Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1125: Listening to the Opera

Chang Yi went to the front courtyard to meet with Master Yu, who, after resting overnight, looked much rosier in the face. "Master Yu, why didn’t you rest?"

Yu Dang put down the teacup in his hand. "I wanted to stroll around the capital, but did not wish to trouble the officials of the Ministry of Rites. After much deliberation, I enjoy a good private relationship with Master Zhou, so I shamelessly came to visit, hoping Master Zhou would accompany me on a tour of the capital."

As soon as he finished speaking, he pushed the gift box on the table.

Chang Yi did not think twice. "Certainly, but you’ll need to wait a moment as I change my clothes."

Yu Dang did not expect it to go so smoothly and nodded with a smile. "I thank Master Zhou for his accommodation."

Chang Yi gestured for Master Yu to continue drinking tea and then asked Steward Ding to inform his wife before he returned to his quarters to change.

Zhulan, having heard from the steward, acknowledged the message; the children, however, were displeased — they were just getting to the exciting part!

Zhulan told her grandchildren, "You all should go back too; grandma wants to rest."

Mingyun, accompanied by her younger siblings, rose to her feet. "Grandma, we’ll leave first."

"Mm."

Today, the sky was sprinkling snowflakes. Inside the Zhou family carriage, Master Yu, smelling the tea’s fragrance, became somewhat absent-minded. Chang Yi called him twice without a response, and thus did not speak again.

Yu Dang came to his senses, pulled back the curtain of the carriage, and said with a smile, "When I visited the Zhou residence, I noticed a construction site for a manor, which seemed to be divided into several sections."

Chang Yi understood. "That used to be the Zhang family’s manor. Later, a great fire destroyed it, and since it was wasteful to leave it vacant, it was divided up and sold. There was a drought this year which halted construction, but as autumn came, work resumed."

Yu Dang was surprised. "Surely the fire must have claimed many lives."

Chang Yi was momentarily stunned, considering overseas merchants would not pay attention to such matters, and merchants from Master Yu’s country wouldn’t either. If they gathered intelligence to take back home, they wouldn’t focus on this. Not knowing was normal. "Originally, the manor was empty; there were no casualties."

Chang Yi paused then asked, "Master, where would you like to start our tour?"

Yu Dang pondered for a moment. "As Master Zhou knows, the architecture of our two countries differs, so I would like to see more of the capital’s buildings. Please show me around."

Chang Yi smiled slightly, his eyes deep in thought. "Very well, let’s wander around."

In Xuzhou Province, Chang Lian finished his work and rubbed his shoulders. The Maritime Affairs Administration was very busy at year’s end, and he deeply regretted that he would not be able to return to the capital for the New Year this year.

Compared to Chang Lian’s being heavily relied upon, Zhao Ji was a marginalized official, tasked with trivial, tedious jobs that did not yield any significant achievements.

Hearing a noise, Zhao Ji looked up. "Will you be returning to the capital for New Year’s?"

Chang Lian had only superficial social ties with Zhao Ji. "No."

Zhao Ji was accustomed to Chang Lian’s tone and said with a smile, "I heard from my wife that you have been married for seven or eight years."

Chang Lian frowned slightly. Indeed, he had been married to Chu Chu for quite a few years. They hadn’t consummated their marriage, and he disliked discussing family matters with Zhao Ji.

Zhao Ji went on to speak to himself. "My wife is pregnant, and I do hope for another son."

The officials in the room, upon hearing this, congratulated him, and one envious official remarked, "Having many sons is indeed a blessing."

Zhao Ji smiled, "Speaking of which, Master Zhou only has two daughters."

The officials in the room were taken aback. Indeed, after many years of marriage, Master Zhou only had two daughters.

Chang Lian’s expression grew cold. "I happen to like daughters."

He had heard these words more than once, and this was still the first time they were brought up in his presence. Thinking of his wife attending a banquet in Xuzhou Province and the offense she had suffered, his expression grew even colder—his parents had never even inquired about whether he had a son or not.

At home, after Chu Chu and the others had left, there was no longer a need to pretend, and her face turned blue with anger. "The Zhou family does not take concubines, whether or not I bear a son is not for them to worry over. Smash all the teacups that were used just now."

She used to restrain herself somewhat, but lately, they had become increasingly insolent, daring to come to her door and implicitly ridicule her for not bearing a son. Just thinking about it made her feel like exploding.

The old maid cautioned carefully, "Madam, please don’t be angry over these people; getting upset over them isn’t worth it. Don’t ruin your health because of anger."

Chu Chu felt wronged. Back in the capital, not to mention saying such things to her face, no one would discuss them behind her back, let alone let the words reach her ears. In Xuzhou Province, she had initially heard but disregarded them, later explaining herself, and now some old ladies, she didn’t know who had given them the audacity, dared to act as elders in front of her, saying one thing for her sake, then another thing about wanting to help her.

Chu Chu was so angry she felt a stomachache coming on. Pah, they had no shame, meddling all the way to the Zhou residence. "I need to write a letter to Mother."

She wanted to tell her mother-in-law about her grievances; as for her own mother, forget it, she would definitely urge her to bear a son.

In the capital, the Emperor strolled out of the palace, first visiting the Ministry of Revenue. Zhou Shuren felt speechless; the Emperor enjoyed leaving the palace, feeling uncomfortable if he didn’t go out for a few days. "Your subject has seen the Emperor."

The Emperor grinned, "I have brought clothes with me, Shuren, go change."

Zhou Shuren had gotten used to it. "Yes."

After leaving the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren inquired, "Where does the Emperor wish to go today?"

The Emperor, holding a fan, said, "Today, we shall go watch a play."

Zhou Shuren, "Hmm?"

The Emperor squinted his eyes, having become accustomed to going out, preferring the world outside the palace. "These past few days, I have thought it over carefully—I’ve missed out on too much in this lifetime. As a child, I was trapped in the inner palace, and when I grew a bit older, I was sent back to my fief, still confined to my residence. No longer playing the fool, I plotted with all my heart, and when wars broke out, every day was filled with the glint of blades and the shadows of swords. Becoming the Emperor, I was trapped even more within the government hall and the court."

He paused then continued, "Now, with the Crown Prince handling state affairs, I am quite at leisure. Leaving the palace and wandering about is rather enjoyable."

Zhou Shuren smiled. He certainly wouldn’t pity him—what was there to pity about an Emperor? He just felt that, having interacted more with the Emperor, the sovereign depicted in history books was unknowable. The Emperor he knew was flesh and blood.

The carriage arrived at the theater garden, where most people went to watch plays during the winter. Concerning the theater garden, Zhou Shuren wasn’t fond of it, unlike the capital, which was very enthusiastic about celebrating anniversaries and inviting troupes. The Zhou family didn’t enjoy it much, and inviting troupes was rare.

Zhou Shuren got down from the carriage first. As it happened, Chang Yi’s carriage was passing by and upon seeing his father, Chang Yi signaled the carriage to stop. "Father, why are you here?"

Shouldn’t he be at the Ministry of Revenue at this hour?

Zhou Shuren was surprised as well. "Why aren’t you resting at home today?"

Chang Yi had already stepped down from the carriage. "The young master is taking Yu Dang around the capital to have a look."

As his words fell, Yu Dang too disembarked from the carriage.

Zhou Shuren saw that the Emperor was the last to get down from the carriage, and Chang Yi was stunned; he wondered why his father wasn’t at the Ministry of Revenue, only to realize he was with the Emperor.

The Emperor watched the elderly man beside Chang Yi, Yu Dang, and he knew who he was. "Shall we listen to the play together?"

Chang Yi naturally agreed, turning his head to look at Yu Dang and hurriedly introduced him in a low voice, "The one in front is my father, the Vice Minister of Revenue; the other one..."

The Emperor, not wanting to reveal himself, took over the conversation. "A friend."

Chang Yi nearly bit his tongue, but managed to steady himself. "Yes, this is a friend of my father’s."

Yu Dang raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly. "Hope we won’t disturb the two of you?"

The Emperor replied, "No disturbance at all. Watching a play is better with a crowd."