Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 700 Ning Hui_1

Ning Hui had been a bit rushed earlier and hadn’t caught his breath properly, coughing several times. It took a while of smoothing his chest before he felt somewhat better, "I just saw big brother, it really was big brother, the exact same face, I couldn’t have mistaken it."

Ning Xu knew who he had seen. The matter about Rongchuan, he and the Empress never thought to inform the Ning family. The reason was simple: Their parents were elderly and not in the best of health, and the second brother was also unwell. They feared that Rongchuan’s appearance would be too much of a shock to them all.

Now it looked as though the second brother was indeed shocked, holding his chest like that. He hurried to pat his second brother’s back.

Ning Hui said, "I couldn’t possibly have mistaken him."

Ning Hui felt terrible inside. When he was younger, his big brother had been his target. As he grew older, his big brother became his idol. He also felt guilty; if big brother were alive, the Ning Residence would surely present a different scene, with an outstanding heir, unlike now. His eldest son was honest but too mediocre, and although his younger son was clever, he was physically weak.

Ning Xu understood that big brother was a specter in the hearts of the whole Ning family, "Second brother, don’t worry, I know who the person you saw is."

Ning Hui asked, "Who?"

Ning Xu pointed towards the carriage, "This isn’t the place to talk. You’re not in a state to go back to the Duke Residence now. Head back to my place first."

Ning Hui took a few breaths, "Alright."

Back at the Zhou Residence, when Chang Lian and Rongchuan returned, Chang Lian asked, "Mother, father hasn’t come back yet?"

Zhulan was also worried, "He hasn’t returned yet. He should be back soon, though. If he doesn’t return by mealtime, he might have stayed in the Palace."

Chang Lian thought to himself, father is truly remarkable to be held in such esteem by the Emperor. He clenched his fist — he needed to set his father as his goal. Not to surpass him, but merely keeping up with his pace would be sufficient, "Mother, I’ll go change my clothes first."

"Go ahead."

After saying this, Zhulan turned to see that Rongchuan and Xue Han had already left. Looking at the backs of the two children, the height difference was quite adorable. Speaking of which, Rongchuan was quite tall, and Xue Han was not short among girls, "They really are a perfect match."

Song Pozi was pleased in her heart, having watched the pair grow up, "Indeed, they are a match made in heaven."

Zhulan said to Song Pozi, "Have the kitchen prepare some wontons for the midnight snack."

She was worried that Zhou Shuren might have stayed in the Palace and wouldn’t have had enough to eat.

Song Pozi curtsied and turned to go to the kitchen.

During dinner, Zhou Shuren hadn’t returned, and Zhulan gestured that they need not wait to serve the meal. Watching Chang Lian and Rongchuan chatting and laughing, the two children seemed pleased that Zhou Shuren stayed in the Palace.

Inside the Palace, Zhou Shuren’s stomach had grown hungry, and then embarrassingly, his stomach growled, "Your servant has been impolite."

The Emperor put down the pen in his hand; these were the records he had been making. Although scribes could do the writing, he preferred to do it himself. He had written a lot. These were the results of the more he questioned, recording much from Zhou Shuren’s thoughts. The time had passed quite rapidly with their question-and-answer exchange.

The Emperor looked at the sky, "It’s gotten quite late."

Eunuch Liu quickly stepped forward, "The evening meal is prepared."

It had actually been ready for some time, but the Emperor had been asking questions so intently, and the Crown Prince had been listening so enraptured that he did not dare to interrupt. He could only keep waiting.

The Emperor smiled, "No wonder Shuren’s stomach is grumbling; I’m hungry too. Serve the meal."

Zhou Shuren was accustomed to this; the way the Emperor referred to him was indeed very intimate. He bowed, "Then, your servant will take his leave first."

Emperor, "Stay and eat with us."

Zhou Shuren, "...."

No, he did not want to. Seeing the Emperor’s eagerness, he feared he might not be able to leave the Palace later; and although the Palace’s meals were indeed delicious, he couldn’t possibly take the Emperor’s food. He’d end up not being full again.

The dinner was served, and Zhou Shuren followed and took his seat. In truth, the Emperor was quite casual during meals, and there really weren’t that many rules to follow.

The Crown Prince, while eating, absorbed the ideas he had heard. Some of Zhou Shuren’s ideas were exceptionally practical, straightforward, and could significantly improve work efficiency.

This was talent! In the future, having him in the capital would be like acquiring a strong general. He really hoped Zhou Shuren would arrive in the capital sooner rather than later.

In Jinzhou Province, at the Zhou Residence, after having dinner, Chang Zhi went to see his nephews, inquired whether there was anything they did not understand in their studies, and after answering their questions and confirming there was nothing else they wanted to ask, he returned to his yard.

Su Xuan was patting her son and daughter when she heard footsteps but did not raise her head, "Back already?"

Chang Zhi sat down beside her, "Yes, I’m back."

Su Xuan looked up, "Why are you frowning?"

Chang Zhi coughed, "Just now, Ming Teng said that tomorrow Mr. Ran’s grandson, that is, young Ran Xun from the third branch, is coming to stay at our residence for a night. I’m pondering over the arrangements."

Su Xuan laughed, "Have Ming Teng and Ran Xun made up again?"

Chang Zhi also wanted to laugh; those two boys had fought and broken off relations the next day, "Yes, they’ve made up."

Su Xuan said, "You don’t need to make special arrangements. Just tell the kitchen to prepare some extra dishes for the main house tomorrow, and that’s it. Ming Teng will take care of the rest!"

Chang Zhi nodded and decided not to worry further; yet, he still expressed some emotion, "It’s been only two days since father left, and I already feel tired. The Zhou Residence has so much to be concerned about."

Su Xuan was speechless, "You just worry about Mingyun and a few others; where else do you need to be involved? On the contrary, it’s me who, even while sitting in confinement, has to manage the household expenses and such."

Chang Zhi, not convinced, said, "Mingyun and the others are the next generation’s treasures, how could I not be anxious? When these children go to and from school, my heart is constantly in knots, always waiting at the residence’s gate. Tell me, when our parents were at home, I never worried, but now it’s my turn, and it feels like everyone is suspicious, as if someone might harm the children."

Su Xuan smiled, "Oh dear, I think it’s good that our parents went to the capital; you finally understand the difficulties our family faces. But look, you’re still seeing it superficially. The real crisis is still borne by father. My dear, you need to grow up quickly."

She was genuinely happy. The more mature Chang Zhi became, the more aware of crises he was, which was good both for the Zhou Residence and her own small family. There were only benefits.

She was a domineering Magistrate, but still hoped someone could protect and shelter her. She very much looked forward to the day her husband would grow up.

Chang Zhi anxiously said, "Now that father has gone to the capital, I have no idea how he’s doing."

Su Xuan was not worried about her father-in-law at all, nor about her mother-in-law, "Rest assured, your parents are fine. Let me tell you, the longer father stays in the capital, the clearer it becomes that our Zhou family will move to the capital."

Chang Zhi paused, then felt his wife’s words made sense. His feelings grew complex, "My wife sees it clearly. If you were a man, you would surely accomplish great things."

Su Xuan thought the same, if she had been a man, she would have restored glory to the Su family. Unfortunately, no matter how clever, it wasn’t easy for a woman; there were too many restrictions, "The way things are now is quite good."

She meant it. She had married the man she had chosen. Although her husband had his faults and possibly because of her upbringing, he did not have any concubines. With her father-in-law’s support above her, from the moment she married, her life had gone particularly smoothly.