Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 698 Away_1

The Emperor wanted to carefully examine the documents on the table, which couldn’t all be reviewed in a short time. Not only did he need to look at them, but so did the Crown Prince—their method of recording information was worth learning.

The Emperor put down the documents in his hand, "I need to review the records before discussing plans, you shall stay in the capital for some days."

This was just as Zhou Shuren had expected, "Your servant obeys."

The Emperor continued, "During these days, you shall come to the palace and teach the Crown Prince and me about these recording methods."

Zhou Shuren respectfully responded, "Your servant receives the order."

Zhou Shuren was not pleased to teach the Emperor and the Crown Prince, feeling quite frustrated. This time, he had truly entrapped himself.

The Emperor was very pleased—Zhou Shuren’s ability only made him happier, certain that he would be a reliable aide in the future. Because of Rongchuan’s sake, the Emperor’s heart held even greater approval of Zhou Shuren.

By noon, Zhulan hadn’t seen Zhou Shuren return, which meant he was still within the palace! fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Zhulan was not particularly happy, only feeling that Zhou Shuren’s situation was not easy. Although an audience with the Emperor was an honor, it also represented danger. "A courtier by the monarch’s side is like a tiger at his side" wasn’t just a saying. Who knew which careless word or misstep could spell disaster. The longer Zhou Shuren stayed in the palace, the more tense he became.

Lady Dong was very pleased and even mentioned it during the meal, to which Zhulan just smiled.

After the meal, Zhulan took the wedding invitation sent by the residence of Shi Qing, "The invitations are already being sent out—time flies. Shi Qing is getting married in just a few days."

Xue Han took the invitation, looking at the names—one was the Young Master Shi, a familiar person, the other was Yao Yao, a young lady she liked, "May the couple be blissfully united for a hundred years."

Zhulan smiled, "They will be, for they are both sensible and know how to live a good life together."

Xue Han said, "Mother, Father is in the capital, and so is Shi Qing at the Hanlin Academy. He must know the news. Why didn’t he come with them yesterday?"

Zhulan spoke somberly, "Your third brother and the others arrived in the capital early, and Shi Qing didn’t come to visit, did he? Yesterday, Rongchuan and Chang Lian did not mention it, but it is guessable that they did not interact at the Hanlin Academy."

Xue Han was a bit puzzled, "Mother, why is that?"

Zhulan could make some guesses, "First, in the Hanlin Academy, your third brother and Rongchuan, plus Shi Qing, their acquaintance could cause others to feel apprehensive. Having one less Shi Qing also draws less attention. Second, Shi Qing’s marriage alliance with the Hou Residence likely means he doesn’t want to involve our family, hence, he keeps his distance from us."

In fact, Shi Qing was a person of clear gratitude and grievances. He was grateful to the Zhou family in his heart, and because of this gratitude, he kept away from them.

Xue Han realized, "It seems, ever since Shi Qing became engaged to the second Miss Yao, he has stopped interacting with our family."

Zhulan hummed in agreement.

Xue Han holding the wedding invitation, "Mother, are we going to Shi Qing’s wedding?"

Zhulan looked at the invitation, "When Shi Qing gets married, your father and I will likely be in Jinzhou Province. Your third brother and Rongchuan attending will suffice."

Even though Shi Qing was distancing himself from the Zhou family, he still hoped to receive their sincere wishes on his wedding day.

In the Hanlin Academy, Chang Lian stepped out of the editing room. Walking back, he ran into Shi Qing, who had just come out. Chang Lian sighed inwardly. Yesterday, Shi Qing was like an invisible man, and he was not very talkative today. Already isolated because of his background, they had even discouraged him from interacting with others.

Chang Lian lowered his voice, "Must it be this way?"

Shi Qing’s eyes held a smile, "I am about to be drawn into a vortex; it’s better to keep a strategic distance from me. You just need to watch."

While others were on leave, he was reviewing records, taking on some discreet tasks. The more he was involved, the clearer it became that the Zhou family had not had an easy path, moving forward with careful planning; it was better for him to keep his distance.

Chang Lian heard footsteps and nodded at Shi Qing, passing by him. Shi Qing had his own path to walk, and Chang Lian could not help in any way; he could only ensure not to add to the chaos.

Shi Qing strolled leisurely along. In a few days, he would be married. Thinking of the tasks he had taken on and the Hou Residence, Shi Qing’s gaze darkened—future troubles would only increase.

Chang Lian returned to his room, and Mr. Lv approached him, "I saw you talking to Young Master Shi just now?"

Chang Lian realized that the footsteps he had heard earlier belonged to Mr. Lv, "Yes, he studied under my father for over a year."

This was no secret, even though Shi Qing was distant from him, those who needed to know still knew.

The disdain in Mr. Lv’s tone was unmistakable, "He married the legitimate daughter of the Yao Hou Residence, climbing to a higher branch, and has long forgotten the Zhou residence."

Chang Lian lowered his head and said nothing. This was the outcome Shi Qing wanted, and he felt a pang of sadness for Shi Qing, "Here’s the information you asked for."

Mr. Lv wanted to say more, but seeing that Zhou Chang Lian had no intention of continuing the conversation, he could only take the documents with a dry laugh and leave.

Chang Lian found it hard to focus on the documents, took a deep breath, and tried not to think about it anymore.

In the afternoon, Zhou Shuren returned home, where Zhulan was sitting in the yard watching their son and Shen Xing play soccer.

Zhulan got up and followed Zhou Shuren inside, "You must be tired, go change and rest for a while."

Zhou Shuren was indeed tired, mainly mentally drained. The Emperor, such a creature, especially enjoyed exhausting talented people; he had brought this on himself and could only blame himself. Add to that the Crown Prince—oh, how he was truly exhausted today.

Zhou Shuren had spoken a lot today and was somewhat reluctant to talk further. After grunting in response, he changed clothes, washed his face, and lay down, unwilling to move anymore.

Zhulan was very distressed, she reached out to massage Zhou Shuren, especially his back; in the palace, he couldn’t walk around and move his back, whether sitting or standing. After nearly a whole day, his back must be uncomfortable.

Zhou Shuren’s tense back gradually relaxed, "I will stay in the capital for a few days, but I will need to go to the palace often."

Zhulan fretted, "It would be better not to stay then."

Zhou Shuren looked on the bright side, "Tiring as it is, it’s also an opportunity. This trip to the capital has settled things, I just don’t know when I will be arranged to enter the capital."

Zhulan put more force into her hands, "Then when I go back, I will start packing, make sure everything is ready, to avoid a rush when we suddenly have to enter the capital."

Before she had finished speaking, Zhulan heard the sound of gentle snores. She turned to see that Zhou Shuren had fallen asleep, lying on his stomach.

Zhulan heard the door open and gestured for quiet, signaling her son not to make noise, then she had Nanny Song take the son outside. Zhulan massaged Zhou Shuren’s back and legs again, then carefully turned him over, covered him with the quilt, and carefully put on her shoes to step down.

Chang Zhong, seeing his mother come out, asked, "Mother, it’s still light out. Why has father already fallen asleep?"

Zhulan took her son’s hand, "Because father is tired, he needs to rest."

Chang Zhong tilted his head, "Mother, can I help father?"

Zhulan smiled, "Yes, you can, but you’ll have to wait until you’re grown up."

"Haven’t I already grown up now?"

"When you are as big as your third brother, that’s when you are truly grown up."

Chang Zhong blinked, "Mother, I will eat more tonight, father said that eating more will help me grow taller."

Zhulan couldn’t help but laugh, still so young, not understanding much. She stroked her son’s hair, which was growing quickly.

In the evening, when dinner was ready, Zhou Shuren finally woke up, "What time is it?"

"It’s time for dinner, if you don’t get up, I was about to wake you anyway."