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

Chapter 1120: Chapter 1120: Wanting to Go Out for a Look

Su Xuan almost didn’t throw the teacup in her hand, ”Tch, daring to dream of forming marital ties through our children, now everyone’s avoiding the Yao family like the plague. I was only able to meet Shen Yile today because of the face given by the Hou Residence, otherwise I wouldn’t have agreed to this meeting.”

Shen Yile’s face stiffened, because Su Xuan’s expression was too obvious. Holding onto her son’s wrist, ”Look at me, getting carried away with my foolish talk.”

Su Xuan didn’t want to trample on Shen Yile’s dignity, and she felt a pang of melancholy. Shen Yile had been so glorious in the past, and now, ”The matrimonial affairs of our children are all decided by my mother-in-law and father-in-law. I truly don’t dare to make any promises.”

Saying this was a way of saving Shen Yile’s face.

Shen Yile nodded, understanding, yet feeling a great pity. The Zhou family’s marriage proposal was truly excellent, especially with Zhou Shuren’s prospects. If Zhou the Elder and Zhou the Official could make plans, how much more could Zhou Shuren, who was good at his studies? ”It’s getting late, I should take the child and return.”

Su Xuan stood up to see them out, not insisting on further conversation, as it would only lead to awkwardness.

After Chang Zhi and company left, she came out holding her daughter, huffing unhappily, ”How old is our daughter now? In the future, I will pick an excellent husband for our girl. If he doesn’t pass my test, I certainly won’t approve.”

Su Xuan thought her husband seemed somewhat like what her mother-in-law called a ”daughter-con”. At first, she didn’t understand what it meant, but after her mother-in-law explained, she did. Looking helplessly at her husband, who behaved as if all potential sons-in-law were enemies, she still felt excited, ”Indeed, we can’t let that smelly boy get lucky so easily.”

Inside Shen Yile’s carriage, the little boy was reluctant, ”Mother, the little sister is so quiet and pretty.”

Shen Yile stroked her son’s head, ”In the future, Mother will find you an even better one.”

The little boy didn’t understand, but he was always observant of people’s expressions. ”Mother, why don’t I have a little sister?”

Shen Yile touched her stomach, puzzled herself. She had been married for many years, and her husband was kind to her, yet she had never gotten pregnant. Even the doctors she consulted had declared her healthy.

Inside the Palace, Rongchuan first went to the Imperial Hospital, then went to see his mother. ”I met Zhang Yang today, and he asked me to come and see the child.”

The Empress pressed her brow, ”This child is a troublemaker, can’t be left alone, very demanding. Just fell asleep, go have a look.”

Rongchuan followed the Female Officer, and soon returned, ”Indeed, looks like Zhang Yang.”

The Empress signaled the Female Officer to leave and didn’t hide the truth from her own son. ”The child is not Zhang Yang’s. Zhang Yang is infertile. This child was sent into the fifth Prince’s residence by the Zhang family clan.”

Rongchuan struggled to process the overload of information. After a pause, he exclaimed, ”Did Zhang Yang come over with a gloomy face today because he found out about his own problem?”

The Empress smiled indifferently, ”Whether he knows now or not, it doesn’t affect the bigger picture. What’s important now is this child. Child, soon, when all is over, you’ll be able to return. How about I confer on you the title of Prince Qin then?”

Rongchuan’s mind buzzed, repeating, ”Prince Qin?”

The Empress smiled, ”Yes, your father and I discussed it.”

Her life had been full of twists and turns, but as long as the end turned out well, she could overlook the process and focus solely on the outcome.

Rongchuan’s head was still whirring. He had not yet decided what to think, and seeing his joyful mother, he couldn’t express the thoughts in his heart. Sighing, ”I have other matters to attend to, I must take my leave.”

The Empress hummed in acknowledgment, and once her younger son left, a smile played on her lips. She was fully aware of her son’s hesitation, her husband’s and her third son’s thoughts. But this was her most beloved son, and she would not allow him to live under the Ning family’s name, which had already been involved in an act of claiming kinship. When her son returned to the royal fold, the unofficial histories would surely speculate on his origins. Her youngest son had already sacrificed enough for his elder brother.

At the Shi residence, Yao Yao had called for a doctor to see to the old master, who had fallen ill. Just yesterday, he was still playing with the children outside. Having stayed out too long in the cold without lighting the charcoal fire indoors, he had suddenly taken ill.

Yao Yao coldly looked at the kneeling old maid and said to the steward in charge of the eunuch quarters, ”Deal with her negligence, and make sure the old master’s health is fully restored.”

The steward replied, ”Yes.”

After the doctor checked the pulse and knew that some time for recuperation would suffice, Yao Yao felt relieved and left the quarters. She then inquired about her husband’s bedridden biological mother and straightened her clothes, pondering that sometimes, living isn’t the terrifying part, but the fear comes when you wish to die but cannot.

This period was crucial for her husband, and it was imperative that the two elders encountered no mishaps.

Time flew, and within the span of seven days, the merchants under Su Xuan’s control had been thoroughly vetted, ready and waiting for policies to be issued so they could directly apply for their trading licenses.

Upon learning this, Zhulan stopped worrying. The capital was filled with complaints, her daughters were busy with matters in the Hou Residence, which also employed merchants.

Her daughters were not only preoccupied with the Hou Residence but also assisted the Song family in managing the entire Ning clan.

Xue Mei, having had some leisure time to recuperate and lighten her suntanned complexion, said, ”Xue Han is too busy.”

Zhulan replied with a smile, ”She is not the matriarch of the family; she is merely helping out. It’s the Song family that is truly overwhelmed with work.”

Noble families had many members and branches; the women who married into them brought dowries, and although they didn’t handle business directly, their names would often be attached to that of the servants’, complicating matters. Additionally, managing the family’s businesses was not only about keeping the clan content but also about maintaining clear accounts—which was extremely cumbersome.

Zhulan inquired of Jiang Sheng, ”Jiang Sheng also became a Graduate this time. He didn’t return with us since he went back to worship his ancestors. He should be starting his journey back by now, right?”

Xue Mei nodded with a smile, ”He has already set off. He’ll arrive in a few days.”

She felt deeply content. Her husband was lucky this time, having passed the examination by the skin of his teeth as the last-ranked Graduate. Her husband was well aware of his limitations; he had been tutored privately by his younger brother and knew there was no point in pursuing further examinations. He didn’t wish to get involved; becoming a Graduate was quite sufficient.

Seeing her daughter so happy, Zhulan knew she was the least ambitious in the family, and now, as the wife of a Graduate, she was very satisfied.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhang Jinghong said, ”Today, there are quite a few more memos against Prince Liang.”

Zhou Shuren responded with good cheer, ”You do have a way with news.”

Rubbing his nose, Zhang Jinghong had been in frequent contact with Prince Qi since he took on an indolent persona, hence his information was quite up-to-date, ”Not bad. It’s said that many of the accusations in the memos are true.”

Zhou Shuren spoke in a haunting tone, ”He has provoked public outrage.”

Everyone was scrutinizing Prince Liang; it would be surprising if nothing were uncovered.

Ever since Zhang Jinghong noticed that Zhou Shuren was in a great mood when talking about Prince Liang’s miserable situation, he too enjoyed inquiring about Prince Liang, ”My lord, if Prince Liang can’t hold on, what about our side?”

Zhou Shuren glanced at Zhang Jinghong with a hint of amusement, ”Prince Liang will hold on.”

As long as the pressure from above continued, Prince Liang would be unharmed. As for settling scores later, that would be the Crown Prince’s concern.

At the Shi residence, Shi Qing returned to the estate and visited the old master’s quarters, ”What is it that you wanted to see me for?”

The old master Shi greatly feared this son and lowered his head, saying, ”I have been confined within the estate for many years. I have no other matters; I just want to leave the estate to have a look around. I want to buy some things for my grandson.”

He tentatively tested his son, his desires growing; nobody wanted to be confined forever. He longed to go out and see the world.