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

Chapter 921: Chapter 921: Squeak If You Need Help

Ning Xu’s heart skipped a beat, ”Surely not.”

Duke Ning said somberly, ”The lessons of history compel me to worry.”

Especially recently, aside from the Second Prince, the third and fourth Princes have also extended their claws towards the Ning family. This is a test, a mad probing.

After Zhou Shuren regained his spirits, he noticed the Officials of the Ministry of Revenue covertly observing him. Seeing Qiu Yan wanting to speak but hesitating, Zhou Shuren’s eyes deepened as he stroked his beard. Without needing to think much, he knew what these people were thinking. He felt that misunderstandings, even if they arose from an unlikely series of events, could be beneficial - whether someone was genuine or deceitful would be put to the test.

Inside the Palace, after the Emperor reprimanded Zhou Shuren, his mood improved. After Zhou Shuren left, the Emperor slept for four hours, and upon waking, he learned of the rumors about Zhou Shuren.

The Emperor asked Eunuch Liu, ”Zhou Shuren didn’t explain himself and remained silent throughout?”

Eunuch Liu bowed his head, ”Yes, it seems Minister Zhou doesn’t intend to clarify and is allowing the speculations to continue.”

The Emperor laughed and cursed, ”Cunning fox.”

Zhou Shuren was rising smoothly in his career, but even with sharp eyes, there could be misjudgments. He was seizing the opportunity to test the waters!

The Emperor waved his hand, ”Alright, leave him be.”

In Eunuch Liu’s heart, Minister Zhou’s standing had soared today. How long had it been since the Emperor was so cheerful? This morning, the Emperor’s laughter was incessant, and in the afternoon, he even had a good nap. Hearing the contentment in the Emperor’s tone, Eunuch Liu reminded himself to be even more respectful the next time Minister Zhou visited.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan naturally heard the news as well; it had spread throughout the capital.

Zhou Changlian was very anxious, ”Mother, how can you still concentrate on reading?”

Zhulan wasn’t worried at all - first, because of Rongchuan, and second, because she understood her husband. If there had truly been a mishap or a scolding, Zhou Shuren would have informed her immediately. They were in this together and consulted each other on many matters. Since Zhou Shuren hadn’t returned, she had a good sense of the situation.

Zhou Changlian, seeing his mother’s untroubled face, said urgently, ”Mother, father has been reprimanded by the Emperor, and there’s talk that he’s lost the Imperial favor.”

Zhulan raised an eyebrow, ”I thought the rumors would be even more exaggerated.”

Zhou Changlian’s heart lurched, ”More exaggerated?”

Zhulan curled her lips, ”Like being demoted and sent out of the capital!”

Zhou Changlian’s face went pale with fear; the entire Zhou family relied on their father. For the first time, he profoundly felt that their only pillar of support was their father. ”Mother, please don’t scare your son.”

Zhulan, ”....All these years, and you still haven’t grown a thicker skin.”

Chang Zhi looked closely at his mother and, feeling reassured, thought that his mother was no less capable than his father. If his mother believed his father was fine, then his father must be alright, ”Mother, there are so many rumors in the capital; why doesn’t father clarify them?”

Zhulan looked at Chang Zhi approvingly. The boy wasn’t dim-witted; he just used to be disinterested, but now he was getting straight to the point. ”Your father is probably trying to probe.”

Zhou Changlian was taken aback, while Chang Zhi quickly grasped the concept, ”Your son still has a lot to learn.”

Zhulan smiled with her eyes, ”At your age, you’re already impressive. Your father has spoken highly of you behind your back.”

Chang Zhi’s progress was visibly noticeable. The once reclusive and studious Young Master Zhou was now accompanying Su Xuan to social events, making friends, and had started to build a reputation in the capital.

Zhou Changlian might be slow to react but wasn’t foolish. After pondering for a while, he understood his father’s intentions. His face flushed with embarrassment, ”Mother, I’ve disappointed you.”

He was the eldest son but still lacked steadiness in times of crisis.

Zhulan smiled, ”You’ve already done well.”

Zhou Changlian had limited exposure, unlike Chang Zhi who had Su Xuan by his side, and it was normal for the eldest son, being uninitiated, to lose composure.

Zhou Changlian’s face reddened again and he thought to himself, thankfully, he had Mingyun.

In the Hanlin Academy, Zhou Changlian listened to Lv Liang prattle on and on, rubbing his forehead, ”I’m busy. Have you finished speaking now?”

Lv Liang widened his eyes, ”I’ve said so much, and you’re not worried?”

Because Chang Lian had always ignored him, he couldn’t help but feel bitterness in his heart. This time, hearing the rumors, he hoped to see Chang Lian panic-stricken, but what happens? He exaggerates the rumors, yet Zhou Chang Lian has no reaction at all!

Chang Lian, ”My father taught me, whether it’s reprimand or reward, it’s all Imperial grace, and as ministers, all we should do is express our gratitude.”

With just one sentence, Lv Liang couldn’t even find the words to rebut.

Shi Qing had been all ears, his eyes still filled with envy. Master Zhou is a good father, and proper guidance is the most direct way a father shows love to his son.

Is Chang Lian worried? No, he isn’t. First, he went to the Palace yesterday, and even though the Emperor was in a foul mood, he didn’t lash out at him, which means his father is not in trouble. Second, he understands his own father well; the more the rumors, the clearer it is that his father is fine. If there really was a problem, his father would definitely react and not just let the rumors spread.

So Chang Lian is truly composed, even if everyone else thinks he’s just putting on a brave front.

Rongchuan also faced inquiries, and he isn’t worried either. What kind of person is Uncle Zhou? He’s actually looking forward to what will happen next.

At the Ministry of Rites, Wu Ming naturally also heard the news. As the person in charge, Gu Zhuomin and Wu Ming were working on a task together. Gu Zhuomin, worried, whispered, ”Aren’t you worried?”

Wu Ming, ”Worried about what?”

Gu Zhuomin frowned, ”Master Zhou.”

He was genuinely worried. He knew that Master Zhou had no clan to rely on, and the only person he could depend on was himself. As for in-laws, those who were married could still divorce, let alone those only engaged.

Wu Ming replied quietly and calmly, ”Are you scared?”

Gu Zhuomin indeed was scared, afraid that he had made the wrong bet, but besides Master Zhou, he had no one else to turn to, ”Not scared.”

Wu Ming raised an eyebrow, pretending to be strong, huh? He wasn’t in a hurry; he would wait a few days, a good opportunity to test Gu Zhuomin. As for his godfather being chastised, ha, what official hasn’t been scolded by the Emperor? He didn’t believe his godfather would lose the Emperor’s favor. He saw things sharply—the Emperor was in a bad mood but only detained his godfather, which is a sign of trust, trust from the Emperor.

You should know, since coming to the capital, he had heard many pieces of news, and these past two days, the Emperor hadn’t seen any ministers. Now he was actually excited, it’s just a pity he couldn’t show it. The officials of the Ministry of Rites, let him see things even clearer this time, which was rather good.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren was preparing to head home, his face still expressionless.

Wong Ju, because there were many people in the Ministry of Revenue, didn’t dare to look for Zhou Shuren without a reason, fearing to bring more trouble to him amidst the many prying eyes. Finally, after the government office was over, he caught up with Zhou Shuren, ”If you need help, you must squeak.”

Zhou Shuren, ”Squeak.”

Wong Ju felt like hitting someone, ”Don’t think I wouldn’t dare to raise my hand.”

”I’m giving you the opportunity, do you dare raise it?”

Wong Ju, ”....”

He didn’t dare. He really didn’t dare.

Zhou Shuren’s way of probing could not test those old, crafty foxes. He would bet that the old man of the Wong family, Duke Ning, and the others had definitely seen through his intent.

Wong Ju finally caught on, ”This is concern leading to chaos.”

Zhou Shuren was indeed moved, not that Wong Ju wasn’t clever, but being in the Ministry of Revenue, he was inevitably influenced, coupled with Zhou Shuren’s always brilliant acting. Faced directly with him, it was normal for Wong Ju to be concerned, ”It’s rare to find true friends in life, a good brother.”

Wong Ju truly saw him as a friend, which was why he was so concerned and lost his composure. He cherished it!

With a lighter heart, Wong Ju then looked at Zhou Shuren’s still heavy expression, admiring but not showing it out loud. To those who stood further away, they would think Zhou Shuren spoke some weighty matters, ”As long as you know, just treat me better in the future, like giving me less work, for instance.”

Zhou Shuren, ”Speaking of less work, we’re still friends!”

Wong Ju’s face darkened, this merciless man.

Zhou Shuren coughed lightly, ”Since we’re friends, and you know that the girls in my family are all treasures, your grandsons better not bully my granddaughters in the future.”

Wong Ju, ”.....”

Ha, very much like Zhou Shuren!