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

Chapter 959: Chapter 959 Reminder

In the Palace, upon exiting, Zhou Shuren happened to encounter the returning Crown Prince. It was indeed a coincidence, ”This servant pays respects to the Crown Prince.”

The Crown Prince nodded, thinking it was best to keep his distance from Mr. Zhou at this time.

Zhou Shuren watched the hurried Crown Prince, wondering if something had happened?

The temple prayers had ended, and the Empress left with the Crown Princess Consort ahead of others. A few Princess Consorts, having lost face today, departed with particularly unsightly expressions, followed by the families of the officials gradually returning to the city.

Zhulan, accompanying her daughter, received many scrutinizing glances. After exchanging a few words with some acquaintances, she and her daughter boarded the carriage.

As soon as Xue Han entered the carriage, she exhaled, ”Mother, did you feel Lady Du’s gaze?”

Zhulan lowered her voice, ”I did feel it. Lady Du certainly lost face today. She’s the Empress’s sister-in-law, but the Empress didn’t exchange a single word with her. It seems the rumors are true; the Empress does not like Lady Du.”

Xue Han leaned against her mother, ”Mother, is the Empress being too kind to me?”

Zhulan stroked her daughter’s hair, ”The Empress said she likes you.”

Xue Han pouted, ”There’s no such thing as liking someone without a reason. The Empress is elevating me too high.”

Zhulan thought to herself, since you are the Empress’s younger sister-in-law, and Rongchuan is aggrieved, it’s not proper for the Empress to directly support Rongchuan; naturally, she elevates Xue Han, ”Don’t overthink it, the Empress is Rongchuan’s aunt, she won’t harm you.”

Xue Han whispered, ”I know the Empress won’t harm me, but I’m just anxious. Those Princess Consorts must hold a grudge against me now.”

Zhulan had a more open perspective, ”With your relationship with Rongchuan, you and the Princess Consorts are on opposite sides; even without this incident, they wouldn’t like you.”

Xue Han, ”We’ll have to deal with them in the future.”

”Yes.”

When she got home, Zhulan changed her clothes and medicated her knees—it was her first time kneeling for so long. She listened to the eldest maid report the household matters after applying the medicine.

Zhulan pressed on her forehead, ”You can go now.”

After the maid left, Zhulan spoke to Nanny Song, ”I knew Ran Xun and Ming Teng together would cause trouble. In just one morning, they injured Ming Hui?”

Nanny Song asked, ”Do you want to go see the young master? It’s very painful to remove a fish hook from flesh.”

Zhulan waved her off, ”The maid just said that Ming Hui has already seen a doctor; I won’t go over. Just now, Mr. Li and Lady Li had scolded Ming Teng. If I went, Ming Teng would get another beating.”

Nanny Song felt like laughing; the eldest master and the eldest lady always teamed up in punishment.

In the main house, Chang Zhong looked angrily at his nephew Ming Teng, ”Big brother, you were too lenient.”

Ming Teng, already uncomfortable from kneeling, looked up as if to say, ’Aren’t you my real uncle anymore?’

Eldest Master Zhou coughed, ”Little brother, have some consideration for Ming Teng’s face; we have guests.”

Chang Zhong was still upset. He had only been away for a moment, and Ming Hui got injured, ”He’s already been hit, what face is there to save?”

On hearing this, Eldest Master Zhou looked over at Ming Teng.

Ming Teng panicked, ”Father, Ran Xun is going to stay with us for a few days; you can’t expect your son to entertain him while prostrating!”

Eldest Master Zhou retracted his gaze, huffed, and went inside to see his younger son—his heart ached terribly.

In the room, Ming Hui’s arm had been treated. He was still sniffling and, despite the pain subsiding, his tears did not stop. Seeing his father come in, he deliberately lifted his arm, ”Father.”

Mingyun silently looked away. Ever since his younger brother became Uncle’s shadow, he had changed, especially in tattling and becoming increasingly cunning.

Yu Lu held a handkerchief to her mouth, and seeing her younger brother looking at her, she then cried even harder, clearing her throat, ”Father, Second Brother is being too reckless.”

Zhou Shuren’s heart ached, rolling up his sleeves and wanting to thrash Ming Teng once more.

Lady Li held back her husband, ”Let Ran Xun leave before you beat him.”

Ming Hui’s tears stopped falling, his mouth pouting. His parents seemed to have quite the short memory; the next beating would surely be forgotten, ”Mother, I’m in pain.”

Mingyun pinched his younger brother’s ear, ”That’s enough.”

Ming Hui’s eyes shifted, and he said in a low voice, ”Little Uncle.”

Chang Zhong patted his chest, ”I’ll remember on your behalf.”

Ming Hui was satisfied, not complaining about the pain anymore. He was truly angry. Second Brother didn’t include him in their play and even showed off, but the main reason was that he was at a disadvantage.

Zhou Shuren silently let down his sleeve and looked up at the beams. His own son, Ming Teng, had a temperament somewhat like his. The other two sons didn’t resemble him at all. Their youngest son, however small, had a mind like a beehive.

At dinner, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren silently watched Ming Hui’s performance. Clearly, it was his left arm that was injured, but he insisted on Ming Teng feeding him.

Ran Xun couldn’t bear to watch any longer. He felt that his little friend was the least clever of the Zhou family.

Zhou Shuren pretended not to see, as Ming Hui looked too much like Zhulan. Zhulan watched with interest as Ming Hui bullied Ming Teng.

That night, when they rested, Zhou Shuren finally spoke of the Emperor’s compensation, and Zhulan also mentioned the matter of the temple.

Zhulan said in a soft voice, ”I feel that the Empress still has moves to make. You didn’t see the Empress’s actions today; the Empress has a temper.”

Zhou Shuren, ”Whatever actions the Empress has concern us very little.”

Zhulan spoke melancholically, ”Being the Emperor’s wife must be the hardest.”

Zhou Shuren felt tired that day. In the morning, he had to keep his nerves taut in face of the Emperor, and in the afternoon, he had to deal with the affairs of the Ministry of Revenue, ”It’s getting late; I’ll go to sleep first.”

”Alright.”

The next morning’s court session finally revealed what had happened. Pirates had hijacked the dynasty’s merchant ships. Such incidents of pirates hijacking ships had happened before but never in the near seas; this was the first time it had occurred so close. The pirates were becoming audacious enough to provoke them directly.

And, this was the second time it happened this month, only now reported, the Emperor’s anger would not be a surprise.

Prince Qi wanted to lead the troops to sea, but the Emperor acted as if he hadn’t heard.

Zhou Shuren looked at the military officer volunteering for duty, though the Navy had trained for over half a year, he was unsure if they were ready. If they were defeated, no, he spat out the thought, they had to win.

After the court session, Zhou Shuren took the initiative for the first time to approach Li Zhao, who was walking too quickly, forcing him to run a few steps to catch up, ”Mr. Li, please wait.”

Li Zhao was anxious, as this was the Navy’s first battle, and his heart was in turmoil, ”What is it, Mr. Zhou?”

Zhou Shuren said quietly, ”I just have some doubts I wish to consult with you about.”

Li Zhao, needing silver from the Ministry of Revenue for the battle, was very patient, ”Please speak, Mr. Zhou.”

Zhou Shuren said, ”As the former Prefect of Jinzhou, I’ve seen pirates hijacking merchant ships happen occasionally these past two years. I am acquainted with the Xu family, because of the pirates, every time they go to sea, they hire many skilled escorts to protect them. But what I heard today, the merchant ships were hijacked very quickly, which seems odd. Nowadays, merchant ships setting out to sea should all have skilled protectors.”

Li Zhao looked intently at Zhou Shuren, ”Are you suggesting that these are not pirates?”

Zhou Shuren, ”I really don’t know. It’s possible that the pirates have numerous skilled fighters.”

He’d given his warning. It’d be terrible if they lost. Those daring to provoke so close to shore clearly had a purpose. With the increasing presence of foreigners in recent years and their growing understanding of the empire, to those foreigners, every inch of land on the continent was as precious as gold.