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

Chapter 1678: Chapter 1678 Luck

Zhulan’s words fell, and Mrs. Zhao’s tears flowed even more violently. If not for the many people in the room, Mrs. Zhao would have already carefully examined her son.

Ming Rui was already thin and looked particularly skinny. His clothes hung loosely, his face was pale, and the darkness around his eyes was especially noticeable.

Zhulan gestured for Ming Rui to sit and reached out to hold her grandson’s arm. Upon feeling it, there was not much flesh left. ”Why have you lost so much weight?”

Fortunately, her grandson’s eyes were exceptionally bright, and he still had some spirit.

Ming Rui felt guilty, knowing he couldn’t hide it. ”Grandson fell ill while outside, and though better, hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

Zhulan felt even more distressed, ”You had a hard journey. Recovery is never as comfortable as being at home. Second daughter-in-law, stop crying and quickly call a doctor to see Ming Rui.”

Mrs. Zhao wiped her tears, ”I will have someone call a doctor immediately, daughter-in-law.”

Lin Qing looked at her husband nervously, afraid he might have lingering ailments. Seeing his wife’s anxiety, twisting her handkerchief, Ming Rui comforted her with a reassuring look, which gradually calmed Lin Qing down.

Zhulan did not just wait for the doctor, ”It seems you gained a lot from this journey.”

Ming Rui spoke in a melancholic tone, ”Although I considered myself well-informed about the people’s hardships, only this trip made me realize how little I have truly seen. From the orphans, I discovered so much unseen suffering.”

It is said that there is a prosperous state now, but the number of orphans remains high, with some provinces having conditions to accept them.

Zhulan, ”Things will gradually get better.”

Ming Rui held his daughter, pinching her little hand, ”Grandmother, some provinces refuse to accept girl orphans.”

He had seen too many injustices regarding gender differences during this trip, and having a daughter made him even more empathetic.

Zhulan, ”I’m pleased that you can identify issues; only by identifying them can you change them.”

Ming Rui’s eyes shone brightly, ”Grandson understands.”

The doctor arrived quickly and carefully checked Ming Rui’s pulse. Ming Rui’s illness had healed, but the long journey had left him weak and in need of proper nourishment. The doctor prescribed a tonic formula.

Zhulan felt sorry for her grandson, instructing him to rest first, and any matters could be discussed the next day. Ming Rui returned to the second wife’s quarters with his child, while Zhulan examined her grandson’s notes from the journey.

The notes documented his experiences and reflections, and she could see from the writing how much her grandson valued education.

In the second wife’s quarters, Ming Rui took out the gifts he had brought back, ”Mother, you heard what the doctor said earlier. I have no lingering ailments, so don’t cry. Quickly look at the gifts I brought back for you.”

As he spoke, Ming Rui signaled his younger brother to comfort their mother.

Ming Feng tugged at his mother’s sleeve, ”Mother, elder brother is back, you should be happy.”

Mrs. Zhao couldn’t control her tears, worried about her son traveling far. She felt truly uncomfortable, ”Okay, okay, I won’t cry.”

Ming Rui was not lacking in silver coins. When he married, his mother gave him some property and silver coins. He had monthly allowance at home and had saved up before, leaving him with sufficient funds. He took considerable silver coins with him and bought many gifts along the way.

Mrs. Zhao liked embroidery and caressed the white jade fan with double-sided embroidery, ”You must have spent a lot of silver coins.”

Ming Rui smiled, ”As long as mother likes it.”

Indeed, Mrs. Zhao liked it. It is often said that daughters are more considerate, but her son was no less so, choosing gifts she liked.

Ming Feng also liked his gift, ”Thank you, elder brother.”

Lin Qing, needless to say, felt sweet in her heart, knowing her husband remembered her preferences.

Ming Rui was quite tired. Mrs. Zhao did not hold onto her son, signaling him to go and rest. Ming Rui took his daughter back to his courtyard.

In the courtyard, hot water was ready, and Ming Rui went for a bath first.

Lin Qing waited outside, and when her husband came out, she personally helped to dry his hair. ”Have a good sleep afterwards.”

Ming Rui said, ”Thank you for your efforts at home while I was away.”

Lin Qing shook her head, ”I’m not the one who has worked hard; mother has.”

Married into the Zhou Hou Residence felt like entering a blessed family. Grandmother was genuinely kind to mother-in-law, and mother-in-law treated her like a daughter. While her husband was not at home, her mother-in-law took extra care of her. Every time she saw her aunt, she would ask about Uncle’s Ming Hui. Which daughter wouldn’t want to marry into the Zhou Hou Residence?

In the evening, Zhou Shuren returned and learned that Ming Rui was still sleeping. He signaled Chang Yi not to wake Ming Rui.

Chang Yi felt sorry for his son, ensuring he got enough rest. He told his wife, ”Hand those silver notes to Ming Rui. The child doesn’t have much money left.”

Mrs. Zhao estimated the gifts’ cost, ”Ming Rui wouldn’t have spent all his money on gifts.”

”I heard from mother that Ming Rui spent a lot of silver coins on orphanages across provinces during his journey.”

Mrs. Zhao wanted to say it was official business or doing charitable deeds, but thinking of the orphans in the provinces, she sighed, ”I will give it to Ming Rui tomorrow.”

Chang Yi was in a good mood, ”Had I known Ming Rui had such fortune, I would have let him take the imperial exam.”

”If he really took the imperial exam, there probably wouldn’t be much left for our son.”

Chang Yi thought about it and agreed, ”Haha, you’re right.”

In the Zhou family’s several branches, the elder brother’s sons, Mingyun and Ming Teng, with the title of Marquis, were the eldest grandson occupying vital resources of the Hou Residence. Ming Hui and Ming Jung had two older brothers who didn’t need to worry.

The third brother’s son was young, and the fourth brother’s son didn’t need to hurry. Only his son needed resources.

Now, it was better; he no longer needed to rush.

The next day, Zhou Shuren saw Rong Enqing at the morning court session. Rong Enqing being able to attend was clearly at the Emperor’s directive.

The ministers in the court were more or less observing Rong Enqing. This person had been out on duty for half a year, and upon returning, was allowed in the court. They were all speculating about the Emperor’s intentions.

The Emperor did not discuss it openly but kept Rong Enqing and a few other ministers, including Zhou Shuren, behind.

In the government hall, the Emperor spun the string of pearls, ”I pondered a lot last night.”

Taking the small to reflect upon the large, the situation of orphans in various provinces mirrored the management of the entire province. Some aspects reassured him, others infuriated him.

The Emperor continued, ”This is Marquis Rong’s Zhezi. Take a good look at it, my ministers.”

When it reached Zhou Shuren’s hands, the Zhezi not only detailed the situation of orphans in various provinces but also the economic and living conditions of the people in those provinces.

No wonder the Emperor had Rong Enqing attend court; it wasn’t solely about orphans.

The Emperor, with his hands behind his back, ”Our country is vast and resource-rich, but I cannot see the entire world from the capital. I also recall the matter of the Water Bandit, where officials protecting each other pains me.”

The ministers in the hall were exceptionally quiet, breathing softly; everyone in the room had encountered gift-giving, only they themselves knew whether they accepted or not.

The Emperor didn’t intend to delve into it deeply; as the saying goes, ’clear water has no fish.’ As long as it wasn’t excessive, he generally turned a blind eye.

Zhou Shuren glanced at Rong Enqing, who kept his head down and remained motionless.

The Emperor scolded a few lines and took out a basic roster, ”Everyone, take a look.”

Zhou Shuren was familiar with it; this was the intern roster for orphans, recorded every five days. As he perused the roster, he noticed the orphans were initially clumsy during their internships, but their efficiency improved as they became more familiar. Zhou Shuren paid special attention to the roster for the girls, noting their meticulous work, which received positive reviews.

The Emperor observed that everyone had finished reading, ”In just a few days, I have seen the children’s potential, as well as the importance of education in the villages.”

The ministers present also realized this, understanding the Emperor’s implication that change was about to commence.