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

Chapter 701: Chapter 701 Wang’s Mansion_1

Capital, Ning Duke Residence, Ning Xu had finished recounting everything he knew, then sipped his tea to clear the taste of alcohol from his mouth, waiting for his second brother’s reaction to settle in.

Ning Hui took a while to come back to his senses, stuttering slightly, ”You, you mean to say, the Third-rank Scholar is the fifth Prince?”

The news was so shocking it almost scattered his soul!

Ning Xu nodded, ”The current fifth Prince is an imposter, there’s a decoy in plain sight, but the real one is Rongchuan. This child doesn’t look like the Emperor or the Empress. For Rongchuan’s safety, and for strategic purposes, they haven’t acknowledged each other. That’s the situation.”

Ning Hui clutched his chest, cursing, ”We didn’t even know about the fake fifth Prince, you bastard, you didn’t send back a single word about this.”

At the same time, Ning Hui felt upset, his sister hadn’t shared anything with Ning Residence? If it weren’t for Ning Xu coming back, they would likely be oblivious to everything. As if there was no one at Ning Residence! Thinking of his descendants, Ning Hui felt even worse.

Ning Xu chuckled dryly, choosing not to mention Rongchuan’s situation; he didn’t wish to upset his second brother and their parents. But indeed, he hadn’t informed the family about the fake fifth Prince, ”Second brother, now that you know Rongchuan’s identity, just be aware of it in your heart. Try not to make it too obvious when you see him.”

Ning Hui waved it off, speaking weakly, ”I understand. Also, Rongchuan’s situation can’t be kept secret. You should think about discussing it with father sooner or later. At least give him a heads-up so he won’t be caught off-guard like I was. Father can’t handle such surprises.”

Ning Xu, ”Father hardly ever leaves the residence.”

Ning Hui chuckled, ”I don’t often leave the residence either, but I still ran into him, didn’t I?”

Ning Xu, ”...”

There was no refuting that, it seemed he indeed needed to prepare their father.

That evening, at Zhou Residence, Zhulan was telling her son a story. The story came from a travel journal; during dinner, Rongchuan mentioned a new travel journal he had bought which she liked, so Rongchuan sent her a copy. It was perfect for telling stories to her son, integrating geography, travel insights, and local customs. She even added some modern knowledge of regional traditions she knew, telling the stories vividly—her son loved listening to them.

Zhou Shuren signaled to Granny Song that she could leave as he entered the room. Chang Xhong was the first to spot his father, quickly getting off the ground and putting on his shoes, exclaiming, ”Father, you’re back.”

Zhou Shuren spread his hands, ”Today, your father can’t carry you. My back isn’t feeling well.”

This was unlike the afternoons spent in the Government Office, where he could take a break and stroll around occasionally, and when no one was around, he even had time to lie down and rest. Well, he was in charge there, the comfort was incomparable. In the palace, if the Emperor felt tired, he could lie down and rest on his own, but Zhou Shuren just chuckled at the thought!

Right, the Crown Prince was the same as him, but the Crown Prince was young!

Zhulan brought out Zhou Shuren’s clothes, ”Change out of your official attire first.”

Zhou Shuren took the clothes to change and returned shortly after. Zhulan had already wrung out a towel for Zhou Shuren, ”Wash your face.”

Zhou Shuren washed his face, feeling much refreshed, ”That’s comfortable. Despite the coolness inside the hall, the thick official attire made me sweat plentifully, leaving my face greasy. Now it feels much better.”

Zhulan indicated for Zhou Shuren to lie down, ”I’ll massage your back.”

Zhou Shuren removed his shoes, expressing with feeling, ”Use some force today, I’ve been sitting all afternoon.”

Zhulan, ”Understood.”

Chang Xhong blinked, ”Father, let me walk on your back.”

Zhou Shuren, ”...No, son, your father doesn’t need a back-walking.”

Chang Xhong was displeased, ”In the past, Father let me walk on his back!”

Zhou Shuren turned away from his son; he didn’t want to answer. With his son’s current weight, his back couldn’t take it!

Zhulan laughed lightly, ”Your father is tired. Let’s not bother him now.”

Chang Xhong fell silent for a moment, ”Alright then.”

Zhulan said, ”Okay, it’s time for you to bathe and go to bed.”

Chang Xhong still wanted to hear more stories, but seeing his mother busy, he pleaded, ”Mother, continue the story tomorrow.”

Zhulan also found the travelogue that Rongchuan selected quite interesting, ”Alright, let’s continue the story tomorrow.”

Upon hearing the door close, Zhou Shuren turned his body to the side, ”The older this kid gets, the harder it is to fool him.”

”Indeed, the older he gets, the more cunning he becomes. Why did you come back so late today?”

Zhou Shuren recounted his experience in the palace, ”I appropriately discussed some separation of departments to increase efficiency, the Emperor asked so many questions that I lost track of time.”

Zhulan’s hand paused, ”As long as you have a clear understanding, that’s good.”

Lying down, Zhou Shuren said, ”Mm, these next few days, we’ll probably receive some invitations, you can choose which ones to attend.”

Zhulan understood. With Zhou Shuren staying continuously in the palace, the Zhou family would be busy, ”You just take it easy, I have a clear idea of what to do.”

Indeed tired, Zhou Shuren faced the Emperor’s questions, trying to figure out how to answer within the scope and also in an ancient manner. Today, it was mentally exhausting, ”I’m going to sleep first.”

”Alright.”

The next day, just a short while after Zhou Shuren and the others left, Zhulan received invitations. Some were from acquaintances, some from strangers. Zhulan saw the invitation from the Wang family, and since their families had arranged a marriage, they were effectively in-laws. However, given Zhou Shuren’s low official position, she had wondered whether to visit the Wang Residence or not. Now, with the invitation, it was settled, and she could go directly.

For the other invitations, Zhulan picked through them. She didn’t plan to take Xue Han; she chose those whose positions were not much different from her own, mainly to give Lady Dong a glimpse of the outside world without putting too much pressure on her.

With the invitations sorted out, Zhulan had her clothing ready and brought plenty of jewelry as well. Fortunately, she was on good terms with Lady Tao, who in casual conversation, had shared quite a few of Old Lady Wang’s preferences.

Old Lady Wang was advanced in age and liked tranquility. The Wang family women were all devout Buddhists, especially Old Lady Wang who had the most faith. Coming from a noble family, she did not favor flamboyant attire.

Zhulan rummaged through her own jewelry. Mm, it had to be presentable yet not appear vulgar; jade jewelry was the best option.

As for clothes, she was getting on in years, so she did not pick anything too somber. Simple styles would do, elegant and proper.

Lady Dong came over and saw her mother selecting clothes, ”Mother, are you going out?”

”Ah, the day after tomorrow, I’m going to the Wang Residence. Yes, and you should prepare as well, I will take you and Xue Han with me.”

Lady Dong grew nervous, the Wang Residence, ”Mother, I don’t know what to choose. Do you have any suggestions?”

Zhulan then relayed the Wang family’s taboos and mentioned Old Lady Wang’s preferences, ”Just dress elegantly and properly.”

Feeling reassured, Lady Dong said, ”Mother, you’re amazing, knowing so much.”

Zhulan smiled, ”I heard these things from Lady Tao during our casual chats; otherwise, I wouldn’t be aware either.”

This information had only been revealed after the two families had verbally agreed on the marriage, also as a precaution to avoid offending the Wang family’s taboos.

However, a daughter-in-law knows her mother-in-law the best. Lady Tao knew so much purely for the sake of dealing with her own mother-in-law.

Lady Dong smiled too, ”Mother, then I’ll go back and get ready.”

”Alright.”

Zhulan then asked the older maid, Song Pozi, to notify Xue Han, and afterward instructed the maids to hang up the selected clothes to prevent creases when worn.

In the Ning Duke Residence, Ning Xu had entered the mansion but did not go to see his parents first; instead, he made his way to his second brother’s courtyard.

Ning Hui was lying on a rocking chair, listening to his grandson recite his lessons. When Ning Xu entered the courtyard, people greeted him with a bow. Hearing the noise, Ning Hui put down his book, ”Why are you here so early in the morning?”

Ning Xu smiled, ”I came to lay the groundwork for father, second brother, why don’t you come with me?”

Ning Hui sat upright, ”Have you thought about how to lay the groundwork?”

”I have.”