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

Chapter 1270: Chapter 1270: Rely on Oneself

January came and went in the blink of an eye, and in a few days, it would be the grand ceremony to establish the Crown Prince. Before that event, the princess who was to be married off would also enter the capital.

Zhulan was very curious; there was no helping it. Despite living in the capital for so many years, this was the first time she would see a princess who had come for a political marriage.

Zhulan asked Xue Han, ”It is said that Princess Aerola is a rare beauty. Have you seen her portrait in the palace?”

Xue Han shook her head. ”Mother, I haven’t seen any portraits. There are none in the Empress Mother’s quarters nor in the Empress’s quarters. I think no portraits have been sent here.”

Upon hearing this, Zhulan mused, ”That’s quite interesting. There are no portraits, yet rumors of her beauty circulate. Is this self-promotion or is there another scheme at play?”

Xue Han added, ”Anyway, anyone sent for a political marriage is definitely not a simple person.”

A political marriage is for seizing interests; would they send someone who understands nothing, as if delivering vegetables to the harem?

Zhulan said thoughtfully, ”It’s curious timing for this princess to arrive, just before the ceremony to establish the Crown Prince.”

The Empress must be feeling quite uneasy right now.

Xue Han spoke in a particularly soft voice, ”When I went to see the Empress yesterday, I encountered Consort Liu, and she mentioned the princess several times.”

Zhulan remarked, ”I thought that once the Crown Prince was established, things would calm down in the harem!”

Xue Han replied, ”How could that be possible? The harem is a place of constant strife. Consort Liu is discontent and keeps deliberately bringing up this princess to annoy the Empress, even repeatedly mentioning the double joy of the Crown Prince’s ceremony.”

Regretting her visit to the palace the day before, even the Empress couldn’t take such a jab to the heart easily. The Crown Prince was the Empress’s lifeline, after all.

Zhulan felt, ”Consort Liu is going to have a tough time.”

Xue Han blinked, ”That, I don’t know. I don’t really want to go to the palace these days.”

In her heart, Zhulan thought that Consort Liu mentioning the political marriage as a joyous event alongside the establishment of the Crown Prince would not please the Emperor.

At the Hanlin Academy, Chang Zhi had just returned from the palace. Getting out of his carriage, he saw Ming Shan awaiting him. Indeed, ever since Ming Shan took a concubine, his parents’ attitude toward him had changed, and this New Year, they had hardly retained this relative in the home.

Ming Shan, a Scholar, was able to remain in the capital indeed due to Zhou Shuren’s influence.

Ming Shan wondered if he had let himself become arrogant. Swayed a bit, he had, after all, become a man with backing. As Zhou Shuren ascended to become Chief of Staff, others sought to win him over, and his will faltered; he couldn’t resist temptation and decided to take a concubine.

Only after taking a concubine did Uncle Chang Yi reprimand him, and he came to a stark realization - all that he had relied on Zhou Shuren. Without Zhou Shuren, no one would court his favor. It wasn’t for his abilities; the capital was full of capable people. He wasn’t missed.

Visiting nervously for the New Year, Ming Shan felt a chill in his heart; he couldn’t even get a word in edgewise. The only one who still held some face in the Zhou residence turned out to be his wife.

Chang Zhi nodded to Ming Shan and continued inside; he still had many tasks to handle.

Ming Shan opened his mouth, having actually come to wait for Uncle Changzhi, but found himself unable to speak to restrain Changzhi, and could only watch as Changzhi walked away.

Ming Shan pursed his lips, thinking to himself who visited the palace most from the Hanlin Academy? Zhou Changzhi - even the Top scorer had to wait behind him. He deeply regretted his actions, to the point of feeling green with it.

Chang Zhi, unconcerned with Ming Shan’s emotional turmoil, saw no point in bothering with him. They were not on the same level. Paying attention would be a waste of time; he would be better off reviewing more literature to enrich himself.

In Zhou family village, Ming Qing greeted the young servant who had arrived first, ”I’ve been worried all along. I feared they might be late, but thankfully, they will arrive in three days and still have time to rest for seven.”

The young servant said, ”The young masters were worried about missing the deadline, so they traveled quickly. Graduate, I need to go and prepare the estate; I will take my leave now.”

Now that Ming Qing had become the Clan Leader, he offered, ”If there’s anything I can help with, just say the word.”

The young servant thanked him with a smile.

The Zhou family’s servant had arrived at the village ahead of the others, and word had spread particularly fast. Knowing that there was no need for help, they reluctantly left the Zhou family estate.

Right now, everyone wanted to curry favor with the Zhou family. What was most often said was not of Zhou Shuren’s kinship with the royal family, but that Zhou Shuren had become the Minister of Revenue. In the eyes of the common people, becoming Chief of Staff was a position Zhou Shuren fought for on his own, and that was truly something to boast about.

Because Zhou Shuren had become Chief of Staff, not only did the children from within the county desire to attend the Zhou family’s clan school, but even those from neighboring counties wished to send their children there. Unfortunately, it was not easy to gain admission.

At the Jiang family home, Dong Yiyi was seeing her elder sister-in-law out. Since last year, the warmth of her natal family had finally arrived, as they had provided consistent care and concern. Dong Yiyi’s heart had grown indifferent after experiencing such fluctuations; she had come to terms with everything.

Dong Yiyi, seeing the neighbor’s aunt, greeted her, ”Aunt.”

Madam Zhang smiled, ”I was just thinking of looking for you.”

Dong Yiyi, puzzled, asked, ”Are you looking for me for a reason, Aunt?”

Madam Zhang cheerfully said, ”Good news, great happiness! Zhou Shuren’s eldest grandson and grandnephew are coming back to participate in the scholar exams. Isn’t that great news for you?”

Madam Zhang had good intentions and was genuinely happy for Dong Yiyi. After years of living together, Dong Yiyi was a decent person, and Mr. Jiang’s scholarship was top-notch in the clan school. The pupils who were taught by Mr. Jiang all praised his prowess.

Now, some Scholars and Graduates approached Mr. Jiang with questions they did not understand, and Mr. Jiang never brushed them off, answering earnestly and winning the goodwill of the entire Zhou clan.

Dong Yiyi knew well the only one who could be called Chief of Staff was Zhou Shuren. Her face brightened with a smile, ”Thank you for telling me the news, Aunt.”

Madam Zhang said, ”You’re too polite. I’ll be on my way now.”

After waiting for Madam Zhang to leave, Dong Yiyi turned around and went home. Having received a letter from Xue Mei, Dong Yiyi knew Jiang Zhu was returning. She had been hoping he would return soon.

Dong Yiyi wanted to tell her husband; considering the hour, she decided to wait for him to come home. Thinking of her husband, Dong Yiyi smiled brightly; his monthly stipend had already doubled, and he was enjoying his teaching. Indeed, life was getting better and better.

In the capital at the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren saw Rongchuan approaching. Not seeing any Zhezi in his hand, Zhou Shuren knew he wasn’t here for silver. ”Why have you come here?”

Rongchuan took a document and a painting from his Guard’s hands. ”Here’s my brother-in-law’s essay and painting. Dad, could you take a look?”

Hearing this, Zhou Shuren put down his pen, ”Why is it so thick?”

Rongchuan took a seat, ”Following my brother-in-law’s essay and painting, I had some additional illustrations done. Few commoners can read, but illustrations are the most effective for spreading the message. What you have are the prototypes. The Emperor saw them and suggested showing them to you. If there’s no issue, I can start printing based on these prototypes.”

Zhou Shuren flipped through the illustrations. He had already seen the original essay and painting, and now he was looking at the additional works Rongchuan introduced. To achieve these prototypes in ancient times was quite an accomplishment, ”They’re very good. You’ve been quite diligent recently.”

Rongchuan grinned, pleased to have his father’s approval. All this effort wouldn’t be wasted, ”Then, it’s settled on this prototype. By the time it’s done, my brother-in-law’s name will ring loud across the provinces.”

Zhou Shuren was satisfied too. He had taken a special interest in his son-in-law, speaking directly to the Emperor about it, as the essay and painting were presented by his hand, ”The future promotional essays and illustrations will rely on your brother-in-law’s own capabilities.”