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

Chapter 1806: Chapter 1806: Prayers for Blessings

Chang Xhong asked, “Are you well in the palace?”

Jia Qing grinned, “I’m good now, really well. If it hadn’t been for your help back then, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

He always remembered the feeling of being close to death; at that time, he truly thought he was going to die.

Chang Xhong raised his teacup, “This is fate between us.”

Jia Qing picked up his teacup and raised it, “To fate.”

The two no longer talked about the examination fraud case. Instead, they chatted about trivial matters in the capital. After chatting for a while, they parted ways, and Jia Qing took a half-day leave.

Chang Xhong, on the other hand, leisurely walked downstairs, raising an eyebrow, “Brother Wei?”

Wei Zhen was chatting with friends, and when he turned and saw Chang Xhong, he laughed, “Aren’t you usually very busy? How come you have time to visit the tea house today?”

Chang Xhong glanced at the people around Wei Zhen and smiled, “I had an appointment for tea today. Brother Wei, you go ahead; I’ll head home first.”

Though Wei Zhen wanted Chang Xhong to stay awhile, seeing strangers around, he smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll visit you another day.”

“I’ll be waiting for it then.”

With those words, Chang Xhong took the young servant and left the tea house, disappearing shortly thereafter.

Wei Zhen’s friend, Young Master You, remarked, “That’s the young master of the Hou Residence, isn’t it?”

Wei Zhen nodded, “Yes, you’ve all been clamoring to meet him, and now that you have, aren’t you feeling ashamed?”

Young Master You said, “We’re not the same kind of people.”

In his heart, Wei Zhen agreed. This brother-in-law had significant connections; he had heard from his father that the Fourth Prince hadn’t left the palace since the Empress passed but did so for this brother-in-law, and then seeing his friends prompted envy.

At the main courtyard of the Hou Residence, Zhulan was reading a legal document. It was the newly refined laws, with much effort contributed by the Crown Prince. Many ambiguous boundaries were clarified, and commercial crimes were also regulated.

Chang Xhong entered, “Mother, what are you reading?”

“The complete legal books your second brother delivered today. Would you like to take a look too?”

Chang Xhong sat down, “They’ve already been printed?”

“Yes, and they’ll be sent to each province in a few days.”

Chang Xhong picked up the legal book, weighed it, and said, “At least twice as heavy as before.”

“Indeed, many regulations are more detailed now.”

Looking at the lines of laws, Chang Xhong said, “The Crown Prince must have put a lot of thought into this.”

With the Empress’s passing, the Crown Prince was not only in mourning but also busy, whereas the Fourth Prince only needed to focus on mourning, making him seem quite fortunate by comparison.

Zhulan was delighted. With constraints comes a better future. She knew too well how people would exploit legal loopholes when facing life and death.

Chang Xhong briefly looked and said, “I’ll study it carefully when I return.”

“Oh, by the way, did you meet Jia Qing? How is he?”

Since Jia Qing returned to the capital, she hadn’t seen him, only heard news from Rongchuan, who didn’t say much.

“He’s doing pretty well; just waiting to avenge and then mourn.”

Zhulan nodded in acknowledgment, “Alright, you should go rest too.”

Chang Xhong stood up, “Okay.”

In the blink of an eye, Mingyun and Ran Wan returned to the capital. Both of them had changed significantly, with their previously fair skin now tanned to a wheat color.

Lady Li exclaimed, “Oh, you really need to take good care of yourselves now.”

Zhulan laughed in response, “It’s nice; now you look healthier.”

Mingyun said, “These years on the grassland have made me much stronger; indeed, I feel healthier.”

If Ran Wan stayed in the house all day, she wouldn’t have tanned skin; she had grown to love horseback riding, “Grandmother, I’m really good at horseback riding now.”

Zhulan, after observing, laughed, “I see you’re much more cheerful now.”

Ran Wan was aware of her changes. The people on the grassland were bolder, and she was somewhat influenced by them.

Lady Li couldn’t get enough of looking at her son. Zhulan saw this and noticed that Mingyun and his wife couldn’t take their eyes off their two children, so she said, “Alright, Mingyun, you all must be tired from the journey; go rest first.”

Mingyun picked up his son, “Then we’ll be over tonight, Grandmother.”

“Okay, all go ahead.”

Everyone in the room left, and Zhulan let out a long breath. The space was too small with so many people standing. After collecting herself, she said to Qing Xue, “Store the furs and other things Mingyun brought back.”

Qing Xue had already seen the furs, “Some of them are quite nice; would you like one made into a cloak?”

Zhulan thought for a moment, “That would be good.”

She also asked Qing Xue to choose a few for Shuren’s cloak. Then she looked at the gifts Mingyun brought back. This lad hadn’t skimped on accumulating wealth over his years on the grassland; it seemed the trade there was flourishing.

With the return of the eldest grandson of the Hou Residence, Zhou Shuren left the government office at the appointed time, and anyone could see his good mood.

The next day, Mingyun was specially allowed to attend the morning court session. The grandfather and grandson standing together drew attention; Mingyun was unfazed, having grown out of it on the grassland, where the people were anything but shy—he had even been confessed to by a girl.

The Emperor, observing Zhou Mingyun at court, was pleased. After the court affairs ended, he signaled Mingyun to come forward, “Not bad, you’re already able to handle things on your own.”

Mingyun replied, “All thanks to Your Majesty’s nurturing. I am deeply grateful for the Emperor’s grace, long live our Emperor.”

The Emperor laughed joyously, “Continue to do well in the future.”

“I will certainly not let down Your Majesty’s high expectations.”

The ministers in the court felt a twinge of envy. The Emperor’s favor towards the Hou Residence was enviable, and though they wished to speak cynically, the eldest grandson of the Hou Residence was indeed outstanding.

Zhou Shuren received some jealous looks; he was in high spirits, the more envious others were, the happier he felt.

After the morning court session, Mingyun followed the Emperor out, as the Emperor wanted to ask about the situation on the grassland in detail.

Zhou Shuren, on the other hand, was greeted with congratulations. While he was pleased, others were not as happy.

Old Master Wen thought about his eldest grandson and felt a pang of heartache. The resources that the Hou Residence could provide for their eldest grandson, the Wen family could also offer, but it was just frustrating that his grandson failed to live up to expectations!

Old Master Wen looked at his family-in-law, knowing he needed to think things over carefully, as some matters could not be delayed.

Mingyun spoke with the Emperor throughout the morning, even personally drawing a map for him, more detailed than the Emperor’s own. Mingyun explained, “I personally visited all the places I’ve mapped out.”

The Emperor was even more satisfied with Zhou Mingyun. Seeing it wasn’t early anymore, he said, “Alright, return to the capital and rest well.”

After a pause, he added, “Spend more time with your grandfather; it hasn’t been easy for him these years.”

Mingyun thought to himself, ‘So you do know it hasn’t been easy for my grandfather,’ but he replied, “Yes.”

In the days to follow, Mingyun first accompanied his wife back to her family home and spent most of the time at home, declining all but a few friends’ invitations.

As time went on, the capital gradually became lively again, with those who passed the provincial exams arriving early.

Chang Zhi had not yet reached the capital when the Imperial court’s report on cultivating improved varieties of plants had already been published. The report detailed how much production had increased and stated that the improved varieties would be sent to the provinces, causing great excitement among the people.

The result was that temples became even more prosperous, as those who couldn’t go to the Imperial Mausoleum flocked to temples to pray for the Retired Emperor.

The Emperor was truly not envious of his father; he also benefitted greatly from the goodwill and reputation. Meanwhile, Ming Teng had firmly established his position thanks to the merits the Emperor had generously shared.

On his journey back to the capital, Chang Zhi saw the newspaper and asked Zhang Jinghong, “What do you think?”

Zhang Jinghong remained silent. His feelings towards the Retired Emperor were complicated. He had thought he had let go, yet when the Retired Emperor passed away, he cried overnight. Now, seeing the newspaper about the Retired Emperor, his heart was filled with indescribable melancholy.

Chang Zhi patted Zhang Jinghong. Jinghong’s survival was entirely due to the Retired Emperor’s leniency.

Zhang Jinghong read the newspaper carefully, “The Retired Emperor was a good Emperor.”

Chang Zhi chuckled, “The Emperor is also a good Emperor.”

Zhang Jinghong’s heart was caught for a moment; indeed, the Emperor was also a good one. The Retired Emperor could not have chosen wrongly.

The fervor surrounding the improved grain varieties hadn’t subsided when Chang Zhi’s group finally returned to the capital. Their return poured a bucket of cold water over the entire city; even the common folk dared not discuss it loudly.