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

Chapter 1240: Chapter 1240: Stay Behind

Including what my maternal grandfather gave, all the silver mother has saved from father Emperor over the past two years has been given to him.

He is someone who likes to accumulate family wealth, so isn’t he just filthy rich now.

On the ladies’ side, Xue Han was organizing such a large banquet for the first time, and today all the notable figures from the capital had arrived. Even if Xue Han were composed, her young age meant that she felt somewhat timid inside; she would occasionally glance towards mother, and upon meeting her mother’s encouraging gaze, she was able to relax a bit.

The Crown Princess Consort observed carefully, noticing every little act of her sister-in-law, and couldn’t help but look toward the recently gossiped about Lady Yang, thinking that Lady Yang didn’t seem like someone from a rural background, even becoming a military general’s family later couldn’t change Lady Yang’s identity at the time of her marriage.

The Crown Princess Consort couldn’t figure it out and could only guess that it must be Lord Zhou’s mother, that Miss from the Rong family, who had instructed her later on.

The Crown Princess Consort thought of Western knowledge, which she had also sought out a few books to read, but unfortunately, without a foundation, she couldn’t understand it on her own.

Zhulan was well-positioned, she could feel the envious glances from time to time, and the disdainful ones; her background couldn’t be changed, and some of the matrons still looked down upon her in their hearts.

Zhulan wanted to laugh; they looked down on her yet envied her, and suddenly she laughed out loud.

Lady Li sat behind her mother, inquiring, ”Mother, what happy thought has crossed your mind?”

Zhulan’s eyes curved into a smile, ”I was thinking that while your father attracts enmity outside, I’ve also drawn quite a lot of enmity among the ladies in the inner courtyards.”

Lady Li, ”....”

She truly admired her mother-in-law’s mentality; look at those ladies with the unkind glances upon hearing the laughter, but the more they glanced, the brighter mother-in-law’s laugh became.

Zhou Shuren had no idea his wife was attracting hatred at the ladies’ banquet; meanwhile, he was decidedly envious of the wealthy, yearning to bring it all home, barely restraining his greedy hands.

Rongchuan, who had already spilled blood, noticed his father-in-law’s gaze and felt a chill down his spine, ”....”

Even the Crown Prince saw it and fell silent, thinking that Lord Zhou was becoming more and more like a mythical beast that devours wealth. Now, trying to get silver from the Ministry of Revenue was even harder than before. The Crown Prince, an ambitious man, was already thinking ahead about playing tai chi with Zhou Shuren over military funds.

The banquet hadn’t yet ended when the Crown Prince received news that darkened his expression. Although it was a subtle change, those familiar with the Crown Prince knew he was displeased.

After the banquet was over, they learned the news that Zhang Yang, upon hearing the prison guard discuss today’s grand occasion at the Qin Prince Residence and wanting to spite Rongchuan, had actually committed suicide in prison.

Rongchuan was stunned upon hearing the news. Once he returned, the palace upheaval had ended, and then he had been very busy, having long forgotten about Zhang Yang. Even if Zhang Yang wanted to disgust him, he truly didn’t care.

The Crown Prince, however, was not pleased; everything had been perfect with Rongchuan’s return to the royal fold. The Crown Prince was displeased, and then Zhang Yang was given a straw mat and tossed into the mass graves.

Prince Liang only laughed when he heard, as he had been wounded by Zhang Yang, but his pride prevented him from stooping to the level of mistreating a defeated foe; once someone was dead, they were dead.

After the grandeur of the Qin Prince Residence had ended, the Westerners brought back from the isle, because they had deliberately spread boils, had their crimes solidified. They were judged according to the newly minted laws.

The Crown Prince used strong measures to tell all the Westerners that here, they could only comply with their laws.

Even the Westerners who claimed to be a duke’s son, shouting in their cells, did not escape.

The evidence was conclusive; whether the Westerners knew this, they were aware in their hearts. Some of them called for severing ties, hoping to join with other nations, but sadly the Crown Prince had employed a strategy of allying with a portion, and the already disunited foreign delegates had even less cohesion.

Then it was a matter of vigorously promoting the new law. The Western officials, under house arrest, were returned to the Ministry of Rites, tasked once again with translation work, distributing legal booklets and illustration portfolios.

Zhou Shuren was exceptionally forthcoming with the silver.

Rongchuan was so busy he could barely catch his breath, only resting when he came to collect silver. Zhou Shuren, feeling for his son-in-law, remarked, ”It’s only been a few days, how have you lost so much weight?”

Rongchuan replied softly, ”Crown Prince elder brother is working me like I’m three men.”

Zhou Shuren, ”The Crown Prince recognizes your capabilities; you’re in the Propaganda Department, and you are indeed doing an excellent job.”

This point, Zhou Shuren didn’t give any support. He watched the entire process as Rongchuan handled his duties on his own. Now the Publicity Department has risen to prominence, and it was all built by Rongchuan step by step. He must be commended.

Rongchuan was very pleased to receive commendation from his father-in-law. If he had a tail, it would surely be wagging by now. ”My current abilities have improved greatly thanks to Father’s teaching.”

Zhou Shuren, ”There are also the Emperor and Mr. Rong, who have both taught you a lot.”

Rongchuan smiled and shook his head, the teachings were different: his father-in-law taught him the skills to establish himself in life, his father the Emperor taught him how to be a good Prince and a loyal subject, and his third uncle taught him the skills of diplomacy.

Rongchuan continued, ”Dad, I won’t stay any longer. I’ll head back now.”

”Alright, make sure you get enough rest as well.”

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan received a letter from Xuzhou Province. Everything was fine at the Changliang Residence; they told the family not to worry.

Zhulan finally felt relieved. Though Zhou Shuren had mentioned that Xuzhou was all right, without a letter from Lady Dong, Zhulan still remained anxious.

As she continued reading the letter, Zhulan realized that Lady Dong’s eldest sister-in-law had actually gone to Xuzhou.

Although Lady Dong didn’t mention it in the letter, Zhulan still guessed that Lady Dong’s eldest sister-in-law must have gone to Xuzhou without informing Lady Dong. Zhulan muttered, ”The Dong family really cares a lot about Chu Chu’s pregnancy.”

Lady Li frequently received letters from her family and was abreast with much of the Dong family’s affairs, ”I heard from my mother that there’s quite a stir in the Dong family now. Mr. Dong is struggling to keep things under control; the other branches feel that the main branch is reaping all the benefits and have been causing trouble for the past two years.”

Zhulan was indeed unaware, ”Lady Dong didn’t say.”

She then paused, realizing that such family disgraces were not something Lady Dong would speak of.

Lady Li said, ”Mother, with such big changes in our family and the other Dong family branches not gaining benefits, the Dong family will only cause more trouble. In my opinion, why not just propose that they separate.”

Zhulan, ”You think it’s good to separate?”

Lady Li nodded, ”I believe that separation is good. Once separated, the other branches of the Dong family won’t have any advantage, and the third brother and his wife are well aware of this.”

Zhulan smiled, ”You do see things clearly.”

Lady Li, ”I know that the third sister-in-law is a wise person; just from the fact that they haven’t come to the capital these years shows it.”

She truly thought the third sister-in-law was impressive!

Zhulan wasn’t worried about Lady Dong. Madam Song represented her and would take good care of Lady Dong.

In the blink of an eye, another five days passed. Some foreign delegations obtained what they wanted and left, while others departed dissatisfied.

What surprised Zhou Shuren was, ”Prince Qiaoyi isn’t returning to his country?”

This prince actually chose to stay!

Prince Qiaoyi smiled shyly, ”I like your country, so I want to stay a bit longer. The Crown Prince also invited me to stay for the coronation ceremony, so I decided to stay.”

Zhou Shuren, feeling that the translated words carried significant weight, said, ”The Crown Prince asked you to stay?”

Qiaoyi smiled and nodded, ”Yes, I might visit your residence in the future to pay my respects, which may trouble you.”

Zhou Shuren, stroking his beard and gazing intently at Prince Qiaoyi, remarked, ”Since the Crown Prince invited you to stay, I naturally welcome you.”

These two ambitious men are up to something!

Zhou Shuren thought of the coronation ceremony and counted the days—there weren’t many left.