Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 991: Enlightened Monarch

Chapter 991: Chapter 991: Enlightened Monarch

Zhulan turned her body to the side, "I think next year we can find a way to let Chang Lian go out."

Zhou Shuren was a bit sleepy, "We’ll talk about it when the time comes, it’s not urgent now."

Zhulan then said, "Speaking of which, the Emperor’s birthday is coming up, will there be a big celebration?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head, "The Emperor has long said that there won’t be grand celebrations. Speaking of which, the Emperor has never held a grand celebration for his birthday since his accession."

"To tell the truth, the Emperor is really a rare enlightened monarch."

"Yes, he hasn’t been muddle-headed so far. However, it’s not easy being the Emperor, especially when dealing with the noble families and having to balance court politics. To have cleaned and consolidated the royal power to this extent already is quite impressive."

What’s more, he even has a forward-looking vision, investing in the Navy, researching technology, these are all correct moves.

Zhulan spoke with a deep sense of feeling, "An enlightened monarch has to make many sacrifices, ministers, like Ran Zheng, for example."

Zhou Shuren reflected, "When studying history in the past, I didn’t feel much, at most I would express a few sentiments. Only by being in the midst of it do you realize how difficult it is to govern a country well, especially under the complex circumstances of ancient times."

"Yes, history is just a few words, where can it explain everything."

The couple had particularly many reflections today, and hence, went to bed late, getting up somewhat later the next morning as well.

Today they were going to visit the Hou Residence. Zhulan didn’t have many special clothes to choose from, all were of sober colors and deep hues. They looked good, but she had seen them so much that they no longer held any appeal to her.

Zhulan could only admire her daughter’s clothes. Her daughter’s clothes were truly beautiful, as she now especially liked to dress up her little girl.

The Hou Residence didn’t invite many people, and today’s tea ceremony was hosted by the Princely Heir’s wife.

Zhulan looked at the guests invited today, who all belonged to the neutral faction. Mrs. Tao was also present today, and they sat together.

Holding a tea cup, Mrs. Tao directly said, "Is the Shen family sending a message through today’s tea ceremony, that they are neutral?"

"That seems to be the case, but who knows what happened that forced the Shen family to take a stance."

Putting down her tea cup, Mrs. Tao rubbed her neck, "That’s hard to say. However, speaking of which, wasn’t the Princely Heir’s wife in Jinzhou Province? How did she come back and even host a tea ceremony personally?"

Zhulan had a bold guess, "Could it be that the Princely Heir is coming back to the capital!"

The more Mrs. Tao thought about it, the more she felt it was possible, "So the Shen family is sending out a message first, to avoid causing trouble for the Princely Heir when he returns to the capital."

Seeing that most of the guests had arrived, Zhulan picked up a tea cup, "The tea today is quite good."

Mrs. Tao almost laughed out loud, "I heard from my husband that Lord Zhou is someone who doesn’t know tea, anything can be said to be good."

"Hmm, indeed, they are all good."

Mrs. Tao laughed louder, Yang’s knowledge of tea was gained through coercion; these lady gatherings were all about tasting tea or admiring flowers, with tea tasting being the most frequent.

Xue Han had already started chatting with the young ladies of the Shen family. In a couple of months, she would be married, and she could clearly feel that these ladies were very polite to her.

Last time she visited the Shen family, it wasn’t like this. Rongchuan was the sole heir, the future Princely Heir, and a Third-rank Scholar as well; her status had risen with Rongchuan.

The youngest daughter of the Princely Heir of the Shen family reflected inwardly. Back in Jinzhou Province, she had been polite to Zhou Xuehan, but hadn’t taken her seriously. Who could have anticipated that so much would change, and that Lord Zhou would become the Vice Minister of Revenue.

Shen Shuang spoke up, "I will not leave the capital this time I return. When you get married, may I add to your dowry?"

Xue Han was an acquaintance of Shen Shuang, a friend for appearances. In the future, she would need her own network of contacts – acquaintance or friend, she replied, "Sure, by the way, I remember you saying that you’d get married after your coming-of-age ceremony. Have you set the date?"

Shen Shuang nodded, "It is set for next summer. You must come then."

"As long as you invite me, I will come. Just don’t forget to write me an invitation."

Shen Shuang hooked up the corner of her mouth, "I won’t forget."

Surrounded by several young ladies of similar status, Xue Han found her circle of friends changing and changing again, only to transform once more after marriage.

More than an hour later, everyone gradually left the Shen residence.

Xue Han shared the information she had received with her mother, "Shen Shuang said she won’t leave the capital, Mother, is the Shen Princely Heir coming back to the capital?"

"It seems so."

Xue Han pricked up her ears, "Mother, why have you stopped talking?"

"It’s nothing."

Xue Han felt her mother was holding back something. What was her mother trying to say? Xue Han furrowed her brows in thought.

Zhulan saw her daughter deep in thought and smiled. The Emperor intended to keep the Shen family trapped in the capital, it seemed he was guarding against any unexpected incidents, a large net slowly enveloping the capital.

In the blink of an eye, a few more days passed, and the jewelry that Zhulan had ordered was ready. She personally went to the jewelry shop to collect it and took the opportunity to buy some pieces for her granddaughter to wear when she got married.

After the autumn harvest, she had a sum of Silver come in, with several more substantial entries to follow. Zhulan decided it was time to shop.

It wasn’t just the Zhou family seeing an inflow of Silver; the jewelry shop was truly crowded with female patrons.

Zhulan arrived quite early; it had rained the day before, and the weather was somewhat cool. She stopped halfway up the stairs and turned to the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper, are these new stairs?"

The shopkeeper smiled, "The lady rarely visits the store; it’s been replaced for over a month."

Zhulan had liked the old staircase, even though it had some dips and felt secure to step on. This new staircase was too smooth; she always felt like she might slip, even if it was just her imagination.

Upon reaching the upper floor, the shopkeeper presented the custom-ordered jewelry. After a thorough check to ensure there were no issues, Zhulan set it aside, "I would like to select a few headpieces as well."

The shopkeeper, knowing the ages of the young ladies of the Zhou residence, smiled and said, "There are actually a few new pieces; I will bring them to you."

"Good."

The shopkeeper returned quickly with several headpieces. As Zhulan was inspecting them carefully, she heard Yao Xin’s voice. She turned her head to see that it was indeed Yao Xin coming upstairs.

Yao Xin approached, "Lady, are you also here to choose some jewelry?"

"Ah, I’m here to pick up a headpiece and incidentally to buy some jewelry for my granddaughters. What about you?"

Ever since Yao Xin became pregnant, she had been extra cautious; she hardly visited the Zhou residence anymore. Why had she come out today?

Yao Xin replied, "I also custom-ordered some jewelry, and I came today to collect it."

Zhulan gestured for Yao Xin to sit, as the upstairs area was quite crowded, to avoid any bumping.

The shopkeeper quickly brought out Yao Xin’s jewelry. Yao Xin caressed the pieces. It was the first time she had ordered jewelry this year. Their household wasn’t short on Silver; it was just to keep a low profile and avoid drawing attention. If not for attending Miss Zhou’s wedding, she wouldn’t have ordered at all.

This shop wouldn’t deliver her order; with her husband’s contentious status, she had no choice but to come in person to collect it. After checking everything was fine, she paid with Silver.

Zhulan’s custom jewelry had already been packed up, as Yao Xin was instructing her maid to pack hers.

"Hold on, I’ll take this headpiece."

Zhulan furrowed her brows. This headpiece was custom-made. She turned to see who had spoken, a woman she didn’t recognize, her hair arranged in a matron’s style. She was well-acquainted with most of the officials’ wives in the capital, but there was no one who would speak so boldly that she hadn’t heard of!

Yao Xin recognized her, and her expression changed at once, "This is a custom-made headpiece; it’s not for sale."

Qiao Wei, supported by her maid’s hand, said, "I thought it was someone important. Turns out it’s the third young mistress from Hou Residence, no, not anymore since you’ve been adopted out. I’ve heard about it. You’re dressed really plainly today, not even able to wear new fabrics. Sell this headpiece to me, and I’ll give you some extra Silver."