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

Chapter 835: Chapter 835 The Problem Arises

Yao Zheyu’s attitude was exceedingly humble, as though he were addressing an elder, ”Grand Master Zhou, ever since I returned to the capital, you have been occupied, and I’ve had no chance to invite you to dine. Today, I would like to ask you for the honor of sharing a simple meal.”

Zhou Shuren was well aware that Yao Zheyu had been wanting to make contact, but there had been no opportunity for a meeting. He was filled with emotion; when they first met, he hadn’t considered Yao Zheyu important, his manner was lofty, summoning him and dismissing him at will. Now, just to invite him for a meal, he had to arrange his demeanor properly, ”Princely Heir, please.”

Yao Zheyu gestured for him to proceed, truly afraid that Grand Master Zhou would not give him face. Although he had fought in wars and was a Princely Heir, he understood that these titles were temporary, and in the future, he would have to live at the mercy of others.

The sudden death of his stepmother left him far from calm on the surface; his heart was cold. It was too similar to the way he had overheard about his mother’s death: both had fallen ill suddenly and passed away quickly. It must have been his father’s doing. The death of his stepmother made his situation even more urgent.

Thinking back to his days in the Ministry of War, Yao Zheyu considered himself a capable person, but the Grand Master of Writing had completely ignored him. At one point, he even wondered if he had gone to the Ministry of Works instead. He knew that Li Zhao’s reaction was a reflection of the Emperor’s, and so he felt the weight on his shoulders growing heavier.

Zhou Shuren sat in the carriage, noting the approach of winter as the sky grew dark so early in the day.

Yao Zheyu eyed Grand Master Zhou, who showed no desire to chat, and regretted it deeply. He had learned that one should always leave room for future encounters; he had been too young at the time and had missed a great opportunity. Despite his efforts to make amends, his relationship with Grand Master Zhou remained one of superficial acquaintance.

Searching for something to say, Yao Zheyu spoke up, ”I had intended to visit you during your convalescence, Grand Master, but an incident at home delayed me until today. You seem to have recuperated well; your complexion is rosy, and your spirit looks good.”

Zhou Shuren was speechless. Was the man blind? He had been poring over accounts all day, and now his head was buzzing; his complexion was truly not good. He didn’t want to speak up because he was tired. Had he not wanted to make contact with Yao Zheyu, he would have excused himself and gone straight home.

Zhou Shuren considered for a moment and then responded, ”Hmm, the hot spring at the villa is quite good.”

Yao Zheyu felt a pang in his heart. He had achieved considerable merits but had not received any tangible rewards, while everyone knew that the villa was a gift from the Emperor to Grand Master Zhou, an object of universal envy among the officials of the capital.

As for him, his influence had been stripped away, and the Emperor seemed ready to discard him after use. Going to the Ministry of War each day, he was anxious.

He couldn’t share his anxiety with his wife; at home, he had to put on a brave face, deal with his father, and protect his wife and children. His heart was really weary, especially with his father continuing to court disaster, no, had been courting disaster for a long time. He only wished to survive.

Seeing Yao Zheyu fall silent, Zhou Shuren stroked his beard. This young man had fought through life’s struggles and was indeed an unfortunate soul. With the Emperor’s current stance, Yao Zheyu wouldn’t even be able to enter the Ministry of War if he weren’t Magistrate Shen’s son-in-law.

The more Zhou Shuren understood about the Emperor, the clearer it became that Yao Zheyu was still the Emperor’s weapon. The blade was not yet unsheathed, merely awaiting an opportunity to be wielded, and when that time would come was uncertain.

Zhou Shuren glanced at Yao Zheyu from the corner of his eye. This was the male protagonist of the original work, after all. According to the novel’s ending, the male and female protagonists would eventually live happily together, sure, once the hardships were over.

So the question arose, now that he had experienced this first-hand and understood the Emperor’s mindset better, even if Yao Zheyu survived, he would be confined to the capital, closely watched for the rest of his days.

In the original story without Wang Ru’s reversal of fate, his own daughter, the original female protagonist, did not have Magistrate Shen’s background, so how could she live happily together with the male protagonist? Could he get the Emperor to grant Yao Zheyu an exceptional act of mercy?

The carriage came to a halt, and Zhou Shuren snapped back to reality, thinking that he didn’t want to strain his brain anymore. Let the male protagonist do as he pleases; after all, there was no chance of any contact with his own daughter. His mind was very tired now, and all he wanted was to relax.

Yao Zheyu had chosen a bustling restaurant, and Zhou Shuren looked at the place, now lit up, and found it immensely lively at this hour. He gave Yao Zheyu a meaningful look at the entrance, deliberate on the part of this official who knew fully well what he was doing. It seemed that Yao Zheyu’s days, even with the status of son-in-law to the Hou Residence, were not much better.

Yao Zheyu inwardly admitted to leveraging his relationship to let others know that he still had some rapport with Grand Master Zhou, ”Please, Grand Master, this way.”

Zhou Shuren walked up the stairs hands behind his back, boldly and frankly, he was not at all afraid to interact with Yao Zheyu. After all, he knew too much.

Sometimes, he could even get some overlooked news from Yao Zheyu’s mouth!

Upon reaching the private room, the dishes were already on the table. Zhou Shuren, feeling hungry, sat down and said, ”Prince, please take a seat too.”

Let’s not be too formal here, as if he was treating. He hadn’t brought much Silver Coin with him.

Yao Zheyu smiled and sat down, ”I’m not familiar with your tastes, Grand Master. I’ve ordered all the famous dishes of this restaurant. Please see if they suit your palate.”

Zhou Shuren didn’t hold back; he picked up his chopsticks and chose what he liked. Once his hunger was somewhat satisfied and his pace of eating had slowed, he said, ”You’ve especially invited me here today, not just for a meal, right? There must be something you want to discuss.”

Yao Zheyu lowered his head; indeed, he wasn’t just looking to leverage the situation, ”My mother has passed away; according to the laws of our dynasty, a military general may take leave for mourning without being relieved of his post, granted only a hundred days of leave.”

Zhou Shuren was aware of this as after becoming an official, he not only studied the laws but also memorized them for fear of making a mistake, ”So, what then?”

Yao Zheyu had a lot of free time in the Ministry of War; official mourning leave made little difference to him.

Yao Zheyu didn’t wish to take leave. Already overlooked by the Emperor, after starting mourning leave, he would have even less presence, as if being confined at home daily, which could drive him to despair.

Sometimes, he even thought that it wasn’t that he lacked ability, but that he chose the wrong life to be born into.

Yao Zheyu poured wine for Grand Master Zhou, ”The Emperor values you highly, Grand Master Zhou. I ask you to speak a few good words for me.”

He knew that he could not change the mourning leave, so he could only request Grand Master Zhou to mention him appropriately in front of the Emperor. He was genuinely afraid that even without being stripped of his post, he wouldn’t be allowed to return to the Ministry of War after his leave.

Zhou Shuren, holding his wine cup, refused flatly, ”The Prince is a wise man; I am not able to assist.”

It all depended on the Emperor. However, it now seemed Yao Zheyu was truly panicking.

Of course, even if he could help, he wouldn’t. Pah, what an inflated sense of self-importance, as if a meal could sway him to speak on his behalf. His words were currently very valuable. So far, he had only opened his mouth for Wu Ming; he hadn’t even dared to mention anyone else to the Emperor, not even his sons.

Yao Zheyu’s heart skipped a beat, realizing Zhou Shuren could see the situation clearly. He felt as though he was facing the Minister of War, not willing to give up yet and still hoping for another strategy. He pulled out a box that he had prepared in advance, opened it for Grand Master Zhou to see, ”I know your family is looking to buy properties. These are shops that were part of my mother’s dowry. They have been under a Servant’s name and have been well-managed for years, bringing in a good income annually.”

Zhou Shuren pushed the box back, ”The Zhou family is not lacking in Silver.”

The implication was that his family had Silver, and if they truly wished to buy, they would spend Silver to do so.

Yao Zheyu looked at the box in front of him, deeply disappointed, finding himself unable to even give things away now.