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

Chapter 846: Chapter 846: Feel Like Hitting Someone

In the evening, Zhou Shuren returned to his residence. ”I have already hinted to Hu Xia. Although Hu Xia is an honest man, he is not stupid. When I was leaving the Ministry of Revenue, he was waiting at the gate, indicating that tomorrow is an auspicious day. So, I had people extend an invitation tonight, and we will pay a visit tomorrow.”

Zhulan’s hand, holding the clothes, stiffened. ”That’s quite fast.”

”The faster, the better, to avoid any unforeseen complications. Matching the birthdays and finalizing the engagement process will take several days. It’s better to be prompt,” he replied.

Zhulan handed over the clothes. ”Mingyun and I have discussed it, and the two of them have no objections. Chang Yi is quite pleased to have Gu Liufeng as a son-in-law.”

Zhou Shuren changed his clothes. ”Ever since Chang Yi changed, he really has become a different person. Not only has he become more open-minded, but he also looks beyond the present. He sees Gu Liufeng’s potential. Right now, as long as I am alive, I’m not likely to step down easily. Chang Lian too will have a promising future. In the future, the Hu family wouldn’t dare to mistreat Yushuang. By the time I step down, Mingyun will be on the rise, and Yushuang’s children might already be grown up. As long as Gu Liufeng isn’t foolish, he won’t treat Yushuang badly.”

Zhulan took the official uniform. ”You forgot one thing, the marriage between Rongchuan and our daughter.”

Xue Han has always favored Yushuang a bit more since she was a child, and though she is kind to Yu Lu as well, everyone has their biases. The daughter is biased towards Yushuang; having an aunt who is a Prince’s Consort, the Hu family, not being one of the noble families and having no background, would only treat Yushuang even better.

By contrast, with Yu Lu, who also has an aunt as a Prince’s Consort, the Wang family has its own capital and confidence and won’t be overly concerned.

Zhulan fretted at the thought of Yu Lu. She hoped the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law struggles of the Wang family would not affect Yu Lu. Lady Gao had not made it any easier for her daughter-in-law back then.

Zhou Shuren took his wife’s hand. ”I know you’ve always wanted to find the best for our daughters and granddaughters, but it’s very difficult.”

For all these years, he had watched his wife plan for their granddaughters, and he had done the same. But where could one find perfection? As for Rongchuan and Xue Han, there were sentiments involved, and Rongchuan was a man of great ambition. Before he had even officially become part of the family, and as soon as the Emperor had just begun his rise, he dared to assert that no one but Xue Han would do. Not everyone could be like Rongchuan.

Moreover, with the Emperor and Empress feeling guilty toward their son, as long as Rongchuan does not change his heart, this pair of childhood sweethearts can have long-lasting happiness.

In the Crown Prince’s residence, the Crown Prince saw Zhang Yang hesitate to speak and suppressed the irritation in his heart. ”If you have something to say, speak up. Don’t hem and haw.”

Zhang Yang tentatively asked, ”Your Highness, did you hear everything I said yesterday?”

His impatience was growing. They were already halfway through dinner, and the Crown Prince had shown no inclination of speaking.

The Crown Prince carefully inspected the pattern on his wine cup but his thoughts were elsewhere. Indeed bold to ask, he thought, ”I heard it all.”

”That, I mean, I...”

The Crown Prince had a high regard for Zhou Shuren, and he certainly did not wish for Zhang Yang to offend the esteemed official too harshly. He had little confidence in the wit of fools. ”Is reading the sages supposed to make you mention the names of ladies in seclusion?”

Zhang Yang’s face turned red. ”I was just...”

The Crown Prince interrupted him. ”It doesn’t matter what you are thinking. Shut your mouth. You will represent the royal family in the future, and I think you should properly learn some manners. Starting tomorrow, I will find someone to teach you etiquette. When you have learned it, then you may leave the residence.”

The Crown Prince thought this was an excellent idea. There were many rules to follow, and they wouldn’t be learned in a short while. Yes, starting with the correct forms of salutation would be good.

Zhang Yang could scarcely believe it; he was going to learn etiquette. He felt somewhat resentful within, thinking of how Zhang Jinghong had caused an uproar with his flirtation with Marquis Yao’s illegitimate daughter. Why did it not reflect poorly on the royal family?

Yet he dared not clench his fists to vent his inner resentment, feeling an even deeper grudge against Zhang Jinghong who had taken his name, his place, and enjoyed everything that was his.

Zhang Yang felt that it was all because of Zhang Jinghong that both the Emperor and the Crown Prince had taken a dislike to him.

The Crown Prince, Yuguang, glanced at him and thought how stupid one could be, not even knowing how to conceal one’s thoughts. He felt that he should be more lenient toward Zhang Jinghong, as he might have to take a hit for Zhang Yang in the future.

The next day, reassured by her husband’s words, Zhulan felt more certain in her heart and was curious as to whom the Hu family would send to propose the match.

Soon, Zhulan found out because the visitor was Lady Gao, the wife of Mr. Zhong.

Zhulan invited her to take a seat and said to Lady Gao, ”I really didn’t expect it to be you.”

Lady Gao smiled and said, ”Mr. Hu visited our house in person yesterday. As you know, he worked under my husband previously, so there is some acquaintance between us.”

Lady Gao didn’t mention it was because the Hu and Zhou families were set to become relatives that her husband asked her to come; otherwise, the favors from the Hu family would not suffice.

Zhulan smiled and nodded, understanding from Lady Gao that it was Mr. Hu who had asked Mr. Zhong for this favor, indicating that the two families were not that closely acquainted. It also showed her the importance the Hu family placed on this marriage proposal, hence why Mr. Hu had sought out the Zhong family.

Lady Gao smiled and said, ”I am here today on behalf of your eldest granddaughter. Mr. Hu’s nephew, Gu Liufeng, as you know, is at the appropriate age to match with your eldest granddaughter, so I am here to propose the match.”

Zhulan replied, ”Liufeng is indeed a good lad, handsome and well-mannered. My old man is quite fond of him.”

Lady Gao knew it was just a formality. Her husband had already found out the intentions from Hu Xia the day before, and she smiled, saying, ”If Mr. Zhou approves of him, then he must be a good match.”

The rest was left unsaid as they both knew what was understood did not need to be discussed. After Lady Gao implied that a formal proposal would follow, they changed the topic to the gossip of the capital. After spending half an hour, Zhulan saw Lady Gao out.

At the Academy, Gu Liufeng was exceptionally uneasy today, especially around Mingyun, often blushing for no reason, even dropping his book to the ground in his haste.

Seeing his classmates looking at him, Gu Liufeng wished he could hide under the table.

Mingyun was feeling unsatisfied. Ever since he learned that Gu Liufeng was to become his sister-in-law’s husband, all previous good impressions had vanished. His eyes became critical as he looked for faults, but each time he met Gu Liufeng’s awkward and somewhat shy gaze, he felt extremely frustrated.

Thinking of Yushuang’s betrothed, who had been arranged for some time, Mingyun hadn’t felt much since Yushuang was too young and the other party was studying in the Wang family clan school and hard to meet.

This time it was different. With Gu Liufeng right before his eyes and the thought of his younger sister Yushuang growing up and getting married, he found it even harder to look at Gu Liufeng.

Gu Liufeng dared not look at Zhou Mingyun anymore. He couldn’t focus on his reading either, his mind preoccupied with his mother and uncle’s words. His uncle told him he was fortunate and that he should treat the Miss of the Zhou family well in the future.

When he thought of Miss Zhou, his ears reddened even more. She had already made a deep impression on him, but he had never dared to consider it before. Now that he could, the impression of Miss Zhou became even clearer in his mind, and he felt his palms heat up at the recollection of touching the seal she had carved.

Zhou Mingyun, ”....”

He felt an urge to punch someone. What on earth was Gu Liufeng thinking, blushing like a shy little thing!

The next day, Lady Gao arrived with the official matchmaker. The Hu family was more anxious than the Zhou family to proceed with the formalities. By the afternoon, when the birthdays were compared, it was deemed a good match, a fine union indeed.

With the last of her concerns laid to rest, Zhulan was relieved. A fine union was all that mattered.