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

Chapter 1299: Chapter 1199: Stark Contrast

Mingyun thought to himself it was more than mere acquaintance; they had even crossed paths before. He pulled over a chair and sat down, ”I’ll accompany you to meet your friend.”

Ming Teng, ”Huh?”

Mingyun tapped his brother’s head, ”Huh what, don’t play dumb, looking all silly.”

Ming Teng covered his forehead, Big Brother really hit him, ”Big Brother, you haven’t answered my question yet!”

Mingyun fiddled with the fan in his hand, ”We have met before.”

Ming Teng had a hunch that it wasn’t just a simple meeting; clearly, Wen Rong made Big Brother very cautious, to the point that he now avoided visiting Uncle Wu Ming’s home. But still, ”Big Brother, you’re not worried that I might be at a disadvantage, are you?”

Mingyun gave a smile, leaving Ming Teng to interpret its meaning.

Ming Teng remained silent. He’d rather be a bit foolish than understand Big Brother’s meaning.

As the brothers looked at each other, Steward Wang had already brought Wen Rong into the courtyard. When Wen Rong saw Zhou Mingyun, his pace imperceptibly paused, then he continued calmly and naturally greeted him, ”Young Master Mingyun, it’s been a while.”

Mingyun smiled, ”It is indeed a surprise to encounter Fourth Master Wen today.”

Ming Teng cheerfully gestured for him to sit down, then asked Wen Rong, ”Are you well-acquainted with my brother?”

Wen Rong’s face was full of smiles, ”Not well-acquainted.”

The smile in Ming Teng’s eyes deepened, interesting, it seemed neither had much fondness for the other!

Mingyun gestured to Wen Rong to drink tea, and continued, ”I am quite surprised that Fourth Master Wen is acquainted with my younger brother.”

Wen Rong smiled, ”Seeing each other often, naturally leads to acquaintance. If Master Mingyun and I could meet more often, I’m sure we could become well-acquainted too.”

Mingyun glanced sideways at Ming Teng, who with a smile said, ”My sister-in-law praised Wen Rong, saying she met him once while attending to some business, and from there we slowly became familiar.”

Wen Rong squinted his eyes, Prince Qin praised him? That was news to him.

For a family, the oldest grandson is very important, but alas, the Wen family’s eldest grandson is not outstanding. Even with later attempts to make up for it with cunning, it is not enough, and while the legitimate second grandson is not bad, he’s still not quite brilliant; the third in line is known for his rash temperament, making this fourth brother stand out.

With the family intentionally promoting him, and resources tilting in his favor, he had met Prince Qin and that led to later events.

Mingyun smiled, ”To be praised by my brother-in-law, Master Wen Rong must indeed possess many extraordinary qualities. I look forward to learning from you in the future.”

Wen Rong’s glance fleetingly passed over the honest Ming Teng drinking tea, a hint of envy in his heart—it’s nice to have an older brother to protect you. However, his envy was short-lived; if his own elder brother had been more brilliant, there would be no place for him today. So, a powerful brother—he did not need.

Wen Rong responded, ”It is I who should be seeking guidance from you in the future.”

He was still a commoner, while Zhou Mingyun had already achieved the title of Xiao Sanyuan. At this thought, Wen Rong’s gaze became profound. This year, he had been the victim of family scheming; otherwise, he should have been taking the examination.

Then, Wen Rong truly did seek guidance, and Ming Teng, sitting by, was able to occasionally contribute his thoughts.

Zhulan, in the main house, naturally received the news. She was familiar with the Wen family, where offspring were plenty—both legitimate children and illegitimate sons and daughters, so disputes naturally abounded. Even with an empress, the Wen family resources were not enough for all progeny.

Competition within the legitimate line was intense as they all vied for more resources, especially when the legitimate eldest grandson was not impressive.

Zhulan had also heard many praises of the Fourth Master Wen, a sign of the family tilting resources towards him. Knowing Mingyun was behind her, Zhulan was no longer worried.

Wen Rong left, and it was already the afternoon by the time Mingyun and Ming Teng saw Wen Rong out of the mansion’s gates.

Zhao Shi, with Yu Die in tow, also arrived home. Yu Die couldn’t wait for Zhao Shi and leaped out of the carriage, infuriating Zhao Shi who wanted to scold, ”How many times have I told you not to jump out of the carriage? Where are your manners?”

Yu Die said smilingly, ”Mother, we’re inside the mansion now, and there are no outsiders; let your daughter act freely!”

After getting off the carriage, Zhao Shi tapped her daughter’s forehead, ”As if you’re not carefree enough, you’re the most unconstrained in the Zhou family. On normal days, you’re like a tomboy. I’m starting to doubt that I might have given birth to you wrongly; you should have been a boy.”

”If only I were a boy, then I could sail the seas with father and conquer the oceans and travel to different countries.”

Zhao Shi clutched her chest; she had only now realized her daughter’s ambitions were grand. It was about time to rein in the girl’s spirit, ”You shut up. Go back and copy calligraphy ten times, one less and it’ll be doubled tomorrow.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Die spoke, ”Oh mother, my most beautiful mother, the mother who loves me most, you are the best.”

Zhao Shi stayed silent for a moment, ”Five times.”

Yu Die pressed on, ”Your daughter loves you the most. Mother, tonight let your daughter sleep with you, mother.”

Zhao Shi pinched her daughter’s cheek with a strong hand, ”Alright, alright, you are the best at acting spoiled. Forget about the calligraphy.”

Yu Die cheered and jumped with joy, ”Mother is the best.”

Saying so, she ran toward the courtyard, leaving Zhao Shi shouting behind, ”You slow down, don’t fall!”

At this moment, Mingyun felt a bit embarrassed. He stood behind the wall with Wen Rong, avoiding the female family members, not expecting to encounter his lively sister Yu Die.

Ming Teng did not have his elder brother’s embarrassment, chuckling, ”Second Aunt has no way to discipline Yu Die.”

Always all thunder and no rain, hence the way Yu Die has turned out.

When Wen Rong came out, he saw a lively young girl bouncing around, not at all exhibiting the composure of a lady from a reputable house. Comparingly, his own sisters always held their skirts properly, sat with good posture, and they were the very image of well-bred young ladies.

Compared to the young miss of the Zhou family, his own family’s ladies were like models chiseled from the same mold, lacking vitality.

And the young miss of the Zhou family, unrestrained and relaxed. For a man, marrying a gentle wife would be suitable, yet often it’s the vibrant ladies who catch the eye of men.

Wen Rong thought of his father and then of his mother. He took a deep look at the Zhou residence before boarding the carriage to leave.

Once Mingyun had sent off the guest, he went to the main courtyard, spoke of Wen Rong’s visit, and then mentioned Yu Die, ”This girl is getting out of hand.”

Zhulan hated to constrain her granddaughters. Facing Mingyun, she said: ”It’ll be better once she’s older. Yu Die knows what she’s about. She only acts this way at home; she’s never made any mistakes outdoors.”

Mingyun thought about it, ”But jumping from the carriage is dangerous.”

Zhulan replied with a serious face, ”This indeed needs to be addressed.”

After Mingyun left, Zhulan asked Qing Xue, ”What do you think of our young misses?”

Qing Xue pondered for a moment before replying, ”The young misses of our house are all quite fine. Each has her own character, yet all of them are measured and composed.”

The young misses of her house never shunned their studies. They were earnest and also took their etiquette training seriously. In her eyes, her own young misses were the best.

Zhulan spoke, ”I hope they live freely and express themselves, not constrained by restrictions.”

So that they could be strong in the face of future setbacks. Besides, a versatile wife, a spirited wife, would attract her husband’s gaze.