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

Chapter 1563: Chapter 1563: Getting Beaten

In the Retired Emperor’s sleeping quarters, the Retired Emperor was chatting and playing chess with Zhou Shuren. Glancing at his youngest son, who was serving tea and water, he suddenly spoke, “I won’t be able to leave the palace anymore. I want Rongchuan to oversee the breeding greenhouses. What do you think?”

Zhou Shuren placed his chess piece down decisively, “I believe it’s better to entrust this matter to the Emperor instead.”

Breeding good crops is a monumental achievement, and once there are results, it’s inappropriate for anyone to claim credit. It’s not just a tricky situation but a deadly sign.

He understood the Retired Emperor’s intentions—stabilizing Rongchuan’s status with achievements. Yet, even if the Emperor accepts his brother, what if the Crown Prince ascends the throne? The future is unpredictable, as people change rapidly with time and circumstances.

The Retired Emperor raised his eyes, “I understand.”

He decided against it, hoping to secure more protection for his youngest son before his death. After weighing the options carefully, since Zhou Shuren advised against it, he relented. After all, if he were determined, he wouldn’t have discussed it privately with Zhou Shuren first.

Rongchuan’s back gradually relaxed, munching on seeds by the side rather indifferently. Though his father treated him well, he had to admit that his father-in-law considered his situation. His father, high in status, couldn’t view things from his perspective.

In Zhulan’s area, the Empress Dowager’s focus was entirely on the Retired Emperor, ignoring other matters. Therefore, the conversation avoided topics like Chang Xhong’s marriage, revolving around the latest tales from the capital instead.

Xue Han, like Rongchuan, was serving nearby. Zhulan wanted to lend a hand, but the Empress Dowager stopped her.

Listening to Lin Xi’s laughter, the Empress Dowager remarked with a smile, “This girl loves to tease Zeze, look how happy she is.”

Xue Han replied, “Zeze always gives way to Lin Xi.”

The Empress Dowager laughed, saying, “It’s good to have siblings.”

Suddenly, the Empress Dowager’s mood turned somber. Siblings, she had them too, alas.

At Consort Zhung’s quarters, Consort Zhung didn’t wish to see her sister-in-law. Although listening to her, her eyes were on the little Prince.

Lady Phang felt suffocated. She had been expressing her thoughts for a while, yet her sister-in-law didn’t respond, “Madam, we are here for your good.”

Consort Zhung frowned, “Your voice is too loud, it’s bothering the little Prince.”

Lady Phang lowered her voice, “Madam, a child of your own is always better; the bloodline is unbreakable.”

Consort Zhung disliked her sister-in-law. Her elder brother hadn’t been promoted in years, largely due to her sister-in-law. The original marriage agreement was with her sister-in-law’s elder sister. When Miss Phang fell into cold water one winter, she was almost unsalvageable. Though she survived, her health declined. Being the first son, her elder brother couldn’t possibly marry her, so he settled with the current sister-in-law.

With lowered eyelids, Consort Zhung realized her sister-in-law’s words echoed the thoughts of her elder brother, or rather, the entire Zhung family prioritized their bloodline with the Prince. Consort Zhung pursed her lips. She had been avoiding seeing her sister-in-law but ended up entering the palace today. Taking a deep breath, she replied, “Sister-in-law, I am very content with my current situation.”

Lady Phang, “??”

She felt insulted. Back home, her sister-in-law seemed indifferent and that was fine. Yet, after entering the palace, she still harbored such an attitude—it aggravated her.

Remembering another purpose, Lady Phang spoke up, “Your niece should also be secured in marriage. I found a suitable family for her. Could you help?”

Consort Zhung showed interest, “Which family?”

“The young son of Marquis Zhou.”

Consort Zhung, “!!”

In the afternoon, Zhou Shuren and his wife returned to the residence. As soon as they dismounted the carriage, the steward awaited anxiously. Zhulan asked, “Why are you sweating? Did something happen?”

The steward hastily replied, “Mr. Hou, the Young Master is beating Mr. Ming Hui. You and Madam should go see quickly.”

Zhou Shuren was utterly surprised, “The eldest is laying hands on Ming Hui?”

Zhulan was also taken aback, “Ming Hui must have done something wrong.”

Zhou Shuren inquired, “Tell me, what did Ming Hui do to anger the Princely Heir?”

The steward’s eyes flickered, hesitating to hide the truth, “Mr. Ming Hui skipped school and went to the theater. A young servant passed the message, and the Princely Heir personally brought Mr. Ming Hui back.”

Zhou Shuren squinted, “Have you found out who passed the message?”

The steward lowered his head further, “The young servant of the sixth son of the Wen family.”

Zhulan recalled, “A concubine-born son of the Wen family’s main branch.”

Zhou Shuren understood why the eldest was so angry with Ming Hui. Skipping school was one thing, and going to the theater another. The Wen family sending a message was like slapping the Hou Residence and the Princely Heir’s face.

Zhou Shuren, “Let’s go see.”

Zhulan sighed, “The eldest doesn’t lose his temper easily, but when he does, it’s terrifying. Otherwise, Lady Li wouldn’t have the steward waiting at the door for us.”

Zhou Shuren understood his eldest son, “He is the future Marquis Zhou. Their branch represents the Hou Residence. Their stance with the Wen family is already antagonistic. The eldest got angry for the sake of the Hou Residence.”

Zhulan didn’t respond, quickening her pace. Her eldest son was under great pressure, afraid of tarnishing the Hou Residence’s reputation. If it wasn’t for the Wen family sending the message, the eldest wouldn’t have been so furious over Ming Hui’s matter.

When they arrived at the main branch, the maids and grannies there seemed relieved at the sight of their rescuers. Inside, Ming Hui lay prone on the ground, with a broken stick on the floor. Lady Li was tightly holding onto the eldest son.

Listening to Ming Hui’s groans and seeing the broken stick, Zhulan took a deep breath, “Go call the doctor.”

Only then did the eldest couple notice the entrance. The eldest son immediately knelt in front of his father’s expressionless face, “Father, Mother.”

Lady Li, exhausted after holding her husband for so long, collapsed to the ground. Hearing her son’s gasps of pain, she hurried to check on him, “Son, the doctor will be here soon. It will stop hurting soon.”

Zhou Shuren, “Get up.”

Relieved that his father wasn’t rebuking him, the eldest stood up, wiping his face hard, “Father, I failed to educate Ming Hui properly, disgracing the Hou Residence.”

Ming Hui’s forehead was covered in sweat, and he didn’t dare move. His voice was particularly hoarse, “Grandfather, I realize my mistake.”

Zhou Shuren’s heart ached for his grandson. The eldest had been harsh this time, “In the future, you’re not allowed to skip school.”

Ming Hui was momentarily stunned, wondering if his grandfather wasn’t angry about the Wen family delivering the news.

Zhou Shuren sat down, looking at Ming Hui, “You saved Ming Rui from a broken leg, and both the Wen and Qie families paid the price. You should know that your every word and action is watched. It won’t be forgotten just because time has passed. You must be more careful and prudent in the future. Today’s beating is to remind you.”

Ming Hui pursed his lips, “I will be more careful and prudent in the future.”

Zhou Shuren continued, “I know you understand these things. I have never worried about you. Your future is your own, and I won’t interfere. But I hope your carelessness won’t lead us to lose a loved one.”

Ming Hui was clever, yet sometimes he acted too shrewdly.

After confirming that Ming Hui could be moved, the doctor carefully had him carried to another room, cleaned his wounds, and applied medicine. The doctor glanced sideways at the Princely Heir, noticing his heavy hand, “The young master’s injuries will take one or two months to heal.”

Zhou Shuren didn’t criticize his eldest son. If he did, the eldest would be indecisive. He felt the current situation was appropriate.