Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 648: Blocking the Way_1

Chang Lian carefully kept his parents’ words in mind—if there was trouble, don’t be curious, leave as quickly as possible. After the instructions, Chang Lian and Rongchuan got off the carriage, accompanied by a young servant and moving with caution and speed, they quickly walked back.

The carriages behind them were indeed not few, and halfway through, the last carriage had already turned around to leave.

This was an incident involving a Prince, and soldiers arrived swiftly.

"Zhou Shuren, where is the Zhou carriage?"

Chang Lian looked up and after a moment of silence, said, "Shen Yang, what a coincidence. As far as Zhou is aware, this direction seems not to lead to the inn where you are staying."

Shen Yang explained, "My young servant heard there was a decent tea house this way, so I came to have a look. Why are you in such a hurry to leave, Master Zhou? Why don’t we have some tea together?"

Chang Lian’s eyes glittered with amusement as he smiled, "No, thank you. My mother is waiting at home for us to have dinner. We are in a rush to return to the residence, so we’ll take our leave now."

Having said this, Chang Lian, not waiting for Shen Yang’s response, quickly walked away with Rongchuan.

Only after they had walked a distance did Rongchuan speak, "The young servant of this Master Shen is rather interesting."

Chang Lian replied, "Having met Master Shen many times, I’ve heard him mention his young servant more than once. A servant who can influence his master is indeed intriguing. Let’s go."

Rongchuan, who naturally disliked Master Shen, would not have spoken today if not for Shen Yang forcing the issue, "Hmm."

At the site where the carriages collided, the Second Prince arrived with his troops and, seeing the Fifth Prince with just a bruised head, chuckled, "Fifth Brother is indeed blessed with great fortune."

If Zhang Jinghong hadn’t changed his perspective, he would have definitely assumed after hearing this that the Second Prince was responsible, considering the Emperor had assigned him to follow the Second Prince. But having shifted his viewpoint, he saw something different. His transformation, the improved attitude of the Emperor towards him, he seemed to be in the way now. "Second Brother, now’s not the time for jests."

Zhang Jingyang, observing the Fifth Prince, could see the difference. The Fifth Prince had recognized his status, and Jingyang wondered if in the future he might impede his own path, "Enough, I’ll take it from here. You’ve been injured too, go back."

Zhang Jinghong knew in his heart that nothing significant would be uncovered. He climbed into the ready carriage and, once inside, pressed his forehead, feeling the pain. Only through pain could he clear his thoughts. At present, it seemed he was of no use to anyone anymore. The Prince status he had so hard won was just a piece of paper, now that everyone in the palace knew he was a fake. What could a fake do? In order to save himself, he had to align himself entirely with the Emperor.

That made him all the more an eyesore. Today, someone wanted him dead. Had it not been for the Emperor’s guard by his side, it wouldn’t have been just his forehead that got hurt. It was an attempt to clear him out of the way!

In the Zhou residence, Zhulan, who had slept for a while in the morning and couldn’t sleep at noon, waited to see Chang Lian and Rongchuan, "Where is your carriage?"

Look, both of them exhausted beyond words, sitting motionless in chairs.

Chang Lian took a moment to gather himself, "Mother, the Fifth Prince’s horse suddenly went mad, collided with another carriage, so Rongchuan and I walked back."

Zhulan already couldn’t help but think the worst—any incident involving anyone on this path could stretch her nerves tight, and she couldn’t help but glance at Rongchuan.

Rongchuan sensed it, "Auntie, you don’t need to worry about me. I’m alright."

Zhulan withdrew her gaze, her greatest concern being Rongchuan, "You must not have eaten on your way back, have a meal first, then go back for a good rest."

Chang Lian was indeed hungry; it had been a long time since he walked such a distance. After some time, he regained enough energy to say, "Mother, let’s go have our meal first. Please rest as well."

After the two boys had left, Zhulan could not help but pace around in circles. It was fortunate she came to the capital. If she had stayed in Jinzhou awaiting news, it would have been too delayed. She muttered, "The results should be released soon."

Song Pozi counted the days, "Just a few more days."

Zhulan’s stomach ached. She had a feeling that this Palace Examination would be quite eventful. She sincerely hoped she was wrong, but deep down she knew that some things were becoming increasingly clear, and this feeling of just waiting was truly awful.

At the residence of Master Yuan, Yuan’s second son discussed the guests from the morning with his elder brother, then suddenly slapped his forehead, "I was wondering who he reminded me of, he looks somewhat like Master Ning."

Young Master Yuan got a fright and said, "You’re making such a fuss, who do you think you’re like, Second Master Ning?"

Second Young Master Yuan chuckled, "It’s nothing."

There are many who bear a resemblance, some just by having a familiar face. If Second Master Ning had been in good health, he could have given it more thought, but with Second Master Ning being frail, and having only one legitimate wife, there was even less to consider.

In the street, the investigation by the Second Prince indeed turned up nothing significant, except that the identity of the merchant was interesting. The people of the Crown Prince were involved—this needed no investigation, reminiscent of when the Xu family from Jinzhou Province came to the capital, and the fifth son only injured his forehead. Nevertheless, the Xu family’s eldest son suffered a broken leg through an unprovoked misfortune.

The Second Prince realized that nothing more would be uncovered and was reluctant to stay longer, so he mounted his horse and left.

Shen Yang had already arrived at the teahouse and was sitting by the window. Hearing the young servant calling him, he turned his head, "Is there something the matter?"

The young servant smiled, "The tea snacks have arrived. Young Master, please try them."

The Second Prince’s horse just happened to pass by; by the time Shen Yang tasted the pastries and continued gazing out of the window, he could no longer see anything.

The next day, Zhulan felt somewhat relieved. Since the Prince’s incident revealed nothing, the atmosphere in the capital had grown more solemn, and the invitations had all ceased. At last, there was quiet.

Zhulan was actually thankful for the Fifth Prince’s misfortune, but she felt an impending storm brewing behind this calm.

Zhulan took out the letters her grandsons had written to her to alleviate her mood. Now even Ming Hui could write a word or two, although the characters were somewhat lacking in strokes, the little one’s effort was evident.

Zhulan missed Jinzhou Province, and Zhou Shuren.

At the Jinzhou Residence Government Office, Zhou Shuren’s news was always timely. It was exactly because of this timeliness that he felt somewhat depressed. Now he couldn’t even muster up enthusiasm for his work on the case.

Lord Wang asked, "My lord, what’s wrong with you lately?"

He certainly didn’t think Zhou Shuren was fretting over his performance. It was just the release of the examination results, Zhou Changlian wasn’t ill, and the lord had mentioned he had done well, so there shouldn’t be any surprises.

Zhou Shuren replied, "You wouldn’t understand, you just wouldn’t."

At a loss for words, Lord Wang had never seen Zhou Shuren so downcast, "My lord, you haven’t been yourself these days."

Zhou Shuren responded faintly, "You’ll understand in time."

He felt his heart had already grown very strong!

Lord Wang picked up the teacup, poured himself some tea, and after tasting it, spat it out with a "Pah!" There was way too much tea in it!

Zhou Shuren looked at the teapot, "I just made that tea myself, doesn’t it taste good?" ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

Lord Wang fell silent. So Zhou Shuren hadn’t yet taken a sip of the tea, and he had tested it for him?

"My lord, it’s good," he said.

Zhou Shuren pointed to himself, "Do I look like a fool to you?"

Lord Wang put down the teacup. Was he the foolish one then?

Time flew, and soon it was the day the examination results were announced. Zhou Changlian and Rongchuan were going to check the results together. Zhulan, anxious as she was, went along with them.