Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 561: Can’t Escape_1

The next morning, Yao Zheyu paid a visit to thank Zhou Shuren for accompanying him on the trip back to Jinzhou Province.

Zhou Shuren took Yao Zheyu to the study, "Princely Heir, there’s no need for a special visit to offer thanks. I merely conveyed your desire to return to Jinzhou to the Emperor, that’s all."

Zhou Shuren truly didn’t think much of it, so much so that after the Emperor wrote the decree himself, Zhou regretted it to death—for him, it was the worst business deal ever.

Yao Zheyu sensed Zhou Shuren’s aloofness and smiled lightly, "While it may not matter to you, I cannot help but feel grateful. I must say, and don’t laugh at me for this, but troubles never cease for me. Coming back with you this time spared me quite a few inconveniences."

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, Yao Zheyu truly has a hard life, with even his own father wanting him dead, which is certainly pitiable, "It’s not that I’m unspeaking, but avoiding trouble temporarily doesn’t mean forever. The end of the year is approaching, and you will have to go back, Princely Heir."

One can run away from the monk, but not from the temple. As long as your surname is Yao, you can’t escape.

Yao Zheyu pursed his lips. There were times when he truly hated chatting with Zhou Shuren, who always hit the nail on the head, "For now, at least I’ve escaped the vortex caused by the fifth prince."

His father, he wouldn’t be merciful to him at all. If he hadn’t left this time, he would have been pushed into the fray. By sidestepping the fifth prince’s vortex, he wouldn’t be hamstrung by royal power either.

Zhou Shuren gave an "oh," calculating the situation in the capital. The whirlpool caused by the fifth prince should be over by now; there was no need to keep dragging things on.

In the main courtyard, Zhulan was pleased to see Rongchuan, "It’s rare to see you out of your quarters."

Rongchuan felt bashful, "I’ve been too busy these past days, but I won’t be so busy from now on."

Speaking of which, Rongchuan seemed a bit downcast. Shi Qing was leaving, and he could no longer earn a large sum of silver effortlessly.

Zhulan raised an eyebrow, "Did Shi Qing tell you?"

Rongchuan nodded, "He told me yesterday that he’s leaving."

Rongchuan was somewhat reluctant to part, for it wasn’t only because Shi Qing was a patron of wealth, but also because after interacting for over a year, they had become somewhat connected.

Zhulan looked at Rongchuan, "You didn’t come over today just to chat with me, did you?"

The children had grown up and no longer crowded around her like they used to when they were little. Now, if they came over, it was usually because they needed something.

Rongchuan nodded, "Auntie, I have made quite a bit of silver recently and have already bought several shops. With the remaining silver, I want to buy some land, so I came to discuss with you which would be a good place to invest."

Zhulan was surprised, "Why didn’t you discuss this with your eldest and second brothers?"

Regarding shops and land, Zhulan had left them in the care of her eldest and second sons, who knew these matters best.

Rongchuan’s face flushed with embarrassment; his second brother had not spared him the mockery when he bought the shops. Zhulan saw Rongchuan’s reddened ears and understood, "You’re planning to sit for the Imperial Examination next year to become a Scholar. My advice is to wait until after you’ve passed the exam before buying, to save on taxes."

Rongchuan replied, "Auntie, I am aware of that, and I have confidence in next year’s exams."

So it didn’t matter whether he bought now or later.

Zhulan looked at the confident young man in front of her and curved her mouth into a smile, "Well then, it’s best to buy land near Jinzhou. Have Steward Ding go with you tomorrow."

Rongchuan smiled, "Thank you, Auntie."

With his shops acquired and land to be gradually accumulated, by the time he married in a couple of years, he would have built up a decent family fortune.

Zhulan rarely got the chance to chat with Rongchuan, who was always so busy—either fervently studying or relentlessly practicing. It was a good opportunity to relax a bit, and they talked a little longer.

After half an hour, when Zhou Shuren returned, Rongchuan left.

Zhulan asked, "Has the Princely Heir left?"

Zhou Shuren nodded, "He’s already gone. I was chatting with Shi Qing in the study for a while. Shi Qing has set a date to leave, which is tomorrow. Today happens to be a day off, so let’s have lunch together at noon."

Zhulan said, "Didn’t you say last night that he would leave in a few days?"

"Shi Qing needs to return to the capital, so he’s in a hurry to leave."

Upon hearing this, Zhulan remembered that Shi Qing’s family was in the capital and that he still had his father there. Shi Qing hadn’t left for over a year, and she had almost forgotten that Shi Qing had family, "Indeed, he should go back and visit."

Zhou Shuren scoffed, Shi Qing’s return was not out of familial affection but to make arrangements.

With Shi Qing’s departure known throughout the household, the main house - the eldest couple - had a superficial relationship with Shi Qing, with the eldest son conversing little with him.

The eldest son said to his wife, "Having interacted for over a year, now that Shi Qing is leaving, we should also prepare a farewell gift."

Lady Li was unsure what to give, "Despite Master Shi’s simple attire, his diet and daily necessities are quite fine. Husband, what should we send?"

The eldest son thought for a moment, "Let’s send some food and necessities for the journey."

Lady Li stood up, "I will make them myself to show our sincerity."

"Good."

In the second wife’s quarters, Chang Yi and Zhao’s were also discussing. Zhou’s second elder son and Shi Qing conversed more often, mainly about management issues, from which Shi Qing had taught him a lot.

The second son pondered for a while, "Didn’t I obtain a fine jade pendant a few days ago? Let’s send that."

He indeed owed Shi Qing a favor.

Zhao’s was somewhat reluctant since the jade pendant was rare, and she wanted to keep it for their son. But once her husband had spoken, she wouldn’t contradict, "Alright."

In the third wife’s quarters, Chang Lian had a closer relationship with Shi Qing. The two spent much time learning together over the year, and along with Meng Jie, the three of them got along quite well, becoming good friends. Chang Lian reluctantly took out an ancient book, an authentic manuscript, "I even got this from father, and now I have to give it away."

Lady Dong chuckled lightly, "If you really can’t bear to part with it, just pick something else."

Chang Lian shook his head, "Shi Qing has looked after me a lot this year and taught me much about avoiding schemes. It’s worth this authentic manuscript."

Lady Dong touched her belly, "Hmm."

In the fourth wife’s quarters, the gift was prepared by Su Xuan, who had seen more than Chang Zhi had. Shi Qing was fortunate to be studying at the Zhou residence, and for the sake of meeting again in the future, the gift needed to be well-prepared.

At noon, everyone gathered together. Shi Qing felt bittersweet. He did not want to leave. Other than not residing at the Zhou house at night, he spent most of his time there over the year and had truly come to regard himself as a member of the Zhou family.

Experiencing warmth at the Zhou residence he had never felt before, he looked at everyone in the Zhou family, and his heart was deeply unsettled.

Zhou Shuren broke the silence, "I’ve taught you what I could. This meal is a farewell banquet; from now on, you’re on your own."

Shi Qing raised his cup, "Your Honor, for the care and teachings over this year and more, your student is deeply grateful."

As Zhou was protective by nature, and Shi Qing had experienced it, on first arriving at the Jinzhou Residence, those noble family children even bullied Rongchuan, let alone him. It was later that he found out Zhou had mentioned him in front of some of the adults, even if just a few words, it was his way of protecting Shi Qing.

Zhou Shuren inwardly sighed; if it weren’t for Shi Qing’s complexities, he truly would have liked to take him as a disciple. Over the year, Shi Qing had also repaid the Zhou family in his own ways.

Zhou Shuren patted Shi Qing on the shoulder, "Think more, observe more, and be very cautious with every step you take, always considering ten steps ahead."

Shi Qing smiled widely, "Your student will remember."

Zhulan watched as Shi Qing went around toasting everyone, feeling a pang of sadness. There is no such thing as an everlasting banquet in the world, and she hoped Shi Qing’s journey would be an easier one.