Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1127: Left Alone

The Emperor asked again, "Any news about the birthmark?"

Shi Qing shook his head, "There is still no news."

The Emperor nodded slightly, signaling that Shi Qing could leave. After Shi Qing left the study, the Emperor asked the Crown Prince, "Do you have any news on your end?"

The Crown Prince replied, "There is some news, but not much. We only found out that during the fire that year, a family escaped. They were just ordinary commoners, not wealthy ones. They had two infants, and it’s uncertain if they could even sustain them."

The Emperor didn’t have much hope; the conditions in which the family lived could barely suffice to feed the children. "Continue your investigation."

The Crown Prince nodded, then said, "If Mr. Yu turns out to be a member of the overseas Rong family, how should he be treated?"

The Emperor replied, "Just watch and see how things unfold."

The Crown Prince understood; his father, the Emperor, did not actually wish to acknowledge someone from the overseas Rong family. After all, they were only seen as a backup plan when they split off, while the Rong family in the capital was the one acknowledged by the Emperor.

That evening, Zhou Shuren mentioned that Mr. Yu might be from the overseas Rong family.

Zhulan raised an eyebrow, "If Chang Yi hadn’t been sent as an ambassador, the Rong family members would unlikely return."

After all, they had split off and the overseas Rong family had thoroughly integrated with the foreign countries. From the years without news, it was apparent that the overseas Rong family wasn’t proactive.

Zhou Shuren was surprised, "Are you confirming that Mr. Yu is indeed from the Rong family?"

Zhulan nodded, "Want to bet on it?"

Zhou Shuren replied, "No need to bet, I was thinking the same. In fact, from the age perspective, this Mr. Yu belongs to the same generation as my mother and must be one of those who went overseas back then. Just like you said, the overseas Rong family is not proactive; only those from the capital are."

Zhulan sighed, "So many years living overseas, marrying and intertwining with foreigners, the overseas Rong clan has long ceased to be the Rong clan. Their bloodline has passed down through generations and has taken root overseas."

Hence it was normal that they haven’t returned for so many years.

Zhou Shuren twitched his lips, "And perhaps they hope that the Rong family in the capital ceases to exist. The Emperor is holding a box with secrets; the overseas Rong family might want to monopolize those secrets."

Zhulan blinked, "It seems we only think of the worst possibilities."

Zhou Shuren turned his head, "It’s really because the overseas Rong family hasn’t made moves that give us reason to think positively."

He thought the Rong family struggled overseas, but after speaking with Chang Yi, he no longer thought so. They were indeed declining, but their days weren’t tough.

Zhulan didn’t want to talk about the Rong family anymore, but was more concerned about Chang Yi, "This person still needs to broaden his horizons. With Chang Yi acquiring more knowledge, he doesn’t just focus on his small world. The boy is finally using his intelligence in the right places; I almost forgot what Chang Yi was like before."

Zhou Shuren replied, "Chang Yi indeed has changed a lot."

In the second wife’s room, Chang Yi was tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Mrs. Zhao sat up, wrapping herself in a coat, "What are you thinking about that’s keeping you awake?"

Chang Yi sat upright as well, "I was thinking about my younger brothers. The fourth will be an orthodox Scholar, the third need not be mentioned, as he has already gone to Xuzhou to become an official, and I have to work doubly hard. It will be harder for me to get promoted compared to the third and fourth, as father said that I lack experience and need to endure for a few years."

This was the reason he couldn’t sleep; enduring for a few more years was daunting.

Mrs. Zhao pondered and then said, "Why not change your perspective? Previously, you were just a commoner, and even then you advanced step by step. Now you can do the same. You’ve mentioned yourself that you lack in many ways; these few years could be used to remedy that."

Hearing this, Chang Yi felt much less irritated and held his wife’s hand, "You are right."

Mrs. Zhao thought to herself, mother-in-law said studying makes one reasonable, and it really is true. She, having studied more, understood more. The old her wouldn’t have spoken these words, only looking for reasons in others and never in herself, "Let’s sleep; it’s getting late."

Chang Yi lay down and soon fell asleep, while Mrs. Zhao stayed awake, listening to her husband’s breathing and couldn’t help but curl her lips.

The next day, Zhulan went to the Ning Duke Residence; her daughter had already moved back to the residence from the Duke Residence, "Let me see Lin Xi; does Lin Xi still remember her grandmother?"

Xue Han smiled, "Of course, she remembers."

Zhulan bent her eyes, knowing her daughter was humoring her, and hugged her granddaughter, "Have you visited the Duchess recently?"

Xue Han sighed, "I did; she’s had plenty of medicine but hasn’t shown much improvement."

Zhulan felt that the old lady wouldn’t last much longer; she fell ill when winter began and hadn’t recovered since, "What did the Duke say?"

Xue Han whispered, "Grandfather seems to have resigned himself; he said last time that he can’t bear to see grandmother suffer."

Zhulan remarked, "The Duchess is such a good person; it’s a pity."

Xue Han also felt sad, "Uncle wants to fulfill his filial duties, but grandfather doesn’t let him. The more grandmother suffers, the more grandfather blames Uncle. Uncle has become just skin and bones, and if it weren’t for the children, I would also go to the Duke Residence."

Zhulan said, "Why don’t you let me take the children, and you can visit the Duke Residence more often? The Duchess has been good to you."

Xue Han replied, "Rongchuan and I have already discussed this. Both Rongchuan and father-in-law agree that I wouldn’t be able to provide much care and should instead look after the children."

Zhulan heard this and felt reassured knowing that Xue Han and Rongchuan had discussed it, "As long as you are mindful, send the children back here if anything happens."

Xue Han also prepared for the worst; if the grandmother truly couldn’t make it, sending the children back to her mother’s home would be the most reassuring option for her, "I hope she can make it through the new year."

At the Ministry of Rites, Chang Yi made a name for himself this time. Director Wang had already mentioned several times to keep a low profile recently, so Chang Yi was dutifully studying and minding his own business.

Wu Ming came by, "If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me anytime."

Chang Yi signaled for Wu Ming to sit and whispered, "Aren’t you competing for it?"

Many Ministry of Rites officials were vying for this ambassador position.

Wu Ming shook his head, "I’m not competing."

He was at the Ministry of Rites to gain seniority, not to root himself there and climb upwards. His merits from the last ambassador mission were already sufficient.

Chang Yi didn’t say much more, "As long as you are certain."

Wu Ming smiled, "Don’t worry, you’ve heard about the addition of two departments, haven’t you?"

Chang Yi nodded, "Father already told me yesterday, and he said that the fourth caught a good time."

This was also why he was restless last night; the fourth was lucky, arriving when the Imperial court needed people. Once listed, he wouldn’t need to worry about his future.

At the Palace, the Emperor frowned, "You’re saying Zhang Yang took four concubines to The Prince Residence?"

Eunuch Liu replied, "Yes, none of the concubines are of high status, all being daughters of Graduates and Scholars, with the highest being a Graduate."

The Emperor squinted his eyes; Zhang Yang’s actions were somewhat abnormal, "Send someone to investigate these few families and keep a close watch on Zhang Yang."

Eunuch Liu responded, "Yes."

Time passed quickly, and most ambassadors had already left the capital one after another, while Zhang Yang also made his presence felt. As the Emperor met with ambassadors, Zhang Yang continuously took concubines, becoming a hot topic in the capital.

Yet Mr. Yu did not leave with the ambassadors because he had fallen ill, so he stayed behind.