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

Chapter 912: Chapter 912: Heart-to-Heart Connection

Because Zhulan helped purchase the residence, Xue Mei and her mother chatted for a while before she returned, as she had many matters to attend to. First, she needed to have the steward send the luggage that she had brought over to the new home, and she also wanted to visit the residence with her husband.

Zhulan didn’t accompany them, mainly because her granddaughter was especially clingy to her. Yu Die liked to stay in the main compound whenever her father was away on long trips, and Yu Yi, since Lady Dong’s energy was not the best during this pregnancy, found it somewhat difficult to handle Yu Yi. With Lady Dong lacking the energy and Yu Die and Yu Yi being as close as twins, the young ladies preferred to stay in the main compound.

Xue Mei and her husband arrived at the small courtyard by carriage, the keys in Xue Mei’s hands. All the paint on the front gate was freshly applied. She unlocked the front gate and handed the keys to her husband, ”From now on, this will be our home.”

The keys felt heavy in Jiang Sheng’s hand—a bunch of them, which showed that all the rooms in the courtyard were locked.

Jiang Sheng was very much looking forward to the new home. Had it been his wife’s dowry, he wouldn’t have been so eager, but this residence was bought with the Silver accumulated by his family, and he walked inside filled with anticipation.

The courtyard was not very large, but Jiang Sheng liked it very much, ”Mother-in-law has taken great pains.”

Xue Mei had already opened all the rooms. The furniture inside was all new. After making a round, she realized she didn’t need to add anything; she felt full of joy, ”It’s getting late; let’s return.”

Jiang Sheng was already fantasizing about their future life but then, ”I, never mind, let’s go back.”

Xue Mei turned her head, ”What were you going to say?”

Jiang Sheng felt a little embarrassed, ”I was thinking of Jiang Zhu. At this hour, he hasn’t finished school yet, and I wanted to go pick him up.”

A feeling stirred in Xue Mei’s heart, but then she shook her head, ”Let’s not, your parents are waiting for us to return.”

When Jiang Sheng thought of his parents, he remembered how timid they had been since entering the Jiang family’s home, especially his mother’s actions in the early years, which had left her constantly uneasy. His parents needed him and Xue Mei’s company. Jiang Sheng gripped his wife’s hand tightly; he felt he must have accumulated merits for several lifetimes to have married Xue Mei.

Not long after Xue Mei returned, the children from the Academy finished their classes.

By the time Xue Mei received the message, her eldest son had already arrived in the courtyard. She looked at her son with a smile; back in their old home, he had been a little scholar, but now he was a young master.

Jiang Sheng was somewhat relieved too; his son had changed, but he was proud of it.

The elder Jiang couple didn’t dare to approach, staring wide-eyed, trying to find the shadow of their former grandson, but unfortunately, they failed. Jiang Zhu had changed too much. Dressed as a young master, the old couple didn’t dare to reach out to him.

Jiang Zhu was happy. His maternal grandparents’ home was lovely, but he preferred living in his own home, ”Grandpa, Grandma, Father, Mother.”

Jiang Sheng patted his eldest son on the shoulder, ”Good, good.”

Beyond good, he really could not think of anything else to say.

Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren was thinking about his daughter who had gone to the capital and made a special request to leave work early to the Grand Master of Writing. But just as he exited the Main gate of the Ministry of Revenue and saw the carriage waiting outside, he realized he couldn’t go home early after all.

Zhou Shuren had a deep impression of this carriage and proceeded towards it with proper decorum. One corner of the carriage curtain was drawn, and the person inside said to Zhou Shuren, ”Get on.”

Zhou Shuren signaled his own carriage and advisers to follow and boarded the carriage himself, ”Your servant greets the Emperor, greets the Crown Prince.”

The Emperor thought he was dressed warmly enough for the slowly approaching spring, with the piercing cold winds, but it turns out Zhou Shuren was dressed even more warmly, his cloak thick and heavy. He had seen clearly just before; had it not been for someone pushing from behind, Zhou Shuren would have struggled to get into the carriage, ”It seems your official robe is a bit small.”

Zhou Shuren twisted his body a little, ”This servant was thinking the same.”

The Emperor snorted, daring to answer, ”You and I have a connection, indeed. Just as I arrived at the entrance to the Ministry of Revenue, out you came.”

Zhou Shuren was speechless; who would want to have a tacit understanding with you, ”My eldest daughter has already arrived in the capital, and both the Grand Master of Writing and I asked for leave to come early.”

So, it wasn’t that he was rash in leaving early; he had asked for leave.

After hearing this, the Emperor thought of the news he had had investigated, and his gaze towards Zhou Shuren softened even more, indeed a bringer of fortune, for he really did uncover quite a bit of information, ”I was just coming out for a stroll, to have a walk around. Speaking of which, I have never been to your residence before.”

Zhou Shuren sneered, knowing that the Emperor had only visited the residences of few ministers. Talking about casual strolling at such a critical moment, whom are you trying to fool? And wanting to visit his home. Yet he couldn’t help but admire the Emperor’s skill at diverting attention, ”The residence was a gift bestowed by the Emperor.”

The Emperor said with a smile, ”Then let’s go and have a look at your residence.”

Zhou Shuren’s face bore a smile. Even though he knew the Emperor’s intentions were not pure, he had to smile and cooperate—who else but the top of the food chain was before him? ”Yes.”

The Emperor’s carriage was no secret. Incognito visits? Please, the Emperor was the one who cherished life the most. Even if he traveled modestly, there were always quite a few people following him, so once the Emperor left the Palace, those who needed to know would know.

When the Second Prince received the news, he said to the strategist he kept, ”Zhou Shuren weighs more in Father Emperor’s heart than I imagined.”

The strategist expressed extreme admiration for Master Zhou, ”Master Zhou also has the ability to be valued.”

The Second Prince, Zhang Jingyang, also admitted this. Talking about the blind guessing game before the New Year’s, he was also a beneficiary. Although it was troublesome to apply at the Ministry of Revenue, once approved, the shop under him that had always been losing money, was now earning profits again.

And it wasn’t just him, even the Third Prince, the Fourth Prince, and others had made quite a bit of silver, not to mention spurring consumption in the capital. The Ministry of Revenue also collected a sizable amount of taxes.

The Third Prince was frustrated. He had tried to win over Zhou Shuren more than once. Clearly, Zhou Shuren was quite fond of silver, but for some reason, he was unmoved by the silver he offered.

The Fourth Prince was confident. Everyone knew that Zhou Shuren’s godson was coming to the capital, to enter the Ministry of Rites. He was not worried. The more the Emperor valued Zhou Shuren, the happier he was.

At the Zhou residence, Jingyan, realizing the carriage was heading to his home, had already ridden ahead on horseback to return to the residence first.

Zhulan got the message and, unsure if the Emperor would stay for a meal, told the old housekeeper Song, ”Have the kitchen prepare some extra dishes.”

Upon further thought, she added, ”Prepare some light dishes.”

She had heard plenty about the court affairs and gauged that the Emperor must be feeling quite cross. It was better to opt for something lighter.

Xue Mei was stunned, holding her child, while Xue Han remained composed, ”Mother, big sister and I will head back first.”

When Xue Mei spoke up, Lady Li and Zhao Shi also came back to their senses. Lady Li’s hands were trembling—it was the Emperor, the Emperor coming to their house. ”Mother, I — we will head back first as well.”

Zhulan nodded, ”Yes, you all go back.”

She also needed to change into a different outfit. Bearing a rank herself, who knew if the Emperor would meet her? Although there was no need to don a decree robe, she still had to change into something more formal.

In the end, only Zhulan was left in the once-buzzing room.

By the time Zhulan had changed her clothes and hair accessories, the Emperor had already entered the residence.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince walked in front, with Zhou Shuren stepping back. The Emperor looked around the residence and thought to himself that he had indeed been generous. Being generous did not lie in the size of the residence, but its location—a residence so well-located given to Zhou Shuren.