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

Chapter 1238: Chapter 1238: The Skin Can Be Thick, But Let’s Not

The longer the foreigners from other countries stayed in the capital, the more they understood about this nation, and the more well-behaved they became, especially considering that today’s banquet preparation included dishes from their own countries.

While the Crown Prince spoke, he went even further to discuss some customs from their countries, not just a superficial understanding, but he truly grasped them, occasionally mentioning particular circumstances in their homelands.

What did this imply? It meant that not only were they gathering intelligence, but this ancient eastern country was also learning about the world, and not just superficially!

At this moment, Zhou Shuren, whose thoughts had drifted far away, started choking on his drink when he heard a foreign prince speaking. He had to suppress his coughing because the great hall was extraordinarily quiet.

Zhou Shuren’s face turned red with exertion, feeling spicy and choking discomfort, with tears in his eyes.

The Crown Prince was stunned, ”Prince Qiao Yi, what did you just say?”

Prince Qiao Yi, ”I wish to learn mathematics from Mr. Zhou.”

The Crown Prince regained his composure, ”Why?”

Qiao Yi said excitedly, ”Mr. Zhou’s son is better at mathematics than I am despite my years of study. Through inquiries, I learned it was Mr. Zhou who taught him. I wish to seek his guidance, of course, it would be even better to become his student.”

Mathematics was just the starting point, what he really wanted to learn were some of Mr. Zhou’s skills. In fact, his country had already learned quite a bit from the ancient eastern country regarding maritime trade practices, such as product categorization, tariffs, and so on.

He had been gathering information about Mr. Zhou these past days and was very impressed by many of Mr. Zhou’s ingenious ideas, which is why he wanted to learn.

Zhou Shuren looked towards Chang Yi, the interpreter, who was baffled. After all, beyond the initial admission that his father taught him, Chang Yi had only asked his mother for guidance without consulting his father further. Even though he had indeed said it a long time ago, he guiltily avoided his father’s gaze.

Zhou Shuren couldn’t hold back anymore and coughed out loud, each cough filled with intolerable choking as tears streamed down.

Prince Qiao Yi was stunned, ”Is Mr. Zhou moved to tears?”

Zhou Shuren, with a hoarse voice and using a handkerchief to wipe away his tears, replied, ”The official is choking.”

He still harbors thoughts of apprenticeship? How bold!

The Emperor watched Prince Qiao Yi closely, who had been very quiet until now. Tsk, learning mathematics – who’s he trying to fool? He looked at Zhou Shuren, ”I recall Shuren mentioning that your wife is highly talented in mathematics and has already learned a lot from foreign books. Yesterday, didn’t Shuren also say that your wife has now reached advanced levels in her studies?”

Zhou Shuren stopped coughing. He knew how much the Emperor and the Crown Prince were inspired by him and how little they wished for a foreigner to become his apprentice. Yet now, by bringing up Zhulan, Zhou Shuren felt unhappy—not because he was reluctant for his wife to shine, but because he disliked mentioning his wife in such a setting, especially with the Emperor’s last remark. What if the foreigners took it seriously and wanted to challenge his wife?

Wasn’t this pushing his wife into the spotlight?

Zhou Shuren was well aware of the Emperor’s knowledge of his household and understood that the Emperor’s comments were intended to put the foreigners in their place and quell any inappropriate ambitions they might harbor. But once it concerned his wife, Zhou Shuren couldn’t help but feel displeased.

Zhou Shuren could feel everyone watching him, aware that the Emperor awaited his response.

Zhou Changyi was truly anxious. Why on earth had his mother suddenly been brought into this? He had confidence in her, of course, but he did not wish to involve her, especially when foreigners were concerned.

Zhou Shuren took a deep breath, ”In this official’s life, in his eyes, his wife is the best. If others think she is worthy by half, in my eyes she surpasses perfection. To me, the natural talent of my wife is unparalleled, none can measure up to her.”

Zhou Changyi had an odd look on his face, admiring his father’s response. His father’s reply was all groundwork, complying with the Emperor’s stance while also leaving room for maneuver. Even if the foreigner persisted in comparing skills and his mother lost, his father’s words provided a safety net; it was all because the father loved his mother too much.

And yet, his father managed to say all this so calmly and without embarrassment – just like their affectionate nature at home, even in the grand hall, his father was forthright!

The Emperor was caught off guard. He felt full despite not eating much—the assurances in his words were undeniable. The study of Western learning by the Yang family was not hidden; drafts were openly displayed.

Initially, he hadn’t paid much attention, just assuming it was Zhou Shuren’s way of showing affection for his wife. But once the drafts started coming in, the Emperor took them seriously. As he would also look into Western studies during his leisure, naturally learning a bit himself, he recognized the level of depth.

His attention was a bit excessive this time, and then his heart became very complicated. Zhou Shuren truly loved Mrs. Yang, and Mrs. Yang indeed had exceptional qualities.

Perhaps the busy Zhou Shuren didn’t even realize what his wife had learned.

The Emperor stared at Zhou Shuren—whenever he encountered Mrs. Yang, Mrs. Yang was always the most important, and his responses sparked irritation.

The ministers in the great hall had their beards constantly twitching, one could only imagine how contorted the faces beneath those beards were. There were many conservative ministers for whom love was never to be taken outside their homes, let alone mentioned aloud.

Zhou Shuren radiated a demeanor that seemed to declare, ”My wife is the best, my wife is the most outstanding,” causing someone to mutter in a low voice, ”What kind of decorum is this on the court?”

At this moment, Zhou Shuren’s ears were especially sharp; he immediately turned towards where the voice came from. Ah, a familiar face, Scholar Ding.

Zhou Shuren said, ”This official and my lady were wed in proper ceremony, braving all trials and tribulations to come to this day. My lady has sacrificed the most for me, without her, there would be no me as I am today. Why should I not speak of it?”

It wasn’t just about being in the court—he dared to say it anywhere he went!

If it weren’t for the fact that foreigners from various nations were watching and he had to be cautious, he would undoubtedly have snapped back.

Scholar Ding wanted to argue back but felt the Emperor’s piercing gaze and ended up clamping his mouth shut, not making a move.

When Zhou Shuren spoke again, it reminded the other ministers of the time he had cried at the palace gates—all for Mrs. Yang. Tsk tsk, Zhou Shuren was really a man of emotion.

Zhou Shuren didn’t realize he had earned the title of a romantic man, lighting up the achievement of being the most affectionate man; anyway, after stirring the pot and dumbfounding Prince Qiaoyi, his job was done.

The Emperor turned to Eunuch Liu and said, ”Bring pen and paper.”

Eunuch Liu efficiently prepared everything, and under the puzzled eyes of everyone present, the Emperor wrote down, ”To grow old together, a couple’s affection deep.”

Afterward, the Emperor handed it to Zhou Shuren through Eunuch Liu, ”Your deep affection for Mrs. Yang has been witnessed by Us and the Empress. This calligraphy is for the two of you.”

As he said this, the Emperor envied Zhou Shuren for something he couldn’t achieve himself. Zhou Shuren had done what he couldn’t—never abandoning his original wife, cherishing her as if they were newlyweds, and he was the only official here who had managed this.

Zhou Shuren’s dissatisfaction eased upon seeing the calligraphy, and he joyfully accepted it, ”Your subject thanks the Emperor. Long live, long live, forever live the Emperor.”

Prince Qiaoyi was now unable to interject anything at all. He could only watch the scene between the sovereign and his subject play out and dryly return to his seat.

The Crown Prince watched Zhou Shuren thoughtfully; sometimes Minister Zhou was truly extraordinary, capturing everyone’s focus with just a single sentence.

Zhou Changyi’s admiration for his own father surged straight up. Impressive, my father.

Rongchuan couldn’t help but laugh out loud. This was his father-in-law, and glancing towards some jealous faces, he concealed his eyes—jealousy could only watch on.

Zhou Shuren finally relaxed when the focus was no longer on him, not even drinking wine this time but instead sipping on tea.

Li Zhao raised his wine glass, ”From today onwards, you are someone I admire.”

Zhou Shuren, ”I thought I was always someone Mr. Li admired.”

Li Zhao said, ”Hmm, I’ve always admired your thick-skinned nature.”

Zhou Shuren chuckled, ”My skin can be thick or not as needed, but never thin.”

Li Zhao, ”....”

He lost!