Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1280 Thoughts

Zhou Shuren’s letter hadn’t left the capital yet when the Emperor had already learned its contents. After listening to the recited contents, the Emperor looked admiringly at his father, "Father Emperor has guessed everything correctly."

The Retired Emperor asked the Crown Prince, "What did you see from the letter?"

The Crown Prince released the walnut in his hand and replied solemnly, "Sir Zhou expressed two meanings, first, the royal family remembers the Zhao family of Pingzhou, leaving a bad impression on the royal family. Second, the friendship between Sir Zhou and Sir Zhao has ended, from now on, it will only be about favors, which Sir Zhao must remember to repay after being reminded several times."

The Retired Emperor said, "There’s more than that."

The Emperor also looked at his son, waiting for him to discover more. freewёbnoνel.com

The Crown Prince blinked, pondered for a while, "Additionally, Sir Zhou expressed the royal family’s trust and attention for him, warning those who plan against the Zhou family in the future to think thrice."

He intended to use the royal family’s influence to deter any demons.

The Retired Emperor nodded in satisfaction, "I liked what Zhou Shuren said; he mentioned that people are forgetful, and that it’s necessary to bring things up as a reminder at the right time."

The young Crown Prince remembered, "Grandson thinks Sir Zhou is impressive, I’ve learned something."

The Emperor stroked his son’s head, huh, while the son is still young he could stroke his head, it feels really good. However, the Emperor observed his son’s hands; had his son gained weight?

Listening to the sound of cracking walnuts, the Emperor saw the grandfather and grandson cracking walnuts again. Good, taught by the Father Emperor.

The Emperor whispered: "Father Emperor, has Xu Hao gained some weight?"

The Retired Emperor carefully observed his eldest grandson, "Nonsense, he’s clearly still quite thin, my grandson should come over and eat more."

The Emperor, "..."

No, Father, his son really did gain weight.

A few days later, at the Zhou family residence, Zhulan developed a liking for foraging wild vegetables outside of the capital. Recently, she took a fancy to them; for Zhulan, who previously dared not leave the capital, it was now quite enjoyable.

Especially bringing along the Empress Dowager, it felt very fulfilling.

Zhulan dug up quite a lot and the family could enjoy wild vegetable dumplings that evening.

The Empress Dowager dug quickly and well, to Zhulan’s surprise, and it wasn’t something she taught.

The Empress Dowager also dug up quite a bit, sat down to rest, and said cheerfully, "During the times of war, when food was scarce, I also dug up wild vegetables. Back then, it was really hard."

The whole country was in chaos, not to mention the ongoing wars and bandits. What to do when grain was insufficient? Those who couldn’t bear it could use silver to buy food; more often than not, it was taken by force.

Originally, the grain production was low. People were unsettled and fewer farmed. Many fled or ran away. Back then, for the sake of food, she and the Emperor worried and had sleepless nights.

Zhulan was grateful for having crossed over to a peaceful time; it’s said better to be a dog in a time of peace than a human in a chaotic world, human life is least valued in chaotic times.

The Empress Dowager continued, "I’ve liked all the wild vegetables we foraged these past few days."

Zhulan thought to herself, it was just for a taste, too much wouldn’t be enjoyable either, "We should have plenty now, it’s getting late."

The Empress Dowager also felt they had been out long enough, stood up and moved her limbs, feeling great about leaving the palace.

After returning to the capital, the carriages separated. Zhulan went home to change clothes and rest for a while before her fourth daughter-in-law returned.

Zhulan asked, "What is the Liu family’s intention for inviting you?"

Su Xuan curled her lip, "The Liu family has taken a liking to Yu Wen, hinting about her, indirectly and directly."

Why choose her daughter instead of the one from her third brother’s family? It was all because of her status – she was a Magistrate, and she had an attractive dowry.

Zhulan, "I thought she would miss Yu Yi from the third brother’s family."

Su Xuan scoffed, "A daughter-in-law married into the Liu family comes from the finest family background and brings the best dowry."

Zhulan understood, the Liu family sought the most valuable daughter-in-law, "No wonder the current Top scorer hasn’t settled on a marriage."

A year had passed, yet the Top scorer Liu had still not married.

Su Xuan, "The Liu family wants a good daughter-in-law, but sadly, those who count among the aristocratic families of the capital would rather have their daughters compete for a place in the palace."

Zhulan felt some sympathy for Top scorer Liu, who clearly held a winning hand that his family played poorly, "The longer the delay, the worse it is for his reputation."

Su Xuan looked down on the Liu family, and she got angry just thinking about their attitude.

At Zhao Bo’s home, after reading the letter, his mind was filled with just two words—finished, as his hands trembled.

Now regret was too late for Zhao Bo, who despised his family’s incessant demands yet couldn’t shake off his decaying family, fostered by their upbringing.

Thinking of the letter he wrote to his family, why the Zhao family viewed the Zhou family as a lifeline had much to do with him—he had spoken too highly of the Zhou family’s power.

Zhao Bo thought of Zhou Shuren, who now stood high above all; he still had to carry his family forward while his own attitude had changed long ago.

It probably began to change when he started borrowing Silver. Later, he harbored the thought of using it. Whether the Zhao family succeeded or not, there was only benefit for him. If they succeeded, he wasn’t just the savior of the Zhao family; if they failed, and Zhou Shuren took action, he could still escape the decaying family.

Zhao Bo couldn’t control the growth of these thoughts, feeling now that perhaps this was for the best, relying on himself in the future.

Zhao Bo steadied his emotions and wrote a letter, summoning the steward to rush back to Pingzhou. Zhou Shuren had no affection for him, and according to his understanding of Zhou, if things were not handled well, he wouldn’t be able to extricate himself either.

In Zhou family village, the events of Pingzhou City were not openly discussed by the family members who returned from the exams, but rumors still spread.

The rumors had been circulating for some time and became more outrageous as they spread. In the end, there wasn’t much impact on Mingyun, at worst she would be viewed as just a concubine.

But the impact on Jiang Zhu was significant—rumors spread that Jiang Zhu intended to marry a girl from the Zhao family of Pingzhou.

The Jiang family in the village was affected by the rumors, and the returning family members hastened to clarify, but some people prefer to believe what they like, so explanations were futile.

In the Jiang family household, Dong Yiyi looked at her daughter embroidering a handkerchief, "Don’t worry about the gossip."

Mu Lan put down the handkerchief, "Mother, I don’t mind."

If she was initially flustered upon hearing the rumors, knowing the truth had calmed her.

Dong Yiyi mentioned, "The Zhou family takes promises seriously."

Surprisingly for Dong Yiyi, Jiang Zhu’s grandparents made a special trip because of the rumors and told anyone who asked that it was just gossip and there was nothing to it.

The elderly couple also brought Mu Lan a gold hairpin, said to be purchased by Xue Mei for the Empress Dowager, who had never had the heart to use it and now gave it to Mu Lan, clearly showing their stance.

A few days later in the capital, Prince Qi became famous. As Zhulan listened to her daughter’s words, she spat out the tea in her mouth, "How did it get out?"

Xue Han couldn’t stop laughing, "Yesterday, Prince Qi chased after Rongchuan, thinking he spread the rumor. Rongchuan was wronged to death, and you know how much Rongchuan treasures Prince Qi now. Upon investigation, it was Prince Liang who let it slip out while drunk."

Whether it was intentional is unknown, but certainly not Rongchuan.

Zhulan laughed as well, Prince Qi used to like beauties, then stopped liking them, and now seemed fond of love stories—albeit fake ones, which were hard to deny, "Prince Qi must be livid."

Xue Han added, "More than livid, and he can’t confront the source directly either, as that would be an admission of guilt."

Zhulan inquired, "Prince Qi is truly pitiable."

Xue Han agreed, and thinking of her sister-in-law, she felt even more sympathy for Prince Qi. Then she lamented that now his sister-in-law ignored Prince Qi while he, in turn, doted on her. Tsk, these two seemingly switched roles.