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

Chapter 872: Chapter 872: Pretending to Be Confused Despite Understanding

Steward Ding handed over the invitation card, ”This was just delivered from the Ran Residence.”

Zhulan took it and read it with a smile, ”Ran Wan has arrived in the capital.”

Upon hearing the Ran surname, Lady Gao took a moment to remember who that was, the future eldest granddaughter-in-law of the Zhou family, and said with a smile, ”That’s an invitation card.”

Zhulan put down the card, ”Mhm.”

Seeing that it was getting late, Lady Gao said, ”I will head back for today, just let me know once you’ve chosen a good date.”

Zhulan stood up, ”Thank you so much for today.”

”I’ll be troubling you in the future as well.”

Zhulan, ”As long as you say the word, I will definitely take care of it.”

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhang Yang had been sneezing continuously, his mind somewhat foggy, unable to concentrate, and he lay listlessly on the desk. It was to no avail being careful; he still caught a cold.

He hadn’t wanted to come today, but a stubborn anger bubbled in his heart, and through gritted teeth, he did.

His emotional intelligence might be low, but he was not stupid. Upon learning that Rongchuan had visited the Zhou residence, he knew the reason for his suffering and let out a cold laugh; the difference in treatment from those who were raised from childhood was clear, and he couldn’t help but think of Zhang Jinghong, who was still alive.

Zhou Shuren was of course aware that Zhang Yang was ill, and the doctors were quite worried, but because of Zhou Shuren’s calmness, which was very infectious, the doctors also calmed down.

However, when they learned that the fifth Prince had entered the Palace, the doctors became anxious again, and Officer Zhao was pushed forward, ”Sir, the fifth Prince has gone to the Palace.”

Zhou Shuren looked at the completed charts, not raising his head, ”Oh.”

Officer Zhao repeated himself, ”Sir, the fifth Prince is ill and has gone to the Palace.”

Sir, you set a trap for the fifth Prince and everyone can see it clear as day. Now that the fifth Prince has gone to the Palace to complain, show some reaction, will you!

Zhou Shuren waved his hand, ”I heard you, go about your business as you should, and fill in the tax revenues for the provinces according to the chart I just described. Hurry up, I need them urgently.”

Officer Zhao carefully assessed the superior’s tone, the superior really didn’t seem to care, and the others exchanged glances, ”Yes.”

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, Zhang Yang going to the Palace, he definitely wouldn’t see the Emperor’s face. Going to complain while sick; if he were a true son, the Emperor would surely visit, but it’s a pity he isn’t. The Emperor is afraid of catching the illness!

Especially since the Emperor’s age is not small now, the current Emperor cherishes his health more than at any other time.

Inside the Palace, Zhang Yang felt his head getting hotter, his current state must look quite pitiful, his father the Emperor would surely take issue on his behalf.

The wish was good, but unfortunately, he didn’t even enter the government hall, nor did he see Eunuch Liu, he only met a young eunuch.

The young eunuch kept a good distance, ”Your Highness, the Emperor has been indisposed these few days and cannot meet Your Highness. Your Highness is ill, the Emperor has instructed you to return to the Prince Residence to rest. The Imperial Physician is already on his way there.”

The fiery heat in Zhang Yang’s heart turned to ice in an instant, and his head no longer felt hot, only a chilling coldness remained, ”Did the Crown Prince mention anything?”

The young eunuch was somewhat taken aback, shaking his head, ”No, he did not.”

The young eunuch, with his head lowered, continued, ”The Emperor also had a message for Your Highness, telling you not to overreach and to always remember the face of the Royal family.”

Zhang Yang’s body turned instantly cold. His every move was known to his father the Emperor, even Zhou Shuren’s trap and that this was a lesson from his father the Emperor. Such is the Royal family, the most heartless place.

Zhang Yang, staggering a bit, turned and began leaving the government hall, step by step. Halfway through, snowflakes began to flutter down from the sky, and in the long corridor ahead, without another soul in sight, the Palace seemed even colder.

Zhang Yang quickened his pace as if a fierce beast was behind him, nearly running in flight.

Within the government hall, the Crown Prince looked up at his father several times, hesitating to speak.

The Emperor sensed it and said, ”Speak if you have something to say.”

The Crown Prince said, ”Father, do you think Zhou Shuren has sensed something? He handles the nuances too well.”

The Emperor lifted his head, ”Do you also feel that way?”

The Crown Prince nodded, ”Yes, with the real and fake princes being the center of everyone’s attention, Zhou Shuren never once inquired about it. Your son thought the minister was being too cautious, but ever since Zhang Yang entered the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren’s precision has been too accurate, which made your son feel something was not right.”

He wouldn’t disrupt the plan, nor would he fully enrage Zhang Yang—it’s not that easy to maintain such balance.

The Emperor remained silent for a moment, then cursed softly, ”Now that’s a real old fox, keeping himself out of the fray while still managing to guess quite a bit.”

The Crown Prince lowered his eyes, ”Father, how much do you think Zhou Shuren knows?”

The Emperor tossed down the zhezi in his hand, ”He could probably figure out quite a bit, but I estimate not much. His smartest move is to feign confusion while being aware.”

The Crown Prince chuckled, ”Your son also thinks so.”

Zhou Shuren found out in the afternoon that Zhang Yang had returned to The Prince Residence. The Emperor did not meet him, and the news spread quickly in the capital. Initially not too concerned, he soon stopped caring.

The next day, Ran Wan’s mother, Lady Liu, brought Ran Wan to the Zhulan’s home.

Lady Liu brought Ran Wan to pay respects, saying, ”These are the pear pastes your mother-in-law made for you.”

Zhulan had always loved pear paste back in Jinzhou Province, and this was personally made by Lady Ranqi. ”I was thinking I wouldn’t get any this year since I’m not in Jinzhou. Your mother-in-law is so thoughtful.”

Lady Liu replied, ”Mother-in-law said you would probably miss it, so she made extra this year and had me bring most of it to you.”

Zhulan smiled and asked Granny Song to take it down. She beckoned to Ran Wan, ”I received an invitation yesterday and thought of little Wan. How much prettier you’ve become in such a short time.”

Lady Liu, seeing that Lady Yang’s tone was sincere, smiled even wider, ”It’s not the big change you mention. You just haven’t seen her in too long.”

Zhulan embraced Ran Wan, ”You see her every day, so naturally you wouldn’t notice. At my age, I do not tell lies.”

Lady Liu was pleased, thinking the more Zhulan liked her daughter, the smoother Ran Wan’s future marriage into the family would be, ”Now that we will live in the capital, I’ll let Wanwan come to accompany you more often.”

Zhulan agreed, ”That would be lovely. Just make sure you don’t withhold her from visiting.”

”I will let her come.”

At that moment, Granny Song came in with a box. Zhulan received the box which contained the headdress prepared the day before. She opened it and handed it to Ran Wan, ”This new headdress has gemstones bestowed from the Palace. I’m giving it to little Wan today.”

Lady Liu’s eyes crinkled with joy, as the headdress was even finer than the one her young aunt had given. True to its origins from the Palace, the gemstones on the jewelry were indeed remarkable. She was very satisfied with how much the family valued her daughter, but still knew to show modesty, ”Auntie, this headdress is too precious.”

Ran Wan also hurriedly put down the box, ”Wanwan cannot accept this, lady, it’s too valuable.”

Zhulan held onto Ran Wan, ”If you don’t accept it, does that mean you don’t want to keep this old lady company?”

Ran Wan blinked and then picked up the box, ”Wanwan will accept it. When Wanwan visits without invitation, you must not send me away.”

”Oh my, listen to you! I would love for you to stay and accompany this old lady right now, but unfortunately, you’re still too young, and we must wait a few more years.”

Ran Wan’s face, which had remained calm, suddenly blushed, and she shyly lowered her head.