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

Chapter 762: Chapter 762: Don’t Trust Me_1

Zhou Shuren poured himself another cup of wine, and while pretending to drink, he glanced at the Crown Prince from the corner of his eye. Today, the Emperor had neglected the Crown Prince, speaking with him only twice during the entire victory banquet. Zhou Shuren withdrew his gaze and casually swept it across the ministers attending the banquet; many of them were inquisitively sizing up the Emperor and the Crown Prince.

Zhou Shuren drained the cup of wine. It seemed that with external troubles resolved, the time had come to begin internal purges. Indeed, the Emperor had been cold to the Crown Prince at yesterday’s morning court, now setting traps for this most revered father and son.

Qiu Yan lowered his voice, ”Are you acquainted with the Princely Heir Yao?”

Zhou Shuren explained, ”When I was the Magistrate of Jinzhou Province, Princely Heir Yao was also in Jinzhou. We had some dealings.”

Qiu Yan felt relieved. It was better if they weren’t close; he didn’t want his dealings with Zhou Shuren to involve Princely Heir Yao. ”It’s better to have fewer dealings in the future. The Hou Residence is in chaos, just you wait and see. Once Princely Heir Yao returns, the Hou Residence won’t be quiet. You’ve just arrived in the capital, it is still best to be cautious.”

Zhou Shuren sensed the disdain in Mr. Qiu’s tone when he spoke of the Hou Residence and paused before saying, ”All right, I’ll remember that.”

Qiu Yan had no more to say; he truly looked down upon the Hou Residence. The infighting among the concubines had become public knowledge, a complete loss of face. Even hearing about it felt like an affront to his ears.

Soon after, the Emperor and Crown Prince left one after the other, and not long after, the victory banquet disbanded.

Zhou Shuren walked out of the Palace together with Qiu Yan. Neither of them had drunk much, and the cool breeze swept away any hint of intoxication. They moved at a leisurely pace. Zhou Shuren stopped when he heard Yao Zheyu calling him.

Qiu Yan frowned and spoke, ”I’ll go ahead.”

Zhou Shuren, ”Okay.”

Qiu Yan moved his mouth as if to speak, but in the end, he said nothing. He had already given his warning once and then turned to leave briskly.

Yao Zheyu approached in haste, ”Magistrate Zhou, it’s been a while, how have you been lately?”

Zhou Shuren, ”...Hasn’t the Prince seen everything himself?”

Why ask him? Could he have entered the capital if things weren’t well?

Yao Zheyu halted in his steps; he had only asked out of politeness and chuckled awkwardly, ”I asked unnecessarily.”

Zhou Shuren coughed, ”I have yet to congratulate the Prince on the birth of your son. Congratulations.”

Yao Zheyu’s thoughts turned to his son whom he had only met briefly, his heart softened. He didn’t have a good father, but he hoped to be a good one himself, ”I also congratulate the Magistrate on your promotion.”

”Congratulations to us both, and congratulations to the Prince on the position at the Ministry of War.”

Yao Zheyu didn’t feel very happy. A position at the Ministry of War was just the Emperor’s way of keeping him in the capital. The little power he had gathered for the Yao family would definitely be taken over by someone appointed by the Emperor within a month. He was just a tool in the Emperor’s hand, and he forced a laugh, ”Congratulations to us both.”

Zhou Shuren picked up on the dejection in Yao Zheyu’s tone. He was clear about the situation; Yao Zheyu’s new post was merely that of a Fifth Rank doctor, and his future inheritance of any title was uncertain. Advancing his official position would prove difficult.

They soon left the Palace, and Zhou Shuren got into his carriage. The moon was full that evening, and its light was enough to see clearly without lanterns. After settling down, Zhou Shuren pulled the carriage curtains closed.

Jingyan hesitated, ”Sir, would you like a candle lit?”

”No need, I’ll rest for a while. Wake me when we arrive home.”

”Yes, sir.”

Zhou Shuren closed his eyes, recalling the various happenings at today’s victory banquet. The Emperor and the Crown Prince had shattered the calm, and it felt as though a meat grinder had been plugged in, just waiting for people to get caught in it. He could already smell the blood; this round of purges would surely involve many.

The next day at Zhou Residence, Zhulan woke up early and Zhou Shuren also sat up, ”Is it time for the morning court already?”

”Not yet, you can sleep a bit longer.”

Zhou Shuren estimated the time and decided against going back to sleep, ”I’ll get up too, go to the morning court a bit earlier.”

Zhulan waited for Zhou Shuren to get up and called for a servant girl to bring in water for washing, then said, ”I went to bed early yesterday, and I didn’t wake up when you came back late. I’ve received quite a few invitations these last few days, including one from Hou Residence.”

After washing his face, Zhou Shuren dried it and sat down on the chair, ”Hou Residence? This military campaign, no one from Hou Residence participated. Come to think of it, Hou Residence and Yao Residence stirred up a storm due to Magistrate Shen, and they’ve been keeping a low profile for the past half year.”

Zhulan took up the comb to tidy her husband’s hair, ”A visit to Hou Residence is a must, this is an invitation for a full-moon celebration, for the eldest legitimate grandson of the second wife of Hou Residence.”

Zhou Shuren agreed, ”Indeed, we should go.”

Zhulan smiled, ”Who knows, we might even see Magistrate Shen and the child.”

Unfortunately, at the time of the quarrel between the two Hous, the Zhou family had not been in the capital. It was said the row was particularly fierce, and in the end, it was only after Magistrate Shen suffered a pregnancy scare and the Imperial Physician declared she could not be moved, that the Empress intervened to settle the matter.

Zhou Shuren squinted his eyes, ”Yao Zheyu has returned, and this time he has no reason to stay at Shen’s. I reckon he’ll move back in these next few days.”

Zhulan felt a pity and patted Zhou Shuren’s shoulder, ”Your hair is done; go change your clothes, and we can have breakfast soon.”

”Alright.”

Two hours later, in the court, Zhou Shuren was very alert. There must be something happening today, and sure enough, before long, an official submitted a Zhezi, accusing someone affiliated with the Crown Prince.

Zhou Shuren glanced at it. Having attended court for several days, he pretty much remembered all the officials present. Mr. Qie, Third Rank, the deputy Imperial Censor from the right, was making a significant move first thing.

The Emperor looked through the submitted Zhezi, obviously having put in an effort to test him, finding fault with someone he had appointed for the Crown Prince. He sure knew how to catch someone. Tossing the Zhezi to the Crown Prince, his voice was notably lower than usual, ”Take a good look at this.”

The Crown Prince took the Zhezi, and fell silent after seeing the name. No wonder his father was angry; this was his father’s appointment. Although the person was listed under his name, it was indeed his father’s doing, and now, with evidence of wrongdoings brought before the court, it upset not only Minister Sun but his father as well, ”Your son failed to notice, and asks to be punished.”

The Emperor was indeed angry. The person he had entrusted to the Crown Prince was not being managed because he was his man.

Zhou Shuren bowed his head and perked his ears. The Emperor was truly angry; even his tone had changed and was not feigned. The entire court fell silent, even including the deputy Imperial Censor who dared not utter a word, as quiet as a backdrop.

The morning court session ended quickly, and Zhou Shuren stroked his beard. The Crown Prince really was punished, ordered to reflect behind closed doors.

Xiao Qing’s brow was deeply furrowed. After many years by the monarch’s side, he could discern whether the Emperor’s anger was genuine or feigned. With a sigh, he hoped that there would not be a rift between the Crown Prince and the Emperor, ”Let’s go.”

Zhou Shuren watched as the ministers left quickly in small groups. Some were excited, while others were worried.

In the imperial palace’s political hall, the Emperor looked at the kneeling Crown Prince, ”Do you realize your mistake?”

The Crown Prince bowed his head, ”Your son realizes his mistake.”

The Emperor clenched his fist. He felt like giving the Crown Prince a good thrashing, ”You do not trust Us, hmm?”

The Crown Prince was taken aback, beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he quickly replied, ”Father Emperor, your son has always trusted you, which is why I did not pay extra attention. It is because they were appointed by you that your son trusted them completely. If your son truly did not trust Minister Sun, he wouldn’t have dared to be corrupt and accept bribes.”

The Emperor felt his anger subside, indeed, the Crown Prince had always placed high importance on Sun Liao, but Sun Liao had let down their trust, ”Get up.”