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

Chapter 979: Chapter 979 Mr. Zhou Has Worked Hard

Ran Zheng was thoroughly idle now, and he didn’t have to worry about himself. His eldest son was well outside, his younger son was healing from injuries. All he had to do now was to take good care of his home. Feeling relaxed, he smiled and said, ”Recently, I’ve been keeping a close eye on my grandsons’ studies. Our Ran Xun is too mischievous.”

In the past, he never had the time to pay much attention to Ran Xun, but now, with all his focus on his grandsons, he finally understood what Ran Xun had been up to.

Zhou Shuren actually quite liked Ran Xun, this genuine little guy, ”Ming Teng and Ran Xun are good brothers. Even in their mischief, they have their limits.”

Ran Zheng stroked his beard, ”This time, Ran Xun has also grown. He couldn’t concentrate on his studies before, but these past few days, he’s been much more serious.”

Zhou Shuren hummed in agreement. The Ran family’s experiences had their ups and downs, but now it seemed the benefits outweighed the drawbacks. Before, Ran Zheng’s grandsons wouldn’t have been this hardworking. This incident taught them that without effort, they’re nothing. The saying that fortune and disaster are intertwined is true after all. At least, Ran Zheng doesn’t have to worry about the next three generations.

In the courtyard, Ran Wan saw Mingyun. Before, she would sneak glances at Mingyun, but this time she lifted her head boldly and even revealed a shallow smile.

Mingyun looked her over carefully and smiled as well. His future wife was very strong. He stepped forward two paces, ”I wanted to ask if you were alright, but now it seems unnecessary.”

The smile on Ran Wan’s face deepened, ”Sorry to have worried you.”

This realization made her heart flutter. Zhou Mingyun was too good at hiding his feelings. If he wasn’t concerned about her, Zhou Mingyun wouldn’t have come over to ask.

There was a hint of laughter in Mingyun’s eyes, ”Hmm.”

Ran Wan’s face turned red, but before she could say anything else, Zhou Mingyun had already turned and walked away.

Xue Han stood in the distance chatting with her elder niece, ”Mingyun is too modest. He acts as though he’s the young lady.”

Yushuang chuckled, ”Cousin, not everyone is like Uncle Rongchuan.”

Uncle Rongchuan wished everyone knew he delighted in his little wife. Everyone is different in character. For big brother to approach Ran Wan and speak a few words today already marked significant progress.

Xue Han covered the corner of her mouth with a fan, ”You’ve never been shy with your little gifts. I think Gu Liufeng and Rongchuan are quite alike.”

Yushuang’s cheeks weren’t as thick as her cousin’s. Her cousin had been teased from a young age until she grew up; Yushuang couldn’t handle it, her face blushing at once, ”Cousin, you’re teasing me.”

”You’re allowed to tease me, but I’m not allowed to retort? There’s no such rule in the world.”

Yushuang stomped her foot; she couldn’t outtalk her cousin, so she grabbed Yu Lu to go find Ran Wan.

Xue Han didn’t play with the young girls anymore. She was someone about to get married, she said to Liu Li, ”Let’s go back too.”

At the Fifth Prince’s residence, the Crown Prince and several Princes came to see Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang had sustained an injury on his forehead, which was not the most serious part. The worst was his leg injury; it was very severely sprained, and it wouldn’t heal for a month or two.

Prince Liang’s eyes darted around the room, his gaze not on the resting Zhang Yang, but scrutinizing his elder brothers.

Prince Qi swirled the tea in his cup without drinking. To be precise, ever since the fifth had been poisoned, they became more cautious with anything they consumed. They seldom went to restaurants anymore, let alone eat any food from their brothers’ residences.

Prince Qi had had enough of playing with the cup and put it down, ”Fourth brother, your eyes are darting everywhere. What, do you suspect someone?”

Prince Liang brushed his sleeve, ”Little brother suspects many, but why doesn’t the Second Brother confess since he couldn’t hold it in?”

Prince Qi scoffed, ”I don’t know your thoughts, hoping things get messier. Without proof, speaking is like, well, to put it elegantly, speaking without saying anything. It’s better for you to keep your mouth shut.”

Prince Chu laughed heartily, especially since Fourth brother was being scolded, ”Second Brother doesn’t know, but Fourth brother’s mouth is getting fouler by the day. Even I can smell it from afar.”

As he spoke, he used his fan to cover his nose as if truly overwhelmed by the stench.

Prince Liang’s smiling face turned cold, ”Third brother, your nose is so sharp, and you keep sniffing like that, it really is annoying,”

Prince Chu’s face also changed, the fourth brother was insulting him as a dog, ”Heh, not even recognizing seniority now, the fourth brother is so capable he doesn’t even call me third brother anymore. That’s right, why should he, as this third brother is unworthy of Prince Liang’s recognition. Now, who doesn’t know of Prince Liang’s great influence? I certainly can’t catch his eye.”

Prince Qi watched with a smile, the third and fourth brothers were genuinely going at each other. Watching their bickering was quite the spectacle.

The Crown Prince fiddled with the prayer beads in his hand, the quarrel seemed a bit off-topic, Yuguang glanced at Zhang Yang who continued to feign sleep on the bed, ”Fifth brother doesn’t seem to know when to wake up. If he doesn’t wake up, I think it’s better to call the Imperial Physician to have a look.”

Zhang Yang heard the threat and slowly opened his eyes, ”Eldest brother, you came to see your younger brother.”

Prince Qi let out a cold laugh, ”Fifth brother only has eyes for the Crown Prince, are we just a foil here?”

Zhang Yang seemed to only just notice Prince Qi, ”Second brother, my mind is still a bit foggy from just waking up, now I’ve finally seen you.”

What he hated most was Prince Qi. Ever since the remark had been made about his difficulty in producing an heir and with him having no children, many had left his side. Now the rumors had evolved to him being completely cut off from procreating, and he didn’t believe it to be without Prince Qi’s doing.

Also, regarding the injury this time, he had traced it back to Prince Qi. This was an attempt on his life!

Prince Chu could hardly stand the nauseating display, ”Whether this person is feigning sleep or not, we all have an idea. Fifth brother, you’re being too fake, forcing your brother to tear off your mask.”

Prince Liang fell silent, he genuinely suspected Prince Qi, just look at Zhang Yang’s expression earlier.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan casually mentioned receiving an invitation from the Prince Chu Residence, Qi Clan frowned, ”I have dealt with Princess Chu before, and compared to the pettiness of Princess Liang, Princess Chu’s thoughts run deeper. As you know, the only child that has survived in the Prince Chu Residence is the son of Princess Chu.”

Zhulan knew that in Prince Chu Residence, Princess Chu had one son. Although other concubines had children as well, none survived. The only children now living were born in the last two years, and they were all daughters.

It was a pity that the Emperor favored the daughters of the Crown Prince’s family, even the illegitimate ones; the daughters of other princes’ families did not receive this same affection.

Consort Qi had also brought her granddaughter to see the Emperor once, the Emperor gave a reward, and that was that.

One could say that the inner courtyard of Prince Chu Residence was completely under Princess Chu’s control.

Qi Clan continued, ”In the future, I will not be receiving invitations anymore, which is a relief. You, however, are different; you must be cautious in all matters, thankfully the prince’s residence rarely holds banquets.”

Just thinking about it gave Zhulan a headache.

Qi Clan felt guilt in her heart; it was because of the Ran family that the Zhou family had to receive an invitation this time.

After hearing Qi Clan talk about Princess Chu and the situation of Prince Chu Residence’s back courtyard, Zhulan’s mention of the invitation was in hopes of obtaining some information so she wouldn’t be caught off guard by Princess Chu. She took note of all the significant details to avoid any missteps.

During lunch, Ran Zheng was stunned as he looked at the table where the children were seated, ”It’s only today I’ve realized just how many grandchildren your family has.”

Zhou Shuren, ”Indeed, and next year there will be yet another addition.”

Ran Zheng took a sip of wine to calm his shock, ”I recall your sons are all quite young, especially the fourth one.”

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, ”That’s right.”

Ran Zheng took another sip of wine, the young will continue to have more children, raising his wine glass, ”You really have your hands full.”