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

Chapter 997: Chapter 997 Leaving

Xue Han explained, ”Sir Li, Minister of War.”

Lady Li closed her mouth, realizing her dream of adopting a puppy was dashed—at least she could procure that much face for her father-in-law, who still doted on his wife despite her age. She couldn’t help but give her husband a death glare.

Zhou Shuren felt his wife’s reproachful gaze, thinking to himself that, although his father had Silver, he had none. His wife envied the bouquet his father prepared for his mother, and though he prepared one too, using wildflowers from the mountains that his wife despised, he too wanted to pluck flowers from the garden but dared not—mainly because he lacked the Silver.

Zhou Shuren gazed at the puppy in his mother’s arms. This breed was beyond reach—cough, cough—because of the lack of Silver. However, he could procure a dog for guarding the house, though he reckoned bringing one home might earn him a beating. He felt his life was truly difficult!

Lady Zhao also wanted a pet. She didn’t feel lonely when raising her young daughter, but now the girl would vanish early in the mornings, and she didn’t like to leave the residence often. She started to miss her husband, ”Mother, Lady Hu said that Mr. Gu has already updated Liufeng’s family register. Liufeng is now a descendant of Mr. Gu’s branch.”

Zhulan saw that her granddaughters were still fixated on the puppy and smiled, handing the little dog to Yushuang, ”You all go play in the inner room.”

After the granddaughters left, Zhulan then said, ”Mr. Gu is indeed in a hurry.”

Even unable to leave the capital, he managed to get things done.

Su Xuan continued the conversation, ”If Lady Hu were not still alive, Mr. Gu would eagerly adopt Liufeng into his own family.”

Lady Zhao thought to herself that it was fortunate Lady Hu was around. The more she knew about Lady Hu, the more confident she felt about sending her daughter there in the future. Lady Ding was the kind of mother-in-law who knew how to keep her daughter-in-law in line, too scheming.

In the Ministry of Rites, Wu Ming held the ancient sacrificial records in his arms, and Gu Zhuomin stepped forward to help, yet he wondered to himself when the days of being hindered would end.

Gu Zhuomin looked admiringly at Wu Ming. Wu Ming faced the most difficulties, and even when reprimanded, he remained unflustered. Gu knew he couldn’t do the same at Wu Ming’s age, ”Is the Deputy Minister still unsatisfied?”

Wu Ming replied, ”Mm.”

Gu Zhuomin frowned, ”Doesn’t that mean you’ll have to leave late again today?”

Wu Ming smiled. He couldn’t say he hadn’t really made any changes and that staying late was all an act. The Grand Master of Writing thought he was being troubled by the Deputy Minister, but every time the Deputy Minister rejected his work, he would write some messages to him.

Gu Zhuomin patted Wu Ming’s shoulder. ”If only I had had your attitude back then... but no, it’s all in the past now.”

Wu Ming wanted to say that even if Gu Zhuomin had his attitude, it would be futile without someone to protect him. Wu Ming owed his current position to his godfather’s protection. Without his godfather, he couldn’t even think of saving dowries for his sisters or gifts for his brothers’ betrothals—whether his own family could remain safe was another matter.

Gu Zhuomin went on to say, ”Liufeng has been adopted into my branch. From now on, he is my genuine nephew.”

Wu Ming looked up, ”Congratulations, your wish has been fulfilled.”

Gu Zhuomin felt a bit awkward; his intentions were too obvious. Liufeng’s future was needed by their branch, and for his son and grandson, he had to do it.

The next day, in the government hall, Zhou Shuren listened to the scholars discuss the development plans for the coming years, rolling his eyes incessantly. ”So impractical, they might as well tear their hamstrings.”

The Emperor turned to Xiao Qing, ”What is your opinion, my subject?”

Xiao Qing began listening earnestly but soon grew disinterested, ”Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue is out of Silver.”

He didn’t argue; he simply announced their poverty.

Scholar Ding had done his homework, ”As the Ministry of Revenue’s tax revenue increases yearly, Minister Xiao, how can you say there is no silver?”

Xiao Qing shot back, ”Scholar Ding only sees the income. Have you seen the expenses? Building the naval forces, ships, researching technology—have you accounted for these, Scholar Ding? If you can manage the Silver for these projects, whatever you say, I will support.”

Mr. Ding’s face turned red; he certainly didn’t have that ability, ”Sir Xiao, I am not an official of the Ministry of Revenue.”

Xiao Qing’s lips curled with disdain, ”At least you’re aware that you are not an official of the Ministry of Revenue!”

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that it was a good retort. Everyone’s talking without having to bear the consequences, pah, can’t they be a bit more practical?

Mr. Ding, huffing angrily, said, ”Emperor.”

The Emperor had grown tired of listening. He was a practical man, and although talking with Zhou Shuren was like dealing with a cunning fox, Zhou’s words did provide him with some inspiration now and then. If it weren’t for his need to keep The Six Ministries in check, he wouldn’t have bothered listening today. The Emperor raised his hand to signal, ”That will be all for today.”

Mr. Ding opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again, his brows furrowed deeply. The scholars exchanged glances and could only withdraw.

Zhou Shuren and Sir Xiao walked out together. Xiao Qing was in a good mood; the grandees hadn’t left the palace yet when they encountered several Princes entering the palace.

Before Zhou Shuren could even turn his head, Xiao Qing coughed, ”It’s getting late, and there is a pile of work waiting at the Ministry of Revenue.”

Zhou Shuren felt wronged; he only wanted to see if Zhang Yang had completely recovered from his leg injury—he genuinely had no interest in watching the drama!

At the government hall, the Emperor had never intended to leave the Crown Prince in charge of the garden construction indefinitely. He had waited several days for someone to apply, but his son had grown wiser. He hadn’t actually planned to prise Silver away from his sons this time; he only wanted to find them some tasks. Unfortunately, his sons didn’t trust him!

The sons of Prince Qi stood there, silent after hearing their father’s words, the bloody lessons of the past clearly in their minds.

Prince Qi did have some Silver, but after the continuous troubles of the Chen family, he had to save for the future.

Prince Chu truly had no Silver. The Qi family could no longer continue to provide him with Silver Coin; he had to spend his Silver very carefully.

Prince Liang also had no Silver. Staging events, bribing others, and supporting his followers had almost entirely depleted his Silver.

Zhang Yang did have Silver, but his strategist was quite right—building gardens didn’t earn much credit.

The Emperor heavily dropped a book onto the table, ”Since none of you are speaking up, then the task will be divided amongst the four of you, each responsible for one section of the area.”

The Princes’ heads shot up, incredulously looking at their father—the Emperor. Could it really be done this way?

The Emperor thought to himself, offering you an opportunity that you didn’t seize. Now that I have to assign it, I’m not pleased, and I don’t even want all the Silver.

The Crown Prince felt that today’s weather was particularly pleasant. He had given numerous hints, but no one believed him, and he was rather upset. Now they deserved it!

The Emperor gestured for the Crown Prince to bring over a piece of paper, on which ”east,” ”west,” ”south,” and ”north” were written, and then he crumpled them into balls, ”Alright, draw lots.”

The Princes, ”....”

They didn’t want to draw. They really didn’t want to draw.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan was talking with her two brothers. Since their trip to the seaside, her brothers had scarcely stayed in the capital, having just returned from a stay at Zhulan’s family’s manor.

Yang Zhumu received a reply from his son desiring a detailed discussion about the future, and feeling concerned, he said, ”We plan to return home earlier.”

Zhulan, ”So soon?”

Yang Zhulin looked at his grandson, ”Not too soon. Winter is almost upon us.”

Zhulan, sentimentally reluctant, said, ”Then wait a few more days; I will prepare the New Year’s gifts and bring them back with me.”