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

Chapter 569: Chapter 569 Marriage_1

Time flew by, and before Zhulan knew it, the county examination for the child scholars had ended. She was preoccupied with thoughts of Rongchuan, wondering how he had fared in the exam.

Lost in thought, Zhulan was brought back to reality when Lady Xue entered. Zhulan then regained her composure, ”I heard from the master that He Shu won first place in the county. Congratulations.”

The corners of Lady Xue’s mouth deepened into a smile. She had a fondness for He Shu and humbly mentioned her purpose for the visit, ”It’s just the county exam, after all. There’s still the prefectural and the imperial exams to go!”

Zhulan gestured for Lady Xue to sit down. Among the officials’ wives in Jinzhou Residence, Lady Xue tended to keep to her home, rarely venturing outside without a specific reason, ”Do you have some business today?”

Lady Xue knew that it was better to be straightforward with Lady Yang, ”I’m here for He Shu. He’s seventeen now, not young anymore. It’s time for him to start a family.”

Zhulan was taken aback. Aside from Wu Ning, there were no other suitable candidates in the Zhou family, ”Wu Ning?”

Lady Xue said apologetically, ”I know it’s presumptuous of me to say this, but I’ve met Miss Wu a few times and have always had a good impression of her. Miss Wu is also of age to be betrothed, so today I had the nerve to come and discuss it.”

In Zhulan’s eyes, Lady Xue was a straightforward person, and it seemed she genuinely had a favorable impression of Wu Ning, ”Since you’ve come here, I assume you’re aware of Wu Ning’s background.”

Lady Xue frankly admitted, ”I’ve investigated it.”

Indeed, after conducting their investigation, she and her husband agreed that Wu Ning was very suitable for He Shu. Wu Ning had three respectable brothers, no problematic relatives, and was raised in the Zhou family. Her talents and manners were beyond reproach. It would be hard to find someone as suitable for He Shu as Wu Ning, especially given He Shu’s reputation for jinxing his relatives.

Zhulan raised an eyebrow, ”I’ve heard that Magistrate Wang is quite interested in He Shu.”

Lady Xue let out a dry laugh, ”Magistrate Wang does indeed appreciate He Shu, but He Shu isn’t suited for the Wang family.”

She truly looked down upon the illegitimate daughter of the Wang family. No matter how good the Wang family was, it was useless. The wife He Shu needed was one who was gentle and virtuous, not someone who was arrogant because of her family status.

Zhulan was indeed moved. He Shu’s character was decent, Zhou Shuren approved of him, and with his academic achievements in the county exam along with the backing of the Wang family, and not to mention, he didn’t mind Wu Ning’s reputation for jinxing her relatives, He Shu was a rare match for a son-in-law.

Lady Xue, seeing Lady Yang’s moved expression, felt more confident. In her eyes, He Shu and Wu Ning were indeed a good match.

Zhulan smiled, ”Wu Ning has been raised in the Zhou family, but after all, she’s not a daughter of the Zhou family. I still have to discuss this with her brothers. The county exam has just ended, and it won’t be too late to wait until after the imperial exams are over.”

Lady Xue understood that Lady Yang’s words left room for further developments, ”Alright.”

After sending off Lady Xue, Zhulan turned to Nanny Song, ”Send someone to thoroughly investigate He Shu’s background, focusing on whether he has any childhood sweethearts or cousins or the like.”

Nanny Song was baffled, ”Cousins?”

Zhulan gave her a look that said you wouldn’t understand, ”Go ahead.”

Still somewhat dazed, Nanny Song followed the order and left.

Zhulan thought to herself that in ancient times, cousins and childhood sweethearts posed a significant threat. Yes, such characters needed special attention.

In Zhou family village, Rongchuan had finished his county examination and taken a day to rest. Now, he was preparing to pack his bags for Pingzhou.

Xue Mei stood at the doorway, ”Is your accommodation sorted out for Pingzhou?”

Rongchuan put down the pen in his hand, ”I’ll be staying at the Wu family’s home in Pingzhou. The two elder brothers from the Wu family will be waiting for me there.”

Xue Mei said, ”I wonder if the two brothers from the Wu family passed the county exam.”

Rongchuan smiled, ”They must have passed.”

He believed in Wu Ming’s abilities. Uncle Zhou always lamented that eldest brother Wu was a genius.

Xue Mei felt somewhat reluctant to part; with Rongchuan at home, there had been a lot more liveliness. Though they did not talk much, she could still learn news of her maternal family from their conversations. ”After the child prodigy exam is over, will you go straight back to Jinzhou Province?”

Rongchuan helped Xue Mei to sit down, ”No, I won’t go back. After the child prodigy exam, I’ll go to the Wu family to study and directly take part in the imperial examination in autumn.”

Uncle Zhou said it was up to him, and he had made up his mind. For Xue Han, and for himself, he must take part in this year’s exam.

Xue Mei smiled, ”It’s good that you’re confident.”

Just then, a house servant came in, ”Someone at the gate is looking for the young master.”

Rongchuan said, ”I’ll go have a look.”

He did not enter the courtyard directly; this person did not dare to come in—it must be the Zhang family. He thought they wouldn’t show their faces until he left!

At the entrance of the courtyard, Rongchuan saw Madam Zhu and felt calm inside. They had settled their account long ago, and he felt no ripples in his heart, ”It’s you.”

Madam Zhu had stolen glances at Rongchuan a few times, always from a corner. This was the first time they faced each other, and she unexpectedly felt nervous. She pondered dreamily that it would have been wonderful if he were her own son, but alas, he was not. She lifted the basket she carried, ”Well, these are the pastries you enjoyed as a child, I made some.”

Rongchuan felt a complexity in his heart; as a child, it was not that he liked pastries, but that pastries were the only thing he had ever had that tasted good. Observing Madam Zhu’s clothing, which lacked even a single patch, he noted that the Zhang family must be doing well, ”No need, take them back.”

Madam Zhu gripped the basket tightly. Did she regret her actions? She was full of regret. Had she known the child would be so fortunate, she would have treated him well no matter what. It was impossible to stir Rongchuan’s thoughts of the Zhang family; she forced a smile, ”I mean no offense.”

Rongchuan glanced out of the corner of his eye at Zhang Datie at the street corner, ”You should go back.”

Madam Zhu moved her lips as if to speak but ultimately said nothing, turning away with the basket in hand.

Rongchuan stood at the entrance for a while, just about to leave when someone called out to him, ”Zhang Rongchuan.”

Rongchuan turned and looked carefully for a moment before he recognized her. It was Wang Rong, the second daughter of Old Wang’s family. She was wearing a married woman’s headdress and was already married, with a maid following her. He knew back then that Wang Rong was the smartest, ”What is it?”

Wang Rong had been married for a few years and already had two children, but there was an obsession in her heart, ”Have you seen Wang Ru?”

She clearly understood that Wang Ru was fixated on the Zhou family, and she wanted to know Wang Ru’s end.

Rongchuan recalled for a moment; he had completely forgotten what Wang Ru looked like, ”I have not.”

Wang Rong was disappointed; she feared Wang Ru’s return and possible revenge, so she had been constantly concerned, ”Sorry to trouble you.”

Rongchuan turned and entered the yard, with Xue Mei standing behind. She had heard everything that happened at the door clearly.

Xue Mei said, ”Speaking of which, of the three girls from Old Wang’s family, the eldest married a widower in the mountains and returned to her maternal home with her child at the start of the year; her life is neither good nor bad. The second daughter is the one who’s lived the best life.”

Rongchuan was indifferent about this, responding faintly, ”Hmm.”

That night, at the Jinzhou Residence of the Zhou family, Zhou Shuren returned. During dinner, Zhulan spoke of Madam Xue’s intentions, ”What do you think?”

Zhou Shuren’s chopsticks paused midair, ”If such a match could be made, it would indeed be a good marriage alliance, and it would be advantageous for Wu Ming, too.”

Zhulan smiled, ”I have already had someone investigate thoroughly. Once the news comes back with no issue, I’ll write to Wu Ming.”

Zhou Shuren, ”All right.”

If it really came to pass, it would not only help Wu Ming but also benefit the Zhou family. Minister Wang might not seem important, but the friends he made were not to be underestimated.

He Shu and Shi Qing were different. Shi Qing relied on himself, while He Shu had a good grandfather and depended on this favor from his master. He Shu’s future was not a worry, and Wu Ning marrying He Shu would also be able to lead a stable life.

Zhulan saw Zhou Shuren frowning, ”Are you troubled? Is the re-registration of the household not going smoothly?”