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

Chapter 1004: Chapter 104 Too Honest

Zhulan always remembered Chang Yi. Chang Yi was abroad, and throughout the year he hardly sent back any letters. The last letter that came said he was planning to return and tried his best to make it for Xue Han’s wedding. It was a pity that he missed it. Taking the letter and opening it, she smiled, ”Already arrived in Pinggang, currently resting in Pinggang, setting off for the capital tomorrow.”

Old Lady Song had often heard the mistress of the house mention the Second Master and chuckled, ”The second wife must be delighted.”

”Yes, have a maid inform the second wife.”

This was a great joy for the household; she had always been afraid that Chang Yi would encounter pirates on his return journey. Now that he had disembarked, her heart could finally rest at ease.

In the second wife’s quarters, Lady Zhao was stunned upon hearing the maid’s message, and it took her a while before sending the maid away. She picked up her little girl, who was playing on the ground, ”Your father is coming back.”

Finally home, in the deep silence of the night, the taste of longing was something only she could understand.

Yu Die still remembered her father and clapped her hands with delight. If only her mother didn’t hold her so tightly, it’d be even better. Listening to the wind outside the window, she wanted to go out and play!

In the Ning Duke Residence, Lady Yu returned to her home the previous day feeling uneasy, and even her complexion was not good on the second day. She had never been to the Ning Duke Residence, as there were no women in the Hou Residence, and visits were only ever to the Duke residence in the past.

Only after meeting them yesterday did she realize how affluent the Ning Duke Residence was. The Duke Residence too was affluent, and in the future, it would be the main house’s.

Originally, their household was so close to the Hou Residence, but now they could only watch helplessly.

Furthermore, as Lady Yu thought of Zhou Xuehan’s dowry, she pursed her lips. When she married into the Hou Residence, the Duke Residence had not given all the bridal gifts as her dowry. She was jealous that Zhou Xuehan had parents who adored her.

Lady Du was also not happy, unable to help but wonder if the grandfather secretly gave her younger uncle a share of the family wealth. Tossing and turning all night, she could not sleep, and in the morning, she dared not mention it to her husband. Having seen the wealth of the uncle’s residence yesterday, especially the courtyard prepared for Rongchuan’s wedding, her face never brightened up.

Ning Hui was in the study. Hearing the steward say that his wife had a headache, he gestured the steward to leave. The rift between him and his wife was deepening, and the knot in his heart was growing larger. Thinking about his mother’s dissatisfaction, he pursed his lips and coughed lightly. He knew he needed to think things through properly.

On the day of Xue Han’s return visit, Zhou Shuren went to the court early in the morning, looking pitiful. His leave request had not been approved. Standing in the court, he knew it was the Emperor’s jealousy.

Ning Xu too was dragged into attending the early court, and Zhou Shuren felt balanced.

But Ning Xu was truly wounded. Every winter, he hated getting up early. In the harsh cold, unless there was a significant matter, winter should be a time for sleeping in, not for getting up early to attend court!

As the New Year approached, the Phang family clan had just fallen from power, and various forces had quietened down. There truly weren’t any important matters at early court, as long as the princes didn’t stir trouble, and everyone was quiet. But these past few days at court, the Emperor just wouldn’t leave!

The main hall was empty and echoing. Even with the fire basin, ha, it was still cold. It was another cold winter, and attending the early court was indeed a torture.

Zhou Shuren inwardly scorned the Emperor’s pettiness but was also smug; he wasn’t cold. He was not the kind of person to freeze to death for appearances’ sake and live with regret. After all, he didn’t feel the cold; others who did can know it themselves.

The ministers in the court had no idea, thinking that the Emperor did it on purpose, just to make them be more honest in the future and to cool their heads a bit.

Finally, the court session ended, but outside it was snowing, and the biting wind and heavy snow made for a particularly unpleasant experience.

Ning Xu tugged at Zhou Shuren, ”Your cloak is quite long; it’s almost dragging on the ground. How about we switch?”

Zhou Shuren looked down at his own cloak, scoffing. He wouldn’t switch. His cloak was padded, and besides, he felt that Ning Xu was attacking his height, ”No.”

Ning Xu shivered; he really was cold. He hadn’t layered up like Zhou Shuren. ”My cloak is quite expensive. The fur is top grade; it’s hard to find outside.”

Zhou Shuren turned his head, ”Are you showing off your wealth?”

Ning Xu, ”... No, I’m just expressing my sincerity in wanting to switch cloaks.”

Zhou Shuren wasn’t actually cold, considering how many layers he wore under his official robes. Carefully looking at Ning Xu’s cloak, it was clear the man was indeed flaunting his wealth, ”Since we are family by marriage, I’ve thought about it, and let’s switch.”

Ning Xu chuckled. Just before, Zhou Shuren didn’t hesitate at all when refusing. At that moment, how come he didn’t think of the fact they were family by marriage? Nonetheless, the fur was offered as tribute; he wouldn’t be pained by parting with it. Alright, compared to a spendthrift, he truly was not distressed, ”Then I must thank my family by marriage.”

”Hm.”

Ning Xu, ”....”

Where is Zhou Shuren’s face?

Old Master Wang had wanted to have a chat with Zhou Shuren, as his son’s appointment to the Ministry of Rites had been finalised, but after hearing Zhou Shuren’s shamelessness all the way, stroking his beard, he realised his son was simply too honest.

At the Zhou family, Xue Han didn’t see her father and didn’t think much of it, asking her mother to take a good look at her, ”Mother, you can rest assured, your daughter is really doing well.”

Having married into the family, she was now in charge, and the entire Hou Residence was truly left to her by her father-in-law without his interference.

Zhulan smiled, ”Mother knows you will do well, but I still want to see more of you.”

A daughter getting married really accelerates her growth. Look at her, just married and she has already developed such an aura about her. At home, she was the little daughter of the Zhou family, with parents and brothers above her, but after marriage, she had to shoulder the entire Hou Residence.

Xue Han passed the list of return gifts to her mother, ”These are the return gifts Rongchuan prepared well in advance.”

Zhulan flipped through it briefly, ”Your father will be very happy.”

Xue Han giggled, ”Yes.”

Her father-in-law couldn’t be bothered to ask about the return gifts, but her husband had explained where each of the return gifts came from.

Zhulan continued, ”Your father-in-law has several concubines, have you met them?”

It would be too false for Marquis Ning to live all by himself; even though he hadn’t taken a wife, he still had concubines.

Xue Han, ”Mother, I’ve met them already. They can’t really be considered concubines; they’re actually just a few maids who take care of father-in-law. From what I gather from Rongchuan, he plans to give them some silver and properties and let them leave the residence in a few years.”

Zhulan nodded and did not ask further, ”If you run into anything you’re unsure about while managing the Hou Residence in the future, just ask the Duchess for advice. The old lady will certainly be happy to help you.”

Xue Han understood, her mother was teaching her, ”Hmm, your daughter will visit grandmother at the Duke Residence more often.”

Zhulan smiled, she knew her daughter would catch on with just a hint.

In the front courtyard, Chang Lian and the others were already prepared to tease Rongchuan, ”Come and sit down, we’ve been waiting for you.”

Rongchuan remained seated at a distance, sipping his tea, ”Third brother, I have no silver, so you should forget about taking advantage of me.”

Chang Lian didn’t believe it, ”You ran out of silver? How come you became stingy after marrying my sister?”

Rongchuan shook his purse, ”All my Silver Coin has been handed over. If third brother really wants to take advantage of me, should I apply for Silver?”

Chang Lian, ”....”

He knew Rongchuan was content being under his sister’s thumb but hadn’t expected him to hand over his silver this soon after marriage!

Chang Zhi couldn’t help but laugh out loud, ”Third brother, it looks like your wish to have more disposable income won’t come true.”

Chang Lian pursed his lips, indeed, his wish wouldn’t come true. His own sister was not easy to deceive. Regretfully, he said, ”There’s no chance to get rich in the future anymore.”

Rongchuan, ”Is it okay for you to talk like this in front of me?”

Zhou Eldest laughed, ”We don’t say it, but you already know it clear as day in your heart.”

Rongchuan, ”....”

The next day, Zhulan did not rest at noon, waiting for her second son to come home. It had snowed heavily yesterday, and she was concerned.

After a while, Chang Yi finally arrived home, bringing a guest with him.