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

Chapter 1002: Chapter 102: The Fake Crown Prince

Zhulan changed into her clothes, and the maids and old women of the Zhou family had woken up early. The courtyard was especially lively, and people from various rooms had gradually made their way to the main hall. After visiting her daughter, Zhou Shuren finally got up.

Zhou Shuren, dressed in festive robes, was not wearing them as thick as usual. Zhulan, satisfied after taking a close look upon her return, said, ”Not bad.”

Zhou Shuren was also content. Who wouldn’t want to be appropriately dressed? It was good to be at home. He inquired, ”How is our daughter’s dressing up coming along?”

Zhulan replied, ”She is washing up now, and will get dressed later.”

Looking at the weather outside, Zhou Shuren observed, ”The sky is not bad today. I thought the wind from last night wouldn’t stop, but surprisingly, there’s not a breeze now.”

Zhulan smiled, ”Yes, a good marriage is a good omen.”

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren took a few bites of breakfast, and soon Zhulan went to accompany her daughter. Her eldest daughter and several daughters-in-law were all there, and Xue Han had changed into her wedding dress and was applying her makeup.

Lady Li wanted to touch the wedding dress, continuously murmuring, ”It’s so beautiful.”

Back when she got married, the dynasty was just established a few years before, and her family was really poor. The thought of those days brought back a bittersweet feeling. Thankfully, they had managed to buy fabric for her wedding dress, which was made by her grandmother since her own needlework was not good.

Lady Zhao and Lady Dong didn’t have much to say, but Su Xuan had more on her mind; she thought that her younger sister was very fortunate.

Zhulan disliked hustle and bustle, so she had arranged everything for her daughter’s wedding in advance to avoid panic from not being able to find something at the last minute. Her daughter was ready, but it was not yet time for the groom to arrive.

Xue Han clasped her hands nervously, her heart thumping wildly. Today she was leaving her family home to step into her future, no, it should be the future she and Rongchuan were going to share, whether it be in wealth or hardship, for they would face it together as husband and wife.

The sounds of the wedding procession grew closer. The steward ran in, ”The groom has arrived at the door.”

Zhulan took a deep breath, ”I’m going to the main hall.”

Back in the main hall, Zhou Shuren was already seated in the main place. Zhulan straightened her clothes and sat down too. Her sons and daughters-in-law also came over, and quickly Rongchuan was ushered into meet with Xue Han.

Zhulan’s eyes reddened, especially when Xue Han bid farewell to her parents, her voice slightly choking, ”Stand up quickly.”

Xue Han struggled to hold back her tears, for you couldn’t cry on a joyous wedding day.

Zhou Shuren’s nose tingled too, staring at Rongchuan, ”Remember your promise.”

Rongchuan swore, ”Father, I will definitely treat Xue Han well, I’ll never hurt her heart. I grew up in the Zhou family, I will certainly abide by the rules of the Zhou men.”

Zhou Shuren twitched his mustache, this young man called him father so naturally, ”Hmm.”

The auspicious time was carefully calculated, people were hurrying them, and Eldest Brother Zhou squatted down to carry his younger sister on his back.

Eldest Brother Zhou had also carried his elder sister on her wedding day, but back then, he didn’t have a daughter and didn’t feel much. Now it was different, the thought of his daughter getting married one day made his eyes red too.

He had no good feelings toward his future son-in-law at present, alas, he had no grounds to confront him, given that he was just a commoner. Then thinking of Rongchuan abiding by the Zhou family rules made his heart sour further.

Zhulan and the others had all gone out, and she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer, ”I said I didn’t want to cry, but can you believe the tears just came on their own?”

Zhou Shuren replied, ”I believe you.”

Wiping her eyes with a handkerchief, Zhulan said, ”Xue Han has always been so considerate, she’s been the most understanding child all these years.”

”Yes, so if you feel like crying, then cry. I won’t laugh at you.”

Zhulan glared, ”You have the nerve to say that about me, take a look at your own reddened eyes!”

”That’s just the wind blowing.”

”Who said this morning that today would be a good day without wind?”

Zhou Shuren, ”I’m too close to you, blown away by the wind of your speech.”

Zhulan threw the handkerchief at Zhou Shuren. Really, he could spin a tale—they were separated by a table!

The sounds of the music and revelry grew more distant as everyone had left the Zhou household.

Zhulan felt a bit unhappy. The modern era was better; at a wedding, both the bride’s and groom’s parents could bear witness. Upon this thought, Zhulan suddenly laughed, ”Can’t see anything today, fair enough!”

Zhou Shuren suddenly understood, his nose stopped feeling so sore, his eyes weren’t red anymore, and realized those at the palace must be even sadder. ”I feel better now.”

”Me too.”

Old Madam Song stood at the door, confused by the conversation. However, the affection between the master and mistress was clearly solid.

Today, everyone knew that the Deputy Minister Zhou’s daughter was getting married, and with the weather being so fine, there were many onlookers. The dowry was so astonishing, it stunned many. The respected minister really was hiding his light under a bushel—such a spectacular dowry.

At Ning Duke Residence, the Crown Prince and others had already arrived. With the Crown Prince himself present, several princes attended as well, even the power-diminished Prince Liang.

The gift from the Crown Prince took everyone by surprise.

Prince Qi’s eyes widened. Recalling his own birthday gifts from the Crown Prince over the years, they didn’t amount to the value of the ornaments now presented. ”Is this really the Crown Prince?”

Prince Chu’s jaw dropped. Back when they were in the palace, the Crown Prince’s gifts were always the best wrapped but the cheapest. The man had thick skin; ever since he left the palace, his gifts were always decent, but they were never worth silver, only good for appearances.

Prince Chu, ”It must be a fake.”

Prince Liang felt as though he was burning inside. How high he had climbed and how miserably he had fallen, he said sarcastically, ”How could the Crown Prince not be generous to the Ning family? We can’t compare to them.”

Ning Xu pretended not to hear, still waiting for his son to return.

The Crown Prince smiled, ”It’s good that you know, young brother. At least the Ning family is related to me by blood. And you, you have always sought to bring me down. How could I possibly be generous?”

The room fell silent. Wow, it was the first time the Crown Prince spoke so bluntly. Was this the same gentle man?

Prince Qi curled his lip. This was the true nature of the Crown Prince. He would privately rebuke them while publicly maintaining the guise of propriety.

Prince Liang, ”You can’t speak recklessly, Crown Prince.”

The Crown Prince responded in a manner that suggested you can say whatever you like. He uttered just one word, ”Oh.”

Prince Chu almost laughed out loud. He took a step back, hiding behind Prince Qi and cleared his throat to keep from laughing.

Prince Liang took a deep breath, telling himself not to get angry, but he was on the verge of exploding.

Zhang Yang shrank back, knowing that ever since the Phang family’s guilt had been confirmed, and the punishment set for the coming spring, Prince Liang looked like he wanted to tear him apart.

Fortunately, the tense atmosphere finally passed with the arrival of the couple.

Sitting in the seat of honor, Ning Xu felt somewhat elated. Today, Rongchuan was paying his respects to him. The Emperor must be seething with envy, delightful!

Duke Ning personally attended, his eyes reddening as he repeatedly wiped away tears with a handkerchief. Rongchuan looked so much like his oldest son and he couldn’t hold back the tears.

Many were taken aback by Duke Ning’s weeping, but then it dawned on them. Everyone said Rongchuan resembled the older son of Duke Ning. It seemed to be true.

The Crown Prince’s heart was mixed with complex emotions. His younger brother was getting married—this was indeed his brother. His eyes strayed to the gift brought out by Prince Qi, feeling the pinch, but then he thought of how the Emperor had sighed with sorrow that morning, and he stopped feeling the pinch. Instead, he felt a particular sense of comfort!

The Crown Prince thought about talking more about Rongchuan’s wedding when he returned to the palace. Yes, and with that thought, the last trace of pain in his heart disappeared.