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

Chapter 433: Chapter 433 Walking on the Edge of a Knife_1

Liu Ya left, and Zhulan called over Xue Han, ”From now on, Shui Popo will be following you. If you don’t understand something, you can ask her.”

Xue Han replied, ”Mother, I know. Today, Shui Popo already pointed out several mistakes I made. Mother, I will earnestly seek her guidance.”

”Let Shui Popo teach Liu Li and Liu Jin more, as they will be following you in the future.”

Xue Han asked, ”Mother, can I also have Sister Wu’s maids and grannies learn together with them?”

Zhulan stroked her daughter’s hair, finding her kind-hearted, ”Yes.”

With a smile in her eyes, Xue Han knew she couldn’t help much, but if she could assist Sister Wu by teaching her maids and grannies well, it would be good. In the future, if anyone bullied Sister Wu, they could protect her.

That afternoon, Wan Jiu returned with people. Wan Jiu had been with Zhou Shuren for a while, and Zhulan was confident in Wan Jiu’s ability to choose people.

After Zhulan had seen them, she handed them over to Granny Song for teaching.

New maids and grannies were purchased for the household, and both Zhao’s and Lady Dong’s families were aware of it. Zhao’s belly was growing more than Zhulan’s. Lady Dong did not come, but Zhao’s did, ”Mother, the head of the household has been away for several days, and we don’t know when he will return.”

Zhulan was also worried; indeed, he had been gone for quite some time, ”Soon,” she replied.

Zhao’s hoped for the head of the household to come back soon but also didn’t wish for his early return, as that would mean they needed to go back to Chuanzhou City, and they could only come back for the New Year.

How much better it was at home, with the company of sons and daughters, not having to cook, being served by others, and when bored, they could do some needlework or play with the children.

Zhao’s didn’t want to go back to Chuanzhou and regretted it, ”Mother.”

Zhulan hummed, ”What is it?”

During these days, Zhao’s had not caused any irritation, and now she didn’t hold back her words. Their relationship had become more harmonious, and though Zhulan’s attitude toward Zhao’s hadn’t changed, she had become much more patient.

Zhao’s smiled, ”Nothing much, Mother. You rest, I’ll be going back.”

She knew that both her mother-in-law and father-in-law were people of their word and would not easily change what they had said.

Zhulan thought Zhao’s had come to inquire about the maids and grannies but quickly realized that Zhao’s didn’t want to leave. People only cherish what they have lost—too late now.

Zhou Shuren brought back five people from the government office, and Mr. Chen and Mr. He hadn’t slept all night, pacing around the house, wondering if they had said anything inappropriate.

Seeing the two gentlemen looking pale and even Mr. He, with his dark complexion, appeared much paler, Zhou Shuren realized that none were fools. They all knew that these were the Emperor’s men, and the fear was evident, not just in them but had spread throughout the entire Government Office.

Zhou Shuren smiled, ”Oh, what’s wrong with Mr. Chen?”

Mr. Chen wanted to curse. If he hadn’t known that the five people Zhou Shuren took away, were the same ones present before Zhou Shuren’s arrival, he would have suspected that Zhou Shuren had brought them over. These few people, whom neither he nor Mr. He had transferred, were already here—they had truly been walking on the edge of a knife.

Mr. Chen took a deep breath, took a sip of tea to steady his nerves, ”Zhou Shuren, I truly admire you.”

Recently, Zhou Shuren had dared to accept bribes and resell goods. Mr. Chen had thought him too audacious and that Zhou Shuren had offended too many people. These past few days, he had been intentionally staying away from Zhou Shuren, only to realize now that Zhou Shuren knew about the Emperor’s men in the prefecture.

And he was particularly good at choosing his time. Taking the coachman, for instance, Mr. Chen genuinely pitied anyone who would seek out Zhou Shuren’s influence. By now, the Emperor must be aware.

Mr. He’s eyes flickered. The actions Zhou Shuren had taken these past days had terrified him, but the situation had taken an unexpected turn. Ah, by bringing the Emperor’s men back to the office, anyone who dared to harm Zhou Shuren was challenging the Emperor himself. The Emperor had allowed Zhou Shuren to take people away, which was a clear message to those eyeing Zhou Shuren that the Emperor was protecting Zhou Shuren.

Mr. He laughed, ”Congratulations, sir.”

Zhou Shuren said meaningfully, ”Congratulations to us both.”

Mr. He was happy, as his support over these days had paid off.

Mr. Chen didn’t know what riddles the two were playing at; he only knew that he had distanced himself from Zhou Shuren, who not only trapped people but also bore grudges. Having seen many who had been dealt with over the past two years, Mr. Chen wanted to apologize, which was somewhat like admitting guilt without being accused. Yet if he didn’t apologize, his heart would feel uneasy; it was quite the dilemma.

When Mr. Chen thought of how Zhou Shuren loved silver, he couldn’t help but twitch the corners of his mouth. Only Zhou Shuren dared to resell the gifts he received. What made him even more jealous was that the Emperor knew about it and even condoned it. It was really infuriating how some people’s fortunes compared to others. Alas, when Zhou Shuren left, he would have to prepare a generous gift.

At the military camp, Yang Wuchun and Zheng Hong also learned of the news. Zheng Hong said faintly, ”No wonder my grandfather likes Zhou Shuren. Every time he returns, Grandfather always mentions him. Zhou Shuren is quite something!”

Yang Wuchun smiled, ”My uncle has just been a bit luckier.”

Zheng Hong wasn’t as clever as his brother, but he wasn’t foolish either; he knew well that luck had nothing to do with this. It was a pity that an alliance through marriage was now out of the question.

The Emperor’s moves had put an end to the endless probing and courting. Those forces with any ambitions had now shrunk back like quails, fearing they would be held accountable. Lizhou City had become peaceful.

Inside the capital, a substantial disturbance arose, especially since the end of the year was approaching—a time when the Emperor seldom wielded the executioner’s sword. Yet he issued a decree that punished a group and executed others, using blood to warn those becoming increasingly restless that he was not yet old.

The capital quieted down, and the Crown Prince went to the palace to see his mother, ”Your Highness, your son is here to see you.”

The Empress didn’t like wearing flamboyant clothes and dressed simply and elegantly. She was pleased to see her son, ”You’ve been busy lately and I haven’t seen you for some days. Look how you’ve slimmed down.”

The Crown Prince helped his mother to sit down, ”Mother, I will regain the weight soon.”

The Empress stared at the Crown Prince’s face, and he asked, ”Mother, why are you looking at your son like that?”

”It’s nothing, just that I’m old now, and my vision is a bit blurry.”

”The Empress’s eyes are very good, how could they be blurry?”

The Crown Prince turned around to see his father the Emperor entering, and quickly performed a courtesy, ”Father.”

The Emperor waved off the formality and sat down beside the Empress, who said indifferently, ”You’ve come.”

The Emperor, ”...Hmm.”

The Crown Prince, ”....”

The Emperor and the Empress always seemed awkward to him. You could say they’re not close—after all, the Emperor didn’t have many concubines in his harem, most were taken during the rebellion, and after ascending the throne, he really didn’t add anyone to the harem. Moreover, most of the month the Emperor would return to the Empress’s palace.

Yet, he also felt there was some barrier between them.

When he was younger, his studies were heavy, and he hadn’t really noticed. But now that he was older and had a wife, understanding the nature of a couple’s relationship, he could see clearly that there was a significant estrangement between his father and mother.

In Lizhou City, Chang Lian invited Shi Qing and Meng Jie to eat. Chang Lian couldn’t invite anyone home, so he had to do so outside. Fortunately, his family’s earnings were substantial, so he was quite comfortable financially.

The reason why Chang Lian invited the two was simple; he found that every time he talked to Shi Qing, he would learn a lot. He also understood the gap between him, Shi Qing, and Meng Jie. Talking more could do no harm.

Chang Lian looked at Shi Qing, who was not drinking and yet observing him, puzzled, ”Why are you looking at me like that?”