Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 943 Commitment

Chapter 943: Chapter 943 Commitment

Mrs. Du said, "Mrs. Du has died."

Zhulan was stunned, "How could she have died?"

Mrs. Du replied, "The old lady went to seek help from the Duke Ning’s Residence again after returning, but no one paid her any attention; in her anxious rage, she passed away before the doctor arrived."

Zhulan gestured for Mrs. Du to rest and said to her daughter, "Even if Du Qiang died, it would not make Lady Du hold a grudge; but it was Mrs. Du, and this time, Lady Du’s grudge against Rongchuan grew even deeper."

Xue Han pursed her lips, "All this was brought about by the Du family; they reap what they sow."

"That’s true, but Rongchuan is the root cause. It’s certain that he will bear the brunt of their anger. Forget it, let’s not think about it anymore, and you should not go to the Duke’s Residence in the forthcoming days either."

In her heart, Xue Han detested the Du family, and now, she even disliked Lady Du very much, who could have restrained the Du family. Lady Du bore a significant responsibility for the Du family’s current situation.

At the Duke Ning’s Residence, knowing the news, the Duke said to his second son, "Everything about the Du family today was spoiled by the old lady, and now, she just left without a care."

Ning Hui detected the dissatisfaction in his father’s tone, recalled his wife’s livid ranting at his younger brother and Rongchuan, and sighed, not to mention his father’s displeasure, he was also dissatisfied.

The Duke continued, "The Du family’s situation today is of their own making. I do not want to hear you repeat any unfounded rumors your wife might say. If you cannot control your wife, remember that the title of Duke can always be passed to someone else."

Ning Hui’s face turned pale; if after so many years as the Princely Heir he failed to become the Duke, how would he face himself?

Ning Hui looked at his father, seeing only impatience in his eyes: impatience with his lenience towards his wife and with his wife herself, but even more so with his failure to manage the Du family, leading to continual troubles, "Son has taken note," he said.

The Duke sighed, in the past, when he had only one son left, he had turned a blind eye to the frailties of his son. "Forget it, I also had my faults back then. Just remember, Rongchuan is a Prince."

Rongchuan’s biological father is the Emperor; in this matter with the Du family, it was the Emperor who intervened, and the Emperor is the most protective of his own people.

A twinge of anxiety crossed Ning Hui’s heart, "Son will definitely keep Lady Du in line."

The Duke grunted in response, "Go have a look at the Du family."

Now that someone had died, as a son-in-law, he should pay a visit, especially since it was unknown what state the Du family was in.

Inside the palace, the Emperor also received the news, wearing a grave expression, he gave a directive to Eunuch Liu, and then continued to go through the Zhezi written by Zhou Shuren, which had only been delivered to the palace today. Zhou Shuren had written in great detail, including many things they had not discussed in their last conversation. The Emperor was so engrossed in reading that the reward of twenty thousand taels of silver seemed well worth it.

The Crown Prince was also curious about what Zhou Shuren had written in the Zhezi; the Emperor had been reading it for a while, occasionally uttering a word of praise.

Putting down the Zhezi, the Emperor thought Zhou Shuren’s ideas were well-developed, saving him from taking many unnecessary detours. Seeing the Crown Prince looking at him, it was not yet time to show it to the Crown Prince; he needed to organize his thoughts first.

The Emperor asked, "Have you visited Zhang Yang? How is his condition?"

The Crown Prince, puzzled, looked away from the Zhezi and replied, "Zhang Yang is seeking renowned doctors for treatment."

The Emperor said, "The poison Zhang Yang suffered is formidable; seeking renowned doctors will be futile."

The Crown Prince looked at his father with a peculiar gaze. Ever since he heard what poison was involved in Zhang Yang’s case, his mind uncontrollably turned to thoughts of his father. Since Rongchuan’s birth, the Emperor had had no more children.

With just one glance, the Emperor knew what the Crown Prince was thinking, "I have never been poisoned. Do you think just anyone can get close to me?"

Not only did people taste his food first, but it also had to be checked twice before it could reach his lips. Don’t think that the government hall held only father and son; in the shadows, there were numerous skilled experts.

The Crown Prince was puzzled, "Then why?"

The Emperor fell into reminiscence. Back then, for power, he successively married Lady Chen and others. To consolidate his power, that’s why his second and other sons were born. The age difference between his sons wasn’t significant. He hadn’t expected—he had promised Qingran that after his ascension, any child would only be Qingran’s.

Unfortunately, Rongchuan was switched at birth. Qingran harbored a knot in her heart, and he didn’t want Lady Chen and the others to continue bearing children and disturb the balance. Coupled with the loss of his son, he also was left with a knot in his heart, and simply decided to take medicine.

Seeing his father’s silence, the Crown Prince felt that he had learned enough for one day and bowed his head to continue organizing Zhezi.

But the Emperor spoke, "Because of a promise."

When the Crown Prince saw his father take a step out, he was completely stunned. His father could only have made such a promise to his mother. Thus, the Emperor’s emotions for her were deeper than he thought. He and the Crown Princess Consort also had a good relationship; indeed, he wouldn’t make promises to the Crown Princess Consort. It was truly hard to imagine an Emperor’s affections. Warmth rose in the Crown Prince’s heart, eventually turning into fervent heat. His father’s words today, trusting him, were also an indirect way of telling him that he would surely be the one to succeed the throne.

The next day, Zhulan kept her attention on news from the Du family. Du Qiang had been released, and there was news of the Du clan setting off to return to their hometown after Mrs. Du’s burial.

Lady Li brought over some newly made pastries, and Zhulan tasted one, "The flavor is good."

In Lady Li’s heart, her mother-in-law had a refined palate. Since her mother-in-law said it was good, the flavor of the newly made pastries must be excellent, "Madam, if you like them, please have a few more pieces."

Zhulan was puzzled, "This year you’ve developed three or four new pastries, but I haven’t seen you hand them over to Su Xuan. What use is keeping the pastry recipes to yourself?"

Lady Li fiddled with her handkerchief, "I want to give a few pastry recipes to Yu Lu as part of her dowry."

Zhulan was stunned, "Our main branch has accumulated quite a bit as well. There are still a few years before Yu Lu’s coming-of-age ceremony. By that time, I will also provide a dowry, and Yu Lu’s dowry will not be meager. Why on earth would you think of using pastry recipes as part of her dowry?"

Lady Li found nothing she couldn’t say to her mother-in-law. Over the years of living together, her mother-in-law was almost like her own mother, "These past few years, I’ve witnessed the rise and fall of many officials. Yesterday, they dined together at banquets, and in the blink of an eye, they were stripped of their positions. I thought that silver can sometimes not be secured, but recipes are more tangible. Memorized in one’s mind, if truly without silver, one could sell the recipe or, like I did, use the recipe to invest in a partnership for a long-term benefit."

Zhulan was quite pleased. Lady Li had, without realizing it, become someone who no longer needed her guidance, "Your idea is good. Although a woman’s dowry belongs to herself, once the support is gone, the dowry can’t be safeguarded either. You remind me of this today."

Lady Li first grinned with a wide smile, then said, "Madam, I’m not hoping for my daughter to have misfortune, I’m just worried."

The year before last, she had been truly shaken. At a banquet, she was ridiculed for being vulgar by other officials’ families, and the very next day something happened. She was truly frightened, having nightmares for several days. Aside from her husband knowing, she hadn’t even told her mother-in-law.

After Lady Li left, Zhulan’s mind was filled with recipes. There were many ancient recipes, the palace had the most—those for maintenance, health, and so on.

Zhulan thought about organizing them all, including collecting recipes for cooking. These were all about inheritance.

When Steward Ding came in, Zhulan was discussing maintenance recipes with Granny Song. Granny Song knew only a few recipes but would find a way to seek some out.

Steward Ding’s face was full of joy, "Mistress, Master Meng Jie has returned to the capital. Just now, a young servant from the Meng family came and said that Master Meng Jie has just arrived and will come to pay his respects tomorrow."