Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 964: Don’t Graze Near Your Own Burrow

Chapter 964: Chapter 964: Don’t Graze Near Your Own Burrow

Lady Li was not worried after hearing the news, "Mother, I’m quite robust, I’ll be fine."

Only then did Zhou Shuren snap back to reality, "Am I a father again?"

Zhulan chuckled, "Yes, you’re going to be a father again."

Zhou Shuren did not feel the joy of impending fatherhood, his face soured, "But please, let it not be a boy."

The boys in the family were already cunning little creatures, and he hoped for no more. Thinking of his daughter, Zhou Shuren felt the pressure—especially thinking of the hefty dowry he would need to provide. He genuinely did not want to have any more children.

Touching her belly, Lady Li sighed, "Children are a matter of fate."

Zhulan, about to become a grandmother again, was not overly excited; she had been a grandmother many times over. In recent years, with children being born one after another, she didn’t even need to say the words of advice anymore.

The news of Lady Li’s pregnancy quickly spread throughout the Zhou residence.

Lady Li truly did not want more children, while Zhao Shi and Lady Dong were genuinely envious. They both wanted sons and were exceedingly jealous of their sister-in-law’s pregnancy.

Su Xuan did not feel envious. Her fraternal twins occupied all her thoughts. She had planned not to have any more children until they were three years old, and she was all the more cautious now that her sister-in-law was pregnant, fearing that she might conceive as well.

In the Qi Prince Residence, Prince Qi waited for Eunuch Liu to leave before staring intently at the Jade Pendant in the box. This Jade Pendant had been lost the day before yesterday, and after searching everywhere, he had not found it. Abruptly, he swept a teacup off the table onto the floor and kicked a chair away, grinding his teeth, "Zhang Yang."

He had indeed underestimated Zhang Yang. Even though Zhang Yang had grown a lot, he still had not taken him seriously. That slap had been loud and clear—what a feat, even greater than the Crown Prince’s. Audacious enough to reach into the affairs of the Qi Prince Residence.

Princess Qi sat motionlessly, watching her husband vent. After so many years, it was the first time her husband had suffered such a loss. Only after he calmed down did Princess Qi speak, "You’re always so cautious; it’s impossible you lost the Jade Pendant outside, especially such an important one. I still believe it was lost inside the residence."

Listening to his wife’s calm tone, Prince Qi’s face grew even more embarrassed. A man loves his beauties, and the Qi Prince Residence was not short of them. The constant scheming in the rear court sometimes swayed him towards those he favored. When his wife had spoken the day before, his first reaction had been to suppress someone. Over the years, his wife had done plenty to suppress the other women in the rear court for the sake of their legitimate son.

Princess Qi sneered inwardly. When she had married Zhang Jingyang, she had had her illusions. After years of repeated disappointments, any hope in her heart had long since cooled. They were bound together, and it was only for the sake of their power, her maternal family, and their son that the couple united.

Lady Wu stood up, "I won’t disturb you any longer, I’ll take my leave."

Prince Qi opened his mouth but after the Princess Consort left, his expression turned sinister. Lady Wu wouldn’t harm him, but the women of the rear court were different. Only a few people could take the Jade Pendant without making a sound.

In the garden of the Zhou family, Ming Teng hurriedly grabbed Ran Xun’s fishing rod, "What are you thinking about? The fish has taken the bait."

Ran Xun reached over to help, and after throwing the fish back into the lake, he quietly sat down.

Ming Teng waved his hand in front of Ran Xun’s eyes. Ever since yesterday, his little buddy had been distracted, something wasn’t right, "Hey, are you tired of staying at my place?"

Ran Xun’s gaze was distant, his voice a bit loud, "Who said that, I don’t want to go home."

Ming Teng jumped, "What did I say? You’re so loud all of a sudden. You scared me."

Turning his head away, Ran Xun thought for a moment before turning back, "Why haven’t I seen your cousin at the residence today? I remember you saying she was here learning from a tutor."

Ming Teng might be a bit naive, but he knew what was going on pretty quickly. He glared fiercely, "I’m warning you, don’t get any ideas about my cousin, yuck, I mean, you’re not even allowed to think about it, otherwise, we’re done for real."

Despite his young age, Ran Xun was already quite the charmer, constantly surrounded by beautiful maids. And if the boy grew older, who knew how many he might take into his rooms!

Showing his teeth, Ran Xun retorted, "I was just asking! Look at your reaction, I’m a man who plans to marry a virtuous wife and beautiful concubines. Relax, I know your family likes loyal men. I was only asking!"

Ming Teng remained wary, skeptical of what Ran Xun said. He decided they wouldn’t fish anymore, "Come on, you’ve been here for a few days, it’s time for you to go home."

Ran Xun, "...Are you driving me away?"

"Glad you understand."

As he spoke, he instructed the young servant by his side to tell the steward to prepare the carriage.

Seeing that she was serious, Ran Xun said, "Do you really think I’m the kind of man to make moves on women in my own nest? You’re so cautious around me!"

Ming Teng nodded, "I might be somewhat reassured by others, but you, forget it. You’re forbidden from entering my house in the future!"

Ran Xun, "...You’re ruthless."

Ming Teng was genuinely worried. He had quite a few sisters, and although apart from his cousin, the others, like Yu Yi, were much younger than Ran Xun, precautions were necessary!

Meanwhile, Zhulan was in her daughter’s courtyard, admiring the almost completed wedding gown.

Su Xuan couldn’t hide her delight, reaching out to touch it, "Mother, let my younger sister try it on. The materials given by the palace are indeed superior to those outside. My wedding dress is completely outclassed."

Zhulan smiled, "Your wedding dress is also luxurious. It’s not as exaggerated as you say."

Xue Han picked up the wedding gown, her face blushing, "Sister-in-law, the wedding dress is not yet finished. I’ll try it once it’s complete."

Su Xuan smiled warmly, "By the time you get married, I guarantee Rongchuan will be astonished."

Xue Han’s face blushed, "Sister-in-law."

Zhulan gestured for the wedding gown to be hung up. It was embroidered by her daughter stitch by stitch and needed to be handled with care. She then turned to Su Xuan, "Don’t bully Xue Han anymore."

Seeing her mother-in-law step in, Su Xuan stopped teasing her sister-in-law and began pondering what to give her as a wedding gift.

The next day, at the early court session, Zhou Shuren saw Zhang Yang, there was some evident tension between Zhang Yang and Prince Qi. Zhou Shuren arrived a bit late and didn’t know what Prince Qi had said, only noting that Zhang Yang’s face was extraordinarily ugly.

Xiao Qing whispered, "Be careful with where you look."

Zhou Shuren lowered his head, puzzled. He wondered what had caused the conflict between Zhang Yang and Prince Qi, thinking of the hints Zhang Yang had given him before. Could it be that Zhang Yang was up to something again behind the scenes?

Zhou Shuren cast a sidelong glance at Prince Chu and Prince Liang. The two of them stood as if watching a spectacle, their schadenfreude all too apparent.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince arrived somewhat late and seemed not to have noticed the subtle struggle between the princes. The Emperor then announced the policies toward foreigners, declaring them one by one.

Zhou Shuren listened; there were some alterations to what he had written, with quite a bit added, though the Emperor didn’t reveal everything at once.

Clearly, the policies brought forward were those discussed and agreed upon, with several ministers already in the know. They were swiftly approved, with additional praise given to the Emperor’s sage wisdom.

Zhou Shuren’s heart ached at the thought of his credit being undervalued. For a mere twenty thousand taels, he felt it was a deep loss.

After court was dismissed, the ministers were abuzz with discussion, but all fell silent waiting for Prince Chu to speak.

Prince Chu, "Second brother, I heard that the Jade Pendant you lost ended up with our father. How exactly did you lose that pendant? Your little brother is very curious!"

Prince Liang joined in, "Third brother, seems your sources are no longer as reliable. Just yesterday, the fifth brother entered the palace. Judging by the second brother’s tone toward the fifth just now, could it be that the fifth brother took it?"