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

Chapter 708: Chapter 708 Family Harmony Brings Prosperity_1

The next morning, right after breakfast, a Female Officer from the Palace came, and Zhulan was quite looking forward to visiting the Palace. This was not the Palace Museum of later times; it didn’t have the grandeur of the Palace Museum, but it was still a place of utmost luxury, where the lavish architecture from the late previous dynasty had been preserved.

Upon arriving at the gates of the Palace in a carriage, with the Female Officer leading the way, Zhulan and her daughter just needed to follow.

The Female Officer led the way in silence, her pace not fast, but the distance of each step was almost identical, indicating that the Empress was a person who greatly valued rules and propriety.

Zhulan estimated the distance they’d covered; the Palace really was vast, almost taking the time it would take to drink two cups of tea to traverse, and they’d only just passed the gardens. The flowers in the Palace gardens were of some expensive varieties, maintained by numerous Palace Attendants.

The harem of the current dynasty was rather cold, with very few consorts and most of them of an age where they preferred to stay put. Looking across the garden, the only people visible were the gardeners.

After some time, they finally arrived at the Main Palace where the Empress resided, located at the heart of the harem and directly in line with the government hall where the Emperor stayed, the closest palace to it.

What Zhulan knew wasn’t a secret; she didn’t need to ask around to learn this.

After the Female Officer went inside to report their arrival, Zhulan stood outside with her daughter waiting. Soon another Female Officer, evidently a personal attendant of the Empress judging by her age, came out.

The Female Officer said, ”Madam Yang, Her Majesty invites you in.”

Zhulan felt a bit nervous as she followed the Female Officer into the hall and saw the seated Empress, hurriedly paying her respects, ”Your servant, Madam Yang, greets Your Majesty the Empress.”

Xue Han promptly followed suit in paying her respects, ”Your servant greets Your Majesty the Empress.”

The Empress felt a sense of joy in her heart. She had been looking forward to meeting them in person for a long time. Miss Zhou’s manners were good, and she looked even better than in her portraits. Ah, and what a pleasant voice she had. The Empress had already forgotten how just yesterday she had been jealous of her future daughter-in-law, smiling she said, ”You may rise.”

Zhulan stood up but only glimpsed at the Empress briefly. There certainly were many secrets to maintaining one’s appearance in the harem. The Empress was about her age, but upon meeting her today, she seemed five or six years younger. The Empress was beautiful, and not just a beauty in appearance; her elegance was truly dazzling.

Xue Han stood properly, not daring to sneak a glance like her mother did, feeling relieved at the Empress’s amiable tone.

The Empress openly scrutinized them. Madam Yang did not seem like someone from a farming household; she had seen many officials’ kin from agricultural backgrounds, but none as composed as Madam Yang, without a trace of timidity or inferiority. To have raised such an outstanding daughter was indeed no simple feat.

The Empress spoke, ”Please, take a seat. Don’t be reserved. Master Zhou is a pillar of the state. The Emperor and I often speak of him, and I have heard that Master Zhou’s family is also in the capital. His Majesty awarded Master Zhou yesterday, and I fully understand that a harmonious family leads to prosperity in all endeavors. Master Zhou can work for the Imperial court without any concern for home matters, and that is all thanks to your efforts, Madam Yang.”

If Zhulan hadn’t known Rongchuan’s true identity, she might have believed the Empress’s words. Indeed, the Empress had a way with words that made her feel quite pleased inside. She humbly replied, ”Your servant dares not take credit; teaching my children and managing the household are my duties.”

The Empress felt greatly satisfied with Madam Yang inside. Understanding how to raise good children showed that Madam Yang understood the principles of life. The development that the Zhou household had achieved could not be separated from Madam Yang. A couple should complement each other, and in Zhou Shuren and Madam Yang, she saw a true union.

The Empress gestured for her Female Officer to bring over a tray, ”Those who have merit deserve rewards; these gemstones and jewelry are bestowed upon you.”

Zhulan had anticipated there would be a reward, but she didn’t expect the Empress to be so generous. The items on the two trays were almost dazzling to her eyes, ”Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress.”

From the corner of her eye, the Empress watched Zhou Xuehan. Xuehan glanced at the trays just once, her eyes calm, devoid of any greed, pleasing the Empress. It was a test for her future daughter-in-law.

Then, the Female Officer presented another tray, and the Empress said, ”I believe in first impressions. I am quite fond of Miss Zhou. These are gifts from me; they will come in handy as a dowry in the future.”

Zhulan, ”....”

Upon reflection, she realized that the Empress’s initial gift was a test, and thankfully, her daughter, raised with strong moral principles, did not covet things that were not hers.

Xue Han hadn’t expected to receive a reward and thanked her respectfully, ”Thank you, Empress, for your favor.”

The Empress nodded imperceptibly, etiquette was important, and she almost wanted to laugh. When Zhou Shuren had left behind people from the Emperor, they had indeed been put to good use: the two trained old maids had become the enforcers of etiquette in the Zhou residence.

This was also considered a miraculous fate; it saved her the trouble of having to plant maids in the Zhou residence. Now Miss Zhou’s manners were very good.

The more the Empress thought about it, the more she favored Zhou Xuehan. The girl and her son were truly fated; it was as if they were a match made in heaven, ”Rise quickly.”

Xue Han obediently got up, and although she still dared not look at the Empress, the joy in the Empress’s voice made her relax a great deal.

Zhulan also felt reassured in her heart—the future mother-in-law was quite satisfied with Xue Han. Satisfaction was good; dissatisfaction would be worrisome, for even with Rongchuan’s presence, Xue Han’s days would not be easy. Now this concern could be put to rest.

At the Zhou residence, Zhou Shuren was consoling his unhappy son, ”Your mouth could hang a gourd; your mother has been gone for half an hour, and whether you’re happy or not, your mother won’t see it.”

Chang Xhong’s eyes widened, ”Dad has been to the Palace, and mom and sister have been there too, but I haven’t.”

Zhou Shuren, ”Your third brother, no, your third brother has been there too.”

Chang Xhong felt unhappy, ”Everyone has been there.”

Zhou Shuren laughed, ”Do you think the Palace is a nice place?”

Chang Xhong’s face said, don’t trick me, Dad, ”Dad brought back a lot of nice things from the Palace. Sister told me; they’re worth a lot of silver, how can the Palace not be a nice place?”

Zhou Shuren thought for a moment and said, ”That only means the Palace is a place where opportunity and danger coexist; you’re still too young. If you really want to go, you’ll have to rely on your own efforts.”

”How should I work hard to go to the Palace?”

Zhou Shuren touched his son’s nose, ”Firstly, you must study harder than your third brother, and aspire to be like your brother-in-law. Get me a Tanhua title, and your wish will come true.”

Chang Xhong counted on his chubby fingers one by one, ”That will take many more years.”

Anyway, he ran out of fingers.

Zhou Shuren found his son too adorable and kissed his chubby son, ”Come on, let’s go study.”

Chang Xhong, ”...”

He’d been having fun in the capital recently and hadn’t studied for a long time. Hmm, he had forgotten a lot of what his fourth brother taught!

At the Hanlin Academy, Shen Yang was painting with a brush on paper, feeling very displeased. Just yesterday, he had attracted attention, but today his limelight had been stolen by Zhou Changlian. Having a good father was beneficial; yesterday, the respected Zhou had left the Palace with rewards, and by today, it was already the talk of the town.

As Shen Yang listened to Mr. Lv speak, his hand stopped moving.

Mr. Lv said, ”Chang Lian, is your honored father about to enter the capital?”