Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent! -
Chapter 870 Discontent
Chapter 870: Chapter 870 Discontent
In the Zhou family, Zhou Shuren felt boundless envy when he heard from his wife that Chang Yi was willing to go abroad, yet he scoffed aloud, "Humph, in this era, conditions overseas are not good, especially when you’re sick. I remember reading books that talked about bloodletting treatments abroad, and I’m not keen on going to see that."
Zhulan leaned close to her husband’s eyes, "Just be stubborn with your words, you’re clearly very envious. I know for a fact that the Xu family keeps several doctors on hand, who accompany them all year round."
Zhou Shuren was hearing this for the first time, "The Xu family actually keeps that many doctors?"
"Every time they go out, they bring two doctors, just in case one falls ill and there’s no replacement. Not everyone can adapt to life aboard a ship, and with the food being bland, doctors are very important. Haven’t you noticed that doctors have been quite in demand these past two years?"
Zhou Shuren, "I’ve never paid attention to that. Ah, Chang Yi can go out and about, I also want to see what’s happening overseas now."
"Wait for your son to come back and tell you about it."
Zhou Shuren pouted, "I think, given that he doesn’t speak the language, communication won’t be easy."
Zhulan was helpless; she didn’t specialize in languages in college, at best she could communicate. Moreover, the foreign languages at this time were quite different from the future, she couldn’t help, and one shouldn’t count on an old lady from a family of scholars and farmers to know foreign languages.
Zhulan, "Tomorrow, let’s have Chang Yi go to the Wu family first to learn."
In the main wife’s chamber, Lady Li saw her husband sitting lost in thought and pushed his shoulder, "Ever since you returned from dinner, you’ve been distracted. What’s on your mind?"
Zhou Laoda held his wife’s plump hand, squeezing it, loving the feel, "I’m thinking about Chang Yi going out to sea with a ship."
Lady Li, "You’re not thinking of going out as well, are you? You’re not as shrewd as your younger brother; you’re too simple. You should just stay at home honestly."
Zhou Laoda had indeed entertained the thought and glared at his wife, "Your words are too discouraging."
Lady Li pulled back her plump hand somewhat haughtily and snorted, "I’m only telling you the plain truth. Hard truths are harsh to the ear, right, that’s the phrase, our son said it."
Zhou Laoda was speechless; those were the words used by a son to retort against his wife!
In the second wife’s room, Zhao’s hands were busy with a handkerchief, "Your trip could last at least half a year. I’ve heard from the main wife that in some foreign countries, women show their necks, and even their legs."
What she actually wanted to say was that they expose their cleavage, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it, her cheeks already flushed.
The excitement had faded for Chang Yi, "I also want to take you with me, but the Wu family’s are merchant ships, and it’s not convenient to have women on board. Even if there were women, I wouldn’t want you to suffer. The sea is full of high winds and huge waves; it’s quite dangerous."
He had heard that some people’s ships had sunk, losing everything.
Zhao’s heart pounded with fear, "How dangerous is it?"
Chang Yi didn’t want to explain in detail; his wife was by nature prone to worrying, and talking too much would only make her live in fear every day, "The Wu family has experience, and they don’t sail with just one ship."
Zhao cast aside the handkerchief in her hands and seized her husband’s hands, wanting to say let’s not go, but when she met her husband’s bright eyes, she couldn’t utter a word. Her husband loved to travel; she understood that well over the years and didn’t want to hold him back, "You go, I’ll wait for you at home."
Chang Yi hugged his wife’s shoulders and hummed in response. Over the years, he had faced many temptations—silver coins, beauties, and yet he had never erred, not only due to his father’s lessons but also because he had always known what he wanted.
This time, going out to sea, he was excited. He knew this was what he wanted.
The third and fourth wives didn’t have much of a reaction; Chang Lian was at the Hanlin Academy, and Chang Zhi would also take the imperial examination in two years. They had their own paths to follow.
The next day, at the Hanlin Academy, Rongchuan was just about to have a meal with his third brother when Zhang Yang arrived.
Zhang Yang, pulling Rongchuan along, said, "You dined with Lord Zhou yesterday, so you can’t refuse me today."
Rongchuan indeed found it difficult to refuse since Zhang Yang was the fifth prince. Even if they were related, he was but a minister, "Fine, but today I shall treat Your Highness."
Zhang Yang, dragging Rongchuan along, urged, "Let’s hurry then, I still need to rush back to the Ministry of Revenue after we dine."
Chang Lian waved his hand; he didn’t mind being ignored by Zhang Yang at all. Instead, he thought to himself that the other was still too inexperienced.
There weren’t many restaurants near the Hanlin Academy, so they found a decent one. Rongchuan signaled for Zhang Yang to order, and Zhang Yang chose a few signature dishes. Rongchuan gave Zhang Yang a few more glances; the dishes selected weren’t to his liking, which showed how small-minded the prince was.
Rongchuan wouldn’t mistreat himself, so he ordered what he enjoyed, "Your Highness didn’t just come to dine with me, did you?"
Zhang Yang waved his hand, "Actually, it’s nothing important."
Rongchuan, "Oh."
Zhang Yang felt stumped, wondering why Rongchuan wouldn’t play along. His gaze fell on the cloak hung up and he flicked his finger against the purse, "Back in the Fifth Prince Residence, I, the master, used to be so lonesome. Now there are two who know how to keep me warm and cool. Look, even my clothes and purse are prepared by others."
Rongchuan covered the twitch at the corner of his mouth with a sip of tea; he already knew Zhang Yang’s purpose. In fact, he had felt it yesterday, but Zhang Yang, scared by his father, didn’t dare to make a sound. With indifference, he said, "Congratulations."
Zhang Yang, seeing no reaction from Rongchuan, continued, "Your marriage is set for next winter, almost a year from now. You are the only son of the Hou Residence, and at your age, it’s time to find someone to take care of you."
Rongchuan’s face remained unchanged, possibly because he had been prepared, "Firstly, I grew up in the Zhou family and have always looked forward to a loving relationship. Secondly, my father said that we Ning are a family that repays kindness, not one that is ungrateful. Thirdly, I’ve already made my promise and certainly won’t be someone who betrays his word."
Rongchuan paused before continuing, "Your Highness, by mentioning this to me today, do you wish for me to become a disloyal and unrighteous villain? Have I ever offended Your Highness?"
Zhang Yang chuckled awkwardly, "No, don’t get me wrong. I’m only considering your best interests; there’s nothing else to it."
Rongchuan smiled, "I believe in Your Highness’s good intentions."
Zhang Yang felt he wasn’t cut out for sowing discord; feeling guilty, he ate without daring to meet Rongchuan’s eyes.
Rongchuan couldn’t be bothered to interact with Zhang Yang. The fact that he could continue dining calmly with Zhang Yang was already a testament to his good upbringing—of course, not wanting to waste was a factor too.
Since Rongchuan had returned to the Ning family, he not only had Xia Mo, who followed him from the Zhou family, but also the people assigned by Ning Xu, who in reality were the Emperor’s people.
They had just finished lunch when the Emperor in the palace was already informed of the news.
The Emperor, being a father, hoped for his sons to prosper and had meddled in the affairs of several princes’ households. The main wife was for the sake of the royal family, while concubines and other wives often served as pawns, but he rarely interfered.
As for his youngest son, he truly hadn’t planned on interfering at all; everything depended on Rongchuan’s wishes. If the son wished to remain with one, he wouldn’t say much. If his son was reluctant, that was an issue between the son and the Zhou family, and he wouldn’t meddle.
Now, even he, the father, hadn’t thought to interfere, yet Zhang Yang had gone as far as to stir trouble, "He sure has a long reach."
The Crown Prince said, "Because of the cloak matter, he’s harboring a grudge against Rongchuan and there’s also dissatisfaction towards the Zhou family."
Yuguang looked at his imperial father, who was also feeling jealous. It was truly unexpected; at this age, he still felt jealous—something Yuguang himself would never do!
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