hurriedly straightened his hair, "Aunt, it’s not that I...

Dong Chuchu sighed, "I know, you’ve always been diligent in your studies. That’s enough, if you can’t focus, then don’t read. I neglected you before, but it won’t happen again from now on."

Dong Zhan froze. He knew why he was able to stay in Zhou Mansion. His aunt cared for him materially, but otherwise, she bore a grudge in her heart against his father and mother. His eyes reddened, "I don’t want to cry."

Dong Chuchu hugged her nephew, "I know. I was wrong, and I won’t neglect you in the future."

Chang Lian stood by the door, signaling the maids to be quiet, then returned to his own room. He knew his wife had come to see the child, and he was still not at ease, but now he could rest assured.

The next morning, Zhulan noticed that Dong Zhan was smiling, his eyes crinkling at everyone he met. This was a promising improvement.

At the Hou Residence, Yao Wenqi was staring at the message in his hand. It had come early in the morning, containing just one word: "Foolish." Zhang Yang was still nested within the Prince Residence, and yet, they were thinking of making a move on the Prince and Crown Prince.

In the recent days, the Crown Prince and several Princes had already purged their entourages once. Although some hidden threats were not yet extracted, now was not the time to act.

Yao Wenqi, after many years serving the Emperor, had come to understand something about him: The Emperor enjoyed playing chess. Ever since the exposure of the men around the Crown Prince, he didn’t believe for a second that the Emperor was without thorough preparation. Now that moves were made against the Crown Prince and Princes, it was quite possible that the Emperor was just waiting.

He would certainly not make this move, at least not for the time being.

Therefore, to prevent any fools from taking action secretly, damn it, the case in Jianghuai had already thrown these idiots into utter disarray.

In the Palace, the Emperor had just finished court when Eunuch Liu spoke in a hushed tone, "Someone has followed them."

The Emperor asked, "Do you know what was passed on?"

Eunuch Liu bowed his head, "We haven’t found out."

The Emperor signaled for Eunuch Liu to leave and picked up a hand warmer. His mind, however, continuously calculated the opponent’s possible moves. Zhang Yang had moved into the Fifth Prince’s residence and after such a long period of calm, he was finally starting to stir. It was time the Emperor added fuel to the fire; the case in Jianghuai needed to be closed.

In the Ministry of Revenue, Xiao Qing dismissed the eunuch who had delivered the message and called for Zhou Shuren and Qiu Yan, "Qiu Yan, prepare yourself. In a few days, you will go to Jianghuai on official business."

Zhou Shuren asked, "Are we closing the case?"

Xiao Qing appreciated Zhou Shuren’s quick response, "Yes, you would have been the best choice to go, but it’s not suitable for you to leave the capital."

Mainly because the Emperor feared Zhou Shuren would not return if he left. With the major case in Jianghuai, Zhou Shuren had uncovered problems that had many wanting him dead.

Zhou Shuren twitched the corner of his mouth. He had no intention of leaving the capital, especially not while those powers remained unchecked. He would rather die than leave the capital, and even within it, he had to be extremely cautious. "Sir, wouldn’t it be insufficient for Mr. Qiu to go alone?"

Xiao Qing responded, "That’s why we need two doctors and several officials. Do either of you have someone to recommend?"

As Qiu Yan would be the one to undertake the task, he naturally chose people he was comfortable managing and could control. "I have some people in mind."

Zhou Shuren wanted to recommend Hu Xia. Quite simply, the task was tiring but fulfilling, and with a job well done, it brought merit. "There are a few officials who have always worked diligently and handled their duties steadfastly. Given the large sum of silver involved this time, we need several reliable people."

Xiao Qing knew whom Zhou Shuren was referring to. Normally, he wouldn’t pay attention to a mere official, especially since the Ministry of Revenue had a surplus of them. However, it was different since Hu Xia’s nephew was fortunate, that name stuck with him. "I understand."

Zhou Shuren did not press further. One official was enough, and with Qiu Yan taking charge of the assignment, Qiu Yan could make the remaining decisions.

Qiu Yan, without being ceremonious, listed the remaining names. Xiao Qing took note and indicated that they could leave.

Once outside, Zhou Shuren said to Qiu Yan, "I have some excellent tea leaves, I’ll bring some for you to try tomorrow."

Qiu Yan rolled his eyes inwardly, "I’ll be looking forward to it."

Zhou Shuren certainly wasn’t lacking in good tea. He was always in contact with officials from Lizhou Province, and every year he received fine tea as a gift. Mr. Chen owned a tea garden, so Zhou Shuren’s supply of good tea never ceased.

In the afternoon, Zhou Shuren was preparing to go home. He got on his carriage but didn’t rush to leave. He waited for Hu Xia to come out before drawing back the carriage curtain, "Have you heard any whispers?"

Hu Xia was a man of action but not foolish, "I have."

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that the dust had settled in Jianghuai, and every move was related to silver. The Ministry of Revenue had the most reliable news in The Six Ministries, "Prepare yourself."

Hu Xia’s eyes widened, "Yes, yes, I understand."

"Hmm."