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

Chapter 1458: Chapter 1458: The Yu Family

Zhou Shuren furrowed his brows, ”The Emperor wouldn’t mention Yu Yi for no reason. Now that he’s brought up Yu Yi, he must have a plan. When I asked the Emperor about it, he just smiled and said nothing.”

Zhulan felt a heaviness in her heart, ”Changlian is someone the Emperor can rely on. During the floods this year, Changlian performed admirably. Yu Yi’s marriage has caught the Emperor’s attention.”

Zhou Shuren gave a soft hum, ”I’ll look into finding a suitable candidate in the coming days. If there is someone good, we can consider an engagement.”

Zhulan said, ”The Emperor just mentioned Yu Yi to you, and you’re already thinking about an engagement?”

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, ”I have confidence now. The Emperor wouldn’t truly blame me over a marriage decision—at most, he’d be a bit displeased.”

”Then I will also ask around and gather more information.”

Suddenly, Zhou Shuren said, ”Shangguan Liu would be excellent, if only his surname weren’t Shangguan.”

He never envisioned an overly idealistic future, nor would he gamble on uncertainties. He only cared about what was tangible, and with the Crown Prince not yet married, there were still too many unknowns.

”Exactly.”

She had a good impression of Shangguan Liu, but alas.

In the Palace, the Emperor went to the empress chamber and found the Empress holding her daughter. His brows furrowed, ”The Imperial Physician advised that you get more rest.”

The Empress looked content as she cradled her daughter, ”Holding her for a while isn’t a big issue.”

Seeing the Empress not pushing herself too hard, the Emperor’s frown relaxed. His youngest daughter still hadn’t been given a name. It wasn’t that he hadn’t chosen one, but her health was fragile, and he worried that a name too weighty might burden her.

The little princess was taken away, and the Empress’s arms were a bit sore. She sat down to rest and asked, ”Has the Emperor already eaten?”

”Yes, I’ve eaten.”

The Empress asked, ”Does the Emperor have something to discuss with me?”

The Emperor nodded, ”Yes, in a few days, all remaining tribal princes of the Grassland Tribes will come to the capital.”

The Empress said, ”What does the Emperor intend?”

”Intermarriage between the Grassland Tribes is problematic.”

Now, the entire grassland belonged to him, and he wanted to sever the possibility of intermarriage that could consolidate too much power.

Moreover, the grasslands didn’t need tribal leaders anymore. The people of the grasslands belonged to the Imperial Court and should not take orders from tribal leaders. Those tribal princes and leaders must come to the capital. If these tribes hadn’t been so careful, denying him an opportunity, he would have preferred to clean up everything at once.

Unfortunately, these remaining tribes had helped annex the grasslands, and he didn’t want to act too harshly.

The Empress understood, ”Are you considering intermarriage?”

”Yes. Once they are brought to the capital, their future will be confined here—wealth without authority.”

The Empress understood the significance. This wasn’t about forming marriage alliances. The Emperor wanted to assimilate a few vassal tribes. It seemed that bringing these tribal princes to the capital was just the first step; later on, the populace would likely be relocated to the grasslands.

The Emperor continued, ”In the future, the grasslands will be divided into Livestock Prefecture, with a Government Office established. The grasslands no longer need tribal leaders or princes; they are obstructive.”

He hadn’t yet issued titles. There were too many tribal princes in the grasslands, and the capital didn’t need so many of them.

The Empress asked, ”If you intend to assimilate these tribes, the young women chosen for marriage alliances must be carefully selected.”

The Emperor let out a hum, ”I wanted to first inform you. Once they arrive in the capital, you can convey my intentions.”

”Alright.”

Over the next few days, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren moved quickly. Zhou Shuren began seeking a match for Yu Yi, while Zhulan, not avoiding Qing Xue, consulted Tao and Liu clans, even reaching out to the Qi Clan.

Tao Clan received the request with curiosity but carefully selected some promising young men. When they had candidates, they personally visited the Zhou residence.

Tao Clan asked, ”When Yu Die was engaged, you said Yu Yi’s marriage wasn’t urgent. How has that changed in such a short time?”

Zhulan had her reasons, ”Many people have begun asking about Yu Yi. After considering things with Shuren, we thought it best to settle the engagement early to put an end to unnecessary hopes.”

Tao Clan nodded, ”Indeed, it’s better to end those lingering thoughts. Your third son performed excellently in Qiizhou, and among your sons, his career prospects are the brightest. Naturally, everyone has their eye on Yu Yi.”

Zhou’s third son was someone the Emperor relied on. The second wife’s household performed well too, though there were no daughters in that branch. As for the fourth branch, to the eyes of capital aristocrats, Zhou Fourth Lord was merely a wealthy man.

Among the Zhou family’s granddaughters, the most coveted had always been the eldest daughter of the third branch.

Zhulan asked, ”Are you here today because you have suitable candidates in mind?”

”Your requirements for a son-in-law are very high. It took me a few days to find someone suitable. Last year, several noble families from other regions moved into the capital. Among them is the Yu family. The Yu family is principled and respected locally. While they aren’t excessively wealthy, they have deep roots. Considering the Emperor summoned them to the capital, it’s evident that the Yu family is favored.”

Her later thoughts were derived from her husband’s comments. After discussing it with him, she felt increasingly that the Yu family’s young men were appropriate matches. Coincidentally, they had several unmarried sons.

Zhulan had casually heard Shuren mention the Yu family before but hadn’t paid much attention. The capital had many noble families, and they rose and fell quickly. Now, it seemed she needed to better understand the Yu family. ”I’ll take note of it and discuss it with Shuren when he returns.”

Tao Clan sighed, ”Actually, there’s another suitable family in the capital. But, I heard from my husband that your family wouldn’t choose them.”

”The Shangguan family?”

”You’re spot on. It seems you also favor the Shangguan family’s young men.”

Zhulan replied, ”It’s such a pity. The Shangguan family wouldn’t pick our Zhou family either; their young men are already being considered for matches.”

The Shangguan family was too clear-headed. The clearer-headed they were, the better they knew how to sustain their family’s legacy without fail.

Inside the Palace, Zhou Shuren was summoned and stood quietly in the study. The Emperor didn’t speak a word.

The Emperor was aware of Zhou family’s maneuvers and admitted he was eyeing Zhou’s granddaughter. He had a list, and Zhou Changlian’s daughter was outstanding. However, considering Zhou Shuren’s achievements and his obvious attachment to his granddaughter, he couldn’t disregard Shuren’s sentiments.

Zhou Changlian was commendable. He would become the sharp blade he intended to place in the south, and naturally, he wanted to arrange an advantageous marriage for him.

But Zhou Shuren’s reaction had been swift, prompting the Emperor to finally speak. Zhou Shuren had turned around and started arranging his granddaughter’s engagement immediately.

The Emperor asked, ”Shuren, do you not trust me?”

Zhou Shuren thought to himself—no disrespect intended—the Emperor’s words couldn’t be fully trusted; when it came to the throne, everything could be abandoned. ”I wouldn’t dare.”

The Emperor’s gaze fell on Zhou Shuren’s hair. Just last year, his hair wasn’t so gray. Whatever displeasure the Emperor felt dissipated. ”I understand you’re fond of your granddaughter.”

Zhou Shuren kept his head bowed and played up his vulnerability—it took no effort. He wasn’t afraid the Emperor might blame him over Yu Yi’s engagement efforts. With a lifetime of merits to his name, such concerns were unnecessary. ”My fourth granddaughter grew up by my side since her parents aren’t in the capital. I deeply favor her.”

The Emperor’s last trace of resentment vanished. ”I did plan to propose a match for your granddaughter. Listen to my suggestion first—if you feel it’s unsuitable, I won’t insist.”

Zhou Shuren’s ears perked up. He was relieved to know there was room for negotiation, as his greatest fear was losing the option entirely.

That evening, Zhulan noticed Shuren’s cheerful expression. ”Good news?”

”Yes. And you seem to have good news too.”

Zhulan smiled and nodded, ”Tao Clan came by today and mentioned that the Yu family’s young men are promising candidates. I sent someone to gather information in the afternoon, and it turns out the Yu family has kept a very low profile since arriving in the capital. I had overlooked them.”

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, ”That’s quite the coincidence.”

”What coincidence?”