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

Chapter 879: Chapter 879 Rongchuan’s Psychological Shadow

Hanlin Academy, Chang Lian bowed his head, and Lv Liang approached, ”I’ve heard that Shi Qing and the Fifth Prince have been rather close these past few days.”

Chang Lian genuinely didn’t care about Zhang Yang, since Zhang Yang was in his father’s hands. With his father present, Zhang Yang certainly had no time to trouble him, and in his heart, he snorted, ”Dare to bully me, I shall complain just like Rongchuan did.”

Lv Liang did not get a response, and discontent showed in his eyes. He used to have a decent relationship with Chang Lian, but after the last incident, it was clear that Chang Lian didn’t want to let it go, no matter how much he tried to make amends.

Chang Lian was not one to hold petty grudges, but he had never liked Lv Liang to begin with. However, since they had entered the Hanlin Academy together and Lv Liang always followed him, Chang Lian maintained a courteous relationship, even if he did not like it. He did not want to spread rumors of his arrogance, as that would not be good for his father’s reputation either.

Now that Lv Liang had distanced himself, Chang Lian was truly pleased, as someone whose ties had been happily cut could not just reattach themselves so easily.

Lv Liang, with pursed lips, returned to his own place. He had truly lost his wife and soldiers, and these days Chang Lian’s attitude had made it clear that he felt he might be the one left isolated.

In the evening, on his way home, Chang Lian saw Shi Qing, but he was waiting for Rongchuan. Today, his mother said they would have roasted whole lamb for dinner, and Rongchuan was going to come with them for the meal.

As Chang Lian and Rongchuan left the entrance of the Hanlin Academy, they saw Shi Qing getting into Zhang Yang’s carriage.

Zhang Yang was seated in the carriage, and Chang Lian had thought he would just leave, but to his surprise, Zhang Yang got out of the carriage.

Zhang Yang approached Chang Lian, ”I’ve been too concerned about targeting you in the past, I apologize. Let’s turn over a new leaf from now on.”

Chang Lian doubted whether the Zhang Yang before him was an imposter. Could these really be Zhang Yang’s words? That look in his eyes wasn’t faked, and he was somewhat shocked, ”Your Highness, I have never felt what you are referring to.”

Zhang Yang thought to himself, he had been foolish before, never really studying Zhou Changlian but only noticing his family background. Now, listening to Zhou Changlian’s words and seeing his expressions, he almost doubted his own grudge against Zhou Changlian was imagined. He tugged at the corner of his mouth, ”Well, that’s good. Shall we have a meal together?”

Chang Lian politely declined, ”I’ve already promised to go back home for dinner with my mother.”

Zhang Yang wasn’t really interested in treating him to a meal; his intention today was to win over Shi Qing, ”Then, maybe some other time?”

Zhou Changlian smiled, ”Sure.”

Many people were standing at the entrance of the Hanlin Academy, all from the Academy. They too were taken aback. What was going on?

Chang Lian took Rongchuan onto the carriage, and once they were a distance away, Chang Lian had to admit, ”Zhang Yang has truly grown a lot.”

Rongchuan, ”He’s becoming more and more like a Prince, today’s apology seemed very sincere.”

Chang Lian was pleased, ”That’s a good thing, it’s good to become smarter.”

He enjoyed dealing with smart people; dealing with fools could sometimes be infuriating.

Aboard Zhang Yang’s carriage, Zhang Yang remarked solemnly, ”I must admire Lord Zhou.”

Shi Qing’s interactions with Zhang Yang were mission-focused; he had to gain Zhang Yang’s complete trust, ”Why do you say that?”

Zhang Yang exclaimed, ”Lord Zhou knows how to educate his children.”

Zhou Changlian’s true thoughts were too well concealed, his look earlier had been so sincere that Zhang Yang almost believed it. But he knew that Lord Zhou’s son could not possibly be unresentful!

Shi Qing also sighed; if he had a father like Lord Zhou, he would surely be more formidable than Chang Lian. Unfortunately, he did not have the ability to choose his birth, and even to have Lord Zhou as a mentor was a blessing he lacked. Still, he considered himself somewhat fortunate—after all, the Emperor had allowed him to learn from Lord Zhou.

The days under Lord Zhou’s tutelage left the deepest memories and had the most profound impact on him.

At the Zhou residence, the whole lamb was almost ready, and Zhulan, who had been hungry early on, was just waiting for the meal to start.

Zhou Shuren looked at his wife’s belly, which was starting to bulge, ”Is our diet too rich?”

This winter, vegetables were still scarce, and even though they could extravagantly transport vegetables from Jiangnan, most of the food consumed was still fish and meat. Throughout the winter, the Zhou family had used up quite a bit of lamb, which was highly nourishing!

Zhulan was hungry, ”It’s all right, our family doesn’t eat complicated dishes. Although it’s rich in meat and fish, we never waste.”

She had attended many banquets and seen a variety of dishes. Don’t assume that ancient cuisine was simple, modern delicacies are also inherited from the past, especially the meals of the noble families, which were very complex.

The Zhou family truly never wasted for the sake of a single dish, except during banquets, their everyday meals were rather straightforward.

Zhou Shuren smelled the roasted lamb and found it even more aromatic, ”Why haven’t those two rascals come back yet?”

He, the Vice Minister of Revenue, hmm, now rightfully the Vice Minister of Revenue, not the acting third-rank official, but a bona fide Third Rank official—he had been busy with a multitude of tasks at the Ministry of Revenue, yet he had come home early.

No sooner had he finished speaking than the steward arrived; Chang Lian and Rongchuan were home. Zhou Shuren told them there was no need to change out of their official robes, and to come and eat instead.

After all, the Hanlin Academy was closed for the day tomorrow; if the official robes got dirty, just wash them.

When Chang Lian and Rongchuan arrived, Chang Lian circled the roasted whole sheep, ”The cooking today is really well done.”

Rongchuan had already sat down. Although he would rather be by Xue Han’s side, he dared not act recklessly in front of his uncle and aunt despite his feet itching to do so.

A single sheep was nothing for the young men of the Zhou family; they still needed to add roasted rabbits and such to have enough for the meal.

After dinner, Chang Lian saw his father leading his mother out for a walk and immediately followed, ”Father, Mother.”

Zhou Shuren was quite disdainful, ”Didn’t you see that your elder brother and the others had the good sense to go back?”

Chang Lian stiffened. The old man was clearly annoyed that he was interrupting his parents’ quality time. At his age, it had been a long time since he’d seen his parents so affectionate with each other, and he was somewhat unaccustomed, ”Father, I just want to say a few words.”

”Hmm.”

Chang Lian brought up the matter about Zhang Yang and then mentioned Shi Qing, ”Father, Shi Qing is getting quite close to the fifth Prince.”

He had always been wary of Zhang Yang, so he hoped Shi Qing would keep his distance. Shi Qing was one of the few good friends he had, as was Meng Jie, but Meng Jie was preoccupied with his studies, and now he couldn’t even meet him. His master had taken Meng Jie on a learning journey, and he wouldn’t be returning even for the New Year.

He valued his few friends greatly and hoped his father would say a word or two. Shi Qing would definitely listen—whether his father admitted it or not, in Shi Qing’s heart, his father was also a mentor.

Zhou Shuren really didn’t know this news. The Emperor had used Shi Qing to get close to Zhang Yang before, and now continuing this move was indeed a good strategy.

Chang Lian asked, ”Father, did you hear what your son just said?”

Zhou Shuren, holding his wife’s hand, turned and walked away, leaving only one sentence, ”Son, I didn’t want to bring it up originally, but since you care about Shi Qing, I’ll mention it—Shi Qing’s situation is complicated.”

Chang Lian froze. His father certainly knew something, no, he must have guessed something, and that’s why he was giving a hint. Watching his parents walk further away, Chang Lian headed to his own courtyard, pondering. He hadn’t figured anything out; that was the difference. All he felt now was based on intuition, intuition that his father had gradually helped him develop. So if he wanted to catch up with his father, he had a long way to go.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren carried a lantern, not letting anyone follow them, and walked through the snow.

Zhulan said, ”I thought you wouldn’t remind Chang Lian so soon.”

By reminding him, Chang Lian would know more, and the pressure would be greater.

Zhou Shuren still said with a hint of pride, ”He has done well, and I look forward to him doing even better in the future.”

Zhulan heard a noise and gestured for Zhou Shuren to be quiet. They approached and saw Rongchuan hadn’t left; he was still talking with Xue Han, while the old lady and the Maid didn’t stray too far away.

Just as Rongchuan was about to secretly hold the girl’s hand, Zhou Shuren cleared his throat decisively, ”Ahem.”

Zhulan, ”....”