Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 869 Illusion

Chapter 869: Chapter 869 Illusion

Zhulan nodded, "As a woman, Mother has heard so much that I’ve come to realize how vast the overseas is, with so many things we don’t understand. Mother thinks that, as sea trade flourishes in the future, it would be good to personally understand and gain the upper hand. What do you say?"

Chang Yi had already been tempted by the thought of overseas ventures for he was never one to settle easily, but with so many family matters to handle, he had put those thoughts aside. Now that Mother had brought it up, "Mother, your son is willing to go."

Zhulan said, "If you go with the Xu family, Mother will be able to rest assured."

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have suggested her son venture out, for the Xu family already had a wealth of experience.

Excitement flickered in Chang Yi’s heart, he was already calculating how much silver to take and thinking about what to buy on the return journey. If he followed the Xu family, he could be a bit bolder.

Inside the Palace, inside the empress’s chamber, Rongchuan sipped ginger tea, feeling much warmer.

The Empress, seeing her son’s cheeks flushed with color, "You too, why not wear more?"

Rongchuan blushed, "It’s just that today is particularly cold, so I felt the chill. Normally, what I wear suffices."

The Empress signaled a Female Officer to fetch a cloak, "This cloak is thick and warm, wear it on your way back."

Rongchuan seemed slightly dazed; although he didn’t visit the Empress often, once a month he would still come, and each time, her care and affection gave him an illusion as if she were his own mother.

Seeing her son lost in thought, the Empress smiled, pulled her son closer, and draped the cloak over him, "Looks good."

Her needlework was nothing spectacular, she thought it passable since childhood, and even after she got married, the Emperor and her eldest son never scorned the clothes she made; they were even happy to wear her creations. But she owed it to her younger son, and these days, she had been learning with great diligence.

The cloak was a piece she had made to her satisfaction; seeing her son wear it made the pricks on her fingers seem worthwhile.

Rongchuan pursed his lips, "Aunt, you are too good to me."

The kindness shown to him had started to create illusions.

The Empress wanted to touch her son’s face but instead, she laughed and took a step back, "Sometimes you remind me so much of my elder brother."

Rongchuan breathed a sigh of relief and seeing it was getting late, "Your servant asks leave to retire."

"Go on then."

The Empress sat, feeling a sense of loss after her son left the chamber; the thoughts for her own child she could hardly control.

Before long, Rongchuan arrived at the government hall. The Emperor glanced at Rongchuan’s cloak and felt a twinge of jealousy; he had always believed the cloak was made for him.

Rongchuan lowered his gaze to his attire, unaware of anything amiss.

Suddenly, the Emperor had no desire to see his younger son and pointed at the Zhezi, "Take this Zhezi to the Ministry of Revenue."

Rongchuan kept silent, this being the first time he had run an errand like this, but he was pleased at the prospect of seeing his uncle and promptly replied, "Yes."

The Emperor, after his younger son left, put aside the Zhezi and, with hands clasped behind his back, headed for the harem. He intended to have a word with the Empress about needing a cloak of his own.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren was discussing affairs with a few government doctors when he spotted Rongchuan at the door. He gestured for Rongchuan to wait and said to the government doctors, "That will do for now. Prepare accordingly."

The government doctors took note and nodded at Rongchuan before exiting.

Zhou Shuren asked curiously, "Why have you come to the Ministry of Revenue? Is there something you need from me?"

It was rare for the Hanlin Academy and the Ministry of Revenue to have dealings.

Rongchuan handed over the Zhezi to his uncle, "I’ve just come from the Palace, and the Emperor instructed me to deliver this Zhezi to the Ministry of Revenue. I had just seen Higher Officer Xiao, and Grand Master of Writing told me to bring it to Uncle."

Zhou Shuren noticed the Zhezi that was one he had submitted that morning. It contained some petitions which he reviewed, noting the Emperor had already approved them.

Zhou Shuren, mindful of the time, "It’s just about lunchtime. Let’s have a meal together."

Rongchuan smiled, "Sounds good."

In his heart, there were two fathers; he had never thought of his uncle as his father-in-law. He used to love following his uncle around. It was a pity that since returning to the Ning household, it had become inconvenient.

Zhou Shuren, with a smile, "Come on, there’s a good restaurant near the Ministry of Revenue."

Rongchuan, "Then today, I’ll treat Uncle."

Zhou Shuren patted Rongchuan on the shoulder, "Uncle will treat you today."

Unfortunately, Rongchuan’s joy did not last long, for he had barely stepped out the door when he saw Zhang Yang waiting for him.

Zhang Yang approached, "Cousin, I just heard you were here, and it’s mealtime. Let me treat you to a meal."

Rongchuan, "No, thanks. I’m eating with Uncle; I appreciate Your Highness’s kind gesture."

Zhang Yang’s gaze immediately fell on Rongchuan’s cloak, a cloak he had seen when he entered the palace. At that time, it was not yet finished, and he had always thought it was meant for him. Stiffening his smile, "Cousin’s cloak, I seem to have seen it before."

Rongchuan knew that during this period, Zhang Yang had entered the palace a few times and had seen it inside the empress palace, "The Empress rewarded it to this subject."

Zhang Yang felt as if he had drunk sour vinegar, "Heh, the Empress really favors my cousin."

Rongchuan, "I think so too."

Zhang Yang no longer felt like having a meal with Zhang Rongchuan, "This prince still has matters to attend to."

With that, he left.

Zhou Shuren didn’t utter a word until Zhang Yang was gone, then patted Rongchuan on the shoulder again, "Let’s go."

Rongchuan asked in a low voice, "Uncle, he hasn’t been giving you trouble at the Ministry of Revenue, has he?"

Zhou Shuren couldn’t help but laugh, "And what if he has been causing me trouble?"

Rongchuan felt a bit guilty and blushed, "I would help Uncle tattle in secret."

Zhou Shuren felt a warm heart, realizing that although Rongchuan had returned home, his heart was with him, "You should trust in your uncle’s abilities."

Rongchuan grinned, "I always knew Uncle was the best."

Zhou Shuren laughed heartily. The boy was his fan, of course, with the top fan being his grandson.

In the evening, Rongchuan saw Zhang Yang at the Duke Residence and regretted it deeply. If only he had known, he would have dined at Zhou’s home today.

Ning Xu pushed his son, "Don’t stand at the door, hurry in; I’m still freezing outside here!"

Rongchuan stumbled a bit, "Dad, be gentle when you push me."

Ning Xu hugged his son’s neck, "Your dad has his measure. Back in the day, no, even now, your dad’s martial skills are not bad. I want you to get up early to practice with me every day, but you just don’t want to get out of bed."

Rongchuan’s ears reddened—who wanted to get up in the midst of winter? The comfort of the bed was too alluring.

Duke Ning laughed heartily, "Both father and son, take a seat quickly; we were just waiting for you."

Rongchuan quickly sat down beside his grandfather, "Grandfather."

Duke Ning’s eyes crinkled with a smile, "Good, good, take a look; these are all dishes you like to eat."

Rongchuan beamed, "Grandfather is the best to his grandson, unlike my dad, who only knows how to bully his grandson."

Duke Ning feigned anger, "How old are you? Still bullying Rongchuan. It seems the older you get, the more childish you become."

Ning Xu glared at his tattling son, laughing heartily, "Dad, you haven’t seen this kid when he’s up to mischief."

Duke Ning, "All I see are my eldest grandson’s good points."

Ning Xu, "..."

Zhang Yang sat at the table feeling like an outsider, unable to insert a word. Holding back, "Cousin isn’t that young either."

Duke Ning and Marquis Ning both looked at Zhang Yang, and Rongchuan also wanted to know why Zhang Yang brought up age?

Zhang Yang tensed, his voice even softer, "Cousin has a really good relationship with Grand Master Zhou."

Rongchuan was clear that what Zhang Yang had intended to say wasn’t that, but he had been intimidated by the gaze of his maternal grandfather and father, "Because Uncle is truly sincere, naturally our relationship is good."

Zhang Yang managed a smile, not daring to make a sound. This was his first encounter with his uncle’s cold stare, and it truly frightened him.