Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 896: Unyielding Will

Chapter 896: Chapter 896: Unyielding Will

In the capital, at the Zhou residence, Zhou Shuren had instructed Jin Yan to investigate the Gu family’s situation, especially the past of the Gu family elder who was coming to the capital and the branch of Gu Liufeng’s grandfather, which would inevitably be entangled with Liufeng in the future.

These were unavoidable; as long as Liufeng’s career went smoothly, he would come into contact with them sooner or later.

After Jin Yan left, Zhou Shuren, with his hands behind his back, made his way to the study. It had been a long time since he had checked his grandsons’ studies and, with the rare complete leisure at the end of the year, Zhou Shuren remembered that there were major exams before the Academy closed for the holiday.

In the study, Mingyun looked somewhat helplessly at his younger brother, "Ming Teng, you’d be better off focusing on your studies rather than worrying about the gift I received. The Academy’s holiday break is coming, and the final examination isn’t going to be easy."

Ming Teng was just curious. Today, Ran Xun brought a box to his older brother, claiming it was from his future sister-in-law, and he wanted to see what it was, but Ran Xun refused to tell him. Threats of ending their friendship had no effect on his little buddy, so he had to pester his older brother.

Ming Rui also perked up his ears; he couldn’t help it. This was the first time his older brother had accepted a gift from a lady who wasn’t family, and it was from his future sister-in-law.

Zhou Shuren stood at the door, initially intending to push it open, but then he paused. Alright, he wanted to know as well. He hadn’t expected that his eldest grandson would have a girl sending him gifts first!

Mingyun gritted his teeth; if he didn’t say it, Ming Teng wouldn’t give up, "A cord used for the Jade Pendant."

Ming Teng was somewhat disappointed, "That’s it?"

"What did you think it was?"

Ming Teng gave a dry laugh. He thought it was something more meaningful, but it turned out to be just a cord.

Ming Rui’s eyes curved into a smile that resembled a little fox’s, "If Second Brother is envious, you could always chat with your future sister-in-law. Although she’s not good with needlework, I believe she can make cords."

Ming Teng’s face flushed red, waving his hand, "What would you know, you little brat."

Ming Rui rolled his eyes, knowing there was much he understood.

Ming Teng thought of Lau Jia. Ever since their engagement, his days of rest had been miserable — always dragged out by his future brother-in-law, who never missed an opportunity to take advantage of him!

As for Lau Jia’s needlework, the girl truly wasn’t pretending; she simply had no knack for it!

Zhou Shuren coughed and pushed the door open, "What are you discussing?"

Ming Teng’s face exploded with panic upon seeing his grandfather. How long had Grandfather been standing at the door? How much had Grandfather heard?

Mingyun’s cheeks turned slightly red. As the conversation concerned him, he didn’t say much, but instead counterasked, "Grandfather, what brings you here?"

Zhou Shuren walked over to the bookshelf and picked up a book, "Today I’ll test you on your studies."

Ming Teng, "...."

Only two words filled his mind: it’s over!

Two hours later, Zhulan saw Zhou Shuren return, "Why did you stay in the study so long today?"

Zhou Shuren huffed, "I tested the grandsons on their studies. Mingyun and Ming Rui did well, but Ming Teng was quite distracted, and his studies have suffered."

Zhulan, "Since you have the time now, you might as well spend more time on this."

Ming Teng needed regular discipline; a little tightening of slack skin would do the job.

Zhou Shuren hummed in agreement, "That’s what I was thinking."

The next day, Zhulan personally went out to welcome Madame Tao, affectionately taking her hand, "Ever since you wrote that you were returning to the capital early, I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Tell me, it’s been quite some time since we last saw each other, hasn’t it?"

Madame Tao had been a bit anxious when she arrived, worried about the attitude of Madam Yang now that Zhou Shuren was held in high esteem by the Emperor and had reached the official rank of Third Rank. But now she was completely reassured, finding that Madam Yang was still the same person, "I too wanted to return to the capital early, but who would have thought that my babe would fall ill."

Zhulan inquired, "Is he fully recovered now?"

Mrs. Tao nodded, "Alright, alright, you have no idea, the old master and I were truly frightened, with Wei’er’s fever not subsiding. At that moment, I even had thoughts of death."

Zhulan patted Mrs. Tao’s hand, knowing how long she had been hoping for this child, "This hurdle has been overcome, surely in the future he will be healthy and everything will go smoothly."

Mrs. Tao smiled, "I always love listening to your words."

Zhulan laughed, "Then should I say more?"

Mrs. Tao chuckled, "I don’t want to hear you talk right now, I want to take a good look at Yu Lu. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her, and Yu Lu has grown quite a bit."

Yu Lu had been following her grandmother and greeted her again, "I’ve seen the madam."

Mrs. Tao held Yu Lu’s hand, her future granddaughter-in-law, "I wanted to bring Wong Wei with me, but he simply couldn’t make it today due to the big examination at the clan school."

Yu Lu was a steady girl, but hearing her fiancé’s name, her somewhat chubby face turned red, and when she bowed her head, even her ears changed color.

Zhulan pulled her granddaughter closer, "I think you’re just here to tease my granddaughter."

The young girl was shy, and Mrs. Tao must have done it on purpose.

Of course, Mrs. Tao did it intentionally. She wished her grandson and Yu Lu could have more contact. Unfortunately, her grandson had heavy academic duties, and the eunuch kept him busy at his side. Since her grandson couldn’t come, she mentioned him a couple of times, hoping the future granddaughter-in-law would keep him in mind.

Mrs. Tao was pleased with Yu Lu. Since she had come to the capital, her mother-in-law had mentioned that Yu Lu had a good reputation there. Now seeing the young girl having grown up a bit, she was even more delighted.

At the Academy, Mingyun was holding an invitation, and Liufeng approached, "Who gave you that invitation?"

Mingyun fiddled with the invitation, "Lau Qi sent it. Quite formal, he invited me to appreciate paintings after the New Year."

Liufeng asked, "You don’t want to go?"

Mingyun tapped the invitation, "Indeed I don’t, but it has been handed to me. It would be rude not to attend."

Liufeng thought for a moment, "If you don’t want to go, just find an excuse."

Mingyun shook his head, "I should still go."

Liufeng hummed in acknowledgment, then became distracted. His father’s uncle was coming to the capital, and he knew very little about his grandfather’s side of the family. If it weren’t for this letter, his mother wouldn’t have mentioned it.

Liufeng looked down at his book, his thoughts in disarray. He knew that his father’s uncle’s arrival would definitely bring changes to his life.

In Class Yi, Ran Xun watched Ming Teng sprawled over the table, "You’re not in the right state, are you? Since this morning, you’ve looked like you’re on the verge of death. Has your brother been bullying you?"

Ming Teng couldn’t be bothered with Ran Xun, who wouldn’t rest until he got answers. He turned his head to look at Jiang Zhu.

Jiang Zhu didn’t disappoint Ran Xun, "Grandfather tested Ming Teng’s studies yesterday."

Ran Xun pulled at the corner of his mouth, thinking of Zhou Shuren, whom he also feared, and shivered, "Ming Teng’s lack of progress in his studies has nothing to do with me. It’s all down to his own lack of willpower!"

Ming Teng glared, he hadn’t said anything about a bad influence, yet this grandson was pushing it all onto him, "That’s right, Master Ran!"

Ran Xun blinked, "In the future, I should keep my distance from you for a while. I can’t afford to be led astray by you."

Ming Teng felt like spitting blood, "We must cut ties then."

Ran Xun was thrilled inside and it showed on his face, "Cut ties then, cut ties!"

As long as he wasn’t on Zhou Shuren’s radar, cutting ties for a while was no problem!