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

Chapter 1807: Chapter 1807: Acting Cute Won’t Work

Chang Zhi did not return home to rest outside the city but went directly to the palace, handing all the documents to the Emperor. By the time he explained everything, the sky had turned completely dark.

As Chang Zhi walked out of the palace gates, his back was already soaked with sweat. The Emperor had frightened him!

The Emperor even said he wouldn’t allow him to leave the capital anymore, which was exactly what he wanted! Staying in the palace to write books sounded great!

As he exited the palace gate, Chang Zhi immediately saw the lanterns and, without waiting to speak, Jin Yan had already said, “Fourth Master, Mr. Hou is waiting for you in the carriage.”

Upon hearing this, Chang Zhi trotted to the carriage, “Father.”

Zhou Shuren, seeing his son unharmed and not punished, smiled, “Hmph, aren’t you coming up quickly, or should I pull you up?”

Chang Zhi swiftly got on the carriage, “Father, you worried about your son.”

“What do you think? You’re too daring, young man.”

He had thought of investigating himself, but he couldn’t have been as reckless as Chang Zhi!

Chang Zhi shrank his neck, “That was the best solution your son could think of.”

“Hah.”

Chang Zhi smiled apologetically, “Father, your son missed you and mother very much while I was away.”

“Did you think we were scared to death by you?”

Chang Zhi reached out to tug his father’s sleeve, “No, father, I think you’re amazing and will surely protect me.”

Zhou Shuren tugged at his sleeve, but his beard curled upward slightly, “Hmph, and they say you’re stubborn, yet you’ve learned to act spoiled.”

Chang Zhi thought to himself that to avoid a beating, he would say anything, “Because you’re my father!”

Zhou Shuren pulled his sleeve back forcefully, “How many days’ leave did the Emperor give you?”

“Five days.”

Zhou Shuren said, “Rest well today, and tomorrow morning, we’ll have a good talk.”

Chang Zhi, “!!”

So acting spoiled was completely useless? He spat, he shouldn’t have listened to Zhang Jinghong’s suggestion!

The carriage returned to the Hou Residence, where the family was waiting. Chang Zhi didn’t need to change into his official clothes, he washed up and took his seat for the meal.

Zhou Dada first raised his cup, “I toast you, elder brother, hoping there won’t be a next time. I want to live a few more years.”

His heart had been tumultuous, fearing for several days that he would receive news of the fourth brother’s demise.

Chang Yi also lifted his cup, “Brother, I was noticed because of you, thank you.”

Chang Zhi, “!!”

Zhou Shuren smiled, “He has a five-day break, so you brothers should take the time to interact well these days.”

Zhou Dada and Chang Yi, “Understood.”

Zhou Shuren continued to the eldest, “I won’t be home during the day, so you’ll oversee the family discipline for me.”

Zhou Dada laughed, “I won’t go easy at all, father.”

“Hmm.”

Chang Zhi glanced around, well, nobody at home seemed inclined to speak for him. He looked eagerly at his wife, only to see her smiling especially brilliantly, making him swallow hard!

The following conversation turned lighter; no one mentioned the case. Instead, they talked about grain varieties. The family was all gathered, and the reunion dinner was pleasantly joyful.

After the meal, Zhulan and her husband retired for the night, as it was already late.

The other family branches also returned to their quarters. Chang Zhi tiptoed behind his wife and children. Once the children were back in their own courtyard, the couple went to the fourth courtyard, where Chang Zhi stopped at the door.

Su Xuan did not turn around, “If you don’t come in today, there’s no need to come in in the future.”

Chang Zhi took out a box from his pocket, “I brought you a gift.”

Su Xuan dismissed the maids around her, glancing at the box, “Oh, have you been carrying it all this time?”

“It’s your gift, I’ve kept it with me and it hasn’t passed through anyone else’s hands.”

Su Xuan opened it to find a pair of rings, “Did you buy these?”

“Do you like them?”

His parents had a pair of rings, and after much deliberation, he chose a pair of rings as a gift.

Su Xuan held back her delight, but tears fell immediately, surprising Chang Zhi, as his wife in his heart was always smiling.

Chang Zhi panicked, “Don’t cry, I know you worried about me, but I’m alright, aren’t I?”

Su Xuan cried even harder, “I already have a reputation for jinxing my kin, do you want me to also bear the reputation of jinxing my husband? I finally have a home, do you think that’s easy for me?”

Chang Zhi was flustered, “I was wrong; I should have been more cautious. I shouldn’t have scared you.”

Su Xuan remained silent, only crying to vent all her worries. She had truly been terrified, needing to stay strong in front of the children. Now that he was finally home safe, should she not be allowed to cry?

In the main courtyard, Zhulan was soaking her feet, “Tomorrow, I’ll visit big brother and sister-in-law.”

Zhou Shuren, “I should go with you, but I’m too busy these days.”

Zhang Jinghong’s escort of silver coins back to the capital required arrangements for the aftermath.

Zhulan smiled, “Big brother will understand.”

Zhou Shuren leaned back in his chair, “Chang Zhi is finally back in the capital, I can sleep soundly.”

He didn’t want to ask what dangers his son had faced; he was just glad he was back safely.

Zhulan also felt relieved, “Let’s rest as well.”

“Alright.”

The next day, Zhou Shuren did not attend court but waited for Chang Zhi, who arrived punctually at the study. Watching his son, Zhou Shuren realized that over two decades had passed as the child had grown into his thirties.

After coaxing his wife all night, Chang Zhi had come to deeply realize his recklessness, kneeling, “Father, I know I was wrong.”

Zhou Shuren had many things he wanted to say, but they all turned into a sigh, “You’re not young anymore, think more about your family in the future. Kneel here.”

Saying this, Zhou Shuren walked out.

Chang Zhi understood everything and obediently knelt, knowing he’d soon face family discipline with no way to avoid the physical ordeal.

The family’s guards were skilled, adept at applying the appropriate level of force, causing pain without inflicting actual injury.

Zhulan peeked once but left quietly, concluding he deserved this lesson.

At the Hanlin Academy, Gu Sheng was concerned about Mr. Zhou. The officials at the academy again discussed Zhou Changzhi’s return; who would have thought Mr. Zhou could be so ruthless.

Zhuo Guyu couldn’t hold back from asking Gu Sheng, “You’ve interacted with Mr. Zhou the most; did you notice anything?”

Gu Sheng was also dumbfounded, for Mr. Zhou at the Hanlin Academy was known for drinking tea and writing books, often roaming with a teapot; who could have imagined that when Mr. Zhou took action, it would shock the nation!

Gu Sheng had known the news for a few days, during which he hardly slept, often dreaming of Mr. Zhou chaining him and sending him to prison!

Zhuo Guyu, in unusually good spirits, patted Gu Sheng on the shoulder, clicking his tongue at how Mr. Zhou was Magistrate Anhe’s father!

As time flew by, the capital’s implicated officials were sentenced, including the elimination of all males over ten in Mr. An of the Ministry of Works’ family, with the remaining family members exiled.

Other involved officials were sentenced according to the severity of their crimes. Alongside those escorted back to the capital awaiting execution, there were regular beheadings.

Some early arrivals of examinees were curious enough to watch, but they returned in need of a doctor, requiring daily calming tonics.

The places typically favored by examinees were avoided, as they stayed in their lodgings to read and find peace.

This led to the Ministry of Rites being more rigorous in their spring examination preparations, even drawing Chang Yi, usually idle, into helping.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for Mingyun and his family to leave, along with their two children. Lady Li sat in tears after seeing them off.

Zhulan asked, “Can’t bear to follow them and have a look?”

Lady Li shook her head, “I can’t be away from the household. Mother, I’ll be alright after a while.”

Su Xuan, thinking of a diversion, said, “I heard from Yu Wen that there were people seeing off the An family’s exile.”

Zhulan asked, “Yu Wen pays attention to that?”

Su Xuan smiled, “She heard it from Lin Xi.”

Lady Li, intrigued, wondered, “Who dares to make such arrangements!”