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

Chapter 580: Chapter 580 Not to be a pawn_1

Zhou Shuren’s eyes changed, ”So ministers who can maintain neutrality are truly adept foxes?” Just yesterday, he saw his changing expressions and, in one night, he thought through so much, ”Then what?”

Mr. Wang felt choked, ”Mr. Zhou, you should understand my meaning.”

All as cunning as foxes, no need to pretend to be a domestic cat. He didn’t believe for a second that Mr. Zhou wasn’t clear about yesterday’s events—he had clearly seen Mr. Zhou change his face. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have thought so much about it!

Zhou Shuren blinked, ”Mr. Wang.”

Wong Ju’s heart thumped violently, feeling he had guessed the truth, ”Mr. Zhou.”

Zhou Shuren pressed his fingertip against Wong Ju’s forehead and pushed hard, ”Mr. Wang must not have rinsed his mouth this morning; this breath is a bit too strong. Mr. Wang, we have no enmity, you can’t take revenge on me like this!”

Wong Ju’s heart almost stopped. He had prepared himself to hear secrets, and this is what he got; his voice turned sharp, ”Mr. Zhou.”

Zhou Shuren stood up, ”Mr. Wang, I haven’t heard a word you said today. However, speaking of which, I rather like your temperament. Being able to hold back curiosity is a trait worth learning from indeed.”

Wong Ju’s agitated heart calmed down. He took a closer look at Mr. Zhou and suddenly laughed; his self-control wasn’t up to par. Could it be understood that Mr. Zhou had already guessed something? He couldn’t compare with Mr. Zhou at all; just look at Mr. Zhou’s composure.

Zhou Shuren opened the door, ”If Mr. Wang is at leisure, perhaps a tour around the city gates to check on the progress of the new entry registration would be advisable.”

Wong Ju fell silent; he was not at leisure at all. He still had to oversee the construction of the sewer channels in the North City. He chuckled drily, ”Mr. Zhou, I’ll be busy first.”

Zhou Shuren suddenly said, ”Our relationship is not bad, I’ll offer some extra advice; a calm heart is as stable as a mountain.”

Wong Ju paused in his steps then hurried out. It was false to say he wasn’t moved; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so agitated to seek confirmation from Zhou Shuren. Now it felt like a bucket of ice water had been poured over him, chilling him to the core. He guessed that the Fifth Prince in the capital was fake, but he couldn’t bring him to the capital. Wouldn’t that just blatantly inform the Emperor that he knew the secret? Then the questions arose—how much did he know? What would the Emperor think of him?

Wong Ju’s back grew cold. The more beautiful things are, the more poisonous they can be. He couldn’t let his thoughts wander; it was better to be honest and straightforward.

After Wong Ju left, Zhou Shuren’s expression turned serious as he squinted, reminded by Wong Ju’s comment. He finally realized what he had overlooked. Were the people who replaced the Fifth Prince truly unaware that the Emperor had noticed the imposter?

Zhou Shuren was deeply drawn in. If he had big ambitions, the real Fifth Prince would surely need to be killed; and as a villain, he would definitely have left himself an out, speculating against the Emperor with no safety-net was unacceptable.

After stepping into the role himself, his fingertips tapping on his palm, Zhou Shuren mused as the Emperor had unexpectedly slapped him in the face while testing Marquis Yao. All these issues... Zhou Shuren’s mouth curled playfully; things were getting more and more interesting. Regardless of why this student, who resembled the Emperor, appeared in Jinzhou Province, whether he was already there before or arrived after his visit, he would not be a pawn in their game.

Zhou Shuren smiled, keen to see how things would unfold. Truly, this was getting very interesting.

Before long, the day to announce the exam results arrived. Zhulan had already known the outcome early on. He Shu was this year’s government granary student. Although not the youngest of the past years, it was still a testament to He Shu’s ability to capture first place, a feat not just anyone could achieve.

Zhulan called for Wu Ning and Xue Han, ”You two, change into another set of clothes and come with me to deliver gifts to the King’s mansion later.”

Wu Ning’s face flushed; on the way here, Xue Han didn’t stop teasing her. She lowered her head, ”Auntie, we’ll go back to change.”

Zhulan looked at Wu Ning and said with a smile, ”Change into something festive, today is He Shu’s great celebration.”

Wu Ning twisted the handkerchief, ”Okay.”

Xue Han laughed, ”Sister is shy.”

Wu Ning stomped her foot and hurriedly ran out. Zhulan tapped her daughter’s forehead, ”Go easy on teasing Wu Ning!”

Xue Han agreed verbally, though her heart wasn’t in it; she felt the current Wu Ning was at her most vibrant, a sight that delighted the heart.

Zhulan arrived at the mansion with gifts in hand. There weren’t many people there; after all, He Shu was not the mansion’s son. Zhulan came in person due to the impending kinship.

Lady Xue looked at Wu Ning, dressed in red, ”Wu Ning has always worn plain colors, and this rare sight of her in bright clothes is truly eye-catching.”

Wu Ning, upon hearing the praise, felt relieved. Her outfit was newly made by the household, and she had never worn it before, still not liking to stand out.

Zhulan continued the conversation, ”I thought the fabric was suitable for this girl when I chose it, and it indeed looks suitable after being made.”

Lady Xue, with a smile in her eyes, told her daughter beside her, ”Take your sisters out to the garden for a stroll.”

Miss Wang smiled and said, ”Yes.”

After the girls had left, Zhulan raised her eyebrows, ”Is He Shu in the mansion?”

Lady Xue nodded, ”He’s back to change clothes.”

Zhulan said, ”This is a congratulatory gift for He Shu; please accept it on his behalf.”

Lady Xue glanced at it and was pleased with the Zhou family’s generous gift—a hundred taels worth of items. The more the Zhou family valued He Shu, the happier she was, ”He Shu is already a Scholar, and the master intends for me to choose a date soon to make a marriage proposal.”

Zhulan set down her teacup, ”Then I’ll wait here in the mansion.”

Lady Xue felt assured by these words, ”Good.”

Zhulan, accompanied by two maids, returned to the carriage. Xue Han couldn’t help laughing, Wu Ning was so flushed she could bleed. Zhulan inquired, ”What happened?”

Xue Han said cheerfully, ”Mother, Mr. He stuttered upon seeing sister Wu Ning. Wu, Wu, Miss Wu.”

After imitating him, Xue Han couldn’t help laughing again.

Zhulan also laughed, finding it funny. He Shu was usually so composed—today was an exception!

Wu Ning covered her face with a fan. She hadn’t expected Mr. He to be struck dumb by her, stuttering when he came back to his senses, his face as red as hers. She couldn’t help but feel joyful inside, pleasing Mr. He enough to leave him dumbstruck. She internally called him a fool, a broad smile crossing her face.

Zhulan fanned herself, contemplating how He Shu was more optimistic than Wu Ning, with a positive outlook on life. Wu Ning had changed a lot after the few encounters with He Shu.

Back at the residence, Wu Ning quickly ran off after giving her respects, causing Xue Han to laugh, ”These days, I think I have been a bit harsh in teasing my sister.”

Zhulan responded, ”You realize that now? But on another note, I wonder how Rongchuan’s results are.”

Xue Han’s mood dipped, ”We won’t see Rongchuan until the end of the year, and he’ll be gone for a whole year.”

Zhulan asked, ”Aren’t you worried about Rongchuan’s performance?”

Xue Han confidently replied, ”I believe in Rongchuan.”

In Pingzhou, Rongchuan and the two Wu brothers saw off the messenger who had brought good news. Wu Yong congratulated him, ”Congratulations to you, Brother Zhang, on becoming a government granary student.”

Rongchuan had calmed down from the initial excitement, ”I also congratulate you two brothers on achieving the rank of Scholar.”

Wu Ting finally relaxed, as the pressure of their eldest brother watching over their studies had been immense, ”Congratulations to us all.”