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

Chapter 935: Chapter 935 Leisure

Ran Zheng signaled, ”Let’s go outside to talk.”

The Ministry of Revenue was indeed not the place for conversation, and Zhou Shuren said, ”Alright, let’s go to the nearby teahouse.”

Once at the teahouse, Ran Zheng ordered tea and waited until the door of the private room was closed before saying, ”You should congratulate me.”

Zhou Shuren smiled, ”Got promoted?”

Ran Zheng nodded, ”Indeed, second rank.”

Zhou Shuren felt no envy, ”That’s what you deserve.”

Ran Zheng also felt it was deserved, ”Back in the capital, I need to take a good rest for some time.”

Zhou Shuren’s heart stirred; although Ran Zheng did not specify, he could read between the lines. The Emperor had not assigned Ran Zheng a position, only promoted his rank, ”That’s good, you should take some rest.”

Ran Zheng felt the same; back in Jinzhou Province, Prince Chu had been incessantly sending people to coax him over, even Consort Qi had sent messages to his wife, and his father-in-law had written him letters. He was very mentally drained, and now in the capital without power in his hands, he could relax for some days.

The tea arrived, and Zhou Shuren lowered his voice, ”Ever since the titles were determined, several princes have been quite lively.”

Having lost all illusions, it was like the shackles had been lifted. Previously, it was all in secret, but now, well.

Ran Zheng laughed, ”That’s why I need to rest.”

Zhou Shuren raised his teacup, ”Indeed, I should really congratulate you.”

In the end, the Emperor was still doing this for the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince’s concubine was Ran Zheng’s daughter, and the Emperor did not want Ran Zheng to get involved.

Ran Zheng, while in Jinzhou, had always paid close attention to news from the capital. He sipped his tea and glanced at Zhou Shuren with peripheral vision. Zhou Shuren was also on the cusp of danger, but fortunately, he had the Emperor’s trust; otherwise, Zhou Shuren’s days would not be easy, either.

In the afternoon, halfway home, Zhou Shuren’s carriage stopped. Zhou Shuren was used to this and pulled aside the carriage curtain, ”I pay my respects to the Prince.”

Zhang Jingshi smiled, ”What a coincidence, Minister Zhou is really punctual in going home.”

Zhou Shuren sneered inside. He wasn’t foolish. Whether punctual or not, they would always ’coincidentally’ meet. He might as well keep a regular schedule to return home, ”Recently, there hasn’t been much happening at the Ministry of Revenue.”

What Zhou Shuren said was true. The silver for the shipbuilding and the funds for the Ministry of War had been allocated, and there were no disasters happening currently. The silver-related issues were not significant, and of course, most importantly, the national treasury was now full of silver. Since the homes had been searched and funds seized before the New Year, the Ministry of Revenue’s days were comfortable.

Zhang Jingshi internally cursed the old fox, trying several times to get information but to no avail. He also wanted to take advantage of Zhou family’s sons, but unfortunately, Zhou Changlian—the eldest son—was not only of low status but also timid and homebound, not stepping out of his estate. Zhou Changzhi had gone to sea.

Zhou Changlian was often seen, but unfortunately, he was unyielding, having deeply inherited the old fox’s cunning nature. Zhou Changzhi also pretended to be confused. Whatever was said, he would show a face of naivety, as if he only knew how to study doggedly, oblivious to the fact that the fourth son of the Zhou family had changed!

Zhang Jingshi wasn’t in a good mood. Ran Zheng had entered the capital but hadn’t gained real power, which frustrated him. He had wanted to gather information, but in the end, he dropped the carriage curtain, ”Return to the mansion.”

Zhou Shuren was surprised; the Prince was leaving just like that? He had thought there would be some persistent questioning.

When he got home, Zhou Shuren did not see Wu Ming, ”When did they leave?”

”They left in the afternoon. Wu Ming wanted to take Chang Zhong back, but I didn’t allow it. At the very least, we have to wait until Song Lan returns to her family home.”

Zhou Shuren changed his clothes, ”I have to admit, Chang Zhong has become more sensible than when he was at home.”

Zhulan said, ”You still have the nerve to say that. When he was home, the boy knew you were his backing. No matter how strict I was, he was only afraid of me.”

The eldest sons always pampered him, and the daughters-in-law doted on him even more. Even though the boy seemed obedient in front of her, he showed quite the temper in front of others.

Zhou Shuren offered an apologetic smile, ”That’s my fault.”

”As long as you know,” Zhou Shuren said indulgently. How could the older children dare to make a peep? When Wu Ming wasn’t back in the capital, she had set her sights on him, only she had never brought it up to Zhou Shuren!

When it was time to rest at night, Lady Dong went into labor. As Zhulan was about to go over, Zhou Shuren stopped her, ”We’ve had several children born in this household already, both the adults and the children won’t have any issues. There’s no need for you to go over and watch.”

Zhulan didn’t listen and continued to put on her shoes, ”Lady Dong is hoping with all her heart for a boy. I’m worried it might be a girl. Lady Dong will be distressed after giving birth, and I can be there to comfort her.”

Zhou Shuren didn’t stop her anymore, ”Chang Lian hasn’t handled it well.”

It was still Chang Lian wanting a son; Lady Dong felt it, hence her constant hoping. It was Chang Lian’s fault.

Zhulan knew Chang Lian had been consoling Lady Dong, but sometimes emotions still show through, and between husband and wife, you can’t hide these things. The pressure on Lady Dong was indeed related to Chang Lian.

The midwife had been arranged for at home early on. When Zhulan arrived, everything was proceeding smoothly. Zhulan asked, ”How is Chu Chu doing?”

Chang Lian, eyes fixed on the delivery room, answered, ”The midwife said the baby’s position is very good.”

Zhulan was reassured, ”Who knows when the child will be born. You shouldn’t just stand there; sit down and wait.”

As for Yu Yi, Zhulan was on guard for a nighttime labor, so these past few days, Yu Yi had been sleeping in the second wife’s room along with Yu Die.

The weather had warmed during the day, but it was still cool at night. Zhulan held a hand warmer in her arms, listening to the sounds coming from the delivery room. The doctor arrived quickly. Zhulan, watching Chang Lian walking in circles, withdrew her gaze.

Time ticked by, and Dong Chuchu’s cries grew louder. Nearly four hours passed, and finally, the child was born.

Zhulan stood up; she heard Lady Dong’s voice, followed by the midwife’s. Zhulan knew the score—it was a girl. Without waiting for the child to be brought out, Zhulan entered the room.

Lady Dong had her eyes closed, her face etched with disappointment.

Zhulan asked the midwife, ”How is the child doing?”

The midwife carefully wiped the baby, ”The child is fine; the cries just now were loud.”

Zhulan looked at the baby; the little girl was closing her eyes, a plump little thing. She smiled warmly, ”Good, good.”

When the child was picked up, Zhulan personally took her out to show Chang Lian, ”Look how much this little one resembles you.”

Chang Lian already knew it was a girl. He was disappointed internally, as his household was the only one without a son. Seeing the little girl asleep, he managed a smile—a daughter was also a treasure. He carefully took her, ”The little one is quite heavy, seems heavier than when Yu Yi was born.”

”More than seven pounds.”

Chang Lian laughed, ”A chubby little girl.”

Zhulan chatted with her son for a while before taking the baby back. Lady Dong had already been cleaned up and had the bedding changed. Handing the child over to the nanny, she said to Lady Dong, ”I know you’re not asleep. You and Chang Lian are still young.”

Lady Dong opened her eyes; she was very tired but felt even worse inside. ”Mother, it’s not that I don’t like daughters.”

It was just that her husband’s joyful gaze towards his nephews, they in the third household needed a son. A daughter would also need a brother to rely on in the future.

Zhulan smiled, ”I know.”

Lady Dong felt relieved. The child was born, and there was no use fretting. Mother-in-law was right; she and her husband were young. Thinking of her mother-in-law having had seven children, a smile finally appeared on Lady Dong’s face. ”Mother, you’ve had a hard night. You should go back and rest early; I’m already fine.”

Zhulan, seeing that Lady Dong wasn’t just humoring her, was reassured. ”Alright then, I’ll head back first, and I will come over to see you in the morning.”