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

Chapter 736: Chapter 736 This Scene Seems Familiar_1

Hanlin Academy, as Chang Lian and Rongchuan stepped out of the main gate, they saw Jingyan, and then they saw the carriage curtains drawn open. The two eagerly approached upon seeing the person inside.

Chang Lian didn’t even feel the heat anymore and even jogged a few steps, his eyes filled with joy, ”Dad.”

Rongchuan remained a bit more reserved, ”Uncle.”

Zhou Shuren looked at Chang Lian and Rongchuan with satisfaction. Indeed, one’s own children were always more pleasing to the eye, no matter how one looked at them, ”I’ve been riding the carriage around and just about the right time, I came over to pick you two up and head home together.”

Chang Lian outright ignored the first part of the sentence and only cared about dad picking them up to go home. After all, it was the first time his dad had personally come to pick him up!

Jingyan had already fetched a stool, ”Third Master, Mister Rongchuan, please get into the carriage.”

Chang Lian swiftly climbed aboard the carriage and sat down next to his dad. Rongchuan followed suit and took a seat as well.

Zhou Shuren looked at Chang Lian, who was only a fist’s distance away from him. Chang Lian was dressed in his official attire, well-covered and secure. He felt the heat emanating from beside him, ”.... such a hot day, move a bit further away from me.”

Chang Lian, ”....”

He heard the sound of his heart breaking. He had been so happy just moments ago, but now he felt that his dad’s tone was full of disdain!

Rongchuan wiped his sweat with his sleeve, while also trying to hide the smile that was tugging at the corners of his mouth. It seemed his third brother had wilted a bit!

Jingyan coughed, signaling the coachman to set off.

Chang Lian shuffled his buttocks. Seeing that his dad’s gaze was still full of disdain, he didn’t stop until he was a certain distance away. Then his dad finally took back his gaze. Chang Lian, ”Dad.”

This time, Zhou Shuren was much more comfortable, ”What is it?”

Chang Lian suddenly lost his nerve, ”No, nothing.”

Rongchuan, having wiped off his sweat, asked, ”Uncle, where all did you go today?”

Zhou Shuren, ”Just roamed around, practically covered the entire capital.”

Chang Lian’s eyes lit up, ”Dad, did you stop by the Ministry of Revenue? They say its gates are the most impressive.”

Zhou Shuren, ”....”

This was precisely how the conversation died. Zhou Shuren refused to respond and closed his eyes.

Chang Lian, ”....”

He felt his dad’s disdain for him once again!

At the entrance of the Hanlin Academy, Mr. Lv said enviously, ”That was Lord Zhou just now, wasn’t it!”

Regretful, he had been so starstruck that he forgot to pay his respects. This was the legendary Lord Zhou, and it was clear how much Lord Zhou doted on his son, actually coming in person to pick up Chang Lian!

Shi Qing got into his own carriage in a good mood, as Lord Zhou had just acknowledged him with a gesture.

Shen Yang was green with envy. Having a good father was too important, especially one with a high rank who was deeply trusted by the Emperor!

At the Zhou residence, after the carriage arrived home, Zhou Shuren went back to his room to bathe and change clothes first, having sweated through his clothes over the course of the afternoon and already starting to smell!

By the time Zhou Shuren had finished getting ready, the meal had already been laid out on the table, and all the branches of the family had arrived.

Zhou Shuren took his seat at the head of the table, with the entire family looking at him. As the head of the family, he had something to say upon settling in the capital, ”Today, the Zhou family has officially moved to the capital. I don’t like to speak in empty platitudes. All I want to say is, now that we’re in the capital, the only reason for leaving would be to retire willingly. Therefore, I expect all of you to be on your toes. The Zhou family is a whole, never just an individual or a single branch. I hope you all remember this point.”

Zhou eldest felt a tension grip his heart. His father’s tone was not harsh, quite ordinary, yet he felt as if carrying a weight of a thousand gold, all of it bearing down on him. He was the eldest, ”Father, I will definitely set a good example and, as the eldest brother, will also look after and supervise my younger brothers. Rest assured.”

Zhou Shuren was very pleased with the response from his eldest. The eldest had grown a lot over the years. In the past, he would not have dared to speak of looking after and supervising his younger brothers, ”Very well, that is how an eldest brother should act.”

Zhou eldest could not help but curl the corners of his mouth upward. His efforts had received his father’s approval!

Chang Lian was the first among the Zhou sons to enter officialdom, ”Father, I will be careful and cautious, and will certainly not entertain any improper thoughts. I always remember what you said, that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and even if there were, without the ability to catch it, one would be crushed to death. I have self-awareness and self-knowledge.”

He had long set a goal in his heart, to take his father as his goal, as his mentor in his official career, always holding himself to his father’s standards of conduct.

When it came to Chang Zhi, ”Father, I was ignorant before, but now I understand that the family is a whole. The family does well, I do well; without the family, there is no me. There are many areas where I’m lacking, but I’m willing to strive for progress. Please be at ease, Father.”

Zhou Shuren was comforted by his sons’ replies, which represented their individual growth, ”All of you have done well.”

The Zhou brothers were pleased to receive their father’s praise, a rare occurrence before the entire family. It was their father’s affirmation of them!

Rongchuan, the future son-in-law, ”Uncle, I remember all that you’ve taught me. I will be careful and work hard.”

Zhou Shuren fell silent. Rongchuan, oh, this child needn’t be careful at all. Now, his own father is the Emperor, and when the Crown Prince ascends the throne, that will be Rongchuan’s own brother. In the whole world, Rongchuan is the one with the strongest connections!

Zhou Shuren, ”I know you’re a child who has his head on straight.”

Zhulan asked Zhou Shuren, ”Do you have any other instructions?”

Zhou Shuren’s gaze fell on his grandsons. Never mind, there’s no hurry. When it’s time to go to the Academy, he would give them individual instructions, ”No, that’s all.”

The words spoken already encapsulated everything. He didn’t like long-winded speeches; he preferred to speak to the point. With too much rhetoric, the key points could become blurred and less memorable. Now, how good; the whole family would definitely remember them firmly in their minds.

Zhulan tried to lighten the mood, ”This is our first official meal together in the capital since our arrival. I won’t say much either, just this: harmony in the family brings prosperity in all undertakings. Whether it was in Jinzhou Province or here in the capital, it hasn’t been easy for our family to come this far. Going forward, we will still need the collective efforts of the whole family.”

Zhou eldest grinned. He liked what his mother said, harmony brings prosperity, ”Mother, the Zhou family will continue to thrive.”

Lady Li dared not interject while her father-in-law spoke, but it was different with her mother-in-law. Waiting for her husband to finish, she eagerly took up the thread, ”Mother, the Zhou family will become even more prosperous and flourish with many descendants. You and father will live to a ripe old age, and... oh, and there’s more.”

Chang Lian found this scene all too familiar. Watching his sister-in-law trying hard to think of something else to say, he hurriedly interjected, ”Sister-in-law, that’s enough!”

Lady Li felt there was so much more to say; she was simply too excited and couldn’t recall everything at the moment, ”No, let me think.”

Chang Lian thought it would be absolutely wrong to let his sister-in-law go on. Over the years during New Year’s greetings and birthday wishes, she surely had not spared any auspicious phrases, ”... Sister-in-law, please leave some opportunities for us!”

Lady Li still hadn’t quite caught on.

Madam Zhao, Chang Zhi, and Rongchuan had all caught on and couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Lady Li was bewildered by the laughter, not knowing what she had said wrong, until Zhou eldest couldn’t bear it anymore and whispered to his wife, ”Think about the New Year’s a few years back. I took quite a teasing from my brothers for a long time!”

Lady Li realized her mistake and joined in the laughter. Despite not being highly educated, she did remember a good number of auspicious sayings!

Ming Teng laughed even heartier, almost falling under the table, until he felt Ming Rui tugging at his clothes, ”What’s the matter?”