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

Chapter 886: Chapter 886 Have You Heard Any News?

Yao Xin’s heart was very apprehensive; she had been prepared not to be allowed into the residence today. There was a bit of excitement in her eyes, and Lady Yang spoke very gently, ”Hello, I have always wanted to meet you too, just never had the chance.”

That was the truth; she had really wanted to meet the wife of Grand Master Zhou. During her time confined at home, her husband often mentioned Grand Master Zhou, with a tone of clear admiration.

Yesterday, her husband went to the Ministry of Revenue to report for duty because he was learning from Grand Master Zhou. He was excited all of last night; she boldly decided to visit today. As to why she didn’t send a visiting card, she was afraid of rejection. Without a visiting card, it was a bit abrupt, but it was an opportunity.

Zhulan chuckled lightly. ”I’ve been hearing about you these days.”

Yao Xin got curious. ”What have you heard about me?”

Zhulan’s eyes curved. ”What I heard is about Miss Yao, who ’stands by her man.’ A lot of people were talking when the Zhang residence let go of their servants a while back.”

Yao Xin felt a bit embarrassed—’stands by her man,’ she liked this phrase, but she wanted more and didn’t know if she would get what she desired. ”Being the subject of gossip is also an honor for me.”

Zhulan nodded inwardly. This was open-mindedness; only someone emotionally clear-headed could live a better life. Yao Xin was not yet twenty, but she had already faced several twists and turns in life. Now that she had overcome her difficulties and elevated her mind, her future looked promising.

Old Madam Song came in, and Zhulan saw her nod, indicating that she understood.

Yao Xin thought Lady Yang had matters to attend to, her face flushing red. ”I am sorry for the sudden interruption, I shall leave now and come visit another day.”

Zhulan saw through Yao Xin’s thoughts clearly and nodded, ”Okay.”

Yao Xin felt joyful inside; Lady Yang had agreed, and she could come to visit often now.

God knows that after the ban was lifted, she truly had nowhere to go. Even after the ban, she was unwelcome, all because her husband’s identity was too sensitive. As for visiting the Shi residence, she would not step foot there, not even one step.

Yao Xin stood up, ”Then I will take my leave now.”

Zhulan gestured for Old Madam Song to see the guest out; with her standing, there was no need for her to get up to accompany the guest.

Yao Xin walked out of the Zhou residence with a light step, got into the carriage and touched her belly. She didn’t go to Yao Yao’s house for another reason—she didn’t want to see Yao Yao’s pregnant belly.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren watched Zhang Jinghong, who after receiving his guidance, correctly mapped out the chart lines. Seeing Zhang Jinghong’s hopeful look, he nearly said with a face wishing for praise, ”That’s not bad, you’re quite talented.”

He had taught some doctors and heads before, but few could grasp the concepts as quickly and accurately as this; it was a matter of talent.

Zhang Jinghong grinned, after receiving guidance, all he had in mind was to do well; this was his chance, and he had to seize it, ”It is all thanks to your Excellency’s grace.”

Zhou Shuren put down the charts, gauging Zhang Jinghong. If used well, he really could lighten his burden. Wong Ju would leave after a year, perfect timing—as Zhang Jinghong would be able to gain experience, and he wouldn’t need to rack his brains looking for someone else.

Zhou Shuren said, ”You continue drawing, finish mapping out the rest.”

”Yes.”

Zhou Shuren was about to meet the Grand Master of Writing. At the Ministry of Revenue, as he was granted more power by the Grand Master of Writing, he subtly changed some details, making the Ministry’s officials follow his pace, which had indeed increased efficiency.

Zhou Shuren had just left when Zhang Yang came in. Zhang Jinghong was so focused on his drawing that he hadn’t heard the noise. Only when he noticed the light dimming did he become aware of the presence.

Zhang Jinghong quickly stood up, ”I’ve seen Your Highness.”

Zhang Yang was seething inside. Zhou Shuren would rather teach a remnant of the former dynasty than him. Zhang Jinghong had only been at the Ministry for a day—what gave him the right? He reached out, grabbed the charts and, as if by accident, tore them, ”I couldn’t control my strength.”

Zhang Jinghong tried to take them, but the Fifth Prince dropped them on the floor. The snow had just fallen outside, and the melted snow from his shoes had wet the papers—the charts were spoiled.

Zhang Yang ah’d in surprise, ”I tried to avoid stepping on it, but I didn’t expect to step on it. You’ll have to redraw it now.”

Zhang Jinghong told himself to endure; this was practice for the mind. He had been prepared for this, ”Your servant will draw it again.”

Zhang Yang was annoyed. He wasn’t satisfied with Zhang Jinghong’s reaction; it made him feel as if saying something more would be villainous, ”Hmm.”

Zhang Jingyang didn’t expect to encounter such a spectacle upon his arrival. ”Little brother, you ought to be more magnanimous. Father Emperor has already pardoned Zhang Jinghong; do you want to sing a different tune from Father Emperor?”

Zhang Yang looked up; his second brother didn’t like him, not just because of political alliances, but a direct dislike. They had met a few times recently; every time, Second Brother either jibed at him or ignored him.

Zhang Yang pursed his lips, ”I’ve seen Second Brother.”

Zhang Jingyang hummed with laughter, ”Now you call me Second Brother. The previous times we met, you didn’t even glance at me, always ignoring me.”

Zhang Yang’s eyes widened; if ’counter-blaming’ had a definition, it described Zhang Jingyang perfectly. He forced a smile, ”My apologies to Second Brother.”

”I can’t accept the apologies of the Fifth Prince. You are the darling of Father Emperor and the Crown Prince. I hope the Fifth Prince can be more forgiving in the future.”

Zhou Shuren stood behind the Second Prince and listened; these words were full of irony, and the Second Prince’s skills at mockery had leveled up again.

Zhou Shuren didn’t want to stand outside; the snow was falling heavier. ”I’ve seen Second Prince.”

Zhang Jingyang turned around; he had already heard the noise. The guards made no sound, so he knew who it was, ”The snow is getting heavy, Grand Master Zhou, let’s move inside.”

Zhou Shuren, ”After you, Your Highness.”

Zhang Jingyang cheerfully entered the room. He hadn’t come to the Ministry of Revenue since he had been swindled by them. He was here this time to see Zhang Jinghong—ahem, because he had heard that Zhou Shuren was personally guiding Zhang Jinghong, so he decided to come over.

Zhang Jinghong had already picked up the charts from the floor and said nothing. He carefully placed them on the table; he knew he didn’t need to speak, for Grand Master Zhou had seen it all.

Zhang Yang couldn’t stay any longer; the room made him feel suffocated, and the Second Prince was always sarcastically mocking him, regardless of the occasion. He also wanted to save face in front of Zhou Shuren, ”I have other matters.”

With that, he lifted his feet and left.

Zhang Jingyang narrowed his eyes, then surveyed the room. The room was spacious, mainly filled with the Ministry’s records. He pulled over a chair and sat down, ”Grand Master Zhou.”

Zhou Shuren set aside the documents the Grand Master of Writing had given him and looked up, ”What would Your Highness like to discuss?”

Zhang Jingyang, ”Has Your Excellency heard anything?”

Zhou Shuren drew circles in his mind, ”This official doesn’t understand what Your Highness is referring to.”

Zhang Jingyang gave some hints, ”Your Excellency stayed in the palace quite a while before coming out today, really haven’t heard anything?”

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, now understanding what Zhang Jingyang was asking about, but he couldn’t reveal it, ”This official only reported on the Ministry’s affairs and didn’t hear anything else.”

Of course, besides reporting, he also heard some other things in the palace, but they were about the common people—the Ministry of Revenue had a surfeit of silver, the Emperor desired to build roads, questions regarding next year’s agricultural taxes, and so on.