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

Chapter 501: Chapter 501 Visiting_1

Chang Lian explained, ”Once we arrived in the capital and settled into the Jiang Residence, I took the opportunity to look around, as I had rarely been back to the capital. It was in a teahouse that I met the Fifth Prince. At first, I didn’t recognize him and thought he was just good company. It wasn’t until others greeted him that I realized he was the Fifth Prince.”

At that moment, the face of the Fifth Prince practically turned green, and he realized that he should not have ventured out.

Zhulan pursed her lips, ”You mean to say, the Fifth Prince’s encounter with you was premeditated.”

”After giving it some thought back at the Jiang Residence, it indeed seemed too coincidental. There were so many empty tables, yet he chose to share a table with me, and the Fifth Prince had even removed his princely accessories.”

If he had seen those accessories earlier, he would have slipped away, not inviting the person to sit down so casually. On the ride back, he was afraid he might cause trouble for his father and afterward dared not to leave home again.

Zhulan felt utterly dejected. From what she surmised, everyone in the Zhou family was under surveillance, and their every move was being watched. She didn’t know whether to be impressed by Zhou Shuren’s prowess or exasperated by the situation, ”The person who greeted the Fifth Prince, do you know him?”

Chang Lian coughed, ”The Crown Prince’s study companion.”

When he introduced himself, Chang Lian was so stunned that he stood there rigid. Moreover, he couldn’t understand why the Crown Prince’s study companion looked so smug and unmovable, as if implying that unless the Fifth Prince left, he would stay as well, all while sipping tea and enjoying the Fifth Prince’s frustrated expression.

Zhulan raised an eyebrow. So, it seemed the Crown Prince had been keeping a close eye on the Fifth Prince. Could the Fifth Prince not turn green with envy? Wasn’t this a clear signal to the Fifth Prince that the Crown Prince knew his every move?

Zhulan actually found she quite liked the Crown Prince’s maneuver, ”Such a move is truly demoralizing!”

Chang Lian, ”...”

Indeed, it was a feeling of being overwhelmingly crushed. The Fifth Prince could no longer conceal his temper, and he looked icily at the Crown Prince’s study companion!

After that, Chang Lian stayed in the Jiang Residence and witnessed a grand drama unfold. He really disliked the atmosphere of the Jiang household. It was not like this in the past. Now it was oppressively tense: his sister had a somber expression, the children were reluctant to smile, and Lady Dong’s face was also gloomy. Having experienced life there, he realized that what his father taught was right: harmony in the home was the foundation for prosperity in all endeavors.

Turning to Chang Lian, Zhulan said, ”By the way, your second brother has returned.”

Chang Lian stood up. Apart from studying, he was now focused on accumulating silver. Confident in his studies, with guidance from his father and teacher, he could concentrate well and was optimistic about the upcoming provincial examinations. However, he felt that his family’s financial assets were too modest, ”Mother, I’m going to find my second brother.”

”You should spend some time with Lady Dong first!”

Lady Dong had been greatly disturbed by recent events, and being pregnant was when one felt most vulnerable; she needed Chang Lian’s company.

That evening, Zhulan mentioned that the Fifth Prince had come to Jinzhou Province, ”Aren’t princes forbidden from leaving the capital without imperial decree?”

Zhou Shuren found it odd as well, ”He must be on imperial assignment.”

Zhulan, ”...Do you really think so?”

Zhou Shuren, ”....”

Alright, he didn’t believe it either. Based on what he knew of the Emperor, the entire Jinzhou Province was caught in his net. The Emperor wouldn’t seek out trouble for no good reason.

Zhulan spoke in a low voice, ”Could it be he is favoring his youngest son?”

But something still felt off to her. From what she had learned from Zhou Shuren, it was the Crown Prince who was the apple of the Emperor’s eye, his cherished treasure.

Zhou Shuren was equally baffled, ”We’ll find out in time.”

In the capital, not only was Zhou Shuren confused, but also all the princes. The Crown Prince was utterly at a loss with his intermittently unpredictable father, who had actually given the Fifth Prince a token, purportedly to inspect the landscapes on behalf of the Emperor!

The Crown Prince felt disoriented. The Emperor always had a way of surprising him just when he thought he had figured him out, instantly deflating his confidence.

The Second Prince was consumed with envy. All his life, he had only ever envied the Crown Prince, but now there was another contender. Watching the Emperor bestow the token upon the Fifth Prince, amidst all the brothers, was a bitter pill to swallow. They were all sons, yet why was the disparity so vast?

The Third Prince also brooded in frustration. Aside from the Fifth Prince, the ages of the other brothers were quite close; the Crown Prince was only two years older than him and the Fourth Prince, and one year older than the Second Prince, which was somewhat tragic. Apart from the Crown Prince, the three of them were practically ignored.

And now there was another younger brother. Previously, the Emperor had not seemed particularly fond of the Fifth Prince. Compared to the Crown Prince, the Fifth Prince couldn’t hold a candle. Just look at the government hall: it was good if the Fifth Prince could enter twice a year, while the Crown Prince was practically rooted there—one in heaven and the other on earth.

The favor in the Emperor’s eyes today incited jealousy.

The Fourth Prince’s eyes weren’t half-closed now; they were wide open, filled with ferocity. It was excellent for the Fifth Prince to travel on behalf of the Emperor, to view the beautiful landscapes. Indeed, very good. But the Fifth Prince mustn’t wage costly wars or drain the people. The Fourth Prince licked his lips, some bloodthirst in his demeanor, as it was time for brotherly competition to draw blood.

The Fourth Prince sneered, as the Third Prince thought it opportune to use the Fifth Prince’s ambitious nature. But he disagreed. Who knew if this was a ruse between the brothers aimed at deceiving them? Perhaps it was best to cut ties completely.

Within the Palace, the Emperor looked at the message in his hand. The Fifth Prince had arrived in Jinzhou Province but wasn’t in a hurry to leave. He lifted his gaze to the painting of the mountains and rivers and chuckled softly.

Eunuch Liu’s calves trembled. At this moment, he desperately wished the Crown Prince were present, for at least with the Crown Prince around, the Emperor would not wear such a sinister smile. The last time he saw such a grim laugh, he couldn’t even recall how many had perished; he had become numb to it.

In Jinzhou Province, it was Zhou Shuren’s day off. The Xu family sent a card to Lady Li once again, but this time, Zhulan didn’t pass it on to Lady Li. Instead, she had the steward turn them away, saying that the Xu family needn’t visit anymore.

Outside the main gate, the Xu family steward nodded and bowed. Upon hearing the response, he was dumbfounded. Raising his head to look at the Zhou residence steward, he shivered at the sight of indifference, ”Yes, this one understands.”

Just as Steward Ding was about to return inside, two carriages stopped at the gate. The first to alight was Prince Jinghong, followed by someone he did not recognize. However, judging by the reverence Prince Jinghong exhibited, the second person’s status was undoubtedly significant. Steward Ding hastened forward, ”Prince.”

Upon receiving a nod from the Fifth Prince, Prince Jinghong spoke, ”On his day off, Lord Zhou’s household is visited by the Fifth Prince, who has arrived in Jinzhou.”

Steward Ding was struck dumb. The Fifth Prince visiting his master? Had his master become that influential?

Staggered for a moment, and not wanting to keep the important guests waiting, Steward Ding hurriedly said, ”Your Highness, Prince, please.”

The Fifth Prince went ahead, slowly walking and casually inquired, ”Was there someone who came to visit Lord Zhou earlier?”

Steward Ding forced a smile, not able to hide the truth, ”The Xu family sent a card inviting the eldest lady, which was declined.”

Zhang Jinghong continued walking, not looking back.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren, having received the news from a young servant, exchanged a glance. Zhou Shuren squinted his eyes, ”Yesterday he was just mentioned, and today he shows up, making quite the entrance. Interesting.”