Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 548 Invitation_1

Zhou Shuren took a deep breath and looked through the books one by one. Indeed, they were not available in his home. He pressed his brow and said to Jin Yan, "Pack them up, and send them back to Jinzhou tomorrow."

Jin Yan’s eyes curved in a smile, "Yes."

Zhou Shuren added, "Keep dinner simple. I’m going to rest first. Call me when the meal is ready."

After leaving the palace, he had someone send a message back to the Jinzhou Residence on a fast horse. By now, it should have almost reached Zhou’s place.

Jin Yan, "Yes."

At the Yao Marquis Residence, Yao Zheyu had not received a summons from the Emperor. Without a summons, he would not easily enter the palace. Tired from dealing with the clingy Second Prince and the predatory officials from the Ministry of Revenue, he returned to the Hou Residence. First dealing with the persistent Second Prince and then the money-grubbing Ministry of Revenue officials left him exhausted in both body and spirit.

Before Yao Zheyu even reached his courtyard, he spotted Yao Yao carrying a food box, her brows furrowed. She hastened her steps and took over the box, "Where are the servants and maids?"

Yao Yao, with newfound expression on her calm face, said pleasantly surprised, "Big brother, you’ve returned."

Yao Zheyu pursed his lips, observing her. Had Yao Yao, who used to be so well-informed, suddenly become disconnected from outside news in these few days? He scrutinized her closely. She wore plain, simple clothes, and her jewelry was nowhere to be seen. His expression darkened, "Do you need help?" freewebnoveℓ.com

Yao Yao shook her head and lowered her voice when she saw no one around, "Big brother, I have my own plan."

She was pressuring her mother. She wanted her mother to see clearly that the man in her mother’s eyes didn’t even care about his own children, so how could he care about her mother? She wanted her mother to face reality, even though it was becoming increasingly painful for her. It was still better than living in a fantasy. Moreover, even without a big brother, her younger brother would not be able to inherit from the Hou Residence.

Yao Zheyu stopped, "As long as you are well aware of what you are doing, let me know if you need help."

A warm look flashed in Yao Yao’s eyes. She had indifferently watched her brother being bullied, endured mistreatment calmly, and observed her mother’s torment dispassionately. She too needed someone to rely on, but she couldn’t afford to weaken, "Thank you."

Yao Yao took the food box and then whispered softly, "Don’t come back to the residence for a while."

"Father is going to make his move against you. He won’t allow you to form a marital alliance with the Shen family." Although she didn’t have much insight into the outside world, an incident involving the son of Mr. Hou was still enough to attract attention.

Yao Zheyu laughed, thankful that his sister was a girl. Otherwise, she might have lost her life long ago.

At the Zhou Residence in Jinzhou, Zhulan received a verbal message from Zhou Shuren and was completely relieved. The burden she had been carrying was gone, and Zhulan felt significantly more at ease.

Lady Dadong, Dong Yiyi, said with a smile, "Auntie, you can feel at ease now."

Zhulan, a bit embarrassed, said, "Don’t laugh at me, I just can’t help it. I feel uneasy when your uncle isn’t at home."

Dong Yiyi understood that feeling; she used to worry about her husband in the same way, but now, she was left only with indifference, "Auntie, your relationship with uncle is admirable—it makes people envious."

Zhulan didn’t want to show off her affection anymore; it was attracting too much resentment. "Are Chen and Lan adapting to their studies these past few days?"

Dong Yiyi’s eyes warmed up when she spoke of her children, "Chen has learned a lot. Brother-in-law is very learned, and Chen admires him greatly. Lan, this girl, has quite a talent for music. She played a short piece for me when she went home yesterday."

Her children really liked the atmosphere at Zhou Residence. Her son didn’t have to be tense all the time; as long as he focused on his studies every day, that was enough, and he had also become much more cheerful with several peers around his age. Her daughter had not yet found a tutor, so she was learning less, but now that there were people teaching music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she thought about staying there with her children for good.

Zhulan thought for a moment, "You mentioned last time that it’s difficult to find a tutor in the capital. Let me help you inquire about it."

Dong Yiyi expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Auntie."

"You’re too kind."

She didn’t want Dong Yiyi to suggest that Mulan should stay either; currently, the Zhou family’s relationship with the Jiang family wasn’t so good as to warrant that.

Dong Yiyi knew in her heart that her aunty wouldn’t speak without reason. It was only during this visit that she realized her daughter couldn’t even compare to the youngest granddaughter of the Zhou family. She was also anxious. In the past, caught up in fighting with the concubines, she had neglected her daughter. If it wasn’t for her sister’s reminder, she wouldn’t have even noticed!

Steward Ding came in, "The Xu family has sent a thank-you gift, here’s the gift list, and there’s also an invitation card."

Zhulan accepted the list and card, "Did the messenger say anything else?"

Steward Ding replied, "No."

Zhulan looked at the card. This time it was an invitation from the Xu family’s matriarch. The Xu family hadn’t been implicated, but their future was also unsafe. Zhou Shuren was in charge of the investigation, and with the Emperor supporting him, nobody dared to retaliate for the time being. However, the Xu family, being a merchant house, was a different matter—it was unclear how the Emperor would arrange things for them.

Zhulan said, "Go and reply. We’re looking forward to the matriarch of the Xu family’s visit tomorrow."

Steward Ding responded, "Yes."

Then Zhulan picked up the gift list. The gifts on the list were quite valuable; a box of pearls, a pair of bracelets, a pair of jade pendants, and more—the generosity wasn’t small.

Dong Yiyi felt envious inside. Since returning to the capital, the Jiang family’s resources were not what they used to be. The expenses in the capital were high, needing to maintain appearances at banquets, engage in social exchanges, and support the women in the back house—right, there were also the Jiang family relatives who would come knocking for help from time to time. The Jiang Residence was only superficially impressive. The gifts they had brought this time, she had even added some from her dowry.

Dong Yiyi couldn’t look any longer, afraid of revealing her envy and losing face for the Jiang family, "Aunty, you must be busy. I’ll take my leave now."

Zhulan replied, "Alright."

Having looked over the gifts, Zhulan instructed Madam Song to store them in the warehouse—these could all be saved for dowries, especially the box of pearls.

In the capital, Zhou Shuren had just woken up. Jingyan said, "Dinner is ready, and also, this is the invitation we just received."

Zhou Shuren pressed his brows; it seemed like he caught a bit of a chill from the past two days of trouble, as his nose felt uncomfortable and his voice was nasally, "Bring in the dinner, and send someone to call a doctor over."

Jingyan looked worried; it seemed his master was unwell, "Yes."

Zhou Shuren picked up the invitation. The first was from the Second Prince—surprising that he had time to invite him amidst his duties. Then there were others, and Marquis Yao’s invitation was expected. Last time, he had been summoned; not even a servant, let alone an invitation, was sent.

The unexpected one was from Mr. Hou, Shen Xing, inviting him for tea. Zhou Shuren took a sip of tea; aside from Shen Xing, he had no desire to see the others. Yet, the Emperor hadn’t allowed him to leave the capital, which meant there were still matters to attend to.

Zhou Shuren played with the invitations for a moment, then smiled, signaling Shen Xing to bring the invitations over, and started writing responses one by one.

Shen Xing stood behind his master, his always expressionless face twitching at the corners of his mouth. Should he say the master truly lived up to his reputation of being an old fox?

Zhou Shuren singled out Mr. Hou’s invitation, handed Shen Xing the written reply, and instructed, "You personally deliver these to the residences."

Shen Xing replied, poker-faced, "Yes."

Shen Xing hadn’t been gone long when Jingyan returned. The doctor had checked the pulse and fortunately, the ailment wasn’t serious—a couple of doses of the prescribed medicine would be sufficient. Having had dinner and taken the medicine, Zhou Shuren, in a fairly good mood, went back to catch up on sleep.

In the capital, there were too many who couldn’t find sleep.

The next day at noon, Zhou Shuren arrived at the restaurant first. The shopkeeper personally escorted him to the private room. Zhou Shuren ordered a pot of boiling water, opened the window, and sat beside it, watching the street outside. When he saw the carriage arrive, Zhou Shuren’s smile deepened.