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

Chapter 600: Chapter 600: It’s Interesting Because It’s Unpredictable_1

In Jinzhou Residence, in the afternoon, Zhulan had already learned what had transpired. The officials involved were all related to Maritime Affairs. After this purge, the struggle between several Princes over the past few years had been handed over to the Emperor in one fell swoop.

Zhulan used her fan to block the sunlight. It was early autumn, and the sun could be rather fierce.

Wu Ning returned, ”Aunt, I’m back.”

Zhulan asked, ”Have you had your meal?”

Wu Ning smiled and nodded, ”I have.”

Zhulan blinked, ”Did you see He Shu?”

Wu Ning’s cheeks reddened. She wasn’t supposed to go out today, but she had already made arrangements to visit Mr. Wang’s house. It would be inconvenient to reschedule at the last minute. ”Not only did I see Mr. He today, but I also met his younger brother.”

Zhulan became interested; according to the information she found, although Mr. He’s brother wasn’t very good at studying, he was quite diligent, and his nature was said to be honest and decent. ”What is he like?”

Wu Ning’s eyes shone with mirth, ”Quite good.”

Actually, they hardly exchanged a few words, and after all, she wasn’t married into the He family yet. However, it was enough that they treated her with respect.

Zhulan smiled, ”That’s good.”

Lady Li came in at that moment, holding a stack of scriptures in her hands, ”Mother, these are the scriptures I’ve recently finished copying.”

Zhulan didn’t plan to look at the scriptures Lady Li had written. Even though Lady Li had tried hard, her writing was simply too difficult to read, and Zhulan didn’t want to strain her eyes. ”Just put them aside.”

Recently, she also made it a point to write daily. This had become her spiritual solace. She hoped her mother would pull through and her father would come back safely.

Lady Li didn’t leave after sitting down. With the head of the household away, there was no one to quarrel with at home, rendering her days rather tasteless. She could stop pretending in front of her husband, ”Mother, my husband must be close to Pingzhou by now.”

Zhulan calculated. The journey should be quick for her eldest and Chang Zhi since they carried no burden, ”He should be close.”

Lady Li extended her plump hand and counted the days. Mother’s birthday was in August; it seemed impossible for him to return in time. Seeing that her mother’s face was still somewhat pale this year, ”Mother, are you still going to celebrate your birthday?”

Zhulan sighed. No plan could ever keep pace with the changes, ”No celebration this year.”

If her mother couldn’t make it through, she wouldn’t celebrate her own birthday for the next three years.

In the capital, Mr. Ran had entered the Palace, and the Third Prince received the news immediately. He had been waiting for his cheap uncle to cry for help, but not only did his uncle seem to be in no trouble at all, he had also entered the Palace openly and with great composure, reportedly received by Eunuch Liu himself.

After a moment of shock, the Third Prince smashed the teacup in his hand. So it turned out that the uncle had deceived everyone, and he had been utterly fooled. Then, cold sweat broke out on his forehead. His cheap uncle was the Emperor’s man—it meant the Emperor knew everything he had instructed his uncle to do!

No wonder the Emperor had been looking at him with a half-smile all this time, terrifying him into having nightmares nearly every night!

The Second Prince had long since abandoned Mr. Min, so he was not heartbroken. He was actually delighted by the news; indeed, he wasn’t the most unfortunate one—the Third Prince truly hit rock bottom. Strangely, this put him in an exceptionally good mood.

The Fourth Prince stroked his chin. This meant there could also be someone from the Emperor among his people. He shivered at the thought and now even regarded his close young servant with suspicion.

Inside the Palace, the Emperor was flipping through the evidence Mr. Ran had brought. He was extremely satisfied. His judgment had been the best, knowing whom to choose and how to use them, ”You’ve worked hard these years.”

Mr. Ran kneeled, ”Your servant dare not claim credit.”

The Emperor smiled, ”One must be rewarded for their contributions; it’s also time for you to come back to the capital.”

Mr. Ran lowered his eyelids. He didn’t want to go to the capital. Being there would indeed mean a promotion, but also more trouble. If it weren’t for Mr. Min’s mishap, his identity would have remained secret and he would have preferred it that way, ”I will leave all decisions to Your Majesty.”

The Emperor remained silent. If he wanted to come to the capital, he would have directly expressed his gratitude. The response he had just given indicated he didn’t wish to come to the capital. Narrowing his eyes, the Emperor looked at the Crown Prince once more, weighing his options. Finally, for the Crown Prince’s sake, ”As it happens, the new officials for Maritime Affairs will need your lead. You’ll have to work hard for a few more years.”

A gleam of joy crossed Mr. Ran’s heart, ”Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s eyes, however, held no laughter; this man was an important chess piece to contain the Qi family clan, and escape was impossible. Still, his loyalty was unwavering, ”You may leave now.”

Mr. Ran felt a chill down his back, ”Your servant takes his leave.”

Only after Mr. Ran had left did the Crown Prince speak, ”Father, why did you change your mind?”

He had seen the decree his father had written.

The Emperor thought to himself, because of you, of course, but delaying for another two years wouldn’t hurt either, ”All your brothers must also think it’s time for Ran Zheng to come to the capital.”

The Crown Prince was momentarily stunned, indeed, not only his brothers but every minister would think so.

Suddenly, the Emperor smiled, ”It’s more interesting when they can’t guess.”

The Crown Prince, ”....”

Life was too hard for him, his father had started to enjoy changing his mind this year!

In the following two days, Jinzhou City did not quiet down either. With officials like Mr. Min taken away, vacancies had to be filled, and these two days saw officials relocating to Jinzhou Province.

Zhulan too received many calling cards from visitors wanting to pay their respects.

Looking over the calling cards, Zhulan asked Zhou Shuren, ”Who has the capital sent to take over Mr. Min’s position?”

Zhou Shuren took a card from Zhulan’s hand, ”The eldest son of the Hou Residence, Prince Shen, will arrive tomorrow.”

Zhulan was taken aback, ”The Hou Residence!”

The Emperor was putting too much trust in the Shen family; although the power of Maritime Affairs had been curtailed, appointing the heir of the Hou Residence was an excessive display of trust.

Zhou Shuren said, ”Prince Shen coming here is no small matter.”

He didn’t believe it was just the Emperor’s trust; of course, trust played a part, but there was more calculation involved.

Zhulan pressed at her brow, ”Being too close to the capital is not good either; just look at the officials in Jinzhou City, most have the backing of powerful families.”

Zhou Shuren was also exhausted, ”Stop worrying, I’m here.”

Zhulan asked, ”I wonder what kind of person Prince Shen is? I remember the Shen family’s second son being quite the womanizer. Oh, and is the Prince’s wife easy to get along with?”

Zhou Shuren only knew about Prince Shen, ”Ahem, Prince Shen is not as flirtatious; he’s quite decent. As for the Prince’s wife, I really don’t know.”

Zhulan laughed lightly, ”I’ll find out when I meet her.”

Speaking of which, it was a blessing she had been ill; she had an excuse not to attend Magistrate Shen’s invitation. Not that the Magistrate was bad, just sometimes her haughty demeanor was offputting—she didn’t enjoy that.

Now with the Prince’s wife arriving, some of Jinzhou’s officials’ families had a new figure to fawn over.

Another two days passed, and Zhulan received an invitation from Prince Shen’s residence. She couldn’t avoid it and had to attend.

Arriving early for once, Zhulan met the Prince’s wife; she wasn’t young either. Zhulan thought to herself that as long as the Old Marquis remained alive, the Prince could not become Mr. Hou and would remain a Prince—if fortune didn’t favor him and he didn’t outlive his father, that would be a real tragedy.

After exchanging greetings, the Prince’s wife was very polite to her, and, seeing Zhulan’s pale face, quickly offered her a seat.

Truth be told, Zhulan was feeling much better; it was just her vitality that was weak, which would take some time to replenish, making things convenient for her.

Today’s banquet was just for introductions, but there was a main event; Zhulan looked intently at Magistrate Shen, thinking to herself that Yao Zheyu was indeed striving hard.