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

Chapter 1456: Chapter 1456: The Mercy of Not Killing

Chang Yi snorted, ”You should be glad you didn’t encounter someone kind-hearted, otherwise you wouldn’t have ended up meeting me.”

A woman like her who relied on good looks, even if she met a kind-hearted man, would still escape being sold, only to end up as a concubine taken into his household.

Zhao smiled and blinked, ”That’s why I say I’m lucky.”

”You should say that it’s fate that brought us together.”

Zhao laughed lightly, ”Alright, alright, it’s all due to fate that I met you.”

Chang Yi, satisfied, sighed and said, ”The drought back then, it was truly catastrophic.”

Zhao nodded, ”Yes, it was truly awful.”

As the carriage traveled quickly, they arrived at the county government office by evening. Xue Mei had received word and came out to greet them in advance. Upon seeing her parents, her eyes turned red, ”Father, Mother, your daughter has caused you both to suffer.”

Chang Yi looked at his daughter, ”You’ve lost weight.”

He then directed a disapproving look at his son-in-law. Liufeng’s heart tightened under his father-in-law’s sharp gaze. Summoning his courage, he stepped forward, ”Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, your journey must have been tiring.”

Chang Yi responded coolly with a simple ”hmph,” surveying the county office. He then glanced at the steward and servants standing nearby before heading inside with his hands clasped behind his back.

Zhao said to her son-in-law, ”Your father was worried about you throughout the journey. He just enjoys putting on airs.”

Liufeng’s eyes contained a hint of amusement. In the almost year he’d been at the county office, his father-in-law had helped him immensely. With his father-in-law’s backing, the government office had offered him considerable support.

Chang Yi thoroughly inspected every corner of the county office, from the front yard to the back courtyard. Afterward, he lamented how poor the place was. He immediately recognized the paintings in the room as his son-in-law’s own work.

Zhao also felt for her daughter’s living conditions. In the capital, her daughter’s room was furnished with expensive wood pieces, but here, the furniture was purely utilitarian.

Yushuang said, ”Mother, please stop looking. Sit down and rest.”

Zhao sat down, holding her grandson, ”Your father and I brought plenty of grain for you. Even your grandmother was thinking of you; she packed two wagons full of grain.”

Xue Mei felt embarrassed, ”Mother, we have enough grain.”

The household’s grain hadn’t been sold at all; it had been delivered after the autumn harvest.

With the ongoing grain donations, the busiest department in the capital was the Ministry of Revenue. Zhou Shuren held the donation list in his hand and his gaze fell on Zhang Jinghong’s name. Summoning him, Zhou Shuren asked, ”You donated five hundred stones of grain?”

Zhang Jinghong nodded, ”Yes, the records are correct.”

”I thought you would continue keeping a low profile.”

Zhang Jinghong replied, ”This official hasn’t contributed much.”

Zhou Shuren said, ”You’re an individual, not a family. Donating five hundred stones as an individual—don’t you think that’s quite a lot?”

Lowering his head, Zhang Jinghong internally bitterly acknowledged the reality—his household hadn’t sold any grain despite the abnormal weather. Now, most of it had to be donated. ”Outsiders might not understand this official’s household situation, but the royal family certainly does. At times like these, this official cannot hold back.”

His status had always been a sensitivity. He constantly needed to demonstrate loyalty to the Emperor and gratitude for the royal family’s mercy in sparing him.

Zhou Shuren remained silent. He had assumed Zhang Jinghong was stretching himself thin to keep up appearances—but no, the man seemed to have a solid foundation after all. ”You may go.”

A warm tide rose in Zhang Jinghong’s heart. Over these years, Lord Zhou had shown him a lot of care. ”This official thanks the lord for the guidance.”

Zhou Shuren waved a hand, ”Go handle your tasks.”

He then resumed reviewing the grain donation registry, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper. Finally, he pulled out the list of officials who had requested advances on next month’s salary. The Emperor had instructed that donations were to be voluntary and within one’s capacity, yet some strained themselves for appearances while others had no choice but to borrow against their salaries.

Luckily, the court had favorable policies for officials, allowing them to advance up to three months of salary during difficult times.

He sent both lists to the palace—he didn’t want to worry about them anymore. Let the Emperor be concerned.

At the palace, the Emperor was disappointed not to see Zhou Shuren personally. He had hoped to discuss some ideas with him, but Zhou Shuren refrained from bothering to enter the palace unnecessarily.

After reviewing the lists, the Emperor handed them to the Crown Prince, ”Take a look.”

The Crown Prince scanned the list about advanced salaries, ”The Wen family’s decision to lead the donations yields more benefits than drawbacks.”

The Emperor grunted in agreement, ”These ministers can survive by advancing their salaries, but commoners have no choice but to rely on the court.”

The Crown Prince raised his head and said, ”Father, I’ve heard my younger brothers have plans to donate their grain.”

Arching an eyebrow, the Emperor asked, ”What about you? Do you also want to donate grain?”

The Crown Prince spread his hands, ”Mother indeed offered to prepare some for me, but I didn’t accept. Father, you’re my father—since I lack the resources my younger brothers have, naturally I must turn to you to lend me some grain.”

The Emperor snorted, ”Your mother offered to prepare it for you, but you declined—and now you expect me to provide it instead?”

With eyes narrowed in mirth, the Crown Prince responded, ”I still have younger brothers, don’t I? Mother prepares grain for them; you provide it for me—see? It’s perfectly fair.”

The Emperor’s eyes glimmered with amusement. The closer the Crown Prince was to him, the more pleased he felt that his son shared his thoughts openly. ”You rascal.”

The Crown Prince knew he had succeeded, grinning mischievously. His brothers had their maternal families assisting them, while he hadn’t spent a Copper Coin himself. Truly, turning to one’s father in times of need was the ultimate strategy!

In Zhoujia Village, Ming Qing visited the Jiang family. Jiang Miu was currently calculating accounts with her mother-in-law. Despite not selling this year’s grain and losing income from reduced farmland, social obligations had increased.

Dong Yiyi said, ”The Zhou Clan Leader is here.”

Ming Qing greeted, ”Aunt, I’ve come to deliver a letter to Jiang Miu.”

Jiang Miu looked surprised, ”A letter for me?”

Ming Qing explained, ”I had sent a letter to the capital, and included letters to you that came back with mine.”

Jiang Miu accepted the letters, seeing one from her mother and another from her grandmother. She didn’t rush to open them. ”Thank you, Ming Qing brother.”

Ming Qing waved it off, ”What’s there to thank? You’ve helped me out greatly here in Zhoujia Village.”

During the last famine, Jiang Miu had helped smooth over the grievances of the Zhou family clan members. This time, when merchants offered high prices for grain, the Jiang family didn’t sell, nor did most of the Zhou clan members. Because of her aid, Ming Qing’s work as clan leader had been much easier.

Jiang Miu laughed, ”You’re exaggerating, Ming Qing brother. Clan matters rely entirely on your leadership.”

Dong Yiyi was deeply satisfied with her daughter-in-law. Beyond the benefits Jiang Miu’s marriage had brought, her demeanor and ability to navigate interpersonal situations were exceptional. Pre-marriage, Dong Yiyi had only thought her quiet and reserved. Post-marriage, Jiang Miu had continuously surprised her.

Before leaving, Ming Qing hesitated and said, ”My wife mentioned that the Jiang family has sold some grain.”

Jiang Miu said, ”I’m aware.”

Ming Qing smiled, ”As long as you know. I’ll take my leave.”

”Alright, I won’t see you off.”

After he had left, Jiang Miu glanced at her second uncle and the others, shaking her head in exasperation. When the time came and they couldn’t procure grain, she certainly wouldn’t lend them any.

Back in the capital, outside the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren unexpectedly ran into Ming Rui. ”You finished your studies but haven’t returned home yet?”

Ming Rui helped his grandfather onto the carriage, ”Grandson arranged to meet Shangguan Liu at the bookstore, but since it was getting late, I decided to pass by and bring Grandfather back.”

Zhou Shuren had met Shangguan Liu before, ”I recall hearing from his grandfather that he’s in talks to finalize a marriage?”

Ming Rui nodded, ”Yes, it’s nearly settled.”

He paused briefly, then commented regretfully, ”Shangguan Liu, whether in terms of character or family, is excellent. If his family weren’t so highly ranked, he would’ve been an ideal match for my sister’s husband.”

Zhou Shuren shared the sentiment but changed the subject, ”How is Liu Yuanbo now?”

Ming Rui replied, ”He’s completely recovered.”

Zhou Shuren’s eyes held a playful glint. Of his three grandsons-in-law, Liu Yuanbo amused him the most. ”He and Yu Die are indeed well-matched.”

Neither needed to bear responsibility—they simply lived freely and spiritedly as they pleased.