Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 884 The Timing Is Not Right

Chapter 884: Chapter 884 The Timing Is Not Right

Zhang Jinghong felt that his timing in coming to the Ministry of Revenue was not right. Just as he arrived at the entrance, he heard the cold voice of Chief Zhou, and he truly didn’t dare to enter.

Zhang Jinghong looked at the guide, signaling him, "You knock."

The guide chuckled, turned briskly, and walked away, giving no chance for Zhang Jinghong to react. Knock on the door, as if.

Zhang Jinghong, "...."

Ah, he was no longer the fifth Prince. People really didn’t need to fear him, and naturally, this was the time to slip away if they could. He wanted to slip away too.

Zhang Jinghong had been released from his restrictions today. He was still alive and well, and the Emperor had ordered him to report to the Ministry of Revenue immediately, so of course, he had arrived happily.

Now, Zhang Jinghong felt like crying. He really shouldn’t have come today.

The door quickly opened and Officer Zhao, still shaken, stepped out and saw Zhang Jinghong. He rarely patted Zhang Jinghong on the shoulder, sympathy for you.

Zhang Jinghong felt the pain in his shoulder. He could imagine how many people would pat his shoulder in the future.

Zhang Jinghong knocked on the door. After waiting for a response, he entered, "Chief Zhou."

Zhou Shuren looked up, "You’ve arrived."

Zhang Jinghong looked at Chief Zhou, who had no smile on his face, and he knew that this was Zhou Shuren’s true character. "I’ve just been to see the Grand Master of Writing, and he said that I should work under you from now on."

Zhou Shuren was well aware that this was indeed the person the Emperor truly wanted him to mentor. The very status of Zhang Jinghong meant he could only rely on the Royal family. "Hmm, you go out and ask someone to move a desk in here. You will share a room with me for now."

Zhang Jinghong ignored Chief Zhou’s expression. He was genuinely surprised. He couldn’t believe he would have the chance to learn the ways of survival from Zhou Shuren. His previous wish had come true. "Yes, I will do so at once."

Zhou Shuren watched the excited Zhang Jinghong rush away, finding it quite interesting. At the same time, he was speechless. The Emperor was not only squeezing him for work but was also making him train someone loyal to the royal house. He didn’t let any of Zhou’s value go to waste.

Zhang Jinghong ran out joyfully, only to encounter Zhang Yang, who was now the fifth Prince, "I’ve seen Your Highness."

Zhang Yang, upon seeing Zhang Jinghong, was reminded of the times he had sought to ingratiate himself with Zhang Jinghong. Now that he knew Zhang Jinghong was safe, with an imperial decree confirming it, "What are you off to do?"

The smile on Zhang Jinghong’s face did not fade. Zhang Yang could not suppress his happiness. Heaven knows how much he wanted to learn the art of survival from Zhou Shuren. "I will be working in Chief Zhou’s room from now on. He has asked me to move some desks and chairs there."

Zhang Yang clenched his fist, repeatedly telling himself not to get angry. He couldn’t afford to be angry. He needed to learn to endure, "Hmm, congratulations on your safety."

Zhang Jinghong, "Thank you, Your Highness."

But in his heart, he thought, he actually kind of preferred the old Zhang Yang.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan continued with her embroidery, and the daughters-in-law who had already expressed their intentions had left. The only one who had not was her daughter.

Xue Han watched her mother continue embroidery with calmness, utterly admiring her. At such a time, her mother could still focus on her embroidery, "Mother, what shall we do about the eldest sister and her family?"

Zhulan didn’t even raise her head. "I will discuss it with your father. You should go back to embroider your wedding dress."

Xue Han shook her head, "I can’t calm my heart."

Zhulan understood. Her daughter was still young. "Then stay with your mother for a while."

Xue Han kicked off her shoes, sat on the small heated bed, and pulled over a small blanket to cover her legs, "Mother, Jiang Zhu isn’t young anymore. What do you and father think?"

Zhulan, "Jiang Zhu doesn’t draw much attention. He’s different from your nephews; your brother-in-law is just a Scholar."

In ancient times, more emphasis was placed on grandsons rather than grandsons-in-law. The difference was vast. Even if the Zhou family treated Jiang Zhu very well, without distinction, the Jiang family was still looked own upon – this was the capital.

Xue Han understood, "So there’s no rush for Jiang Zhu’s marriage?"

Zhulan nodded, "Yes, waiting until Jiang Zhu takes the imperial examination to arrange his engagement is not too late."

Only through his performance in the imperial examination could Jiang Zhu showcase his abilities and attract attention, finding a good match. Otherwise, the ones willing to set an engagement now would have ulterior motives.

Xue Han helped her mother thread a needle, "I’ve heard Jiang Zhu mention the Jiang family’s son several times, Jiang Muchen."

Zhulan paid little attention to the Jiang family nowadays. What she knew was from a few mentions in her eldest daughter’s letters, and Chu Chu, the wife of her third son, rarely spoke of the Jiang family, "I’ve heard he is a serious and studious child."

Despite the Jiang family’s decline, Jiang Muchen made diligent efforts to better himself which made her think highly of him. Such character was rare and valuable.

Xue Han also corresponded with her eldest sister, and their sisterly bond was genuinely strong, "Eldest sister has mentioned Jiang Mulan several times."

Zhulan was surprised, "Your sister has never brought it up to me."

Xue Han chuckled, "Because Eldest sister hasn’t made up her mind, she didn’t dare to mention it to you."

Zhulan laughed softly, "The Jiang family’s daughter is a few years older than Jiang Zhu, but it’s quite alright for the girl to be two or three years older."

Xue Han said, "Mother, don’t tell anyone I told you this."

"Understood."

In Zhou’s village, Xue Mei these days wished she could tie the twins to her side and wouldn’t even let her eldest daughter leave the house. The twins, having been punished and lectured by their father, were smart enough to know right from wrong.

After contemplating the possibility of being kidnapped and sold, the twins finally became afraid and dared not venture anywhere.

As Xue Mei watched her two sons practice their calligraphy, she said to her daughter, "The letter should have reached the capital by now."

Sitting aside, Jiang Miu watched her younger brothers. These days, if any of them wandered out of their mother’s sight, she would search high and low for them, "Yes, Mother, try not to worry so much."

During these days, her mother had lost weight from anxiety.

Xue Mei was truly frightened. The commotion with her children had been their own making, and while she was just angry at first, the realization that it could have been someone else’s scheme had haunted her with nightmares of her sons being sold and beaten, wrenching her heart.

Looking at her silent mother, Jiang Miu knew her words were futile. They could only wait for a response from their maternal grandparents. Although her mother never mentioned it, she could guess that her mother hoped to move to the capital where her grandparents could provide more protection.

Xue Mei stroked her daughter’s hair, the fear in her genuine.

In the capital, within the Palace, the Emperor was busy but managed to spare some time to listen to reports. After receiving the news, the Crown Prince interjected, "They aim to eliminate Zhou Shuren."

If it were him, indirectly disrupting his financial routes would also prompt him to act, but Zhou Shuren was too elusive.

The Emperor said, "Continue the investigation, with clues surfacing, something should turn up."

The Crown Prince chuckled, "I believe that Grand Master Zhou has the upper hand against them."

The Emperor liked this thought and also smiled. As for Zhou Shuren’s eldest daughter, that was Zhou Shuren’s matter to deal with.

After some thought, the Crown Prince said, "Zhou Shuren truly cherishes his daughter. You haven’t seen how his demeanor softens when he’s with her, speaking so gently."

The Emperor, feeling a tinge of regret, said, "If I had a daughter, I would surely be the most doting father."

Back then, he had hoped that Prince Rongchuan would have been a daughter, a little princess.

In contrast, the Crown Prince’s thoughts drifted elsewhere. Ever since Prince Rongchuan’s birth, the Emperor had not had any more children, not a single one, and he didn’t believe it was the Emperor’s issue. Though curious as to why, no one dared to ask, leaving everyone to speculate in silence.