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

Chapter 1370: Chapter 1370: Who Has It Easy?

Zhou Shuren was absent from the Ministry of Revenue for a while, and though it functioned as usual, it seemed like something was missing until Zhou Shuren returned and it became clear that he was the principal figure.

Qiu Yan did not flatter, but straightforwardly said, ”With Sir’s return, the spirit of the entire Ministry of Revenue has changed.”

Zhou Shuren jokingly said, ”When I was not around, they could slack off secretly, but now that I am back, they must perform well in front of me.”

Qiu Yan chuckled, ”Then they are also happy to see you return.”

After the jokes came the report, and it was only after the report ended that Qiu Yan sat down to drink tea.

Qiu Yan whispered, ”You must know about the Grassland Tribe coming to the capital to ask for food and supplies.”

”I already know that.”

Qiu Yan continued, ”In recent years, there have been many people from the Grassland Tribe coming to the capital, they think we have an abundance!”

”They are also eyeing our national treasury.”

Qiu Yan glanced at Zhou Shuren, was that a casual retort? It probably wasn’t what he meant, he tentatively said, ”They shouldn’t be so bold, we are a country rich and strong in military.”

Each year, how much silver is invested in the military, he is well aware. Over the past few years, all the weapons that needed replacing have been replaced, and the combat power is not comparable to before.

Zhou Shuren did not respond while drinking tea, a true smart man, that’s Qiu Yan, ”You are right.”

Qiu Yan sighed with relief, so Sir was indeed just casually responding. He then added complainingly, ”Throughout several dynasties, these tribes have been unkillable, coming back after some time.”

The harsh environment also created a fierce character among the people, Qiu Yan frowned even more as he thought about it.

In the Palace, within the empress chamber, the empress was in a good mood because the Crown Prince returned, and it was just their family of four yesterday. The empress’s smile never changed in the presence of the concubines in the harem.

Lady Liu was boiling with jealousy. This trip only included the Crown Prince alone. With the Crown Prince not in the palace, it was an opportunity, but the Emperor would not see any Prince alone; if he meets, he meets them all together, the meetings were either for testing or reading, there was no chance for fostering relationships.

Lady Liu holding a handkerchief, ”I’ve heard that the Crown Prince has gained much popularity in Zhangzhou Province, sister-in-law, I congratulate you here.”

”This palace didn’t know the news, yet Lady Liu knows it so clearly.”

As the words dropped, the empress slammed the table, ”Is Lady Liu inquiring about the Crown Prince’s whereabouts with ulterior motives?”

Lady Liu was dumbfounded, wasn’t it, isn’t it known that the Crown Prince was in Zhangzhou Province?

Lady Liu, biting her teeth, knelt down, ”This concubine dares not.”

The empress couldn’t bother to look at Lady Liu kneeling, ”Go back and reflect until the New Year’s festival.”

Lady Liu took a deep breath, ”Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The empress glanced over the other concubines, a hint of scorn in her eyes. The princes were all grown-up, and in the harem, without the Emperor’s favor, the princes only have their birth mothers to rely on. If a birth mother is not favored in the harem, the princes also have a difficult time. She was the empress and would never scheme in this regard; she did what an empress should do, but she couldn’t control the thoughts of the palace maids and eunuchs.

During the days the Crown Prince was not in the palace, those who were quiet before have not ceased to jump about, and yet, what the Emperor always cared about was the Crown Prince, the legitimate sons were secondary.

The empress thought of her younger son, the Emperor doesn’t treat her younger son like her father treated Prince Qin, her father truly loved Prince Qin to the bones, but the Emperor couldn’t, if Prince Qin had also grown up in the palace, he would probably be like her younger son.

As the Minor New Year approaches, the Zhou family had nearly completed all the necessary gift-giving rituals. Because Shuren had returned, Zhulan felt at ease, everything she did was spirited, and she still had the energy to verify the gift lists for proper recording.

Zhulan looked at the thick volumes on the table, ”Our family has accumulated quite a few volumes, indeed cumbersome.”

Paper is susceptible to pest infestations; it requires meticulous care every year and backups must be written in case the originals get damaged and need verification, making storage very troublesome.

Lady Li felt a headache seeing the volumes, this year’s New Year’s gifts were arranged by her. Normally having a daughter-in-law would help, but her daughter-in-law was pregnant and heavily so, she had no heart to bear it all by herself.

Lady Li, ”Mother, this year we received more gifts from the Lin family; their gift was quite generous.”

Zhulan chuckled, ”This year Yu Lu got married into Wong Wei’s family, and their gifts have also been more generous than usual.”

”Wong Wei doesn’t count; they’ve been giving gifts before.”

Zhulan pulled out the gift list from Lin family, ”This shows that the Lin family places great importance on this marriage alliance.”

Lady Li smiled, ”My younger sister-in-law was very pleased. I heard she’s already prepared the New Year’s gift for Miss Lin.”

”It must be quite substantial.”

Previously, the second wife lacked Silver Coin and confidence, and they didn’t spend Silver so freely. Now that they have both confidence and a substantial family asset, the couple from the second wife’s side are big spenders.”

Lady Li rubbed her shoulders, ”Ming Teng personally went to deliver the New Year’s gifts to Lau Jia’s family.”

”It’s appropriate; they are getting married next year.”

Lady Li whispered, ”Although Ming Teng is busy, I know my son; he’s really devoted to Lau Jia.”

Zhulan closed the booklet, ”This is because our family has good values.”

Family values are extremely important. The environment one grows up in hugely affects a person; Zhou family has good values, and now many ladies wish to marry into Zhou family!

Lady Li put the last few lists into the booklet, ”Mother, sometimes I still feel it’s unreal. I’ve dreamt a few times that we were still living in Zhou village. Seeing my crude self in the dream scared me awake.”

Zhulan’s hand, which was holding the pen, paused, ”Do you still dream about it now?”

”Not anymore. Maybe it was my anxiety, making me recall our past life.”

Zhulan thought Lady Li had dreamt about something else; it turns out it was anxiety. Anxiety can trigger memories, and it’s normal for them to manifest in dreams.”

At Wong Wei’s, while Yu Lu’s stomach isn’t yet large, she is also helping her grandmother review the lists of New Year’s gifts. Madame Tao happily teaches Yu Lu, pointing out which gifts reflect close family relations.”

Although pregnant and tired, Yu Lu still strains to listen carefully. Wong family has extensive relations, and with so many New Year’s gifts, it’s good to learn and remember to avoid mistakes later.”

Madame Tao enjoyed teaching; since her youngest son started school, she had been lonely. Now with a granddaughter-in-law to talk to, she was very happy.”

Back when her son got married, she wasn’t managing the household, so she didn’t have the chance to teach her daughter-in-law. But now it’s different; Yu Lu is a good student. She had experience as a steward at her parental home and knew the gifts listed in the booklet very well—the appearance of the gifts and their genuine intentions. Yu Lu could tell at a glance.”

Madame Tao felt at ease and was more willing to teach, hardly ever stopping once she started. If it weren’t for the great-grandson being important, she would have liked to continue, ”Are you tired?”

Yu Lu was somewhat tired, but still okay, ”It’s alright.”

Madame Tao, ”Rest a while by leaning against something.”

Yu Lu wasn’t pretentious; she wasn’t one to neglect herself, ”Thank you, grandmother.”

”I talked a bit too much today.”

”Don’t say that grandmother, today I was also too engrossed, just focusing on remembering more.”

Madame Tao thought to herself, Zhulan really knows how to teach her granddaughter. These words are quite pleasing to hear. She then looked towards Yu Lu’s belly with even more affection.”

Yu Lu rested awhile before slowly walking towards her own courtyard, observing the snow accumulated on the branches and then looking up at the sky. Being a woman from noble families isn’t easy. Then she smiled again, who has it easy? Even at home, one must remember the complex relationships.”

Wong Wei came to pick up his wife; he saw his wife smiling at a tree and, seeing that she was in good spirits, he felt relieved, ”What are you laughing at?”