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

Chapter 622: Chapter 622 Shouldn’t Have Come Back_1

In the afternoon, Zhulan went to see Wu Ning, who was sick. Upon entering Wu Ning’s room, she found her feverish and lying red-faced. Angrily, Zhulan asked, ”Why didn’t you call for a doctor when you became sick yesterday?”

Wu Ning’s mind was muddled with fever, ”I thought it was just a cold and nothing serious. I didn’t expect to pass out. I felt fine this morning.”

Zhulan looked at Wu Ning’s frail appearance, and her anger subsided somewhat, ”Your aunt knows you’re worried about your brother. You have to believe he’s capable; he won’t be harmed.”

Wu Ning also wanted to believe in her brother. In her heart, he had always been her towering figure, yet she knew all too well how close to the border his county was, ”My brother will definitely be all right.”

Zhulan sighed, feeling sorry for the young girl. It had been a tough year, first with He Shu and then with Wu Ming. That the young lady hadn’t secretly shed tears was already commendable, ”You need to take care of yourself. It would be no good if Wu Ming were fine but you ruined your health from illness.”

Wu Ning’s nose tingled. She thought of her eldest brother, who had been supporting the family ever since their grandparents passed away. He had taken on the Zhou family’s obligations for her sake and had arranged a way out for her. Her eldest brother really had it tough. Now, the second brother was engaged, but the eldest was still alone, ”Aunt, next year my eldest brother’s three-year mourning period will end, and it will be time for him to have a home of his own.”

Her eldest brother shouldn’t have to devote his life for their sibling’s sake. He deserved someone who could provide warmth and care. Just the thought of her eldest brother sending away the second, arranging for the third, and facing danger alone made her heart ache intensely.

Zhulan touched Wu Ning’s burning forehead, ”Your aunt will remember this. Don’t think too much; just focus on resting well.”

Wu Ning closed her eyes in a daze, and Xue Han said softly, ”She’s asleep.”

Zhulan rose to her feet, ”Take good care of her. It’s not easy for this girl.”

Xue Han nodded, ”Yes, Mother. The kitchen has already been arranged, and today’s menu includes Young Master Shi’s favorites.”

”Good.”

In the capital, at the empress sleeping quarters, the Emperor rushed over as soon as he received the news. Upon entering the hall, he saw the fifth prince kneeling and halted his anxious steps, ”You may leave.”

Zhang Jinghong was startled back to reality, ”Father... Your Majesty.”

The Emperor didn’t even glance at Zhang Jinghong, quickly proceeding to the inner chamber.

Zhang Jinghong felt his blood run cold. It was the first time he had seen his father in such haste. Clearly, his father cared deeply about the empress and favored the Crown Prince the most. Revisiting his own upbringing in his mind, he staggered to his feet, yearning to burst in and demand clarity, yet he dared not.

He couldn’t bear to lose his status as the fifth prince. Recalling his violent actions toward the Crown Prince’s son, he shuddered, lowered his head, and exited the hall. Whether he was manipulating the situation or whatever else, for now, he remained the fifth prince.

As for uncovering the truth of past events, it was no longer necessary. The truth didn’t matter to him. Despite his surprise, he wanted to survive, and so he too had matters to attend to.

Inside the inner chamber, the empress didn’t turn around at the sound of footsteps, knowing who had arrived, ”What brings you here, Your Majesty?”

The Emperor approached, ”I came as soon as I heard the news.”

Worried that the fifth son might agitate the empress, he stared at her face, which only enraged him more the calmer she remained.

In a distant voice, the empress said, ”After so many years of performing, now that he has begun to suspect and guess, he should not come here anymore in the future. I assume this won’t affect your plans?”

The Emperor hummed in affirmation, ”None of the second sons are fools. Even if they guessed, they wouldn’t say a word. They’d only be happy with a placeholder, waiting until the end to reveal the truth. As for the fifth, he cannot lose the identity of a prince, even if he suspects something. He must pretend nothing is wrong, which won’t affect matters.”

The empress looked up, ”You don’t need to tell me all this.”

The Emperor sighed, even though their relationship had eased, there were still fractures between them, he could only hope that Ning Xu’s return might ease things somewhat.

In the evening, after dinner, Zhou Shuren took Shi Qing to the study, ”You shouldn’t have come back.”

It was not good for Shi Qing, Chang Lian and Rongchuan who would be in the capital next year, had already attracted much attention, and Shi Qing’s return didn’t help his cause.

Shi Qing’s eyes sparkled slightly, ”Is the honorable mentor concerned about his student?”

Zhou Shuren paused for a moment, ”Suppose so.”

Shi Qing had indeed returned on purpose. He could have chosen not to, yet he had come back after pondering for less than a day. He disliked his family home in the capital, which was immensely cold; he truly missed the days in the Zhou residence. Thus, he had arrived, despite knowing that his return would draw attention and share the dangers facing Chang Lian and Rongchuan, ”Mentor, even if I hadn’t come, the relationship between the mentor and his student couldn’t be erased.”

Zhou Shuren looked at Shi Qing, the smile in his eyes became genuine. His previous words were just a test, he just wanted to know if, after nearly a year apart, Shi Qing was still the same person he knew, ”Then you need to be extra careful.”

Shi Qing understood. Both Chang Lian and Rongchuan were in danger, let alone him. However, he had confidence, covered by someone, he was fearless, so he followed his heart and came. How he longed for those days, it’s just a pity that after the relaxation of the last days, after the next year, he wouldn’t be Shi Qing anymore.

Zhou Shuren asked, ”Are you planning to stay in Jinzhou Province a bit longer?”

Shi Qing smiled, ”The student will return tomorrow. Once I’ve dealt with the affairs of the residence, I will come back to celebrate the New Year. I hope the mentor won’t send me away.”

Zhou Shuren truly admired Shi Qing. As long as Shi Qing posed no threat to the Zhou family, Zhou Shuren was willing to be more lenient, ”You and I have a sort of mentor-student bond, rest assured I won’t send you away.”

Shi Qing smiled. He knew in his heart that this bond as mentor and student only existed where there was no conflict, but who could tell the future, ”In the student’s heart, you are the one and only master.”

This was the truth. Even though many had taught him this year, he still hadn’t taken them to heart. Although Mentor Zhou was a sly old fox, the first one who taught him was indeed different.

Zhulan waited for Zhou Shuren to come back, ”You’ve had a long conversation, a whole ’two hours’.”

Indeed, two hours.

As Zhou Shuren undressed, he said, ”We talked about academic matters. The lad has made great progress in a year. With the Emperor backing him in the capital, no one can suppress him. I reckon that Chang Lian’s chances for second degree are hanging by a thread next year.”

Zhulan said, ”Really?”

She thought Chang Lian was pretty impressive, with solid knowledge and a flexible mind; she was quite supportive of Chang Lian.

Zhou Shuren said, ”Wong Ju is well-informed. He has inquired about all the top contenders throughout. This year there are many children of noble families, plenty from the major clans as well. This year is truly intense.”

After viewing the list, he didn’t hold much hope for Chang Lian, but he wasn’t disappointed either. If he passed, it would be a pleasant surprise, but not qualifying and staying away from the capital could also be good.

Zhulan asked, ”What about Rongchuan?”

Zhou Shuren furrowed his brow, ”Rongchuan, ah, he likes to hold back a little in everything he does, never giving his full effort. If Rongchuan doesn’t put in his all, that lad might also have a hard time.”

Zhulan said in a melancholic tone, ”Rongchuan has developed this habit of not exerting full effort because he does not contend. This disposition has both its good and bad points.”

Zhou Shuren said, ”They each have their own fate and methods. The night is late; let’s also rest.”