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

Chapter 1153: Chapter 1153: Deep Forethought and Planning

Shi Qing had not rested well yesterday and still felt unwell as he sat on the chair, his gaze drifting over to his despondent father and his wife who stared blankly ahead. He closed his eyes; he had not expected the eunuch delivering the imperial decree to recount the court affairs in full detail.

He had intended to keep some secrets from his wife for a few days, to give himself time to think. Now, however, his wife knew everything.

Shi Qing opened his eyes. He felt a sense of joy about his being conferred the title of marquis–how could he not be happy? He was Mr. Hou, reclaiming the surname of the Rong family. He possessed a genuinely noble birth that he had always regarded as unattainable, a dream now realized.

Yet, beneath the joy, Shi Qing became more composed. The court had been a stage for dramatic scenes today, yet the members of the Shi family were notably absent, revealing the Emperor’s stance. The Emperor only acknowledged their noble lineage and status but not them as individuals–their father even less so.

They were closest to the Emperor, and yet they were considered less significant than Zhou Shuren’s lineage.

The title of Marquis had been directly bestowed upon him, bypassing his father. The Emperor had no intention of giving them higher ranks; he was still an illegitimate son, and there were too many complicating factors. Additionally, the title did not promise to last for generations, indicating that it would be demoted in his son’s generation.

Shi Huai had regained his composure, looking up to see the pallor on his son’s face, he felt perplexed and reluctant, yet helpless. Staggering to his feet, he chuckled and pushed away the young servant who tried to support him, making his way slowly toward the back courtyard alone.

Yao Yao, too, was startled awake by the commotion, her eyes filled with confusion. As clever as she was, she had never faced a predicament like this. Lifting her head to look at her husband, she saw the worry in his eyes and felt a measure of peace. Her legs had gone numb, and she slumped to the floor.

Shi Qing rose to his feet and extended his hand to help her. Yao Yao looked up at him with her neck craned. She was not beautiful, and she harbored insecurities. Her husband was handsome, and at this moment, negative emotions controlled her thoughts, leaving her staring blankly. ”You shouldn’t have reached out your hand.”

She truly did not know that after all the deeds her own Yao family had done, her husband turned out to be of Rong’s bloodline, and of the legitimate lineage too. Even if she did not want to acknowledge or hated her father, it could not change the fact that Yao blood flowed through her veins.

Shi Qing had endured much since childhood, faced incessant thorns as he grew, and his heart had grown old ahead of its time. He never sought his children’s love and did not even dare to hope for it. He only knew what was suitable for himself, ”Throughout the years of our marriage, I have always believed I’ve been doing well. You have always been my ideal wife.”

Affection was something that developed gradually, like silent nourishment. They were not together because of love, but because they were suitable. If water can wear away stone, much more can human relations. Yao Yao’s subtle influence had seeped into Shi Qing’s life, like the constant company of a kin.

Overwhelmed, Yao Yao could move her feet again. Not reaching for her husband’s hand, she stood up on her own. As they looked at each other, she threw herself into her husband’s arms, tears silently began to flow, turning into loud sobs. Heaven knew what had gone through her mind in those brief moments. She had thought of suicide, of not wanting her son to bear the burden, or her husband to face difficulty, of not wanting to be abandoned.

Shi Qing lifted his hands and embraced Yao Yao.

Zhulan had received word of the imperial edict concerning the Shi family and had her share of thoughts, but she was also very busy. With the new nobility status came responsibilities of hosting banquets, and she decided to let such thoughts pass for now.

Other matters could be delegated to Su Xuan and Zhao, but the guest seat arrangements needed her personal attention.

Xue Mei had come over from home looking bewildered, ”Mother, is everything Wang, the steward, said true?”

”It is all true, you will be a young lady of an Earl’s family from now on.”

Xue Mei had no ambition, but her maternal family was climbing up the ranks. Now with a nobility title, it was a victory as her mother said, one she did not have to strive for. ”Mother, I’ve really won by doing nothing.”

Zhulan choked on her words–this phrase her granddaughter, Lin Xi, had said, that she was born at the finish line, needing no effort, a true winner. Zhulan had not expected her eldest daughter to remember it.

Zhulan smiled, ”In a manner of speaking.”

Xue Mei beamed, ”Mother, is there anything I can help with?”

Zhulan pointed at the guest list, ”This is the list of guests to be invited; you read for me while I write on this end.”

Zhulan had to arrange the seats according to the names; there were many people coming this time, and she wanted to make good arrangements; the old list would not do.

Xue Mei nodded, ”Okay.”

The mother and daughter were busy for a good half an hour before Zhulan, based on the news she had collected, managed to separate those who might have grudges. Holding the seating plan she was satisfied with, Zhulan let out a sigh; it truly was exhausting.

Xue Mei drank tea to soothe her throat and then said, ”Did mother send a letter to big brother and Chang Lian?”

Zhulan clapped her hands, ”Look at my memory, I really did forget.”

Xue Mei smiled, ”You’ve also got a lot on your plate.”

In the Duke Ning residence, the Old Duke was no longer attending court due to his age. Upon hearing his son’s words, the Old Duke gestured for his son to select congratulatory gifts from his private treasury.

Ning Xu personally wrote out a list and handed the completed list to his father, ”Father, have a look.”

The Duke took the list and carefully scrutinized it, pointing at an ornamental piece, ”Replace this with a red coral piece.”

Ning Xu commented, ”Isn’t that a bit too valuable?”

The Old Duke didn’t even look up as he replied, ”Not too valuable, these items are just objects to us, we’re not lacking in them. We must let the entire capital see the closeness between the Duke residence and the Zhou family.”

The Old Duke was also shocked by the unexpected development. The Crown Prince was neither close nor distant to the Ning clan, and now he was willing to lend a hand to the Ning clan—who knew about the future? With the Empress no longer alive, how much of that affection would remain? One must not talk about sentiment with the royal family, whoever does that is doomed.

The Old Duke initially had some worries; he dare not die, even with Rongchuan’s protection, he was not at ease. Now with this pleasant surprise before him, he was not content to let it slip by.

Ning Xu understood and, confirming there were no changes his father wanted to make, said, ”Who would have thought there would be such a turn? Zhou Shuren’s surname is Zhou, but the Emperor insisted on giving him the Rong surname before bestowing treatment like his own. He values Zhou Shuren because he hopes Zhou Shuren will rely on the Rong clan to protect the royal house.”

The royal family lacked elders; the Emperor wanted someone there who could command the Crown Prince’s respect after his departure, someone whose advice the Crown Prince would heed. Clearly, Zhou Shuren was the most suitable. Even before he had a notable origin, the Crown Prince respected Zhou Shuren.

Now with status, and the merits methodically cited by the Emperor today, those would be Zhou Shuren’s future talismans—shields upon shields, coupled with his origin. As long as the Zhou family committed no betrayal, even if they made mistakes, when the Crown Prince ascended to the throne, he would treat them leniently, and he needed Zhou Shuren when he took the throne.

The Old Duke sighed; his son had thought of what he himself had also considered—all filled with envy, ”That is due to Zhou Shuren’s own great ability.”

If a person without ability, why would the Emperor bother to be so mindful? It was all because of Zhou Shuren’s own striving spirit. Thinking of his own family’s lack of initiative, the Old Duke sighed deeply again.

Ning Xu also fell silent; indeed, one must possess personal merit.

At the fifth Prince’s residence, Zhang Yang did not attend the morning court. He wasn’t upset about not being called; the Emperor didn’t wish to see him in his current state, and Zhang Yang didn’t care.

Zhang Yang just hadn’t anticipated that Zhou Shuren would have such a status. Remembering the Zhang family’s hatred for Zhou Shuren, Zhang Yang laughed heartily, truly interesting—surprises at every turn!