Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1198: The Island

Chang Lian arrived at the government office and sat down unable to focus on his duties, as his mind was still preoccupied with the fan and the familiar figure, his heart pounding wildly. He was aware of the situation with the Emperor in the capital, and even in Xuzhou, there were rumors—perhaps Prince Qi was considering making a bold move.

Chang Lian pursed his lips, feeling that he needed to inform Father. He took out paper and pen and began to write a letter. Fearing that the letter would be intercepted, he wrote in a veiled manner, confident that Father would understand.

However, this letter was destined to never leave Xuzhou City, as Prince Qi, suspecting that it might herald trouble, had had someone watching early on.

Prince Qi opened the letter, found nothing amiss, but still, Chang Lian had underestimated him. He indeed deserved praise for his acumen, like Zhou number three, but alas, Zhou number three had guessed wrong.

At the Zhou residence, Madam Tao came alone this time; Zhulan asked, "Why didn’t you bring Tao Ran today?"

Madam Tao’s smile waned slightly, "I’ve already sent Tao Ran back."

"Hm?"

Something was not right. Madam Tao genuinely liked Tao Ran, otherwise, she wouldn’t bring him every time she visited the Zhou family.

Madam Tao didn’t want to air her family’s dirty laundry and became angry just thinking about it. Her nephew was actually harboring such intentions—not to mention that her eldest grandson was already betrothed to the Zhou family. Even if there was no betrothal, Grandfather and Husband would never choose a girl from the Tao family.

Now, knowing full well of the engagement—an engagement Grandfather wouldn’t allow anyone to break, nor would she allow it—yet her nephew still harbored intentions towards her eldest grandson. That would mean only being considered for a concubine. The mere thought of a daughter of her family’s primary lineage becoming a concubine angered her, completely quashing any lingering affection she had for her natal family.

Originally, she brought Tao Ran to the Zhou family hoping that by getting along with Madam Yang, Tao Ran would be liked by her and would be well treated in the future. But her nephew failed to understand her painstaking efforts and was scheming against her instead.

Seeing Madam Tao’s expression growing increasingly troubled, Zhulan changed the subject, "Why have you come today?"

Madam Tao’s face brightened into a smile again, "This is a good occasion, your Ming Rui is not young anymore, haven’t you been worried about the child’s matrimonial matters? I have someone in mind, let me tell you about it."

Zhulan perked up, indeed she was worried about Ming Rui’s matrimonial situation; there had been quite a few introductions recently, many interested parties, yet none had been to her liking. Just when she found someone suitable, after making inquiries, Zhulan ruled them out.

The second wife couldn’t handle a daughter-in-law whose thoughts ran deep; deep thinkers would clash with Madam Zhao, leading to a poor mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship, causing the second wife many headaches in the future. Ming Rui, the child, also wasn’t cut out for someone too scheming—a broad-minded and generous nature would be just fine.

The second and first wives had different needs; the eldest daughter-in-law of the first wife needed to manage the household, while even if the second branch was divided off, it would still be controlled by Madam Zhao, who was young. Not to mention Yu Die and the child in her womb still young!

Zhulan smiled, "Let’s hear it."

Madam Tao said, "Mr. Jiao’s daughter, a straightforward girl. I’ve seen her a few times, quite a fine child."

Zhulan’s mind raced, there weren’t many with the surname Jiao in the capital. She carefully recalled, "Are you referring to the Deputy Imperial Censor Jiao Zhuo?"

Madam Tao nodded, "Yes, his family. This is his youngest daughter, pampered since childhood, hence a bit naive and simple."

Zhulan thought to herself, he’s a full Fourth Rank official, Jiao Zhuo himself is capable, and so is his father. This family is one of the foremost, well-known for being incorruptible in the capital, "The Jiao family’s background is too good."

So good that she hadn’t considered the Jiao family at all. If it was just Jiao Zhuo, she might give it some thought, but given Jiao Zhuo’s father, Zhulan dismissed the idea. How could the legitimate daughter of the Jiao family marry into a household of just a Seventh-rank Official? Even with Chang Yi’s efforts, he couldn’t possibly wait for the marriage of a Jiao family daughter who was destined for a Fourth Rank.

As for valuing the Zhou family because of Zhou Shuren, that wouldn’t be the case. The Jiao family, for generations, had been incorruptible with staunch family values; they had their own dignity to uphold.

Madam Tao suggested, "I think we can try, the Jiao family doesn’t concern themselves with wealth and status when marrying off their daughters."

The Jiao family’s daughters never worried about marriage; many sought to wed them, yet the Jiao girls had never married highly.

Zhulan shook her head with a smile, "The Jiao family is good, yet they would not choose the Zhou family."

From the way they married off their daughters, it was clear the Jiao family had a clear head, avoiding too much entanglement with the nobles and preserving a clean family reputation was the Jiao family’s strategy for survival.

Mrs. Tao really felt it was a pity, "Have you thought it over well?"

Zhulan, "No need to think any further."

If the Zhou family did not have the Rong clan’s bloodline, perhaps this advantageous marriage could have happened, but now the Jiao family would only avoid the Zhou family, which was too conspicuous.

On a small island at sea, Rongchuan and the others were so hungry their stomachs were growling, yet they could not light a fire, fearing it would draw the attention of the nearby island, which was too close.

This island was not large, and its hidden spot was beneath a cliff, surrounded by rubble, with a small boat moored to a rock nearby.

Grasping his stomach, Rongchuan was hungry; the dry food they had brought had run out on the boat, and if it weren’t for a ship passing by last night, they would have already landed on the opposite island.

At that moment, Yang Wen descended from the side of the cliff, his outer coat bulging with items, indicating he had found quite a bit, and a few others also followed behind him with their findings.

Seeing Yang Wen, Rongchuan asked, "Did you find something to eat?" fгeewebnovёl.com

Grinning widely, Yang Wen replied, "Uncle, we found some sweet potatoes."

Rongchuan was stunned, "How are there sweet potatoes here?"

After setting down the sweet potatoes from inside his clothes, Yang Wen explained, "We inspected the whole island and found a stone house on the eastern side, long abandoned, and near the house, we found a patch of land where we discovered these sweet potatoes and dug up some to bring back."

Rongchuan, "It seems this island was used as a lookout post."

He did not know why it was abandoned, but luckily it was; otherwise, they would have been discovered yesterday.

Now with sweet potatoes, although raw, they were good enough to eat, and no one minded the dirt. The sweet potatoes were small, and after a quick wipe, they were consumed by the group of over a dozen.

Having eaten two, Rongchuan felt more at ease and then took out a map.

He was lucky, as when he saw they couldn’t catch up and thought of returning, he unexpectedly encountered the Navy’s patrol warship. With a military token in hand and Yang Wen on the ship to confirm their identities, the ship’s speed was much faster than the small boat’s, enabling them to catch up to the fugitives rapidly.

Those people were fleeing toward the sea, indicating a secret base was nearby on some island. Rongchuan had brought not only experts but also Hidden Guards, who had extracted the location from interrogation.

However, the warship was too large and would surely be detected if it got close, so they had to stop some distance from the island and continue in a small boat. The island ahead was their destination, and they planned to sneak onto it under cover of night.

Having finished eating as well, Yang Wen pulled out his telescope, "I have looked carefully just now, and the patrols on the opposite island are numerous, with several lookout platforms; landing on the island won’t be easy. Uncle, should we wait for the Navy’s messenger to return and attack the island together?"

He really didn’t want his uncle to take risks; it was his duty to protect him.

Rongchuan took the telescope; it was fortunate the two islands were close, or the telescope would be of no use. He hadn’t seen clearly in the dark last night, but the view was much clearer now. He pursed his lips; the defense on the opposite island was too strict, "There are too many people at night and it’s easy to be discovered. Now let’s choose two with the best skills to try. If we can’t get on, we’ll have to wait."

He still wanted to get a clearer picture of the situation, as he remembered the gunpowder; the defense on the island opposite must be far from simple.