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

Chapter 880: Chapter 880 Bold Bad Boys

The next morning, Zhou Shuren, who had been angry all night, had already left early. During breakfast, Zhulan said to Chang Lian, ”Your father mentioned that Rongchuan won’t be coming over today. He said that for the painting appreciation you two had arranged, you should take the painting to Ning Duke Residence to be appraised.”

Chang Lian, ”...Mother, have I missed something?”

When we were eating the roasted lamb last night, Father knew about it. He even said he would write an appreciation piece for Father to review when he returns!

Zhulan thought to herself, because someone couldn’t control their hands, Zhou Shuren simply decided to help control the feet, ”You should ask Rongchuan about it!”

She knew very well that Rongchuan wouldn’t dare to say why, or he would be beaten.

Chang Lian was extremely curious inside, but since his mother wouldn’t tell him, he could only suppress his curiosity and decided to ask Rongchuan when he went to Ning Duke Residence later.

Xue Han’s ears were bright red, and she almost couldn’t swallow the porridge in her bowl. She couldn’t bear to think about last night when her parents had caught them. She just couldn’t think about it anymore.

At Ning Duke Residence, Rongchuan was eating his breakfast with a look of utter dejection, hanging his head low and looking lifeless.

Ning Xu raised an eyebrow, ”Were you bullied? Don’t hesitate to tell your father, I’ll avenge you.”

Just because he had been keeping to himself in the capital didn’t mean he was easy to bully.

Rongchuan lifted his head with a look that said ’you’re not capable’, then lowered his head and continued gnawing on his steamed bun. The delicious bun now tasted bland. He had been looking forward to his days off for a long time, and he’d even planned it with Xue Han. They were supposed to stay in the residence in the morning and then take Xue Han out on the streets in the afternoon. He had reserved a lantern at the store, a Liu Li lantern, all prepared to surprise Xue Han!

Ning Xu, ”...Son, are you underestimating your father here?”

If it really came down to it, there was always the Emperor!

Rongchuan put down his chopsticks, ”Father, Uncle Zhou wouldn’t let me through his door.”

Ning Xu grew curious, ”Why so?”

Zhou Shuren treated Rongchuan as well as if he were his own son; why would he refuse Rongchuan entry?

Rongchuan fidgeted with his chopstick-holding hand, unable to help but glance at his right hand, blaming it for having a mind of its own, and whispered the events of the previous night, ”That’s what happened. Uncle only left a single sentence before he departed.”

Ning Xu coughed, looking down to continue eating, ”I was already in the wrong, and Zhou Shuren can be a bit too intimidating. Sometimes, even I get scared.”

Rongchuan looked in disbelief at his father, who acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing, ”So this is what you’re really like, Father. You said just now you would help me.”

Ning Xu was truly heartbroken, ”I do want to help you, but son, you’re seriously underestimating your Uncle Zhou’s capabilities.”

He knew too much. Zhou Shuren had already replaced Minister Xiao in playing Tai Chi with the various departments—and playing it well at that. He’d managed to prevent anyone from getting the better of him and had even indirectly conveyed some of the Ministry of Revenue’s new regulations and changes.

His father had analyzed Zhou Shuren extensively and had regretfully remarked that if Zhou Shuren had joined the Emperor’s rebellion earlier, the conflict wouldn’t have lasted so long. His father rated Zhou Shuren very highly.

Of course, his own appreciation for Zhou Shuren was also great. Zhou Shuren had proven himself in the capital within half a year and had established his place in the court. Otherwise, those old foxes wouldn’t have bothered with Zhou Shuren at all.

Rongchuan smiled, ”Yes, Uncle Zhou is particularly formidable.”

Ning Xu choked on his words. It hurt to hear his son praise another person in his presence—especially with that little look in his eye. He could get jealous, you know.

At Yao Duke Residence, Yao Wenqi was very much on top of every move Zhang Yang made. Zhang Yang had requested Shi Qing’s presence yesterday and even sent Shi Qing quite a few gifts.

Yao Wenqi had reservations about his son-in-law, with his status being the aspect he looked down upon the most, and he also suspected that Shi Qing might be one of the Emperor’s men.

Now that the usually quiet Shi Qing had once again emerged, Yao Wenqi couldn’t help but take him seriously. He had only met his son-in-law a few times, and due to Shi Qing’s background, his personality was exceedingly cold.

But in the end, he was his son-in-law. Now feeling somewhat indecisive, Yao Wenqi realized that courting Shi Qing was a risky move.

In Shi Qing’s residence, Yao Yao caressed her belly and gestured for all the maids to leave. She sat leaning against the chair, contemplating her husband’s actions; he brought home far too many gifts last night.

She was terrified. This Prince, she truly did not want her husband to be involved with. Trouble meant danger, and moreover, the Shi residence had earlier sent some food and items to Zhang Jinghong. Considering that the Prince already despised Zhang Jinghong, wouldn’t he hold a grudge?

Her husband gestured for her to stay calm and focus on her pregnancy, but she couldn’t settle down, thinking perhaps too much. The child inside her seemed unhappy, kicking fiercely. Yao Yao, left with no choice, spoke with deep affection, ”You’re such a naughty child, don’t bully mommy.”

In Zhou Residence, Xue Han had finished eating but hadn’t left, dutifully helping to sort threads for over half an hour.

Zhulan quite enjoyed her daughter’s company, but found it dull when she remained silent. She was quite nosy, wondering if Rongchuan had failed to win over her daughter last night, and if he had ever succeeded before.

Xue Han felt her mother’s constant gaze and blushed, ”Mother, please stop staring at your daughter.”

Zhulan put down the threads she had sorted, ”Fine, I won’t look at you. So, tell me, why have you been staying beside me all this time? What are you up to?”

Xue Han’s timing with the embroidery thread was becoming tangled, and Zhulan quickly took it from her, ”This color thread isn’t easy to find, I only have so much left.”

After some thought, Xue Han finally said, ”Mother, I want to go out this afternoon.”

Zhulan untangled the thread, ”Go ahead, just remember to take several young servants with you.”

Xue Han, taken aback that her mother agreed without asking anything, blurted out, ”Mother, Father won’t let Rongchuan inside.”

Zhulan blinked, ”But he hasn’t stopped you from going out.”

Xue Han smiled sweetly and hugged her mother, ”Thank you, Mother.”

Zhulan gestured for her daughter to let go quickly, as the girl’s excited strength was a bit too much for her to handle, and she almost ran out of breath, ”However, if he tries to hold your hand, Mother hopes you’ll beat him.”

Yes, she wasn’t as angry as Zhou Shuren, but still wanted to discipline Rongchuan a bit. That boy was bolder now than he used to be.

Xue Han’s face turned crimson, ”Mother.”

Zhulan waved her hand, ”Go on now, don’t keep me from my embroidery.”

Indeed, Zhulan wanted to embroider a painting, her own drawing at that. It was a gift for Zhou Shuren’s birthday next year. Having arrived in the ancient era, she was thrilled to have discovered her skill in embroidery.

In the Zhou family village, Xue Mei was enraged first thing in the morning. Just by turning her back for a moment, the twins had run off, taking her small parcel with them.

Xue Mei’s mother-in-law and father-in-law were terrified and had already gone out to search.

Xue Mei was both angry and anxious; she had no idea where the twins could have gone. They had seemed to be behaving well for a few days, and she thought she could finally relax, but now, the twins were evidently harboring plans to run away from home.

When Jiang Sheng saw his disheveled wife, he knew his sons were missing, and his scalp turned numb with panic. He hurried so much he nearly fell.

Xue Mei feared the worst, terrified of what might happen. Tears streamed down her face. The two little rascals had been troublemakers since they were little.