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

Chapter 768: Chapter 768: Bloodline of the Former Dynasty_1

Zhang Jinghong left the Second Prince Residence and got back into his carriage when he realized something was amiss. There was an extra letter inside his carriage. He stared at the letter on the carriage table, sitting motionless until the carriage slowly made its way to The Prince Residence. Only then did he pull back the curtain, ”Take this letter, check it carefully, and then bring it to me.”

The guard, furrowing his brows, responded, ”Yes.”

He followed his master into the Second Prince Residence, leaving the coachman alone to watch over the carriage. The coachman was one of his own men, so who could have delivered the letter!

Zhang Jinghong had been clueless before, but now he understood all too well. The Crown Prince wouldn’t have made him stay at Shen Yang’s residence for no reason. He just hadn’t expected contact from someone so soon. Were they preparing to lay their cards on the table with him?

Zhang Jinghong had a fire brewing in his belly. He felt wronged. If it hadn’t been for his self-rescue, the only outcome awaiting him would have been death. The more he thought about the threat to his life, the angrier he became!

The next day, at the early morning court session, Zhou Shuren was barely awake and extremely groggy. He had stayed up late the previous night to settle the accounts, and he longed for a computer. His head was starting to hurt from the tedious task of checking every single item—it was killing him.

He couldn’t fall asleep during the court session, so he had to pinch himself hard twice. It really hurt!

The morning court session ended quickly that day, and Xiao Qing, seeing Zhou Shuren, said, ”You should go back and rest first.”

Zhou Shuren couldn’t hold up any longer. He was too sleepy. ”Yes.”

On the carriage ride back to the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren couldn’t sleep comfortably. Upon arriving, he went to his resting quarters. He needed to rest for half an hour.

By the time Zhou Shuren awoke, the Grand Master of Writing had already returned. Qiu Yan, seeing Zhou Shuren awake, said, ”Grand Master Xiao has sent someone over. Once you’re awake, we’ll head over.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shuren knew there must be something important, ”Alright.”

Xiao Qing, seeing that Zhou Shuren’s spirit wasn’t bad, gestured for the two men to sit and started speaking, ”The Emperor is planning to send someone abroad to purchase grain. I’ve called for you because, first, the Ministry of Revenue will send a person to accompany them, and second, to estimate the amount of silver necessary.”

Zhou Shuren was somewhat surprised, ”The Ministry of Revenue is also sending an official?”

Xiao Qing, noticing that Zhou Shuren was not surprised by the purchase of the grain, understood clearly that the idea must have come from Zhou Shuren, ”Yes, the Ministry of Revenue needs to manage the accounts and will follow the entire journey.”

Qiu Yan asked, ”Sir, who do you plan to send?”

He didn’t want to go. Not to mention the hardship of the journey, it wouldn’t bring much benefit. It was better to stay put in the Ministry of Revenue.

Zhou Shuren, on the other hand, wanted to go. The destination was a neighboring country with low risk. He was eager to see the outside world, waiting expectantly for Grand Master Xiao’s decision.

Xiao Qing saw through the minds of his two assistants clearly, ”It would suffice to send a Superintendent.”

It wasn’t just that Qiu Yan didn’t want to go—even if he did, Xiao Qing wouldn’t let him. The Ministry of Revenue needed Qiu Yan too much. As for Zhou Shuren, even if he were to arrange it, the Emperor would not allow Zhou Shuren to go.

The Emperor treasured Zhou Shuren not just as a skilled money manager but also as a capable minister with good strategies. Going abroad had its dangers, and Zhou Shuren shouldn’t even think about it.

Zhou Shuren was quite disappointed. He truly wanted to go out and see the world. He began to plan in his heart that once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he would retire and, if his health allowed, take his wife along to travel abroad.

Inside the Palace, the Emperor had finished reading the letter. It had been rewritten, ”What do you think?”

Zhang Jinghong felt chills in his heart. The letter stated he was of the royal bloodline of the former dynasty. He was stupefied. Knowing the guard was the Emperor’s man, he dared not conceal anything. His lips quivered, ”Your servant, your servant does not believe it.”

Yet the Emperor felt that the letter spoke the truth. The more he investigated, the clearer it became that there were three forces: Yao Wenqi was one, the dregs of the former dynasty another, and a third, most secretive force that he had not yet uncovered.

As for the remnants of the former dynasty, he suspected they had long since been outmaneuvered and absorbed by the other two sides. Ironically, the once-powerful former dynasty was now pitifully reduced to a mere chess piece being shunted around.

Zhang Jinghong’s heart trembled. If he were an innocent man, he would still have a chance to live; the Emperor had already promised as much. But now, if the letter spoke the truth, his future only led to hell. ”Emperor, I don’t know anything, I—”

The Emperor raised his hand. ”The former dynasty has perished, and nothing can change your royal bloodline. The end of the former dynasty was due to fate running its course; you should understand that. I am not so petty as to be unable to tolerate one man. Do you understand?”

More than anything, it was self-assurance; he was not afraid of the remnants of the former dynasty!

Zhang Jinghong understood clearly. To be tolerated by the royal family, he must not be associated with any faction; otherwise, the royal family would not tolerate him. This also told him that the fall of the former dynasty was its own doing—when the wall falls, everyone pushes.

Zhang Jinghong’s back was soaked with sweat. ”I understand, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor spoke, ”Do you understand what you should do next?”

”I understand; I will procure what Your Majesty desires.”

This was his loyalty, his chance at survival, yet a chill ran down his spine. The Emperor’s words implied that he truly was of the former dynasty’s royal bloodline—a truly tragic lineage. He felt even more hatred toward those who used him!

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan had just visited her fraternal twin grandchildren. The two little ones grew even faster after their full moon celebration, looking different each day. Su Xuan took great care of them; the children were especially well-nourished and looked nothing like typical twins—they were very robust.

Passing by the garden, she saw Yushuang sitting in the pavilion arranging flowers and walked over. ”Why are you here alone?”

Yushuang stood up. ”My sister grew tired and has just gone back.”

Zhulan sat down, observing the arrangement of flowers before her. Yushuang’s floral arrangements were always the most artistic; the girl had a particularly good aesthetic. ”Very beautiful.”

Yushuang smiled, ”Since the teacher had a day off today, and my granddaughter had some free time, she picked some flowers. If grandmother likes them, I will give this vase to you.”

Zhulan did not stand on ceremony. ”Good.”

Yushuang picked up the shears again, took another branch of flowers, and planned to arrange another vase.

Zhulan sat there and didn’t leave. ”This time, I’m planning for you and Yu Lu to go together to the invitation we have received for your aunt.”

Yushuang seemed somewhat reluctant, but looking at her grandmother, she knew in her heart that her grandmother was doing what was best for her. ”Yes.”

Zhulan said, ”Your grandfather is now highly regarded by the Emperor and has secured his position in the Ministry of Revenue. Even if someone wants to bully you, they will have to think twice. You need to broaden your horizons, and the capital is the best place to do so.”

Now that the Zhou family had confidence, Yushuang attending more social functions was not an issue. The capital was never short of beauties; after she attended a few banquets, it was true that there were quite a few beauties.

Yushuang replied, ”Grandmother, I understand.”

Zhulan smiled, ”Grandmother knows you’re intelligent. The road ahead is long, my girl; you must take it one step at a time.”

Yushuang’s state of mind was already at peace. Ever since her father and mother changed, the pressure on her had vanished. Otherwise, she would not have the luxury to enjoy the scenery or arrange flowers.

In the evening, when Zhou Shuren came home, Zhulan was full of sympathy. She could feel her husband’s fatigue. ”After dinner, you should rest.”

Zhou Shuren said, ”I’m fine. I had a nap this morning, and after dinner, I’ll review the grandchildren’s studies before I come back to rest. It won’t be too late.”

Zhulan smiled. ”You’ve really changed a lot.”

Zhou Shuren was not one to be so attentive to everything in the past.