Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 642 Borrowing Silver_1

Magistrate Wang looked at Magistrate Zhou, who continued to check the account book, and comforted himself. Within the Government Office, there were many who knew nothing about the matter, and he had overheard some whispering behind his back, believing that Magistrate Zhou was stubbornly holding on.

By comparison, Magistrate Wang instantly felt much better and he awaited the moment those people would be disgraced.

Zhou Shuren, "You’re blocking the light."

Magistrate Wang moved away with a wooden expression, seeing Magistrate Zhou’s ’I see you out’ demeanor, and he felt stifled to no end!

In the capital, Zhulan looked at Chang Lian, who kept her company in conversation, "Aren’t you reading anymore?"

Chang Lian leaned back in his chair, sitting somewhat improperly, but very relaxed, "Not anymore, I can’t cover much in just one day. The son just wants to spend a day in comfortable ease."

Had he not feared an accident, he would have preferred to stroll the streets; after all, it was a rare visit to the capital and yet he stayed cooped up in the residence.

Zhulan felt reassured, this was a good mindset.

Chang Lian’s spirit then lifted, "Mother, Rongchuan isn’t young anymore, when do you plan to have little sister and Rongchuan get married?"

Zhulan asked, "Why have you taken an interest in this matter?"

Chang Lian, "It’s just that since Wu Ning got married, it came to mind, so I asked."

Plus, he wasn’t foolish; he could guess, even though mother didn’t say it, that the shops she bought were for his sister’s dowry.

As soon as Zhulan arrived in the capital, she felt a sense of urgency—the secret of Rongchuan’s birth weighed over her. Unfortunately, urgency was of no use; her daughter was still too young, "Wait two more years."

Chang Lian whispered, "These two occasions also introduced me to some people, and there were inquiries about whether Rongchuan was betrothed!"

Zhulan knew that these were inevitable, but she didn’t dwell on them and asked casually, "That Scholar Shen you know, is he married?"

Chang Lian, without overthinking because there was no suitable girl in the family, "He’s not married."

Zhulan asked again, "Has he ever been engaged?"

Chang Lian, "It doesn’t seem like it. Mother, why are you so interested in him?"

Zhulan smiled, "I just notice he’s around the same age as Rongchuan, so I’m inquiring out of curiosity."

Chang Lian gave an ’oh’ and realized it was getting late, "Mother, I’m going to lie down for a while."

"Go ahead."

Zhang Jinghong arrived last at the restaurant and upon entering the private room, he saw that everyone was already there, "Greetings to my brothers."

After speaking, he sat next to the Crown Prince.

This action caught the eyes of the other Princes, the Second Prince, Zhang Jingyang, "In just a few short days, when did the fifth and the Crown Prince become so close?"

Previously, Zhang Jinghong would not sit next to the Crown Prince. Now that he knew he was a fake, he had grown closer to the Crown Prince—what was the meaning of this?

Zhang Jinghong suddenly found it interesting; stepping out of the pit, he saw things more clearly, "Among the brothers, the second brother certainly likes to overthink."

The Second Prince smiled meaningfully, "Oh fifth brother, you’re wrong. Among us brothers, it’s actually the fourth brother who is most calculating."

The Fourth Prince set down his teacup, "Second brother, don’t be modest. I can’t keep up with you."

The Crown Prince, Yuguang, glanced at Zhang Jinghong, finding him rather intriguing. Since his discussion with the Emperor Father, he had placed himself in the position of a subject and handled his affairs more efficiently. This had made him more pleasing to the Crown Prince’s eyes, "You two need not argue; even I, the Crown Prince, cannot see through the third brother’s thoughts!"

The Third Prince smiled, "Big Brother Crown Prince is jesting. I have always looked to Big Brother Crown Prince as my leader."

The Crown Prince was amused, "Ah, that’s good to hear. Second Brother, Fourth Brother, did you hear that? You must bear witness. From now on, Third Brother is my man. It just so happens I have a task for Third Brother to handle. This Qi Bai is Third Brother’s maternal uncle. I’ve seen quite a few zhezi about him, and I think Third Brother will certainly give me an explanation. I’ll leave it to you, Third Brother."

The Third Prince cursed inwardly. He had made a mistake. Why didn’t he learn from his past mistakes? Why did he engage with the Crown Prince’s words?

The Second Prince and the Fourth Prince stopped their squabbling too. They watched on as the Third Prince got trapped by the Crown Prince this time, having to deal with his own uncle. What a spectacle!

Zhang Jinghong suddenly felt like laughing, mocking himself; he realized he really had been oblivious to the extent of his own ignorance!

That evening, when Zhou Shuren returned to his residence, Steward Ding presented him with a letter. Upon opening it, Zhou Shuren saw it was from Zhao Bo, who had been transferred at the beginning of the year. He was no longer a Seventh-rank County Official; he had been promoted and was now in the Prefecture City, holding a Sixth-rank position.

Zhou Shuren opened the letter to find Zhao Bo asking for a favor, and it was to borrow money, a sum of two thousand taels, no less.

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that it was a hefty sum. In recent years, Zhao Bo had saved a considerable amount of money, so why would he borrow such a large amount of silver? He wasn’t worried Zhao Bo wouldn’t pay him back. With his official position secure, Zhao Bo wouldn’t be foolish enough to offend him.

Still, for such a large sum of money, he would have to discuss it with Zhulan.

The next day, Zhulan received Zhou Shuren’s letter. Two thousand taels. The loan had to be made. It was a significant favor. If it were not out of desperation, Zhao Bo wouldn’t be asking to borrow money. Zhulan quickly replied to the letter. She had left the key to the Silver Money Box at home for Zhou Shuren to use when she left.

After sending the letter, Zhulan also took out the silver coins she had brought with her and counted them. There were still quite a lot left. It was just unfortunate that there weren’t many good shops in the capital willing to sell. The last time she had managed to buy three shops was all thanks to Scholar Deng.

Suddenly, Zhulan was lost in thought, just beginning to form some ideas, when her son interrupted her, "Mother, I want to go home."

Zhulan came back to her senses. Zhou Shuren had just sent a letter, and the little guy was already missing his father. Now, he was missing him even more, "We’ll wait a few more days."

Chang Zhong frowned, "Mother, is Father about to take his day of rest soon?"

Zhulan understood what her son meant. "Do you want your father to come to the capital?"

"Mmhmm."

Zhulan lifted her son, "That won’t work, my dear. Father only has one day of rest, and it’s not enough time to come here."

Chang Zhong was very disappointed. At home, his father would tell him stories before bed, and though Mother did too, he preferred the stories his father told. It had been a long time since he last saw his father.

Zhulan stroked her son’s little head. Not just her son, she too missed Zhou Shuren. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible. She was needed here to keep watch.

Time flew by quickly, and the last examination finally ended. Zhulan, with Chang Zhong and Lady Dong, waited outside the examination site.

The doors opened, and Zhulan was startled as someone burst out, laughing heartily, shouting, "It’s over, it’s finally over!"

Chang Zhong jumped, but Zhulan quickly calmed him, patting his head and coaxing his spirit back. She called a few times, and Chang Zhong blinked, "Mother, I’m not scared anymore."

Zhulan sighed with relief, "Don’t be afraid, they’re just happy."

Soon, Chang Lian and Rongchuan came out together, supporting Shi Qing between them. Shi Qing’s complexion was quite pale. Zhulan stepped forward to ask, "What happened?"

Chang Lian explained, "He fell ill just before the exam and still insisted on taking three exams in a row. He couldn’t hold up after the last one."

Shi Qing, however, was smiling, rather cheerfully, "Auntie."

He had feared he wouldn’t make it, but for the sake of survival, he had clenched his teeth and persisted.

Zhulan took a breath, "Let’s not talk about this now; go straight to the physician."

It was best to move quickly before all the doctors were occupied. She noticed that, although not as many were ill as in Zhou Shuren’s time, there were still some who needed care and restoration.