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

Chapter 805: Chapter 805: Reaping Good Fruits with an Open Heart

Ning Xu said, ”Then we’ll do as you suggest, delaying it by one year.”

After all, Rongchuan had decided, and even if the Empress’s sister wanted Rongchuan to marry early, it would be to no avail.

The next day, at breakfast, Zhulan saw Ming Teng, who had not slept well the night before, and her eyes were filled with amusement. The little fellow was so stingy, having felt heartache all night long. Zhulan couldn’t help but not tell the youngster, who couldn’t even enjoy his breakfast properly, ”Your grandfather is off to the morning court session, and he used your Jade Pendant as a gift yesterday. He’ll replace it for you later.”

Ming Teng’s mind worked quickly, and he immediately understood; his grandfather was telling him this morning as a way to teach him a lesson, to be more careful and steady in the future. He lowered his head to admit his mistake, ”Grandma, your grandson knows he was wrong.”

Zhulan smiled, ”Remembering the lesson is good. Now, eat your breakfast.”

As soon as breakfast was over, Ming Teng urged his grandmother for the Jade Pendant. Zhulan no longer teased the child and, smiling, took out the Jade Pendant, ”This is from your grandfather for you.”

Ming Teng was extremely delighted to hold the Jade Pendant; it was the feeling of regaining something lost, and moreover, the new one was slightly better than his old one—a complete win. ”Thank you, Grandma.”

Zhulan smiled, ”Make sure to keep it safe. The carriage waiting outside will take you to the Academy!”

Ming Teng quickly tied it on and ran out happily.

Zhulan smiled helplessly, ”I think this young one will never be able to change his impulsive nature in this lifetime.”

Song Pozi laughed, ”Young Master Ming Teng is just fine as he is.”

Zhulan nodded, believing the same.

After the morning court session, Mr. Phang waited at the palace gate, ”Lord Zhou.”

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that Mr. Phang was fast on his feet; he hadn’t been paying attention, and the man had run ahead of him. He approached to pay his respects, ”Mr. Phang.”

Phang Huai had been anxious all night and had to wake up especially early for the morning court, which left his spirits low today. Still, he had to muster his energy to dig for news, ”Lord Zhou, didn’t you leave with Mr. Xiao?”

Zhou Shuren understood his intent to gather information, and with a curved smile replied, ”Ah, I have been ordered to follow the Crown Prince to The Six Ministries. I haven’t finished with the Ministry of Rites, so I do not need to return to the Ministry of Revenue.”

Phang Huai grasped the key point, ”Is Lord Zhou going to the Ministry of Rites today?”

Zhou Shuren smiled, ”Yes, today I will go directly in my own carriage to the Ministry. Does Mr. Phang want to join me?”

Phang Huai was extremely frustrated. Yesterday, the Crown Prince had threatened and frightened him; after leaving the Ministry of Rites, he was still being hassled, and today was no different. With a stiff expression, he declined, ”No, thanks, I’ll take the carriage from the Ministry of Rites.”

Zhou Shuren paid his respects, ”Then I will take my leave first.”

Zhou’s carriage was parked on the outskirts; he had made sure to park it a bit further away to avoid congestion and quickly walked away.

Phang Huai took a deep breath, his mind buzzing. Clenching his teeth, he boarded the carriage from the Ministry of Rites, feeling extremely annoyed. If Prince Ning were in the capital, he wouldn’t need to be so passive. If it weren’t for the fact that Prince Ning’s assignment to Jianghuai was a good thing, he might have suspected that the Crown Prince had conned Prince Ning, deliberately sending him away.

In the Academy, Mingyun arrived at Class A and immediately saw Gu Liufeng, as well as the Jade Pendant that Gu Liufeng was wearing—his brother’s Jade Pendant, which he knew all too well. He approached with a smile, ”Master Gu.”

Gu Liufeng stood up, ”I must thank you, Lord Zhou, for speaking on my behalf yesterday.”

If it weren’t for Zhou Mingyun’s intervention, Lord Zhou would not have given a welcoming gift. A single Jade Pendant had changed so much for him: his uncle paid more attention to him now, his aunt started to restrain herself, and even the servants in the house treated his mother with more respect. His visit to Zhou’s residence yesterday had reaped him the most rewards.

Mingyun smiled, ”It’s the camaraderie between classmates, and I didn’t say anything untrue; Master Gu truly did help me.”

When he first arrived at the Academy, his background had not been as widely known as it later became. The fact that his paper was lent to him was an act of kindness, and keeping it would have been acceptable, but Master Gu had lent it to him readily, without hesitation, which spoke of his magnanimity and confidence.

Gu Liufeng admired Mingyun for not fearing being surpassed; he had high regard for Gu Liufeng.

Gu Liufeng was momentarily taken aback, his eyes clearer than ever. Indeed, one had to be forthright, as it was his honesty that had led to the good outcome he enjoyed today.

In Class B, Ning Zhao spotted the Jade Pendant on Ming Teng’s waist, ”Why did you change your Jade Pendant today?”

Ming Teng grinned from ear to ear, unable to contain his happiness, ”My grandfather gave it to me. What do you think? Is it not nice?”

As the eldest grandson of the Duke Ning residence, Ning Zhao had seen plenty of valuable items. He took a look at the Jade Pendant and said, ”It’s a nice jade pendant, better than the one you used to wear. Your grandfather really dotes on you!”

Ming Teng’s mouth twitched, ”My grandfather is the strictest with me—don’t believe me, ask Ming Rui.”

Ming Rui lazily replied, ”Have you forgotten? We are in the midst of an estrangement.”

Ming Teng glared, ”That was you deciding to cut ties unilaterally yesterday. We are blood brothers!”

Ming Rui rolled his eyes inwardly, ”Oh.”

Ning Zhao asked, ”Ming Rui, why haven’t you changed your jade pendant?”

Ming Rui was taken aback, ”Why should I switch it?”

Ning Zhao was surprised; he had heard much about Mr. Zhou from his grandfather. Mr. Zhou did not seem like the type to play favorites, ”You don’t have a jade pendant?”

This time, Ming Rui understood, ”No, I think my own jade pendant is quite nice. It’s just that Ming Teng was disciplined yesterday, so grandfather compensated him with a new one.”

His jade pendant had been bought by his father when he left the house. It was certainly better than the one Ming Teng wore. His aunt had also given him one, but he still favored the one his father had bought for him.

Ning Zhao patted Ming Teng on the shoulder, ”I take back what I said earlier.”

Ming Teng was at a loss for words, ”....”

In the afternoon, at the Zhou residence, Zhulan received the news and waited happily at the entrance. She soon saw Wu Ning and his wife approaching, and Zhulan greeted them with joy, ”You child, how come you didn’t let me know in advance that you were coming?”

Wu Ning smiled with her eyes curved, ”Auntie, I wanted to surprise you.”

Zhulan was delighted to see Wu Ning. Wu Ning was like a daughter to her, ”A surprise, indeed. Come in, come in quickly.”

Wu Ning should have come to the capital earlier, but she was worried that her uncle and aunt may be too busy settling in. After hearing some news from the capital, she hadn’t wanted to disturb them and risk adding to their troubles. It was only because of Rongchuan’s matter that she felt assured, knowing that the Zhou family had more backing in the capital. Otherwise, she was planning to wait a bit longer.

Now seeing that everything was fine at the Zhou residence, Wu Ning felt at ease.

Zhulan felt for the child; Wu Ning was considerate and did not want to trouble the Zhou family, which is why she had delayed coming to the capital. If it were someone else, they would have sought refuge with them a long time ago, regardless of whether the Zhou family was facing difficulties. Zhulan thought to herself that the children she raised were indeed more considerate, ”Come here, let me have a look at you. You seem to have lost quite a bit of weight, haven’t you?”

He Shu said, ”My wife is worried about her uncle and aunt.”

Wu Ning glared at her husband and said with a smile, ”I’ve grown taller, so I’ve slimmed down a bit. Auntie, look, haven’t I grown quite a bit?”

Zhulan saw the interaction between the young couple and understood. He Shu was showing concern for Wu Ning, and Wu Ning did not want him to speak out of turn. Both were good children, ”Yes, indeed you have grown quite a bit.”

Wu Ning was quite pleased with her height, her lips curving into a smile. After waiting a moment, she didn’t see Xue Han, ”Auntie, is Xue Han not around?”

Zhulan explained, ”She went to the Duke Residence.”

Early in the morning, someone from the Duke Residence had come to pick her up. The Duchess wanted to see Xue Han, so she went with Yu Lu.

Wu Ning’s eyes curved in a smile, ”When Xue Han comes back, I still want to congratulate her!”

Zhulan saw Servant Song carrying a box back and pulled Wu Ning along, ”Come here, look what I’ve prepared for you.”

Although Wu Ning was not her own daughter or granddaughter, she still held a special place in Zhulan’s heart. Zhulan had set aside several items for girls and had saved some for Wu Ning as well.

As for her eldest daughter and granddaughters, they would have to wait for Mr. Li from the Li family to come to the capital to take them back.