Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 715: Surpassed_1

The next day, early in the morning, Zhou Shuren came over, and Zhulan immediately understood his intention, "Are you preparing to set off for Lizhou Province?"

Zhou Shuren said, "Hmm, my son plans to depart five days from now. This time, traveling light, he should be able to return sooner."

He didn’t have much affection for his younger brother-in-law, but since his younger brother-in-law was ambitious, he had to go on this trip.

Zhulan, "You know what you’re doing, so I won’t ask too much."

Now, she didn’t need to worry too much about Chang Zhi, and she wouldn’t concern herself more with the other grown sons either.

Zhou Shuren smiled, "After he comes back this time, my son doesn’t want to travel far again."

Traveling was truly exhausting, especially in the summer heat; it was uncomfortable no matter what. When he returned, he planned to properly cultivate several dependable people.

Zhulan looked at Zhou Shuren, "Imperial Physician Liu has seen Lady Zhao, she told you about it, didn’t she?"

Zhou Shuren’s eyes and brows were all smiling, "Ah, she did."

That was the biggest joy for him since his return.

Zhulan could see that Zhou Shuren’s obsession was no less than Lady Zhao’s; ancient people valued having many sons as a blessing, for a single son couldn’t bring much security, especially when mortality rates were high in ancient times; having more sons was safer.

Zhou Shuren thought for a moment and said, "My eldest brother wouldn’t talk behind people’s backs, but I still want to discuss the Dong family with mother."

Zhulan’s expression became a bit more serious, "Is there a problem?"

Zhou Shuren saw that his mother had misunderstood and hurriedly said, "Mr. Dong is still there, nothing has happened to the Dong family. My son just feels that, ever since my third brother received his degree, and his sister-in-law kept Mr. Dong’s youngest grandson, other members of the Dong family have also become intent."

Zhulan, "It’s normal for them to have intentions."

From being one of the leading families to their sudden decline, with an opportunity now in front of them, it would be strange if they didn’t have intentions.

Zhou Shuren knew that as well, "Mother, what I meant to say is that my sister-in-law’s brothers, indirectly asked whether Ming Teng and the others have betrothed yet, I’m afraid that with Dong Zhan left behind, the Dong family might send a daughter here."

Zhulan fell silent; it was indeed possible, "I understand, I will speak to Lady Dong about it."

Zhou Shuren stood up, "Mother, I have just returned and there are many matters to attend to, I will head back first."

"Alright."

After Zhou Shuren had left, Zhulan stood up to write a letter to Lady Dong, asking if everything was well in the capital, and then casually mentioned that the eldest and Zhou Shuren had returned home. She wasn’t blunt about it; she had to consider Lady Dong’s dignity and carefully hinted at it as if chatting about family matters. After carefully reviewing the letter to make sure there were no issues, she sent it off.

Mrs. Song entered, "The items brought back by the eldest and second masters have all been sorted out."

Zhulan stood up, "Let’s go have a look."

"Yes."

On this return, the eldest and Zhou Shuren brought back quite a lot of things. Among the things they brought were gifts from clan members, as well as purchases made by the two sons themselves. The clan members gave quite a few items, mainly local mountain products.

What the two sons brought back were some fine furs and medicinal ingredients, intended to nourish the bodies of both her and Zhou Shuren.

In the capital, Marquis Ning was so worried he couldn’t take it any longer, "Second brother, what do you say we should do? There’s only a few days left before the break at the Hanlin Academy."

Ning Hui also felt a headache, "If it really comes down to it, we’ll have to tell father. We’ve never even seen what the person looks like, and at least this buys us some time. But you can’t keep dragging this out."

Marquis Ning frowned, "Now it’s me who’s dragging it out? You’re washing your hands of it?"

Ning Hui spread his hands, "You didn’t tell me first back then. Don’t blame me for dropping out now. I’m just reminding you, if Grandfather is the last to know, he will definitely be angry. You know the consequences when Grandfather gets angry."

He definitely didn’t want to suffer a beating from father; Grandfather would surely use a stick, and here he was a grandfather himself, not wanting to be spanked on the backside, especially with his trousers pulled down, how shameful!

Marquis Ning, "...." freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Having been away for so many years, he had truly forgotten how father used to beat someone. Back in the day, he couldn’t think about it, or he’d have nightmares.

After the younger uncle left, Lady Du came in with some snacks, "What were you and your brother discussing? There were guards outside, and I wasn’t even allowed to come in."

Ning Hui didn’t distrust his wife, but he couldn’t disclose Rongchuan’s identity, "Why are you bringing snacks yourself at this hour? It’s strangely hot outside."

Seeing her husband not answering, Lady Du knew it wasn’t her place to ask and sat down with a smile, "I heard Ning Xu came over, and just as the kitchen had made some new snacks, I brought them over myself. I just didn’t expect I couldn’t get in."

Ning Hui looked at his wife’s eyes and sighed, "I’ve said it, no more talk of adoption."

Lady Du furrowed her brows, "If Ning Xu leaves no one to inherit the title after a hundred years, wouldn’t it revert back to the imperial court? Don’t look at me like that. It’s not just for our son’s sake. Ning Xu isn’t young either. Without a child, it must be lonely. If you think Zhi Xiang is too old and lacks a close bond, why not adopt a grandson instead? Zhi Xiang’s son is young; feelings can be fostered."

Ning Hui’s brow furrowed deeply. He didn’t lack personal desire—that would be a lie. Both his sons were dear to him, and with his second son’s frail constitution, it was natural to dote on him a bit more. However, he disliked the way Lady Yu’s family was climbing the social ladder, "I shouldn’t be the one saying this, but since it’s just us spouses here, let’s talk. Lady Yu has overstepped her bounds. In light-hearted matters, I’ve turned a blind eye, but it’s time you took control where it’s inappropriate for her to interfere."

Lady Du’s heart sank. Her husband never meddled in household matters, and this was the first time in many years. Lady Yu had crossed a line with him, "I will handle her."

Ning Hui thought it over. He wanted to personally raise Zhi Xiang’s son, but at this critical moment, it really wasn’t appropriate for him to take the grandson with him, otherwise, it might seem like he was signaling something, "Mmm."

At the Zhou residence, Lady Dong received a letter sent by her mother-in-law. It started off pleasantly, but by the end, Lady Dong’s face was flushed with blood. Her mother-in-law was already being considerate of her face, but she still felt it burning with shame. Her brothers really dared to think that way; she didn’t even dare to think like that.

Angered, Lady Dong said to her maid, "Do they think the Zhou family treats me well and doesn’t despise me at all, assuming the Zhou family is so easy to talk to?"

The maid, who had accompanied the young lady all the way here, understood the Zhou family well. The young lady had a stable position in the Zhou family, and her own family benefitted as well, "Young lady, you can’t be soft on them."

Touching the letter, Lady Dong said, "I’ll write to father right away. If the Dong family dares to send someone again, I’ll send Dong Zhan right back. Yes, I’ll also write to elder brother and sister-in-law."

The maid asked, "Do you intend to have the eldest son’s family restrain the other branches?"

Lady Dong’s fingertips tapped on the letter, "Right now, elder brother’s family and I share common interests. Elder brother will keep an eye on the other branches."

In Jinzhou Province, Zhou Shuren returned home, and Zhulan knew him too well, "Is there something wrong?"

Zhou Shuren replied while changing his clothes, "Today, someone approached me about Yushuang."

Zhulan understood, "They want to discuss marriage?"

"Yes, although ancient marriage alliances were more about interests, these people are not sincere."

Zhulan always kept Yushuang’s marriage prospects in mind. It wasn’t good to delay such matters for too long. Her younger sister had already been betrothed, and yet her elder sister remained unbetrothed. If this dragged on, there would be rumors. "Have you no one in mind?"