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

Chapter 978: Chapter 978: Mindset Determines Life

Ran family, Ran Zheng finally smiled when he saw his son, seeing the Crown Prince off personally. When he returned to his room, he could still hear his wife’s crying.

The doctor was carefully examining his son. Ran Zheng waited wearily, and when the doctor emerged, he quickly approached, ”Mr. Ran needs to take great care in his recuperation, particularly his arm which must be treated with extra caution, or he may suffer long-term consequences.”

The doctor spoke cautiously but made his meaning clear; if the right arm developed complications, his career would be over.

After the doctor left, Ran Zheng sat for a while before he walked with heavy steps to see his son. The boy was awake and lying on the bed.

Ran Lei heard the footsteps and carefully turned his head, ”Father, the Crown Prince said that you have retired, right?”

Ran Zheng sat by the bed and tucked in his son’s blanket, ”Yes.”

Ran Lei’s uninjured left hand clenched into a fist as he turned away, fighting back the tears in his eyes, ”Your son is filled with hatred.”

If he hadn’t dodged in time the previous night, his right arm would be ruined now, beyond the hope of treatment. His heart was filled with intense hatred, for himself, for his father, and even more for the entire Ran family.

He hated himself even more, ”Father, it’s all because your son was careless. You always said to be cautious, but I didn’t listen. It’s all my fault; I’ve dragged you down too.”

Ran Zheng calmed his somewhat agitated son, ”Listen, even without you, I would have retired; it was just a matter of time.”

There were tears in Ran Lei’s eyes. He had not cried while in prison. Covering his eyes with his left hand, the tears flowed down his cheeks.

Two days later, Xue Mei’s in-laws sent over two baskets of crabs. Lady Jiangwang had her own business to attend to and seemed more tranquil. Lady Jiangwang explained, ”We bought some land near a farmer who raises crabs. Even though it’s not yet the Mid-Autumn Festival, I saw that the crabs were of a nice size and bought some to let our relatives try.”

Zhulan looked at the bound crabs, which were indeed sizable, ”Thank you so much.”

Lady Jiangwang was bashful, ”Our family doesn’t have much to offer and has benefited from your family’s generosity. Please don’t mention thanks; it is we who should be grateful.”

Zhulan felt people could change. Lady Jiangwang was a prime example. Whether one led a good or bad life depended on one’s attitude. Lady Jiangwang now seemed to understand this well.

Zhulan asked, ”I heard from Xue Mei that you’ve dug a pond with plans to raise fish?”

Old Man Jiang had visited the family often and talked naturally, ”Yes, the land we purchased is well-located with convenient water sources. Since there are people raising crabs nearby, I thought about raising some fish.”

If it were back in his hometown, he definitely wouldn’t raise fish. Villagers who wanted fish could just go fishing in the river. There weren’t many restaurants in the county and the people living there weren’t wealthy. Moreover, during the slack farming season, many villagers caught fish to supplement their income, so fish farming wasn’t profitable.

But the capital was different. There were quite a few fish farmers, and he felt it was worth a try, though he didn’t plan to raise too many. Even if he couldn’t sell them, they would still be edible for his family, who all loved fish. As for the relatives, they had their own ponds with fish.

In the evening, the Zhou family had crabs. Although it was not the peak season for crabs to be their fattest and most flavorful, they still tasted good.

Two baskets of crabs seemed plentiful, but it was relative; for an ordinary family, the Zhou household had many mouths to feed. Carefully counted, each person could have less than two crabs each.

One could imagine how much the Zhou family spent on food alone each year.

After the meal, Zhou Shuren whispered to his wife, ”We have a day off tomorrow, and Ran Zheng’s family will be coming over.”

”Did he tell you today?”

”Yes, I guess I did help out, after all. He wants to thank me in person.”

Zhulan leaned back in her chair, fanning herself, ”Today, the fifth Prince’s carriage overturned; I wonder how he is doing now.”

Zhou Shuren, upon hearing the news, felt not the slightest stir in his heart. No matter who was behind it, Zhang Yang had indeed been far too arrogant lately, ”Just as one wave subsides, another surges forth. The summer nearly ended, yet everything grows more and more bustling.”

The place Zhulan mentioned to meet was under the large tree in the courtyard, a spot they had frequented for many years. The maids and the old women had grown accustomed to it as well, and with no one nearby, Zhulan spoke in a hushed tone, ”Princess Chu has arranged a banquet and sent an invitation to our household.”

Before entering the palace to see Zhou Shuren, Ran Zheng made sure everyone in the capital who needed to know was aware. Prince Chu must have despised Zhou Shuren’s meddling by now, and the invitation augured no good.

Zhou Shuren held his fan above his head, ”Take care.”

”This time I won’t bring any of the children, only Granny Song and Granny Shui.”

Zhou Shuren sighed. With Queen Liang, and now adding Prince Chu into the mix, if not for the fear of pushing him to directly side with the Crown Prince and advise the Emperor, the two Princes would not have held back. Prince Chu wanted to teach a lesson for certain; unable to catch him, they would only be able to target his wife.

Zhulan took the apple passed by her husband, ”I heard you prepared a surprise for me?”

Zhou Shuren didn’t reply, well aware that keeping secrets was futile. The entire estate lay open before his wife’s eyes; keeping something hidden from her was unrealistic.

Zhulan still looked forward with anticipation. Throughout the half year, Zhou Shuren’s small surprises never ceased. If it wasn’t a big surprise, she would not be satisfied.

The next day, the Ran family arrived early because Ran Zheng had brought his grandson along, and thus Mingyun and the others did not go to the Academy today.

Zhulan pulled Ran Wan over, the young lady had indeed lost much weight, ”Let me have a good look at you, oh my, it breaks my heart to see how thin you’ve gotten, hardly any flesh left.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhulan instructed Granny Song, ”Have the kitchen prepare more of Ran Wan’s favorite dishes.”

The Qi Clan matriarch was somewhat better in spirits due to her son’s return home, and she hurriedly interjected, ”Please don’t.”

Zhulan pressed the Qi Clan matriarch’s hand, ”Today, you must listen to me; both you and Ran Wan need proper nourishment.”

The Qi Clan matriarch had aged considerably because of Ran Lei’s condition. Once a person aged, it was difficult to regain their former vitality, and her spirits were low. Had it not been for Ran Lei’s illness, she might well have fallen ill herself.

Her heart was the one truly suffering. Bearing the Qi surname, Ran Zheng’s retirement was, to some extent, out of consideration for her.

Zhulan signaled Yushuang to take Ran Wan outside. Once the granddaughter had left, Zhulan said to the Qi Clan matriarch, ”You are the pillar of the family, you must take good care of yourself during these times.”

The Qi Clan matriarch sighed, ”I know. Now with the daughter-in-law ill, and my son needing to recuperate, I cannot afford to fall.”

”Everything has passed, everything has improved.”

A smile appeared on the Qi Clan matriarch’s face; indeed, the Ran family still had a future, ”I truly thank you all for this time.”

Zhulan replied, ”There’s no need for thanks; it’s what we should do.”

Nobody can guarantee that their family won’t face adversity. Zhulan and Zhou Shuren couldn’t either, which is why they had always been preparing for eventualities.

In the study, Zhou Shuren and Ran Zheng were sipping tea. The atmosphere this time was quite agreeable; Zhou Shuren, with admiration, said, ”Your mindset is something I ought to learn.”

Ran Zheng raised his teacup slightly, ”I actually hope you never have to learn my mindset for a lifetime; it’s not an easy burden to bear.”

He had walked step by step to reach where he was today. He too had aspired to climb higher, but halfway through, the path disappeared, leaving a bitter taste.

Zhou Shuren remained silent. The more he proved himself, the more the Emperor grew wary of him. He was utilized now because he was needed, but once the Crown Prince ascended the throne and his role was over, he anticipated being sidelined. He desired a more dignified exit. He talked of retiring, but having held office for so long, truly stepping down required an adjustment of mindset too.