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

Chapter 1407: Chapter 1407: Retirement from Office

In the evening, Zhulan spoke to Zhou Shuren about Yu Jiao’s matter, ”Do you think Consort Liu has a screw loose, truly believing that once our family and the Shangguan family meet the Emperor, the engagement will be directly settled?”

Zhou Shuren, fanning himself with a fan, said, ”Consort Liu wouldn’t dare make any big moves, either. After following the Emperor for so many years, she understands his temper well. If it causes a huge commotion that becomes public knowledge, Consort Liu fears she won’t be able to control the situation and will be completely despised by the Emperor. It’s better to choose two influential families.”

Zhulan wanted to roll her eyes. It seemed that the Zhou and Shangguan families had become the top picks. ”Do you think Consort Liu’s scheming will succeed?”

The movement of Zhou Shuren’s fan paused for a moment, ”If the Emperor wishes to use the Second Prince as a whetstone for the Crown Prince, he will fulfill Consort Liu’s wish. If not, he won’t choose the Xue family.”

Zhulan said, ”I feel that the Emperor will not choose a whetstone for the Crown Prince.”

If he really did, then the Second Prince would be ruined; no matter the future, his fate would not be good.

Zhou Shuren smiled, ”I also think it won’t happen, so Consort Liu’s wish will not be realized.”

The next day, in Li Family Village, Ming Rui didn’t sleep well. With his strong sense of alertness, he couldn’t rest due to the heavy rain in the first half of the night and Shangguan Liu tossing and turning in the second half.

As dawn broke, Ming Rui sat up, looked at Shangguan Liu, who had only just fallen asleep, and pressed hard against his temples. His drowsiness completely dissipated, he got off the kang, dressed, and walked out of the room.

The young servant guarding outside heard the noise and got up, ”Young Master, why are you up so early?”

Ming Rui signaled the young servant not to follow, ”I’m going out for a walk.”

Outside, noises already filled the air; sounds of doors opening, quiet conversations, and the honking of geese.

As Ming Rui stepped outside, he saw the boy who had guided them yesterday now carrying firewood to the kitchen. The boy was startled upon seeing him, then said, ”Does the young master need hot water? My grandmother is heating the water, but it will take a while longer.”

Ming Rui shook his head, ”There’s no rush.”

Ming Rui, listening to the sound of water in the ditch, took a deep breath of fresh air. His sleepiness vanished. He was born in Zhou Family Village but didn’t live there long—his younger siblings had never experienced village life.

He’d often heard his mother speak of the days in Zhou Family Village. Turning to look at the busy Zhao family, the Zhao family had fled during the war years; the old lady had three sons—one died, and now two were with her. The family was managed by the old lady, and both sons had several children. The household was straightforward.

Ming Rui had a good impression of this family—hardworking, united, kind mothers, filial children—reminding him of his own home.

Outside the yard, he heard the recitation of the Three Character Classic. Following the sound, he saw a boy about thirteen or fourteen years old digging the drainage ditch at the door.

This boy was the eldest son of the second wife of the Zhao family and the older brother of the boy who led the way yesterday.

Zhao Bai looked embarrassed under Ming Rui’s gaze, somewhat at a loss, ”I—I was reciting along after hearing the young master teach my younger brother yesterday.”

Ming Rui asked, ”Have you studied it before?”

Zhao Bai replied, ”I’ve listened to Xia Ge from the Lizheng’s family read it before. I remembered some parts, and more after the young master taught my brother yesterday.”

Ming Rui continued to inquire, ”Do you wish to study?”

Zhao Bai nodded and then shook his head, scratching the back of his head with a simple smile, ”I’m not very clever, and my family doesn’t have the Silver to support my studies. I just want to recognize more characters so I won’t be cheated and sign an Indenture without knowing it.”

Ming Rui added, ”The government issues illustrated brochures with simple characters.”

Zhao Bai pursed his lips, ”Our village is far from the county town; it takes a whole day to get there. We rarely go unless necessary. Usually, we buy what we need in nearby larger villages or towns.”

Ming Rui understood; the promotional brochures were in the county town and they had no access to them. ”With your desire to learn to read, has anyone in the village been deceived before?”

Zhao Bai nodded, ”Yes, our village is poor. Uncle Qian was ill; it was agreed that Uncle Qian’s daughter would go to work, but the contract turned out to be an Indenture.”

”Didn’t you let Lizheng have a look?”

Zhao Bai said nothing, and Ming Rui understood. Li Family Village was not composed of a single clan where a Clan Leader would care for internal matters. This village’s Lizheng would only help if there was a benefit for him.

In the capital, after the morning court, Lord Shangguan went up to Zhou Shuren, ”My granddaughter was fortunate to have your granddaughter’s care.”

”This is an overstatement, Yu Jiao is younger than your granddaughter, she’s the one who should be taken care of.”

Shangguan Liu smiled, ”Minister Zhou, shall we walk together?”

”Certainly.”

The two walked side by side, surprising many ministers. What circumstance was this? The two had never exchanged more than a few words before, and even the elderly Master Wen frowned.

Minister Xue felt uneasy. There was not the slightest stir from within the palace, and he didn’t dare to send someone to inquire. Logically, there should have been some news from inside the palace by now.

Despite having a future Crown Princess Consort within the family, Elder Shangguan didn’t swell with pride; instead, he wished his family didn’t have this distinction, which seemed to have deliberately avoided him yet still found its way to his household.

Ever since the imperial decree was issued, he had become even more cautious in court, afraid of misspeaking.

As for Zhou Shuren, Elder Shangguan had never had dealings with him, previously thinking it unnecessary. The Shangguan family had its own way to survive. Only now did the desire to form a connection arise, leading to today’s expression of gratitude.

Zhou Shuren held a good impression of the Shangguan family. The Shangguan family resembled the Ning family, the opposite of the high-profile Wen family, with the Shangguan’s future Crown Princess Consort rarely stepping out of her home.

He had never heard of anyone in the Shangguan family being arrogant. Had it not been for the Crown Princess Consort coming from their family, Zhou Shuren would have thought highly of the Shangguan family’s young men. Unfortunately, for the Zhou family to remain unbeaten, they must avoid getting entangled with the royal family as much as possible.

The two didn’t talk much, mostly discussing political affairs, and upon reaching the palace gates, they went their separate ways.

Wong Ju followed closely behind, and once Shangguan Liu left, he got on the Ministry of Revenue’s carriage.

Zhou Shuren, ”Have you gained weight again?”

Wong Ju, ”...No.”

”I don’t believe it, the carriage nearly shook when you sat down.”

Wong Ju sucked in his stomach, ”That’s your imagination.”

Zhou Shuren stopped teasing Wong Ju, ”Why did you follow me?”

Wong Ju, ”I’m curious, how did you come to be acquainted with Minister Shangguan?”

Zhou Shuren smiled without a word. Yesterday, he had requested Zhulan and Elder Madame Shangguan to enter the palace, a fact that was kept secret. Not yet known, Yu Jiao and Shangguan Li had already left the palace.

Wong Ju whispered, ”Now that the Shangguan family has produced a future Crown Princess Consort, surely you don’t intend to get involved in that, do you?”

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes, ”What do you think?”

Wong Ju felt relieved, ”I always said you were sly and cunning.”

”You might want to say that again.”

Wong Ju waved his hand, ”Pretend you didn’t hear that.”

”Too late.”

Wong Ju chuckled dryly, then shared a significant piece of news, ”My father is planning to retire.”

Zhou Shuren was surprised, ”Why does the elder suddenly want to retire?”

”I’ve established a firm foothold in the capital, and our two families have already joined through marriage. My father wants to put down his burdens and enjoy a peaceful old age.”

Indeed, his father’s decision to retire without worry, owed much to Zhou Shuren. Zhou Shuren’s origins, his status in court and with the royal family, the marriage alliance with the Zhou family—all these granted the Wong family a reliable ally.

For this reason, his father often praised his foresight, saying that it was a well-arranged marriage from the start.