Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1147: Sixth Aunt

In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed; Zhulan, after some calculations, realized she hadn’t seen her little daughter for a while, "What have you been busy with lately?"

Xue Han, not bothering to maintain any facade in front of her mother, casually leaned against a pillow, "Social obligations, of course. Your daughter has especially many. Today it’s the Liu family’s flower banquet and tomorrow someone else’s wedding banquet. Busy, very busy."

"Indeed, quite busy."

Xue Han pinched the back of her hand, which had grown thin, "I’ve lost weight, even thinner than before I had my child."

"Why has it suddenly become so busy? Because of the Crown Prince’s Estate?"

She knew well enough; the Zhou family had made their move, and the capital had become bustling because of the Crown Prince’s Estate.

Xue Han shook her head, pointing above her head, "Recently, they particularly like to summon me to the Palace. Sometimes, I enter with noble ladies, their closeness to me is evident to all observers."

Zhulan thought to herself, being too favored is not good either, it puts you at the center of attention.

Xue Han whispered, "I feel anxious, as if being roasted on a fire. Rongchuan, however, swears that everything is fine. I thought about it, and since the Ning family has no one left, I felt relieved."

Zhulan asked, "Has Rongchuan been very busy lately?"

Xue Han nodded, "More than busy. He went to the Medical Department; this year all the doctors in the provinces are having assessments, and he’s busy with that!"

Zhulan had heard about it, and with a smile said, "It’s good to be busy."

Xue Han, feeling a pang of heartache, said, "But it’s a bit too tiring and thinning."

Xue Han paused, then continued, "Both my sisters-in-law are pregnant?"

Zhulan replied, "Yes."

The sweet burden, possibly two more grandsons or granddaughters. She and Zhou Shuren had privately calculated their children, thinking they might exceed twenty. The very thought had startled them—twenty, a frightening prospect.

That night, when Zhou Shuren came home, he found Yu Dang sitting absentmindedly, motionless, appearing especially pitiful against the backdrop of his clothing’s color.

Zhou Shuren was surprised, looking at his wife questioningly, "What happened, he looks like he’s lost his soul?"

Zhulan passed a damp cloth to him, shaking her head to indicate she also didn’t know. Yu Dang hadn’t been around long, had just sat there without speaking since arriving, unresponsive to questioning, and constantly distracted.

Zhou Shuren wiped his face simply and sat down on a chair, "Uncle Four, Uncle Four."

After calling him twice, Yu Dang finally came back to his senses, his voice weak, "Ah, you’ve returned."

Zhou Shuren tugged at the corner of his mouth, "What happened to Uncle Four?"

Seeing the fatigue on Zhou Shuren’s face still dressed in his official robes, Yu Dang suggested, "You should change your clothes first."

Taking this advice, Zhou Shuren stood up to change. After he returned in different clothes, Yu Dang looked somewhat revived, "What happened?"

Yu Dang replied, "Nothing serious happened. I was invited to the Shi family today, where I met Shi Huai’s grandson. The child’s eyes also resemble the Emperor’s little uncle. I initially planned to look for birthmarks on Shi Huai’s body, but seeing the child made me forget everything, and I got entangled in my feelings."

He was genuinely entangled, as the child was innocent, and even the elders knew nothing.

Yu Dang somberly added, "I truly hope my suspicions are not true."

Having understood, Zhou Shuren realized the old man was caught in his own dilemma; no wonder he seemed so dejected, "It’s getting late, let’s have dinner first."

Yu Dang perked up slightly, "I haven’t seen Ming Teng in a long time."

Zhou Shuren and his wife exchanged a glance, both sharp individuals. The old man constantly grazed on the topic of Ming Teng, occasionally revealing a look of entangled envy; they understood what it meant.

During dinner, Yu Dang, relying on his broad knowledge, and knowing how wild and disruptive Ming Teng could be, deliberately told stories to capture the attention of several children.

Chang Yi and Chang Zhi, seeing that the old man genuinely liked Ming Teng, hesitated, then both turned to look at their father, only to find him quietly sipping tea.

The two could no longer guess what was on their father’s mind.

At the Hou Residence, Yao Wenqi spoke with a dark face to Gu Ren, "Why haven’t you left the capital yet?"

Gu Ren stroked his beard. "Naturally, I have matters to attend to."

A hint of murderous intent flashed in Yao Wenqi’s eyes. This man was good at evading capture and also had quite a few people around him. He had considered making a move, but considering Gu Ren’s direct lineage, he still had some reservations, although Gu Ren was too bold. "Everyone is looking for you all."

Gu Ren was aware of that, but now that he had connections with the Shi family, he felt some confidence. "I came to see you today to inform you that your eldest son is up to no good."

Yao Wenqi knew this naturally, "You look after your own."

Gu Ren did not wish to stay long either. Had it not been for Yao Zheyu irritating him and fearing that it might spoil their plans, he wouldn’t have come to the Hou Residence—it was too dangerous!

The next day, the people the Crown Prince had sent finally entered the capital. Since the Shi family had cut off many business connections, they weren’t afraid of being discovered, and they entered the capital smoothly.

In the carriage, there were two families, both old couples, one family calm and composed while another trembled with fear.

The carriage drove straight to the Palace. Zhou Shuren also received the decree to enter the Palace. When Zhou Shuren arrived at the palace gates, Yu Dang was also there.

Zhou Shuren restrained himself from performing the customary bow; with so many people about, they would wait until they were inside the Palace. Zhou Shuren asked, "Is there a resolution now?"

Yu Dang was utterly unexcited, having just been entangled the day before. "It must be, otherwise they wouldn’t openly invite me into the Palace."

Zhou Shuren felt that he could no longer conceal his association with the Rong family bloodline, and the reaction in the capital would be particularly interesting.

Yu Dang walked very slowly, not in a rush at all. He was especially heartbroken after having dreamed the previous night about playing as a child.

The eunuch leading the way nearly cried, "Can’t you walk a little faster!"

In the government hall, the Emperor and the Crown Prince had almost finished their inquiries when Zhou Shuren and Yu Dang still hadn’t arrived. Finally, Eunuch Liu saw the newcomers and let out a breath. "The Emperor and the Crown Prince are waiting!"

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that he really didn’t want to be there; just telling him the result would suffice, no need for the hassle.

Upon entering the government hall, Zhou Shuren immediately saw two kneeling old couples, one already lying prostrate on the ground, the other looking deathly pale with fear.

Yu Dang and Zhou Shuren performed their salutations.

The Emperor granted the two of them a seat. Zhou Shuren noticed the complexity in the eyes of the Emperor and the Crown Prince; his predictions had indeed come true.

Yu Dang was silent too, and shortly, the hall became extremely quiet.

The Shi family’s old steward looked around left and right. He was a steward of the previous generation, old, meant to have retired and lived off the kindness of his masters. He didn’t expect to have lived so long. His supposed secret had now been exposed, leaving him somewhat saddened. Surely, this meant the end of the Shi lineage.

The other family was simply terrified, fearing death and the involvement of their descendants.

Eventually, the Emperor cleared his throat. "The child that the Sixth Concubine gave away belonged to this family, and they ran away with the child."

The Emperor hadn’t finished speaking when the family widened their eyes. The Emperor addressed her as "Sixth Concubine," scaring the old couple witless as they kowtowed and begged for mercy, crying out, "Your Majesty, spare our lives! Your Majesty, spare our lives!"

Zhou Shuren’s ears trembled as he discerned the will to live from their crying, and he inevitably felt speechless. Surely, the Emperor did it intentionally; they clearly should never revisit the old affairs!