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

Chapter 1654: Chapter 1654: Fame and Fortune

Lady Li replied, ”The second sister-in-law personally packed, brought everything that could be taken, and filled four large carts with luggage. Not to mention food and supplies, even brought plenty of charcoal.”

Zhulan knew well that this errand was hard on Ming Rui. If it weren’t for the urgency of the task, she would have wanted her grandson to leave in the spring next year, but the children couldn’t wait now that winter had arrived.

This time, the inspection was accompanied by the silver note and provisions sent by the Empress Dowager on behalf of the Emperor to the orphans in each state. These children awaited silver and sustenance to survive the difficult winter days.

Zhulan thought of wool and asked, ”Can the children in the village weave yet?”

Lady Li took a few seconds to respond, ”The children have already been taught, but what they weave is prickly to wear. The children are trying to find a solution.”

Zhulan asked, ”Hasn’t Wu Ming thought of a way?”

Lady Li replied, ”This year, the livestock just started to breed, and Wu Ming is just getting started.”

Zhulan murmured in acknowledgment. Having been in ancient times for so many years, she dared not underestimate the ancients at all.

After chatting for a while, Zhulan felt a bit fatigued and leaned against the pillow, falling into a hazy sleep.

Lady Li gestured for Qing Xue and the others to be quieter, then carefully exited the house. On her way back to the main courtyard, she encountered the second sister-in-law, ”Mother is asleep.”

Mrs. Zhao turned around, ”Then I’ll wait until mother wakes up to go.”

Lady Li asked, ”What do you need mother for?”

Mrs. Zhao said, ”It’s not a big deal. I thought Ming Rui should check on the orphans in each state, so I sorted some old cotton clothes from the village servants and wanted to ask whether mother wants Ming Rui to take them or have someone send them over.”

Upon hearing this, Lady Li said, ”Ming Rui departs in two days; I am also preparing some.”

In recent years, cotton had been in short supply. The servants who depended on their household for living could still get some cotton to make new winter clothes. The old winter clothes were stored for growing children. She was thinking of exchanging some fabric for old clothes.

What Zhulan found out in the afternoon was that, actually, the clothes’ maximum quantity did not come from the servants but from the Zhous’ masters. Unfortunately, the fabric for those clothes couldn’t be donated, ”I’ll send someone to ask Marquis Rong.”

Qing Xue personally went to inquire and brought back the message to go together.

The Zhous’ household loaded a cart with just the servants’ old cotton clothes. Of course, the servants’ old cotton clothes weren’t taken for nothing. Those needing fabric could trade for them, and those who didn’t need fabric could exchange for silver coins.

At first, the servants refused, but only after Zhulan insisted did they accept.

On the day Ming Rui set out, Zhou Shuren returned from the morning court. Li Zhao sidled up, ”You certainly know how to plan for your grandson.”

Zhou Shuren understood that ever since the Emperor, accompanied by Elder Wen and others, visited the orphans, many in the capital kept an eye on the suburban villages. Scholars going into the village further sensitized people to realize that developments in the suburban villages would change outcomes.

It wasn’t a secret that Rong Enqing was taking Ming Rui on an inspection tour; if not for the Crown Prince’s recent wedding, it would have been widely mentioned.

Zhou Shuren remained silent, and Li Zhao continued, ”Don’t pretend to be confused when you understand.”

”Don’t talk about scheming, my grandson often goes to the village to teach orphans to study. If not him, then who?”

Li Zhao lowered his voice, ”Our relationship has been good for the past few years, hasn’t it?”

Zhou Shuren nodded, feeling his conscience, ”So?”

Li Zhao smiled, ”My fourth legitimate grandson is also a Scholar. What do you think if he attends a few classes with your grandson when he goes with Marquis Rong out of the capital?”

Zhou Shuren, ”...”

This person’s cheek is thicker than his.

Li Zhao was anxious. Since the Crown Prince was already married, Li’s family neither intended to exploit the Crown Prince’s inner palace. What he aimed for was the advancement of descendants. The capital housed too many shrewd people, and he never underestimated the shamelessness of colleagues. If he didn’t speak up early, he would regret it.

Zhou Shuren still didn’t respond, pondering internally. He knew Li Zhao relied on their goodwill to speak first, anticipating more to follow seeking him afterward, ”The village has always been managed by my wife.”

Li Zhao’s eyes lit up, ”Thank you.”

Zhou Shuren watched the hurriedly departing figure of Li Zhao, leisurely continued his path.

Mr. Lin stepped forward, ”Uncle.”

Zhou Shuren smiled, ”Are you here for Ming Rui?”

Mr. Lin nodded with a smile, ”Yes, today is Ming Rui’s day of departure.”

Zhou Shuren always had a good impression of Ming Rui Yue Fei. Since the Zhou family and Lin family became in-laws and the Censorate gained someone, the Lin family had helped him a lot in recent years, ”I have assigned Shen Xing to accompany Ming Rui.”

After thinking for a moment, he added, ”With someone by Marquis Rong’s side, their safety isn’t an issue.”

Mr. Lin felt reassured. He wanted to personally visit the Hou Residence but felt it would be too ostentatious. He was pleased that his son-in-law had official duties, feeling grateful for Marquis Zhou’s care for his grandson.

Zhou Shuren spoke, ”I remember your third brother’s second son is a Graduate, currently at home?”

Mr. Lin said, ”Yes, this child isn’t suited for the officialdom.”

Zhou Shuren smiled, ”I heard from Ming Rui that he likes arithmetic.”

He remembered clearly because this child had once borrowed books organized by his wife from Ming Rui.

Mr. Lin was surprised, ”Ming Rui even told you this?”

Zhou Shuren said, ”You can let him visit the village and have a look.”

Mr. Lin understood, feeling delighted, ”I’ll send someone back as soon as I leave the palace.”

”Mm.”

At Marquis Zhou’s residence, Zhulan was surprised when the wife of the Minister of Revenue paid a visit. Although their families got along, they hadn’t been particularly close, so Zhulan only entertained this lady out of courtesy.

Her personal visit today was a sudden move, but after hearing the purpose, Zhulan chuckled, ”There are many children in the village, indeed, in need of a teacher. If the young master from the Li Residence wishes to go, I’ll have a young servant guide the way.”

The Minister of Revenue’s wife was taken aback by the smoothness of it all, ”You won’t test him?”

Zhulan instead laughed, ”No need. There will be arrangements once he reaches the village, but let me put it ugly – if he’s not suited to be a teacher, I can’t help.”

Lady Li said, ”I understand.”

Zhulan saw off the Li family’s lady, sighing softly, ”Everyone wants to be involved now.”

Some for fame, some for profit. As it developed to this day, she was glad the Emperor valued education, but it was also frustrating. Now the village turning into an academy, she wasn’t sure if she would continue to manage steadily.

In the afternoon, Zhou Shuren entered the palace and joked with the Emperor about his conversation with Li Zhao, ”That village has always been managed by my wife. I respect her, so I had Li Zhao consult her.”

The Emperor had been in a good mood recently. Upon hearing this, he said, ”Your nose is quite sensitive.”

Zhou Shuren asked, ”Have you decided?”

The Emperor rotated the string of pearls, ”No rush yet.”

Though he said no rush, he actually had plans, listening regularly to the village’s reports. The more outstandingly the children were taught, the more he was touched at heart.

Zhou Shuren also recounted his talk with the Lin family, ”That child’s arithmetic skills are impressive. The village needs a teacher good at arithmetic.”

The Emperor wasn’t concerned about these things but thought of the Imperial Orphanage and let his thoughts wander before coming back, ”I heard the Crown Prince mentioned some matters.”

Zhou Shuren was momentarily stunned, then reacted, ”The Crown Prince wouldn’t speak much.”

The Emperor coughed lightly. He indeed knew whom the Crown Prince was investigating, something that surprised even him, ”It truly surprised me.”

Zhou Shuren was speechless, ”The Emperor hasn’t been busy lately?”

The Emperor was busy indeed, dealing with endless affairs, waking up early, and sleeping late, ”I also need to relax.”

Zhou Shuren, ”...”

So his household became the Emperor’s amusement?