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

Chapter 876: Chapter 876 Consultation

The Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren looked at Zhang Yang, who was serving tea, with surprise. Zhang Yang was actually pulling a long face to show him respect with tea.

Zhang Yang felt awkward inside. Although he didn’t want to admit it, Zhou Shuren truly had exceptional abilities. Today’s rewards for the Ministry of Revenue were all due to Zhou Shuren’s connections. He had also seen Zhou Shuren managing spreadsheets before, at that time he had scoffed at him in his heart. Now his face really hurt.

Zhang Yang knew that the Grand Master of Writing would avoid interaction if possible, and officials such as doctors were extremely cautious around him, not daring to utter an extra word. If he wanted to learn anything, he would have to butter up Zhou Shuren, ”Sir, I genuinely seek instruction; please teach me more.”

Zhou Shuren didn’t take the tea, as it was not something he could accept, ”Your Highness already has esteemed teachers to guide you; I am not qualified. Please go back.”

Zhang Yang stood still, holding the cup of tea still, ”Sir, I know there have been some unpleasantness between us in the past, but I hope you can be magnanimous.”

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow. If he didn’t accept, it meant he was small-minded, right? But indeed, he was somewhat petty, ”Your Highness is worried unnecessarily. I have never known of any unpleasantness between Your Highness and myself. Please.”

Zhang Yang pursed his lips, knowing full well that Zhou Shuren would not change his mind, and put down the tea cup, ”I won’t give up.”

Zhou Shuren watched Zhang Yang leave, stroking his beard out of habit. He was curious to see how long Zhang Yang would persist.

Zhou Shuren had again become the center of attention; Zhulan received a good number of invitations as a result.

After Zhulan had attended the banquets she was obliged to, before she knew it, seven days had passed, and Wu Ming’s reply had also arrived. Because it was a multiple-choice question, Wu Ming was willing to get married, but it would have to wait until he came to the capital.

Zhulan got a definitive reply and needed to send a message back to Lady Bai. Since Wu Ming was not in the capital, even if they were to go through the process of engagement, it would also have to wait until he came to the capital.

Now that both families were in touch, it could be considered a private agreement beforehand.

Lady Bai’s response was an invitation. The Song family had prepared a banquet. Zhulan knew that this was them inviting her to take a look at the Song family’s young lady, and also for Zhulan to get an idea.

Zhulan showed Zhou Shuren the invitation, ”The Song family is very confident in their own daughter.”

Zhou Shuren, who was shelling pine nuts, dropped the shells and said, ”Because the Song family has a solid foundation, you’ve also checked; the evaluation of the Song family’s young lady in the capital, whether she is married or not, is very high.”

”The Song family places tremendous emphasis on upbringing.”

Zhou Shuren, ”Taking a wise wife benefits three generations, marrying a troublesome one is the start of ruin. This marriage alliance is to unite two families in friendship, not to create enemies. A daughter well brought up is truly clever.”

Zhulan took the shelled pine kernel that Zhou Shuren had peeled and ate it, ”I must say, the freshly roasted ones today are quite fragrant.”

”It’s getting late; let’s rest.”

Zhulan wiped her hands with a handkerchief, ”Alright.”

That night, Zhulan did not sleep well. She had overeaten the night before, and her stomach was uncomfortably bloated. When Zhou Shuren got up, she also woke up groggily.

Zhou Shuren changed his clothes, ”I think you should exercise more. Since winter has begun, you’ve been cooped up in the house.”

Zhulan lay in bed without moving, ”I’m used to being pampered, and in this freezing cold, I really don’t want to move. If it’s not for some obligatory socializing, I don’t even want to step out of the door.”

Zhou Shuren tugged at the corner of his mouth, ”Wife, I’ve been wanting to say, it’s not just double chins anymore.”

His wife had really become plump, and while she was comfortable to hold at night, he truly hoped his wife would exercise more, for being too fat was not good for her health.

Zhulan touched her own chin, which felt quite meaty. Her expression changed. Since she knew she couldn’t slim down, she had completely let herself go. In this ancient era, there were few pleasures; most of the time, she kept her granddaughter company, embroidered a bit, then read or slept.

Zhulan pinched her stomach again. Right, the days were getting better, and she hadn’t skimped on food in winter. She’d gained several layers of fat on her stomach. She pulled up the quilt over her head; she had let herself go too much.

Zhou Shuren chuckled softly, ”Actually, being a bit fatter is fine, just don’t become like Eldest Son’s wife. That would be a burden on the body.”

Zhulan suddenly sat up, ”No, I absolutely can’t let myself go like that. I will get out more.”

Zhou Shuren bowed and kissed his wife’s forehead, ”You sleep a little more, I’ll go ahead.”

Zhulan took the handkerchief from under the pillow and waved it, ”My spirit goes with you.”

Zhou Shuren looked at his wife who had lain down again, and listened to the sound of the cold wind outside the window, his heart was heavy, he didn’t want to leave the warmth of the bed either.

At the early morning court, the confiscation of the Jianghuai family’s property was already concluded, and preparations to set off back to the capital were underway, with truly remarkable speed.

Zhou Shuren calculated the days, in a little while, the Ministry of Revenue would be busy as a dog again, his eyes on the Emperor, who still owed him a reward.

The Emperor understood Zhou Shuren’s gaze and averted his own, he remembered, he really did.

Zhou Shuren watched as the officials who wanted to talk about Zhang Jinghong ran out of steam, and those who had been excited in the previous days now had completely lost their voices. With time, most had recognized the Emperor’s stance; if he had wanted Zhang Jinghong’s life, it would have been dealt with long ago.

Now everyone had calmed down, even those with hatred kept silent.

After the early morning court, Zhou Shuren looked at the Minister of Personnel, Grand Master Wang, who stood beside him, ”Grand Master, do you have any matters to discuss?”

This was the first time Grand Master Wang wanted to walk with him.

Grand Master Wang did not answer, but instead said, ”The assessment at the Ministry of Revenue has concluded.”

Zhou Shuren lowered his eyelids, ”I am aware.”

Grand Master Wang said softly, ”Grand Master Zhou, I have always admired you.”

He wasn’t lying; Zhou Shuren’s quick progress into the capital was his own doing, and standing firm in the capital was also something Zhou Shuren had achieved on his own. Watching Zhou Shuren’s smooth sailing, he knew the difficulties and challenges were numerous.

In the last half-year, Zhou Shuren had done so many things, and he had seen it all. It was just a pity that the Zhou family could no longer have outstanding marital relations, otherwise, he really would have liked to establish a connection.

Zhou Shuren replied respectfully, ”Grand Master Wang is the person I admire.”

The position of Minister of Personnel was truly not one just anyone could hold; Grand Master Wang was indeed formidable.

Grand Master Wang smiled, ”Congratulations on achieving your desire, I will take my leave first.”

Even saying these few words was not easy; he could not afford to be seen as too close to Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren’s steps faltered briefly, Grand Master Wang’s implication was clear, Wong Ju would be transferred to the capital next year. In the eyes of these crafty old foxes, they all knew his movements, but it was still a happy affair.

At the Zhou family residence, today was the Academy’s day of rest, and the breakfast had just ended when Ran Wan and Ran Xun arrived together.

Zhulan looked at Ran Wan’s blushing face, her eyes filled with more laughter. The young girl had specially chosen a day of rest, and it was to see her betrothed.

Zhulan winked at Yushuang, who stood up and took Ran Wan’s hand, ”Let’s go for a walk outside, it’s snowing, and the garden looks quite lovely.”

Yu Lu also stood up with a smile, ”I’ve heard about your excellent skills on the zither, I would love to learn from you.”

Yu Die tilted her head, thinking, then said, ”Grandmother, I want to go too.”

Zhulan replied, ”Good, good, all of you go, just be sure to watch the time and not stay outside for too long.”

Yu Die nodded her head, ”Die’er will remember.”

Yu Yi, unwilling to move, sat on the small heated bed holding walnuts, ”Grandmother, I don’t want to go.”