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

Chapter 650: Chapter 650: The Sovereign of a Nation_1

Ning Xu put down the list in his hand, and as the words reached his lips, he subsequently swallowed them back. The people dispatched to investigate Rongchuan would not return anytime soon. Zhou’s village was somewhat far, yet he had this feeling in his heart that Rongchuan had a connection with the Ning family. No, it should be said he had a connection with the woman before him.

Ning Xu sighed inwardly, if only his eldest brother hadn’t died too early, even before the dynasty was established, no matter how the ages were compared they would not align with Rongchuan’s. His mind would definitely drift to his eldest brother. As for his second brother, he had also considered him, but his second brother and sister-in-law were truly affectionate towards each other, and with the two nephews in the house being older than Rongchuan, it was nothing more than a passing thought.

Emperor Zhang Yu felt that he was exceptionally patient with Ning Xu, ”Why have you stopped speaking?”

Ning Xu knew how to measure his words, ”Your servant was just reflecting, General Zhou’s son and future son-in-law are both fine men, and I hear there is another son at home who is also a scholar. Yes, I’ve been told General Zhou’s eldest grandson is not bad either.”

Emperor Zhang Yu thought Ning Xu was thinking of offspring again, ”You like children so much; your second brother’s grandsons are also not bad, you could adopt one.”

Ning Xu waved his hand, ”My second brother’s grandsons are all treasures; never mind that, after I’m gone a hundred years from now, let the lordship of Mr. Hou return to the Imperial court.”

In the capital, at the Zhou residence, Scholar Deng came to offer his congratulations, and Scholar Chang Lian, along with some sons of officials with whom he was newly acquainted, all visited too. Fortunately, because they had to hurry and prepare for the palace examination, once the list was released, they settled down to study and there were no more invitations.

Two days later, Scholar Deng made a visit, and upon seeing Zhulan, he paid his respects. Zhulan quickly asked, ”Why are you doing this?”

Scholar Deng’s face turned red, ”Today, I come to ask for madam’s help, though I’m not sure how to broach the subject.”

Zhulan thought it was some serious matter that he had come forward with such a grand gesture, ”Since you’ve come, you must have some plan in mind; there’s nothing you can’t speak of. Please explain, and I will listen carefully.”

Scholar Deng mustered courage within, ”Scholar Deng wishes to ask madam to help find a knowledgeable and sensible woman of good family background.”

Zhulan gave it little thought and took up the conversation, ”You’re looking for a governess for your daughter, I take it. That should be easy to handle.”

Scholar Deng’s face reddened further, ”No, it’s not that; I’m thinking of remarrying.”

Zhulan, ”...Remarrying!”

If she remembered correctly, it seemed that Zhou Shuren had mentioned Scholar Deng had no plans to remarry; why had he changed his mind?

Zhulan inquired, ”Have you taken a fancy to someone?”

She then felt she had asked a pointless question. After all, he had just requested her help in finding someone, which surely meant he had no one in mind.

Scholar Deng hurriedly explained, ”No, it’s not that. I have brought my daughter home. She is still young, and if it were only a son, it might be overlooked, but a daughter is different. Having an ill-mannered woman in the house reflects poorly on a girl’s reputation. And, having recently broken off a betrothal, her reputation is already somewhat tarnished. Therefore, after much thought, I’ve concluded that the household needs a lady of the house, hopefully someone who can teach my daughter to be sensible and understand propriety.”

Zhulan understood; Scholar Deng wanted a woman in charge of the household to spare him from distractions. Though she had not paid much attention to Scholar Deng’s family affairs, it was clear that not everything was peaceful in his household.

Zhulan realized that Scholar Deng was seeking her out not only because he hoped she could help find a suitable match, but also to show his stance through this marriage matter – that he held no second thoughts towards the Zhou family, ”I’ll keep this in mind and look around for someone suitable.”

Scholar Deng was delighted; he trusted the judgement of the Zhou Family Head’s wife, ”Scholar Deng is deeply grateful to madam.”

After Scholar Deng left, Zhulan pondered over acquainted families, finding none suitable among those she knew. She asked Nanny Song, ”Do you know anyone?”

Nanny Song did have a candidate in mind, ”Mistress, among the tutors hired by the household, there is a Miss Sun, the sister of a Mr. Sun, who is divorced. Do you remember her?”

Zhulan recalled the situation, ”There was an investigation at the time, and indeed there was such a matter. I remember Mr. Sun’s sister seemed to be in her twenties.”

The old woman Song remembered clearly, ”She’s twenty-two this year, and because she has no children, she divorced. Originally, she was married to a low-ranking official, so her knowledge and vision are decent, and she can read and write. She suits Scholar Deng.”

Zhulan thought to herself, indeed, it’s suitable, ”She truly can’t have children?”

The old woman Song replied, ”That’s what the investigation found, but I don’t know the details.”

Zhulan said, ”Scholar Deng has children, so it’s best to check thoroughly.”

The old woman Song took note.

Zhulan sighed again, ”Scholar Deng is really good to his daughter, a rare kind-hearted father.”

Scholar Deng truly put a lot of effort into this daughter.

At Ning Residence, after Master Ning had eaten, he gestured for his youngest son to join him for tea in the tea room. He settled into his chair, ”Have you had some happy news these past few days?”

What the old man wanted to ask was whether his health had improved.

Ning Xu slouched without any regard for his image, ”Father, is it that obvious?”

Master Ning grunted, ”It’s more than obvious.”

So much for his father’s unwarranted joy.

Ning Xu nibbled on the fruit by his side, ”Father, you didn’t call me here just to ask about this, did you?”

Master Ning frowned, ”Ever since you regained your status, you’ve been visiting the palace too frequently. Remember, you are always a subject; do not wear out your welcome.”

A daughter is not just a daughter when she’s the Empress, and the Emperor will never be a son-in-law; he is a ruler of the nation.

Ning Xu wiped his hands with a cloth, ”Father, I’m more aware of that than you. I don’t really want to go that often; it’s the Emperor and Empress who have been calling. It’s their favor, and your son, I have to accept it.”

Master Ning was silent for a moment, ”As long as you have a sense of propriety, that’s fine. Your second brother is not in good health, but he does have two sons, who are both treasured. These children are not outstanding. This was partly my fault too. I had three sons who either passed away or got injured. I thought, even if Ning Residence gains glory, we still need someone to carry on the lineage, so I indulged the two boys. If Ning Residence has no heir, you should also be careful not to overstep.”

Ning Xu felt a blockage in his heart. His father indulged his two nephews, wanting to keep them safe, especially the one in good health, for the Emperor’s peace of mind. The two nephews just became mediocre, which was good for everyone.

That afternoon, Zhulan saw Lady Dong holding a letter, ”Is there a problem?”

Lady Dong was frustrated, holding a letter that her sister-in-law had forwarded to her. The angrier she became after reading it, the letter from her elder brother and sister-in-law hinted without specifics of their fond childhood memories together. They were setting their sights on her daughter—quite daring of them, ”Mother, my little nephew has been in Zhou Residence for a while now. I just received a letter from my sister saying the child’s illness is better now. I was thinking, since we still have some time before we return, wouldn’t it be possible for him to study with Deng Yun?”

Eventually, she softened. Her elder brother must have written the letter without their parents’ knowledge. After all, he is her nephew, and she still hoped for the best for him. Since she couldn’t send the child back right now, the only thing to do was to take good care of him. It wouldn’t do to just ignore him.

Zhulan, ”If you’ve made up your mind, that’s good.”

She had considered it too, but after all, the child was Lady Dong’s nephew, so it was better for Lady Dong to bring it up.

Lady Dong thought to herself, only a mother-in-law from her own family would understand. If it were any other family’s mother-in-law, the Dong family’s actions would certainly have left her with reservations.