Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 794 Admiration_1

In the Zhou family gardens, Lady Yu had just sat down when she suddenly nearly knocked over the glass of water beside her. Lady Song was taken aback. "What’s the matter?" she asked.

Feeling everyone’s gaze upon her, Lady Yu forced a stiff smile. "Ah, I was just a little distracted and wasn’t paying attention."

Having spent many years with Lady Yu, Lady Song knew she was not telling the truth; however, it was none of her concern. If Lady Yu were not a younger sister-in-law, she wouldn’t have bothered to ask another question. "Then be careful," she said.

Lady Yu uttered a sound of agreement but was thinking to herself that she now understood why Zhou Xuehan looked somewhat familiar to her. She remembered the time she had snatched fabric from Zhou Xuehan’s hands at the cloth store, using her status to oppress. She worried whether Zhou Xuehan might complain about the incident, but then thought that perhaps Zhou Xuehan hadn’t recognized her.

Lady Yu felt extremely uncomfortable inside. She would be of common birth in the future, while Zhou Xuehan would be the wife of the Princely Heir. She would have to humble herself before Zhou Xuehan from now on.

In truth, Zhou Xuehan had recognized Lady Yu and noted to herself that Lady Yu was not easy to get along with. Even after marrying into the Ning family, she resolved to avoid unnecessary contact with her.

Lady Song sized up the daughters-in-law of the Zhou family. Except for the Magistrate, the other three daughters-in-law all came from humble origins. Yet she didn’t look down upon them at all, noting that even their seated posture was flawless. At the same time, she felt envious, as the Zhou family did not keep concubines, whereas, in the Duke Ning Residence, though all the children were legitimate, her own husband also had one or two concubines.

Lady Yu was in fact quite fortunate, for her husband’s poor health meant she was his only woman.

Meanwhile, Mingyun had taken several young members of the Duke Ning Residence to the main courtyard. The younger lords of the Ning family were all quite young, the eldest being only eight, and the youngest six.

The eldest grandson of the Ning family, Ning Zhiqi’s two sons: the elder, Ning Zhao, was eight, and the younger, Ning Yang, was six. Ning Zhixiang had only one son, Ning Ming, who was seven.

The children of the Ning family were treasured and rarely saw strangers, so they were delighted to see so many boys when they visited the Zhou family.

Mingyun, being the oldest, looked at the eldest grandson of the Ning family, Ning Zhao, with joy in his eyes. Ning Zhao also wanted to join Ming Teng and others to play elsewhere but remembered his position as the eldest grandson.

Mingyun, with just a few words, had already figured out the temperaments of the young guests. Although Ning Zhao was younger than him, he spoke without any slip-ups.

Ning Yang, being the youngest, was more lively, while Ning Ming carried a sense of pride, always holding his chin up, clearly a child who grew up doted on at home.

Mingyun looked at Ming Teng and Ming Rui, realizing his own children were the most cunning. They had already coaxed out quite a bit of information in no time. If it weren’t for Ning Zhao occasionally coughing to intervene, they would have learned even more.

Yushuang and Yu Lu were with two missies from the Ning family, both daughters of the Princely Heir Ning Zhiqi: the older ten-year-old Ning Ting, and the six-year-old Ning Jiao, who was Ning Yang’s fraternal twin.

Upon hearing that Yu Lu was engaged, Ning Ting inquired, "Whose family is Yu Lu betrothed to?"

Yu Lu didn’t naively think that Ning Ting was just curious; she knew it was an inquiry for information. She answered with a smile, "The Wang family."

Ning Ting blinked. "From the capital?"

Yu Lu nodded. "Yes."

Ning Ting had attended banquets with members of the Wang family. She recalled there were quite a few with the surname Wang, the highest among them of the first rank. She wanted to ask more, but when she met Yu Lu’s gaze, the words stuck in her throat and her face reddened—her intentions must have been seen through.

In the main courtyard, Zhou Shuren had already gone to the study with the Duke Ning and others. The Zhou family’s study was not just for work and reading; it boasted an impressive collection of books.

The Duke Ning, looking at the four or five bookshelves in the study, thought about his own study with a single, lonely bookshelf that was yet to be filled, and fell silent.

Zhulan and several others browsed around the bookshelves, finding that the books were neatly categorized. What drew her attention most was the special section on the shelf designated for booklets marked with age, "Mr. Zhou, what is this?" she asked.

Zhou Shuren explained, "These booklets contain essays and exam responses written by the children at various ages. They represent the growth of our children. Not only will these aid them in teaching their offspring by reflecting on their own experiences when they start their families, but they can also gain new insights, so we have compiled them into volumes."

It was then that Zhulan noticed the booklets were named. She found Rongchuan’s, which spanned several volumes, and even an album dedicated to calligraphy with a piece for each year, clearly showing progress.

Duke Ning also picked them up to browse and then passed them to his grandsons, Ning Zhiqi and Ning Zhixiang.

Duke Ning remarked with emotion, "Mr. Zhou’s dedication to the children is commendable."

Zhulan added, "No wonder Rongchuan and Chang Lian are so outstanding at such a young age, Mr. Zhou knows how to educate children."

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that he indeed knew how to educate children; even the Crown Prince would sometimes come to the Ministry of Revenue to ask him questions. If he wasn’t truly busy, the Crown Prince’s visits were like attending classes at the ministry. These days, the questions had become increasingly tricky, and he had to think carefully about how to answer without getting held onto tightly by the Crown Prince.

Unfortunately, despite his desire to keep a low profile, he couldn’t withstand the holes the Crown Prince dug for him, which tired him out immensely.

Ning Zhixiang was even more meticulous, noticing that every essay had sharp annotations, most certainly made by Mr. Zhou. Ning Zhixiang wished his children could receive guidance from Mr. Zhou. But it was wishful thinking.

He was realistic enough not to dream of having Zhou Shuren tutor his son, since Zhou Shuren was highly regarded by the Emperor and was the Deputy Minister of Revenue, and he himself did not have enough status to make such a request, nor would his grandfather approach Mr. Zhou on Ning Ming’s behalf.

Ning Zhiqi considered sending his son to the Academy to mingle more with the Zhou family’s younger generation and to learn their study methods.

In the capital, every household knew that Zhulan would inquire, so she instructed the old Mrs. Song to tell the gatekeeper that there was no need to hide it. Since the Zhou family didn’t prevent inquiries, the entire capital learned the reason.

At the Yao Duke Residence, Yao Wenqi, hearing the news, asked again, "So it is, it turns out to be Zhulan’s son."

The steward continued, "According to the inquiries, Zhang Rongchuan looks very much like the deceased elder son of the Ning family."

Yao Wenqi had seen Zhang Rongchuan, but unfortunately, he had never seen the elder son of the Ning family. The Yao family came to pledge loyalty to the Emperor later in the campaign to take the capital, and by then, the elder son of the Ning family had already died.

Yao Wenqi wouldn’t think that the Ning Residence had made a mistake in recognition. The more elite the family, the more they valued bloodlines. However, he still had to wait for the return of those who were sent to investigate.

Third Prince, Zhang Jingshi, waved for his attendants to leave. He wasn’t concerned with Zhang Rongchuan’s origins, but what mattered to him was whether this new relationship would make Mr. Zhou lean towards the Crown Prince and stand behind him.

This time, upon the Emperor’s grant of land to Zhou Shuren, he realized that Mr. Zhou held a higher position in his father’s heart than he had thought. If Zhou were to truly stand with the Crown Prince, it would signify a not insignificant force.

Other Prince Residences upon receiving the news, dispatched riders out of the capital posthaste.

Minister Wang, upon receiving the news, tugged at his beard a few times. Zhou Shuren’s weakness had been remedied, and the Wang family was no longer the most important among the Zhou family’s connections. Minister Wang sighed, admitting to himself that Zhou Shuren was indeed very fortunate.

Minister Wang took out paper to write a letter to his eldest son.

The Crown Prince at the Ministry of Revenue was also somewhat distracted, thinking of how his younger brother would now have to call him ’Uncle Father’. He took out a box containing the deed to an estate and called for a guard, "Take this to the Ning Duke Residence."

"Yes."