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

Chapter 969: Chapter 969: Fell Into a Trap

Mingyun waited for a response from Gu Liufeng, but before he could reply, the teacher came in. Liufeng shook his head, and Mingyun felt that Gu Liufeng would not tell him.

At the Zhou family, Mrs. Zhao returned, ”Mother, something has happened to the Gu family.”

Zhulan put down her needlework, and Xue Han also tilted her head to look at her sister-in-law, ”Sister-in-law, what could possibly happen to the Gu family?”

Mrs. Zhao covered her mouth and then said, ”Look at me, always blabbing. Mother, do you remember the cousin of Liufeng I told you about?”

Zhulan nodded; of course, she remembered and the memory was vivid.

Mrs. Zhao continued, ”Lady Hu told me today that Liufeng’s cousin had committed suicide a few days ago.”

Zhulan was stunned, ”Dead?”

Mrs. Zhao nodded, ”She was found in the morning, but she had gone during the night. I heard from Lady Hu that Mr. Gu went back for the ancestral rites and planned to address it, but unexpectedly, Liufeng’s cousin took her own life before the rites could take place.”

Zhulan felt heavy-hearted. Clearly returning home with hope, who knew what had happened in the meantime that led her to choose suicide, ”What a pity.”

Mrs. Zhao sighed, not as heavily weighted down as the mother-in-law, being someone accustomed to life and death, ”Lady Hu said that Mr. Gu was very angry, ordered people to bury her immediately, and set up a separate grave.”

Zhulan paused with her hand lifted, ”What did the Gu family say about it?”

Mrs. Zhao shook her head, ”Lady Hu would not tell me even if she knew. Had I not asked about it today, Lady Hu, unable to hold back for lack of someone to talk to, wouldn’t have told me either. But, I’m certain that something the Gu family did must have driven Liufeng’s cousin to suicide.”

Zhulan shared the sentiment, believing that without being driven to it, she would not have taken her own life and the reputation of the Gu family’s daughter was now tarnished.

At Mr. Li’s house that evening, when Zhou Shuren arrived, many people were already there, and he also saw Yao Zheyu.

Li Zhao, talking away, kept his eyes on the box in Zhou Shuren’s hands, ”I just knew you would come.”

Zhou Shuren, feeling the pinch, handed over the box, ”Mr. Li should know, I thought several times about bringing over a copy instead.”

Upon hearing this, Li Zhao immediately opened the box and seeing it was genuine, he laughed heartily, ”Keep the copies for yourself!”

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes mentally and said, ”Mr. Li, I’m planning to have a grand birthday feast next year, and I will certainly send an invitation to you well in advance.”

Li Zhao, smilingly patted Zhou Shuren on the back, ”Sure, sure, don’t worry, I’m not stingy, I’ll definitely be more generous than you.”

The last thing Zhou Shuren lacked at home was antiques, but he doubted that Mr. Li would give anything of value; Zhou Shuren was just being cautious.

Although the Li family did not host a grand event, many people still arrived, including several princes.

The place assigned to Zhou Shuren was not ideal; Mr. Li really knew how to arrange things. His seat was right behind several princes, and as soon as he sat down, someone sat down beside him, ”I’ve met Prince Qi.”

Prince Qi, holding a wine glass, said, ”I have always heard that Lord Zhou has a good relationship with Mr. Li, and I did not believe it at first. Now I do, and I admire Lord Zhou’s social skills.”

Just now, as he sat there, he was calculating Zhou Shuren’s friends. On closer inspection, it was something. Zhou Shuren had connections in The Six Ministries and now apparently also had a good relationship with Mr. Li.

Was Mr. Li a person short of rare books? If Mr. Li wanted them, there would be plenty of people gifting them. Just now, he observed closely, Zhou Shuren seemed actually reluctant to give the book.

Zhou Shuren knew the wine today would not taste good, ”That is just Mr. Li holding me in high regard, I would not dare to claim such acquaintance.”

He was trapped by Li Zhao, who intentionally arranged him near the princes, using him to attract attention. To think they had a decent relationship before? Pah!

Prince Qi has had a hard time lately, even implicating his grandfather, causing him much headache and frustration. He truly despised the fifth brother, and was also puzzled by his power. Zhang Jinghong wasn’t this difficult to handle before, ”Mr. Zhou, you’re too modest.”

The old fox, clearly coated in fur, but he couldn’t grasp a single hair.

Zhou Shuren looked at the officials at the same table, huh, they’re all watching the show!

Zhang Yang turned around, ”Second Brother, why did you go to another table? We’re waiting for you to start eating here!”

Prince Qi drained his cup and turned around, ”If I don’t start eating, you won’t either?”

Zhang Yang felt it was miraculous; he never dared to make eye contact with his elder brothers before, but now he was fearless. These recent experiences made him realize that his high and mighty second brother was nothing much, as long as the evidence was sufficient to step on him, ”Aside from our eldest Crown Prince brother, Second Brother is the most senior, of course we have to wait for Second Brother to start eating.”

Zhou Shuren was drinking his wine while Zhang Yang grew like a skyrocket.

Suddenly, Prince Qi laughed, ”We brothers haven’t really drunk together. Today you’re engaged, and although the wedding day isn’t set yet, it’s still a happy occasion. Let me drink to that first.”

Prince Chu and Prince Liang watched the drama unfold. Both knew Prince Qi better than Zhang Yang. Today’s incident was Prince Qi’s doing, not just to find Zhang Yang an annoying wife who couldn’t help, but also because the focus was on the poison in Zhang Yang. This leverage gave Prince Qi the upper hand.

Had Prince Qi not made a move, they would have acted. Indeed, it was time to suppress the fifth brother, for his recent actions had them all on edge.

Now Zhang Yang’s complexion turned unsightly. He had not known much about Mr. Qie’s daughter and had inquired specifically, which turned his face green. His imperial father had sealed it with his golden words, and the marriage was set in the imperial court; it could not be called off. He had hoped to marry a wife who could help him, but now it was just wishful thinking.

Prince Qi poured another cup of wine, ”This cup is a toast to you from your brother. You’ve taken good care of me and I’m grateful. I went out of my way to find an expert in poisons, to definitely solve the issue of you having poisoned offspring.”

Zhou Shuren saw many people choke, glad he had the foresight. Indeed, Prince Qi was stirring things up. Look at the changing faces of the officials; today was indeed a grand play, one trap after another.

At the same time, Zhou Shuren’s eyes widened. So it was a poison that affected offspring.

Zhang Yang’s face turned completely green. The initial poisoning had been suppressed by his father, and very few knew what poison it was. Seeing the expressions of his elder brothers, his face darkened—they were all aware. ”Little brother thanks Second Brother for your concern. I have already consulted a doctor, and the poison has been cured.”

Prince Chu didn’t believe it, ”Little Five, don’t be stubborn. Second Brother has widespread influence and many experts at his disposal. He might really be able to cure your poison.”

Zhang Yang was annoyed inwardly, even if the poison could really be cured, he wouldn’t make use of it, ”It’s truly cured.”

Zhou Shuren was slowly enjoying his meal. How could the damage caused be possibly reversed? It was likely that Zhang Yang was poisoned again. The more Zhang Yang trusted the people who had recently come to support him, the more dangerous it became for him. Clearly, the forces behind him did not want Zhang Yang to have offspring.

Having achieved his goal, Prince Qi’s mood lightened. Holding his wine cup, he said to Zhou Shuren, ”Last time I invited Mr. Zhou for tea, you were occupied. This time, you must drink a few more cups with me.”

Prince Chu chimed in, ”Mr. Zhou, I also toast to you.”

Zhou Shuren swore internally; the princes had suffered setbacks at his hand, and now they had the chance to get him drunk, and in addition, to pry information from him!

With narrowed eyes, Prince Liang said, ”Mr. Zhou, won’t you drink?”

Zhou Shuren holding his wine cup, responded, ”Your servant will drink.”

Soon it would be time for a performance, and he was capable of pretending to be drunk. It was just that inwardly he cursed Li Zhao. He was being put in a difficult position, and Li Zhao, his master, didn’t even come forward to help him. He would remember this!