Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 718: Took the Blame_1

Duke Ning began, "I’ve been wanting to meet you two young men for a while, but I have been recuperating; thank you both for what happened that day."

Chang Lian was somewhat shocked; he hadn’t expected the Duke to personally say thank you. He hurriedly said, "Anyone passing by at that time would have lent a hand, my younger brother and I just happened to be there, and moreover, the Duke Residence has already sent a gift of thanks. Your gratitude makes me feel ashamed."

Rongchuan also quickly added, "We were merely doing what we should."

Duke Ning grew fonder of Zhou Shuren, thinking if Zhou could raise his sons so well, no wonder the Emperor held him in high regard. Of course, most importantly, Zhou’s family had taken in Rongchuan. "Look at you, standing up again as you speak. Please, sit down, there’s no need to be so formal."

Ning Zhixiang bowed his head, sipping tea. He was somewhat at a loss, his grandfather was acting very normal, and his father was even more calm, his third uncle wasn’t excited either. He was truly confused.

In Jinzhou Province, Zhulan came out ahead of Mrs. Tao, and after waiting a bit, Chang Yi and his wife returned. Zhulan noticed Mrs. Zhao’s red eyes and said, "I will wait a while longer; you two go ahead and wait at the bottom of the mountain."

Mrs. Zhao knew her husband had things to discuss with his mother and said, "Mother, we will go down the mountain first, and my husband will stay with you."

Zhulan looked at Chang Yi, "Alright, let the young servant go down with you." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

After Mrs. Zhao had left, the second eldest Zhou said, "Mother, Ming Rui and my son talked last night."

Zhulan acknowledged with a hum, "What do you want to say?"

The second eldest Zhou leaned against the stone railing, looking out at the distant mountains, "My son feels ashamed. Ming Rui, at such a young age, dared to say he would rely on himself, whereas my son always harbored various thoughts."

When his son stood before him, chest out, unflinchingly saying he would rely on himself, his heart was shaken and filled with pride. His son had backbone at such a tender age!

Finally, his son said, "Father, you should trust your son. I have inherited your intelligence; my starting point is already high. I will work hard; I can do this."

He had tossed and turned all of the previous night, thinking of his eldest brother’s efforts, Chang Lian’s tenacity, Chang Zhi’s changes, and realized only he had not changed much. At last, his mind filled with the bright eyes of his son.

Zhulan sat on a stone bench, "It is natural for people to have selfish desires. I have them too, and of course, there are many things I have not done well."

When she first arrived, she had never been a mother before; everything was about groping and learning. When she initially joined the Zhou family, she constantly measured the children of the family by her own standards. But as time passed and she gradually integrated into the Zhou family, she realized her problems and slowly adjusted, only understanding what it meant to be a mother after having a child herself.

The second eldest Zhou turned sideways with a smile, "Mother, to us brothers, you and father are the most important, and also the best."

There is always a difference in length among fingers, and he knew how other officials’ children were. His parents had been quite fair to them.

Zhulan smiled, "Take a good look outside; it’s actually quite fascinating."

The second eldest Zhou gazed at the distant mountains, "Indeed, it’s beautiful as a painting."

With a change in mindset, one can find scenery worth admiring. He had not looked at the mountain ranges with the mindset he had now.

Zhulan found the scenery before her beautiful. Hearing Mrs. Tao’s voice, she turned around, "Is it finished?"

Mrs. Tao smiled, "Ah, it’s finished. The hour is late, let’s go down too."

"Alright."

In the capital, after Chang Lian and Rongchuan left the Duke Residence, Duke Ning took his two sons into the house.

Upon entering the house, Ning Hui clutched his chest as if he was having difficulty breathing and spoke much slower, "Father, I sat outside for quite a while, and now my chest feels uncomfortable. I would like to go back first."

Duke Ning looked at his second son’s performance, "I’m getting old and my ears aren’t as good as they used to be. What did you say just now? Say it again."

Ning Hui, "....I didn’t say anything."

Duke Ning hummed, and the chairs in the room had already been arranged, "Everyone take your place."

Ning Hui was frustrated, why did he have to get beaten too?

With his face flushed, Ning Xu said, "Father, I’m already halfway into the grave, let’s switch to a lighter paddle, shall we?"

Duke Ning was in high spirits, having not spanked anyone in many years and kind of missing it, "Heh."

Someone stood guard outside while the steward blocked the door. The steward thought that the old master had already given face to Mr. Hou and the Princely Heir by ensuring no outsiders were inside the room. In the past, when Mr. Hou and the Princely Heir were young, ah, when they were younger, they had been spanked too, and back then it had been embarrassing.

Duke Ning didn’t have much strength, and after hitting them with a few paddles, he was sweating profusely, which made him feel a lot better.

Ning Xu and Ning Hui exchanged a glance, both fastening their belts. How embarrassing.

With a snort, Duke Ning said, "Let’s talk business. Since Zhi Xiang suspects Rongchuan’s identity and the Emperor can’t acknowledge Rongchuan for now, it’s inevitable that his true identity will be discovered sooner or later. It’s better to take the initiative than be passive. Rongchuan needs an identity."

When Ning Xu saw the old man looking at him, he asked, "You mean, you want me to acknowledge Rongchuan?

Duke Ning, with his eyes lowered, replied, "This isn’t just my idea; it’s implied by the Emperor’s intentions as well."

Ning Xu fell silent. Indeed, the Emperor had wanted him to investigate from the start, so it was all part of the plan. Now, seeing Rongchuan, everything fell into place. "Then, how should we arrange Rongchuan’s background?"

He didn’t object to Rongchuan being his son; in fact, he felt like he was getting a bargain. Just imagine a Rongchuan, who is like his older brother, calling him father, and the Emperor could only watch and listen. How delightful that would be!

Duke Ning asked, "Are you stupid?"

Ning Xu replied, "Hm? Dad, even if you’re still angry, you can’t scold your son!"

Duke Ning couldn’t be bothered with his youngest anymore; the boy was too pleased with himself to think straight.

It was only after the old man left that Ning Xu realized arranging Rongchuan’s background truly wasn’t up to the Ning Residence; the Emperor would be the one to worry about it. After all, the Emperor was the real father!

At the Zhou Residence, Chang Lian and Rongchuan got home. Urgently needing to relieve himself, Chang Lian said, "I’ll be back shortly."

Rongchuan hadn’t planned on going, having drunk less tea than his third brother, but seeing the urgency on his brother’s face made him want to go too. Watching his third brother run off, Rongchuan burst into laughter. It must have been a long time holding it in; it was impressive how his third brother could endure.

By the time Rongchuan and Chang Lian sat down to chat, a whole tea’s time had passed.

Rongchuan didn’t want to bring up the Duke Residence; it was distressing enough. "Third brother, do you think my luck has been bad lately?"

Chang Lian was speechless. Bad luck for Rongchuan? Then no one could be considered fortunate. "What brings you to say that?"

Rongchuan voiced his frustration, "About buying a residence, Scholar Deng finally found a good place, and every time I find one I like, it’s sold before I can buy it!"

It was infuriating thinking about it. He’d found three residences, one after another, only to be beaten to the chase each time!

Chang Lian fell silent. "I don’t think it’s a coincidence."

Once could be a coincidence, twice could still be tolerated, but three times was too much. It looked like someone didn’t want Rongchuan to buy a residence!

Rongchuan also fell silent. He had the same feeling but didn’t want to speculate, as it was very troubling, "What exactly does the Duke Residence mean by this?"

As Duke Ning made his way back to his home, he sneezed, causing the steward to become excessively anxious. Unaware that he was being blamed, Duke Ning mused, "I must be getting weaker. I need to take good care of myself."

Inside the Palace, the Crown Prince also sneezed, causing Eunuch Liu to worry greatly. "Your Highness, should I call the Imperial Physician?"

Zhang Jingchen didn’t look up. "No need."

Eunuch Liu backed away, but soon his thoughts turned to the Emperor, who had gone to the garden. It had been a while; why hadn’t he returned yet?

The Crown Prince stretched his neck, eyes fixed on his father’s desk, particularly the deed he had given to the Emperor that morning. It was paid for with Silver Coin; when would the Emperor return the Silver to him?

The Crown Prince then couldn’t help being speechless about his younger brother. Was there really such a rush to buy a residence? Weren’t they supposed to wait two years before marrying off? And now, after only a few days, he’d taken a liking to three residences. His brother now needed Silver, and he was quite generous with his spending. He also had high standards; none of the residences he fancied were cheap.

When the Emperor entered, he saw the Crown Prince staring fixedly at the table. "What are you looking at?"

The Crown Prince fiddled with his money pouch. Two of the residences he liked had three courtyards each and were exceptionally well-located, "Oh, I was just wondering if Rongchuan, on his day off, might go house hunting again."

He better not!

The Emperor’s lips curled slightly. His youngest son really was persistent. "No need to worry about that in a little while; he won’t need to buy a residence anymore."

The Crown Prince touched his money pouch again. "Those three residences weren’t cheap."

Dad, it’s time to repay your son in Silver. He has a whole host of women and children to support!