Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1317: An Insurmountable Hurdle

The provincial exam ended in the blink of an eye, and now everyone is waiting for the results to be announced.

Lady Li, ever since praying to Buddha, has become even more engrossed in her faith, even bringing a statue of the Bodhisattva home to worship every day.

The Zhou family is also waiting for news from Pingzhou, with Zhulan once again complaining to Zhou Shuren, "Communication in ancient times is too slow."

Zhou Shuren spread his hands, "The new Emperor has ascended to the throne and has increased the speed of communication, plus the repair of roads, it is already considered fast in ancient times. There is no way to speed it up further at present."

Zhulan was tidying up the quilt. "After the road repairs, the travel time has indeed been reduced significantly."

When Mingyun took the child prodigy exam, traveling was difficult. But now for the provincial exam, the main roads have been renovated up to Pingzhou City, which has sped up the return to Pingzhou by a third.

At that moment, Qing Xue entered, "Young Master Ming Ling didn’t cry tonight, he’s already asleep."

Zhulan let out a breath, "You go rest as well."

Qing Xue, "Yes."

Zhou Shuren frowned, "The child has had a fever, and he didn’t eat much tonight."

Zhulan was quite calm, "It’s common for children to be uncomfortable away from their mothers. After some days, he will get used to it. See, he isn’t crying anymore."

Zhou Shuren sighed, "If Chang Lian wasn’t heading south, and the situation there wasn’t clear, I really wouldn’t agree to let Lady Dong leave Ming Ling with us."

Zhulan, "Lady Dong was scared by the news I revealed, that’s why she begged me to keep Ming Ling. I also feared too many issues in the south, so I agreed."

It’s different in the south compared to Xuzhou Province. Lady Dong needs to assist Chang Lian; socializing for women is essential. Since Ming Ling is the only son of the third wife, it’s understandable that Lady Dong is afraid.

Zhou Shuren saw the dark circles under his wife’s eyes; she hasn’t been sleeping well for the past few days due to the child’s crying. She would get up every night to check on him. He hummed, "Children are like debts."

Zhulan laughed lightly, "Alright, it’s late, let’s rest." freēwēbnovel.com

The next day in Pingzhou City, Jiang Zhu went out for a walk with his father. On his return, he sought out Mingyun, "There’s a betting ring in town, betting on who will place first, and most bets are on you. You have the lowest odds."

Mingyun wasn’t surprised; he had confidence in the provincial exam, "Didn’t you place a bet?"

Jiang Zhu smiled slyly, "Neither my father nor I personally placed a bet; we sent a young servant with silver to do it."

Mingyun thought to roll his eyes; what difference did it make who placed the bet? Everyone knows whose young servant it is!

Jiang Zhu asked, "After the provincial exam ends, shall we leave?"

Mingyun nodded, "Yes, we’ll leave once the results come out. I don’t plan to return to Zhou Village. If you have any business, you can go back first and we’ll meet up in the county town."

Jiang Zhu had no reason to go back; his main purpose for returning was to set an engagement. Sighing, Jiang Zhu mentioned that his father gifted each uncle a set of paintings. However, except for the eldest uncle, the others sold them immediately after they learned of their value.

The second uncle even half-jokingly, half-probingly suggested that since painting was so easy, their father should paint more to keep.

Their father did not voice his disappointment, but he felt neglected and hurt.

Jiang Zhu shook his head, "No, let’s leave together."

He made the decision on behalf of his parents, believing that they would agree.

Mingyun teased, "Aren’t you going to go back to see your fiancée?"

This time, Jiang Zhu blushed, "We are already engaged, there’s no hurry for that moment."

Capital, Zhulan heard that Ming Ling finally laughed, she exhaled and said to Lady Zhao, "Ming Feng is really good at taking care of his younger brother!"

Lady Zhao watched her son wipe Ming Ling’s face and smiled, "Yes, Ming Feng is a very gentle child."

Zhulan felt that among her grandchildren, few had similar personalities, all of them good kids, "You’ve done a fine job educating Ming Feng."

Lady Zhao sighed, "I haven’t taught Yu Die well."

Zhulan recalled the incident at the temple; Yu Die was indeed becoming more unruly, but fortunately, the child was still young enough to be disciplined, "Haven’t you hired an etiquette maid?"

Lady Zhao, "Yes, and it’s having a good effect so far."

This time she was determined; even seeing her daughter cry didn’t soften her heart. Now while the age was tender, it might be manageable, but should it continue into older age, she feared the consequences, as a woman’s reputation is too important.

Lady Zhao regretted being too indulgent with her daughter, then she suddenly smiled again, "If not for Ming Ling distracting Yu Yi, Yu Yi would be checking on Yu Die every day; now all the young ladies in our house are afraid of Yu Yi."

Zhulan also smiled, "Yu Yi is the eldest daughter of the third wife; she has the presence of an eldest daughter."

Lady Zhao went on to talk about her family home, "Mother, my cousin has a six-year-old son."

Zhulan turned to listen as Lady Zhao continued, "My cousin wants to send the boy over to keep Ming Feng company during his studies."

Zhulan understood; this was an offer to take care of Ming Feng, as well as to show loyalty to Lady Zhao, and of course, there were ulterior motives, "Are you telling me this hoping I’ll make the decision for you?"

Lady Zhao, "My husband is not at home, and I have no one to discuss it with. Mother, with your vast experience and wisdom, do you think I should agree?"

Zhulan looked up, "By discussing this with me, you already have a plan in your mind."

"Yes, I don’t want to bring more people into the manor."

Zhulan pointed out directly, "You’re tempted yet not urgent because Ming Feng is still young, and the second wife’s family has plenty of time to prepare. Plus, you have reservations, and there’s a hurdle in your heart you can’t get over."

Lady Zhao was now in control over her several paternal cousins, but that did not mean that she had no qualms; the shadows of her childhood do not simply disappear upon command. Lady Zhao’s heart resisted letting people from the Zhao family enter her domain, and with the injuries sustained during their escape, the scars left behind lasted a lifetime. Lady Zhao feared being hurt again.

Lady Zhao knew she couldn’t hide from her mother-in-law, her tone was very light, "Hmm."

Zhulan patted Lady Zhao’s hand, "The past scars cannot be erased, I won’t tell you to let go, but what I can tell you is, do what you want to do."

Lady Zhao was visibly moved, her mouth curled up slightly, "Hmm."

The next day, Prince Qin’s actions spread throughout the capital, and during the early morning court, everyone was focused on Prince Qin.

Of course, Zhou Shuren also received attention; given his son-in-law’s insider information, he was quite composed.

The Emperor and the Crown Prince arrived, the Emperor with a stern face, "This is the Zhezi Prince Qin sent into the palace overnight. I think without reading it aloud, some already know what’s written in it."

As his words fell, sweat beads formed on some foreheads.

The Emperor’s gaze was inscrutable, "I only learned today just how wealthy my loyal subjects are."

Zhou Shuren felt the glare of daggers in the eyes around him, speechless, as Prince Qin’s moves were definitely not his teaching; he felt incredibly wronged!

The Emperor continued, "The commoners in various places dare not seek medical treatment because it’s difficult, and the medical centers wish to hold a charity clinic. I am deeply moved and willing to donate twenty thousand taels of silver from my private coffers to show my support."

Having said this, the Emperor’s gaze swept across the ministers while still clutching Prince Qin’s Zhezi, this action full of threat!

Zhou Shuren knew about the charity clinic, his responsibility. Now the imperial court regulated medical centers across the lands, but still, few commoners were willing to spend silver coin on medical care, even with good publicity, the effect was not very positive.