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

Chapter 1635: Chapter 1635: Fellow Travellers

Zhou Shuren and his wife took their youngest son and Ming Jung from the grandchildren, but did not bring Ming Rui, who stayed to take care of Lin Qing and the children.

The old couple didn’t lack caregivers, with Jin Yan and Qing Xue around, there was nothing for them to worry about.

The convoy left the capital, and Shen Xing had already gone ahead to Pinggang to rent a ship.

The carriage hadn’t gone far out of the capital when it was stopped, and Zhou Shuren, drawing back the carriage curtain, saw an acquaintance, the Retired Emperor’s personal Guard.

Zhou Shuren, “…”

He just wanted to enjoy a simple world with his wife, but why did the Retired Emperor come along too?

After the Guard left, the carriage moved again, and Zhou Shuren still felt quite depressed, “No secrets in the house isn’t good either.”

Zhulan said, “Think about the good – safety is assured.”

Zhou Shuren tugged at the cushion and lay down, “I’ll rest for a while.”

Zhulan, getting older, didn’t have good eyesight and didn’t bring a book, so she ate some fruit and watched the passersby outside.

When the carriage reached Pinggang, Zhulan’s eyes couldn’t get enough of the view. She hadn’t been to Pinggang for many years, and the current Pinggang bore no traces from her memories; everywhere were a variety of caravans and merchants.

The group arrived at the inn Shen Xing had reserved, the ship was already rented, Shen Xing took people to buy supplies, and they could set sail by midday tomorrow.

A person from the Retired Emperor’s side also followed Shen Xing, ensuring the Retired Emperor’s safety by conducting a thorough inspection to feel reassured.

Zhulan thought only the Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager came along, but it was unexpected that Lin Xi also came, which pleasantly surprised Zhulan, “Why didn’t I see you during the noon break?”

Lin Xi, “I wanted to surprise Grandpa and Grandma.”

She had been holding back all the way, no mention how hard it was to endure.

Zhulan lightly tapped her granddaughter’s forehead, this girl was getting cheekier as she grew up.

The Retired Emperor and Zhou Shuren exchanged glances, the Retired Emperor also felt a bit sheepish, his eyes wandering, “At my age, not young anymore, it’s good to move around while still capable.”

Zhou Shuren, “You didn’t have to follow me.”

While outside, he referred to himself as I; even so, their group was very conspicuous because of too many Guards.

The Retired Emperor, “We are friends.”

Zhou Shuren, “Heh.”

The Retired Emperor didn’t want to bother with Zhou Shuren anymore, huffed once, turned, and went upstairs back to the bedroom.

Zhou Shuren clicked his tongue twice, then took his wife back to their room as well.

Chang Xhong and Ming Jung, being young, didn’t feel tired after a day in the carriage; they went to a tavern, where the variety of merchants, many foreigners.

In the tavern’s hall, there were dancers performing.

Ming Jung had never seen such a place before, “Uncle, this place is bustling.”

Chang Xhong thought, not only bustling, those who come to the tavern all drink and relax, good thing nothing untoward occurs.

When Lin Xi came to find them, Ming Jung didn’t want to leave yet. Chang Xhong asked, “Have you eaten?”

Lin Xi, “I ate together with Grandpa and Grandma.”

Chang Xhong saw that it was getting late, “Let’s head back.”

Lin Xi spun her eyes, “Uncle rarely comes, I heard it’s particularly lively here at night, let’s go for a stroll!”

She had a hard time persuading her father to let her come, purely for fun.

Chang Xhong was tempted but quickly suppressed it, “It’s too chaotic here.”

Ming Jung’s ears drooped, he also wanted to go, it seemed more fun here than in the capital.

Lin Xi, “I brought a lot of people.”

Her father didn’t rest assured, sending Guards with her, along with Grandfather’s Guards, so safety wasn’t an issue.

Chang Xhong called over a young servant, asking him to go inquire with father.

Soon the young servant came back, bringing along Jin Yan and Shen Xing, which meant even without the young servant’s message, it was understood there was consent.

Chang Xhong set three rules, “I can take you, but you must agree to three conditions: first, you cannot leave my sight; second, don’t be curious about everything; third, think before acting.”

The two young ones nodded continuously, agreeing to not just three conditions, but five if needed.

The group left the tavern and headed to the bustling streets, which centered on a large square, the most lively place in Pinggang too.

They arrived at the square, filled with performers and various stalls, many foreign merchants, bustling with activity.

Lin Xi and her friends’ eyes couldn’t soak it all in. The girls loved pretty things and quickly reached the gemstone raw stone stall.

No fraudsters here, stalls were set up to attract customers, and if interested, there was plenty of stock available.

Lin Xi bought a few raw stones, “The gifts my father brings back are selected from here each time.”

Chang Xhong, “This place is indeed nice, let’s go ahead to check out the knives.”

Ming Jung had his arms full of food, cheeks puffed, uninterested in knives, his eyes searching for more snacks.

Lin Xi moved her ears, “Uncle, did you hear someone calling for help?”

Chang Xhong looked puzzled at Jin Yan, who shook his head, “There were no sounds.”

Lin Xi listened carefully, indeed it seemed there wasn’t, perhaps she heard wrong.

As they had almost finished shopping, Chang Xhong noticed it getting late, “Let’s head back.”

Lin Xi, “Okay.”

Upon returning, Lin Xi suddenly heard footsteps, “Indeed someone is crying for help.”

This time Chang Xhong also heard; he grabbed Ming Jung’s hand, intending to pull Lin Xi too, but Lin Xi was already surrounded by Guards.

Just then, a little maid calling for help ran toward the crowd, followed by two hefty women.

The little maid, bruised and scared, spotted Chang Xhong’s group, changed her direction, and rushed toward them. At this moment, the Guards’ swords were already drawn, and though frightened, she still rushed forward, “Help, save my young lady.”

The two strong women who charged were stopped by the Guards. The little maid’s eyes brightened with hope, “Please, uncle, save my young lady.”

Chang Xhong and his group, raised on Zhulan’s stories, could see through genuine pleas for help.

Chang Xhong, being the elder, instructed the Guards, “Take her to the patrolling Government Official.”

He didn’t want to get involved; Lin Xi’s Guards had a Token, and the Government Officials would pay attention upon seeing the Token.

The little maid looked disheartened, thinking it was over for her. As Chang Xhong’s group left, her cries could still be heard.

Lin Xi looked back, “Is handing them over to the Government Officials alright?”

Chang Xhong, “With the Token, there’ll be no problem.”

Returning to the inn, Zhou Shuren and Zhulan had already gone to rest. Chang Xhong first escorted the niece back to her room, then took Ming Jung to rest.

Early next morning, as Zhulan and others were having breakfast downstairs, they saw Lin Xi’s excited expression. Laughing, they asked, “Did you have a good dream last night?”

Lin Xi recounted last night’s events, “I sent someone to find out first thing in the morning, it indeed wasn’t a false alarm, a Mr. Guan’s daughter was crying for help.”

Zhulan became interested, “Why was Mr. Guan’s daughter crying for help?”

Lin Xi, “Couldn’t get detailed info, just know the young lady boarded the earliest ship south this morning.”

Empress Dowager chimed in, “Most likely some scheme in the inner courtyard.”

Lin Xi murmured, “Heard this young lady is only twelve, not very old.”

Zhulan sighed once more about her family’s simple inner courtyard.

Soon it was noon, and the group boarded the ship. The Retired Emperor expressed some disdain, “Couldn’t you rent a bigger ship?”

Zhou Shuren, “…You pay Silver?”

“As long as it’s sufficient, I’m going to see the rooms.”

Zhou Shuren, “…”

Infuriating, he spent Silver but couldn’t have the best room and was still being nitpicked!