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

Chapter 924: Chapter 924 Not Moved Anymore

In the evening meal, Zhou Shuren had a great appetite, having rested well for a day, his spirits were high, and his cheeks were rosy, not at all the look of someone who had been ill.

What made Zhou Shuren happiest was that his leave request had been approved, a five-day vacation, which was granted by the Ministry of Revenue with surprising alacrity and generosity.

That afternoon, the approval of his leave had sparked another round of speculation, leaving even more people believing that Zhou Shuren had fallen out of the Emperor’s favor.

Zhou Shuren, the eldest, felt nothing special being cooped up indoors.

Chang Zhi was affected by this development. The banquet that had been arranged was canceled, but Chang Zhi wasn’t disappointed -- rather, he found it amusing. With no reaction from his father yet, Chang Zhi had already taken a measurement of people’s hearts and simultaneously lamented that his judgment of character was off.

After dinner, Xue Han, unable to contain herself any longer, tugged at Rongchuan’s sleeve as they strolled in the garden, gesturing for the maidservant to leave them alone, leaving only the water maid. She then lowered her voice, ”What’s wrong with you today? Why were you staring at my father the whole time?”

His face was full of indecision, and everyone apart from her father kept looking at him!

Rongchuan became even more troubled, thinking to himself that a future wife is not an outsider, and that husbands and wives are one; thinking this way, he felt he could speak, ”You must promise me not to tell anyone.”

He hadn’t even told his own father and grandfather!

Fortunately, Marquis Ning and Duke Ning were unaware, otherwise Marquis Ning would have found another reason to nag.

Xue Han’s eyes widened a bit more, realizing there really was a matter at hand, and assured, ”I won’t tell anyone.”

Rongchuan leaned close to Xue Han’s ear, the water maid coughed once, prompting Rongchuan to clear his throat, ”I won’t lift a hand, no, I mean I won’t move my lips.”

Although he could kiss Xue Han if he just lowered his head, he wouldn’t dare even with all the courage in the world!

The water maid didn’t make any more noise, but her eyes were firmly fixed on them.

Rongchuan whispered the matters of the palace in Xue Han’s ear, who then gaped in disbelief.

Rongchuan stood up straight, ”Now you understand how I feel, right?”

Xue Han nodded, raising her hand to touch Rongchuan’s head, ”It’s not easy for you.”

Rongchuan grinned, a head pat, such an intimate gesture.

The water maid coughed again, and Xue Han hurriedly withdrew her hand, putting on a serious face as if it hadn’t been her hand just moments ago. Alas, now it seemed like she was the one making bold moves!

Rongchuan’s eyes sparkled with realization!

After Rongchuan left, Zhulan spoke to Zhou Shuren, who had been eagerly awaiting news, ”Rongchuan has already left, and Xue Han has returned to her quarter, you should go back to your room to rest.”

Zhou Shuren snorted, ”The way that kid looked at me, the Emperor must have shown off today when he entered the palace.”

Zhulan chuckled, ”That really must be tough on the child, to be the only sober one amid the drunken crowd, wanting to share but not daring to, and having to keep it to himself.”

Zhou Shuren said softly, ”That’s why the Emperor is the most petty.”

Zhulan smiled but didn’t want to discuss the topic further and brought up official matters instead, ”I had written a letter to the Song family, and the date was set. This afternoon, someone from the Song family came, the gist of it being that the engagement remains unchanged.”

Zhou Shuren pouted, ”The Song family has the Crown Prince behind them, and the Crown Prince truly embodies the essence of the Emperor. Despite not having his legitimate son accompany the Emperor, he knows that I’m fine, so naturally, the Song family won’t change their stance.”

Zhulan mused, ”I wonder how Wu Ming is doing at the Ministry of Rites.”

”He surely knows better than anyone else. Without my instructions, he knows exactly what to do. He didn’t come to see me today,” Zhulan remarked. ”Just you wait, the Ministry of Rites will be quite a spectacle tomorrow.”

Zhulan took Zhou Shuren by the hand, ”Let’s go, you should rest.”

Zhou Shuren enjoyed his wife’s care. No matter how old one is, everyone craves being taken care of. After returning to his room, Zhou suddenly said, ”Rongchuan is quite inferior to Wu Ming. Rongchuan’s visit today signifies the stable marital arrangement between the Zhou and Ning families, but the boy is really not good at being cooperative.”

Zhulan pinched Zhou Shuren’s arm, ”I think you have some sort of vengeful mindset, bullying the younger ones because you can’t bully the older ones.”

Zhou Shuren felt guilty, alright, he indeed harbored such intentions. He really was bullied miserably. Now here was Rongchuan, still shaking in his presence, ”It’s only now that I can exert a father-in-law’s authority.”

He wouldn’t dare to do so in the future!

The next day, Zhou Shuren welcomed the first person to visit him, which was somewhat unexpected, ”The Prince really is a rare visitor.”

Yao Zheyu had been agonizing over the decision the previous night, closely following the rumors. His emotions fluctuated greatly last night. He wanted to take a gamble; after all, the worst-case scenario was just staying at home. It is better to send charcoal in snowy weather than to add flowers on brocade, so he came today, ”I heard that Mr. Zhou was ill, so I specifically came to visit. Are you feeling better, Mr. Zhou?”

Zhou Shuren thought Yao Zheyu was a decisive man. Whether right or wrong, Yao Zheyu was always straightforward, ”It’s manageable, I should be fine with some rest.”

Yao Zheyu observed Zhou Shuren closely, ”I’ve heard quite a few rumors about you recently. Aren’t you worried?”

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, speaking quite directly. It seemed out of character for Yao Zheyu to be in his family’s residence, contemplating this as a good challenge for him, ”What rumors? I am unaware of any.”

Yao Zheyu furrowed his brow slightly. Zhou Shuren was too good at disguising his emotions, and Yao Zheyu couldn’t ascertain what was truly on Zhou’s mind. He didn’t plan to inquire further since he wasn’t here to probe for information but to show genuine concern.

At the Academy, this was the first time Mingyun had experienced such a stark contrast in treatment. Thanks to his grandfather, he had been praised since he was seven years old, always surrounded by people. He was used to it, but now, the state of being ignored was indeed a novelty to him.

Gu Liufeng looked at Mingyun with concern, ”Are you alright?”

Mingyun was speechless, ”Do I look like something’s wrong?”

Gu Liufeng felt his concern was wasted, ”As long as you’re fine.”

Mingyun was indeed fine. Regarding people like Lau Qi, they came to the Academy for him, and now that they distanced themselves, he wasn’t upset at all—he knew they weren’t real friends. Seeing Lau Qi glancing over frequently, Mingyun’s mouth curled into a smile. Lau Qi was an ambitious person, but unfortunately, it was Lau Qi’s grandfather who was in charge.

Mingyun was very calm. Ming Teng and Ming Rui knew that their grandfather was fine, but they were still heartbroken, especially Ming Teng, who was straightforward and liked making friends. He had genuine pals in the Yi class. As for Ming Rui, with a delicate nature, he was easily the most hurt among them.

Both little fellows were looking down, despondent. They were sad for the fragile friendships, but in the eyes of others, it looked as if the Zhou family was indeed in a bad way.

The Qian family heir, who had always been at odds with Ming Teng, spoke sarcastically, ”Zhou Mingteng, why do you look like a stray dog? Where’s your arrogance now?”

Ming Teng lifted his head. The Qian family heir had always had conflicts with him, ”Who are you calling? ”

Qian family heir, ”I’m calling you! What can you do about it, hit me?”

Ming Teng stood up and grabbed the Qian family heir’s clothes, but before his fist could land, Ran Xun beat him to the punch, giving the Qian heir a hit first, then began beating him while holding him down, ”I’ve wanted to teach you a lesson for a long time, daring to call yourself ’young master’ in front of me, as if I’m not even in your eyes.”

Ming Teng was touched by Ran Xun’s words. It was he who steered the situation away and also took up his defense.

After beating up the Qian family heir, Ran Xun stood up, his eyes fiercely scanning the surroundings, making sure no one dared to look at him. He then dusted off his clothes and, acting like an elder brother, he put his arm around Ming Teng’s neck, ”From now on, call me brother!”

Ming Teng, ”.....”

Maybe it’s better to just cut ties!