Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1234: Some Regrets

The next day, Xue Han received an invitation from the Crown Princess Consort to visit the Crown Prince’s Mansion, and over the past few days, Xue Han had already made the rounds of several prince’s residences, becoming more and more accustomed to her identity as the Prince’s Consort.

The Crown Princess Consort had always been affable and conciliatory toward direct siblings, and now that it was definitely settled that the Crown Prince would succeed to the throne, the forces within the Crown Prince’s harem couldn’t help but start to draw people in.

As a direct sibling, Rongchuan’s future influence was naturally immense; it was not just about the title of Prince but also because the Ran family favored Rongchuan more. Now, Rongchuan had become someone new powers had to court.

Zhulan, her mother, had been basking in her daughter’s glow recently, with a constant stream of visitors bringing gifts to their home. Since Rongchuan had left the palace to reside directly in Zhou’s residence, those unable to meet Rongchuan and Xue Han paid visits under the pretext of calling on Zhulan, who received many gifts.

When Lady Qi arrived, Zhulan had just returned from the garden. It was Lady Qi’s first visit since Xue Han had left the palace.

Lady Qi’s feelings were complex. Her friendship with Mrs. Yang was not pure, mixed with too many interests. Although she could not rely on her maiden family, and her husband had retired, having a daughter as the Crown Prince’s side consort made her feel no less than Mrs. Yang.

Now Mrs. Yang had become the mother-in-law to a Prince, and her daughter a Prince’s Consort, which changed Mrs. Yang’s status once again.

Ever since the Crown Prince’s residence was unsealed, she had seen her daughter. The Ran family had expectations for the Crown Prince’s succession; it would be false to say otherwise. However, after seeing her daughter, the ambitions Lady Qi might have harbored were extinguished.

She was not the mother-in-law of the Crown Prince, and her daughter did not hold the Crown Prince’s heart. She felt somewhat uncomfortable around Mrs. Yang, which is why she kept postponing the visit until now.

Lady Qi said, "I know you’ve been very busy, and that’s why I’ve delayed until now to come and congratulate you."

Zhulan did not delve into Lady Qi’s thoughts, as there was no need. She also preferred not to let others influence her. Living comfortably on her own terms, why should she care about the changes in others? She smiled and said, "Thank you."

Thinking of her granddaughter, who was to marry into the Zhou family, Lady Qi’s smile finally became sincere. "My lord has always wanted to have tea with Master Zhou, but Master Zhou has been too busy."

After saying this, Lady Qi paused again. Master Zhou was going to be promoted, and Mrs. Yang was going to be a wife in the future. She could not help but reminisce about the first time she met Mrs. Yang, when she held high status, indeed how unpredictable the affairs of the world can be.

At the Academy, Mingyun put away two invitations and said to Liufeng, "Tomorrow is a day of rest; it’s been a long while since you visited our mansion. Will you come tomorrow?"

Liufeng naturally wanted to go. It had been almost half a year since he had been to the Zhou residence. If it weren’t for occasional news of Yushuang and daily interactions with Mingyun, he might have doubted whether the marriage would continue.

Now, hearing Mingyun’s invitation, Liufeng couldn’t hide his joy, "Of course I will come."

Mingyun smiled, "There have been too many things happening this half year; it’s not that I didn’t want to invite you."

Liufeng expressed understanding. Just hearing about the palace upheaval disturbed him, and he knew that the Zhou family wanted to protect him. He was too weak on his own, "I understand."

Mingyun nodded, feeling even more satisfied with this brother-in-law. Although not inviting him for nearly half a year wasn’t a test, it was indeed quite a challenge for Liufeng, who had remained calm and composed throughout, a rarity at his age.

Looking at the invitations, Liufeng asked, "Tomorrow is a day of rest, and you’re inviting me. Shouldn’t you also respond to the invitation?"

Mingyun shook her head, "Our family has never come down from the cusp of controversy. It’s better for me to keep a low profile during this time."

Liufeng, not privy to these high-level concerns, had been carefully guided by his uncle ever since his adoption, and he understood what he needed to.

At the Crown Prince’s Mansion, Xue Han sat to the lower seat of the Crown Princess Consort. Many people had come to visit the Crown Prince’s Mansion that day. Xue Han remembered her mother’s words: Rongchuan’s role was to support the Crown Prince and only the Crown Prince. He must not take part in the next generation’s struggle for imperial power.

Xue Han thought of her mother’s hinting that the Crown Prince was in the prime of his life and possessed a visage of longevity. No one knew what the future held, and her mother had said that she and Rongchuan would live their own lives in the future, and that it was better to think and do more.

Xue Han held a fan to her face, thinking about the longevity implied by her mother’s words, and now even the Crown Princess Consort couldn’t keep steady and had started to vie for position. If she were the Crown Prince, her heart would definitely not be pleased. The children were still so young, and yet everyone seemed to hope for the Crown Prince’s early demise!

The Crown Princess Consort clenched her palm, thinking that when the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he would choose more concubines and more Princes would be born. The Crown Princess Consort felt agitated.

The Crown Princess Consort looked at Xue Han and asked with a smile, "Today, I made the tea snacks you like and the kitchen also prepared the pastries that your younger brother loves. Take some with you when you leave to try them. Although they can’t compare with the creations of the Imperial Chef, they’re also quite tasteful."

Xue Han, adhering to the principle of gratefully accepting what was given, happily, said, "I thank Her Highness, the Crown Princess Consort, for her generosity."

The Crown Princess Consort pretended to be angry, "I am your legitimate sister-in-law, don’t always call me by my title; in the future, just call me ’sister-in-law.’"

Xue Han replied, "Thank you, sister-in-law."

The smile on the Crown Princess Consort’s face deepened. This was her advantage. She was the Crown Princess Consort, the legitimate wife and future Empress. Lady Dong and the rest might try to win over Xue Han, but they were at a disadvantage. Thinking of her two sons, the Crown Princess Consort’s irritation faded.

Xue Han felt the gaze upon her, her facial smile unchanged. In truth, what the Crown Princess Consort ought to be doing now was not to hold various banquets, but rather, to show more concern for the Crown Prince, to let him feel the care of his wife, rather than creating alliances that could actually drive a wedge between their affection for one another.

Xue Han thought power was truly terrifying. The Crown Princess Consort she beloved had also changed, all because of power.

In the Palace, the Emperor drafted laws pertaining to foreigners with his ministers. Now the Imperial court was powerful, and the laws carried a certain aggressiveness. All foreign nationals who committed crimes in the kingdom were to be judged according to the kingdom’s laws.

There was also a credit list. Once on the red list for disreputable credit, one was not allowed to land and interactions were refused.

Credit was divided into several stages, starting with a yellow list, which could improve, but only with a probationary period. It was no easy feat to improve during this period; it came with a cost.

Then there was the black list, wherein taxes would be raised, among other things.

Zhou Shuren felt that the regulations were already very detailed. He had not been involved in drafting them this time.

Zhou Shuren believed that the representatives of various countries visiting this time would certainly not be pleased. As for them getting angry and raising taxes, Zhou Shuren, stroking his beard, felt that the Navy was already quite capable. Controlling some trade routes would be feasible. In time, it would become clear who was more anxious.

In a blink of an eye, five days passed, and the daughters from the third branch of the family returned to the capital. Yu Yi had not changed much in appearance and had become calmer, devoid of the wildness of Yu Die.

Yu Jiao was still too young. Under Yu Yi’s care, she was also docile and quiet.

Zhao’s mother, supporting her belly, commented, "Compared to the others, Yu Die is more like a little boy."

Su Xuan added, "Xuzhou is in the south, unlike the northern women who are freer, most girls rarely leave home and stay in their chambers, so the two children are inevitably influenced."

Su Xuan did not say that their third sister-in-law, as Mr. Guan’s daughter, hoped even more for Yu Yi and her sister to be ladies of good family.

Zhulan, looking at her obedient and clever granddaughters, somewhat regretted letting Chang Lian and his wife take the children away. Fortunately, they had sent them back this time. "Are you tired, Yu Yi?"

Yu Yi, now remarkably mature for her age, shook her head, "Grandmother, I am not tired."

Zhulan patted Yu Yi’s hair. She remembered a letter from Lady Dong. Because of another pregnancy, Lady Dong could not devote enough attention to the sisters Yu Yi and Yu Die. This new pregnancy had a significant impact on Yu Yi.