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

Chapter 726: Chapter 726: Familiar Routine_1

Shi Qing accepted the box with a warmth in his heart and saw another person approaching, ”Please come inside.”

Turning his head, Chang Lian saw it was Shen Yang and hummed a sound as he entered the courtyard. When there were not many people around Rongchuan, he said, ”Shen Yang is carrying a big jar, not even in a box, as if he is afraid others won’t know what he brought.”

Chang Lian said, ”Don’t mind him, we’ll leave after we finish eating.”

There weren’t many guests in the courtyard; the tables were spaced widely apart. Chang Lian led Rongchuan to the table where Mr. Lv was sitting.

Mr. Lv said, ”I thought you wouldn’t come!”

Chang Lian smiled and replied, ”Since we have become acquainted, it is only right to come.”

Mr. Lv said, ”I came a bit early and heard that the dowry of the legitimate daughter of Hou Residence was quite spectacular, a whole eighty-eight bearers.”

He was genuinely envious; if he had that Silver Coin, he would also be willing to marry the disreputable legitimate daughter of Marquis Yao’s family.

In the backyard, Yao Yao was eating the food brought by the Maid, her lips curving upward. Shi Qing had thought to send her food, and she looked forward to the future with more anticipation.

As night fell, Shi Qing bid farewell to guests at the door. When Chang Lian and Rongchuan’s turn came, he whispered, ”I like the gifts very much, thank you.”

Chang Lian had gifted him the ink he had long wanted to buy, and Rongchuan had given him a painting. He sneaked a peek and it turned out to be an original, priceless.

Rongchuan remembered Shi Qing’s favor; when he had been saving Silver Coin, Shi Qing helped him a lot. ”I’m glad you like it.”

After all the guests had left, Shi Qing returned to the backyard. Since he took over the covert tasks, he had not actively investigated Miss Yao the Second, yet all news regarding her had reached him, impressing him more deeply. She was decisive with her actions towards her own brother, had secretly asked the Zhou family to buy properties, and her thorough planning, each action surprised him.

Shi Qing looked forward to the future; he could confidently hand over the backyard to Miss Yao the Second. From this day on, he was no longer alone.

In Jinzhou Province, Zhulan was counting the hours, ”The wedding banquet must be over by now.”

Zhou Shuren replied, ”Yes.”

In her heart, Zhulan silently sent her blessings, hoping that Shi Qing and Yao Yao could stay together till old age.

Two days later in the capital, as soon as Shen Yang from Hanlin Academy entered the room, the once lively room fell silent. Shen Yang quickly lowered his head and sat down in his seat.

Mr. Lv raised an eyebrow, ”Shen Yang, I heard your distant relative has been arrested and thrown into prison? Not just for embezzlement and bribery but also for taking human lives. I heard the evidence is conclusive.”

Sweat appeared on Shen Yang’s forehead, ”Is that so? I only just heard about it too.”

Mr. Lv was vindicated; Shen Yang hadn’t stopped boasting about his distant relative, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, parading his pride around. Now, look—those who clung to Shen Yang before were all avoiding him.

However, Chang Lian felt it was not so simple; this incident occurred too quickly, the evidence was too complete, which meant the Deputy Minister had long been under scrutiny.

In Jinzhou Province, Zhou Shuren also learned of the news. Furrowing his brow, he doubted that the Emperor would simply hand over the Ministry of Personnel position to him!

Wong Ju started to speak but hesitated, ”My lord, my father said that the case involving the Deputy Minister will be concluded quickly.”

Zhou Shuren asked, ”Did Mr. Qi say anything else?”

Mr. Qi, reporting to court daily, had a clearer view and indicating this to Wong Ju, he wanted to pass a message to him.

Wong Ju murmured, ”My father said, my lord should not have any expectations.”

Zhou Shuren understood; old Mr. Qi meant that even after dealing with the Deputy Minister, the position would not be given to him. He should stop dreaming.

”Please thank Mr. Qi for me.”

In the capital, the handling of the Deputy Minister created ripples, and those with ambitions all wanted to fight for a chance.

Of course, Marquis Yao was furious. The official he groomed had been ruined in an instant. He cursed those he collaborated with. Back then, he said it wouldn’t work, those who acted behind his back, now it’s done, and he found himself with a major headache. Shen Yang, a move that should have been highly effective, now hadn’t made any significant progress.

The Emperor’s attitude was unclear. If he did not value Shen Yang, Shen Yang should not have remained in the capital, yet he did, staying in Hanlin Academy and being summoned to the Palace several times. He valued Shen Yang, yet made no further moves.

Yao Wenqi squinted his eyes; he knew the Emperor was suspicious. It seemed the Emperor was still investigating. Thinking of the Deputy Minister, he felt angry—how could the official have done so much without his knowledge, and now that the Emperor had found out, Yao could only abandon him.

Two days later, the case of the Deputy Minister was briskly concluded. Chang Lian was somewhat stunned, ”The case has been concluded so quickly?”

Rongchuan, ”This means there’s no intention to investigate further.”

Chang Lian whispered, ”This is the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.”

It was the first time Rongchuan experienced such an event up close and truly realized the nature of the power struggle, leaving him feeling somewhat uneasy, ”Whatever happens, it has nothing to do with us.”

”You’re right.”

Inside the Palace, the Emperor spoke somberly, ”Everyone is eyeing the position of the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.”

The Crown Prince knew very well that his troublesome brothers, who had been somewhat stable for a few days, were also quite eager, ”Hmm.”

The Emperor chuckled, ”The stage is set.”

The Crown Prince also smiled, ”Indeed.”

In Jinzhou Province, Zhou Shuren stayed in Jinzhou Province, and his information was particularly well-informed, with old Master Wong sending news frequently.

At noon, Wong Ju slipped over again, ”Sir, today’s court was especially lively, your name was mentioned several times.”

Zhou Shuren motioned for Jingyan to stand guard at a distance, ”My name?”

”Yes, my father said Mr. Qi recommended you for the position of Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Mr. Qi recounted all of your political achievements over the years. Sir, do you recognize Mr. Qi?”

Mr. Qi, ah, he’s from the neutral faction. His father often said privately that Mr. Qi only had ears, as he usually just stood silent in the court. Suddenly speaking up, his father was stunned!

Zhou Shuren, ”...I don’t recognize him.”

Wong Ju wasn’t entirely convinced, ”Sir, Mr. Qi knows you very well; only someone who understands you would remember your accomplishments so clearly.”

Zhou Shuren truly didn’t recognize Mr. Qi, and he wondered if it was the Emperor’s arrangement. He then asked, ”Surely there was opposition!”

He couldn’t be promoted directly to Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, not skipping two grades!

Wong Ju continued, ”Hmm, my father said Mr. Qi was under attack. He also said that it was the first time he knew Mr. Qi was such an eloquent speaker.”

Today, Mr. Qi indeed shook up the court.

Zhou Shuren, ”Is there anything else?”

Wong Ju shook his head, ”No, my father just wanted me to ask whether you knew Mr. Qi.”

Zhou Shuren affirmed, ”I truly do not know him.”

Wong Ju stroking his chin, ”If you really don’t know him, could it be that Mr. Qi isn’t helping you?”

But that shouldn’t be the case. If someone wanted to trap Mr. Zhou, why pick Mr. Qi of all people?

Zhou Shuren also fell into contemplation. In the capital, every official had their own designated post; the Emperor would not place him in an idle position. He didn’t consider Mr. Qi, and he felt even more so that this move was the Emperor’s play, with the position of Deputy Treasurer of Historiography merely a smokescreen.

The following day, Zhou Shuren felt uncomfortable under Wong Ju’s gaze, ”Why are you looking at me like that?”

It made him quite cautious!

Wong Ju, ”I just feel like I don’t know enough about you, so I want to observe more.”

Zhou Shuren, ”...Oh.”

Wong Ju spoke with some excitement, ”Yesterday, many silent officials out of nowhere supported Mr. Qi today, though of course, there were even more who rebutted, saying you don’t have enough experience, that you need more grooming. My father is totally confused.”

His father said many of those people had no prior connections.

Zhou Shuren, ”....”

Ah, the familiar routine!