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

Chapter 859: Chapter 859: Teasing the Son to Relieve Stress Zhulan waited for Lady Song and the maids to leave before she spoke, ”You’ve heard about the matters at Zhang Jinghong’s residence, haven’t you?”

Zhou Shuren replied, ”Yes, I have. Everyone is watching Zhang Jinghong closely now!”

Zhulan continued to speak of Yao Xin’s matter, ”Yao Wenqi acted swiftly, finalizing the adoption as soon as it was mentioned.”

”I don’t see it that way. Yao Wenqi made a move against Zhang Jinghong; he must have been prepared. The adoption was likely finalized long ago, but it was only announced today.”

Zhulan scoffed, ”He doesn’t dare make any major moves now. Seven or eight years ago, he had the audacity to burn bridges, but now too many of his ties have been severed, and the Emperor has him trapped in the Hou Residence.”

Just waiting for the moment to catch all in one fell swoop!

Zhou Shuren said solemnly, ”With the major case in Jianghuai, the decree will be issued upon the fourth Prince’s return to the capital. The Grand Master of Writing spoke to me today, saying that in a few days he will be very busy. I suspect that after some time, a decree to seize property will be issued, and the confiscated silver will go to the Ministry of Revenue.”

Zhulan was startled, ”I thought they would wait until after the New Year.”

Zhou Shuren lowered his voice, ”The Grand Master of Writing didn’t tell me directly, but seeing how agitated he was, I’m sure the amount of seized silver tael must be considerable. With silver not yet in the treasury, the Emperor won’t be at peace during the New Year.”

”It seems we are just a month or two away from another bloody New Year.”

Zhou Shuren held his wife’s hand, ”There will be no peace in the coming years.”

Zhulan leaned on her husband’s shoulder—thin shoulders that bore the weight of a large family, ”I will take good care of our home so you needn’t worry.”

”Together as husband and wife, we will make sure our family is not implicated.”

”Mm.”

In Zhou Family Village, Xue Mei looked over her son’s letter once more, and Jiang Sheng couldn’t bear it any longer, ”How many times have you read it since you got the letter?”

Xue Mei carefully closed the letter, ”No matter how many times I read it, it’s never enough. This is the first time our son has written to us.”

”You can rest easy now. Your in-laws adore the boy.”

Xue Mei put away the letter, ”I’ve always been at ease. Did you see how lighthearted the tone of the son’s letter was? He’s enjoying the Academy; he’s become much more cheerful.”

Jiang Sheng was relieved, ”Your father is indeed better at educating children.”

”Exactly, my father and mother are the best at it. Look at my brother; he’s done so well because of our parents’ good guidance.”

”Yes, indeed, your parents are the most remarkable.”

Xue Mei laughed softly, then said with resignation, ”The twins were upset with me today; they also want to go to the capital.”

Jiang Sheng said, ”They are still young. When they’re a bit older, they’ll understand.”

Xue Mei sighed, ”Both are dear to me. Never mind, let’s not think about it anymore. It’s getting late; let’s rest early.”

”All right.”

The next day, at the Zhou residence, Yao Yao came over with her belly sticking out, and Zhulan fixed her gaze on Yao Yao’s face, ”Your pregnancy hasn’t been easy. Why are you going out in the snow?”

Yao Yao carefully sat down while supporting her waist, ”Thank you for your concern, my lady. I am much better now. The Imperial Physician said that moving around is also good for the baby.”

Zhulan signaled the maids to leave, ”You must have something on your mind to come here.”

Yao Yao spoke softly, ”I want to retrieve the property that I entrusted to the Zhou family.”

Zhulan was surprised, ”Isn’t that your safety net?”

Yao Yao’s mouth twitched slightly, showing a bitter smile, because she had realized that her husband had long known about her safety net. After he had mentioned a few times that everything about the Zhou family was under the Emperor’s watch, she understood that her safety net could no longer stay with the Zhou family.

Seeing Yao Yao reluctant to speak further, Zhulan didn’t inquire more, ”Wait here, I’ll have Lady Song retrieve it.”

Yao Yao felt truly embarrassed, ”Thank you, lady.”

Zhulan inquired about the baby, ”Is the child moving a lot now?”

Yao Yao’s face was full of maternal love, carefully touching her belly, ”This little one is quite mischievous. Ever since it started moving, it’s been stirring in my belly every day. It must be a wild little girl.”

Zhulan didn’t say it was a son but instead smiled, ”You should be more careful, and try to go out less when it snows.”

Yao Yao treasured her belly the most. If she hadn’t heard about Yao Xin’s situation yesterday, she wouldn’t have been in such a hurry, ”Mmm.”

Nurse Song soon returned, and Zhulan said, ”The items you entrusted are all here, take a look.”

Yao Yao opened the box. She wasn’t afraid of the Zhou family playing tricks but wanted to show them openly that she had nothing to hide, ”Everything is in order.”

Zhulan nodded, ”Then put them away safely.”

Yao Yao thanked her again. As for the thank-you gift, the present she had just received was already it, ”The hour is getting late, I should head back.”

”Alright.”

Zhulan waited for Yao Yao to leave, then opened the box that had just been delivered. Inside was a painting and a rare ancient book; they must have been Yao Yao’s dowry.

In the palace, the Emperor was eating pine nuts and, seeing Rongchuan not starting, pushed a plate towards him, ”Eat, don’t just watch.”

Rongchuan looked at the Crown Prince peeling pine nuts next to him. He couldn’t eat a bite. The Crown Prince was peeling pine nuts, and he was supposed to eat them? It just didn’t feel right!

The Crown Prince, in a good mood, placed the peeled nuts into Rongchuan’s hand, ”Go ahead, eat.”

Rongchuan, feeling dizzy, really wanted to say, what kind of whim had struck the two of them?

The Emperor, with laughter in his eyes, looked at his youngest son. He found it addictive to tease the young prince, especially when the boy looked so bewildered. He was truly endearing, ”Go on, eat. Today’s pine nuts are quite fragrant.”

Rongchuan sighed and put a nut in his mouth. They were fragrant, but he was still nervous. He wanted to go home to his father. These last few days, the Emperor had been treating him too well, so well that it scared him!

The Emperor, seeing the Crown Prince still sitting there, pointed to a table on the opposite side, ”Your presence is not needed here.”

The Crown Prince looked at the documents on the table, ”...Yes.”

His Majesty needed to tease his son to decompress, and he needed it too. There had been too much going on lately, especially the big case in Jianghuai. His mind was filled with bloodshed, and he needed to bully his brother for some fun.

The Emperor handed Rongchuan a plate of unpeeled pine nuts, ”Peel these.”

Rongchuan blinked. He realized that his visit to the palace today was just to peel pine nuts. What was it the last time he came? Right, to make tea. He spent the whole morning brewing tea!

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren took a short leave to visit the Ministry of Justice. He had frequent interactions with Ministry of Justice officials and had become familiar with them, particularly thankful to the Crown Prince for taking him through The Six Ministries.

At the Ministry of Justice, Zhou Shuren got off his carriage. As soon as he entered, the Minister of Justice, Mr. Sun knew about it and, thinking it was something important, waited for Zhou Shuren with a heavy heart, ”What brings Master Zhou here?”

The Ministry of Justice couldn’t take any more trouble. Mr. Sun was rather annoyed with Zhou Shuren!

Zhou Shuren knew Mr. Sun did not hold him in regard, ignoring him even during court sessions, ”Ah, I’m here to see Mr. Lei.”

Mr. Sun frowned, ”Official business?”

”No, personal, strictly personal.”

Mr. Sun’s frown eased, relieved it wasn’t official business, ”Then I won’t keep Master Zhou any longer. Please.”

Zhou Shuren’s mouth twitched. Just how much did Mr. Sun dislike him? He couldn’t wait for him to leave, ”Ahem, I will be taking my leave then.”

”Mmm.”