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

Chapter 956: 956 Chapter: Open Strategy

Zhou Shuren scoffed, Prince Qi was employing an overt strategy, an unavoidable one at that. He had no choice but to cooperate with Prince Qi’s overt scheme today, and as he was leaving, he had to stir the pot one last time. He was protective but not blindly so; did they really think he would only calculate against Zhang Yang and not dare to move against the other princes!

Zhou Shuren mused to himself that when Prince Qi said he was the one who understood life the best, it was a jab at him. Wong Ju’s concern was genuine, and he felt a warmth in his heart, shaking his head, ”No, what could possibly be wrong with me?”

Wong Ju looked carefully at Zhou Shuren, as they had a good relationship, he felt Zhou Shuren’s words were sarcastic. He watched Zhou Shuren get on the carriage; the calmer Zhou Shuren appeared, the more it indicated that he was struggling internally. Wong Ju sighed before he left.

Prince Qi was waiting for Zhou Shuren at the Ministry of Revenue and even chatted with him for a bit, and the news spread quickly.

At the Zhou household, Zhulan took the official robe her husband had changed out of, ”Rongchuan came at noon, originally intending to stay for dinner with you, but someone from the Duke Residence came to fetch him.”

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, his mood lightening quite a bit, ”He came right after leaving the palace?”

A smile appeared on Zhulan’s face, ”Yes, he came straight here after returning to the Hou Residence.”

Zhou Shuren’s smile deepened, ”This child has always considered himself a part of the Zhou family.”

With no outsiders in the room, Zhulan passed the clothes over, ”In his heart, we are like his parents, if not actually his parents.”

Zhou Shuren felt a sense of gratification, ”This child is a good kid.”

”I hope he never changes.”

Zhou Shuren changed his clothes, ”That would be difficult.”

This experience would cause Chang Lian to grow, and Rongchuan’s growth would be even more rapid. Zhou Shuren smiled with a hint of schadenfreude; as Rongchuan matured, he would consider the Ning family’s future more. The Emperor would definitely feel uncomfortable, and rightly so!

For dinner, Zhou Shuren didn’t want the whole family to eat together, so it was just the two of them. Zhou Shuren looked at the dishes, ”All these are my favorites.”

”Yes, I had to watch someone show off at lunch; I wanted to eat something good tonight as well.”

Zhou Shuren laughed softly, ”We will have our turn to show off when we get the chance.”

Zhulan also laughed, ”Right, Ran Xun also came in the afternoon, that kid wants to stay for a few days.”

At this, Zhulan almost laughed; the boy had brought his luggage himself, almost as if he intended to stay until Ming Teng returned to the academy.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, ”If Ran Zheng did not allow it, Ran Xun would not have been able to come over. Ran Zheng is expressing his intentions through his grandson; both the Ran and Zhou families are not just in-laws but also allies.”

Zhulan nodded; that was another reason for her smile in the afternoon, ”The Ran family is keeping a very low profile nowadays.”

Zhou Shuren served his wife some fish, ”He has already sent his eldest son far from the capital, and the last time we talked, he seemed to want to send his younger son out too. Until the capital settles down, he does not plan to bring his sons back.”

Zhulan sighed, ”He has the confidence to do that. As long as the Crown Prince ascends the throne, his sons will surely be put to good use, so coming to the capital won’t be difficult.”

Compared to the power in the Crown Prince’s harem, the Ran family’s break with the Qi family made them appear more vulnerable, but being not one of the noble families is an advantage for the Crown Prince; even if they are to be employed, it would take time for the Ran family to establish themselves, which gives the Crown Prince peace of mind to make use of them.

Zhou Shuren, ”But that’s all after the Crown Prince ascends the throne.”

Zhulan dropped the subject, indeed it was still a distant matter, as the Crown Prince had yet to ascend the throne.

At the Crown Prince’s residence, the Crown Prince sat alone in his study. He had been under the watchful eye of the Emperor, especially since this year began, being taken wherever the Emperor went. Only when he returned to his residence could he be alone to think through more matters.

The Crown Prince had discovered only a smattering of information. His apprehension of his father meant he dared not make any grand moves; even if the Emperor did not act, the Crown Prince had his suspicions. Among all of the Emperor’s sons, he understood the Emperor the most.

The Crown Prince thought of Rongchuan; the Emperor favored his youngest son, but when it came to the throne, that favor was secondary. Although it was a matter of loving both the palm and back of the hand equally, the Emperor’s actions were mainly driven by a desire for balance, especially when he considered moving against the Phang family.

Then there was only the Chen family left. To maintain balance, the Ning family was also implicated, no, the Ning family had already been dragged into the fray.

In the carriage of Ning Duke Residence, Ning Xu looked at his son, who still wore a smile on his face. He had truly raised Rongchuan as his own son, now reaching out to gently stroke Rongchuan’s hair.

Rongchuan turned his head, ”Father, what’s the matter?”

Ning Xu smiled, ”Nothing major, I just feel a bit sentimental. In a few months, you will be getting married.”

Rongchuan beamed, ”Today the Emperor also said so, and mentioned he would send a gift for his son.”

Ning Xu’s hand paused. Rongchuan knew nothing and was merely happy about the gift, unaware that it was meant as compensation. ”Then you must thank the Emperor.”

Rongchuan had also discussed the assignment away from the capital with his third brother today and was a bit relentless in his pursuit, ”Father, I wish to be assigned away from the capital.”

Ning Xu smiled bitterly inside. If Rongchuan were truly his son, he would naturally be pleased his son had aspirations and would joyfully plan for his future, but Rongchuan was not. With the Emperor growing older, naturally, he would not want Rongchuan to leave; should there be any misfortune, it would be impossible even to see Rongchuan’s face at the end. Of course, there was also the fact that as a Prince, Rongchuan could not leave the capital.

Seeing that his father did not reply, Rongchuan wanted to make another effort, ”Father, my eldest cousin’s abilities are limited, and my second cousin is unwell, and the younger generation of the Ning family is still too small. Currently, I am the only one from the Ning family, Father, I should be the one to support the Ning family, just like third brother.”

Ning Xu was moved. There was a generational gap in the Ning family, and if Rongchuan truly were his son, how wonderful that would be, but alas, he was not. He closed his eyes, not responding.

Rongchuan deflated a little. After this assassination attempt, he knew it would be even harder to leave the capital. Being the sole heir, he could only slowly wait it out in the capital.

The next morning, a Female Officer from the palace arrived early. The Empress had decreed a visit to the Imperial Temple for prayers two days later and invited the households of officials to accompany her.

Zhulan sent away the Female Officer feeling puzzled by the Empress’ actions. She still planned to go; being invited was a symbol of status, for the Empress did not extend her invitations to just anyone.

Zhulan called for Xue Han, who had been mentioned by the Female Officer earlier, ”You will also accompany me.”

Xue Han furrowed her brow, ”Mother, there hasn’t been a major disaster, nor has anything happened. Why is the Empress going to pray for blessings?”

Zhulan felt it was related to Rongchuan; the Empress had always had a good reputation. Having met the Empress herself, Zhulan felt that she was not only shrewd but also had a temper, ”I don’t know either, but be extra careful when the time comes.”

Two hours later, Mrs. Tao visited. Mrs. Tao came straight to the point, ”Have you received an invitation?”

Zhulan nodded, ”Yes, are you going too?”

Mrs. Tao nodded, ”Who else but the first daughter-in-law of the Wong family.”

The invitations were not dependent on rank; Mrs. Tao was not of high rank, but she represented the entire Wong family.

Zhulan brooded, ”The Empress has invited quite a number of official families?”

Mrs. Tao nodded, ”From the information I have, nearly all families of officials of fourth rank and above in the capital have been invited.”

Zhulan’s heart rattled, ”This doesn’t seem to be a simple matter.”