Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!

Chapter 485: Chapter 485 Yao Da Ren_1

The following day, Zhulan was still anticipating Liu’s next move, but Liu fell silent. Later, she realized that Liu dared not stir up rumors; it would be too easy to trace them back to her, especially with the Min family’s current predicament not looking too favorable.

Zhulan had received news that the fourth Miss Min had entered the capital. It was said that she had sought instruction from a female historian who had been released from the palace, an intention all too clear.

At this critical juncture, the Min family dared not openly offend the Zhou family.

Zhulan felt relieved, knowing she could relax for a while. After all, marrying someone into the family was much less trouble than marrying someone out.

In the evening, Zhou Shuren wore a grim expression; he obviously was not in a good mood. ”What happened?”

Because Granny Song was there, Zhou Shuren pressed his brow, ”Today I received the officials from the newly established two departments; I am quite tired.”

Zhulan got the message and planned to talk later.

At night, after the children were asleep and the candles snuffed out, Zhulan took Zhou Shuren’s hand and whispered, ”Can we talk now?”

Zhou Shuren lowered his voice, ”Guess who I saw today?”

Zhulan thought of Zhao Bo and immediately dismissed the thought; seeing Zhao Bo should have made him happy. Zhou Shuren returned holding displeasure, and it was clear he had met someone he didn’t want to see. She carefully recollected and with widened eyes, said, ”Yao Zheyu?”

Zhou Shuren acknowledged, ”The very one. He’s become a military general.”

Zhulan was stunned, ”Wasn’t he supposed to pursue the civil service examinations? How did he end up a military general?”

Such a drastic career change was quite remarkable!

Zhou Shuren rubbed his eyebrow, ”Probably to divide power with Marquis Yao, he had to take up a military role. Despite his young age and not being in charge, his position is quite significant, responsible for overseeing the route from Jinzhou City to the capital.”

Zhulan was somewhat dazed; it had been five years, and Yao Zheyu had grown up. Her mind was buzzing with gossip, ”Now with that person gone, considering Yao Zheyu’s age and his status as the Princely Heir, do you think he’s engaged?”

Zhou Shuren replied, ”I really don’t know. I haven’t been following his affairs; I’ll look into it tomorrow.”

Zhou Shuren was very vigilant about Yao Zheyu’s reappearance. This man was not to be trifled with and deserved extra caution.

Zhulan remarked mournfully, ”Why can’t he just stay put in the capital!”

Their family truly did not wish to get entangled with Yao Zheyu, different from Shi Qing. Shi Qing had neither position nor status and did not possess the destructive power Yao Zheyu did.

Moreover, Yao Zheyu represented trouble. He still had his stepmother and biological father to contend with. The Zhou family was not worried about being collateral damage anymore but did not want to be dragged into trouble either.

”Released from the capital, the Emperor trusts him, huh.”

That’s what Zhou Shuren cared about!

Zhulan thought to herself, the original male lead is as expected!

That night, Zhulan dreamt that Yao Zheyu was getting married, and she saw that the bride was Xue Han. She woke up from her dream in the middle of the night, unable to sleep a wink.

Not wanting to wake the light-sleeping Zhou Shuren, she lay with her eyes open, daring not to move.

As she drifted back to sleep, Zhulan was plagued by a series of small dreams. The more she pondered, the more she dreamt. Once she got up and sent Zhou Shuren off, she cuddled her still sleeping son and caught up on her sleep.

Zhulan wasn’t afraid of Yao Zheyu visiting, unless Zhou Shuren took a day off. Otherwise, without female relatives, it would be difficult for Yao Zheyu to even think of visiting.

In the evening, Zhou Shuren brought back some news, ”Yao Zheyu’s stepmother did try to arrange a match for him, but it didn’t work out.”

Zhou Shuren gathered quite detailed information. The internal struggle within the Hou Residence was a spectacle in the capital; father and son were like bitter enemies. Yao Zheyu even moved out of the Hou Residence, and countless scandals were dragged into the light, firmly positioning him at the top of the capital’s gossip charts. However, what truly caught Zhou Shuren’s attention was, ”The fifth Prince is a frequent guest at Marquis Yao’s residence and has taken Marquis Yao as his mentor.”

Zhulan gave him a look that said, ’Are you kidding me?’ ”Didn’t you say Mr. Hou was feigning moderation? What skills could he possibly teach the Prince if he’s moderate?”

Zhou Shuren replied, ”Mr. Hou enjoys watching operas and hunting. Given his fondness for hunting, his archery and horseback riding skills are quite impressive.”

Zhulan’s mind struggled to follow, ”Is there something wrong with the fifth Prince’s mind? The title of Marquis held by the Hou Residence is not one that followed military exploits under the Emperor; it dates back to the previous dynasty and was preserved by the Old Marquis. The Emperor is already wary of the Hou Residence, so why is the fifth Prince approaching them?”

Zhou Shuren fell silent for a moment, ”Perhaps he’s trying to allay the Emperor’s concerns and seeks a breakthrough on his own.”

Zhulan scoffed.

Zhou Shuren, ”....”

He himself didn’t believe what he said, but this move by the fifth Prince baffled many, including Zhou Shuren, who hadn’t seen through it. Truly the son of the Emperor, none of them were easy to handle.

Zhou Shuren found it amusing. He was eager to know whether Mr. Hou sincerely took on the role of mentor to teach the fifth Prince about powerplays, or if he only superficially taught him archery and horsemanship!

Regardless of which, it demonstrated Marquis Yao’s ambition. A man without ambition would never have agreed!

Zhulan curled the corners of her mouth, ”It would be good if Yao Zheyu came here; with his high status, the Emperor’s trust, young and promising, handsome... quite the ideal son-in-law!”

Yao Zheyu excelled at drawing attention. With him around, the official’s family in Jinzhou wouldn’t focus solely on the Zhou family.

Zhou Shuren laughed, ”Indeed, he is a good choice.”

Zhulan squinted her eyes, ”I think, we should spread the word more.”

She wouldn’t admit that it was because her heart ached for those forty acres of land.

Zhou Shuren, ”....”

His wife too remembered debts, and he had also taken note. Now that they were no longer at others’ mercy and Yao Zheyu had come knocking, how could he miss adding that to his account? He owed it to himself!