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

Chapter 1730: Chapter 1730: Jingxuan

Zhou Shuren scrutinized General Huang with a discerning eye. Despite not having any direct interactions, he was well aware of the military power held in the capital.

General Huang received no response and felt a wave of unease. There were few in the capital who could speak for the Zheng family; the man before him held significant weight. While he might not meet the Emperor, this man certainly could.

Marquis Zhou never mingled with military generals. He wasn’t foolish and understood that his position required circumspection, demonstrating his rationality and intelligence.

Zhou Shuren retracted his gaze and said, “Zheng Hong has not been imprisoned. The Emperor only restricted his movements, but did not prevent the servants of the Count Residence from going out.”

If there was truly a need to call for help, Zheng Hong would come to him. Clearly, it wasn’t necessary. There was no business with Zheng Hong, and even if he got implicated, Zheng Hong wouldn’t come to him unless it was absolutely necessary.

If something really happened, pleading for leniency might have the opposite effect.

General Huang digested the words of Mr. Hou, staring blankly as the marquis walked away. He finally reacted, realizing the servants at the Count Residence could indeed come and go freely!

General Huang shivered. It wasn’t even late autumn, yet a chill ran down his back, settling in his heart as he fought the impulse to look back towards the government hall. Swallowing hard, he left quickly.

Zhou Shuren left the palace, where Wong Ju had been waiting, and boarded the carriage, “When will you have time to see my father?”

“Next time I have a day off, I’ll visit the old man.”

Wong Ju said, “Lately, my father keeps mentioning you. The old man seems to have something to tell you.”

Zhou Shuren acknowledged, “Let him know that I’ll visit.”

“Sure, huh, I think my dad wishes you were his son.”

Zhou Shuren chuckled, “I smell jealousy.”

Wong Ju snorted and added, “My father called the Zheng Earl a fish trap waiting for fish to swim in.”

“Quite fitting.”

Wong Ju was satisfied; Zhou Shuren’s words confirmed his father’s speculations, “I thought this year would be peaceful, but it seems it’s destined to be recorded in history.”

Zhou Shuren said, “You certainly have a lot of sentiments.”

Wong Ju sighed heavily, “There’s still a vacant position in the Ministry of Personnel. It’s so lively, I’m tempted to take sick leave.”

“Then do it; it’s a good opportunity to take care of your health.”

Wong Ju was tempted, but shook his head, “I can’t. I am the future Clan Leader of the Wong family and must strive on their behalf.”

Zhou Shuren thought, luckily, the Zhou clan has few representatives in the capital. Otherwise, he’d also be strategizing. With a sigh, he realized that noble families could not afford not to compete. Not competing meant regression and decline, affecting the entire family’s interests, and they must fight even if it meant breaking heads.

The Emperor’s struggle with the noble families would not cease. It’s the same principle: if you don’t advance, you retreat. The Emperor doesn’t want to be sidelined, so he must suppress them appropriately.

At the Zhou family, Liu Yuanbo came to the Hou Residence, not empty-handed, with some books. Zhulan was curious, “Books for Yu Die?”

Yuan Bo replied, “Brother Ming Rui sought various manuscripts. I found some and brought them for him.”

Zhulan thought privately, this lad is very considerate of his future in-laws. Obtaining manuscripts required much effort, “Thanks for your trouble.”

Liu Yuanbo said, “It wasn’t much trouble. The clan members collected them, and what I brought isn’t the original.”

“Still, thanks for your effort.”

What a good grandson-in-law. If she were to evaluate, among a few of her grandsons-in-law, she preferred Liu Yuanbo and Yu Yueyang.

Liufeng wasn’t bad, but his upbringing was more restrained, and Wong Wei focused more on rules. These two didn’t focus as much on length and were more lively.

Zhulan asked a few more questions, then asked Qing Xue to take Yuan Bo to the second wife. Ming Rui, being a Scholar, had a new goal, spending most of his time at home, either studying or accompanying his wife and daughter.

Lin Qing didn’t even want to return to her parental home, blissfully happy like a young woman.

At the second wife, Ming Rui took Yuan Bo to his study, where one side of the bookshelf was filled with manuscripts.

Liu Yuanbo, visiting his future brother-in-law’s study for the first time, was impressed, “So many books?”

Ming Rui smiled, “Most of them were bought by my father for me.”

His father knew his preferences and thoughts, going out of his way to find books, many of which were collected by noble families, efforts made by his father for him.

Liu Yuanbo felt a bit sour; sons and sons-in-law were indeed different. Look at how his future father-in-law treated his brother-in-law and then how he treated him—quite enviable.

Ming Rui said again, “Feel free to take any you like back to read.”

Liu Yuanbo also had to prepare for the imperial examinations. While there were plenty of books in the Liu family’s collection, there were some he didn’t have. Seeing so many books, he was tempted, “Then I won’t be polite.”

He said as he went over to the bookshelf to look through the books, which were arranged by category, making them easy to find. Picking up a volume, he asked, “This one?”

Ming Rui glanced at it, “This is a manuscript given to my grandfather by the Retired Emperor. The one you took is my transcription.”

Liu Yuanbo’s eyes sparkled. He noticed many royal collections. Though they weren’t originals, they were enough to excite him, “Can I borrow all of them?”

“Of course, you’re the future grandson-in-law of the Hou Residence.”

Family members could freely look at them.

Liu Yuanbo said, “Thank you, brother.”

Ming Rui chuckled and shook his head. This brother-in-law also had it rough; he thought that the marriage date would have been set sooner, but after setting it, they still had to wait a long time!

At noon, Zhulan met with Princess Jingxuan, her gaze turning to her granddaughter, silently inquiring about why she brought the princess to the Hou Residence.

Lin Xi said, “Grandmother, Jingxuan will be staying at the Qin Prince Residence for some time. I brought her around to look at the sights.”

Zhulan saw the princess’s thin frame, remembering her esteemed but still very young. With the Empress Dowager gone, the Empress unwell, no one dared to neglect her, yet the young girl needed companionship, “The scenery at the Hou Residence is quite nice; would the princess like to take a look?”

Jingxuan asked, “May I?”

“Of course you can. Lin Xi, take the princess around to see.”

Lin Xi smiled broadly, “Sure, we’ll go to the garden.”

Jingxuan replied, “Madam, I’ll come back to talk to you later.”

“Alright.”

Zhulan didn’t have to remind her granddaughter to take good care of the princess; it wasn’t necessary; her granddaughter was the princess’s cousin.

The arrival of the legitimate princess was known to everyone at the Hou Residence. Lady Li came to the main courtyard and asked, “Mother, should we invite Princess Jingxuan to stay for a meal?”

Zhulan replied, “No need. Lin Xi brought the princess to relax.”

Lady Li was very curious about Princess Jingxuan, as she was a legitimate princess whom she hadn’t met before, “Mother, who does Princess Jingxuan resemble?”

“She resembles the Emperor more.”

Lady Li sat without moving, hoping she might get to see the princess shortly.

Lin Xi showed the princess around and noticed that Jingxuan liked it, smiling and saying, “If you like it, I can bring you again.”

Jingxuan asked, “Is it alright?”

She was a legitimate princess and understood a lot; the Zhou Marquis Residence was different.

Lin Xi nodded, “Certainly.”

“Then, I’m intruding.”

The two returned to the main courtyard, where Lady Li saw the princess. She was initially surprised, as the princess’s thin appearance was unexpected, yet the legitimacy of the princess clearly showed her aura.

Once Lin Xi and the princess left, Lady Li commented, “The legitimate princess is quite thin.”

Zhulan explained, “The Empress Dowager’s passing was a big blow to the princess, and she hasn’t recovered. The princess will visit again, so make sure to remind the servants to watch their tongues.”

“Yes.”

Lady Li inquired again, “Is the Empress’s health still not improving?”

Zhulan knew a little more; Xue Han had visited the palace and confirmed the situation had not improved, with her health fluctuating.