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

Chapter 1846: Chapter 1842: Just as I Predicted, Shall We Get the Marriage Certificate? (Part 3)

After speaking, he looked at his youngest son again. It was good that the youngest started high, but it was also a burden. Rising to the fourth rank in ten years, "I know you are smart, but you are the one I worry about the most."

Chang Xhong sniffed, "Father, I will not disappoint you."

Zhou Shuren took out the final book, "This is for you. Read it often in the future."

Chang Xhong took it with both hands, "Yes."

Zhou Shuren then looked at his grandsons. Unfortunately, his eldest grandson was serving as an official elsewhere. The Hou Residence was already full of glory. Zhou Shuren stood up and said, "I hope you all stay true to yourselves. If anyone breaks family rules, they will be expelled from the clan."

"We will remember your teachings."

Zhou Shuren sat down again, thinking that it was good for him to pass now, as it would cool down the Hou Residence’s fame and avoid disputes with the Crown Princess Consort.

Zhou Shuren looked at his two sons-in-law, "I, this old father, can no longer protect my daughters. If you don’t treat them well, I will come for you."

Rongchuan and Jiang Sheng couldn’t bear to see their wives suffer. The two were already in tears.

Zhulan, not as spirited as Shuren, had softly given instructions to her daughters-in-law and daughters earlier.

Zhulan looked at Lu Jia Qing and Lin Xi. Who would have thought they would become a couple? Then she looked at Yu Jiao and Dong Liao. Initially, Yu Jiao found Dong Liao overbearing, but fate had its plans.

It’s a pity she couldn’t see her oldest grandson and a few others. Looking at the chubby Ming Jung, then at Ming Ling and Ming Feng, Zhulan’s lips curled upward, but she suddenly lost her vitality and quietly closed her eyes.

Lady Li was the first to notice and cried out, "Mother, oh mother."

Zhou Shuren abruptly turned, trembling as he reached out. Zhulan had no breath left. Zhou Shuren’s eyes widened and then he collapsed too.

Chaos erupted, and the eldest Zhou, losing control, slapped himself several times to steady his hand, then reached over crying, "Father, oh father!"

However, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren, in spirit form, met each other’s eyes. Zhulan smiled, "After all these years, you’re really young!"

Zhou Shuren also grinned, "It seems I’ve returned to my true appearance. How is it? Is your husband handsome?"

Zhulan’s lips curled, "And me?"

"Beautiful."

"You’re handsome too."

Then both of them fell silent, bewildered. Were they supposed to go to the underworld now that they were spirits? But nothing happened, nor did they vanish.

Zhou Shuren reached out to hold his wife’s hand tightly, both watching the chaos inside. The whole Hou Residence was filled with cries, with the eldest Zhou and others wailing loudly.

In her soul form, Zhulan couldn’t weep, but she silently watched, filled with reluctance to leave her children.

Zhou Shuren wasn’t much better off either, feeling the years of emotion.

Eventually, the eldest Zhou stepped up, personally dressing his father, while Lady Li, along with her sisters-in-law, dressed their mother.

Everything had been prepared long ago, and the gravesite had long been built.

The Crown Prince received the news, and both the Retired Emperor and the Crown Prince came to the Hou Residence. The Crown Prince was deeply moved by Zhou Shuren and had teary eyes upon seeing the body.

The Retired Emperor took a deep breath and called for the Princely Heir to ask how Marquis Zhou had suddenly passed.

Chang Li sniffed, "Today, Father and Mother were preparing to divide the family, and during this time gave their final instructions. It felt like they knew they were leaving."

The Retired Emperor saw a few books in the Crown Prince’s arms. He heard they were the last books Zhou Shuren left him.

Zhou Shuren and Zhulan watched their funeral with their own eyes. Zhou Shuren murmured, "I have done many good deeds. Why is there no heavenly anomaly at my passing?"

Zhulan was speechless, "You’re overthinking it."

Their funeral was grand, even without the populace sending them off like the Retired Emperor, and yet people cried for them—especially women mourning Zhulan, as women’s status had risen significantly over the decade.

Initially, both Zhou Shuren and Zhulan were to be buried in Zhou family village, where their graves were ready. However, the Royal family made an unexpected move, secretly building a tomb for Zhou Shuren, remarkably near the Retired Emperor’s Imperial Mausoleum!

Zhou Shuren, "..."

Zhulan, "..."

It was indeed a surprise; they hadn’t heard any word about it.

The Crown Prince was dumbfounded. The Retired Emperor had not even informed the Emperor, let alone his grandson.

Lastly, amidst the eldest Zhou’s confusion, the Zhou family village tombs remained vacant. The burial items their parents prepared couldn’t be returned; new ones had to be prepared.

Zhou Shuren and Zhulan didn’t miss out on seeing any of their grandchildren.

Now the funeral was over, yet they hadn’t left. Zhou Shuren said, "We won’t be lingering here forever, will we?"

Zhulan, "Probably not!"

Days passed, and they were still there. They frequently visited the Palace, overhearing conversations between the Retired Emperor and the Emperor about them. It was then Zhou Shuren learned the Retired Emperor had dreamt of them.

They followed their sons and grandsons back to their old home. Chang Yi and others, while on Ding You, returned to the countryside, staying away from officialdom. The sons who held positions became more composed and often visited their unmarked graves to share their inner thoughts.

Finding it boring, they returned to the capital, even tagging along with the Retired Emperor on his unpublicized visits to the common people. The Retired Emperor seemed reluctant to stay in the Palace, finding civilian life quite thrilling.

Zhulan and Shuren regretted not fully seeing the Zhang Chao realm, and followed the Retired Emperor to many places.

On the first anniversary, they still hadn’t left, and adapted to following the Retired Emperor.

As the third anniversary approached, they had explored the entire nation, no, it should be said the world. Who would have thought the Retired Emperor dared to venture on a seafaring voyage!

They even met Jiang Ping and Jiang An with the Retired Emperor; both were doing well.

At the third anniversary, they began to feel it. They knew how the Emperor had arranged everything for their sons, leaving them without worries, awaiting the third anniversary.

Indeed, on the night of the third anniversary, they saw specks of light, seemed to see many people bowing to thank them, even Zhang Yu, the founding Emperor of Zhou Dynasty, who was always Zhou Shuren’s inner Retired Emperor.

Zhang Yu didn’t speak, just smiled and pointed, gathering all the light points together. Zhou Shuren and Zhulan were enveloped by the lights, closed their eyes to hear a thank you, then lost consciousness.

When consciousness returned, Zhulan suddenly sat up. The room was too familiar; it was her home. She felt her head—no injuries. When she checked her phone, her eyes widened; she had returned to two days before the event. Realizing something, she quickly jumped out of bed, and before reaching the door, heard the doorbell ring.

Zhulan’s heart pounded, and she yanked open the door to be hugged tightly. A trembling voice said, "We, we came back."

Zhou Shuren, "Yes, we’re back."

He held his wife tightly, finally feeling it was real. They had returned!

Tears poured down Zhulan’s face like a flood, "I apparently have no regrets, but why does my heart feel so empty? I miss the children."

Zhou Shuren’s eyes were also red, "From now on I’ll be with you. We will always be together."

Zhulan didn’t know how long she cried. Her eyes almost couldn’t open, and her voice was nasal, "I’m much better now."

Zhou Shuren had taken the opportunity to return home, pulling out the household register and ID card, "I just went back to fetch this. I calculated that today is suitable for getting a marriage certificate. What do you think?"

Zhulan, "..."

She disagreed. It wasn’t going to be that easy to get a marriage certificate!