Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1132: Master

Xue Han signaled the wet nurse to take her daughter downstairs and waited until there were no servants left in the room before speaking, "You’re ill yet still clutching Buddhist scriptures in hand, and the Buddha beads have not left your grasp. If it were not for the illness that binds you to your bed, you’d surely be kneeling and chanting prayers."

Zhulan understood, "This is someone’s heart unable to bear the torment, seeking spiritual solace!"

Xue Han felt her mother’s words made sense and continued, "I fear my eldest sister-in-law can’t cope and might think of becoming a nun."

Zhulan laughed, "Becoming a nun is out of the question. Ning Hui’s health is frail, and temples don’t have as many medicinal herbs to offer him. He desires to chant prayers for atonement and is not eager to die, so he won’t become a monk."

Xue Han was taken aback, "Mother sees through everything."

Zhulan thought to herself that if Ning Hui truly wished to die, he would not have lived through the old lady’s passing. Now he’s not only alive but also has the energy to recite scriptures, which means he’s reluctant to die.

After sitting for a while, Xue Han left. Zhulan took a wax candle to create a faux plum blossom. In previous years, she made small ones, but this year, she made a large one, which was nearly complete—waiting for the young servants to move it into the courtyard.

Zhulan sat by the window admiring it, "It’s not the season for plum blossoms, but our residence seems to have them first, even if they’re fake."

Song Granny smiled, "From afar, it looks just like the real thing."

Zhulan’s face lit up with a smile; indeed, it looked real. Seeing the snowflakes, she was surprised; it was quite fitting and had actually started snowing. Zhulan gazed outside, somewhat lost in thought.

Seeing Steward Ding come in with an invitation, Zhulan came back to reality, took the invitation, and learned that her cheap uncle Rong Yushang had bought a house in the capital, hoping to have a home for the New Year.

Zhulan touched the invitation. Since her last meeting with this cheap uncle, she hadn’t been in contact, "Prepare a generous gift."

Yushang’s new residence was a two-courtyard house in South City. Yushang stood in the courtyard, very dissatisfied, a disdain ingrained in his bones. South City was mostly inhabited by merchants—this was not the home he wanted.

Sadly, he couldn’t afford to buy in West City. He was still a foreign ambassador, and although he had resigned, his status hadn’t changed. After much picking and choosing, he could only buy in South City.

Yushang confirmed there was nothing else to add, instructed the steward to look after the house, and wait for an auspicious day to move in.

Rong Yushang left his mansion and walked on the bustling streets of South City, his heart stirring with the desire to buy lanterns and other New Year goods personally. This year’s New Year, he wasn’t alone; he had blood relatives. Thinking of blood ties, Yushang pursed his lips.

Yushang entered the lantern shop. With increasing maritime trade deepening exchanges with various countries, the lantern shops continued innovating, offering exquisite zodiac lanterns made of glazed glass, shockingly expensive, but they shone brighter than ordinary lanterns at night, which wealthy households would buy.

Yushang’s purse was heavy with silver coins. Over the years, since he lived alone and was planning to return, he had already sent batches of silver secretly back to the capital.

Yushang frowned and couldn’t help but take another glance at the elder who brushed past him, wanting to look longer, but the crowd was too dense, and the elder was already lost to sight.

Instead, inside the shop, he saw several grandsons of the Zhou family. Yes, he recognized them; he had once secretly waited at the Academy’s gate.

Mingyun was holding a rabbit zodiac glazed lamp, love at first sight.

Mingteng blinked, "Big brother, are you buying this for Sister Wan?"

Mingyun neither confirmed nor denied but touched the glazed rabbit’s ears, then turned to find the shopkeeper to pay. Thirty silver taels—it was indeed exorbitantly priced.

Mingteng gasped; such a generous expenditure. He couldn’t part with that much silver, even with a fiancée of his own. He was young, ahem, and was also unwilling to part with so much silver for just a gift. After some thought, he decided to buy a more ordinary but delicately crafted lantern for not even two silver taels.

Ran Xun was speechless, "Are you this stingy with your fiancée?"

Just under a tael of silver, it’s surprising that Ming Teng would part with it.

Ming Teng rolled his eyes, "I’m still young, so this is just right for me."

Yu Dang heard clearly and couldn’t help but laugh. He really liked this thrifty boy, the grandson of the Zhou family, whom he had observed for a long time.

In the blink of an eye, it came to the auspicious day for Yu Dang’s move. Chang Yi did not take a holiday, and Chang Li represented the Zhou family’s visit, also delivering Chang Yi’s gifts.

Time passed quickly, and with the year-end approaching, officials were also about to take a break from their pens.

Zhou Shuren came out of the government hall with a light step, looking forward to the holiday starting tomorrow. Halfway out of the palace, he encountered several imperial grandsons studying inside the palace. The eldest was the Crown Prince’s son, the Imperial Grandson, eight years old this year. Then there was Prince Qi’s legitimate eldest son, who was seven. The youngest must be the Crown Prince’s illegitimate second son, seemingly only five years old this year.

There were also a few who were companions and readers for the aforementioned princes.

Zhou Shuren could sense these children sizing him up. The Imperial Grandson said, "Is Lord Zhou planning to leave the palace?"

Zhou Shuren had many thoughts in his mind—thinking of his wife’s rumors about the royal family’s next generation already growing up, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, smiling and saying, "Yes, is the Grandson finishing school for the day?"

The Imperial Grandson, Zhang Xuhao, nodded. "We finished school early today."

Zhang Xuhao was very curious about Lord Zhou, having been brought up by his father’s side since childhood and having heard much praise for Lord Zhou. He couldn’t help but give Lord Zhou a few extra glances. Seeing Lord Zhou smiling at him, he couldn’t help but smile back.

Zhou Shuren cast sidelong glances at the others; the Crown Prince’s second son pursed his lips. Though he wasn’t very old, he already had quite a few schemes in mind. Reflecting on this, Zhou lamented that children of the royal family mature early. By calculation, the Crown Prince already had a number of sons.

Within the palace, the Emperor and the Crown Prince knew of Zhou Shuren’s encounter with the children. The Crown Prince tentatively said, "Lord Zhou’s knowledge is profound and his perspective is wide. The children he teaches always excel. It would be beneficial if he could offer some guidance to Xuhao as well."

The Emperor, twirling his fingers, had to admit that he hadn’t been as strict with his grandsons as with his sons. "You want Zhou Shuren to mentor Xuhao, don’t you?"

There’s no point in discussing the others. As for Prince Qi, it’s best left alone—when a prince is idle and his child is unremarkable, they remain safe. And as for the Crown Prince’s illegitimate child, one must not overstep the legitimate eldest son.

The Crown Prince smiled, "Indeed, I have this idea. Lord Zhou truly is a great teacher."

He had thought so for many years.

The Emperor remained silent. A great teacher was a great teacher, but not suitable.

The Crown Prince didn’t get an answer but wasn’t in a hurry either. He just wanted to express some of his thoughts.

At the Crown Prince’s residence, the Crown Princess Consort heard from her son that he had met Lord Zhou and asked with a smile, "Do you like Lord Zhou?"

She was somewhat aware of some thoughts of the Crown Prince.

Xuhao nodded, "Lord Zhou is very impressive."

The Crown Princess Consort smiled and signaled her son to change his clothes.

At the Shi family residence, Yao Yao was quite helpless. Ever since her father had gone out once, he had wanted to go out more often. "No, father, you can’t go out again before the New Year."

Old Master Shi felt regretful, knowing that whatever he said was futile. He hadn’t gone out for many years and was very eager to. Since his teens, he had been following his father around the South and West City. He sighed, the changes in the capital were too great now, and he wanted to see more. He could only tell himself not to rush; having gone out once, there would be more opportunities in the future.