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

Chapter 1332: Chapter 1332: Son Has Returned

Today’s early court protagonist is the ambassador Chang Yi. Facing the attention of everyone, he confidently stated, ”We have faithfully fulfilled our mission. After four years of diplomacy, three countries have agreed to host our ambassadors. We return without tarnishing our duties. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live forever.”

The Emperor, who understands best what has happened abroad over these four years, repeatedly said, ”My beloved ministers, you have worked hard for many years. I will reward your merits accordingly.”

Joy shone in Chang Yi’s eyes; his risk had been the highest, so naturally, his reward would be the most generous.

The early court is not a place for detailed discussions; it really just serves as a formality. After it ended, the diplomats including Chang Yi stayed behind.

Zhou Shuren watched his son and the eunuch leave. He hesitated for a moment before turning and walking towards the exit of the palace.

During the moment Zhou Shuren hesitated, some ministers who wanted to offer congratulations didn’t approach and instead left first, leaving only Wong Ju behind.

Wong Ju said, ”Your son has returned. Now, at home, you can keep a detailed eye on things.”

Zhou Shuren responded gloomily, ”You don’t understand.”

Wong Ju widened his eyes, ”How do I not understand? Your son took the leading achievement; you should just be happy.”

”That achievement was obtained by Chang Yi risking his life. If there was a better way, I would never have let him risk his life for it.”

Wong Ju patted Zhou Shuren’s shoulder, ”You’re quite remarkable in our eyes. Not everyone can manage their sons so clearly, of course, this is also because your son is competitive.”

Zhou Shuren looked up at the sky, ”It’s going to rain.”

Wong Ju nodded, ”Yes, and it looks like it won’t be light.”

Zhou Shuren quickened his pace. The land’s weather is unpredictable, let alone at sea. In ancient times without modern technology, getting lost or encountering a storm meant almost certain death with no chance for rescue.

Every year countless merchant ships are lost at sea. Chang Yi has gone to sea several times, each time gambling with luck. Heaven knows, Zhou Shuren knew how much he worried about Chang Yi encountering trouble at sea, especially during the typhoon-prone summer.

Zhou Shuren silently prayed to Amitabha, relieved that his son had returned safely and had exceeded the Emperor’s task. Now the Emperor perhaps would not continuously send Chang Yi out, and his son could stay in the capital.

At this thought, Zhou Shuren’s spine straightened a bit, and the deep-seated unease in his heart finally dissipated.

Wong Ju had gained a lot of weight over the years and soon became too tired to keep up, ”Slow down.”

Zhou Shuren looked disdainfully at Wong Ju, ”If you keep expanding sideways for a few more years, tsk tsk, your flesh could be worth some Silver.”

Wong Ju retorted, ”Don’t insult me indirectly.”

Zhou Shuren’s lips curled, ”Hurry up, it’s already starting to drop rain.”

Wong Ju looked up, just as a raindrop hit his face, changing his expression instantly, ”You really say it and it happens.”

Zhou Shuren had already started running during the conversation.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan looked at Yushuang’s belly, ”Your belly isn’t small. It won’t be easy when the time comes. For the remaining months, you should move around more and control your appetite, eat fewer sweets.”

This girl had developed a strong liking for sweets during her pregnancy, not refusing any kind of pastry, which frightened Zhulan just to see.

Zhao’s expression was also of concern, ”I should not have let your husband take care of you; he only knows how to give in to you.”

Yushuang felt embarrassed, ”I get hungry if I don’t eat sweets, and it makes me feel so bad at night that I can’t sleep.”

Su Xuan jumped in, ”You’ll still have to bear with it, as it’s not good to have a baby too big for the first child.”

Yushuang understood the gravity, ”I’ll make sure to move around more.”

The ladies were having a lighthearted chat here, munching on fruits or drinking fruit juices, whereas on the gentlemen’s side, Liufeng was the butt of the jokes.

Liufeng knew his father-in-law would soon be back home, and the sweat on his forehead hadn’t stopped; he occasionally wiped it off with a handkerchief.

Ming Hui, eating watermelon, said, ”Brother-in-law, eat more watermelon; it has a cooling effect. If your stomach aches, my second uncle might just let you off.”

Ming Rui didn’t side with his brother-in-law; getting married and troubling his father seemed only right. He would side with his father.

Ming Jia giggled, ”That’s a good idea, let’s give the remaining watermelon to our big brother-in-law.”

Mingyun clapped his brothers’ heads with a fan, ”Always scheming, Uncle’s temper will pass once he vents, but if you’re sly, just wait; his grudges are the longest in our family. He remembers them for a lifetime.”

Liufeng’s forehead sweat grew even more. He hadn’t interacted much with his father-in-law, who was always away. When in the capital, his father-in-law was too busy to pay attention to him. Now, taking advantage of his father-in-law’s absence, he got married. His swallowing gulped louder, and his nervousness grew.

Mingyun’s eyes were gleaming with mirth, Ming Jung shrank his neck, ”Big brother is certainly not that kind. He’s the best at fanning flames and scaring people.”

Ming Feng looked sympathetically at his brother-in-law; except for Ming Jung, all in the room were cunning as foxes.

Ever since their eldest sister got married, the brothers took turns visiting their brother-in-law, occasionally reminding him of their dad, recounting his past deeds. Even he, who had little memory of dad, had learned of his great achievements. Poor brother-in-law, truly pitiable.

Chang Xhong did not join the younger generation’s conversation but sat beside his big brother and fourth brother.

Today was indeed auspicious, a day off for the Hanlin Academy, and everyone at home was present.

Zhou Shuren had just stepped out to receive something Chang Yi brought back. As someone preparing his daughter’s dowry, Zhou Shuren enviously said, ”Chang Yi is really capable, bringing back many good things after four years away.”

Chang Zhi, not needing to worry about money and having a wealthy wife, was free-handed with money but also admired his second brother’s capabilities, ”Second brother has always been good at clinging to silver.”

Zhou Shuren, ”I should also thank Chang Yi. He helped me spend the least amount of silver to get many high-quality gemstones. We in the main house could prepare Yu Lu’s dowry so beautifully because of Chang Yi’s help.”

Chang Zhi didn’t need his second brother’s help, but the latter treated everyone equally, helping each family, ”It’s tough for second brother being outside; he still kept us in mind, and now his hard times yield sweet results.”

Chang Xhong thought of the gifts Chang Yi gave him, which were all from his savings; second brother was very generous to him, ”I don’t know what rewards second brother will receive.”

Chang Yi had left the palace at noon, after four years there were too many matters to report and important letters to personally deliver them to the Emperor.

After leaving the palace, Chang Yi and his people separated and boarded their own carriages, heading home. On his way, Chang Yi’s lips curled up in a smile. The imperial decree should be reaching home just as him, his hands trembled with excitement.

When he arrived at the gate, Chang Yi looked up at his family’s plaque. Steward Ding stood quietly by, patiently waiting for the second master’s next move.

Chang Yi finally stepped up, touched the gate with his hand, ”Home at last, finally home,” then quickened his pace to the main courtyard.

Chang Yi paused after a while, ”Prepare the altar.”

Steward Ding was stunned for a few seconds before raising his voice, ”Yes.”

Chang Yi hastened toward the backyard, the mansion now seemed too large. Pushing past the maidservants bowing at the main courtyard door, Chang Yi took two steps. Before even entering, he began shouting, ”Mom, your son is home, your son has returned.”