Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1177: Stepping into the Trap

Ming Teng covered Ran Xun’s surprised cry, "Keep it down, everyone is looking at you!"

Ran Xun thought to himself, he was truly shocked—his buddy was about to be adopted. He signaled for Ming Teng to let go and whispered, "This isn’t like you to accept it so calmly."

He understood his childhood friend whom he had grown up with. Ming Teng was someone who valued relationships deeply; the fact that he hadn’t cried or made a fuss and was accepting things so calmly felt unreal to him.

Ming Teng smiled and said, "The family is doing what’s best for me."

He was without resentment. Changing his surname but still remaining in the family, he accepted his situation well. He had his grandmother’s guidance and these past few days he got along exceptionally well with his great-uncle.

Ran Xun was the one with the most complicated feelings. Initially being one of the less regarded grandsons, with fewer family resources, Ming Teng had matured after being beaten up. Ran Xun thought his buddy had finally come to his senses, realizing the importance of making an effort, which had also sparked his own competitive spirit—he couldn’t fall behind his friend.

But he never expected, "You’ve left me behind and reached the finish line first."

Wasn’t it the finish line? Once adopted, Ming Teng would become a young marquis. Just look at how the Emperor valued Rong Yushang—Zhou Shuren was no longer the most frequent visitor to the palace; it was Rong Yushang!

Ming Teng was stunned for a moment but then his smile grew deeper. His friend understood the inevitable, "You can’t envy me."

Ran Xun felt like spitting blood because his friend was right—his jealousy was futile; his own grandfather didn’t have an extraordinary background. "We’ve been childhood sweethearts, no, that’s not right, we’ve grown up together. Although we don’t share blood, we’re like real brothers. You’ve got to look out for me in the future!"

He suddenly realized, in the future, his grandfather wouldn’t even be as impressive as his friend, oh, and that included his own father too! It seemed he had good foresight, having latched onto Ming Teng from a young age!

Dong Zhan caught a glimpse of Ming Teng, head lowered. Truly, fortune favors the foolish; Ming Teng had the best luck of them all.

At Marquis Rong’s Residence, Gu Ren asked, "Mr. Hou, why did you summon me in such a hurry? Is there an urgent matter?"

Rong Enqing’s face was full of joy, "His Majesty complimented me today, saying that he really liked the ointment I presented. Do you still have any?"

Gu Ren felt joy inside, "Yes, but how much does Mr. Hou need?"

Rong Enqing stood up excitedly, "I saw His Majesty today, and he was in great spirits. I thought we could secure more. Yes, and my father too. You know he’s getting on in years and his spirits aren’t what they used to be. He tried it last time and indeed, it was effective."

Gu Ren’s heart raced—could it not? The Emperor and Crown Prince had solid defenses around them, making it difficult to poison their food and drink. Now, with the Emperor’s trust in the maternal side of his family, they saw an opportunity. Things were going smoother than expected.

Hooking his fingertip, Gu Ren said, "I’ll have it sent to Mr. Hou in a bit. Actually, this substance works not only for the elderly but also for the young."

Rong Enqing felt as if a volcano was erupting inside him, but he had to maintain his act on the outside, "Really?"

"Would I deceive you? It’s also good for the young. But it’s hard to get, very precious. I don’t have much left myself."

The last sentence was indeed true. They had smuggled a considerable amount, but they needed to use these items to control certain people. With each distribution, the quantity decreased, and he didn’t have much left.

With furrowed brows, Rong Enqing said, "Tell me where you got it, and I can go get it myself."

Gu Ren watched Rong Enqing eagerly, "This is hard to come by. If Mr. Hou is willing to assist me, I can provide him with even more."

Rong Enqing asked, "What kind of help do you need?"

Gu Ren smiled, "I’ve heard that Mr. Hou has a merchant fleet that sails overseas, granted by the Emperor. All you have to do is bring back a few items for me."

He had long set his sights on this fleet. Since it was bestowed by the Emperor, the government offices at the port knew which merchant teams had notable backers, and while some would inspect carefully, others would not.

Rong Enqing smiled, "I’ll think about it."

Gu Ren wasn’t suspicious. Thinking it over was the right response, after all. If En Qing had agreed immediately, he would have had cause for doubt.

After sending Gu Ren away, Rong Enqing squinted his eyes. The Emperor knew this stuff was harmful and could control people, so he asked him to follow up with Gu Ren and see who all these things had been sold to. The more he interacted with them, the more the Zhang family clan opened his eyes. These people had no conscience, living beings scarier than evil spirits.

Suddenly, the day of Ming Teng’s adoption arrived. They invited only the closest relations, including people from the Duke Residence, several related families through betrothal, and others like Wu Ming.

Though there were few guests, their statuses were all very high, especially since Prince Qi attended in place of the Crown Prince.

Prince Qi spoke, "The Crown Prince wanted to come in person, but was tied up with urgent matters, so he sent me in his stead." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

As for the always-following Prince Chu, who used to accompany him wherever he went, ever since learning the truth, he had become a recluse, staying put in his residence without stepping outside.

Today was Yu Dang’s big day. He was all smiles, honored by the royal presence, "This old man thanks the Crown Prince for his concern and His Highness Prince Qi."

Prince Qi replied, "You are too kind, sir."

Although the adoption ceremony was small in scale, Yu Dang didn’t treat it lightly. He hired someone to select an auspicious time, and not a moment of it could be delayed.

Zhou Shuren saw the intricately designed family register box again. He knew it was impervious to fire and water—a testament to the wisdom of the ancients. With keen interest, and cheap as his fourth uncle was, he even got one as a gift for himself. He lamented that some traditions had been lost and recalled the Rong family’s heyday, filled with many treasures and rarities.

Yu Dang, holding a pen and smiling at the straight-kneeling Ming Teng, wrote down his name. Though Ming Teng changed his surname, his given name stayed the same. It was supposed to be in the "An" generation, but Yu Dang still wrote the three characters "Rong Ming Teng."

Zhou Shuren stood to the side, taken aback, and looked at his fourth uncle with confusion. In Rong Yushang’s eyes, there was only excitement and joy, and an unperceived trace of ambition.

Prince Qi, hearing Rong Yushang call out "Rong Ming Teng," narrowed his eyes, sensing that the Marquis Rong’s Residence was about to be completely divided.

Zhou Shuren watched his fourth uncle take out a new family register, with the names of his own lineage already recorded, followed by Ming Teng’s.

Ning Xu’s thoughts ran deeper, the Emperor was set on definitively separating the two Marquis Rong’s Residences, not just displeased with Rong Enqing’s branch, but also wary of the two branches being too closely bound. Yuguang glanced at Zhou Shuren, aware the Emperor wouldn’t allow any faction to grow too powerful.

Ning Xu composed himself, the Emperor foresaw ten moves ahead, preventing any possible future scenario.

Ran Zheng envied Zhou Shuren, both climbing up without family aid; yet Zhou Shuren carved out his path, one uniquely his own.

Those present were all crafty old foxes, understanding everything just from the names in the family register.

Zhou Shuren also understood, thinking to himself, the Emperor truly was the Emperor—and not just anyone could fulfill that role.

With the critical part of the adoption complete, Ming Teng kowtowed to his parents once more. Zhou’s seniors knew they should be happy, yet they couldn’t hold back their tears.

Finally, Ming Teng served tea. This time, he didn’t call him "fourth uncle," but "Great Grandfather, please have some tea."

Yu Dang, his eyes disappearing into his smile, kept repeating, "Good, good."