Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 626 Mr. Hou_1

Shen Yile’s eyes brimmed with joy. She merely wanted to return home for a few days, and hadn’t expected the Empress to be so good to her, "Thank you, Empress."

The Empress continued, "This is the first and the last time. In the future, I won’t intervene too much."

Shen Yile’s smile froze at the corners of her mouth. She had acted rashly by entering the palace without being summoned today, which seemed to have displeased the Empress. She felt flustered inside, realizing she was not a member of the royal family, and became much more self-aware of her own identity, holding back her previous complacency, "Yes."

The Empress had Shen Yile’s best interests at heart, to prevent the child from overstepping her bounds. Now that she recognized her own status, she might act with more restraint, avoiding any conflict with the Princely Heir.

In Jinzhou City, Zhou Changlian was surprised to see Marquis Ning again; it looked like he was deliberately blocking his way. He hurried forward, "Marquis Ning."

Ning San now had a noble title, Marquis. Even after regaining his identity, there was no need to compete with his elder brother, "It seems you know who I am."

"Yes, Marquis Ning," he replied.

Ning Xu chuckled, "Considering my status, it’s not appropriate for me to visit the Zhou residence. Let’s go. You paid last time, today I’ll treat you."

Zhou Changlian felt his legs go weak with excitement, thinking to himself, this was the fate his father spoke of. He thought his luck had run out, but now it had returned, "Yes."

The tavern was the same as last time, but now Zhou Changlian didn’t feel as at ease because of his changed status.

Ning Xu did not mention his poisoning. It was a favor best kept to himself, as mentioning it would do no good to anyone, "Do you feel confident about coming to the capital next year?"

Zhou Changlian replied respectfully, "Father says that as long as I do my best, that is enough. As for certainty, nobody can be completely sure."

Ning Xu did want to meet Minister Zhou, but unfortunately, his restored identity was not suitable for meeting Minister Zhou anymore, and this meeting with Zhou Changlian would have to be the last. They should not meet too often in the future.

In the afternoon, Zhulan listened to Zhou Changlian’s account, "He specifically invited you for a meal, and then just left?"

Zhou Changlian was also puzzled, "Yes, he left after the meal."

Zhulan couldn’t figure it out, "Perhaps Marquis Ning is a man of his word, making up for last time’s missed appointment?"

Zhou Changlian racked his brain but couldn’t understand. However, he replied cheerfully, "Mother, has your son caught the eye of Marquis Ning?"

Although he had not heard his father’s analysis of the Crown Prince, he had his own perception that the Crown Prince seemed very stable. As long as the Crown Prince ascended to the throne, the Ning Residence would be secure!

Zhulan hadn’t seen Zhou Changlian so visibly happy for a long time and had no intention of dampening his spirits, "It should be so."

Zhou Changlian clenched his fists. He felt as if he could see a bright future, one not handed to him by his father, but achieved through his own efforts. The significance was different.

The next day, at the government office, Zhou Shuren gazed at Wong Ju pacing at the doorway, "If you have something to say, come in and speak. If not, don’t loiter in front of my door."

Wong Ju stepped inside, "Sir, it’s so cold outside, why do you still keep the door open?"

If the door was not open, he wouldn’t know that Wong Ju was wandering outside.

Zhou Shuren, "I fear suffocating to death if the door and windows are sealed too tightly."

The room was heated with a charcoal basin. He felt anxious about that, and even if it was a bit cold indoors, he preferred to keep the ventilation.

Wong Ju pulled up a chair and sat down, "Do you know Marquis Ning, sir?"

Zhou Shuren knew it couldn’t be kept secret that Marquis Ning and Zhou Changlian had dined together, "I do not know Marquis Ning," he replied.

Curiosity filled Wong Ju’s eyes, "You don’t know him? But I’ve heard that Marquis Ning is acquainted with the third young master of your house."

Twice they dined in the same tavern; it was too obvious.

Zhou Shuren looked at Wong Ju. Wong Ju dared to ask because they were close. Outside, who knew what was being speculated? Zhou Shuren explained the situation, "That’s how it happened."

Wong Ju’s eyes gleamed with envy, "Changlian is indeed lucky."

Fortune is also a kind of strength; why couldn’t his son have that luck!

Thanks to Zhou Shuren’s explanation, and with Marquis Ning not coming to Jinzhou anymore, no one kept harping on it.

Zhulan also breathed a sigh of relief. God knows how many people have visited in these past days, trying to probe with their words; it was quite taxing on her mind.

Zhulan counted the days, "It’s almost New Year’s again."

Old Mrs. Song remarked, "Yes, another year has passed."

Zhulan glanced at the time, "Mr. Shi’s messengers came two hours ago saying he would arrive soon; he should also be close to Jinzhou City by now, I guess."

"Should be soon."

Zhulan sighed. Shi Qing should have come earlier, but unfortunately, due to the incident with Marquis Ning, he didn’t return and was waiting for the heat to die down.

At noon, Shi Qing arrived, and he didn’t just come alone, but also brought along New Year’s gifts.

Zhulan looked at the gift list for the New Year’s presents and said to Old Mrs. Song, "The New Year’s gifts sent to our hometown from the residence should have also arrived by now."

Old Mrs. Song replied, "If there were no delays, they should have indeed arrived early."

Although there were no snow disasters in other places, the snow was still heavy, and the roads were not easy to traverse.

In Zhou’s village, Xue Mei finished sorting out the New Year’s presents they received the day before. This year, there were additional items for her youngest son, filling several boxes.

Jiang Sheng exclaimed, "We have hardly been filial to our in-laws, but instead, they subsidize us every year."

Xue Mei said, "Father and mother are just sympathetic to us and the children. These two boxes are from Chang Lian’s wife for the Jiang family. You and Jiang Zhu rest today and later take them over."

Jiang Sheng, thinking of the clan school, said, "The youths from the Dong family clan came to the clan school to study, and we accepted a few of them because of my sister’s face, but they didn’t stop bullying Mu Chen in the school. I shouldn’t bring it up, but Mu Chen is really a good child. When you write to mother, mention it so my sister can send a message back to the Dong family, asking them to rein in a bit."

Xue Mei understood clearly. Not only did her husband like Mu Chen, but he also disliked the idea of a good clan school being disrupted by the Dong family’s children, "I will mention it in the letter back home."

At the Jiang Residence, Jiang Ming, with his limp leg, reached out to help, but Jiang Sheng dodged, "Don’t think I’m only a scholar. I’m not weak. I’ve done plenty of fieldwork in earlier years. Just leave this to me and Jiang Zhu."

The son, although thin, had strength. During visits to his wife’s family, he also exercised his body and hasn’t stopped since he returned. The son admires his father-in-law the most, who believes a healthy body is the true capital. The son always remembers this.

Jiang Ming felt very embarrassed, "Sorry to trouble you to deliver personally when we should have gone to pick it up."

Jiang Sheng replied, "We’re all family, no need for formalities."

Jiang Ming felt deeply pained inside. After his accident, his eldest daughter hadn’t visited, just sending over items. He understood his daughter’s difficulties and didn’t blame her, but he was afraid of comparisons. The Jiang family had helped them a lot, and it was only with Jiang Sheng’s protection that his son wasn’t bullied too harshly, "Thank you."

Jiang Sheng felt deeply moved and was simultaneously struck by the thought that his commitment to teaching earnestly was the right choice.

Time flew by, and before anyone knew it, it was New Year’s Eve. This year, the Zhou family had an addition to the household, making their family ever more prosperous.

Zhulan looked at her grandchildren, with a smile persistently lifting the corners of her mouth; the little ones were in the room, playing a game of blind man’s buff!

Su Xuan, pregnant with twins, sat back in her chair, "Mother, look at how clever Yu Die is."

Zhulan watched Yu Die with a smile; the child was well-raised. She became articulate, could run a few steps without panting, and the little girl truly was clever, knowing to use her height to hide.

Soon after the house was filled with the ruckus, Zhou Shuren walked in. Lady Li was especially good at reading her father-in-law’s mood, "Mother, I’ll go check on the pastries in the kitchen."

Saying this, she hurriedly pulled her daughter away with her.

One by one, the others left, leaving lastly Su Xuan. As Zhulan looked at Su Xuan’s belly, her heart clenched with worry, "Be careful."

Su Xuan caressed her stomach, "Mother, I understand."