Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 669: Yao Yao’s Marriage Matters_1

Rongchuan looked at everyone’s dejected expressions with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes, "You should be used to it by now."

Chang Lian, "Yeah, you really should be used to it."

Lady Li stepped down from the staircase, "Third Sister-in-Law, you’ve changed so much since you’ve been back. Look at this poise; you’re really like an official’s wife now."

Lady Dong, pleased inwardly, said modestly, "Look at what Big Sister says, but how could I change not to be your sister-in-law?"

Lady Li, clueless though she was, knew that her third sister-in-law was different from her now. It had been different before too—initially as a Scholar’s wife and later as a Graduate’s wife—still, she was not of official status. Now the gap had grown even wider, "You must be exhausted from the journey, let’s go back inside the residence."

Lady Zhao wasn’t as carefree as the eldest sister but still said with a smile, "Third Sister-in-Law, you must be tired from the trip."

Lady Dong replied, "Indeed, I am a bit tired, I’ve been sitting for too long."

Chang Lian thought to himself with a smile, it’s his wife’s own doing, suffering for her vanity. Those clothes might look good, but they’re terribly uncomfortable for her to wear.

Zhou Eldest couldn’t care less about what the women were saying; he was particularly happy today and gave his third brother a punch, "Well done."

Chang Lian, holding his shoulder, "Big Brother, that’s quite a punch."

Zhou Second said to Rongchuan, "Rongchuan, you’re something else, Tanhua."

Rongchuan, feeling a bit shy, "Second Brother."

Zhou Eldest laughed heartily, "Let’s go, to the courtyard, we can talk more back there."

They were drawing a crowd on the main street.

Zhulan returned to the courtyard, "Hmm, this is the taste of home, finally back."

Zhou Shuren put down his chubby son, whom he had carried all the way back, almost exhausting himself. His arms were sore, and after taking a moment to recover, he said, "You must be tired from the carriage ride; let me massage your shoulders."

Zhulan took Zhou Shuren’s hand and sat down, "I’m not tired, let’s sit down and chat."

Zhou Shuren sat beside Zhulan, holding her hand and not wanting to let go. For the sake of their family, Zhulan had gone to the capital to oversee things, and they had been apart for a long time. He had missed her every single day, and now that she was back, he just wanted to sit like this, holding hands and looking at her.

Zhulan patted Zhou Shuren’s hand, "The child is watching!"

Chang Zhong covered his eyes, "I can’t see, I can’t see."

Zhulan, with a laugh, "You little rascal."

Unable to sit still, Chang Zhong said, "Mom, I’m going to find Ming Hui and play, I’m heading out."

Zhou Shuren watched the little guy dash off as soon as he finished speaking, muttering to himself, "He says he missed me, but this kid doesn’t seem to want to spend time with me."

Zhulan, with a smile, "That’s just how kids are. When I wasn’t home, did you eat properly? I don’t believe what you wrote in your letters."

Zhou Shuren gestured for Zhulan to pinch his face, "I’ve gotten fatter these days."

In the past few days, he had been lazy, eating more, lounging more. If he could lie down instead of sitting, that’s what he did, and he’d put on weight.

Zhulan noticed, sure enough, he had gained quite a bit, "You still feel like gaining weight, your heart is big. Look at me, I’ve lost weight."

Zhou Shuren choked, for it was Zhulan who had insisted he eat well, and now that he had put on weight, she was blaming him for being unconcerned, "Alright, alright, what you say makes sense."

Zhulan snorted with laughter, "I missed you."

Zhou Shuren didn’t feel his old face blush, given their mental age, they were still young, "I did too."

Xue Han, standing outside, couldn’t bring herself to step in—what had she just heard? My goodness, her parents were of such an age and still talked so frankly!

The nanny whispered, "Miss, let’s wait a while longer before we go in."

Xue Han nodded, "Mm."

Outside the government hall of the capital, Yao Wenqi puzzled over why the Emperor had not summoned him for so long. No, rather, the Emperor hardly ever summoned him, and whenever he did, there must be an issue; Yao Wenqi racked his brain: he had recently kept a low profile, quietly staying inside his residence.

Eunuch Liu came out, "Marquis Yao, the Emperor summons you."

Yao Wenqi pulled out a purse and handed it to Eunuch Liu while asking in a lower voice, "Does Eunuch know why I am being summoned?"

Eunuch Liu deftly pocketed the red envelope, "Good news."

Yao Wenqi felt a pang of dread, the Emperor’s ’good news’ generally meant bad news for him, and if it was bad news, it was serious. As these thoughts raced through his mind, he had already walked in, "Paying respects to the Emperor."

The Emperor took a moment before speaking, "Rise."

Yao Wenqi’s knees hurt; he had been kneeling for a little while now, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Emperor got straight to the point, "I heard you’ve been investigating the candidates for this year’s imperial exams. What, are you choosing a husband for your legitimate daughter?"

Yao Wenqi inwardly braced for trouble, not surprised that the Emperor knew him like the back of his hand. The Emperor had always kept a close eye on the Hou Residence, "Yes, my daughter is not young anymore. It was my foolishness that previously caused her reputation to suffer. After all, she is my daughter, and I too have a father’s love for her, so I can only plan for her."

The Emperor snorted coldly. If Yao Wenqi had a father’s love, then he would be a good father to his other children, "I’m aware of your ’father’s love’. I’m afraid you’ll be too fussy in your choice, so I specially found an ideal candidate for the second Miss Yao."

Yao Wenqi cursed inwardly, he had known from the beginning that the Emperor would be aware of his investigations. When no one stopped him, he thought the Emperor wouldn’t interfere. Now that he had made a choice, the Emperor was upsetting him again, "May I ask the Emperor, who do you fancy?"

The Emperor smiled, "This year’s Juren, second class, not too old, and still unmarried."

Yao Wenqi’s heart dropped, Juren of the second class, not too old. He bowed his head, "Your Majesty, please enlighten me, this year’s Juren are all quite young."

The Emperor’s gaze was deep, "This person is from the capital, named Shi Qing, a promising young man. I think he’s a good match for the second Miss Yao."

Yao Wenqi felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Shi Qing—he knew of him, a merchant’s son. His heart seemed ablaze. Yao Yao was a recalcitrant miss of the Hou Residence, how could she marry Shi Qing? More importantly, Shi Qing lacked connections, his background destined him to face challenges, and he would be of no help to the Hou Residence, "Your Majesty."

The Emperor cut him off, "I know you are overjoyed with this match, and I understand."

What could Yao Wenqi say? There was nothing he could say; he had to act pleased, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Emperor was in good spirits, "Shi Qing is not too young, and the second Miss Yao is also of age. Three months from now is an auspicious day. I think it’s a good date, what do you think?"

"A good day."

The Emperor was pleased, "Alright, you may leave now. Go back early to prepare the dowry. By the way, as the legitimate daughter of the Hou Residence is getting married, her dowry will certainly attract attention. You should know, who doesn’t know that the Hou Residence has silver."

Yao Wenqi knew this was a warning, and with his head lowered, "I shall take my leave, Your Majesty."

In Jinzhou Province, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren talked for a long time. Only in the evening did they join their children for dinner. Today, with Zhulan’s return, the whole family gathered for a reunion meal, also as a celebration for Rongchuan and Chang Lian.

Zhou Shuren sat in the place of honor, his gaze falling on Chang Lian, "Father has nothing much to say, your efforts have all been seen in my eyes. Today’s success is from the sweat of the past days. The road ahead is still long, and I hope you will continue to walk it step by step, steadily. Let us, father and son, drink to this. I’m happy for you."