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

Chapter 1518: Chapter 1518: Scheming

In the evening, Zhou Shuren returned and said that the Emperor had agreed to the proposal in the Zhezi. Zhulan’s eyes curved into a smile, ”Over here, I’ll arrange for the children from the village to go up the mountain to collect medicinal herbs.”

Zhou Shuren, with a tone of regret, said, ”It’s unfortunate that the capital does not permit land clearance.”

”Even if the capital permitted land clearance, the orphans wouldn’t be able to do it.”

Zhou Shuren thought for a moment and agreed. These children, when they reach a certain age, would move on to where they belong. Managing cleared land wouldn’t be feasible anyway. ”Medicinal herbs require processing. Have you hired a master for processing the herbs?”

”I’ve always planned to train some children to handle herb processing. The master has already been selected.”

”That’s good. Once the medicine shop opens, it will look to purchase herbs in large quantities.”

Zhulan sighed deeply, ”Even if the shop opens, its main customer base will be foreigners and affluent families. Ordinary citizens still won’t be able to afford medicinal pills. When they’re ill, they still hesitate to visit a doctor.”

Zhou Shuren said, ”The Imperial court is already doing quite well.”

To this, Zhulan agreed. For ancient times, the court indeed performed admirably, having cultivated many doctors over the years.

Zhulan dropped the topic of the medicine shop. They merely offered ideas; the rest was the Emperor’s matter to handle. The Imperial court was full of talent, and as long as the idea was provided, improvements would follow gradually.

Zhulan remarked, ”I wonder if Rongchuan has met Ming Teng yet.”

Zhou Shuren calculated the dates, ”He should have met him by now.”

Indeed, Rongchuan met Ming Teng this afternoon. When Rongchuan saw Ming Teng, he found him wounded, with his left arm bandaged. Fortunately, the injuries were limited to his arm, which was fractured.

In the evening, after resting, Rongchuan stepped out of the tent and walked straight to the spot where Ming Teng was seated. He sat down and looked at Ming Teng’s injured arm, anger simmering in his chest. ”You’ve grown bolder with each passing day. Such a major decision, and you dared to act on your own without consulting me, employing a counter-scheme without informing anyone.”

Ming Teng’s face was bitter, ”Little Uncle, you’ve said this many times. I admit my mistake.”

Rongchuan’s chest ached with anger, ”Do you know what I’ve been going through all these days?”

Keeping his head bowed in remorse, Ming Teng knew. When they met at noon, he almost didn’t recognize his little uncle, who looked utterly haggard and frighteningly red-eyed. After a brief conversation, his uncle had leaned aside and instantly fallen asleep.

Rongchuan’s tone softened slightly, ”You still act without proper consideration.”

Feeling guilty, Ming Teng indeed admitted he had lacked foresight. When implementing the counter-scheme, he hadn’t left anyone behind to report back. He never imagined the severity of the avalanche; he thought he would only be trapped for a day or two, giving his uncle an excuse to reorganize the Grassland Tribe. But the treacherous mountain snowbound him longer than anticipated, leaving his uncle and family in the capital worried.

Rongchuan, too, blamed himself, ”It’s also my fault. From the start, my approach to dominating the grasslands through bloodshed led to increasing passivity, fueling the tribes’ arrogance and provocations. It ultimately pushed them to target you, forcing you to risk yourself for a breakthrough.”

Ming Teng lifted his head, ”Little Uncle, you cannot blame yourself. Your intentions were right.”

Rongchuan raised his hand, ”Never having been on the battlefield, I did not understand hatred instilled to the bone. That was my failing. I’ve already written a Zhezi to the capital. You’re injured; once we return, prepare to go back to the capital.”

Refusing, Ming Teng said, ”Little Uncle, let me stay and assist you.”

”No need. You will return to the capital.”

For the first time, Ming Teng encountered his uncle’s exceedingly firm tone. He opened his mouth but hesitated to express his rejection. This ordeal had markedly changed his little uncle, hardening his heart.

Rongchuan began to think about Xue Han and their children. ”When you go back, visit your little aunt often. By now, news of your safety should have reached the capital as well.”

Ming Teng exhaled, then sank into remorse. Indeed, he had failed to consider fully. If his family had suffered because of his predicament, he would have felt uneasy for life. A longing to return home welled up within him.

The next day, Zhulan continued dealing with matters at the orphanage when Qi Clan arrived. Zhulan accepted the post handed over by Qi Clan, ”Ran Xun is finally getting married?”

Qi Clan sighed, ”Yes. Ah, if it hadn’t been for the illegitimate eldest son’s scandal, Ran Xun would have been wed long ago.”

Zhulan knew well. After returning to the capital, Ran Xun had been confined to the Ran Residence accompanied by a pregnant concubine. Fears soon materialized—the concubine gave birth to a son, undeniably enraging his betrothed.

Zhulan placed the post aside, ”Ran Xun might count this as a blessing in disguise. I heard from Ran Wan that Ran Xun has finally calmed himself down.”

”If he hadn’t, there’d be no saving him.”

Zhulan asked, ”What of the child?”

Qi Clan, unwilling to raise him nearby, adhered to traditions of distinguishing legitimate from illegitimate lineage. She replied with hesitation, ”The child, along with its mother, has been sent to the estate. Whether or not they return depends entirely on Ran Xun’s wife’s preferences.”

Zhulan remarked, ”No need to furrow your brows. Happy days are ahead.”

Qi Clan felt bitter. Her household seemed chaotic—sons’ wives quarreling incessantly despite her advanced age. Apart from managing the first branch, she still had to worry about her grandson’s marriage. ”I truly envy you.”

Zhulan only smiled without responding. Many envied her, but it was the outcome of her dedication. She treated her daughters-in-law with sincerity, granting freedom and respect, and naturally received genuine respect and filial piety in return.

In Zhou Family Village, Jiang Miu had a severe headache as Mu Fan entered holding soup. ”Drink some; it will soothe your stomach.”

Jiang Miu shook her head, leaning with her husband’s support, ”Why have you returned so soon?”

Mu Fan did not insist as she refused to drink. ”There was another argument. I’m merely an unwelcome grandson-in-law; the matters are unrelated to me. I simply checked on Mother and left.”

His mother also wished to leave Dong Family behind, but it wasn’t possible. Being Dong family’s legitimate daughter, she couldn’t abandon her responsibilities while her younger maternal aunt remained absent.

Jiang Miu shook her head, ”Your grandpa already divided the family. What is left for them to bicker over?”

Mu Fan replied, ”Uncles understand the division well. However, they’ve suppressed their grievances for so long. Now that Grandpa is gone and no one restrains them, they can’t tolerate delaying the inevitable outburst.”

Jiang Miu shook her head again. Yesterday, fortunately, she had enough people around, avoiding impact from the chaos. Expressions turned violent as Dong family lost face.

Mu Fan pushed a fruit platter closer to his wife, ”Big Uncle wants chaos, even though he could resolve it. I suspect Big Uncle only wants greater discord to sever ties thoroughly with the other branches.”

”Your point makes sense. What about Dong Zhan?”

Mu Fan replied, ”Dong Zhan should have been confined by Big Uncle. First, to prevent injuries, and second, to ensure Dong Zhan doesn’t make promises. Presumably, Grandpa made Dong Zhan agree to something before. Big Uncle refuses and may wish to end things because of this.”

Jiang Miu lost interest in discussing Dong Family further. Her third uncle adhered to principles, and her third aunt lacked sentimental connections to Dong Family. Observing her husband’s attitude, future interactions with Dong Family would likely dwindle.

Meanwhile, in the capital, within the Palace, the Emperor discussed the medicine shop initiative. Using the Imperial Hospital’s recipes as a foundation, most resulting medicines would be exported under the court’s name, while a small portion would be distributed to regulated clinics for sale. Additionally, private medicinal recipes from the populace would also be acquired.

The last point proved challenging due to tradition; recipes were often guarded secrets among doctors.

Others could discern this as advantageous, even lucrative work.

Within the study, ministers grew increasingly wary of one another—some scheming for personal benefit, others plotting on behalf of their heirs.

Zhou Shuren’s gaze lingered inconspicuously on Mr. Qie, his fingers concealed within his official sleeves, methodically turning.

Mr. Qie’s eyes glinted with ambition. Unable to resist, he stepped forward, ”Emperor, this subject has something to say.”

Hearing this, Zhou Shuren’s lips curled faintly into a smile before swiftly dropping again.