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

Chapter 537: Chapter 537 Crown Prince, Too Scheming_1

Zhou Shuren rose to find not a single spot on his body was comfortable. The feeling of a sore waist, aching back, and cramping legs was due to the sincere kneeling last night, and his knees were so painful it was unbearable. Because he needed to rise early, he had been half asleep and half awake, and after rinsing his mouth, he felt hollow with hunger. On an empty stomach, he drank some tea, forced himself to muster up some energy, and followed the Emperor to court. Being punished to stand early in the morning indeed made his stomach ache.

Zhou Shuren walked behind several princes, and by looking up, he could see the pale faces of the princes, a sign of their hunger. By comparison, he felt much better; at least when he was chatting with the Emperor last night, he ate some fruits and snacks. After all, he wasn’t hungry at all.

As for what was discussed last night, Zhou Shuren did not want to recall. Even though he didn’t continue probing, the conversation was filled with high-risk topics, keeping him on edge throughout.

Zhou Shuren was not actually required to attend the early court, a special permission granted by the Emperor. He really knew how to make a statement, following behind the princes into the grand hall, and even standing at the very back, he still received gazes of attention.

Zhou Shuren kept his head down, blending in as if he were just part of the background, standing there very calmly.

The ministers in the court, always well-informed, had heard the rumors about the real and fake Fifth Prince spreading throughout the capital. They attended court full of vigor to watch the drama but were startled to see Lord Zhou among them.

The Emperor sat in his place, looking at the ministers below. Hah, they all shrunk back like quails, fearful of the real and fake prince’s issues being taken out on them. It seemed there wouldn’t be any significant matters today.

Zhou Shuren silently counted the time, and in less than half an hour, the court was dismissed. He exhaled a breath of relief, finally able to go home.

Because he was standing at the back and didn’t want to be held up, Zhou Shuren left early. He really didn’t want to be called to join the crowd. Having exhausted too many brain cells the night before, he truly lacked the energy to deal with these old foxes.

Unfortunately, though his plan was sound, he had gotten only a few steps before he was caught up by someone. Turning around, he saw it was the Second Prince. Those long legs of the Second Prince surely weren’t for nothing.

Second Prince, Zhang Jingyang thought to himself that Lord Zhou had rather short legs but moved quite fast, taking small, quick steps. ”Does Lord Zhou have an urgent matter?”

Zhou Shuren felt like cursing inside. With this pause, it was decided--the others from behind had caught up. With a smile on his face, he said, ”Ah, this humble official is in a hurry to return to Prefecture City. There are many matters waiting, so I am rushing back.”

The Second Prince paused a moment, ”Lord Zhou really is busy.”

”A Prefecture Magistrate indeed has many things to attend to.”

So there was no need to invite him for an early meal.

The Second Prince felt choked up inside. He indeed wanted to invite Lord Zhou for a meal and casually gather some information. It was said that last night the Emperor and Lord Zhou had a good chat. Having witnessed firsthand the Emperor’s regard for Lord Zhou, establishing good relations with Zhou Shuren wouldn’t be bad for him. Anyone whom the Emperor valued, regardless of their rank, was worth befriending. ”So it is. It really is too bad. I was thinking since the lord seldom returns to the capital, I could ask you to join me for a simple meal.”

Zhou Shuren inwardly snickered, not wanting to turn a meal into a stomach problem. If he agreed to the Second Prince, the Third, Fourth, and Fifth would surely have the cheek to follow. Watching the princes that were trailing behind him, Zhou Shuren smiled and said, ”I thank the Second Prince for the invitation, but I truly am in a hurry.”

The Second Prince smiled, ”Perhaps another time.”

Zhou Shuren nodded with a smile, ”By then, this humble official will invite the Second Prince.”

The Second Prince was satisfied, and Zhou Shuren was no longer in a hurry to leave, walking beside the Second Prince where at least the ministers wouldn’t follow up.

When he reached the palace gate, Zhou Shuren saw Officer Wei. He had already discussed his departure in the morning with the Emperor the night before, and the Emperor had arranged everything.

Next to Officer Wei stood a gentleman, and beside the gentleman, an attendant carried a package. The gentleman stepped forward, ”Lord, this is the breakfast prepared by the Crown Prince for you to eat on the road back to the city.”

Zhou Shuren didn’t ask who the gentleman was and let Jingyan receive the package, ”This humble official thanks the Crown Prince.”

The gentleman smiled warmly, ”Lord Zhou, you are too kind.”

After showing his respects to the several princes, Zhou Shuren quickly boarded the carriage. The dagger-like stares of the princes could kill. Indeed, the capital was a place full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Even after receiving those dagger-like stares just now, that gentleman didn’t change his expression one bit.

The Second Prince wanted to curse. The most cunning of all was the Crown Prince. Even more infuriating, while they were afraid to pass on any information, the Crown Prince openly sent his message, which made him feel frustrated.

The Third Prince’s complexion changed; the Crown Prince’s schemes were consistent as ever.

The fourth prince’s smile froze; he had just been mocking his second brother for being anxious, and now he found himself the target of the Crown Prince’s merciless ridicule.

The fifth prince clenched his teeth, the benefits went to the Crown Prince, the crisis was his alone; how could he not hate this.

Zhou Shuren paid no mind to the lawsuit at the palace gate; sitting in the carriage, he opened his bundle. The items prepared within were quite comprehensive, including things to eat and use, especially two bottles of medicine: one for maintaining health and one for detoxification.

Zhou Shuren packed them away carefully; there was no need for the Crown Prince to deceive him about these two bottles of medicine, but of course, he wouldn’t fully trust him either. He still had to go back and have someone check them. However, the Crown Prince was indeed thorough; with this move, he’d thoroughly crushed several princes.

Zhou Shuren wasn’t hungry yet, so he tied the bundle again and laid down in the carriage. He needed to rest.

With Zhou Shuren gone, all eyes in the capital shifted towards the fifth prince’s residence; some mocked the fifth prince, and others simply watched the drama unfold.

The fifth prince hurried back to his residence without delay. Even though the Emperor had not sent anyone to accompany him back, he was well aware that the Emperor knew everything.

Miss Lin had already received the news and was waiting at the door with tears in her eyes, but unfortunately, the fifth prince didn’t even spare her a glance before he went straight through the gate.

The last person the fifth prince wanted to see right now was Miss Lin, his fiancée. Even if she had taken care of him for a day, she had done so for another man. Plus, her presence reminded him how he had been able to return to the capital, only increasing his revulsion for his fiancée, who lacked a strong background.

Inside the palace, the Crown Prince only noticed that the Emperor had gone out after he finished his work, and Eunuch Liu had not been taken along.

Eunuch Liu saw the Crown Prince looking at him, ”The Emperor has gone to the empress chamber; he said not to disturb him unless there’s an urgent matter today.”

The Crown Prince stood up; was his father going to console his mother? This notion left the Crown Prince with mixed feelings; after yesterday’s turmoil, his mother must have been the most unsettled.

In Jinzhou City, Zhou’s residence remains sealed yet still received many visiting cards. Zhulan saw none of them. Waiting for the steward to go out with responses, she said to Grandma Song, ”I don’t even know if the master has started his return journey.”

Grandma Song didn’t know either; having entered the Zhou household, she was mostly just a messenger and wasn’t privy to internal news.

Zhulan didn’t expect an answer from Grandma Song and picked up her young son to distract herself, ”Son, call for daddy.”

The little guy looked around and then, blinking his eyes, babbled in response.

Zhulan laughed, ”You won’t learn anything without a perk, will you?”

This had become a habit; he was looking around for food. Ever since introducing solid foods, the little one had grown fussy, needing his fix every day.

At noon, Zhou Shuren returned to Jinzhou City. He didn’t go to the Government Office but went straight home instead.

Zhulan had received the news early and was waiting at the gate. When she saw Zhou Shuren alight from the carriage, her heart finally settled in her belly. She rushed forward, grabbing his arm with a voice somewhat choked, ”It’s good that you’re back, it’s good.”

Zhou Shuren supported Zhulan, ”Let’s go inside.”

Zhulan, ”Yes.”

Zhou Shuren took a few steps and then turned to his son, daughter-in-law, and the others behind him, ”You all go back. There’s no need to follow.”

The eldest Zhou son felt somewhat dazed; this scene was all too familiar, indeed quite nostalgic, ”Yes.”

With Zhou Shuren back home safely, the entire Zhou residence breathed a sigh of relief, and all the branches went their separate ways, chatting and laughing.

In the main courtyard, Zhulan examined Zhou Shuren carefully, ”Are you hurt?”