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

Chapter 639: 639 Chapter Ning Sanye_1

Chang Lian drew his cloak tighter around him, a thickly made garment by his wife, just for today, whose fluffy collar concealed most of his face and made his complexion hard to discern.

Zhulan noticed that this Graduate Shen had been staring at Chang Lian’s face. Though Graduate Shen looked somewhat familiar, it took her a moment to recognize him. Ah, he was the one who had followed Ning San that time. She couldn’t help but wonder whether Marquis Ning had sought out Graduate Shen afterwards?

She thought probably not, but he did bear a resemblance to the Emperor, and as the idea formed in her mind, she concluded that the Emperor was rather handsome.

Shen Yang felt a chill, particularly after seeing Zhou Shuren’s cloak; his own seemed inadequate in comparison. Although he couldn’t see Zhou Shuren’s face, he gathered from the quality of the cloak that Zhou Shuren must have a delicate constitution, which uplifted his spirits, ”Zhou Shuren, shall we queue together?”

Chang Lian also wanted to enter early, ”Graduate Shen, after you.”

Zhulan watched as Rongchuan ended up in the background and adjusted his cloak for him, ”Take good care of yourself as well, and pay attention to your health.”

Rongchuan smiled, ”Aunt, you should get back to the carriage. It’s too cold out here for you.”

Shen Yang watched the man who had spoken, realizing that everyone who could attend was no simple character. The man seemed about his age, and Shen Yang pursed his lips, his feelings sinking; this generation appeared to have too many talented individuals. He turned his head and observed the queue, noting that hardly a few were of advanced age.

Zhulan indeed felt cold, ”Very well, I’ll return to the carriage now.”

Back in the carriage, Zhulan didn’t leave right away; she intended to wait until everyone was safely inside before departing, for peace of mind.

In the queue, Rongchuan heard someone call out to him from behind. Turning around, his eyes lit up with surprise, ”Big Brother Shi.”

Shi Qing felt fortunate; he had arrived to find himself standing right behind Rongchuan, ”It’s quite the coincidence to run into you here.”

Rongchuan laughed, ”Indeed, it is.”

Chang Lian glanced back, ”Why do you look so pale?”

Feeling the chill, Shi Qing coughed lightly, ”I caught a cold some time ago, but I’ve recovered just recently.”

Chang Lian was concerned about his friend, ”Why didn’t you mention it when we corresponded?”

Shi Qing replied, ”Mentioning it would only make you worry, but now I’m well.”

He had indeed been sick. Intensive studying had left him vulnerable; the instant his guard was down, he fell ill. Thankfully, he had recovered in good time.

Shen Yang silently listened, thinking to himself that Zhou Shuren, with his father in office, was different indeed; he knew so many people. Unlike Shen Yang, who, when conversing with an inn’s candidate, found that some hardly paid him any attention.

In the carriage, Zhulan was relieved to see that Chang Lian and the others had safely gone inside; she hugged Chang Xhong, ”Let’s visit some shops before we return to the residence.”

She too wanted to buy some gifts in the capital before returning home.

Chang Xhong, who had almost fallen asleep waiting, now perked up, ”Visit shops.”

Their carriage headed toward the bustling streets. Over the past two years, the development of the capital had been impressive, with many new shops appearing. First she took Chang Xhong to buy some toys for Ming Hui and Yu Die.

Chang Xhong was ecstatic, picking out some exquisite toys for himself, especially a bamboo-made ball, beautifully woven.

Zhulan immediately liked it and reached for it, but someone beat her to it. She looked up, unable to help but step back at the sight of the man who was both exceptionally tall and well-built.

Ning Xu was there to buy toys for his grandnephews and grandnieces. Ever since realizing he couldn’t have children of his own, he became overly fond of them, especially for the Crown Prince. Sadly, he had lamented not having many grandchildren, as his brother had married late and their brood was young. His sickly nephew only had one son, but thankfully there was no threat of discontinuing the lineage, and the child turned out to be healthy.

The shopkeeper, recognizing Marquis Ning, greeted him respectfully, ”Mr. Hou, these toys are all our newest arrivals.”

Zhulan had some impression of the man who made a lasting impression on her; recognizing the pattern on Mr. Hou’s robe, she knew who it was in an instant. Ah, Marquis Ning San, with his beard shaved off, he looked quite handsome.

Ning Xu also noticed the lady by his side and felt a bit embarrassed, as it seemed he had just snatched the toy that caught someone else’s interest, ”Is there only one of these bamboo balls left?”

The shopkeeper was in a difficult position, ”There’s only one left.”

Chang Zhong stood by his mother’s side, ”Mother.”

Zhulan stroked her son’s hair, ”When will you have new stock?”

The shopkeeper smiled, ”They should arrive in seven days.”

This batch of toys had sold well, and they had been urged to restock early on.

Zhulan said, ”Then I will come back in seven days.”

She wouldn’t compete over a ball; although Marquis Ning had asked, he didn’t let go of the ball he held. It was already nice of him to make an inquiry.

Lowering his head and catching the child’s eager gaze, Ning San placed the ball in the little boy’s hands, ”Here, you take it.”

Then, he instructed the shopkeeper, ”When you restock, send two to Hou Residence.”

Zhulan, unembarrassed, thanked him, ”Thank you, Mr. Hou.”

Marquis Ning San picked out some more toys and left after paying. Zhulan also chose a few items before taking her son to buy fabrics and jewelry.

The jewelry was for her daughter and granddaughter, selected in the latest styles. After her purchases, she returned home with her reluctantly parting son.

In Jinzhou Residence, Zhou Shuren received many sympathetic glances throughout the day, though of course, there were those whose inquiries of concern masked their schadenfreude. How many were hoping the Zhou family would have no successors!

Zhou Shuren remained composed; he relished the satisfaction of proving others wrong and was in no hurry.

As the hour approached to return home, Wong Ju suggested, ”Sir, shall we have a drink together?”

Zhou Shuren saw Wong Ju’s face, which seemed to express a knowing sympathy, and his mouth twitched, ”My children and grandchildren at home are waiting for my guidance, so I shall not go.”

Wong Ju heard this response and thought to himself that Zhou was already putting his hopes on his grandchildren, ”Sir, there’s no need to keep your troubles inside. Given our relationship, today I would lay down my life to keep you company until neither of us can drink any further.”

Zhou Shuren, ”.....”

He wasn’t distressed at all; shuddering at the thought, sometimes he just couldn’t handle Wong Ju!

In the end, Zhou Shuren slipped away. He was not about to drink until he was drunk and miserable, especially now without a wife to look after him.

In the capital, at dinner, Zhulan had a good appetite. In contrast, Lady Dong lacked appetite on just the first day. Zhulan thought to herself it was good that she had been through this before and had experience; otherwise, she probably couldn’t eat either, ”Stop worrying and eat more, lest Chang Lian comes back without a scratch, and you’ve made yourself sick worrying.”

Lady Dong was startled; she couldn’t afford to get sick. How could she take care of her husband then? Despite the tasteless food, she bowed her head and continued to eat, ”Mother, I will eat well.”

Zhulan finished her meal and took one last sip of soup. If it weren’t for Chang Zhong, the room would be too quiet. The Emperor had granted them a spacious residence, but with just a few masters and not many servants, especially at night when everyone should be resting, the place felt empty.

After dinner, Lady Dong, worried about her daughter, went back to her. Once Lady Dong had left, the main courtyard became even quieter. Zhulan really missed the bustle of the Zhou residence in Jinzhou; at least it wasn’t so desolate.