Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 628: Not Allowed to Visit_1

Zhou Shuren said, "It’s all right."

Zhulan, seeing Zhou Shuren’s firm tone, knew she couldn’t change his mind and could only respond, "You, too, should take extra care."

Zhou Shuren was well aware, "Right now, all eyes are on the capital. Don’t forget about Shen Yang. At present, the capital is the most chaotic place. I certainly don’t want my son and Rongchuan to get embroiled in it."

After much thought, he decided that Shen Xing and Jin Yan must accompany them to the capital, one following Chang Lian and the other Rongchuan. Otherwise, his heart would not be at ease.

Zhulan saw Zhou Shuren deep in thought, "Do you still remember what Zhang Datie said? That Rongchuan was picked up in the capital all those years ago."

Zhou Shuren naturally remembered, "Which is all the more reason to have someone follow Chang Lian and Rongchuan."

Zhulan was somewhat worried, "We have never interfered with the course of events. Rongchuan has always taken it step by step to get to where he is today. I am just anxious about his origins; I only hope it won’t affect his marriage to Xue Han and that everything will proceed smoothly."

Zhou Shuren held Zhulan’s hand, "It’s too early to worry now. After so many years, nobody knows the situation. Don’t stress yourself too much. As long as our conscience is clear, that’s enough."

Zhulan curled the corners of her mouth, "Mm."

Zhou Shuren closed his eyes; he had never considered investigating Rongchuan’s origins, for his philosophy was to let destiny take its course and to let things happen naturally.

The next day, Zhulan stood at the doorway, watching the departing carriage. As the carriage grew smaller in the distance, Zhulan remained unmoved.

Xue Han, supporting her mother, said, "Mother, with Third Brother and Rongchuan gone, let’s also return to the mansion."

Zhulan, gazing towards the carriage that had disappeared from view, "I have a feeling that this year won’t be a peaceful one."

Xue Han listened intently, "Mother, why would you say that?"

Zhulan, holding her daughter’s hand, "It’s nothing. Let’s go back."

Xue Han sensed that her mother was troubled but knew that if she wouldn’t speak of it, asking would be futile. She changed the subject, "Brother Wu Ting didn’t make it before the New Year, and now that the year has passed, he still hasn’t arrived. With just a few days left until Sister Wu Ning’s wedding, I wonder if he’ll make it in time."

Zhulan pondered over the calendar, "He should be here soon."

Xue Han looked at the Zhou family’s brightly decorated mansion. Sister Wu Ning was truly getting married. She couldn’t help but think of herself, blushing at the thought. She hoped for Rongchuan to place first in the imperial examination. As for marriage, ahem, her mother would still want to keep her around.

Xue Han touched the bracelet on her wrist, which, though not incredibly precious, was a gift from Rongchuan at the end of the year.

Not long after Chang Lian’s carriage left the city gate, it came to a halt due to an obstruction ahead. Chang Lian signaled for his wife to cover their daughter with something to ward off the wind, then he opened the carriage window. "What happened up front?"

Jin Yan reported, "Master, there’s a carriage up ahead with a wheel that came off. They wish to hitch a ride on our carriage to the capital."

Chang Lian had his suspicions, "Is there a problem?"

Jin Yan answered, "I’ve seen him before when I was with the lord; he’s this year’s second-best scholar from the provincial examinations, Graduate Shen."

Chang Lian was surprised. He and Rongchuan had left early for the capital since the family had a residence there, to get acclimatized early, but he hadn’t expected to leave as early as this other fellow, "What about this Graduate Shen?"

Jin Yan had always been close to the lord, "The lord didn’t pay much attention to Graduate Shen."

Chang Lian wasn’t keen to deal with Graduate Shen, but seeing that Graduate Shen was approaching, it was impolite to turn him away.

Shen Yang felt incredibly unlucky, his carriage had broken down just outside the city gates. Upon seeing Jin Yan, his luck seemed to turn; it must be Zhou Shuren headed for the capital, "Duke Zhou, I am facing difficulties; please lend me a hand."

Chang Lian sized up Graduate Shen. The man’s gaze had swept over Jin Yan for a moment, and it seemed he couldn’t avoid this encounter. "The carriage behind is empty; the graduate can ride in it."

Shen Yang felt joy in his heart, it seemed that the young master of the Zhou family was easy to get along with, "Shen is grateful to the young master."

Chang Lian smiled, let down the curtain of the carriage, and after the carriage waited a moment and continued on, Lady Dong, patting her sleeping daughter, whispered, "My dear, this malfunction with the carriage is somewhat fortuitous."

Chang Lian, "Yes, indeed, a coincidence, though we did decide on the departure day at the last minute. It must be a coincidence."

But it was just a little too coincidental.

Lady Dong held her daughter close to her, thinking it was better to be overcautious as she had learned from her mother-in-law, "It would be best to let them off at the gates of the capital."

Chang Lian, "Mhm."

By noon, Wu Ting and Wu Yong arrived together, and Zhulan felt relieved, "We’ve finally arrived."

With due courtesy, Wu Ting said, "We should have come over the moment we arrived, but since we were carrying luggage, we went back to our residence to settle down first before changing our clothes and coming over. I apologize for the trouble Aunt has been through waiting for us."

Upon hearing this, Zhulan had an understanding of the situation. Among the Wu siblings, Wu Ning and Wu Yong were alike in temperament, and so were Wu Ming and Wu Ting. No wonder they sent Wu Ting over last, "You’ve had a hard journey coming here after the New Year."

Wu Ting replied, "Although no large-scale war has broken out on the border, there are still many people with families heading inland, which made the journey less smooth. Fortunately, we arrived safely in Jinzhou Province, now my heart can be at ease."

Having heard this, Wu Yong bowed his head; he felt somewhat useless, letting his younger brother take on the responsibility that should have been his.

Zhulan, seeing the undeniable weariness in Wu Ting, knew the boy had endured a lot. He probably hadn’t dared to sleep much while safeguarding their belongings on the road, "Wu Ning is waiting for you. You siblings should have a chat; rest at the residence later, and you can all go back tomorrow."

Feeling settled at last now that he’d arrived in Jinzhou Province and there was no rush to organize his belongings, Wu Ting said, "Aunt, we will take our leave now."

In the back courtyard, Wu Ning finally saw her third brother. She wanted to throw herself into his arms like when they were little, but she quickly stopped herself and stood there with a smile, "Third brother."

Wu Ting could hardly believe his eyes. The last time he saw his sister, her brows bore worries, but now she carried herself with a gentle demeanor and her brows were light with joy; this put his mind at ease, "Brother has come to send you off for your wedding."

He had rushed all the way, fearing he would miss his sister’s wedding day, but he had made it in time.

Afterward, the three siblings chatted together. Wu Ting also inspected his sister’s dowry. Wow, it really was a generous dowry, especially when he saw the additional items from the Zhou family, "The Zhou family truly treats you as their own daughter."

Wu Ning felt a warmth in her heart, "Indeed, Aunt has taught me a lot, and sister Xue Han has been constantly encouraging me. I owe a lot to Aunt for how much she has cared."

She was no longer self-deprecating nor self-pitying; she had learned to bravely face everything, to be open-hearted and strong.

Wu Ting thought to himself that the Wu family owed the Zhou family a great debt of gratitude.

In the capital, after entering the city gates, Chang Lian stepped off the carriage and headed to Shen Yang’s carriage, "Graduate Shen, I must head back to my residence first, so this is where we part ways."

Shen Yang was taken aback, "The Zhou family has a residence in the capital?"

Forgive him for never inquiring before. All he knew of was the Zhou family in Jinzhou Province; he had even thought of finding an inn to stay with support at hand.

Chang Lian thought there was no need to hide it, as anyone who would inquire could easily find out, "Yes, it is a property that the Emperor gifted to us some years ago."

Shen Yang was taken aback, he wanted to have the audacity to follow them, but he had no ties with the Zhou family, and the young master of the Zhou family had personally invited him, so he could only get down from the carriage with his young servant, "I am thankful to Young Master Zhou for the assistance all the way. Once I have settled in, I will personally visit to express my gratitude."

Chang Lian coolly said, "There is no need for thanks; anyone would have lent a helping hand. We shall part here."

Shen Yang pursed his lips; he understood the message—it was a polite refusal of his visit.