Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1276: Knocking

Empress’s sleeping quarters, the Empress is in a good mood, and does not feel sour-hearted at the concubines coming to pay their respects. She has completely let go, knowing the harem will only have more women in the future, not fewer. No matter how many there are, she is the true master as the Empress, and with two legitimate sons, she only needs to manage the harem well.

Today, the Empress invited the Yang family, truly just wishing to meet Miss Zhou’s family as the Empress, to grant some rewards and express her goodwill.

The Empress held the hand of a girl, feeling emotional inside, thankful that the Zhou family’s girls did not take after Mr. Zhou, "These two girls are pretty, madam, you are blessed."

Zhulan also feels the same, "Madam is grateful for Her Majesty’s compliments on behalf of her granddaughters."

When the Empress was the Crown Princess Consort, she never paid attention to little girls. Becoming the Empress, she took notice to more matters, and recently saw many daughters of noble families yet to be married. Among them were those that caught her eye and those she took a fancy to. Although the two granddaughters from the Zhou family have different temperaments, their composed nature especially pleases.

The Empress motioned the Female Officer to present the rewards, "These two pairs of hairpins are quite suitable for the girls, take them."

Yushuang and Yu Lu are still nervous, especially when being held by the Empress, but with their grandmother here, they managed not to make any mistakes, paying their respects and expressing thanks properly, then stepping aside.

The Empress took a particular liking to the well-behaved girls, enviously saying: "This palace also wishes to have a daughter!"

Zhulan responded, "Children are a matter of fate. Her Majesty loves ’little cotton-padded jackets,’ they will feel that love."

She doesn’t dare to say that her wish will certainly come true, as if fail to conceive, everything said would be wrong, so she speaks only in vague terms.

The Empress did not mind Yang’s ambiguity; she knows her own condition, she has hurt her body, thinking that recently, the Emperor’s visits to the harem have been few. She understands her husband, an ambitious husband, the harem won’t trap him, so she is at ease.

The Empress reflects on the princesses married off in alliances, truly rare beauties, yet what happened? An ambitious emperor keeps only the state in his heart, neglecting the beauties, instead often spending the night in the Main Palace.

After half an hour, Zhulan leaves with her granddaughters. Today the Empress was unusually approachable, discussing only ordinary household matters, without even mentioning the young Crown Prince!

Zhulan was somewhat uneasy when she came, but as she leaves, she has a clear understanding, the royal family hasn’t changed its mind.

Leaving the palace mid-way, they encountered the female officer of Consort Liu. They had to accept the reward and after thanking her with granddaughters in tow, they quickly departed.

Once out of the palace, in their own carriage, Yushuang opened Consort Liu’s box, "Grandmother, look, it’s two pairs of bracelets."

Zhulan took the bracelets and then picked up the hairpins given by the Empress, "These rewards are even more valuable than the ones from Her Majesty."

Yu Lu worriedly asked, "Is there any problem with us accepting these gifts?"

Zhulan placed the items back into the box, "Consort Liu’s rewards are inside the box, which we did not see, so do not worry, everything is fine."

Whether Consort Liu did this deliberately or unintentionally, the impact on them is not significant.

Zhulan holding onto the hairpins from the Empress, "This is important. As the mother of the nation, the Empress’s gifts have a different significance. You will bring them into your marriages, enhancing your honor, and they might serve a wonderful purpose at crucial moments. You must keep them safe."

Zhulan signaled her granddaughters to secure the gifts, and Yushuang and Yu Lu, two soon-to-be adult ladies, already understood everything.

Zhulan was thinking of her eldest grandson and grandson-in-law, "Now that all three exams have concluded, I wonder how Mingyun and Jiang Zhu fared in the last one?"

Speaking of which, her eldest grandson has really made her proud, having achieved first place twice already, and just one more win would make him Xiao Sanyuan.

Truthfully, when her eldest grandson went to sit the exams, both she and Zhou Shuren were prepared for the possibility of him being in second place, but never expected the eldest grandson to be so outstanding.

Yushuang’s lips curled up, "Dad and Mom are just waiting for big brother’s letter now. As a sister who admires her brother, Yushuang has great confidence, "Big brother must be the case leader."

Yushuang also nodded, "Yeah, big brother is the best."

Ever since big brother’s results came back, Dad’s been mentioning big brother every day, saying that the Zhou family is just missing a Top scorer.

Never mind, Jiang Zhu was ignored by the two sisters. Jiang Zhu’s performance wasn’t bad either, one third place, one second, there’s no helping it, who let the first place be the even more remarkable cousin.

At the Hanlin Academy, Ming Shan finally made her way to Uncle Changzhi’s side, "Uncle, let me make tea for you."

Chang Zhi dodged with the teapot in hand, "If you’re here to ask about the Crown Prince’s mentor, I don’t know anything."

He truly didn’t know, and people were still clinging to him, Dad had never shared a thing, and he had been annoyed by questions for the past half an hour.

Ming Shan’s heart cooled instantly.

Seeing no one around, Chang Zhi continued: "I think what you should be doing now is to work diligently on your duties, aiming for a good placement in the three-year assessment, instead of prying into things far out of your reach. It’s better to not set your aims too high and focus on what’s in front of you instead."

Ming Shan’s face turned even paler, "Uncle, I’m not, I..."

Chang Zhi simply couldn’t be bothered with Ming Shan, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t see through people’s hearts, and if necessary, he would administer a stern correction, "The younger generation from our clan is also growing up. I heard that this year a few more will become Scholars. How nice."

This time, Ming Shan’s face turned completely pale; he was not the only one. The younger generation in the clan were coming up, and he was naturally aware of this year’s child proctor exam, among which there were a few younger than him, more promising, and having deeper relationships with Mr. Zhou.

These recent days he had been flattered into complacency; now he was plummetingly brought back to the ground.

Chang Zhi was disappointed inside; as long as Ming Shan didn’t appear before him, he felt the clan’s younger generation was alright, but alas, he was still disappointed.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren looked at the young Crown Prince’s essay, "This is?"

The young Crown Prince grew up more handsome than the Emperor. This observation came after recent scrutiny by Zhou Shuren, a child who looks good, also adoringly gazes at you, and also happens to be the current Crown Prince. Um, Zhou Shuren was duped just like that, and then carelessly taught him a bit more.

The young Crown Prince held up his essay, "Yesterday, I debated with Father Emperor for a bit, and he asked me to write down my thoughts. I’ve finished writing, so I’d like Mr. Zhou to take a look."

Zhou Shuren wanted to say he was busy, but his gaze fell on the desk. Alright, the efficiency of the Ministry of Revenue had improved, and he had been busy with all he should be recently. The minor matters wouldn’t reach him; at the moment, he indeed wasn’t busy. Sensing the sight of the Retired Emperor, he inwardly clicked his tongue twice. What else could he do but take it over?

The young Crown Prince blinked his eyes; Grandfather was right, it’s wise to make reasonable use of his advantages. Previously, in hopes of appearing authoritative, he deliberately put on a stern face. Now, he thinks differently; being young is also an advantage.

Why did the Retired Emperor bring the young Crown Prince along? Before, he had no time to teach his grandson, nor did the Emperor; now the Emperor personally instructed his grandson, and the eldest grandson had become the Crown Prince, striving to be perfect in everything, to be a Crown Prince like the Emperor.

The child felt great pressure and had to keep pace with the Emperor all the time. This was too tiring, setting his requirements for perfection also limited himself.

So, when the Retired Emperor realized how much the young Crown Prince paid attention to Zhou Shuren, he talked to the Emperor, and subsequently, it was only natural to bring the young Crown Prince out of the palace.

Sure enough, his judgment was correct. Zhou Shuren’s unconventional approach was slowly breaking the limits of the young Crown Prince. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Zhou Shuren, "..."

Retired Emperor, please withdraw your gaze, he’s feeling anxious!