Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 658: Is There a Connection?_1

Rongchuan was even less likely to speak up during the palace examination; his head was always bowed low. Now, feeling the Crown Prince’s gaze, his heart tightened.

Crown Prince Yuguang observed his third uncle; this man was not one who made trouble for no reason. Today, he invited not only Zhou Changlian but also Zhang Rongchuan—it was becoming interesting. During the palace examination, the Emperor had paid unusual attention to this young man. As soon as the examination was over, the Emperor had summoned his third uncle to the palace under pretense of playing chess—who were they fooling!

He himself had not been idle yesterday; he had already thoroughly investigated everything he wanted to know. One was named Shen Yang, with an excessively pure family background. Zhang Rongchuan was even more intriguing: a child raised as a son-in-law by Zhou Shuren.

Ning Xu knew the Crown Prince didn’t come for no reason. Seeing the Crown Prince noticing Rongchuan, "Crown Prince, this servant will have the steward send them off."

The Crown Prince withdrew his gaze, "Hmm."

Having left the Ning Duke Residence, Changlian and Rongchuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, silently praising that the Crown Prince, tutored personally by the Emperor, made them so nervous they dared not even breathe too loudly.

Back in the carriage, Changlian opened the box Mr. Hou had given him and was astonished, "Is this an ancient book?"

Rongchuan also opened his own box, "Mine is a collection of calligraphy."

Changlian carefully turned the pages, shocked, "This, this is too precious."

Rongchuan meticulously put away the calligraphy, Marquis Ning must have investigated him thoroughly, even knowing his tastes too well. The feeling of being investigated was unpleasant, but his hand, resting on the box, could not let go. This was something anyone who loved calligraphy could not give up; he felt joy in his heart, silently telling himself, since it was given to him, he was not going to return it.

Changlian closed the box, feeling uneasy, "This ancient book is hard to come by even with Silver; if it were sold, it would fetch more than my entire fortune."

He had painstakingly saved up for several years, yet it was not even enough for the ancient book he now held. The thought was rather bitter.

Rongchuan put aside thoughts about the calligraphy, "For now, it seems that Mr. Hou has no malice towards me."

Changlian’s mouth twitched, he pointed at his own box, then at the one Rongchuan was holding, "If these are to be considered malice, I hope there’s a lot more of it coming my way."

Rongchuan burst out laughing, feeling much lighter at heart.

Changlian, holding the box, felt contemplative. It seemed Rongchuan’s lineage was quite exalted; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been given such grand gifts upon their first meeting. He then became anxious about his sister.

At the Ning Residence, the Crown Prince finished eating fruit and drinking tea, but his third uncle had not yet spoken up. If his uncle wouldn’t speak, he noted, the third uncle wouldn’t say anything, "Third Uncle, who is Zhang Rongchuan? The Emperor didn’t summon you to the palace just to play chess, did he? It must have been about Zhang Rongchuan, right? Rongchuan looks a bit like grandfather and the second uncle; he couldn’t have any connection with the Ning family, could he!"

Ning Xu was silent, seeing that the Crown Prince’s reaction was all about the Ning Residence, "Is that what the Crown Prince came to ask about today?"

The Crown Prince, "Ah, not really, I just thought to ask after seeing Zhang Rongchuan just now. Since Third Uncle hasn’t answered directly, does it mean my guess is correct?"

Ning Xu was uncertain how much the Crown Prince knew about the Emperor’s plans, but feared that without giving some information, the Crown Prince might undertake his own reckless investigation, "Indeed, it has to do with the Ning Residence. This servant will look into it thoroughly."

The Crown Prince was taken aback. His eldest uncle was one thing; he had been deceased for many years. Could it be his second uncle’s? Perhaps his third uncle? Or some other relative still connected with the Ning family?

At Zhou Residence, Zhulan saw the items sent from the Hou Residence and said calmly, "Keep them."

Changlian looked at his mother, feeling she knew something, yet unable to discern exactly what. This frustrated him; he thought himself quite clever, only to find that his mother was still his mother, always outdoing him.

After Changlian and the other left, Zhulan continued to embroider a sachet; this was for her son Chang Xhong. The weather outside had warmed, and Chang Xhong hardly stayed indoors anymore. His sachet had been ruined the day before, so Zhulan was making a new one for him.

Song Pozi couldn’t resist, "Mistress, aren’t you worried?"

Zhulan didn’t even lift her head, "Worry about what?"

Granny Song said, "Miss."

Zhulan lifted her head, "You’ve seen more than I have, and you’ve seen it too, the betrothal gifts they give right off the bat are so valuable. What use is my worry? Fortunately, the Zhou family has always been kind to Rongchuan. I hope this kindness, the feelings between Rongchuan and Xue Han, won’t face any twists and turns."

Despite saying this, Zhulan truly did not want her daughter to marry into the royal family. Affluent they may be, but the future she and Zhou Shuren had planned for Xue Han became an illusion. She and Zhou Shuren had no say over Xue Han’s future—what a mess.

Moreover, if the marriage arrangement fell through, it would be a hard blow for Xue Han, who grew up with Rongchuan. Everyone knew this, and it wouldn’t bode well for her future.

Now, both outcomes had their pros and cons. Current events were unfolding one after another, but for now, sending valuable gifts to Zhou Changlian indicated favorable attitudes towards the Zhou family. Maintaining the marriage agreement seemed more beneficial than harmful to Xue Han.

Granny Song fell silent. She simply pitied the young lady, a person of such cleverness and grace, hoping the young lady’s marriage would encounter no obstacles.

Zhou Changlian returned to the courtyard and shared his speculations with his wife, who continued playing with their daughter, "Wife, why aren’t you showing any reaction?"

Lady Dong tossed the ball of yarn to the other side of the bed. Seeing her daughter crawl after it, she finally responded, "This matter isn’t for us to worry about. Our parents are here, we just need to mind our own business. Instead of fretting, you might as well spend some time playing with our daughter."

Zhou Changlian watched Lady Dong, "Wife is right, these aren’t my concerns."

Seeing her daughter crawl back, Lady Dong said, "Yu Yi, give the ball to mom."

Zhou Changlian clapped his hands, "Daughter, give the ball to dad."

Lady Dong caught her daughter who flung herself towards her and kissed her affectionately, "Good girl."

Sitting to one side, Zhou Changlian remarked, "In recent days, my mind was so occupied with the palace exams that I’ve become distant with this girl."

"She’s just a child; spending more time with her will do."

Zhou Changlian embraced his wife and daughter, "Look, Yu Yi has grown up; we could consider having another child."

Lady Dong wanted another child too, but unfortunately it hadn’t happened, "Let’s leave it to fate."

At the Yao Residence, Lady Bai, holding a list, entered her daughter’s chamber, "Yao Yao, still reading?"

Yao Yao put down the book, "Mom, aren’t you accompanying my brother?"

Lady Bai, worn out, explained that her son had become suddenly weak. Although the Imperial Physician saw him and he seemed to improve, he relapsed and now could only stay in his room, "It’s about you, my dear. You’re not getting any younger. This is the list your father gave me. I’ve had it investigated and selected a few. Take a look."

If Yao Yao hadn’t received news from her brother, she would have just looked at the list. Now it seemed pointless, "Mom, I won’t look at it."

Lady Bai’s eyes reddened, "My heart aches for you and your brother. Your brother’s not recovering, and your father, already indifferent, has now completely given up. All I want is for you to be well."

Yao Yao picked up the list, "I’ll look."

She wanted to see what her father had chosen for her—since the arranged marriage didn’t work out, he had turned his attention to the candidates from this year’s imperial examinations. After looking over it, she scoffed coldly. He was really exploiting her remaining value, choosing suitors from influential families in the provinces.

With her tainted reputation, even if she really married and went far from the capital, whether she lived or died would be of no concern to anyone. In the end, it was just an arranged marriage. Her heart, already cold, was now chilled to the bone.