Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent! Chapter 1530: Blocking the Way

Zhulan listened to Lady Li’s explanation, realizing it was Ran Wan who noticed the matter first. Lady Li had kept it in mind after hearing, indicating that as a mother-in-law, she was genuinely considerate of her daughter-in-law.

Lady Li said, "Mother, I was a bit worried about Lau Jia. Now it’s resolved, and I don’t need to think about it anymore."

"Hmm, keep this matter under wraps for now. Wait until it’s confird before telling the old man."

The old man had been waiting for this child for quite so ti. Though he understood Ming Teng was busy, he would still bring up the matter of children with Zhou Shuren. If Ming Teng weren’t from the Zhou family, the old man might have considered taking a concubine for Ming Teng. Fortunately, Zhou Shuren managed to extinguish that idea before it materialized.

In Zhangzhou Province, Lau Jia dared not follow along, regretting that she couldn’t teach the village girls to read and write.

Yushuang consoled, "Your priority now is to take care of your health; don’t overthink."

Lau Jia gently touched her lower abdon, smiling often these days. Although confirmation would still take so ti, she was certain of her condition. "Hmm."

Yushuang was about to give birth; this pregnancy had troubled her considerably. Now that her belly was round and full, the baby seed calr, to her delight. "I hope this baby is a girl."

Lau Jia comnted, "A daughter would complete the character for ’good.’"

Just as Yushuang was about to respond, Ming Teng returned. "I brought back so fish; shall we have fish for lunch?"

Yushuang asked, "Where did you get the fish?"

Ming Teng replied, "The nearby village was cleaning out their fish ponds. I happened to pass by and bought so. The fish are quite big, around three to four pounds each."

"Ask the steward to buy more later. There’s a pond in the courtyard; we can keep them there and catch them when we want to eat."

She hadn’t kept many fish herself, and the bigger ones had already been eaten. It couldn’t be helped; good things in this area were scarce.

Ming Teng responded, "Alright, I’ll get more. They’ll be perfect for nourishnt after you give birth."

Lately, he had been traveling frequently with Liufeng and had noticed the lack of quality goods in the area. Even large fish were hard to co by.

Liufeng returned at noon, seeing the fish feast, and exclaid happily, "Bring out the fine wine I’ve been hiding!"

Chang Xhong said, "Nephew-in-law, your batch of dicinal herbs is almost collected. We are preparing to return to the capital."

Liufeng asked, "Uncle, can’t you stay a few more days?"

Chang Xhong shook his head and replied, "No, we’ve been away for quite so ti. It’s ti to go back."

Liufeng thought about it and agreed; it had indeed been so ti. "Alright, I’ll prepare so things to send back to the capital."

Recently, he walked with a light step. His efforts in cultivating dicinal herbs had succeeded, ensuring they wouldn’t have trouble selling them in the future. The common folk now had so money. Silver Coin had been distributed recently, and the townsfolk had beco more lively, no longer dull and lifeless.

Liufeng thought about his father-in-law’s generosity and pondered what to send back. Alas, there were few good things here; he could only pick sothing thoughtful to send.

At the imperial palace in the capital, Zhou Shuren was dining with the Retired Emperor. The Retired Emperor first ntioned how the selected seeds this year were good ones and predicted the autumn harvest would yield 10% more.

Zhou Shuren expressed little excitent. "It needs to remain stable for a few generations."

All the seeds planted this year had been carefully chosen, so naturally the yield was higher. A single good harvest could not be considered reliable.

The Retired Emperor glared. "Can’t you let have so joy?"

"Honest words are hard to hear."

The Retired Emperor huffed in frustration. Fine, he had indeed envisioned a scene of increased grain production and even considered spreading the good news. Now, having been drenched in cold water, the Retired Emperor cald down. "You’re good at throwing cold water."

Zhou Shuren inwardly rolled his eyes. He was afraid—afraid so provinces would falsify reports for their own career advancent, leading to deceit. "We’re already short on grain. I fear false reporting; when the people need relief grain, they’ll co to for it. Where would I get it?"

The Retired Emperor lost his appetite. "We can’t completely prevent it."

"Haha."

The Retired Emperor snorted, "Now you’re mocking too."

"Please, be joyful. I am rely one of the rare ones who speaks the truth."

Over the years, having held a high position, he was acutely aware of the rampant deception in the system. So things were beyond his control, but when it ca to the populace, he couldn’t ignore it. Last year, the grain shortage had caused many deaths. If falsified reports continued, it would be the people who ultimately suffered.

The Retired Emperor sighed deeply. "I understand."

The thought of spreading news of increased yield was completely abandoned.

Zhou Shuren knew the Retired Emperor well and felt reassured this ti. This was why he was considered the Emperor’s favored minister—his words truly influenced the Imperial Family’s decisions.

The Retired Emperor shifted the topic, saying casually, "You’re a good one; your Marquis Zhou family is deserving."

Zhou Shuren pondered over the sudden remark, aware that there must be so underlying aning. Recently, the Zhou family had distanced itself from the Wang clan. He chuckled. "I’ve always understood my position."

A minister is always a minister and must follow the Emperor’s orders while discerning his thoughts.

The Retired Emperor pushed a dish forward, saying, "This is your favorite."

Feeling moved, Zhou Shuren couldn’t deny that the Retired Emperor had treated him generously. Every al they shared included dishes he enjoyed. Regardless of whether it was a demonstration of imperial strategy, having the Emperor focus his attention on you was an achievent in itself.

Ti passed swiftly. In the blink of an eye, Ming Teng and his party had returned to the capital. That day, Lau Jia’s pregnancy was officially confird, and the most delighted was Old Master Rong—finally, there was an heir for the Rong family.

Zhulan personally went to inform her uncle of the good news. "Old Master, you can rest easy now."

The old man laughed heartily. "Good, good."

If it weren’t inappropriate, he would’ve gone to see her himself. In his heart, he prayed repeatedly for a son—he hoped it would be a son.

Zhulan didn’t stay long. Upon returning to the main courtyard, she learned that the old man had sent nurous gifts to Lau Jia and smiled.

News reached the Lau Residence, and Madam Ma personally ca over. When she saw Zhulan, she recited "Amitabha" multiple tis. "Now I can finally be at ease."

Zhulan remarked, "We’ll rely on your care and assistance in the coming days."

Madam Ma replied with a smile, "Of course, of course."

Zhulan invited Madam Ma to join her for dinner. "Later, when the governnt office closes, have Ming Teng fetch Sir Lau."

Madam Ma agreed readily. "Alright."

At the close of day, Lau Jing left the Ministry of Justice and quickened his steps when he spotted his son-in-law. "Why are you here?"

Ming Teng grinned broadly. "My wife is expecting, so I’ve co to bring you ho for a al."

Lau Jing was stunned for a few seconds before breaking into a smile. His daughter had married into a distinguished family, and she had been married for quite so ti without bearing children. As her father, he couldn’t help but worry. In front of his son-in-law, he often felt inadequate. Now, everything was resolved. "Good, good."

Back at the Zhou Residence, Zhou Shuren had just returned ho as well. Lau Jing imdiately greeted him. "Marquis Zhou."

Zhou Shuren had already heard the good news from his steward. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, sa to you."

After dinner, Zhou Shuren invited Lau Jing for a private conversation in the garden pavilion. Without any preamble, Zhou Shuren asked, "You’ve been at the Ministry of Justice for years without advancent. Have you considered your future?"

Lau Jing was stunned but kept his composure, holding his cup steadily. "What do you an, Marquis?"

Zhou Shuren gazed at the lake. "It’s been too long—things ought to change."

At the Ministry of Justice, Lau Jing’s prospects for promotion were slim. Without catching the Emperor’s attention, he could only endure the stagnation. Additionally, staying in the sa position for too long also blocked opportunities for others.

Lau Jing felt uneasy, his thoughts racing. He didn’t feel he had perford poorly, yet here was the Marquis seemingly offering a hand. "Do you an to say that I’ve been obstructing others?"