Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1154: Resources

Ministry of Rites, Chang Yi saw off wave after wave of congratulations, yet the smile on his face never faltered, as he grinned foolishly, delighted to finally be public, feeling distinctly different.

Chang Yi felt it particularly acutely; when he first joined the Ministry of Rites, these people were jealous and looked down on him. Once he had accomplishments and had secured his footing, his colleagues still hardly concealed their disdain. He accepted it, for he wasn’t a product of the imperial examinations, but now, there was envy, the scorn was gone, and they treated him with more caution.

Sitting in his chair, Chang Yi sipped tea cheerily, turning his head to see Mr. Gu looking at him complexly, "Mr. Gu?"

Honestly, if it weren’t because Liufeng was his future son-in-law, he wouldn’t have sought Mr. Gu when he was assigned this task, for whoever he picked to accompany him would simply be gaining unearned credit.

Mr. Gu composed himself, "Sir, you don’t seem surprised by the news?"

This was no illusion; he had been observing Zhou Changyi, who showed only joy with no sign of surprise.

Chang Yi smiled, now was not the time to hide anything, "Yes, father told us quite early, so I am not surprised."

Mr. Gu envied Liufeng, as Liufeng’s marital prospects were on the rise. Recalling the commotion caused by his wife’s family last time, Mr. Gu pursed his lips. Since then, Lady Hu seldom visited their home looking for his wife, even Zhou Changyi’s wife seldom came.

Zhang Jinghong learned of the news rather late; as he was carrying his son, he nearly strained his back. He put his son down, gesturing for him to go play, and turned to speak with his wife, only to see her spacing out.

Zhang Jinghong waved his hand, "What are you thinking about?"

Yao Xin reacted as if shocked, "This is bad, what about Yao Yao? No, what about the Yao family? I was adopted, and I bear the Yao surname too!"

Zhang Jinghong wrapped his arms around the distraught Yao Xin, "Calm down, you still have me. You broke off from the Hou Residence a long time ago."

Yao Xin found little comfort, she stood up pacing back and forth, "What about my Concubine? With the Yao family ruined, what will happen to my Concubine?"

She had long given up on her father, but her mother was still her mother!

Seeing his wife’s state, Zhang Jinghong knew she was not in a state to listen, so he simply waited, pressing his temples, for her to calm down.

Zhang Jinghong felt joy in his heart; the better Zhou Shuren did, the better it was for him. With Zhou Shuren’s protection, he lived smoothly, and he hoped Zhou Shuren would rise even higher.

Yao Xin soon calmed down, "What is this all about?"

"Have you calmed down?"

Yao Xin nodded, "I have calmed down. I can’t manage Yao Yao anymore; I need to think about how to get the Concubine out. I don’t want her to die alongside."

Zhang Jinghong pointed out, "You should first speak with your Concubine, it would be good to exchange information."

Yao Xin nodded; thinking of her Concubine made her heart ache, she had severed ties with the Hou Residence and her Concubine’s days had worsened. The favors she had accumulated when favored were now almost all given to her, turning her courtyard into a small temple, where she chanted daily.

Only because she sent some supplements now and then did her Concubine not suffer too much; she didn’t want her Concubine to die for an unfeeling father.

As for the Hou Residence, it was no concern of hers.

At the Zhou family, Xue Han and Rongchuan returned from their estate outside the city, Xue Han bringing some vegetables and wild greens she had picked from the estate.

With the arrival of Xue Han and Rongchuan, several members of the Zhao family also came to the main courtyard.

Beaming proudly for her family, Xue Han said, "Now my eldest brother can also obtain a noble title. Each of my brothers has his own prospects."

As her words fell, the room went quiet. During today’s busy celebrations, truly, no one had thought about that.

Xue Han remembered that it was normal for her to do so, for she was now the wife of the Princely Heir, a subconscious recognition. Remaining silent, Xue Han paused and asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

Zhulan smiled and replied, "You didn’t, I just didn’t think of it for a moment, so I was momentarily stunned."

Lady Zhao hooked her fingertips briefly, quickly letting go, subconsciously touching her abdomen, then her face lit up with a relieved smile, knowing their second wife’s branch could rely on their own efforts to obtain what they desired, without envying their elder brother.

Su Xuan was the quickest to recover, knowing inheritance originally belonged to the eldest son. For many years, their eldest brother had always been a role model, striving to perform even better, and their branch harbored no covetous thoughts.

Zhulan observed the performance of her son and daughter-in-law and smiled contentedly, feeling her and Zhou Shuren’s efforts in raising them hadn’t been in vain.

After having spoken, Xue Han kept silent. She trusted her own brothers but didn’t want to continue aggravating her sister-in-law and brother’s nerves, especially when the eldest brother and his wife were absent.

Zhulan spoke up, "Tomorrow I need to enter the palace to express gratitude, Qiu Niang and Su Xuan will come with me. Both of you prepare accordingly. Granny Song will inform you of some taboos."

Lady Zhao’s face brightened with joy, "Yes."

Su Xuan calculated internally. It had been quite a long time since she last visited the palace, not just a long time, but many years indeed, "Yes."

Xue Han joined the conversation, "Mother, did you forget about me?"

Speaking of taboos, she knew them best, having entered the palace more often than anyone else in the family.

Zhulan actually had forgotten her daughter, "Then discuss it well with your sister-in-law."

This palace visit represented the entire Zhou family, and they could not afford to lose face.

Xue Han was clear in her heart, "Hmm."

Zhulan then inquired about Rongchuan’s situation at the villa. Rongchuan felt at ease at the villa, spending each morning wandering around with his wife, digging wild vegetables like ordinary folk, so content with this life that he had no desire to return to the capital.

However, Rongchuan knew that he couldn’t escape his duty, his identity destined the responsibilities he bore.

At the Academy, Mingyun was speechless. He couldn’t believe how quickly news spread within the Academy.

Jiang Zhu looked at Mingyun being surrounded, nervous, shielding his face with a book. His grandfather had become an Earl, and he, the grandson, had basked in too much of his grandfather’s glory.

Ming Teng’s side was even more bustling. Ran Xun said, "I used to worry about your elder branch, but now, I’m envious."

Ming Teng glared back, "What’s there to worry about our branch when we have my elder brother?"

Ran Xun realized indeed, there was nothing to worry about concerning the Zhou elder branch, and now they might even secure a noble title, "Let me rephrase, why do all the good things always go to your elder branch."

Dong Zhan was the most bewildered, imagining his grandfather’s and father’s reactions to the news, genuinely fearing his grandfather wouldn’t survive the shock, leaving no one to restrain his father and mother.

Ran Xun saw his friend was still carefree, bumping his buddy’s shoulder, "Hey, aren’t you jealous? Your elder brother is excellent in his studies and might secure a noble title in the future."

Even if the title was downgraded, it was still a title.

Ming Teng smirked, "This young master is not jealous."

Seeing that, Ran Xun sighed. His friend really had a broad-minded nature, and he felt immense envy towards him.

His grandfather valued his grandson highly, but there were many grandchildren, and the family’s resources were limited, naturally favoring the eldest son and eldest grandson, leaving little for him.