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

Chapter 837: Chapter 837: Return to the Capital

Zhulan pulled Jiang Zhu to sit down and then thanked Big Brother Li, ”Thank you for taking care of Jiang Zhu on the journey.”

Big Brother Li grinned, ”Auntie, it’s my duty, and besides, Jiang Zhu is an especially sensible child. He even helped me out a lot on the way.”

Jiang Zhu was a bit embarrassed; all he did was help Big Uncle Li with his slow accounting.

Zhulan stroked her grandson’s hair. The boy was truly shy, his cheeks turning redder. ”You mustn’t have had lunch coming into the capital at this hour. I’ve had the kitchen prepare some food. Let’s eat first and talk later.”

Big Brother Li was indeed a bit hungry. Normally to hurry along the road, he would eat dry rations at midday. Approaching the capital and knowing the journey was not far, he therefore didn’t buy any, ”You’ve gone to trouble for me, auntie.”

Zhulan waved her hand, ”It’s only right. Chang Li, take good care of your Big Uncle.”

Zhou Shuren, ”Mother, don’t worry.”

Jiang Zhu didn’t eat with Big Brother Li, but had his meal alone in the main courtyard where Zhulan watched her grandson eat.

Chang Zhong sat to the side, looking at his nephew curiously, ”Are you my big nephew?”

Jiang Zhu looked at his chubby little uncle, somewhat silent; his little uncle was too young, ”Yes, Little Uncle, I am Jiang Zhu.”

Chang Zhong used chopsticks skillfully, passing chicken to his nephew, ”Eat more; you’re too thin.”

He had never met his eldest sister, and he was curious about her family. His mother had told him these past days that his big nephew loved to read. At first, he didn’t believe it, but seeing his big nephew so thin convinced him. This must be from studying hard, just like himself. Ever since he started taking studies seriously, he had lost a lot of weight.

A smile slowly crept onto Jiang Zhu’s face, ”Thank you, Little Uncle.”

His little uncle was so interesting, speaking earnestly like an adult, too funny. Why couldn’t his twin brothers be this adorable?

Only to say, Jiang Zhu didn’t yet understand his little uncle, too naive in his thinking.

Chang Zhong felt a sense of achievement caring for his big nephew; being an elder, he eagerly kept adding food to his nephew’s bowl, ”Eat more. This fish is good too, and these shrimp, have some more.”

Jiang Zhu, looking at the dishes in front of him, felt a bit burdened; he had always eaten little, and now there was too much.

Zhulan watched with a smile. She didn’t stop them, noticing that Jiang Zhu was a lot more introverted than his last visit. This wouldn’t do; he had to be generous. With a son by his side, Jiang Zhu might also relax a bit.

Of course, Zhulan was concerned her grandson might overeat and, noticing he was frowning, said, ”If you can’t eat anymore, then don’t force yourself, child. This is your own home.”

Jiang Zhu truly couldn’t eat anymore, but looking at the table full of dishes, he thought it wasteful. Every year during the clan school’s harvest, the children were organized to collect the crops, and each time he worked, his hands would blister. He knew how hard it was to produce food, ”Grandma, what about all this food?”

Zhulan, ”It won’t go to waste.”

She knew the way the Zhou clan school operated, having suggested it to Zhou Shuren to write to the Clan Leader. The children were the future of the clan, and their character was important. A good foundation would lead the clan to prosperity.

Zhou Shuren and Big Uncle were chatting, with Lady Li also joining them. Lady Li kept inviting, ”Big Brother, eat some more. You can’t get these seafood dishes back home.”

Big Brother Li had eaten quite a bit, marveling at the capital’s prosperity and the Zhou household’s abundance. Who could imagine his little sister living such a life? Thinking of silver, Big Brother Li pulled out a bundle from his bosom, ”This is from father and mother for you.”

Lady Li set down her chopsticks, very curious, ”What did father and mother have you bring?”

Big Brother Li actually knew, ”You’ll see when you open it.”

Lady Li opened the bundle and saw that it contained land deeds in a purse, fifty acres in all, and was a bit stunned, ”What’s this for?”

Big Brother Li explained, ”Father and mother have wanted to give this to you for a while, but it’s not easy for our family to save silver. After saving for years, they have finally managed to get you fifty acres. Take it; they said it’s to supplement your dowry. I’ll send over the harvest every year, and I’ll take care of our family’s land. Don’t worry.”

Lady Li felt a tightness in her chest and a lump in her throat, tears threatening to spill. For many years, she had sent gifts to her natal family, never imagining that once their circumstances improved, they would actually provide her with additional dowry. Although it wasn’t as much as the silver she received as annual dividends, it was her family’s way of showing gratitude and hoping that she would have more security and confidence in her life.

Lady Li cried, ”Big brother, I don’t lack silver. Mother-in-law has already prepared a dowry for me, and each year I also receive dividends from my younger siblings. I can live well.”

Elder brother Li naturally knew; his sister was not one to keep secrets and had already informed them in her letters, ”What you have is yours, but this is from our parents. You have done enough for our family over the years. The Li family is not ungrateful. In the past, we couldn’t help, but now we have some means, so take it. Otherwise, our parents will not be able to sleep peacefully.”

Lady Li sniffled, suddenly yearning to return home, a place she hadn’t visited in many years.

Elder brother Zhou saw his wife crying even harder and, knowing her well, comforted her, ”Wait until next year, and I will accompany you to stay at your parents’ house for a while.”

Lady Li had her own plans and, wiping away her tears, said, ”Wait until Mingyun passes the Scholar exam, then you can take me back.”

Elder brother Zhou held his wife’s hand, ”Alright.”

Elder brother Li sipped his wine, watching his sister and brother-in-law. If there was anything their parents still worried about, it would be the couple’s relationship. Even though they trusted the Zhou family’s character, there was still concern, particularly as Zhou’s official rank continued to rise.

Inside the Palace, Zhang Jinghong entered discreetly, his body still faintly reeking of blood, his complexion pale, clearly a result of excessive blood loss.

The Emperor frowned, already briefed on the events. During his time in Jinzhou Province, Zhang Jinghong had been gravely injured in an assassination attempt. Had he not dodged swiftly, Zhang Jinghong would have been a corpse.

Eunuch Liu helped Zhang Jinghong to sit down, and the Emperor began, ”It seems you have learned something you shouldn’t have.”

Someone had protected him, and he was nearly at the capital when the desperate assassination occurred. Zhang Jinghong must have discovered something.

Zhang Jinghong coughed weakly, having come close to death for the first time, which now made him fear it all the more, ”Cough, they thought I had seen their leader.”

But he hadn’t seen anything. He had bumped into someone when he was about to leave, and before he could react, he was whisked away. He hadn’t thought much of it initially.

Once news from the capital reached him, he realized the gravity of the situation. After surviving several assassination attempts, he stealthily returned to the capital only to be pursued once again.

The Emperor expressed surprise, ”You have truly infiltrated their ranks.”

Zhang Jinghong replied, ”Your Majesty, I did uncover some things. The list is in my head, may I request paper and pen?”

The Emperor, seeing that Zhang Jinghong wished to write in person despite trembling hands, said, ”You speak, and the Crown Prince will write.”

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince took up the paper and pen, signaling Zhang Jinghong to begin.

Zhang Jinghong rattled off the names quickly and, after catching his breath, lost his strength, ”Your servant only uncovered so much. The first five individuals on the list, I have sent their names to the Fourth Prince.”

The Emperor, pleased with the list, said, ”We commend you for this service.”

Upon hearing these words, Zhang Jinghong’s vision darkened, and he fainted. Being commended meant that even though he wasn’t a prince, he would be allowed to live well. Having demonstrated his capabilities, the Emperor would continue to employ him. It was good to be alive.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren carried the account books to Master Xiao, ”Sir, here are the documents you requested.”

Xiao Qing hummed in acknowledgment. Zhou Shuren unusually did not leave, which was strange indeed. He had never ceased trying to get Zhou Shuren to share in his workload, yet Zhou Shuren always left immediately after each delivery, ”What, have you come to your senses and finally decided to help me with my duties?”

Zhou Shuren mentally scoffed, as he had no such desire, ”Sir, I have a personal matter to discuss with you.”

Xiao Qing’s expression grew serious. Anytime Zhou Shuren approached him, it was invariably about something significant, ”Speak, what have you discovered?”

Zhou Shuren, ”....”

Was Master Xiao’s reaction not overly solemn? It made him feel like he had once again done something to land himself in trouble!