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

Chapter 925: Chapter 925: Truths and Lies

The Ministry of Rites, Gu Zhuomin was somewhat puzzled by Wu Ming and felt nervous inside. Wu Ming had unexpectedly not visited Mr. Zhou, which was beyond his expectations. He hadn’t made the visit, as he had never been to Zhou’s residence, and he didn’t feel comfortable going directly without first writing a visiting card.

Wu Ming dealt with those who had come looking for a conversation, and the day before he hadn’t visited his godfather, some couldn’t resist contacting him to probe for information, thinking he was aware of some news and feared being implicated, so he dared not visit. Others came to mock him.

Wu Ming was lost in thought about the matters at hand and felt Gu Zhuomin’s gaze on him continuously, ”Why are you looking at me like that?”

Gu Zhuomin, ”Mr. Zhou is ill.”

Wu Ming replied, ”Do you plan to visit him?”

Gu Zhuomin was somewhat cautious about Wu Ming; despite being younger than Gu, he didn’t underestimate Wu Ming at all. Uncertain of Wu Ming’s stance, Gu did not elaborate further but simply smiled.

Wu Ming also smiled and then continued organizing his documents as if nothing had happened.

Gu Zhuomin felt suffocated; he would have to work with Wu Ming in the future and the thought of the days ahead weighed even more heavily on his already burdened mind.

At Zhou’s residence, Zhou Shuren received his second visitor, Zhang Jinghong, ”How come you are here?”

At this time, Zhang Jinghong should have been at the Ministry of Revenue.

Zhang Jinghong carefully observed Mr. Zhou’s complexion, which showed no trace of jaundice, which eased his worries. By his own measure, if he were in trouble, he would be sleepless and haggard. Mr. Zhou looked well, and even with a serious expression, it was reassuring. ”I happened to be out on official business and thought I’d stop by to see how you were. You’ve always taken care of me in the Ministry of Revenue, and I’m grateful for that.”

Zhou Shuren, ”You had no choice.”

Zhang Jinghong admired Mr. Zhou but truly detested his biting words, ”Sir, my words come from the heart.”

Zhou Shuren chose to believe that what he meant was he sincerely hoped Zhou, his current protector, would be fine. As for anything else, he would rather believe Yao Zheyu than Zhang Jinghong. In his eyes, Zhang Jinghong was even more capable of protecting his own interests than Yao Zheyu.

Zhou Shuren sipped his hot water, ”You have seen me now, do you have any other business?”

Zhang Jinghong indeed had something urgent, ”Today I saw Prince Zhe Yu speaking with Mr. Qiu, who hurried off anxiously afterward. I thought I should inform you about it.”

Previously, everyone in the Ministry of Revenue was convinced that Mr. Zhou would be the next Minister. Now, just after Mr. Zhou took leave, more officials began to curry favor with Mr. Qiu.

Zhou Shuren was surprised; Zhang Yang was bold indeed, daring to reach out to Qiu Yan. This meant that he was planning to support Qiu Yan becoming the Minister of Revenue, a daring aspiration. At the same time, it also indicated that more people believed Zhou Shuren was in trouble.

Zhang Jinghong continued, ”Sir, there are too many who want to kick a man while he’s down. It’s hard to say whether a Zhezi targeting Mr. Zhou will be presented to the Emperor in the next few days.”

Who could blame them? Mr. Zhou had always been the object of envy, and when the wall falls, everyone pushes. If Mr. Zhou were in trouble, it would free up a position that many are eager to fill.

Zhou Shuren, ”Then shouldn’t you keep your distance?”

If Zhang Jinghong had a better option, he too would want to leave. Everyone wants to live a good life, ”I have the utmost respect for you, sir.”

Zhou Shuren waved his hand, ”I’ve noted your words. It’s getting late, and I need to rest.”

Zhang Jinghong left the Zhou residence and laughed as he sat in the carriage. He’d always wanted to be a man like Zhou Shuren, so he paid more attention to him than anyone else. Although he couldn’t be entirely sure, he had a hunch that Mr. Zhou would be fine, and this visit was well worth it.

At Duke Residence, Ning Hui said, ”Father, should I visit Zhou Shuren?”

Duke Ning, ”No need. Zhou Shuren would rather no one visits him.”

Ning Hui furrowed his brow, ”Even if Mr. Zhou is confident, once the Zhezi targeting Zhou Shuren are presented, the Emperor might grow suspicious with more exposure. My visit could also deter some people.”

Duke Ning looked at his second son, who always sought stability. When his second son spoke such words, Duke Ning was not surprised. As for his youngest son, Duke Ning knew from the moment his youngest son did not return home that the boy agreed with Zhou Shuren’s actions, and he might have even secretly fanned the flames.

Duke Ning said, ”The Emperor’s actions these past few days are proof enough that the Emperor endorses Zhou Shuren’s methods. As for Zhou Shuren, we have nothing to worry about, he knows what he’s doing.”

He looked at nothing else but Rongchuan, for the child had been to the palace again today, which said it all.

Duke Ning paused, ”I don’t want to hear anything about Rongchuan’s marriage. As the future Clan Leader, it’s your duty to manage the affairs of our clan.”

Ning Hui saw to it that he was diligent with clan affairs, ”Your son will definitely keep a close watch.”

”Hmm.”

In the afternoon, while Zhulan and Zhou Shuren were resting, Nanny Song woke Zhulan and whispered, ”Miss has arrived.”

Zhulan knew that Nanny Song would not wake her unless it was important, ”But what has happened?”

Nanny Song said, ”Miss’s in-laws are pale as ghosts, it must be something serious.”

Zhulan hadn’t even combed her hair, she just gathered it quickly and stepped out to see the old Jiang couple trembling in front of a wooden chest, ”What happened?”

Xue Mei’s complexion wasn’t good either; she had just found out that something seemed to have happened to her father, and her parents hadn’t told her anything. She felt useless, ”Mother, my in-laws were stopped at the market, someone gave them this wooden chest and asked them to inquire about father’s condition.”

The elder Jiang was frantically waving his hands, ”We didn’t want this, they forced it upon us, they only asked to know about the state of my father-in-law at home, and all this would be ours. My mother-in-law, we dare not accept this. It wasn’t our intent at all.”

Though he was short-sighted, he knew well enough. His son had always relied on his in-laws. If his in-laws were truly in trouble, everything would be over, the silver would be of no use, and they wouldn’t be able to keep anything at the end. Without a second thought, he rushed home to speak to his daughter-in-law.

Xue Mei was pleased with her in-laws’ actions but worried about her father, ”Mother, father is alright, isn’t he?”

Zhulan took the wooden chest but didn’t reply to her daughter. Instead, she took out a silver note from within the chest. Wow, such a generous amount, five hundred taels; the Zhou family was under her tight control, and not a single piece of news could leak out. That’s why they approached Xue Mei’s parents.

Zhulan put away the silver note and placed the wooden chest in front of the old Jiang couple, then whispered something to Nanny Song, who went to find out who had stopped the Jiang elders.

Zhulan waited until Nanny Song left before she said to her daughter, ”It’s only a rumor.”

Upon finishing, her gaze turned to the old Jiang couple.

For the first time in his life, Old Jiang reacted quickly, ”We will definitely not say a word, we didn’t hear anything.”

Zhulan smiled, ”Wait until we find out who sent the silver note, then you can take it back.”

Old Jiang was bewildered, ”We cannot take this silver.”

Zhulan, ”Your father-in-law will be passing on the message, so this is what’s due to your father-in-law.”

Seeing that her father-in-law didn’t understand, Xue Mei spoke up, ”Mother means to let my father-in-law deliver false news?”

Zhulan nodded, ”Yes, you’ve just come from your hometown and have limited news. Your father-in-law doesn’t need to worry about being retaliated against later.”

She wouldn’t spread entirely false news. Sometimes, when you actually convey the truth, they think you’re just bluffing. It’s not all false words from your father-in-law. Even if found out later on, they’d just regret not believing the information from the start.

And after the storm passes, Zhou Shuren will still be the Zhou Shuren of the past. Who would dare seek revenge then?