Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1304 - 1346 at 67 minutes

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes wildly, he had no idea why the Retired Emperor had returned, there were no significant matters in the court recently, no, that’s not right, the last time he was in the study, he saw a map on the Emperor’s desk.

However, Zhou Shuren could not say anything about it. He felt this year had been good, obediently serving as Minister of Revenue, unless the Emperor asked him to stay, he seldom spoke; this year the only thing that tired his heart was having to answer the Crown Prince’s questions.

Zhou Shuren did not answer, instead, he opened the box and saw Buddha Beads?

The Retired Emperor knew Zhou Shuren too well, if Zhou Shuren was acting this way, it meant he either didn’t know or knew something but was unwilling to speak, "This is sought by me in the temple, and it has been carried by a high monk."

Zhou Shuren smiled, he didn’t really want this object, "This minister will certainly keep it well."

The Retired Emperor smiled, "I sought this for your safety."

This past year, Zhou Shuren had feelings about this; the Retired Emperor truly regarded him as a friend, but he had a boundary in his heart, a boundary between monarch and minister. He did have feelings but wasn’t truly moved, "This minister will cherish it, and thanks the Retired Emperor for his concern."

The Retired Emperor took a sip of tea and blurted out why he returned early, "My third son is coming back to the capital."

Zhou Shuren suddenly realized, right, Prince Chu had not returned to the capital since he left last year, and this year the silver for purchasing medicinal materials was sent directly to Prince Chu, which shows he had uncovered quite a bit of information.

Seeing Zhou Shuren’s reaction, the Retired Emperor gave up; Zhou Shuren truly did not know why he had returned, evident in how Zhou Shuren enjoyed his current ease, "Jiangnan is unstable, so I returned early."

It was no secret that he had left the capital. For safety, he and his wife returned to the capital early.

Zhou Shuren, however, was thinking about what map was on the Emperor’s desk?

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan was chatting for a while before Ran Wan came, the first daughter-in-law among the grandchildren of the Zhou family, Ran Wan was cautious in every step, fearing that she might neglect anyone.

It was not easy being the eldest daughter-in-law, not only as a role model but also caring about everyone. Being competent in handling these matters was a skill, and Ran Wan was not bad at it.

Ran Wan paid respects to Zhulan and others, Zhulan gestured for Ran Wan to sit down.

Zhulan asked, "Is the luggage all packed?"

Ran Wan responded with a slight smile, "Replying to grandmother, everything is well packed, we can start the journey in three days."

Lady Li winked at her mother-in-law, meaning you see, I told you I don’t need to worry about it!

Zhulan glared at her eldest daughter-in-law and said to Ran Wan, "You have worked hard these past few days."

Ran Wan didn’t feel it was hard, "This is what Wanwan should do."

She fixed the date, looking forward to getting married every day. Although shy, she still longed to marry, not just to marry the person she loved, but also for the atmosphere at the Zhou family.

The Ran family was actually quite good, but there were concubines, Ran Wan’s father had them too. Experiencing the atmosphere of the Zhou family and seeing the hardship behind her mother, she would increasingly yearn for the beautiful.

After she married into the family, she obtained the happiness she longed for; her husband loved and valued her, her mother-in-law was kind, all the family units were united, so she wanted to guard, earnestly guarding her happiness.

Ran Wan thought of the day before her wedding, her grandfather had told her not to plot for the Ran family, but to make it clear to her that once she entered the Zhou family, she was a granddaughter-in-law of the Zhou family.

The last shackles on her broke, her grandfather’s words, in the future she only needed to live for herself.

Lady Li called out, "Wanwan, Wanwan."

Ran Wan shyly said, "I was a bit distracted just now."

Lady Li finds it hard to have heart-to-heart talks with her daughter-in-law, knowing her own straightforwardness. Her affection for her daughter-in-law shows simply, "You must be tired, tonight I’ll make more of what you love to eat."

Ran Wan blushed, "Mother, I’m not tired, just making what you and father like is fine."

Zhulan watched the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law interact with a smile, thinking that ever since Mingyun got married, the households started eating separately, only gathering during festivals and birthdays.

At this time, Xue Mei interjected, "What about the fourth sister-in-law?"

Lady Li replied, "The fourth sister-in-law had an appointment to go out, and the second sister-in-law went to Liufeng’s house."

Xue Mei smiled, "Liufeng is also participating in this year’s provincial exam."

Zhulan nodded, "Yes, I heard your sister-in-law say, if Liufeng passes the Graduate exam, he doesn’t plan to continue the next rounds, and intends to wait for three more years."

Xue Mei was surprised, "Why is that?"

Zhulan explained, "He was originally planning to take it this year, but too many unexpected things happened, Gu Zhuomin was overseas on a mission, and Mr. Hu was also away on duty, it was a decision made after considering various factors."

In three years, Chang Yi will return from his mission, Gu Zhuomin will get a promotion, and Mr. Hu will also return to the capital, increasing the number of people who can help plan for Gu Liufeng.

Xue Mei suddenly realized, "Three years later is indeed a good choice."

Zhulan smiled, "If it wasn’t for Yushuang, we wouldn’t have planned to take this year’s provincial exam either."

Having a Graduate title would add to Yushuang’s appeal in marriage; if he doesn’t pass this time, it could also serve as preparation for three years later.

At the Palace, Xue Han brought her son to the Palace today, as the Empress Dowager and the Emperor have returned to the capital, planning to stay in the Palace for a while. If not for her son clinging so tightly to her, the Empress Dowager would have carried him off to raise in the Palace for a few days.

Xue Han’s eldest son, named Zhang Xuzhe by the Retired Emperor, had just turned one and was at the age where he wanted to start walking, couldn’t sit still, and constantly wanted to move.

Xue Han thought her son was too lively, watching him, the Empress Dowager’s eyes were full of affection, "Zeze, this child will grow up, among all the grandsons, he resembles his grandfather the most."

Xue Han felt the same; Rongchuan resembled her late uncle, and his son was indeed promising, sharing many similarities with the Emperor, gaining his affection from birth.

When brought out during the full-month celebration, if any minister still had concerns about Rongchuan’s position, after seeing the child, their concerns disappeared. Prince Qin did not resemble the Emperor, but his son did—the strongest proof of lineage across generations.

This also meant that the female officers and palace maids who took care of the child were extremely cautious.

Sitting aside, the Queen thought to herself, fortunate that the grandson who resembled the Emperor was born in the Qin Prince Residence, if it were in the harem, the Queen’s eyes held sarcasm, this year the inner Palace had added two princes, both sons at that.

The Queen thought of Madame Zhang who had risen in rank because of giving birth to a son, having become restless. Today, knowing that Princess Qin was bringing her child to the Palace, she came along with her own child to pay respects.

She wanted to come and meet the Empress Dowager too!

Seeing Zeze about to rush to the Queen, Xue Han was about to assist him, when the Queen, smiling, took hold of him and told the Empress Dowager, "Zeze is brave, he just learned to walk and he’s already running."

The Empress Dowager chuckled, "The child takes after me."

Holding back a smile, Xue Han thought, that’s exactly what the Emperor said too, the two even debated it.

At Zhou’s, Zhulan received a letter from Chang Yi. As communication had not been frequent that year, being too distant and inconvenient, Chang Yi, not accustomed to being abroad at first, filled his first letter with complaints, only by the second letter did he mention having personally changed his living situation.

Zhulan opened the letter, raised an eyebrow, and called Qing Xue, "Go to Scholar Zhou’s house, invite Mrs. Wang over."