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

Chapter 1836: Chapter 1836: Read More, Do More Work

As the autumn harvest began, the newspaper was filled with news related to the autumn harvest, reporting on the yields of high-quality seeds from various regions.

The autumn harvest meant that Chang Xhong was getting married, and the Zhou Hou Residence had already begun preparing for the wedding. As the wedding day approached, the Hou Residence was bustling with joy.

Chang Xhong moved from his courtyard to the study in the front yard; the courtyard would be renovated and could only be lived in after the marriage.

Zhulan personally handled her younger son’s marriage affairs, and Lady Li assisted.

That evening, when Zhou Shuren returned home and saw his wife holding a list, he leaned in to see it was the banquet menu, "The menu is finalized?"

"It’s ready."

She sat up and said, "Yes, it’s finalized. Would you like to give some suggestions?"

Zhou Shuren was in no hurry to change out of his official attire and picked up the menu to look through it, "All the dishes have auspicious meanings."

"Yes, I hope Chang Xhong will have a lifetime of happiness."

She didn’t know if she could live to see Chang Xhong’s daughters, so all she could do was constantly offer her blessings to her youngest son.

Zhou Shuren put down the menu, "The menu is perfect, I have no suggestions."

As he spoke, he got up to change out of his official attire, and by the time Zhou Shuren came out, dinner had already been served.

Zhou Shuren sat down and asked, "Is there anything left undecided for Chang Xhong’s wedding?"

Zhulan handed the prepared soup over, "There are still some ceramics for the banquet that haven’t been settled."

Zhou Shuren asked, "All new ones?"

Zhulan nodded, "Yes, after the banquet, they will be sealed and saved for when Chang Xhong’s children get married."

"You’re thinking long-term."

Zhulan signaled for the maids in the room to leave. Once only the two of them were left, Zhulan said, "I don’t know how much longer I will live, and I want to prepare as much as I can for the children while I’m still healthy. Chang Xhong has a different significance for us, so I tend to think more about him."

Zhou Shuren was very concerned about Zhulan, whose health was not as good as his, and he held her hand, "I support whatever you want to do."

Zhulan continued, "I want to use Chang Xhong’s marriage as an opportunity to sort out the warehouse, distribute what should be given to the sons, and prepare for when they eventually separate."

Zhou Shuren, "Won’t it be too exhausting?"

He was aware of how many things were stored in their warehouse, and sorting through everything would be mentally exhausting.

Zhulan had her own ideas, "I should sort it out while I’m still healthy, so it’s convenient in the future."

Zhou Shuren didn’t want to discuss this topic anymore. He awkwardly changed the subject, "The Third Prince is getting engaged."

Zhulan followed Shuren’s cue and asked, "The Emperor told you?"

Zhou Shuren said, "Chang Xhong entered the palace today, and he saw the imperial edict granting the marriage."

Zhulan, "And then he told you?"

"Rest assured, Chang Xhong is aware of what can and cannot be said. The Third Prince and Ms. Jiao have had contact, so they know all they need to."

Zhulan suddenly said, "The Second Prince must be happy, the family status of the Third Prince’s bride is lower."

Zhou Shuren, "I don’t know if he’s happy, but the Second Prince must be jealous of the Third Prince."

"Hmm?"

"Along with the imperial edict, a residence was also granted to the Third Prince."

Zhulan had long heard Shuren mention the Duke Residence, "The Third Prince is doubly blessed."

Zhou Shuren nodded, "The Emperor had already decided but had not issued the decree yet. Now that the Third Prince is managing the garden construction well, it’s a perfect double blessing."

"It also serves as a warning to the Second Prince: do your job well, and you’ll be rewarded."

Zhou Shuren, "Speaking of which, the Third Prince has a great reputation in the Ministry of Works; the Minister of Works often praises the Third Prince for being diligent to me."

The contrast with the Second Prince is evident; even the Minister of Rites is worn out by him.

Zhulan said, "The Third Prince is not young anymore; now that he’s engaged, marriage isn’t far off."

"Hmm."

Time passed quickly; in the blink of an eye, it was the day before Chang Xhong’s wedding. The family gathered for a reunion dinner. The Zhou family, with the addition of a new member, enjoyed a joyous reunion dinner.

Chang Yi laughed and said, "Tomorrow, you’ll be part of the Chang family. Let me toast to you, brother; you can substitute wine with tea to avoid drinking too much and missing the auspicious hour tomorrow."

Chang Xhong’s ears turned red, "Second Brother."

Chang Yi laughed heartily, "Come, let me toast to you, brother."

Chang Xhong did not substitute tea for wine; he had a good tolerance, "Brother, please."

Zhou Shen did not toast; he gestured for his younger brother to eat more since he’d be too busy with the wedding banquet tomorrow to have a proper meal.

Chang Zhi spoke with heartfelt pain, "You’re lucky to be my biological brother. If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t even get three days of wedding leave, let alone five."

Chang Xhong ignored the Fourth Brother’s remark; now that the Hanlin Academy had published several books across the country, he thought he’d have some rest, but the Fourth Brother wouldn’t let him go!

Zhou Shuren glanced at Chang Zhi, and Chang Zhi closed his mouth.

The family had dinner until quite late, and when only Zhulan and her husband remained in the main courtyard, they lay down early to rise early for the next day. However, the excitement of their son’s wedding left them unable to sleep.

Zhou Shuren said, "It’s a good thing he’s a son."

Zhulan agreed, "Yes."

Chang Xhong held different significance; had he been a daughter, they wouldn’t have had the heart to marry her off!

The husband and wife talked about many things, not knowing how much time passed before they fell into a light sleep. Zhulan had an uneasy sleep filled with dreams. The dream was bizarre and confusing, like a time tunnel—she wanted to see the surroundings clearly, but they were distorted.

Zhulan wanted to grasp something, and later heard Shuren’s somewhat panicked voice, which made her open her eyes to find the candles lit in the room, "I think I had a nightmare."

Zhou Shuren was drenched with sweat; he couldn’t wake Zhulan no matter how much he called out, "You scared me to death."

Zhulan felt a bit thirsty, "I want some water."

Only then did Zhou Shuren let go of her and get up to pour water, handing Zhulan a cup. Then, he drank several glasses himself. The slightly cool water calmed his inner unrest, and only after confirming Zhulan didn’t want more did he ask, "What did you dream about?"

Zhulan had a slight headache, "I dreamt of many images, but when I tried to recall them, I couldn’t remember."

Zhou Shuren reached out to rub Zhulan’s forehead, "Is the discomfort gone?"

Zhulan’s frown relaxed, "Much better, it must be because I’m too nervous about my son’s wedding."

Zhou Shuren murmured in agreement. In a short while, he noticed his wife falling back asleep, but he was too afraid to sleep.

It wasn’t until dawn that Zhou Shuren dozed off and awoke to the sounds, seeing that Zhulan looked well, which eased his heart, "I’ll get up too."

Zhulan didn’t have any dreams in the second half of the night, "You should sleep a bit longer."

Zhou Shuren indeed needed rest, "Call me when breakfast is ready."

"Okay."

After an hour, Zhulan and Shuren had breakfast before changing into festive clothing.

Today was Chang Xhong’s joyful day, and he first came to the main courtyard to pay respects to his parents before attending the ceremonial hour to bring home his bride.

With the Marquis Zhou’s youngest son getting married today, many people lined the streets to watch the spectacle, and the guests at the Zhou Hou Residence were of high status.

Among the princes, besides the Fourth Prince, who came for Chang Xhong, today the Second and Third Princes also arrived.

Zhou Shen was in charge of entertaining the Second and Third Princes, the Second Prince giving the Third Prince the cold shoulder, while the Third Prince remained indifferent.

Zhou Shen, "..."

The Second Prince, mockingly sarcastic, queried, "Teach your elder brother how to win our father’s favor?"

The Third Prince said, "Do more reading, attend to your duties, stop jumping around so much, and try not to annoy everyone!"

Zhou Shen, "!!"

The Third Prince could really speak so candidly?