Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 621: I Am Your Son_1

The snow disaster had not completely subsided, and the foreign clans from Dongbei were invading the border. Fortunately, the border had been prepared in advance, and the defense line had not been breached; the foreign clans were blocked at the border.

Despite this, there were still many casualties among the people living on the border.

When Zhulan heard the news, she was very concerned about Wu Ming. The information she received was passed on from others and much of it was not accurate. When she asked Zhou Shuren, he didn’t have a clear understanding either.

Zhou Shuren was quite optimistic though, "This winter’s surprise attack didn’t break through our defenses, and the foreign clans have missed their opportunity. As long as we hold on through the winter, we will have the initiative come spring. This war, once it ends, and if we win, will ensure peace for the next decade or so."

Zhulan still felt uneasy, "I wonder how many lives have been lost to this war."

Zhou Shuren tried to comfort her, "Last year, our imperial court upgraded its equipment, and our combat strength has increased a lot, so there should be fewer casualties."

Zhulan’s expression turned strange for a moment, "If it hadn’t been for you uncovering that secret line last year, the imperial court really wouldn’t have had the silver to equip our soldiers. It feels like our wings have truly grown stronger, indirectly changing many things."

Zhou Shuren felt the same way. He had analyzed more than once that if it weren’t for last year’s unexpected wealth, the Emperor would not have had the confidence to decide on a final battle, at least not next year.

The next day, the Second Miss Yao came to bid farewell, "Returning to the capital this time, I do not know when we will meet again. I leave everything in the care of madam."

Zhulan asked, "Is Magistrate Shen returning to the capital with you?"

Yao Yao did not conceal the truth, "Yes, my brother has already set off for the border, and father is concerned for his unborn grandson. He dispatched someone to personally invite us this time."

If it were not for their father’s insistence, she and her sister-in-law really would not be going back to the capital. They had intended to delay their return as long as possible, but their father was determined to have them return.

Zhulan thought to herself that Yao Zheyu had failed to stop Yao Zhe Yu from leaving and that it seemed he was eager to keep a close hold on Magistrate Shen, considering the danger her unborn child was in, "Although the road to the capital is clear, there are still refugees along the way. You should be extra careful on your journey back to the capital."

Yao Yao smiled lightly, "The Princely Heir has dispatched guards to accompany us; we will be safe on the road."

Zhulan smiled, having forgotten about Magistrate Shen’s older brother, "That’s good then."

Yao Yao sighed inwardly, feeling most at ease during her days away from home. Even with her sister-in-law’s many rules, she had lived comfortably. However, returning home felt like entering a cage where she would no longer be in control of her life.

As Yao Yao took her leave, Old Madam Song personally went out to see her off. Yao Yao walked with her head down, listening to the footsteps ahead. She lifted her eyes, slightly startled, then quickly realized who it was and offered a small courtesy.

Old Madam Song was surprised, "Master Shi."

Shi Qing spoke politely, "Old madam, it’s been a long time. I hope all is well?"

Old Madam Song smiled, "All is well, thank you for your concern. With your return, the Family Head and madam will be most pleased."

Shi Qing felt a surge of joy inside. Having been away for so long, it was only upon returning to the Zhou residence that he realized how much he had missed this place, "I won’t disturb you from seeing off the guest."

Old Madam Song responded with a smile, "Very well."

Yao Yao remained silent and did not linger to look more, but still took a moment to remember Master Shi. She had heard of Shi Qing before but hadn’t taken much note. Seeing him again, she reflected carefully, then laughed a little. Master Shi had nothing to do with her; she had no need to think too much about it.

In the main courtyard, Zhulan greeted Shi Qing with joy, "You’re back."

Shi Qing’s lips curled upwards slightly, finding the Zhou residence comforting, "I made it to the capital before the heavy snow, intending to return after settling everything. But the snow sealed the city, and as soon as the roads were clear, I came over immediately."

Zhulan looked at Shi Qing’s confident demeanor and said with a smile, "Now that you’re an Old Graduate, congratulations."

Shi Qing’s eyes curved in a smile, "My achievements today are all thanks to the cultivation of adults."

Zhulan felt a swell of emotion in her heart, Shi Qing had changed a lot, and she didn’t know what kind of training he had undergone this past year, "I, this old woman, won’t hold you up any longer. Chang Lian and the others must have received the news by now; you haven’t seen each other for a long time and must have a lot to talk about. Go ahead."

Shi Qing stood up, "Then I shall take my leave first."

"Alright."

After Shi Qing left, Zhulan looked at the gifts in front of her on the table and casually opened them: a pair of jade carved ornaments. Zhulan signaled Liu Ya to put them away.

Inside the courtyard of the third residence, Chang Lian and Meng Jie were surrounding Shi Qing. Chang Lian said, "I won’t ask about anything else, I just want to know which place you ranked."

Shi Qing replied, "You know that with my background, I couldn’t rank in the top three, fifth place."

Meng Jie laughed, "Chang Lian, he’s a strong competitor of yours. You’ll have to work hard next year; don’t end up failing to enter the second class."

Chang Lian felt a pang in his heart; the pressure on him was indeed great. He might really fail to enter the second class, "This year’s competition was really fierce." freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Meng Jie sipped his tea, "You should be grateful that He Shu is not participating, that would be the real competition."

Chang Lian fell silent. He did not have the natural talent for studying like his younger brother. The achievements he had today had come from hard work. Compared to He Shu and the overly clever Shi Qing, he was rather dull, "You’ve missed another one. It’s lucky Chang Zhi didn’t participate."

Shi Qing had been away for quite some time, and being in a semi-closed state, besides the ceaseless news from his family in the capital, there wasn’t much word from Jinzhou Province, "Who is He Shu, someone impressive?"

Chang Lian hesitated for a moment, then said, "Ah, a very impressive person, Wu Ning’s fiancé. He withdrew because something happened."

Shi Qing smiled, "Then he’s somewhat a would-be son-in-law to Zhou Shuren."

Miss Wu was always raised in Zhou’s house, considered half a young lady of the Zhou family. At the same time, he couldn’t help but feel, whoever Zhou Shuren favored must be a person of good character.

Chang Lian looked at Shi Qing and chuckled softly to himself, "Yes, half a son-in-law."

In the capital, within the Empress’s bedchamber, ever since Zhang Jinghong saw the man who resembled the Emperor, he came down with a high fever that very night and languished in confusion for many days. The sickness had passed, but his heart remained cold. He did not believe the guess in his mind, so he needed to test it.

The Female Officer quickly came out, "The Empress is unwell. Would Prince Jinghong please retire."

Zhang Jinghong felt a chill in his heart; he had been too busy to remember how long it had been since he last saw the Empress. He’d rarely seen her before, but it was still possible to meet. Since their last encounter on New Year’s Eve, he had not seen the Empress at all. Was it already so obvious?

Full of schemes, he had neglected so many things. A cold sweat broke out on his back. In his nightmare, the Crown Prince’s look of disgust, the sternness in the Emperor’s eyes, surfaced again in his mind. He stood up in a panic, knocking over the tea set beside him.

The Female Officer was taken aback, "Prince Jinghong?"

Zhang Jinghong’s eyes reddened, "I want to see the Empress. Mother, it’s me, your fifth son. Please, see me."

Inside the inner hall, the Empress entertained her granddaughter with an embroidered ball and did not turn her head upon hearing the shouts. Her Female Officer swiftly retreated, "Prince Jinghong, do not create a disturbance."

Zhang Jinghong pushed past the Female Officer blocking his way, intending to proceed but stopped. The Empress’s personal Female Officer was skilled in martial arts, and he dared not act out in the Empress’s chamber. Deflated, he knelt on the ground, "Mother, I am your son!"