Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 866 Leaving So Early

Chapter 866: Chapter 866 Leaving So Early

In the afternoon, Zhulan was embroidering a handkerchief when she almost pricked her hand at the sound of Ming Teng’s approach, he hadn’t even entered the room yet, but his voice had already arrived, "You never have a quiet moment, do you?"

Ming Teng laughed playfully and plopped down beside his grandmother, "Grandma, I’ve got incredible news that I’m eager to share with you!"

Zhulan took the needle and thread from beside Ming Teng, to keep the fidgety lad from hurting himself, and tapped his forehead, "Well then, Grandma wants to hear this important news."

Ming Teng was still quite excited, "Ran Xun’s second uncle is coming to work in the capital next year, so my future sister-in-law will be returning to the capital soon—Grandma, isn’t that great news?"

Zhulan smiled in amusement, "Indeed, that is great news; Ran Wan is coming to the capital!"

Ming Teng counted his elder brother’s years, "In a blink of an eye, a few more years and big brother will be of marrying age. Who knows? In a few years, I might become an uncle."

"Yes, time flies so fast. It feels like just yesterday you were a chubby little baby, and now you’re about to be betrothed."

Ming Teng was delighted at the thought of his future sister-in-law coming to the capital; he hoped his older brother would become more expressive. The moment Grandma mentioned the betrothal, his face turned red, and he jumped up, "Grandma, the tutor left a lot of homework. I should get back to it."

Zhulan grabbed hold of Ming Teng’s clothes, "Don’t rush off. Come, Grandma has something to tell you."

Ming Teng dared not move. He was the strongest in the family and had gotten much stronger over the past two years. He feared that in struggling, he might hurt Grandma. Let’s not even mention Grandpa—just his father and mother could beat him to death.

Ming Teng regretted coming to deliver the news, "Grandma, what is it you want to tell me?"

Zhulan released her grip and gestured for Ming Teng to turn towards her before speaking, "It’s nothing major; just that you’re also to be engaged soon. After the engagement, you can’t be reckless anymore. Grandma knows you are close with Ran Xun, but let me remind you—our family’s rules were set by your grandfather, and you better not have any improper ideas!"

Ming Teng’s face turned the color of a monkey’s bottom, "Grandma, your grandson has no such thoughts."

Even though Ran Xun often told him that he must marry several beauties in the future, each time he would scold Ran Xun—umm, cough cough, he truly didn’t dare!

Zhulan was satisfied and waved her hand, "Alright, just remember that."

Ming Teng took off running, fearing Grandma had more to say!

In the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren was preparing to go home. He no longer intended to work overtime. He originally planned to finish his work early and stay at the Ministry for a couple of days, but since the Emperor had pushed him forward as a scapegoat, hmm, from now on he would go home on time.

It was quite a coincidence that Zhou Shuren and the Grand Master of Writing ran into each other at the entrance of the Ministry. Xiao Qing was surprised, "You’re heading home this early?"

Zhou Shuren, "...Yes, are you going home as well?"

Xiao Qing touched his nose somewhat guiltily. Since his last vacation, he had been leaving work on time every day, even occasionally asking for leave for the early morning court sessions. He looked away, "Ah, going home."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Please, go ahead sir."

Xiao Qing ah-ed, quickly got into his carriage, and with agility that belied his age, he was up and away in no time.

Zhou Shuren watched the carriage depart and thought that the next day he could assign some more work to Zhang Yang. Since the work had come to him, why not make the most of it? He missed Wong Ju every day.

Zhang Yang sat in his carriage shivering with cold and couldn’t help but pull back the curtain to look at the sky. Hmm, it was going to snow.

The next day, Zhang Yang looked at the two piles of account books on the table, somewhat dazed, before realizing, "This much?"

The doctor who had brought the books snickered, "These are from the Deputy Minister for your review, Your Highness. Should you have any questions, the Deputy Minister said you could ask him directly."

Zhang Yang didn’t want to face Zhou Shuren, "Is this all the work for today?"

The doctor nodded, "Yes, all for today. The Deputy Minister said he wants it by this afternoon, so your Highness needs to have it all calculated by the time you leave the government office."

Zhang Yang felt that Zhou Shuren was bullying him; how could it be possible to calculate so much? He slammed the table and walked out.

The doctor glanced at the account books on the table; in fact, it wasn’t much. His own work was even busier than this. As for the Prince and Grand Master Zhou, he bet on Grand Master Zhou winning and leisurely left.

When Zhou Shuren saw Zhang Yang coming to find him, he looked up with an expressionless face, "Your Highness has come in a huff, are you dissatisfied with me?"

Zhang Yang, "....No, I just came to ask, isn’t the workload for today a bit much?"

"During the morning court, the Crown Prince detained me for a few words. In front of the Crown Prince, I said your Highness is diligent and efficient in accounting, and the Crown Prince is very satisfied with you. Since your Highness finds it too much, then I will take it all back. Today, your Highness can just drink tea, and if you feel bored, you can go out for a stroll."

Zhang Yang’s frustration was stuck in his chest, not knowing whether to rise or fall. Zhou Shuren had blocked all his arguments, "Grand Master Zhou truly has a way with words."

Zhou Shuren, "Your Highness is not the first to say so, nor will you be the last. Is there anything else?"

Zhang Yang smiled, "No, nothing else."

"Hmm."

Zhou Shuren heard the heavy footsteps of Zhang Yang leaving, unconcerned. Everything he said was the truth; the Crown Prince really did stop him, hinting that Zhang Yang could do more accounting and it would be best to stay put in the Ministry of Revenue.

So, he didn’t need to be polite at all. It was what he had planned yesterday anyway.

At the Zhou Residence, Zhulan received a birthday banquet invitation from the Du family. It was for Lady Du’s mother’s birthday banquet. The Du family had fallen on hard times, and now it was all supported by Lady Du, the Heir’s wife of the Duke family. Lady Du’s elder brother from her maternal home had held only idle positions for many years, the highest being a fourth-rank official.

Seeing her mother put down the invitation, Xue Han asked, "Mother, do I need to go?"

Zhulan, "You don’t have to go."

She wasn’t married yet, and even if she was, it was Lady Du’s maternal family affair. No one would say anything if Xue Han didn’t go.

In fact, Zhulan didn’t want to go either, but since the invitation had been sent to the Zhou Residence and given her connection to Lady Du, she still had to go.

Xue Han noticed her mother’s complexion wasn’t good, "Mother, why don’t you pretend to be sick and not go?"

She knew her mother had looked into quite a few pieces of information, especially those concerning her. Her mother had no liking for the Du clan.

Zhulan waved her hand, "Pretending to be sick is not advisable. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, I would not pretend to be sick. Lies will always be lies, and the Du family isn’t worth lying or pretending to be sick for. I still have to go."

Xue Han didn’t like Lady Du, the future second aunt-in-law. Every time she went to the Duke Residence to accompany the old madam, Lady Du was there, and she felt particularly uncomfortable, as if she was scrutinizing whether the old madam had given her anything or not.

She really didn’t enjoy visiting the Duke Residence, but because the old madam doted on Rongchuan and by extension liked her, Xue Han had to go even if she didn’t like it.

Yushuang cut the thread from her handkerchief, "Grandmother, are you going by yourself this time?"

Zhulan disliked the Du family. The Du men lacked ambition and cozied up in the arms of women far too comfortably. Looking at her increasingly beautiful granddaughter, "Yes, this time grandmother will go alone."

Her own girl was far too precious; she would not allow even a slight dent to her reputation. Not bringing her, not bringing anyone.