Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1295 Rhyme

Yushuang mentioned the price of ice in the capital, then added, "You should go curry favor with your future father-in-law now, it will definitely be highly effective."

Yu Lu chimed in, "Our family has a lot of ice, you could take some over." freewēbnoveℓ.com

Ming Teng blushed, "I won’t take from home."

Yushuang asked, "Are you planning to spend unnecessary money to buy ice?"

Ming Teng shook his head, "No, last year although we didn’t move, my great grandfather made use of it and stored a lot of ice, we haven’t used any of it till now."

Only then did the two sisters remember that their own residence had a large ice cellar, and the neighbors had one too.

Ming Teng first visited his great-grandfather, then he went to the main courtyard, and after leaving the main courtyard, he visited his parents and didn’t stay long with them either. Carrying his concerns, he took the young servant to the neighbors to fetch ice.

In the evening at the Lau family residence, Lau Jing returned from the Ministry of Justice; as soon as he entered the house he noticed something was off. Normally at this time they wouldn’t use ice due to its cost, and the indoor temperature would be a bit stifling, but today, as soon as he entered, there was a refreshing coolness, and upon looking around, he saw the ice basin with conspicuous pieces of ice sticking out.

Lau Jing was surprised, "Didn’t you say ice has become expensive, urging us to use it sparingly? Why are you so generous today?"

Mrs. Lau was all smiles, "This was brought by your future son-in-law just now. He brought a whole big cartload."

Lau Jing let out a sound of surprise, "Ming Teng brought it?"

"Yes, he delivered it himself and also said he would bring more in a few days. I couldn’t even refuse, and he told me not to skimp on using it."

Mrs. Lau thought this son-in-law was truly impeccable, the more she saw him the more she liked him. If it wasn’t for her daughter being too young, she would have wanted the marriage to happen immediately.

Lau Jing was in a good mood, "That’s thoughtful of him."

Mrs. Lau, "Ming Teng just returned to the capital and came over. Isn’t that thoughtful?"

Lau Jing’s mustache curled upward, having a good son-in-law was as good as having a son—in fact, his own son never thought to use his private savings to buy ice.

It was at dinner when Zhulan found out about what Ming Teng did. Yuguang glanced at Mingyun, truly, she dared to say that her family had the most ice in the capital.

Just two days later, Zhou Shuren was still not well, his condition fluctuating but fortunately not serious, just lacking in energy. The Imperial Physician had visited several times, advising some meticulous recuperation.

That day, Mrs. Tao visited. Zhulan was surprised, "You always prefer not to go out in the hot weather; why did you come today?"

Mrs. Tao sat near the ice basin, not afraid of catching a cold, "You don’t know yet."

Zhulan confused, "Know what?"

Due to the hot weather, no one in the family had gone out recently, so they really didn’t know about any gossip happening outside.

Mrs. Tao, enjoying a chilled watermelon, cooled down, "I knew you wouldn’t know. The news about your Ming Teng delivering ice to his future father-in-law’s house has spread all over the capital."

Zhulan was speechless, her family’s gossip, "How did it spread?"

Mrs. Tao explained, "It’s quite the coincidence. The day before yesterday, I saw Mrs. Lau arguing with someone. The way it was put, the other person looked down on Mrs. Lau as vulgar and even mocked the Lau family for skimping on ice. Mrs. Lau retorted that having a good future son-in-law is better than anything else, and that’s how it spread."

Zhulan laughed, "That’s not too bad then."

Mrs. Tao understood what Zhulan meant; now that Ming Teng, this young Mr. Hou had started to do things, the better Ming Teng performed, the more he would attract attention, and the more the Lau family would be targeted, just as the jeer she witnessed was a disdain for the Lau family.

Now that it had spread, everyone knew Ming Teng was pleased with the marital arrangements, flattering his in-laws even before marriage. Jealousy makes people ugly, who knows how many people’s faces this news had distorted.

Mrs. Tao wiped her hands with a handkerchief, "With this move, your Ming Teng has pulled a lot of hatred."

Her husband even joked about having their grandson also deliver ice to the Zhou residence.

Zhulan also smiled, "I think the fathers-in-law in the capital must be very happy."

Tao laughed out loud, then said, "But speaking of which, it’s been a hot summer this year, how much ice does your family have to have surplus to give away?"

The Zhou family is also a prominent family now, all members are direct descendants, and to keep everyone treated equally, a considerable amount of ice is needed.

Zhulan smiled, "My master and Mr. Wang are close friends, and we are friends too. If you ever run out of ice, I’ll give you some."

Tao, holding her chest, "I can’t stand it, I’m really jealous of you, now that there’s a shortage of ice and you still have surplus!"

Wang’s family is a prominent household, their ice usage is particularly vast, and they store quite an amount each year. Even then, they had to economize this year!

Speaking of which, due to Ming Teng’s actions, everyone now knows the Zhou family has surplus ice.

Inside the palace, the Emperor looked at the message that came and fell silent, "With the new houses included, the Zhou family has four ice cellars? That many?"

The Empress came in, "What did the Emperor say was too much?"

The Emperor handed her the paper, "This isn’t a problem caused by Ming Teng. I was just curious about the ice reserves in the Zhou Estate and was surprised when I saw it."

The Empress took it, "Even I am envious."

The palace had already reduced ice use, typically using ice more during the night, and as the Empress, she even allocated some of her ice usage for her sons.

The Empress moved her lips slightly but ended up staying quiet. Using a minister’s ice is not a proper matter, and clearly, the Emperor wanted to save face at this moment.

At the Zhou Estate, Zhulan sent Tao off and came back to discuss this matter with Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren gestured for the maids to leave and, swaying in his rocking chair, said, "Our family has a lot of ice. With Ming Teng giving it away like this, outsiders may not know how much we actually have, but the Emperor surely does."

He gestured toward Qing Xue and others outside.

Zhulan paused, then asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhou Shuren said, "I mean to have the fourth uncle dispatch his ice cellar, we won’t appear in this matter directly, but the Emperor will know it’s my idea. It’s most appropriate for the fourth uncle to handle this, especially with the trouble Ming Teng has caused."

Zhulan thoughtfully, "Then let’s do as you said, after all, the Royal family is fostering Ming Teng."

Zhou Shuren stood up, "I’ll go see the fourth uncle."

Zhulan, "Alright."

At noon, Yong Yushang entered the palace, and the Emperor was surprised, "On such a hot day, why have you come to the palace?"

Yu Dang replied, "It’s because of a mess the kid at home caused."

The Emperor also smiled, "I’ve heard a rhyme in the capital, ’Whether a son-in-law is sincere, sending ice in summer will reveal true intentions.’"

Yu Dang was taken aback, cleared his throat a few times, "The Emperor also knows I’m currently residing in the Earl’s Residence. There’s an ice cellar in my residence too, filled up before I moved last year. The Earl’s Residence has enough ice, currently, I don’t need what I stored, it’s a waste keeping it, so I thought of offering it for the Emperor’s use."

The Emperor’s smile deepened, he knew that this uncle by relation plays a significant role, and now seldom leaves home, spending most of his time listening to stories in the courtyard, surely it was Zhou Shuren’s idea, "The palace does indeed lack ice, I thank you, uncle."

Yu Dang, "I dare not take thanks, it’s appropriate, Ming Teng has troubled Prince Qin a lot, it’s all necessary."

The Emperor saw the uncle off, "Zhou Shuren, this old fox."

Another two days passed, Zhou Shuren’s health had completely recovered, but he still needed a few days of rest. Zhou Shuren felt spirited, his gaze landing on Yu Wen, his granddaughter who might be a genius.

Zhou Shuren had just called over a few granddaughters, when the steward rushed in.