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

Chapter 731: Chapter 731 The Crown Prince is Somewhat Depressed_1

Zhou Shuren held up his cup and toasted Wong Ju again, ”Congratulations.”

Wong Ju was all smiles, for today was also a day of celebration for him; he was no longer Zhou Shuren’s temporary replacement, he had become the Prefect of Jinzhou, ”I have learned so much following Your Excellency these past few years, and today I offer a toast to you.”

Zhou Shuren drained his glass and said, ”I’m heading to the capital, and I hope that Prefect Wong will also continue to strive and learn.”

Wong Ju smiled, ”I will.”

Zhou Shuren was satisfied, it’s good to keep striving, ”Hmm.”

That evening, Zhou Shuren came back a bit late, Zhulan had been waiting and was a bit sleepy, hearing the noise, Zhou Shuren pushed the door and entered, staggering slightly in his steps.

Zhulan got down to support him, ”You drank quite a bit today?”

Zhou Shuren sighed, ”Today is a happy day.”

Zhulan helped Zhou Shuren sit down properly, hmm, Zhou Shuren was indeed happy, hard work had paid off, ”I guessed you would drink too much, you should drink the sobering soup on the table first.”

Zhou Shuren was somewhat drunk, but his drinking manners were good, he obediently drank the sobering soup, and got up, wanting to change his clothes by himself.

Zhulan watched, and figured, with him being this confused, he wouldn’t be able to bathe tonight and helped Zhou Shuren change his clothes, then wrung out a towel to wipe his face.

Zhou Shuren suddenly wrapped his arms around Zhulan’s waist, ”Was the decree robe splendid today?”

”Splendid, I’ll wear it for you in the morning.”

This was what Zhou Shuren had fought for her, the decree robe was the most beautiful and splendid among all her clothes.

Zhou Shuren let go of his hands, ”I want to see it now.”

Zhulan looked at Zhou Shuren’s eager face, ”Alright, I’ll put it on now.”

”Hmm.”

Unfortunately, by the time Zhulan had dressed up and had her hair done by Granny Song, including wearing the crown, Zhou Shuren had already fallen asleep, lying on the bed.

Zhulan let out a light laugh and carefully closed the door as she left, took off the headdress and robe, and wiped Zhou Shuren’s face again, it was very late.

Zhou Shuren muttered drowsily, ”A new beginning.”

Zhulan’s head was close to him, she heard clearly, and smiled, ”Yes, a new beginning.”

The next day, Zhou Shuren opened his eyes and remembered the request he had made the previous night, regretting that he had fallen asleep, and sat up with regret. Zhulan wasn’t by his side, but as he heard the door open, Zhou Shuren looked up and was stunned; the splendid decree robe and crown truly suited Zhulan well.

Zhulan twirled around, ”How is it?”

Zhou Shuren, ”Beautiful.”

At this moment, he felt that his efforts were especially worthwhile, as Zhulan shared the glory with him!

Zhulan’s eyes curved, ”Being a third-rank official does give confidence.”

Zhou Shuren also smiled, ”Yes, the capital isn’t short of fourth and fifth-rank officials, but there aren’t many who make it to the third-rank.”

Zhulan’s head felt uncomfortable, she still wasn’t used to wearing such a heavy crown, her scalp was hurting a bit, ”I’ll go change clothes, you should get up and wash.”

Zhou Shuren hadn’t had his fill of looking, but he noticed the weight of the headdress, Zhulan’s neck was getting lower and lower, ”Alright.”

Granny Song took off the headpiece, Zhulan exhaled, ”Such weight is not something ordinary people could bear.”

Granny Song laughed, ”You’ll get used to it.”

Zhulan was silent, thankful that she rarely had to wear the decree robe.

During breakfast, Zhulan brought up the matter of Wu Yong’s engagement, ”The Wang family replied to the letter, the girl’s family agrees, I am thinking of making a formal marriage proposal.”

This time they wouldn’t need to ask Mrs. Tao, for making a proposal for the Wu family, she was the best matchmaker.

Zhou Shuren served the fried dumplings into his son’s bowl and said, ”The Emperor has given us fifteen days to take office. The handover here is not troublesome, and we can finish it today. I plan to stay in Jinzhou for eight days, and with the remaining time, I need to visit Ran Zheng’s friends, as well as meet with Old Master Wong. It is better to head to the capital earlier.”

Zhulan counted the days, ”Then the marriage arrangement for Wu Yong must be decided as soon as possible. I shall propose marriage tomorrow.”

”Mm.”

After dinner, Zhou Shuren went to the government office, while Zhulan watched the young servant moving the sealed boxes. Old Mother Song came over, ”Mr. Sun and the other teachers have arrived.”

Zhulan looked towards the courtyard entrance and saw the teachers standing there reservedly, ”Please invite them in.”

Once the tea was served, Zhulan spoke up, ”The teachers have been with the Zhou family for over two years now. As the Zhou family is moving to the capital, I would like to ask if you all wish to accompany us. You will still reside within the residence, and although there will be four days of rest each month, the monthly salary will remain unchanged.”

Zhulan did not want to hire new teachers, as she was satisfied with them over the last two years.

Mr. Sun and the others exchanged glances; there would be two more days of rest each month. Although they would be leaving Jinzhou, the capital was not far away, and with the Zhou family’s prosperous official career, they did not wish to part with it.

Having been anxious at first, they now felt reassured. The Zhou residence was a good place, without unsavory affairs; they liked it there. Mr. Sun took the lead, saying, ”We are willing to go to the capital together.”

Zhulan smiled, ”Then that’s settled. Please pack your belongings, and we’ll meet in the capital in half a month.”

Mr. Sun smiled, ”In that case, we shall take our leave now.”

Zhulan nodded, ”Alright.”

Old Mother Song saw the guests out, and upon returning, she said, ”The reply from Second Master has arrived.”

Zhulan said, ”I felt like I forgot something. Such a major event, and I forgot to inform Chang Yi.”

Setting down the letter, Old Mother Song said, ”Second Master is traveling light and fast. By the time the letter gets to him, he will have moved on.”

Zhulan had already opened the letter. Chang Yi had heeded Zhou Shuren’s words, writing a letter from every place he visited. After several letters, there had been no reports of drought, and Zhulan remarked, ”Chang Yi is going to be the last person in the family to know.”

Old Mother Song chuckled, ”There’s nothing that can be done, unless we send a young servant to chase after Second Master on a swift horse. However, Second Master has been gone for a while now, and even if he were caught up with, he would likely almost be in Lizhou Province by then.”

Zhulan hummed in response.

In Zhou Family Village, Xue Mei received the reply from her mother and the deeper she read, the broader her smile became. Jiang Sheng, who happened to be off work, asked, ”What did your mother-in-law say?”

Xue Mei’s eyes curved into a smile, ”My father and mother’s intention is that, come autumn, Jiang Zhu and the Li family will go to Jinzhou together. In the future, my son and Mingyun will study together, with my father providing personal instruction.”

Jiang Sheng had his own desires but was cool-headed enough to keep them under control. Now that his parents-in-law had spoken, his lips curled into a smile, ”That way, it’s only a few months away.”

Putting down the letter, Xue Mei said, ”Yes, I need to think about what to take for our son.”

Jiang Sheng chuckled, ”It’s a bit early for that.”

Xue Mei laughed as well; this was about her son’s future, after all, so of course, she was eager, ”But my mother must have prepared everything for our son. Actually, there isn’t much to take for him.”

Jiang Sheng felt emotional, thinking how people say that a married daughter is like spilled water, yet among all the people he had met, no one did it to the extent that his parents-in-law did. The last time they added to the dowry genuinely shocked him, for they valued their daughter just as much as they did their son.

Jiang Sheng watched his parents’ faces light up with joy at the news and chuckled softly, thinking that his parents had indeed chosen a good family for him to marry into!

In the capital, Rongchuan was summoned to the palace. Just as he arrived at the palace gate, the Crown Prince also returned from outside. Rongchuan quickly paid his respects, ”Greetings to the Crown Prince.”

The Crown Prince, feeling somewhat downhearted, said, ”Dispense with the formalities.”

Rongchuan replied, ”Thank you, Crown Prince.”

Taking a few steps, the Crown Prince asked, ”Shall we walk together?”

”Yes.”

After walking a couple of steps, the Crown Prince said, ”I heard you are going to view a residence tonight?”

Rongchuan showed a hint of surprise on his face, ”How did the Crown Prince come to know of this?”