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

Chapter 571: Chapter 571 Are You Really My Daughter_1

The Fifth Prince, Zhang Jinghong, wasn’t crazy; he wouldn’t even consider going to the Crown Prince’s residence. Ha, he didn’t believe the Crown Prince would pick a good wife for him. Thinking of the candidates for his main wife, Zhang Jinghong clenched his fists and, in the end, turned back to give Marquis Yao’s residence another look.

The Third Prince watched Marquis Yao’s residence with a playful gaze. Was the Fifth fully set on Marquis Yao’s residence? However, why would Marquis Yao hide? Even the inconsequential Second Miss Yao is someone he can’t bear to marry off. Logically speaking, since the Second Miss Yao had been involved with the Fifth, wouldn’t it be simpler to just marry her off to him?

Seeing the Fifth snort and leave, the Third Prince chuckled softly, finding the situation increasingly interesting. He walked forward with his hands behind his back. While the Fifth was not going to the Crown Prince’s residence, he actually intended to go. It was rare for the Crown Prince not to be at the government hall.

In the evening, Zhulan relayed the investigation details to Zhou Shuren, who had some understanding of the matter, though it was all hearsay from Minister Wang. Now he had a more detailed account, ”It seems to be a truly good match. Tomorrow, when I rest from official duty, have Chang Lian invite He Shu over, I’d like to meet him.”

Zhulan hesitated a moment, ”Isn’t that a bit too direct? I’ve just written to Wu Ming; shouldn’t we wait for a reply from him?”

Zhou Shuren said, ”Wu Ming will definitely agree. If we miss this opportunity, there won’t be another.”

Zhulan smiled, ”Alright then, I’ll invite him to our residence tomorrow. Speaking of which, is Meng Jie really not participating in this year’s imperial examinations for schoolboys? Meng Jie is already seventeen.”

She had thought that Meng Jie returned to the capital to take part in the examinations, only to find out he hadn’t. Truly, she had not paid much attention to Zhou Shuren’s student; had it not been for Xue Han mentioning it, she wouldn’t have noticed.

Zhou Shuren rinsed his mouth and said, ”Graduate Meng feels that Meng Jie is still young and needs to wait another two years.”

Zhulan handed Zhou Shuren a handkerchief, ”There’s more to it than that, isn’t there?”

Zhou Shuren wiped his face, ”Wife’s intuition is indeed accurate. It’s mainly because of Jiang Ming. Before the new year, Jiang Ming wrote to Graduate Meng. Graduate Meng does not want his son to return to the capital and become a target for plots, so he’s not eager for Meng Jie to sit the examination.”

Zhulan truly hadn’t expected this development, ”Graduate Meng is also waiting for you to enter the capital, isn’t he? He thinks two years is enough time for you to do so. As long as you’re in the capital, he won’t have to worry about Meng Jie being schemed against by Jiang Ming.”

Zhou Shuren kissed Zhulan on the cheek, ”What my wife says is right.”

Zhulan felt mixed emotions, ”Is power really that alluring? Jiang Ming has become so blinded by ambition that even Graduate Meng is on guard against him.”

Zhou Shuren left Scholar Deng behind in the capital. Ever since Scholar Deng became affiliated with the Zhou family, the network of information he had previously built up was operational again. This also made it easier for Zhou Shuren to stay well-informed about the happenings in the capital, much more so than before.

Zhou Shuren held Zhulan’s hand as they walked to the bedroom, ”The last time I returned to the capital, Jiang Ming saw me. He was promoted at the beginning of the year, from the fourth rank. Now, I don’t know whom he is standing behind.”

Zhulan sighed, ”When men’s ambitions fail, entire families pay the price. Jiang Ming has already lost his clarity to ambition. I don’t think he will bet on the right side; in the end, it’s Lady Dong’s sister and her two children I feel sorry for.”

She genuinely liked Dong Yiyi’s two children.

Zhou Shuren held Zhulan’s hand tightly. The higher he climbed, the more he saw and experienced, and his heart grew harder. He wouldn’t concern himself with Jiang Ming’s wife and children. The only thing he could do was ensure they emerged unharmed from this struggle, ”Stop thinking about it, everyone has their fate.”

Zhulan also felt the need to express her emotions, ”Perhaps I’m really getting older, starting to like a good natter.”

Zhou Shuren caressed Zhulan’s hair and glanced at his own loose strands, feeling rather choked up, ”My hair has gone much grayer; all this worry and expended effort, indeed.”

Zhulan thought about the white hairs she had plucked that morning, ”I’ve got white hairs too.”

In modern times, aside from personal health issues, it is rare for people in their forties to have white hair.

Zhulan felt downcast—the average lifespan in ancient times was short; she and Zhou Shuren didn’t know how long they would live. In the modern world, those in their forties, with good upkeep, could still look youthful and beautiful.

The next morning, Zhulan was the first to wake. She turned her head and watched Zhou Shuren, who was genuinely exhausted. Previously, sleep had come easy to him, but now he fell into a deep slumber due to fatigue. The sound of dripping rain came from outside the window. Listening carefully, she realized it was raining.

Zhulan didn’t move, finding the sound of the rain somewhat hypnotic. She yawned and drifted back to sleep, unaware of how long she slept. Today, Zhou Shuren was off duty; Old Madam Song and Liu Ya wouldn’t come in to wake them up.

By the time Zhulan got up, her son had long been awake, sitting by himself and playing with a pillow. The moment Zhulan stirred, Zhou Shuren awoke as well.

Gauging the time by the brightness inside the room, Zhou Shuren said, ”It’s rare for me to have a day off, and I’ve gotten up so early.”

Zhulan smiled, ”It’s overcast and raining outside; the room just isn’t very bright. You didn’t get up early.”

Zhou Shuren sat up and listened closely, ”It really is raining. The spring rains have come earlier than usual this year.”

Zhulan had already dressed her son, ”Spring rains are as precious as oil. The first downpour being significant is a good omen, hopefully signifying a year of favorable weather.”

Zhou Shuren took his now clothed son, ”I hope Heaven takes pity on the poor common folk.”

The life of ancient commoners was the most difficult, even in the well-to-do Jinzhou Province, where the people still lived without surplus.

Zhulan looked at Zhou Shuren; his heart truly held the common people. Every act of Zhou Shuren was beneficial to the populace. A smile played at the corner of her mouth as she thought about the officials’ assessment of him—a cunning old fox with deep scheming. Yet, it couldn’t deny that Zhou Shuren was a rare good official.

After breakfast, Zhou Shuren had Chang Lian send for someone, as a mark of respect.

In the royal residence, the lord knew the purpose behind the third young master of the Zhou family’s visit and chuckled, ”I’ll call He Shu right away.”

Chang Lian expressed his gratitude, ”Thank you, my lord.”

The lord sized up Zhou Changlian. This third son was well-known in Jinzhou City. His own son had mentioned him a few times with high praise. Out of the Chang family’s four sons, the eldest and second were no longer a hope. The family’s future rested upon this one, while he directly disregarded the fourth son.

Chang Lian stood unaffected by the scrutiny. He was his father’s son and had seen many an official. He truly didn’t care. Yes, he had not only seen officials but had also seen princes!

He Shu soon came out to greet Chang Lian with haste, ”Third Young Master Zhou.”

Chang Lian returned the greeting with a smile, ”Mr. He.”

The lord chuckled, ”It’s getting late, and Zhou Shuren must be anxious. If you have anything to discuss, you can talk on the way back.”

The lord thought to himself, this marriage arrangement was all but settled. If it truly came to fruition, it would be a win-win situation.

In the capital, it was raining today. Yao Yao sat by the window, embroidering a handkerchief. Hearing footsteps, she felt no urge to turn around. When she was a child, she practiced recognizing people by their footsteps for fun, a whimsical endeavor that resulted in her remembering most people’s steps within the residence.

Yao Xin held a fan in her hand, ”The second sister is truly at ease.”

Yao Yao’s lips curled into a smirk, ”Indeed, I am at ease.”

Yao Xin bristled with irritation. Ever since her legitimate mother had taken control of the household at the end of the year, her life had been difficult. Her mother was vindictive, oppressive, and her rage was directed towards both the concubine and her.

Without lifting her head, Yao Yao had never paid much heed to her illegitimate sister, too foolish to warrant much attention, ”Aren’t you supposed to be in your courtyard, copying scriptures to temper your disposition? Why come out?”

Yao Xin twirled a finger, ”I came to congratulate my sister. The fifth Prince’s main wife that you almost had might just come back.”

Yao Yao raised her head, ”Are you truly our father’s daughter?”

Yao Xin’s expression changed, ”What do you mean?”