Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 974 Ran Qi

Chapter 974: Chapter 974 Ran Qi

Chang Lian watched his mother enter the room and felt a pang of regret inside. Ever since he had discovered how formidable his mother was, he had wanted to know just how capable she truly was. So, whenever the opportunity arose, he would test her, but unfortunately, her ability to play dumb was not at all inferior to his father’s.

Chang Lian also didn’t dare to push his mother too far, for if he truly angered her, his father would discipline him. Slowly turning to go back inside, he did not wish to go to the Hanlin Academy on an empty stomach.

At the Ran family residence, Ran Zheng only learned that morning that Zhou Shuren had met with an official from the Ministry of Justice. Having been in the tumultuous world of politics for many years, warmth flowed through his heart, "This marriage is indeed worth it."

Zhou Shuren did not avoid the matter, and even a mere inquiry was enough to set his mind at ease; at least Zhou Shuren was truly reliable.

The Qi Clan woman’s voice was full of hope, "Could Zhou Shuren provide any help?"

Ran Zheng didn’t offer his wife any false hope; he was afraid she wouldn’t be able to handle the disappointment in the future and shook his head saying, "A minor official can’t be of much help, but it’s already commendable that Zhou Shuren didn’t avoid our inquiries."

The Qi Clan woman felt disappointed, the light fading from her eyes. She no longer wanted to cry; crying was futile. Her throat was already sore and she felt so uncomfortable that she didn’t want to say a word.

The breakfast was laid out on the table, yet the couple had not touched their chopsticks.

In the courtyard of the Ran family’s second wife, Ran Wan came out holding a bowl of porridge, shaking her head at her brother, "Mother says she won’t eat."

The corners of Ran Qi’s mouth were also blistering, "Mother is worried about father."

Ran Wan sat at the table and pushed the bowl of porridge toward her brother, "Big brother, eat. You’ll have the energy only if you eat."

Ran Qi really couldn’t eat, but as he watched his sister sip her porridge and purse his lips, he wondered if he wasn’t as composed as his sister. With determination, he drank the porridge.

After breakfast, Ran Qi sat beside his sister, "If, and I’m just saying if, have you considered your marriage prospects?"

Ran Wan clasped her hands tightly and nodded, "I have thought about it."

Ran Qi said, "Zhou Mingyun is the eldest grandson of the Zhou family. If something happens to the Ran family, your marriage prospects..."

Ran Wan felt a surge of discomfort and stood up, "At this time, we should be thinking of father. Father has been wronged; he will surely be alright."

Ran Qi watched his younger sister run off, her reaction confirmed that she had taken Zhou Mingyun to heart. The Ran family had enjoyed glory, and then a low profile, but now they were facing calamity.

Boys from the Zhou family were in high demand, loyal, the dream of many girls, especially since the Zhou patriarch was a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Revenue.

At the Zhou household, Chang Zhong nestled in his mother’s embrace, asking, "Mother, what’s wrong with my big cousin?"

"Your big cousin is troubled."

Chang Zhong wrapped his chubby hands around his mother’s neck, "Mother, shall we help big cousin?"

Zhulan lowered her head. Her son’s weight had not decreased. In fact, it kept increasing. As he hugged her neck, she had to bow her head, bumping her forehead against her son’s, "You really take after your little uncle, worrying about everything."

Chang Zhong smiled with glee, "Father says I take after you, doomed to a life full of worries."

Zhulan touched noses with her son, who squirmed and let go as it tickled. She lifted her head and stretched out a hand to pinch her son’s nose, "Having worries is not a good thing, it makes life too exhausting. Mother does not wish for you to worry too much; Mother only hopes that you can live a happy life forever."

Chang Zhong extended his chubby hand, "Mother, you haven’t answered your son yet!"

Zhulan knew she couldn’t fool her son, "The matter is somewhat complicated, you’re still too young to understand."

Chang Zhong was unhappy, remembering he had told his big cousin he would help, but his cousin also said he didn’t understand and told him to go play elsewhere, frowning, "I understand a lot already, Brother Wu Ming even says I’m very smart."

Zhulan, smiling, said, "What you understand is knowledge. Alright, stop pestering mother. Ming Hui is waiting for you to go practice writing!"

Chang Zhong stood obediently; he knew that pleading with his mother was useless, even though he felt somewhat unwilling to accept it. He really believed he had grown up, "Mother, I’m going to practice my writing."

"Mm."

In these days, Chang Zhong and Ming Hui had been staying in the residence since Wu Ming at the Ministry of Rites was having a tough time, his entire concentration devoted to the ministry. With two pregnant women in the Wu family, Zhulan decided to let Chang Zhong and Ming Hui stay with them and wait until next year to send them back.

Zhulan got up to change her clothes; she was going to the Yang family. Her eldest and second brothers had just returned from the seaside the previous night. They had been gone for almost a month, and if it weren’t for her letter urging them, the eldest and second brothers would not have wanted to come back yet!

Upon arrival at the Yang family, Zhulan saw her two brothers tanned to a darker shade and then looked at the several children—no help, all of them were incredibly dark.

Zhulan, speechless, asked, "Big Brother, what have you been doing to get so tanned?"

Yang Zhumu had broadened his horizons considerably, "It was our first time seeing the sea, and only then did we realize how interesting the seaside is. Your second brother and I even learned fishing from the fishermen. In the heat of summer, we went out every day, so of course we got tanned."

Zhulan, "You don’t get seasick?"

It was impressive that the two old men actually went out to sea to fish.

Yang Zhulin laughed heartily, "We don’t get seasick, none of us do. The kids even learned to swim. Had you not urged us to return, we would have liked to stay a few more days."

Yang Zhumu said, "Right, I brought back some dried sea fish and shrimp that your second brother and I caught. When you leave later, take some with you; the taste of what we caught must be great."

Zhulan chuckled, "It’s all from the sea, how can only what you caught be good?"

Yang Zhulin, "The sweat we put into it makes eating the fish we caught ourselves naturally the best."

"Alright, then I will have to taste it properly. I’ll make it for dinner when I get back tonight."

Yang Zhumu, with an air of mystery, brought out a box, "I’ve bought a fishing ground near your fish farm; I’m entrusting you to manage it."

Yang Zhulin said, "I bought one too. Thankfully, Big Brother and I brought quite a bit of Silver when we came out; otherwise, we would have missed out. We saw the ice cellar you set up. It’s really good."

Zhulan, "Alright, I’ll manage it for you."

Yang Zhumu, beaming happily, "Stay for lunch."

Yang Zhulin asked, "Is your brother-in-law still that busy?"

Zhulan thought for a moment and spoke about the Ran family’s situation, "He’s indeed quite busy at the moment."

Yang Zhumu had originally wanted to have a chat with his brother-in-law, but it seemed he had to wait. Concernedly, he said, "The Ran family won’t really be in trouble, will they? What about Mingyun’s marriage matters?"

Zhulan put down the fan in her hand, "Big Brother, Second Brother, don’t worry; we have it under control."

Yang Zhumu frowned slightly, "We should still help if needed. Not assisting would make the Zhou family seem too indifferent, but we also can’t disregard our own family’s concerns, lest we get implicated. You have to grasp the proper measure."

Yang Zhulin nodded his head, "Big Brother is right, but as long as you are aware of what to do, that’s good. Both you and your brother-in-law are calculated individuals; we can’t be of much help."

Zhulan felt a warmth in her heart; this was the feeling of having family members, "Mm, don’t worry, Big Brother, Second Brother."

At the Academy, Mingyun responded to everyone’s scrutiny with an expressionless face. Ever since the Ran family affair, they all wanted to see his reaction. Fortunately, he was accustomed to a cold demeanor, and no one could tell what he was thinking.

In Mingyun’s memories, Ran Wan always appeared shy when she met him, keen to inquire about any news of him. Ming Teng was the one who relayed messages, and even took the time to ask about her preferences, making a close effort to befriend Yu Lu. Everything Ran Wan did was for him.

Mingyun looked down at his book, actually not absorbing much of it. Yet he continued to turn the pages, as if he had taken it all in.