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

Chapter 1272: Chapter 1272: Great Pressure

capital, Zhulan took Yushuang and Yu Lu out, a rare occasion for them. Why did they go out? Because she had booked a teahouse early, just to watch Princess Aerola’s entry into the capital.

Now entering Er Yue, the temperature in the capital rose quickly, the snow on the roofs had almost all melted, and as for the streets, they would be cleaned after the next snow, making them neat and clean.

Because of street cleaning, the Imperial court provided many job opportunities for the people, not a lot of Silver Coin every month, but it was enough to supplement the household.

Yushuang, now a grown-up girl, opened the windows of the teahouse, holding a fan in front of her face, looking towards the street, only able to hear the sounds, the procession had not yet passed.

In front of Zhulan, seeds had already been placed, and there were truly many spectators today. This princess was about to enter the capital, and everyone started paying attention again to the beauty’s renowned beauty, drawing many curious onlookers.

Zhulan, ”Such a beauty.”

Although she had seen many beauties, she had never seen a princess arranged for a marital alliance, curious, so curious.

Yu Lu poured tea for grandma, she had noticed early on, grandma really enjoyed watching dramas, sometimes taking her or elder sister to banquets, grandma would always secure a good spot, her eyes twinkling brightly.

Yushuang put down her fan, ”Here they come, here they come.”

Zhulan stood up quickly and went over, the little old lady held onto the window frame, sticking her head out, her tone extremely excited, ”They’re really here.”

Yushuang and Yu Lu, ”...”

This is the most authentic grandma!

The procession came by, a large carriage being the most conspicuous, the carriage windows were screened with gauze, faintly revealing the princess’s face.

Zhulan widened her eyes, wanting to have a better look, unhappy, she thought it wasn’t a carriage!

Yushuang and Yu Lu were terrified, having long dropped their fans, both sisters held onto their grandma’s clothes, deeply afraid grandma might accidentally fall out of the window.

The procession was not long, once the procession had passed, Zhulan sighed, ”Wasted Silver, just saw loneliness.”

Yushuang, ”?”

Zhulan complained, ”This great beauty’s fame has spread, why ride a carriage? Riding a horse would be much better!”

Aren’t they all skilled in horseback archery? Sigh, saw nothing.

In Zhou’s village, Mingyun and Jiang Zhu’s examination results had come out, Mingyun was top, Jiang Zhu third, although Jiang Zhu’s results were also good, his sickness still affected his performance.

The two prepared to head to Pingzhou, planning to leave tomorrow. Mingyun said, ”I’ll visit Ming Qing’s house, and you?”

Jiang Zhu had just recovered from his illness, having scared his grandparents sick, he was feeling much better now, allowing his grandparents to return to his uncle’s house, Jiang Zhu thought for a moment, ”I’ll go to my uncle’s house.”

Mingyun, ”Alright.”

Mingyun left first, Jiang Zhu waited to harness the carriage, Jiang Zhu’s carriage had just left the house when he saw Jiang Mulan, Jiang Zhu signaled for the carriage to stop, then disembarked.

Jiang Zhu was still frail from his illness, having lost much weight, ”Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Mulan’s cheeks slightly blushed, handing over a basket she was holding, ”This is chicken soup I stewed.”

Jiang Zhu reached out to take it, Jiang Zhu’s hands were beautiful, fair and slender unlike a boy’s hands, rather like a girl’s, ”Thank you.”

Mulan had more than once found Jiang Zhu’s hands beautiful, thinking of her own hands, she had been very conscious of taking care of them, still feeling a bit embarrassed, she withdrew her hands.

Jiang Zhu smiling, ”It’s windy today, you should also head back early, I’m going to my uncle’s.”

Mulan stepped back, ”Then you go first.”

Jiang Zhu found it inappropriate to ask Mulan to ride in the carriage even though they were engaged; avoiding suspicion was necessary. He nodded, ”You should go back early too.”

Mulan smiled, knowing that Jiang Zhu would drink the chicken soup.

Jiang Zhu got into the carriage, and once he saw Mulan walking towards the Jiang family’s direction, he let down the carriage curtain. Jiang Zhu was somewhat distracted; his memories from childhood were blurred. His family’s life gradually improved due to his maternal grandfather’s rising influence. Speaking of which, he hadn’t really experienced hardship.

Jiang Zhu stretched out his hand, a pair more delicate than a lady’s. Thus, he had to work even harder, especially with his content and widely known father. Unknowingly, his father’s fame had spread across the provinces, putting great pressure on him, his son!

Jiang family, Mulan returned in high spirits. Seeing her mother making tea, she asked, ”Mother, where is father?”

Dong Yiyi gestured to the study, ”Your father is writing an article.”

Mulan’s eyes curved in amusement, ”Dad wants to submit articles too?”

Dong Yiyi nodded, ”Yes, your Uncle Jiang Sheng’s articles have spread across all provinces; now the Imperial court is encouraging article submissions. Your father wants to try.”

Talking, Dong Yiyi stroked her daughter’s hair. Her husband too was doing this for their children, to earn a good reputation and rinse away some past for added confidence for the son and daughter.

In the capital, Zhulan returned home disappointed, then quickly got busy as the household was taking stock of the storeroom goods, Zhulan holding a thick list in her hand.

Over the years, many valuable items had been accumulated and sorted; now only miscellaneous items remained.

Zhulan, looking at the boxes filling the courtyard, told Qing Xue: ”Tell everyone to be careful.”

Qing Xue replied, ”Yes.”

Zhulan was counting the days until Old Lady Song would return, then her gaze fell upon Old Lady Li, who she had specially sought for Lady Dong. Old Lady Li was chosen by her young daughter, having served in the palace in her early years, and later retired from it.

Had it not been for her young daughter’s request, Old Lady Li wouldn’t have wanted to come out. Zhulan had personally seen Old Lady Li, promised her benefits, and had her stay by Lady Dong’s side for three years. With a capable servant at her side, Lady Dong could also relax a bit.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren had just finished his tasks when the Retired Emperor spoke, ”Aren’t you planning to try submitting an article?”

Zhou Shuren pointed at the Zhezi on the desk, ”I have no time, Your Majesty’s minor targets have scared me.”

The Retired Emperor laughed heartily, talking about minor targets, which the Emperor had specially learned from him. This joke was something he muttered over and over!

Zhou Shuren knew the first phase of the publicity had been very successful. The outcome was that some people saw it as a rapid route to fame; not only did scholars want to try, but even Imperial officials.

Who wouldn’t like fame and fortune? He also knew some recluse scholars had started writing.

So the competition in the next phase would be really intense, and he had no interest in participating, no, nor did his son-in-law in the next phase.

He felt his son-in-law had a good mentality; even though his son-in-law was now famous, he remained calm and didn’t become arrogant because of one success. His son-in-law said, things that weren’t seen in reality couldn’t be made up.

Thus, his son-in-law currently had no plans to submit an article.

Zhou Shuren listened very satisfied. If he wasn’t pleased with such a son-in-law, his standards were too high. Thus, he advised his son-in-law not to focus on promotional articles and to write according to his own nature. Since his son-in-law and daughter liked traveling, they could write detailed travelogues, one for each place, and it would be even better if they could add some short stories.

The Retired Emperor waved his hand, ”You old fellow, even you are zoning out. What are you thinking about?”

Zhou Shuren said, ”I am thinking that Rongchuan will be very busy this month.”

With so many articles, tsk tsk, the workload is enormous.

The Retired Emperor also felt sorry for his younger son but was pleased with his capabilities, ”We have already borrowed some Scholars from the Hanlin Academy.”

Zhou Shuren, ”Just Scholars might not be convincing enough.”

The Retired Emperor, ”We have also invited a few upright individuals to preside.”

Zhou Shuren then felt relieved, stroking his beard. The current situation was of his making, a bit self-flattering, but he was indeed brilliant!