Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent! Chapter 1788: 1788: Illness

Chapter 1788: Chapter 1788: Illness

Ti flies, and in the blink of an eye, it’s been seven days again, the rest day for the Ministry of Revenue. At the Duke Zhou Residence in the capital, Zhulan was flipping through the two booklets compiled by Ming Hui, where the knowledge points and interpretations were very detailed.

Zhou Shuren asked, “What do you think?”

Zhulan shook the booklets, “This kid is impressive! It’s only been a short ti, and he’s compiled so much.”

Zhou Shuren took the booklets and pointed at the questions, “These are adapted based on his physique.”

Zhulan, “This child indeed has talent.”

Zhou Shuren was in a great mood, “This kid is just lazy.”

“His ambitions aren’t very high indeed.”

Shortly after, Ming Hui arrived. Seeing the booklets on the table, he braced himself and asked, “Grandfather, can I take these two booklets away?”

Zhou Shuren, “What if you can’t?”

Ming Hui coughed, “Then I’ll borrow them for a few days.”

He planned to go back and copy the two booklets.

Zhou Shuren squinted his eyes, “You want to lend them to Scholar Shao?”

Ming Hui indeed had this plan; though he had been at ho for days, with only the young servant sending ssages, he was not quite at ease, “Just borrowing for a few days.”

Zhou Shuren handed him the booklets, as he also wanted to see how effective Ming Hui’s compilations were, “Take them.”

Ming Hui happily took them, “Thank you, Grandfather.”

“Alright, off you go then.”

This boy had been stuck at ho for too long, his heart was yearning to fly out.

Once Ming Hui left, Zhulan said, “Not many days left until the Qiu Wei examination.”

“Yes, I am not worried about Chang Xhong, but I am concerned about Chang Zhi.”

Zhulan, “Chang Zhi only wrote one letter back since arriving in Chuanzhou; he didn’t write more letters.”

It made her worry every day, and as the Qiu Wei drew near, her heart grew even more restless.

Zhou Shuren also grunted, “That rascal.”

Zhulan laughed, “Chang Zhi’s son is about to get engaged, and you still call him a rascal?”

“No matter how old, he’s still my son.”

He paused for a mont and grumbled again, “Just wait till he cos back and sees how I’ll manage him. He has no idea how worried we are about him.”

Zhulan chid in, “I support you.”

Zhou Shuren knew well that Chang Zhi didn’t write often for fear of making them worry.

In Chuanzhou City, Chang Zhi lay in bed, cheeks flushed, with two doctors standing vigil by his side. Prefect Shih personally ca to inquire, “How is Lord Zhou?”

Dr. Li said, “The lord has caught a cold, but it’s nothing serious. A few days of rest and so herbal decoctions will redy it.”

Prefect Shih was glad at heart, thinking that being sick was good because it would give him so peace, “Go prescribe the dicine.”

Dr. Li left, followed by Dr. Wu. As they exited, they exchanged knowing glances, aware that Prefect Shih was suspicious of Lord Zhou feigning illness.

Chang Zhi coughed, “I have troubled you, my lord.”

Lord Shih said, “Lord Zhou, you have been working hard lately. You must take good care to rest and recover.”

Ding Jue stood listening, feeling speechless—what hard work had the lord done? Not much more than drinking tea in the governnt office or wandering around Chuanzhou City; every well-known place around the Prefecture City he’s visited. As for falling ill, it was clearly due to a deliberate indulgence in a rainy day stroll.

Lord Shih offered a few more words before leaving with a light step.

Chang Zhi sat up, “They don’t believe I am truly ill.”

Ding Jue, “My lord, since you ca to Chuanzhou ahead of ti, they have been uneasy, skeptical of your every move.”

Chang Zhi signaled for a cup of water, and after drinking, felt his throat much soothed, “I am surrounded by people; you should keep a closer watch.”

If they weren’t monitoring him so closely, he wouldn’t have concocted a way to fall ill, to lull them into a sense of false security and look for an opportunity to venture out.

Ding Jue spoke with a tone of disapproval, “My lord, you shouldn’t have made yourself fall ill.”

Chang Zhi, “As you see, they summoned two doctors. I couldn’t have fooled them without truly falling ill.”

Ding Jue frowned, “My lord, could they tamper with the dicine to keep you ill?”

Chang Zhi scoffed, “They wouldn’t dare. Enough about them, let’s talk about you.”

Ding Jue was puzzled, “?”

Chang Zhi nodded, “You have potential, and since you don’t wish to partake in the civil exams, how about following from now on?”

Ding Jue was pleasantly surprised without any resistance, “Is that possible?”

He indeed had personal ambitions and hopes, especially after the recent purging in Chuanzhou, which heightened his expectations for his son. Following the lord allowed him to gain more insights, making him acutely aware of the hardships endured by poor scholars and the potential for a more favorable future for his son with soone to shield him.

Chang Zhi smiled, “But, tagging along with doesn’t fetch you an official title.”

Ding Jue grinned wide, “It’s an honor for a humble man like to follow you, my lord.”

Chang Zhi said, “Once matters here are resolved, accompany back to the capital.”

“Yes.”

Two days later, Zhulan sought out Rongchuan for a matter and ca to the n’s College, where she not only saw Rongchuan but also the Third Prince.

Rongchuan asked, “Mother, what brings you here personally?”

Zhulan nodded, “I wish to revise the architectural plans and ca to ask if you want to make any changes together.”

Rongchuan signaled a young servant to fetch the plans. Once they were spread out, he asked, “Mother, where do you wish to make changes?”

The blueprints for the expansion were identical between the n’s and Girls College.

Zhulan pointed at a spot, “I want to construct a pond here.”

Rongchuan, “Then this side should also be built correspondingly.”

Seeing the Third Prince hadn’t co over, Zhulan asked quietly, “Why is the Third Prince with you?”

Rongchuan lowered his voice, “He’s not following ; the Crown Prince sent him to the Ministry of Works to learn, and he tagged along today with the Ministry of Works.”

Zhulan was curious about why this typically low-profile prince suddenly garnered the Emperor’s attention and was sent to study at the Ministry of Works. The Ministry of Works had beco significantly prominent within the Six Ministries.

Rongchuan understood the doubt in his mother’s eyes and whispered, “After the Empress passed away, only the legitimate fourth prince sincerely copied scriptures, while among the other princes, only the Third Prince showed earnest devotion. Yesterday, the Crown Prince visited the princes, and the Emperor was moved to make a decree.”

Zhulan noted, realizing the Emperor’s emotions were stirred not just by the Third Prince’s diligence but also by the past oversight regarding him.

Rongchuan put away the blueprints, “Ah, things will get lively again.”

Zhulan mused, “Indeed.”

Thinking the Second Prince, still entrenched in the Ministry of Rites, might be feeling more unsettled. The unsung Third Prince’s move to the Ministry of Works likely stoked his jealousy!

Rongchuan suggested, “Mother, shall I show you around?”

“Sure.”

She seldom visited the n’s College, so as she walked around it, inspecting each classroom, Zhulan remarked, “The classrooms are too cramped.”

“There’s no alternative; there are too many students.”

If not for limiting admissions, there would be even more children—a sweet burden indeed.

After leaving the n’s College and returning to the city, Zhulan found a queue at the city gate. The capital had been bustling lately, as the recruitnt at the pharmaceutical factory had concluded. Because of the promotions, many went to watch the recruitnt, and those successful in applying stood prouder.

While lost in thought, the coachman spoke, “Madam, soone requests to see you.”

Zhulan snapped back to reality and looked at Qing Xue, who dismounted and shortly returned with, “Miss Zhuo from the Duke of Yongan residence.”

Zhulan, “Zhuo Ya, who separated?”