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

Chapter 841: Chapter 841 The Ministry of Revenue’s Official

The Crown Prince put down the zhezi, ”The Prince Residence has already prepared a courtyard in the front for you to live in.”

Shen Yang stuttered somewhat, ”Thank, thank you, Big Brother Crown Prince.”

Yet in his heart, he thought, no wonder the Crown Prince treated him well, the rewards he had received several times were all given by the Crown Prince, because he was his big brother; this blood relation could not deceive anyone.

At noon, during the lunch at Zhou Residence, Zhulan was eating while listening to her grandson speak.

Jiang Zhu would gesticulate when he became excited, ”Grandma, the capital is truly prosperous. Fourth Uncle took me to the bookshop. There are so many books in the bookshop, lots of travel accounts, and there are also many foreigners in the capital.”

Grandma gave birth to Fourth Uncle, and he had been with his parents to see Grandma, living in the Magistrate’s backyard. He had seen foreigners on the streets of Jinzhou City as well, but not as many as in the capital.

This time he was very close to the foreigners and found listening to their conversations quite interesting.

Zhulan looked at her grandson, who had relaxed a lot after going out, and said with a smile, ”The capital has not only bookshops but also tea houses, book buildings, painting shops, and the like, all of which you can go see.”

Today, Jiang Zhu had broadened his horizons. The capital, as everyone yearns for, truly had everything, anything one could think of was available, and his grandfather had managed to take root in the Capital—grandfather was indeed remarkable. ”Grandma, Grandfather is incredible, the most amazing person I’ve ever seen.”

Zhulan chuckled, tapped her grandson’s nose, and said, ”Then take your grandfather as a role model and work hard.”

Jiang Zhu nodded vigorously, ”Mhm.”

Chang Zhong was dumbfounded as he listened, finding it somewhat unbearable to look directly at his grandnephew, who spoke of ’father’ the most. Even he, as his real son, did not always talk about his father. Remembering the passion in his grandnephew’s eyes when he mentioned his father, Chang Zhong felt that his nephew Ming Hui was better!

Chang Zhi’s lips had been curling up, their home now had someone who admired father even more than the Third Brother. It seemed that Third Brother might have to step down from his position.

After lunch, Zhulan flipped through a booklet sent over from the Xu family, an overseas painting album. The painting techniques were already quite good. All the paintings in the album were landscapes, bought from a shop overseas by the Xu family.

Because Zhulan had mentioned she was interested in exotic things to the Xu family, they really took it to heart. They had sent glazed cups the day before, and today they sent a painting album.

Old Madam Song did not see what was so attractive about it, ”The paintings are not good.”

Zhulan said with a smile, ”The reality can be seen in these paintings.”

Old Madam Song did not understand and only felt that the paintings from their own dynasty were the best. She didn’t understand why her mistress had been looking at them all morning. There weren’t many pages after all, what was there to see?

Yet Zhulan was thinking about matters. She took out paper and pen and wrote down what she wanted; this was for the Xu family. When the Xu family goes out to sea again, if they come across them, they would buy and bring them back.

Not only that, she also wanted to go to the shops in the capital. After the opening of sea trade, many shops selling imported goods appeared in the capital. Previously, she had wanted to visit but had no silver; now that she had silver in hand, she wanted to shop.

At the Fifth Prince Residence, Zhang Jinghong received the decree, clutched the sacred edict tightly—he had survived, ”Living really is good.”

Heaven knows, he had always dreamt of being slowly sliced to death, it had become his nightmare, the bloody meat, the bright red bones, he was finally free from it.

Yao Xin supported her husband, looking at the completely chaotic Prince Residence, she was also dazed. But with the foundation of her husband talking in his sleep, she was prepared, ”It’s cold outside, let me help you back in.”

Zhang Jinghong coughed, ”Aren’t you surprised?”

He thought Yao Xin would be shocked, would be at a loss, would hold resentment.

Yao Xin suddenly laughed. ”You must not know that you are talking in your sleep.”

Zhang Jinghong’s pupils shrank; he truly didn’t know. So, Yao Xin had known for a long time but hadn’t let it slip. He gripped Yao Xin’s hand tightly. ”You.”

Yao Xin felt quite at ease without the identity of the Fifth Prince Consort. She playfully blinked her eyes. ”Now’s not the time for discussion. I should take you back to rest first. I have many things to do. Oh yes, the imperial edict said you could take some things with you. Make a list for me so I can pack them.”

Zhang Jinghong touched the imperial edict. He nearly died this time, but the rewards were substantial. He could take away his savings and even keep his current name. Yes, he did not have to change his name, and it would still be Zhang. This meant a great deal to him, it meant protection. Even without the identity of the Fifth Prince, he was not afraid of being mistreated by anyone.

Moreover, he felt quite lucky. Ever since he found out he was not a real prince, he had stayed in the main courtyard or the study, fortunately avoiding the back courtyard. Otherwise, his sleep-talking could have really killed him.

Zhang Jinghong said, ”Let’s go back to the room. I’ve already prepared the list; some things are already packed, and the rest that aren’t packed, you can take care of.”

Yao Xin gave an affirmative sound and helped her husband lie down. She took the list and felt even more confident. Her husband had made arrangements long ago; there was nothing for her to fear. ”I’ll be looking to you for guidance in the days to come.”

Zhang Jinghong looked directly into Yao Xin’s eyes. She grew nervous until he smiled and said, ”I’ll be looking to you for guidance.”

Yao Xin had known the secret for a long time but never told anyone. He kept her loyalty in his heart.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren and Qiu Yan exchanged glances, digesting the recent decree.

Zhou Shuren had indeed not expected that, without the identity of the Fifth Prince, Zhang Jinghong would enter the Ministry of Revenue and become an official, a Sixth Rank at that. This was no low starting point.

Xiao Qing was somewhat irritated. He saw Zhang Jinghong as a nuisance, but he couldn’t contest the Emperor’s edict. ”Go back to your duties!”

After Zhou Shuren and the others left, Qiu Yan spoke, ”To think the real and fake prince was actually real. Zhang Jinghong really is impressive. Not only did he survive, but he also secured an official position.”

He bypassed the imperial examinations and directly became a Sixth-rank official, and specifically, The Ministry of Revenue’s official.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard. He had not anticipated a person’s potential to be so great. Zhang Jinghong had changed so much. ”I heard he was seriously injured. To take on this role, he will have to wait until he is fully recovered.”

Qiu Yan had much to say, ”He really is capable, not only preserving his name but his surname as well.”

Zhou Shuren patted Qiu Yan’s shoulder. ”Don’t dwell on it. We have a pile of work waiting for us!”

Qiu Yan wanted to speak more about the true Fifth Prince. He wasn’t in the mood for work, guessing by now the entire capital was buzzing about this affair.

In the Hou Residence, Yao Wenqi, upon hearing the news about Zhang Jinghong, felt a heaviness settling in his heart. He knew the Emperor well enough; Zhang Jinghong must have made significant contributions to retire safely.

It wasn’t good that Zhang Jinghong was still alive, but thankfully, when dealing with the Children of the Previous Dynasty, he had kept a backup plan.

In the Second Prince Residence, Zhang Jingyang spoke indifferently, ”Zhang Jinghong possesses quite the skill.”

The more he interacted with him, the more Zhang Jingyang came to appreciate Zhang Jinghong. Zhang Jinghong became clearer headed the more he lived. Jingyang didn’t find him bothersome; in fact, their interactions were quite amiable.

As for Shen Yang, Zhang Jingyang held an aversion in his heart. With five sons, the Emperor had four of roughly equal calibre, then suddenly there was one who was unbearable to even look at, bringing down the level of the rest!

The Third Prince, Zhang Jingshi, was beset with troubles. His fourth brother had involved their maternal family in his actions in Jianghuai. As for the true and fake Fifth Prince, Jingshi had no time to concern himself.

In the evening, the Crown Prince returned to the residence with Shen Yang. On the carriage ride back, Shen Yang hesitated to speak several times. At first, the Crown Prince pretended not to notice, but as the attempts to speak increased, he frowned, ”If you have something to say, speak up. What’s with the hesitancy? It’s unseemly.”