Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 968 - 988: Shield

Chapter 968: Chapter 988: Shield

Zhou Shuren glanced over and indeed, almost everyone had left. He coughed once, "I was quite focused on listening just now and didn’t pay much attention. Let’s go."

Walking in front, Old Master Wang lowered his voice, "Since you’re neutral and only loyal to the imperial power, it’s better not to be curious. I’ve noticed that you seem indifferent, yet you want to know everything."

During this month’s court sessions, Zhou Shuren had been quietly observing for a long time. When Officer Xiao was present, he would always hurry Zhou Shuren along. When Officer Xiao wasn’t there, Zhou Shuren would always dilly-dally before leaving.

In the past few days, the princes had taken their covert strife into the open, exchanging barbs before the morning court session and sniping at each other afterward. This had become the norm.

He had been wanting to remind Zhou Shuren for some time now.

Zhou Shuren’s heart tightened. It was his habit to analyze, and to analyze, he needed to know more. The princes’ words leaked too much information. Since everyone around him was a person of the Emperor, he couldn’t inquire openly, so he gleaned most of his information from the court, "Is it that obvious?"

Old Master Wang stroked his beard, "I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I advise you to curb your curiosity."

Zhou Shuren realized that his actions had indeed been quite noticeable, "Thank you for the reminder today."

No wonder Officer Xiao always hurried him along; he must have noticed it too but just hadn’t mentioned it yet.

Old Master Wang said, "I have high hopes for you. Let’s go!"

Zhou Shuren warned himself internally. He certainly needed to change; he was getting cold sweats from being too focused on the princes’ behavior.

Back at the Zhou residence, Zhulan received the news swiftly. The fifth prince was taking a wife, and she was none other than the legitimate daughter of Imperial Censor Qie. Zhulan was genuinely shocked – she had often heard Zhou Shuren mention how Mr. Qie’s sharp tongue made him many enemies.

Xue Han pricked her hand with the needle upon hearing the news, wincing from the pain.

Zhulan, "Your reaction is quite strong!"

It wasn’t until her finger stopped bleeding that Xue Han said, "Mother, you’ve never met Ms. Qie, but I have. This year, she came of age. Normally, girls her age have their marriages arranged early on, but Ms. Qie..."

Zhulan grew curious, "What about Ms. Qie? Could it be her looks aren’t good?"

Xue Han shook her head, "No, it’s not that. Ms. Qie has a vicious tongue that greatly offends others. She’s unrelenting even when she’s in the right, and she rarely has friends. Having seen her a few times, I’ve witnessed her ferocity."

With her words alone, she shamed a young Miss Zhao so much she nearly jumped into a lake. Anyone who tried to help was berated as well, her tongue defeating all challengers.

Zhulan, "How formidable is her tongue?"

Xue Han replied, "I’ve heard some rumors. They say Ms. Qie scolded a servant girl so harshly that the girl hanged herself. She has also reduced many a young lady to tears. Ms. Qie’s tongue is indeed too sharp."

Zhulan’s eyes widened, "How have I never heard of this?"

Xue Han giggled covertly, "Mother, the gatherings you attend are carefully selected – there’re none where young ladies like us can speak freely. Ms. Qie has offended too many, so no one dared to take her in marriage. Now, unexpectedly, she’s become the fifth prince’s consort. Since she was coming of age and not yet betrothed, she hid away in her residence, but now she’ll probably hold her head high again."

Thinking to herself, Zhulan felt it might have been better not to arrange the match – The Prince Residence was a veritable pit of fire.

Xue Han took up the half-embroidered handkerchief, "When we attend Officer Phang’s wife’s birthday, I’ll feign illness. I have no intention of going out."

Being intelligent, she avoided Ms. Qie whenever possible. It wasn’t that she couldn’t handle her, but she didn’t want to demean herself. However, Ms. Qie was hostile towards her – all because her own match was favorable. Well, Ms. Qie was hostile towards every young lady with a good match in prospect.

Zhulan sorted the threads, "Then you’ll need to make your act convincing."

Xue Han blinked, "Mother, in a few days, most of the capital’s young ladies will undoubtedly be feeling unwell."

Zhulan burst into laughter.

Hanlin Academy, Chang Lian finally did not have to enter the palace today, which gave him a sense of relief. Upon rising, he glanced at Shi Qing, whose eyelids were tinged blue and who didn’t seem to be in good spirits. Chang Lian withdrew his gaze, well aware that everyone knew Shi Qing was the person most trusted by the fifth Prince, and with Zhang Yang’s rising influence, Shi Qing’s status had also been elevated.

As Chang Lian got up to deliver some materials, he saw Shi Qing drinking tea to stay alert, furrowing his brow, "Did you stay up all night?"

Shi Qing was visibly exhausted, "Hmm, Anan had a fever last night, and I kept watch all night."

Chang Lian frowned, "This has happened several times this month, hasn’t it? You should have the Imperial Physician take a look. You’re close with the fifth Prince, and if he intervenes, the Imperial Physician won’t refuse."

Shi Qing lowered his eyelids to hide the emotions in his eyes. His son was not sick; it was just that he wasn’t at home at night, so he had to find a reason to cover up his lack of energy. The busier Zhang Yang was, the busier he became. Even his wife was covering for him now, using their son’s health as a shield.

Seeing that Shi Qing remained silent, Chang Lian pursed his lips, growing more and more puzzled by Shi Qing, "It’s your child, you weren’t young when you finally had him, and it’s not good for the child to be sick so often."

Shi Qing looked up, "Thank you."

At the same time, he felt the irony within. He had Zhang Yang’s trust, and Zhang Yang knew that his son was not in good health, yet Zhang Yang had never suggested having the Imperial Physician take a look; deep down, Zhang Yang looked down on his background.

As more and more people became closer to Zhang Yang, Shi Qing might not have remained as trusted as he was now without Yao Wenqi backing him up.

At the Academy, Jiang Zhu was striving hard for a promotion to Class A, watching Ming Teng playing around, he furrowed his brows, "Don’t you want to be promoted to Class A next year?"

Ming Teng shook his head firmly, "I’m not like you, my grades might improve for a few exams but then drop back down again."

Jiang Zhu looked around at his friends, it seemed like he was the only one aspiring for Class A.

Ming Teng said, "Don’t worry, ah, my brother is in Class A, right, and so is Gu Liufeng, so you won’t be bullied."

Jiang Zhu responded with silence, "Where do you see me being afraid?"

Ming Teng felt Jiang Sheng had changed too rapidly; he was shy and introverted when he first arrived, but now he was joking just as unabashedly as the rest, "Are you gonna miss us?"

Jiang Zhu scoffed, "Being narcissistic isn’t good."

Ming Teng, ".... you’ve changed, you didn’t used to be like this to me, always calling me ’brother’!"

Ran Xun laughed, "You should see if you even have the appearance of a ’brother; to even mention it, I’m embarrassed for you."

Ming Teng narrowed his eyes, "I’ve noticed that you’ve been taking Jiang Zhu’s side a lot lately, who should I be cautious of if not you!"

Jiang Zhu was puzzled, "Hm?"

Ming Teng bared his teeth, "I’m telling you."

Ran Xun covered Ming Teng’s mouth in one swift motion, "Brother, you are my brother, I really didn’t... I swear, would you shut up, please?"

Ming Teng rolled his eyes, while Dong Zhan stopped watching the scene unfold, "You’re holding him too tight."

Ran Xun quickly let go, and Ming Teng started coughing, "You’re trying to murder me!"

Ran Xun, "...."

In Class A, Mingyun tapped on the table, "You wrote it wrong."

Gu Liufeng took a closer look and indeed he had made a mistake; there were quite a few errors in his previous work too. He sighed and put down his pen.

Mingyun asked, "Did something happen when I wasn’t in the Academy? Since I’ve returned, you’ve been distracted, and you’ve even answered the teacher’s questions wrong."