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

Chapter 689: Chapter 689: Explaining Doubts_1

In the afternoon of the capital, Zhulan got up from her nap. Chang Lian had returned from the teahouse. Having changed her clothes and combed her hair, Zhulan came out to find Chang Lian playing chess with Xue Han, while Rongchuan sat by and watched.

Zhulan took her seat and said to Chang Lian, ”You’re back.”

Chang Lian signaled Rongchuan to take his place and replied as they swapped, ”Mother, I should have returned earlier. A sudden incident occurred at the teahouse; I encountered the Second Prince and the Fifth Prince, which delayed me for some time.”

Zhulan was surprised, having run into both at once, ”That really is quite a coincidence.”

Chang Lian fidgeted with the Jade Pendant hanging at his waist, smiling as he said, ”Indeed, it is quite the coincidence. Mother, I also met Shen Yang. He was initially troubled by the two princes and later ignored. The Fifth Prince’s remarks suggested that Shen Yang ought not to have made it into the second tier at all.”

Zhulan was speechless at such a coincidence, ”No, that’s not right. I remember that during the imperial examination, Shen Yang’s score was among the top. How could he not make it into the second tier?”

Chang Lian set down the Jade Pendant, ”Mother, it can only mean that during the palace examination Shen Yang was affected and didn’t perform well. Shen Yang really doesn’t have the mental fortitude, I think he has been too spoiled since childhood.”

Zhulan added, ”Mr. Shen is also quite proud, but he does have the capital to be proud – he’s only seventeen this year.”

Chang Lian curled his lip, ”Rongchuan is also seventeen, and Rongchuan is a Third-rank Scholar. He’s much more modest. Anyway, I don’t like him!”

Zhulan glanced at Rongchuan who continued playing chess, ”If you don’t like him, just keep your distance.”

Chang Lian didn’t want to talk about Shen Yang any further, ”Mother, my little brother hasn’t left your side. Is it alright for him to stay in Jinzhou Province?”

He had thought his little brother would come along. On the way back, he had even bought toys for him, planning to spend more time with the little guy!

Zhulan had even dreamed about her son during her nap, ”My mind is all over the place. I don’t even know if he has cried.”

She shouldn’t let her thoughts wander - the moment she did, Zhulan didn’t feel like talking anymore, her heart full of worry.

Chang Lian smacked his lips, realizing he should not have brought it up, ”Mother, the weather outside is lovely. Shall I accompany you for a walk?”

Zhulan wasn’t keen on the idea, ”I already walked around the garden at noon.”

So all she wanted to do now was sit. If her son and daughter weren’t in front of her, she would rather lie on her side and do some reading!

Chang Lian, ”....”

Lady Dong came in holding a child, and Chang Lian’s eyes lit up, ”Mother, Lady Dong will be busy with the banquet. In the next few days, I will trouble you with taking more care of Yu Yi.”

Having a child by her side would help divert her attention, so she wouldn’t be so worried about her little brother.

Zhulan looked at the chubby Yu Yi, who was plump and felt particularly good to hold. Accepting Yu Yi from Lady Dong, she said, ”Full-term babies really are different from premature ones. No matter how Yu Die is raised, she can’t seem to gain weight. Yu Wen and Ming Jia also need to be carefully taken care of; I wonder if Yu Wen and Ming Jia will have gained some weight by the time I return.”

Chang Lian felt that his mother was worrying too much, ”Mother, my second sister-in-law is meticulous. You see, Yu Die is doing well now; though small, she runs around quite nimbly. And there are plenty of maids and maidservants around Yu Wen and Ming Jia, not to mention Imperial Physician Liu. You can be at ease!”

Zhulan felt reassured, but couldn’t help thinking about her family in Jinzhou Province. She had just left and was already missing them; when she was in Jinzhou, she liked to hear about the twins’ circumstances daily.

Lady Dong said, ”Mother, we are the ones who trouble you the most, still needing you to come to the capital.”

It would be easier for the mother-in-law to be in Jinzhou Province rather than the capital; all her children would be in front of her, and her father-in-law would be near!

Zhulan waved her hand, ”You’ve said that several times already, don’t say it again.”

Jinzhou, Chang Zhi had lost count of how many times his little brother had sighed. ”You’re not crying anymore, but why do you keep sighing?”

Though he was still young, his furrowed brow was particularly amusing.

Chang Zhong lifted his head. ”Fourth Brother, I regret it. I wish I had gone out with Mother.”

Chang Zhi responded, ”Didn’t you promise Mother to take care of Father?”

As he spoke, Chang Zhi glanced at their father who had already entered the yard. Father had indeed come home earlier than usual. It was upsetting; perhaps Chang Zhong was truly Father’s own son!

Chang Zhong’s chubby fingers were intertwined as he said, ”I found out that Father doesn’t need my care at all!”

Zhou Shuren had intentionally remained quiet because he wanted to hear what his son had to say. After hearing those words, his heart felt constricted. ”Who said Father doesn’t need to be taken care of!”

Chang Zhong turned and saw his father, standing up joyfully. ”Father, Father, I missed you.”

Zhou Shuren caught his little one who ran over. The kid was really strong; he lifted his son with both hands. With no hand free, he could only use his forehead to touch his son’s. ”Liar, you just said you regretted staying behind and that Father doesn’t need to be taken care of.”

Chang Zhong wrapped his arms around his father’s neck, rubbing his little head against his father’s beard. ”I didn’t lie, Father. You go to the government office every day, and I can’t take care of you. When you come home, there is Jin Yan and the maids.”

Chang Zhong glared with wide eyes before continuing, ”But it’s true that I miss you, Father. With Mother not home, I miss you.”

Sniffling, he acknowledged that Fourth Brother was good to him, and his niece came to visit him after her lessons ended, but he just missed Father and Mother.

Zhou Shuren noticed that the child’s eyes were getting red again, so he held his son and turned to walk away. ”All right, alright, Father will take you fishing. Mother wouldn’t allow it when she’s home. If you cry again, Father will go alone.”

The little fellow held back his tears at the rim of his eyes and protested, ”I’m not crying.”

Zhou Shuren laughed. ”Good, you’re not crying; Father had Jin Yan buy a fishing net, and now he’s waiting for us by the lake!”

The little guy grew anxious, squirming in his father’s arms. ”Father, you don’t have the strength; I can walk by myself.”

Zhou Shuren, ”....”

Chang Zhi watched his father and little brother walk away, feeling utterly ignored. If he were a little younger, he would definitely be jealous, no, he was actually jealous now. Father was going to take Chang Zhong fishing! With Mother not at home, Father was eager to take his little brother up to the skies. Chang Zhi pursed his lips and turned to go inside the house.

Su Xuan heard some noise. ”Did I just hear Father’s voice?”

Chang Zhi, looking at his son and daughter, felt the sourness in his heart diminish a bit. ”Father came back early for little brother and is now taking him to go fishing.”

Su Xuan fell silent, ”Luckily, Mother keeps an eye on little brother. Father spoils him too much. But Father is only brave enough to take little brother fishing when Mother is not home!”

Chang Zhi laughed as well. ”Yes, I think I should write a letter to Mother.”

Su Xuan burst into laughter, ”Are you jealous?”

Chang Zhi chuckled softly, ”Indeed a bit. Father really treats Chang Zhong differently. Ever since Chang Zhong was born, Father has also become much kinder to us.”

There was an indescribable feeling; something seemed different. He had always felt something was missing before, but now that feeling was gone.

Zhulan could explain Chang Zhi’s confusion, but unfortunately, she couldn’t. It was actually very simple. Before, Zhou Shuren was the kind of man who made sure he was well-fed while his family was not hungry. Having crossed over and unexpectedly become a father and grandfather, without any experience, he really didn’t have much of a fatherly feeling. Later, as he slowly adapted to life in ancient times, he began to understand a little more. With the birth of his own son and as Chang Zhong grew up, he finally understood how to be a father. What had been lacking before was now compensated for, that was all.