Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 863 Regret

Chapter 863: Chapter 863 Regret

Xiao Qing had a simple reason for summoning Zhou Shuren, he didn’t want to deal with the troublesome Fifth Prince. So, let the capable do more work. Having a useful assistant was a blessing indeed, "This official understands, so the Fifth Prince is just coming to settle accounts."

The Crown Prince silently looked at the tea leaves in his cup. Hmm, the leaves were neatly arranged. He picked it up and smelled it, not bad.

Zhou Shuren continued cursing in his heart, his chest aching. Damn the capable doing more work. Ah, right now he missed Wong Ju terribly!

At the Shi residence, Yao Yao was tallying the grains, meats, and, most importantly, medicinal herbs that her husband had asked her to prepare.

These were the items her husband had asked her to prepare the day before, all meant to be sent to Zhang Jinghong. She didn’t believe this was really what her husband wanted. He was reluctant to talk about it and simply said it should be sent in her name to Yao Xin, to fulfill the affinity of sisterhood.

However, she felt no such sisterly affection for Yao Xin. Even though Yao Xin had changed, sorry, she had never thought about risking life and limb for Yao Xin, but since her husband mentioned it, she had to do it.

These past few days, she hadn’t paid attention to Yao Xin’s situation but knew that it couldn’t have been easy for her.

The steward asked, "Madam, everything has been tallied. Should we send it now?"

Seeing the disapproval in the steward’s eyes made Yao Yao feel terrible. It truly wasn’t what she wanted, "Hmm."

The steward sighed. The young master had finally been admitted into the Hanlin Academy through the imperial examination. At a time like this, Madam should have severed ties cleanly with Miss Yao the Third instead of sending things over. He could only hope it wouldn’t affect the young master. Recalling that the young master had instructed him to listen to Madam’s wishes before leaving, he had no choice but to summon a young servant to deliver the food.

In the afternoon, at the Zhou residence, Lady Li returned home with a grin, "Mother, I talked quite a bit with Lady Ma at the banquet today."

Zhulan took a moment to react, "Sir Lau’s wife?"

"Yes, her. Today I was wondering how to start a conversation with her, but I didn’t expect Lady Ma to speak first. She and her daughter-in-law really hit it off."

Zhulan thought to herself, of course they hit it off, the two of you are of the same kind, "What did you talk about?"

Lady Li’s smile grew even wider, "Mother, Lady Ma took the initiative to bring up Miss Lau. I also exchanged a few words with Miss Lau. She was very open and approachable, not at all shy."

Zhulan listened and chuckled delightedly, "I was going to discuss with your father about inviting Mr. Lei to have tea and talk about the Lau’s matter on his day off. But now that the Lau family has taken the initiative, good, good. If both parties are willing, this marriage should face fewer obstacles."

Lady Li liked fortunate girls and had always used herself as a benchmark, firmly believing she was the epitome of good fortune, "Mother, I also think Miss Lau seems quite nice."

Zhulan was already happily thinking about whom to engage as a matchmaker, filtering through her mind for potential candidates, finding several good options.

Lady Li asked, "Mother, since both parties are interested, when shall we set the betrothal?"

She hoped that the betrothal would be settled quickly. As long as her son remained unbetrothed, she became the center of attention. She was somewhat afraid of attending banquets these days.

Zhulan, "Let me discuss it with your father first."

"Mother, then I’ll go back first."

"Alright."

Lady Li, who couldn’t keep her mouth shut, couldn’t stay idle at home either. She would go to the second wife’s courtyard for a chat, and then to the fourth wife’s to see the children. By evening, everyone knew that the marriage with the Lau family was almost a done deal.

Today, Zhou Shuren came home from the Ministry of Revenue after having his meal there. Zhulan looked at her husband, who was glum as a frostbitten eggplant, "Today I heard the Emperor rewarded you again, why aren’t you happy?"

Zhou Shuren, having kicked off his shoes and lying down unwilling to move, "The Fifth Prince is coming to the Ministry of Revenue to report tomorrow."

Zhulan, "....I sympathize with you."

Zhou Shuren suddenly sat up, because he had returned late, his wife had already sent Granny Song and the maids away early, and there was no one else in the room. Zhou Shuren muttered, "The Emperor is really adding fuel to the fire, huh? With the Jianghuai case closed and the Fifth Prince’s ban lifted, even getting into the Ministry of Revenue, is he forcing the other side to take action?"

Zhulan poured Zhou Shuren a glass of water, "The more the Fifth Prince is valued, the more courage it gives the other side."

Zhou Shuren drank the water from the cup, "The Crown Prince and several Princes are in danger now."

"If the Emperor dares do this, he must have also made preparations. However, I think the other side will not act easily."

Zhou Shuren lay down again, "I think the same."

Zhulan said, "Let’s talk about something cheerful. Today, Mrs. Ma took the initiative to chat with the eldest son’s wife. When do you think we should choose a date to visit?"

Zhou Shuren thought for a moment, "Let’s wait until after I’ve invited Mr. Lei. I promised him before, and I must deliver."

"Okay, I’ll listen to you."

At the Shi residence, Shi Qing waited for his wife to return from her bath, took the towel from the maid’s hand, and began drying his wife’s hair. "I’ve been back for quite a while, don’t you have anything you want to ask me?"

Yao Yao sat in front of the bronze mirror, watching her husband, and shook her head, "You’ll talk if you want to, and I won’t ask if you don’t. You must have your reasons for acting this way, and what I see is that my husband is always working hard to protect me and the children; that’s enough for me."

Shi Qing’s gaze lowered to his wife’s now protruding belly, their child. He continued diligently drying his wife’s hair, "Once I have a day off, I’ll accompany you to the temple. Weren’t you planning to recite sutras for your mother-in-law? This time, I’ll go with you."

Yao Yao smiled, curling up the corner of her mouth, "Okay."

Sometimes, people don’t need to live too clearly. Before, she wanted to see through everything, and if she couldn’t, she would feel restless. Now, she had finally learned how to live a bit more freely.

Meanwhile, in the residence of Zhang Jinghong, Yao Xin tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Zhang Jinghong, helpless, sat up, "If you can’t sleep, shall we talk?"

Yao Xin pulled her husband down to lie, "Don’t catch a chill, but honestly, I really don’t understand. I wasn’t exactly nice in the past. The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate is predestined; I had to compete for favor to get what I wanted. I used to scheme against my legitimate sister a lot; why would she help me at my most difficult time?"

The grains delivered today were a minor matter; it was mainly medicinal herbs, and they were good quality ones. The quantity delivered today would be enough for a month.

An embarrassed look appeared on Zhang Jinghong’s face. He seldom thought about the second Miss Yao, mostly because he had once deceived her. He didn’t want to recollect it; those memories were too foolish. He shouldn’t have started the conversation, as this topic was really not discussable.

Yao Xin didn’t get a response from her husband, and upon reflection, her petty nature resurfaced. She remembered how her husband hadn’t wanted to marry her in the past; she angrily pulled the blanket hard, snagging over half of it.

Zhang Jinghong, "...."

At this moment, he isn’t concerned about getting chilled anymore!

The next day, Zhou Shuren saw Zhang Yang at court; yes, right there at court. Zhang Yang was standing behind the Third Prince, dressed in his royal court attire. Zhou Shuren glanced just once before resolutely looking away.

The Third Prince, not wanting to get too close to a fool, stepped forward and nearly bumped into the Second Prince.

Zhang Jingyang gritted his teeth and turned back, "Are you going to stick to me now?"

Zhang Jingshi acted as if he hadn’t heard and continued looking at his Jade Pendant."

Zhou Shuren heard quite a few clearing of throats, okay, he wanted to laugh as well. Zhang Yang, you’re a Prince, why are you shrinking your neck?

The Emperor must regret letting Zhang Yang attend court!