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

Chapter 853: Chapter 853 Unpredictable World Events

Lady Zhao felt a lightness in her heart ever since her daughter’s marriage was arranged. What she now hoped for was that her son would take over for the second wife and, after the family split, he could support his sisters so that she could truly enjoy her life of leisure.

In the Yao Residence, Yao Zheyu stood wrapped in a cloak, motionless in the courtyard. Ever since he no longer needed to go to the Ministry of War, he enjoyed being alone, sometimes standing by the wall and looking up at the sky, feeling trapped within a grid. Indeed, he was trapped now.

Every time his father saw him, he would mock him. Inside, he felt numb. He really wanted to go out; he couldn’t even compare to Zhang Jinghong.

Shen Yile put down the child in her hands, drew back the curtain, and gazed at her husband with a touch of heartache and a bit of sadness. When she returned to the Shen family, she had no say in this marriage, yet she still felt reluctant. Her father said it would be difficult for her husband to rise in rank.

She understood some things, but there was much she did not. Her father didn’t say much else, and she could only make sense of what little she comprehended. Even if her husband were not Yao Zheyu, the man she married would not be one destined for great success. The power of the Shen family had been weakened by the Emperor over the past two years. Her elder brother, the Princely Heir of the Shen Residence, seemed to be promoted, but when Mr. Min was in power, the Emperor had taken back his authorities. In plain terms, her brother was just like being exiled.

Shen Yile thought of many things in a moment. The Shen family must remain compliant. In the transitional years of the old and new Emperors, they might seek a stable future. If not compliant, it was unnecessary to say what she already knew; the Emperor never hesitated when it came to purging. Her father had retracted into the residence and no longer went out.

Yao Zheyu turned his head, ”Why have you come out?”

”I came to see you. It’s too cold today, let’s go back inside!”

Yao Zheyu held his wife’s hand, ”I really regret it. I’ve always had a way out, but I blocked it myself.”

Shen Yile felt a pang in her heart, knowing her husband was referring to the Zhou family. Biting her lip, she said, ”Su Xuan and I are both Magistrates, I can go see her.”

”Forget it, don’t demean yourself.”

However, Shen Yile had made up her mind to visit Su Xuan. What once was beneath her notice now required her to ingratiate herself, such unpredictable turns of life.

In the Zhou Residence, Lady Li came to the main courtyard with an armful of fabric, ”Mother, look at these fabrics. Do you like any of them?”

Zhulan saw quite a collection, ”Where did you get so many fabrics?”

Lady Li smiled, ”I heard from the Qi Clan that they brought back some fabrics from overseas. I was very curious, and they sent someone to deliver some today. I thought they looked novel, so I brought them for mother to see.”

Zhulan asked, ”What did you give in return?”

Lady Li responded, ”I sent back some delicacies my elder brother brought.”

Zhulan hummed a note, flipping through the fabric. Although the Xu family traveled extensively, and there was no shortage of various kinds of fabric, the current dynasty did not favor foreign fabrics unless they were exclusive and specialized for foreign trade. Ordinary kinds were rarely liked by government officials.

Therefore, the Xu family had not sent Zhulan these kinds of fabrics, but rather ones that were quite rare.

Zhulan actually found some to her taste, choosing a golden color that could be used for several mosaic projects. As for clothes, she still preferred the fabrics and styles of her own dynasty.

Lady Li, on the other hand, liked them quite a bit and thought of sending some back to her hometown, ”Mother, don’t you want to pick some more?”

”No need, I’m just looking for novelty.”

With her eyes smiling, Lady Li rolled them up, ”Mother, our house has been busy lately, so I didn’t mention it. These past few days, I’ve been invited to attend some banquets. I presume they’re related to Ming Teng’s marriage prospects. Mother, should I go or not?”

Zhulan was pleased with Lady Li’s reaction, ”Go ahead. As long as you don’t agree to anything verbally, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s also a good opportunity to find out which families have this intention. I’ve been considering Ming Teng’s marriage prospects as well.”

Ming Teng was somewhat too popular, which was Zhou Shuren’s own words. The first thing that scored points for Ming Teng was his family background, and the second was the education provided by the Zhou Residence. None of the sons of the Zhou family currently had concubines; which family wouldn’t want to find a devoted husband for their daughter?

Therefore, Ming Teng was truly in high demand. Not to mention that he was a legitimate grandson of the Zhou family, he also had an elder brother who was the eldest grandson, and this brother had just become famous in a battle yesterday. Ming Teng’s marriage prospects were only going to become more coveted.

Lady Li, having received her mother-in-law’s permission, felt assured. She managed the household for a month and learned so much. When attending banquets, she could maintain her composure easily, and at most she’d just smile foolishly without speaking. ”Mother, then I’ll be sure to inquire carefully.”

”Mm.”

Today at the Gu family residence, Lady Hu moved out of the Hu family home. She bought a small courtyard with just one entrance. With the help of servants from the Hu family, they had already tidied everything up. There were not many people who came for the housewarming, most of them were relatives of the Hu family.

Lady Zhao brought gifts from various branches of the Zhou Residence, feeling slightly embarrassed, ”Yushuang’s father happened to go to the fishponds and couldn’t make it; I’m very sorry, so today it’s just me coming over.”

Lady Hu busily replied, ”I’m delighted that you could come, please sit down.”

Lady Zhao assessed the small courtyard. It wasn’t large, even smaller than the courtyard where her second wife’s family lived, but it was exquisitely arranged. ”This courtyard is nice, close to the Academy, and there are many shops nearby, which is very convenient.”

Lady Hu scrutinized Lady Zhao carefully, pleased to see no disdain in her eyes. The character of the Zhou family truly was admirable. ”I chose this spot initially for the convenience of Liufeng going to the Academy.”

Lady Jin had already appraised the gifts sent by the Zhou family; some pieces were worth a good amount of silver. The Zhou family had four households getting married, plus the additional gifts from Mr. Zhou, the income from these gifts was considerable. Moreover, the gifts had been thoughtfully chosen and were all useful for Liufeng.

Lady Jin grew more envious, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Lady Hu continued, ”I also didn’t want to buy a bigger courtyard. I figured I’d choose a place to live first, and the rest of the silver could be invested in land or shops. That would bring some extra income each year. When Liufeng takes the civil service exam, we can sell some land and add the saved silver to move into a bigger courtyard.”

Lady Zhao understood this was Lady Hu confiding in her—she had prepared everything for when her daughter got married. She wasn’t foolish; even if Lady Hu’s silver were not enough, Mr. Hu would surely make up the difference. She responded, ”It’s all thanks to your careful planning.”

Lady Hu smiled, ”As a mother, it’s all part of what I should do.”

The Zhou family was satisfied, and hence placed even more importance on their son. If the son did well, she could do anything.

At the Prince’s Residence, Zhang Yang was holding the palace regulations, but his mind wasn’t on them. He didn’t understand why a government official had been replaced three times in just one day. The one from yesterday had been amiable, but today’s was intransigent. If he wasn’t attentive, he would certainly nag at his ear.

Zhang Yang’s heart was in the Palace. He had been waiting and yet had not received any summons. Was his mother not seeing him? Or was his father teaching him a lesson by not allowing his mother to see him?

At Zhang Jinghong’s residence, Zhang Jinghong was in good spirits. His appetite had improved, and a healthy color returned to his face.

Yao Xin couldn’t help but laugh, ”Tone it down a bit!”

Zhang Jinghong did not want to restrain himself, ”I’ve been on edge these past few days. Who could have thought he’d be so foolish? He’s suffered a major embarrassment this time, leaving the house is going to be difficult.”

Yao Xin felt that their life was good now. Fewer people waited on them in the household, but she felt more at ease. ”Yes, yes, you continue to enjoy yourself!”

Zhang Jinghong naturally wanted to enjoy his good mood, while stroking his chin. ”I do need to visit Mr. Zhou’s residence. I will go personally once I’ve recovered.”

He knew all too well why Zhang Yang had taken a fall—that was all Mr. Zhou’s behind-the-scenes plotting!