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

Chapter 1828: Chapter 1828: A Calculated Scheme in Vain

After a few more days, Zhou Shuren, on his day off, was surprised to see Ning Xu bringing Xiaxia along. After paying respects, Xiaxia went to the main courtyard.

Zhou Shuren and Ning Xu chatted in the garden. The scenery of the Hou Residence was renowned in the capital; the Retired Emperor had spent a lot of Silver to build it, and Zhou Shuren indeed benefited from it.

Moreover, this house’s deed was given to the Zhou family, unlike some residences rewarded by the Emperor that must be returned if the title is lost.

The two arrived at the pavilion where the maid had already prepared tea and snacks.

Zhou Shuren said, "Xiaxia has been raised well by you; he hasn’t been ill since the beginning of the year."

Children are most vulnerable during spring and autumn, especially Xiaxia.

Ning Xu softened at the mention of his grandson, "The child has been obedient since young."

So obedient that it’s heart-wrenching; he hadn’t learned to drink milk but had to take medicine. When he was young and cried, his cries were like a kitten’s. Understanding, he would take bitter medicine obediently, even comforting him when seeing his distress.

Zhou Shuren also felt for his grandson, "So, what brings you here today?"

Ning Xu, seeing the servants standing far away, opened up, "Someone approached me, hoping I’d advise the Emperor more."

Zhou Shuren quickly grasped the meaning, "Advising the Emperor to establish an Empress?"

Ning Xu nodded, "They say the Emperor is in his prime, etc., listing many reasons that I’m too lazy to go on about."

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, "For years, no births in the harem doesn’t indicate enough?"

There was sarcasm in Ning Xu’s eyes, "The Emperor needs to observe mourning."

Zhou Shuren scoffed, "In the past, births didn’t occur even without mourning."

Does the Emperor have health issues? Obviously not. Is the Emperor old? Also no. The Emperor is in his prime without children being born, isn’t it just because the Emperor doesn’t want to have them!

Ning Xu looked at the lake, "The Emperor has already expressed he doesn’t want to establish an Empress."

He didn’t know the depth of the Emperor’s feelings for the Empress, but he knew as long as there was a Crown Prince, the Emperor wouldn’t establish an Empress. The Emperor’s heir was the eldest legitimate son, and so was the Crown Prince; even if the Crown Prince met an accident, there was still the legitimate fourth Prince. The Emperor wouldn’t allow anyone to threaten the Crown Prince he raised.

Zhou Shuren said, "It must be hard for you."

Ning Xu said, "I am, after all, the Emperor’s maternal uncle, so I want to take Xiaxia to the estate to recuperate."

"When will you return?"

Ning Xu smiled, "After the anniversary of the Empress’s passing."

Zhou Shuren laughed; that’s waiting for the Emperor to clear things up before returning.

Ning Xu seemed in good spirits, "The Ning family has already gained what they most desired."

Zhou Shuren thought that Xiaxia was the guarantee of the Ning clan’s legacy. The Ning family was lucky; if they hadn’t found Rongchuan, they wouldn’t be as composed today.

Zhou Shuren, concerned, asked, "I heard from my younger daughter that you weren’t feeling well a few days ago."

Ning Xu, who dreaded death most, was a bit embarrassed, "I caught a cold."

Feeling unwell, he had invited the Imperial Physician, as he wished to live a few more years, longing to see Xiaxia marry and raise children.

Zhou Shuren said, "Shall we head to the study?"

"No need, I’m fine now. The weather is nice today; enjoying some sun will do me good. By the way, I heard you held the Grandson?"

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, "Quite a few gossipy people around."

Ning Xu, having heard the news, even specifically asked Rongchuan, "The Emperor and the Crown Prince really trust you."

He had met the Grandson himself and wasn’t even allowed to touch him by the Emperor, yet he heard Zhou Shuren was quite familiar with the Grandson!

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, I am the Grandson’s mentor; if he isn’t familiar with me, then who?

Ning Xu joked, "If you live long enough, you might see three reigns, adding significant assurance to this Hou Residence of yours."

Zhou Shuren thought even if there’s no third reign, being the Grandson’s mentor is enough for me.

Ning Xu left, and Zhou Shuren returned to the main courtyard, "Lying down is still the most comfortable."

Zhulan asked, "What did you two talk about for so long?"

"Quite a bit, though it wasn’t anything major."

After recounting the conversation, Zhulan said, "It’s just unclear whether someone in the harem wants to rise or whether it’s some outside family’s scheme."

It’s understood that the Emperor values legitimate heirs and wants to plot against the legitimate Prince, with these intentions based on the Emperor being in his prime.

Zhou Shuren rocked in his chair, having sent the maids in the room away, and whispered, "Futile scheming."

Zhulan also laughed, "Indeed, right, I have something to tell you too."

"What is it?"

"Just something you mentioned earlier that reminded me; someone is already targeting the Imperial Grandson."

Zhou Shuren wasn’t surprised, "Seeing that the Crown Prince hasn’t made any major mistakes and is set to inherit, they believe in the succession of legitimate sons, and since the current Crown Princess Consort can’t be ousted, they plot the Imperial Grandson’s future wife."

Zhulan said quietly, "In the future, the position of Crown Princess Consort will be even more fiercely contested."

Zhou Shuren couldn’t care less, "In any case, our Zhou family won’t get involved."

Zhulan raised an eyebrow, "You can’t avoid it."

When they speak honestly, not many believe it!

Zhou Shuren, "..."

Time flew by. Zhou Laoda and others returned to the capital, with two days left before Gu Sheng’s proposal. Chang Xhong had a good relationship with several nieces, but the closest was Yu Wen.

Chang Xhong said, "Luckily, made it in time."

Zhulan smiled, "I know you’re close."

Chang Xhong was somewhat sad, "At home, only Yu Jiao hasn’t been betrothed yet."

Zhulan, "She’s still young!"

Chang Xhong heard the hesitation in his mother’s voice, "Someone inquired about Yu Jiao?"

Zhulan nodded, "Indeed, it’s hard for our family to keep a low profile now, with only Yu Jiao left to be snapped up by quite a few."

Chang Xhong, "Any good families?"

Zhulan said, "There are indeed a few decent ones, but Yu Jiao is too young, and your third brother thinks there’s no rush to betroth her."

"Third brother’s feeling down; he couldn’t make it back for Yu Yi’s wedding."

Zhulan sighed, "That can’t be helped; according to the Emperor, your third brother has to wait some years to return."

Chang Xhong missed his third brother, "Ah, transportation is inconvenient; father and mother haven’t seen Third Brother in years."

Zhulan fell silent, "Alright, time is not early. Didn’t you make plans with Xingyi?"

Chang Xhong was helpless, "Mother, I clearly still have vacation, but when I returned, Fourth Brother only gave me one day off."

"Those capable will have more work."

Chang Xhong regretted it deeply; he wouldn’t have agreed with Ming Hui and the others if he had known.

Coincidentally, when he met with his fiancée to pick someone up at the Wei family, halfway there, he saw Wu Shangheng’s carriage, "Why are you on this side?"

Wu Shangheng made way, and Gu Sheng explained, "I want to look at a house."

Chang Xhong was surprised, "You really surprised me; you have so much Silver at hand?"

Not to mention that real estate in this area is hard to buy, but the price is also not cheap. Back when the Wei family bought their house, it cost nearly twenty thousand taels.

Gu Sheng was a bit embarrassed, "Thanks to your blessings."

Chang Xhong realized, "You bet on me too?"

Gu Sheng nodded, "Yes."

He deeply regretted betting too little!

Chang Xhong then looked at Wu Shangheng, who made a neat profit of over a hundred thousand taels, and hadn’t stopped buying good things for the eldest princess since getting rich. Wu Shangheng smiled, "Are you picking up your fiancée?"

Chang Xhong hummed in agreement, "I’ll go ahead."

Wu Shangheng, as they walked away, said, "In the future, this one will be your uncle-in-law. You’re about to propose; are you nervous?"