Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 646 My Wife is the Magistrate_1

Once back at the residence, Chang Zhong was tired and Madame Song took him for his noon nap, while Zhulan, noticing Rongchuan had not gone to rest, asked, "Do you have something to say to me?"

Rongchuan said, "Aunt, today at the Ning Duke Residence, Marquis Ning kept staring at me."

Once he calmed down, he thought about it more and realized, during recall, that Marquis Ning’s gaze upon him was one of shock, which was then concealed, and he found it rather strange.

Zhulan was startled indeed, having arrived at the window a bit late, she hadn’t noticed anything, and Marquis Ning was a master at hiding his feelings, she hadn’t picked up on anything at all, "How did he look at you?"

Rongchuan recalled, "Shocked, surprised, it was very complex, he was lost in thought for quite a while."

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so startled.

Zhulan’s heart raced, looking at Rongchuan’s face, only his face could shock Marquis Ning, so Rongchuan must closely resemble someone whom Marquis Ning knew. Thinking about Rongchuan’s background, her throat went dry, "You’ve guessed it too, haven’t you?"

Rongchuan softly affirmed, involving his own matters, he thought even more, "Aunt, is this Marquis Ning the same person my third brother knew?"

Zhulan nodded, "Yes, it’s him."

Rongchuan felt there was nothing more to ask.

Yet Zhulan wanted to inquire, "What are your thoughts?"

This was about Rongchuan’s personal history, and the choice was all his.

Rongchuan’s mind was in turmoil. To say he wasn’t curious about his own background would be a lie, and even though he was inclined to let nature take its course, he wanted to know the truth of his heritage.

But he was also afraid. He feared his background was ignoble, feared being the illegitimate son of someone, feared being caught in disputes over interests, feared being unable to return to the Zhou family, and more than anything, feared that it might affect his marital ties with Xue Han.

Seeing Rongchuan’s expression, Zhulan thought, this child has it hard, "Since you haven’t made up your mind, then don’t think about it. Let’s just let things take their own course."

Rongchuan smiled, knowing Marquis Ning would definitely investigate. Nevermind. Just like Aunt said, he’d go with the flow. There was no avoiding it, so he had to steady his mind, "Alright."

After Rongchuan left, Zhulan decided to write to Zhou Shuren. This was a big deal. She might have consoled Rongchuan verbally, but her heart was increasingly uneasy. She felt the situation might be quite serious and hurried to write to Zhou Shuren for his insight. Suppressing the urge to speculate wildly, she quickly wrote a letter and dispatched it with a fast rider. Once the letter was on its way, Zhulan felt drained, as if a storm was approaching.

At the Ning Residence, Ning Xu held in his hands all the information he had gathered, and upon seeing Zhou Shuren’s name, he was dumbstruck. It was the first time in many years he had been so surprised. He certainly hadn’t expected to be connected to Zhou Shuren in any way. He had already investigated the Zhou residence, and now, viewing the information again, his perspective had changed. The previously overlooked Zhang Rongchuan was now a focus of attention.

Zhang Rongchuan, a graduate who was participating in this year’s examination, was only seventeen, raised as a boy by his maternal grandparents in the Zhou family for seven years, and betrothed to the Zhou family’s young daughter. Although he was a boy raised by his maternal grandparents, Zhou Shuren treated him like a son, providing for him just as well as for his third legitimate son, never showing any favoritism, and raising him with great care.

Ning Xu was moved, seeing the effort that had been put in. For Zhang Rongchuan to be a graduate at seventeen was quite an achievement. Zhou Shuren’s third son only became a graduate at the age of twenty this year. He recalled Zhang Rongchuan’s attire and bearing; he clearly looked like a well-cared-for young lord, showing none of the deference and submissiveness typically seen from someone dependent on others.

Ning Xu remembered Zhang Rongchuan’s appearance, that revelation. His memory had faded over time, but he still remembered the look of his eldest brother. Zhang Rongchuan bore a striking resemblance, sharing about eighty percent similarity. Among the children of the Ning family, the eldest brother looked the most like their father, the second brother slightly less so, while he and his sister resembled their mother instead.

The father rarely saw the second brother, and the second brother seldom appeared before the father, all because the eldest brother was the deepest sorrow of the family, the most outstanding son of the Ning Residence, the father’s pride on whom he had lavished all his affection.

Among the current generation of grandsons in the Ning Residence, none resembled their grandfather. Ning Xu pressed his brow, contemplating the need to investigate thoroughly. If it weren’t for the connection to Zhou Shuren, he would have suspected a conspiracy. But knowing how highly the Emperor regarded Zhou Shuren and after thorough investigation, the conspiracy theory fell apart, leaving only coincidence.

But even as a coincidence, the child bore too strong a resemblance to a Ning. He had to investigate carefully.

In the evening at the Zhou Residence in Jinzhou Province, Zhou Shuren read Zhulan’s letter word by word. He was taken aback at first, but then he understood the implicit meaning in Zhulan’s words. Zhulan emphasized Rongchuan’s age, mentioning seventeen years old twice in the letter. Zhou Shuren was speechless; Zhulan had written that she dared not guess older, but subconsciously, she had guessed—this age was too conspicuous.

Zhou Shuren closed his eyes and recalled carefully. Rongchuan really didn’t look like him, but considering Rongchuan’s age, the fact that he was born in the capital, and that he was saved by Zhang Datie by some twist of fate, it was hard for Zhou Shuren not to overthink it—his whole brain hurt. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

He was also thinking how he and Zhulan had been trying their best to avoid trouble, certain they would not fall into the pit. Yet ironically, if the guess was true, they had always been in the pit. Should he feel fortunate that he had entered the imperial examinations and climbed the ranks? Otherwise, being so weak, he would only be manipulated!

That day, Zhou Shuren did not want to go to the study. He threw himself onto his bed, just wanting to have a good sleep.

In the study, Chang Zhi and a few others had waited for a long time without seeing their father. Chang Zhi sent a young servant to ask, and the servant returned shortly, "The Family Head won’t be coming over today, you may all leave."

Chang Zhi couldn’t believe his ears had heard wrong, and asked, "Is there something wrong?"

The young servant bowed his head, "This servant is not sure."

This servant belonged to the study, so Chang Zhi signalled that he could leave. It must be that their father had some matters to attend to, it was rare for him to take a day off, Chang Zhi was planning to go back and spend time with his wife.

As Chang Zhi turned to leave, he took a couple of steps then looked back and realized his eldest and second brothers hadn’t moved. He quickly understood—the two of them wanted him to leave first. If their father changed his mind, being the first to leave, he would be the one to take the responsibility.

Chang Zhi stood still at the door, "Today, I have come to realize how much my brothers love reading. If I leave just like that, it seems somewhat unfair to them. Since that’s the case, I’ll leave behind an essay. Both of you just need to write it ten times, no more."

Zhou Eldest Brother, "...."

Zhou Second Brother, "...."

Ming Teng and the other kids shrank their necks, thinking to themselves how scary their Fourth Uncle could be.

Zhou Eldest Brother looked at the essay opened by Chang Zhi, and he almost couldn’t catch his breath—it was the longest essay taught in recent times, "Chang Zhi."

Chang Zhi interrupted his elder brother’s words, "Eldest Brother, no need to say anything, your younger brother understands it all."

Zhou Eldest Brother felt like cursing, "You."

Chang Zhi said somberly, "Eldest Brother, Father said that as elders, we must set an example for the younger generation. You had better think carefully before you speak."

Zhou Eldest Brother held back his words and gritted his teeth, "You’re ruthless."

Zhou Second Brother laughed in frustration, "Chang Zhi, you better not end up in your brother’s hands one of these days, you’d better think carefully."

Chang Zhi put the book down, maintaining his unchanged smile, "Second Brother, I won’t mention our Father. We all have the same father, there is nothing to compare. So, let’s talk about my wife, my wife is the Magistrate."

She has the capability, she has the silver, sorry Second Brother, ending up in your hands would be difficult.

Zhou Second Brother, "..."

Zhou Eldest Brother, "..."