Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1284: Leaving One’s Hometown

Su Xuan smiled, "Since you like it, I’ll take you around to have a look."

Countess nodded, "Great."

About two hours later, the Countess came to take her leave, and Zhulan presented the prepared gifts. Seeing the glitter in the Countess’s eyes, Zhulan’s mood also brightened a bit.

Su Xuan returned after seeing the Countess off. "Mother, she wants to buy my merchant ship."

Zhulan, "Does she have that much Silver?"

Although the contact was brief, she realized that this Countess was not wealthy, and clearly hadn’t inherited much in the way of assets.

Su Xuan greatly admired her mother-in-law’s observational skill. The first time she received a gift, she hadn’t noticed that the Countess wasn’t wealthy. If they hadn’t spoken frankly today, she would have to observe for some days, "No, that’s why she wants to pay me over several years."

Zhulan was interested, "Installments?"

Su Xuan heard the term and found it spot-on, "Yes, she doesn’t want to take advantage of me. Until the debt is fully paid, I retain a twenty percent interest in the merchant ship’s earnings."

Zhulan asked, "What do you know about this Countess?"

Su Xuan, "Everything I know is from what she told me. She candidly told me that she hadn’t inherited much in the way of Gold Coins, only a sizable piece of land."

That’s why she had the guts to come to a place where Gold abounded, obviously a girl with particularly great nerve.

In the days that followed, Su Xuan was busy, and Zhulan sometimes took notice.

In the Ministry of Revenue, the Retired Emperor, donning common clothes along with Zhou Shuren, stepped out, making their way to the area densest with foreign shops.

Zhou Shuren couldn’t quite guess the Retired Emperor’s intentions, "Are you planning to buy something?"

The Retired Emperor shook his head, "I just want to take a good look around."

Zhou Shuren wasn’t much interested in the foreign goods. What doesn’t the modern world have? He took a cursory glance and followed behind the Retired Emperor, who examined the shops thoroughly, leaving Zhou Shuren somewhat bored.

After visiting a few shops, the Retired Emperor spoke up, "Today, I shall also try the foreign restaurant."

Zhou Shuren knew about this; upon its opening, it caused quite a stir in the capital. Curiosity gripped everyone; no matter how expensive, they wanted to taste it for themselves.

This led to the foreign restaurant being quite popular, despite not matching the quality of exquisite dishes.

The Retired Emperor had heard about it, but now he held a knife and fork in his hand, frowning as he looked at the lamb chops before him, unsure where to begin cutting.

Perhaps Zhou Shuren hadn’t used a knife and fork in a long time. Hm, he was quite unaccustomed, and as he looked at the lamb chops, he had little appetite.

The Retired Emperor didn’t want to aggravate himself too much; he put down the knife and fork. He didn’t want to end up consulting the Imperial Physician after eating, "The Emperor is preparing to send people to stay abroad for long periods."

Zhou Shuren sipped his coffee. Forget eating; the coffee was quite acceptable, "That’s a good idea, there are already many foreigners staying long-term in the capital’s hostels."

The Retired Emperor watched Zhou Shuren sip the dark coffee, frowning, "Isn’t it bitter?"

He himself had tried some when the foreigners brought a good amount but didn’t want to sip it again after the first taste.

Zhou Shuren, "It’s alright, it has a unique flavor."

The Retired Emperor gave him a peculiar look. Zhou Shuren’s taste was indeed special, "There’s plenty in the palace, I’ll send some your way."

Zhou Shuren, adopting the mindset of not turning down free things, "Thank you, Retired Emperor."

The Retired Emperor continued, "The return trip could take years."

Zhou Shuren was astute; the Retired Emperor wasn’t discussing this without reason, "What are you implying?"

The Retired Emperor said, "Your second son, I find him quite impressive. The Emperor has high hopes for him."

Last time when selling ships, Zhou Changyi demonstrated his capacity for negotiating, and with his good language skills, along with his research on foreigners, he and the Emperor took note of Zhou Changyi.

Zhou Shuren’s fingers caressed the coffee cup, "Changyi’s rank is not very high."

The Retired Emperor saw through Zhou Shuren in one glance, "Indeed it isn’t, but as the second son of an Earl, his status is sufficient."

Zhou Shuren, "..."

Oh, he had always been called Lord Zhou; he himself had forgotten that he was an Earl.

The Retired Emperor continued, "The person leading the team must indeed be capable of commanding authority."

Zhou Shuren looked expectantly at the Retired Emperor; the implication of these words was that his son could get promoted!

Instead, the Retired Emperor stopped speaking, took a sip of his coffee cup, then pretended to be cool, but it was bitter, and his face twisted.

Zhou Shuren, "...."

He really wanted to laugh.

Today, Zhou Shuren understood the Retired Emperor’s intention in seeking him out - to give him a heads-up in advance, so that Chang Yi could take the initiative when the time came. After all, no one would willingly send their son to a foreign land for several years.

After dinner in the evening, Zhou Shuren kept a few of his sons around and shared the Emperor’s thoughts with Chang Yi, "This is your opportunity, but of course, if you don’t want to go, father won’t force you."

It’s all up to Chang Yi to make his own decision; as for the future, Zhou Shuren’s only responsibility was to provide the means.

Chang Yi asked, "Father, do you know which country it will be?"

Zhou Shuren countered, "What difference does it make if I do?"

Chang Yi realized his question was somewhat silly - indeed, what difference did it make to know or not? Considering carefully, it meant several years; during that time, his daughter could get married, and he, as her father, might not be home. He would also have to be separated from his wife for years.

Zhulan knew that both the Emperor and the Retired Emperor were aware that not many would volunteer, which is why they gave Zhou Shuren advanced notice. The thought of a strange country and the fact that the domestic officialdom was not as adventurous as foreigners made it evident that it was better to be an official in one’s own country than to leave home.

The eldest Zhou brother opened his mouth but realized that he as the big brother couldn’t help his younger sibling.

Chang Zhi had a lot on his mind; if his second brother agreed, he would surely get promoted upon his return. This way, the second brother’s promotion speed wouldn’t be slower than the third brother’s.

Chang Yi also understood that if he followed the regular path, his promotion would be slow. Thinking of his two sons, Chang Yi’s hands slowly clenched tightly, "Father, I want to go."

Zhou Shuren hummed in response; he had this in mind for his second son since the beginning, and now he was the most composed, "You could reach your small goal ahead of time this year."

Chang Yi understood, "Will I get promoted?"

"Very likely so."

Chang Yi’s internal struggle dissipated; as long as he could get promoted, he could overcome any difficulties.

Zhulan observed her second son’s change of heart; such is the way of men.

Zhou Shuren instructed his sons to keep the matter within their knowledge to prevent leaking the news.

In the subsequent days, the Emperor also made moves, meeting with quite a few foreign diplomats stationed in the embassies. The astute could guess a thing or two.

Mingyun finally returned to the capital, and Zhulan clung to her eldest grandson’s clothes without letting go, "Mingyun has been mistreated and has lost weight."

Mingyun touched his belly, "Grandma, I haven’t lost weight."

In fact, he felt a bit heavier.

Zhulan, "Nonsense, you have obviously lost weight."

Lady Li joined the conversation, with teary eyes, "That damned Zhao family bullied my son, look how emaciated he’s become, losing so much weight."

Mingyun, "..."

He decided it was better not to speak; the more he spoke, the thinner he became.

Seeing the meal being served, Zhulan said, "The young servant came back early to report, so Grandma had the kitchen prepare this. You must be hungry, come and eat."

Mingyun was not hungry; he truly wasn’t, for he had eaten all the way on the carriage ride home and now had a full stomach.

But facing his grandmother and mother, after a moment of silence, he still obediently sat down to eat.

Ming Teng and the others shook their shoulders, finding it rare to see their elder brother looking so comically distressed; it was too amusing.