Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1315: No Invitation

Zhulan said, "Originally, targeting Yu Yi was because Yu Yi was considered among the potential Crown Princess Consort candidates. Now that we’re no longer targeting Yu Yi, our Zhou family is only providing a Princess Qin, which means we won’t be forming marital ties with the Imperial Family in the future. Yu Yi’s excellence has already been inquired about several times, and I’d like to hear what you think."

Lady Dong felt overwhelmed by the information. Was her mother-in-law really talking about her daughter?

Lady Dong was proud but also grateful for her mother-in-law’s guidance. And now she felt a headache coming on, as there seemed to be quite a few suitors for Yu Yi. "Mother, what do you and father think?"

Zhulan, "Right now, I’m asking you."

Lady Dong really had no particular thoughts on her daughter’s marriage prospects, "Chang Lian and I are often away, so we’re not very familiar with the capital. We rely entirely on mother to make decisions regarding Yu Yi’s marriage matters."

Zhulan felt that she asked in vain and, with a sense of resignation, waved her hand, "Fine, I know what I need to know. Since you put it that way, I will be frank with you too; I think we’ll consider this matter in a few more years."

Right now, there are many inquiring, but none of them are from good households. Many are interested for the sake of benefits. It will be better to wait a few more years until Yu Yi is more mature before choosing.

Time flies by, and the provincial examination is just a few days away. Since Mingyun is taking the exam in Pingzhou, Lady Li is worried and wants to go to the temple to pray for safety.

Zhulan, "Last time Mingyun returned, you didn’t pray for his safety, and he turned out just fine, didn’t he?"

Lady Li found it hard to sum up in one sentence, "There were quite a few troubles last time he returned, have you forgotten, mother?"

Zhulan, "...I haven’t forgotten. If you want to go, then go."

Lady Li asked, "Mother, would you like to go with me?"

Zhulan waved her off, "No, I don’t want to, I’m not going."

Her whole demeanor was one of refusal. She really didn’t want to climb the mountain; too exhausting.

Lady Zhao joined in, "Elder Sister-in-law, I’ll go with you. I want to pray for my husband’s safety."

Zhulan looked at Lady Zhao. Lady Zhao had been scared by Ming Shan’s illness.

Lady Dong was about to leave the capital as well and hadn’t been out yet. She chimed in, "I’ll go too."

Now only Su Xuan was left. Su Xuan shook her head, "I won’t go."

Lady Li and the other two began to prepare to leave, while Su Xuan stayed behind. Zhulan asked, "Is there something?"

Su Xuan nodded, "My husband is approaching three full years in the Hanlin Academy. Recently, I’ve encountered quite a few people probing for information. Mother, it sounds like they all think my husband might be sent to the south."

Zhulan was surprised for a moment. The handling of the southern province was swift and decisive—those who needed to be arrested were arrested, and those to be executed, executed. Now only some unimportant individuals were left awaiting their fate.

The vacancies in the south represented opportunities, and now that everything is settled, it’s no longer affected by the previous turmoil. There was once an abundance of quails; now, it’s as if everyone has been injected with the energy of fighting roosters, all wanting a piece of the action.

Zhulan wasn’t surprised that they guessed it might involve Chang Zhi, "Since our family is not likely to form a marriage alliance with the Imperial Family, these people have all begun to plot."

Su Xuan had discussed it over with her husband, who mentioned the father’s intention that he would stay in the capital. "Mother, it seems they’ve set their sights on our family for a position in the south."

Zhulan nodded, "Because Chang Zhi is the most conspicuous in the capital, everyone’s attention is on him, thus overlooking Chang Lian in Xuzhou. Actually, this is good. With Chang Zhi diverting attention, Chang Lian can keep a lower profile."

Su Xuan didn’t harbor grand ambitions, and in fact, after listening to her husband, she felt more at ease. She would rather her husband advance slowly.

As for the third brother, he has always been more calculating than her husband and has served as an official for many years. Their father is confident in the third brother, and there is nothing much for them to worry about. Their father’s judgment won’t be wrong.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren held the Crown Prince’s homework with a complex look in his eyes, "Your Highness really trusts this official."

This was the homework the Emperor left for the Crown Prince, essays concerning the governance of the southern province and its development in the coming years. To let him see the Crown Prince’s homework was really causing him a stomachache.

The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes slightly, "Father said that you are trustworthy, so I want to consult with you."

Zhou Shuren sneered inwardly. This father and son duo were adept at flattering and coaxing. Don’t think he would be moved by that. He pressed against his brow, "I’m only the Minister of Revenue."

He really didn’t want to comment on this essay. Pah, they want his advice? No deal, no deal. Don’t think he can’t see through the ploy of the Imperial Family’s father and son. The phrase "development" revealed too much.

Crown Prince, "Grandpa and Father Emperor both say that you are the pillar of the country, capable of governing the nation, and they also said—"

The words that followed came to an abrupt halt, as they should not be spoken.

Zhou Shuren’s mental radar went off, what else did they say? It must be nothing good!

The Crown Prince’s gaze seemed to wander, he coughed, "My lord, are you really not going to look at it?"

Zhou Shuren handed the paper back to the Crown Prince, "This essay, I cannot evaluate."

Humph, the young Crown Prince has grown up quite a bit, but he’s not as cute as before. The Crown Prince has reached an age where he’s greedy for growth, even the return of the Retired Emperor couldn’t fatten him up.

The Crown Prince felt regretful in his heart, taking the essay with a slightly wilted spirit. He lost a bet with Father Emperor who claimed Zhou Shuren wouldn’t evaluate it, his unwillingness lingered.

Zhou Shuren acted as if he didn’t see it, his understanding of the Crown Prince growing, ha, pity wouldn’t work.

In Pingzhou City, Jiang Zhu was not participating in the provincial examinations but accompanied the visit to Pingzhou. Not only did Jiang Zhu come, but the married couple Xue Mei also came.

After the last experience, Xue Mei was very worried about her nephew, despite Ran Wan being there. As an elder, following along, she could feel more at ease.

Xue Mei knew that her father verbally didn’t pressure Mingyun, but in his heart, he held great expectations for Mingyun.

Mingyun and Jiang Zhu chatted, and Mingyun noticed the purse at Jiang Zhu’s waist, his tone somewhat teasing, "Being officially engaged really is different, even carrying your purse with you."

Jiang Zhu wasn’t embarrassed, "I also brought the Jade Pendant given by Grandma for the engagement."

Mingyun, surprised, "I just realized you’re quite thick-skinned."

"If my skin wasn’t thick, I couldn’t get by."

Mingyun laughed, "You’ve really become more casual."

Jiang Zhu blinked, "I learned some truths from my father. Life is hard enough as it is. Living in misery is a lifetime, happiness is also a lifetime, how your days pass is all up to oneself, and I want my days to be more according to my own heart."

Mingyun repeated a sentence and curved his lips into a smile, "You’re right."

Jiang Zhu held his fan, "Speaking of which, this time in Prefecture City is really quiet. It’s been several days and still, no one has come knocking. My mother worried for nothing."

Mingyun, "This is because they’re afraid I’ll mess up the provincial exams, and then they’ll need someone to blame, so no one dares to come knocking."

Jiang Zhu, "..."

I’m convinced by that reason!

The next day, Lady Li and a few others took their daughters to the temple: Lady Li brought Yu Lu, Zhao brought Yu Die, Lady Dong brought Yu Yi, right, and Yu Wen. It was not that Yu Wen wanted to go, but she was put onto the carriage by Su Xuan.

The sisters were all in one carriage, and Yu Wen barely left the estate before she felt drowsy, leaning against her fourth sister’s shoulder, "Fourth sis, I’m going to sleep on you for a while."

Yu Yi, "...Okay."

Yu Die had already pulled open the carriage curtains, "If only I could ride a horse alongside."

Yu Lu pulled Yu Die to drop the carriage curtains, "Stop dreaming."

Yu Die deflated, tugging at her dress and also leaning against her fourth sister, "I’m going to sleep for a bit too."

Yu Yi smiled, "Mhm."

Yu Lu pulled Yu Die closer, "Your fourth sister is already tired with Yu Wen leaning on her, come sit next to me."

Yu Die resisted with all her heart; she was scared of her eldest sister, dreaded her second sister, especially when the second sister’s face was stern—strikingly similar to their eldest brother!

They soon arrived at the temple; Yu Yi thought it was acceptable. Yu Die showed no signs of fatigue, but Yu Wen looked almost dead.

Yu Yi, supporting Yu Wen and also tired, said to her mother, "Mother, Yu Wen and I will rest at the pavilion."