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

Chapter 1435: Chapter 1435: Husband and Wife United in Heart

Xue Han tasted bitter in her mouth, having drunk too much medicinal soup that left her tasteless. After taking the medicine, she expressed her worry: ”By now, father and mother must have heard of our assassination attempt. I don’t know if they can bear the news.”

Rongchuan hummed in acknowledgment, ”We are fine, which should put our parents at ease. Instead, I’m more worried about the border situation.”

Thinking of the upcoming battle, Xue Han felt the bitterness in her mouth fade, ”Sigh.”

The next day, Prince Liang was appointed to lead the troops, and the officials felt a mixed reaction. It was expected yet somewhat surprising that the Retired Emperor had consented.

The Emperor stood and said, ”I will be at the city gates to welcome your triumphant return.”

He indeed wanted his younger brother to lead the troops into battle. He was not afraid of his brother’s military achievements; his brother was his own flesh and blood, and he was willing to trust him, especially since his brother always knew what should and should not be done.

If his younger brother was severely injured, he would consider who would be the appropriate person to lead the troops. Prince Qi was out of the question, as he had already allowed his brother to take Xu Chen with him, making it impossible to grant Prince Qi further military achievements.

Prince Chu was not cut out for leading troops. In reality, Prince Liang was the most suitable candidate. Prince Liang’s health was not good, and leading troops in battle meant that even if he returned, his health would not improve. Military achievements were just a guarantee for the Prince Liang Residence.

Dressed in armor, Prince Liang declared, ”Your subject will not fail to meet Your Majesty’s expectations.”

The Emperor then appointed more troops; military generals stepped forward alongside Prince Liang. With his hands clasped behind his back, the Emperor said, ”I will wait for your triumphant return.”

Zhou Shuren was excited. During Wu Chun’s military campaigns, he had no contact with the Imperial court and only heard about the battles. Now that he was involved, he felt his blood racing as he followed the shouts of the military generals.

This feeling was not something one could experience by watching TV dramas!

The troops and supplies had already been mobilized the day before, and food and other materials would be transported in succession. The army would depart tomorrow.

Li Zhao was busy. After leaving the court session, he still couldn’t help but quietly inquire, ”If a war breaks out on two fronts, are we sufficiently supplied with food?”

He knew that the Emperor had prepared food supplies, but with the recent floods, food was needed everywhere. He was genuinely concerned about the possibility of food shortages.

Zhou Shuren answered, ”Hmm.”

Li Zhao felt relieved; Zhou Shuren’s words were reassuring. ”Then I will take my leave first.”

Zhou Shuren had already planned in his mind how to efficiently manage logistics. He had made arrangements yesterday and was in no hurry to leave.

Wong Ju hurried over, ”You were too busy yesterday for me to have a chance to speak with you. Prince Qin was targeted in an assassination, and with the floods in the south, things could turn chaotic. Your third son is in Qiizhou Province; I don’t know how he is doing.”

His son was in a place that was stable, with no floods; his only worry was this year’s grain production. The Zhou family was different; Zhou Changlian was in the flood-hit Qiizhou Province.

Zhou Shuren frowned, ”We have trouble getting news due to the floods, so I don’t have the latest updates from Qiizhou Province. We’ll have to wait. If things really get chaotic, we’ll get word in the capital in a few days.”

Wong Ju was concerned. Their two families were in-laws, and the Wong family hoped for the Zhou family’s well-being. Zhou Changlian had come so far; it would be a setback if he stumbled here, ”My son is not too far from Qiizhou Province. Do you want me to ask him to investigate?”

Zhou Shuren waved his hand, ”No need.”

This was a test for Changlian. If he couldn’t overcome this hurdle, it would only indicate that Changlian’s abilities were lacking.

In Qiizhou Province, Changlian stayed by the Magistrate’s side all night without sleep, fearing something might happen to the Magistrate. The moment the Magistrate stirred, he noticed, ”Doctor Xu, Doctor.”

Doctor Xu was already waiting in the hall, and upon hearing the call, he entered, took the pulse, and his face brightened, ”The Magistrate is out of danger.”

Changlian also smiled, ”Good, good.”

The benefit of the Imperial court’s control over medical facilities is that when the Magistrate was poisoned, a doctor with expertise in poisons could be found immediately. Quick treatment and timely use of medicines saved the Magistrate’s life.

Chang Lian signaled the young servant to go home and fetch some medicinal ingredients; this was a gift for the doctor. The doctor had not asked for payment for the treatment, but he wouldn’t be stingy about it.

Upon seeing Fen Mo, Lady Dong asked, ”Has something happened to the master?”

The events outside the capital were now well known within the city. She was aware that the Magistrate had been assassinated, and her husband had taken the Magistrate’s place on the city walls to comfort the people. She nearly fainted with worry, fearing all night that more incidents might occur, hence she kept vigil.

Fen Mo said, ”Everything is all right with the master, and the Magistrate is fine. The master sent me to fetch some medicinal ingredients.”

Lady Dong was stunned, ”Medicinal ingredients?”

After Fen Mo mentioned they were for Doctor Xu, Lady Dong, not wanting to hold things back, opened the medicine chest without hesitation and directly took out the Hundred-Year Ginseng, along with selecting some other herbs, ”Take these back with you.”

Fen Mo was baffled, ”This is too much.”

Lady Dong laughed, ”It’s not too much, just take them.”

A doctor who can detoxify is certainly someone to befriend; she was genuinely frightened by the Magistrate’s poisoning, so for her husband’s sake, no amount would be excessive.

Seeing the medicinal herbs brought back by Fen Mo, Chang Lian smiled, ”Doctor Xu, don’t refuse, this is a token of my gratitude.”

Doctor Xu had made up his mind to refuse, the Magistrate was fine, and he hadn’t even accepted silver for the detoxification, so he certainly couldn’t accept the herbs, but upon seeing the perfectly preserved Hundred-Year Ginseng, he found himself unable to utter his refusal.

Chang Lian gestured for Fen Mo to see Doctor Xu off. Once Doctor Xu had left, he still had official duties to attend to. Indeed, there were also the refugees outside the city, who after a day of hunger, finally became cooperative. In the morning, they all lined up in an orderly fashion for grain distribution, satisfyingly full at last.

Chang Lian squinted his eyes, the amount of grain distributed daily was fixed, and he needed to find some people to publicize why the amount was reduced. It was all due to the actions of certain unscrupulous individuals; he didn’t believe that no one would come forward to report them.

In the capital, Zhulan was walking around in the garden and saw Yu Yi sitting in the pavilion, staring blankly at the lake.

Yu Yi came back to her senses only after hearing the greeting from a maid, ”Grandmother.”

Zhulan noticed the dark circles under Yu Yi’s eyes, ”Are you worried about your parents?”

Yu Yi nodded, ”Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve received a letter from my parents, and I’m worried.”

She wanted to receive a letter from her parents, yet at the same time, she feared it might carry bad news. She dared not sleep, for fear of having nightmares.

Zhulan sat down and said, ”Grandmother is pleased to see that you can discern the dangers in Qiizhou Province from the current situation.”

Among the granddaughters at home, Yu Wen was not willing to think about it, inheriting Chang Zhi’s temperament – if she was comfortable, she didn’t want to use her brain. Yu Die would not think of it; only Yu Yi had a comprehensive view of the whole picture.

Yu Yi was very anxious, ”Grandmother, I have never seen a rebellion, but I have heard of its dangers. Father will be safe, right?”

Zhulan hugged Yu Yi, who dared not show her worries in front of her sister and brother, knowing that anxiety is contagious. Yu Yi was so sensible it was heartbreaking, ”Yes, your father knows what he’s doing. He will protect your mother, and they will both be safe.”

Yu Yi leaned into her grandmother’s embrace, ”Yes, father is very capable.”

Zhulan smiled, Yu Yi truly admired her father, ”Right, your father is very capable.”

After a while, Yu Yi fell asleep. Zhulan stopped the old servant from interfering, knowing the girl did not feel secure at the moment and that moving her might wake her up. She had finally fallen asleep; it was best to let her rest peacefully for a while.

She gestured for Qing Xue to fetch a cloak, as the wind in the pavilion was still a bit strong. Qing Xue returned quickly, holding a summer cloak in her hands.

Zhulan gestured for it to be placed over Yu Yi, thankful that the morning was not too hot so that Yu Yi could have a good sleep.