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

Chapter 1745: Chapter 1745: Bearing the Brunt of Someone’s Anger

Lin Xi prepared a crystal gift. After polishing and engraving a painting on the crystal, it looks especially beautiful when a candle is placed inside. The crystal comes in more than one color, and Lin Xi put considerable thought into it for her little brother.

Zeze also took out the gift he prepared, ”The story that brother asked the painter to draw has been bound into a book.”

Rongchuan and his wife exchanged a glance, happiness in their eyes.

Rongchuan took Zeze and left for the study, ”What do you want to say to Father?”

Zeze said, ”Recently, I noticed something off about Lu Jia Qing. Today, I saw it clearly.”

Rongchuan admired Lu Jia Qing, but since Lu Jia Qing was still young, he didn’t pay much attention. His first reaction was for the safety of his wife and children, ”What’s wrong?”

Zeze recounted what happened today when he and his sister fetched the gifts, ”When Lu Jia Qing saw the An family’s womenfolk, he hid.”

Rongchuan had investigated Lu Jia Qing before; Lu Jia Qing had been wandering for a long time, making it hard to investigate unless Lu Jia Qing told the truth himself. Confirming the child was not problematic, he let it go. Now that there is a direction, ”Go investigate.”

Zeze had the same thought. As the Heir of Prince Qin, he must protect the Wang Residence, so he must get to the bottom of this.

Rongchuan added, ”Don’t be too hard on yourself. As the Heir of Prince Qin, you were born at the finish line.”

He really didn’t expect his son to be formidable; his son already had enough, and he didn’t need to live so exhaustingly.

Zeze smiled and said, ”I understand, Father.”

Rongchuan ruffled his son’s hair. Though young, he was like a little old man. Rongchuan didn’t know who this child took after, being so worried all the time.

Zhou Shuren couldn’t relax even on his day off. Visitors came daily, though he didn’t meet with everyone.

He made the right decision not to take on many disciples. Although the Hou Residence received many posts, compared to some officials with numerous students, the Zhou Hou Residence remained low-key.

In ancient times, master and disciple relationships were like father and son. The mentor’s kindness was substantial, which also meant close ties and interest binding.

These days, Zhou Shuren constantly had people watching the capital. Before news spread, he already knew.

Zhou Shuren said to Zhulan, ”I knew we wouldn’t have to wait until after the New Year.”

Zhulan said, ”This is to test the Emperor and the Duke of Yongan Residence.”

Zhou Shuren nodded, ”To test the Emperor’s boundaries.”

Zhulan pursed her lips, ”No wonder the Emperor dislikes certain southern noble families. Sometimes they are truly audacious. The Emperor holds great power, and they think this is a test? It’s more like provocation; apparently, past lessons weren’t enough.”

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, ”Do you think the Emperor will intervene?”

Zhulan said softly, ”The Emperor will not only feign indifference but also hint at the Duke Residence.”

Zhou Shuren, ”My wife is truly clever.”

Zhulan talked about her matters, ”I plan to send dumplings to the girls enrolling in the academy, 20 meat dumplings each, on behalf of the academy.”

Zhou Shuren, ”That’s good. It will give female students a greater sense of belonging to the academy and could improve their status at home.”

Zhulan didn’t want to do it either, but ancient girls had it tough, ”The academy’s female orphan groups will be sent to deliver them; let Shao Ting and Jiang Ling visit each household.”

Zhou Shuren chuckled, ”Quite good.”

The two girls were very persuasive; letting them deliver the dumplings would be twice as effective with half the effort.

At the Duke of Yongan Residence, the eldest son of the second wife howled in pain. The Imperial Physician’s hands were quick, quickly rejoining the broken leg bone, but it wasn’t over. His arm was dislocated too.

After everything was treated, the Imperial Physician stood up and wrote a prescription, handing it to the Princely Heir, ”For hundred days, the sinews and bones need care. In the future, the young master must take it easy, especially with the dislocated arm to avoid habitual dislocation.”

The Princely Heir’s fingertips turned white gripping the prescription, ”Can the broken leg be healed?”

This was crucial; soon it would be time for the imperial examination, which the eldest son of the second wife had been carefully nurtured for. Now with such a severe injury, anger surged inside him.

The Imperial Physician wiped his hands, ”If cared for carefully, there should be no lasting issues.”

Now all doctors throughout the country were under strict oversight, with genuine assessment scores. He was the best bone-setter in the Imperial Hospital.

The Princely Heir exhaled a sigh of relief, ”I will see you out.”

”Please stay, Princely Heir.”

The Princely Heir sent someone to get the medicine and went to see his father, ”Father, there’s more to this matter.”

He didn’t believe an uneventful carriage ride could result in an accident—it was clearly a setup.

The Old Duke understood, ”Go investigate, I need evidence.”

The Princely Heir took a deep breath, ”Father, they have gone too far.”

The Duke remained silent. Back then, he acted even more ruthlessly, waving his hand, ”Go.”

Recalling anything now was useless; he had to hold onto the Duke Residence, but deep within, he felt endlessly fatigued.

The day’s events spread throughout the capital, drawing attention not only to the Duke Residence but also the southern noble families. Every year they would enter the capital with gifts, but this year caught even more attention.

In the palace, the Crown Prince didn’t even need to watch his father’s expression. Not to mention his father, even he was annoyed; how dare they act during the year-end celebration—what did they mistake the capital for?

The Emperor tapped the table, ”Reassure the Duke Residence.”

Compared to their long-standing interest in the Duke Residence, these audacious noble families irritated him more.

The Crown Prince, ”Understood.”

The Emperor continued, ”This year, Wu Shangheng will not attend the palace banquet.”

The Crown Prince understood his father’s anger and wanted to use this to reprimand the southern noble families. His father was satisfied with Wu Shangheng, not all southern noble families.

At Zhou Hou Residence the next day, Wu Shangheng arrived in a bit of a panic. Chang Xhong was surprised, ”What happened to you?”

Wu Shangheng was about to explode; their Wu family had sincerely pledged allegiance to the Emperor, ”I’m being blamed unjustly, and it’s driving me crazy.”

He really didn’t think much of it, though there was a sense of pride. He was the future prince consort, wanting to speak out for himself. Who would’ve thought they’d be so bold!

Chang Xhong looked at Wu Shangheng’s dark-rimmed eyes, ”Is your marriage broken off?”

Wu Shangheng glared, ”What kind of horrible thing are you saying?”

Bah, his life as a prince consort was perfect; the marriage wouldn’t fall apart!

Chang Xhong rubbed his chin, ”Then you’re not part of the palace banquet.”

This was an honor; it indicated royal satisfaction with the prince consort.

Wu Shangheng slumped, ”Yeah, I don’t need to go this year. I want to vomit blood; they’ve taken plenty from me, and yet they set me up like this.”

Chang Xhong sympathized with Wu Shangheng, ”Rest easy; the Emperor has no intention of replacing you.”

Wu Shangheng responded with a weak laugh. He knew too, ”I’ve already written a letter to my family.”

Chang Xhong glanced sideways; a family chosen by the Emperor as a prince consort was certainly wise.

Wu Shangheng lay motionless on the small kang, sleepless the entire last night. He just wanted to curse; couldn’t they wait until after the New Year to act? Didn’t they know the Emperor was pleased about the Crown Prince’s firstborn?

Chang Xhong was speechless, ”You’re not planning to stay here indefinitely, are you?”

Wu Shangheng didn’t move, ”I have nowhere to go.”

If the Emperor wasn’t angry, he could still brazenly enter the palace; he didn’t want to be caught by those fools, so he ran here. After thinking it over, only Chang Xhong’s place could shield him.

Chang Xhong, ”... You’re really good at picking places.”