Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 946 Mindset Imbalance

Chapter 946: Chapter 946 Mindset Imbalance

Zhulan glanced at Tao’s closed eyes, resting in meditation, and took the letter to open it. It was written by her eldest brother, who was coming to the capital with her second brother. They mentioned last year they would come this year, and just a few days ago she had written to ask about their plans.

The letter was to notify her of their impending arrival, with the two brothers arriving in the capital in about seven or eight days, or at most a couple of weeks. Both of them were not young anymore, and yet they still played these surprise tricks. Nevertheless, Zhulan was truly happy. In ancient times, she had come to see the Yang family as her own maternal family. After the death of her parents, she missed her brothers even more.

Zhulan folded the letter and said to Granny Song, "Prepare two courtyards."

Granny Song nodded and went out, as Zhulan counted the visitors from the Yang family. This time, both her eldest and second brothers were bringing their grandsons: Wu Chun’s eldest son, Yang Wen from the eldest brother’s family; Wu Shan’s eldest son, Yang Qing from the second brother’s family; and Wu He’s eldest son, Yang Yu.

Zhulan regretted that neither of her sisters-in-law had come and couldn’t help but think of her deceased parents, feeling somewhat sad. The love of her parents was something she always yearned for, but had scarcely enjoyed since arriving in ancient times.

In the garden, Zhou Shuren was incredibly irritated; his own fish were giving him no respect today, and he had caught only one fish all morning, and even that was just a small one.

Another splash as a fish jumped, accompanied by the sounds of Wong Ju’s laughter echoing through the garden. His words were especially provocative, "I don’t even want to fish anymore; it’s not my fault if the fish keep biting."

Zhou Shuren, with a wooden face, looked at the pavilion specially made for fishing, regretting not building another one, "Hmph, it seems the fish today are a bit blind."

Wong Ju felt utterly delighted, finally having one-upped Zhou Shuren, "Even if they’re blind, they didn’t bite your hook. I think the fish’s eyes are crystal clear."

Zhou Shuren turned to Steward Ding at his side, "Take all the fish in Mr. Wong’s bucket to the kitchen. We will have a feast of fish at noon today."

Having said that, he put down the fishing rod, unwilling to listen to Wong Ju’s laughter any longer; his ears were practically ringing all morning.

Wong Ju also put down his fishing rod. "Shall we play a game of chess next?"

Zhou Shuren paused his steps, "Fine."

Wong Ju rarely played chess with Zhou Shuren. Back in Jinzhou Province, he was at the losing end, and during his days off, he had played a game or two with some good opponents. After coming back to the capital, he played chess with his father and improved his skill; he secretly wanted to continue crushing Zhou Shuren!

Zhou Shuren sneered to himself. His chess partner was the Emperor, and ever since he got soundly defeated, he became very diligent in playing chess. When the Emperor was in a good mood, he would give some advice, and Zhou Shuren benefited greatly from it!

At lunchtime, only Zhulan and her husband and Wong Ju and his spouse were eating in the main courtyard, while Wong Wei ate with the big room.

Sitting at the dining table, Zhulan glanced at Wong Ju’s wooden face and looked at her husband who seemed quite pleased. She turned her gaze away, feeling sorry for Wong Ju!

After resting all morning, Tao felt refreshed and at ease in the Zhou family house. Hearing that the fish were caught by her husband, she ate an extra half bowl of rice for lunch.

After lunch, Wong Ju was eager to leave, but Zhou Shuren held him back, "Don’t be in such a hurry to leave. Honestly, your chess skills seem to have regressed quite a bit. I’ll teach you a few more moves this afternoon."

Wong Ju, "... No, I still have things at home."

Zhou Shuren sighed deeply, "The year is already half over, and the Ministry of Revenue is getting busier. Next month, the taxes in silver transported to the capital must be stored, and last year’s dikes in Jiangnan weren’t fully repaired. With the recent downpours in the south, the Ministry lacks manpower."

Wong Ju immediately changed his expression and humbly asked for guidance, "Indeed, my chess skills have regressed, please teach me more, Mr. Zhou."

Zhou Shuren was satisfied; it was time to get his revenge for the morning’s humiliation.

Wong Ju cursed inwardly, thinking so highly of himself just because he’s my superior. Alright, indeed you are superior!

The next day, at the Academy, Ming Teng stared at Ran Xun’s somewhat bruised face, "You get beaten up just one day when I’m not here?"

Ran Xun inhaled sharply and pushed Ming Teng’s hand away, "You promised to protect me, and you take a leave without telling me in advance."

Ming Teng felt guilty, "Tell me, which bastard hit you? I’ll go and seek revenge for you."

Ran Xun swaggered, "Young Master here is a good fighter, I’ve never lost a one-on-one, and the teacher arrived before the group beating could happen. You don’t need to avenge me, however, you must protect me in the future."

Upon hearing this, Ming Teng realized his little buddy had more pride than him. Since his buddy said no to revenge, so be it, "Don’t worry, wherever I go in the future, I’ll take you with me."

Ran Xun faced him with a dark expression and shook off Ming Teng’s hand, "Don’t think you can pat my head just because you’re taller than me. If I don’t grow taller and can’t get a wife, you owe me one."

At this point, Jiang Zhu’s face changed and he stopped watching the show, his eyes fixed on Ran Xun with daggers. He knew this kid had been eyeing his sister all along!

Ming Teng sneered, "I think, for now, it’s better for us to cut ties."

Ran Xun, "....I’ve got a sharp tongue!"

Once Grandfather’s official position is set and the Crown Prince ascends the throne, I will definitely cut ties!

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren inquired about Zhang Jinghong’s arm, "How’s your arm?"

Zhang Jinghong moved the splint on his left arm, "I bumped my shoulder yesterday, and need to keep it immobilized with a splint for a few days."

Zhou Shuren took a closer look and noticed Zhang Jinghong’s standing posture was also off, furrowing his brows, "I’ll give you a few days off to recover. Come back when you’re healed."

Zhang Jinghong, aching all over, explained how his horse got spooked yesterday and he got thrown around inside the carriage quite badly, especially his arm. Luckily, it wasn’t broken. He had been learning a lot lately and did not want to rest, "I have already seen the doctor, who said I am fine. Thank you for your kindness, sir."

Zhou Shuren gave a grunt, and after Zhang Jinghong left, he sent someone to inquire and found out that Zhang Jinghong’s horse had been frightened. His first thought was of Zhang Yang, who after being poisoned had stayed hunkered down at home, not even attending to his duties, which showed the poisoning was severe.

If a person isn’t doing well, the resentment in their heart can grow without limits. The better Zhang Jinghong’s life is, the more uncomfortable Zhang Yang feels.

Zhou Shuren’s gaze grew heavier as he thought about the current Zhang Yang, who was not someone to be trifled with anymore. Whoever dared to make a move had to be growing increasingly ruthless, as the chance of a startled horse in the capital injuring commoners was high.

Zhang Jinghong returned to his room, worried. He was fortunate yesterday that Yao Zheyu had helped catch the horse; otherwise, his injuries would have been more than just a bump. This favor needed to be repaid, and he truly did not want to have any contact with the Yao Hou Residence.

At the Zhou family, Zhulan saw Mrs. Zhao bringing Yushuang home and specifically asked the old nurse about the time, "How come you’re back so early?"

Based on the travel time, they had just arrived at the Gu family’s and then came back almost immediately.

Mrs. Zhao signaled her daughter to leave, and Yushuang saluted, "Grandmother, I’ll head back to my courtyard now."

Zhulan nodded, "Alright."

After her daughter left, Mrs. Zhao said, "Today Lady Ding was also there; she didn’t come by herself – she brought a young lady with her, not just any lady, but Liufeng’s cousin."

Zhulan, "Cousin?"

Mrs. Zhao elaborated, "The daughter from Liufeng’s real uncle’s family, the one who became a concubine to a County Magistrate."

Zhulan remembered her, "How did she come to the capital?"

Mrs. Zhao didn’t know, "I saw Lady Hu’s embarrassed expression, so I didn’t listen further and just took Yushuang back home."

Zhulan asked, "Did you pay much attention to Liufeng’s cousin?"

Remembering the encounter, Mrs. Zhao replied, "She kept her head down the whole time; I didn’t get a good look at her. But she seemed frail and very constrained, barely even daring to sit properly."

Zhulan, "Forget it, that’s the Gu family’s business. There’s no need to worry about it; with Gu Zhuomin around, it can’t affect Liufeng."