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

Chapter 1000: Chapter 1000: You’re destined to be an Emperor, be magnanimous.

With the weather growing colder, Zhulan was even less willing to venture out of the house. This winter was especially cold, and besides the first snowfall at the beginning of the season, there had been no more snow.

Xue Han sat beside her mother, aware that her wedding day was fast approaching. Rongchuan had been completely blocked from visiting by her father. Listening to the cold wind howling outside, Xue Han couldn’t help but shrink her neck. ”Mother, it’s too cold this winter. I will be married in a dozen days, this weather really is a trial.”

Zhulan suddenly laughed, ”The one who’s really suffering is Rongchuan, he’ll have to ride a horse to come fetch you.”

On such cold days, there were few people on the streets, let alone riders. Those who went out took horse-drawn carriages.

Xue Han felt a twinge of sympathy, then added, ”It’s his own haste to get married. Why not wait until the spring of next year, it would be much better.”

Zhulan smiled, ”Keep pretending to be tough.”

She knew too well how much this girl worried, despite her pretense. Worried that her daughter would not freeze on the way to her marriage, she had made a new cloak for Xue Han that reached to her feet. Once she wore it and felt warm, she sent a young servant to pass the word to Rongchuan.

Xue Han’s cheeks flushed with the thought of leaving for a strange place after her marriage. Even with Rongchuan there, she felt a hint of unease. Hugging her hand warmer tightly, she managed to relieve some of the anxiety.

Nanny Song had gone to rest, and the maid led Song Lan in. Zhulan quickly invited her to warm up, ”Why have you come out in this bitter cold? Come over here and warm up.”

Song Lan, supporting her belly, said, ”Godmother, have you heard the news?”

Zhulan handed her hand warmer to Song Lan, ”Are you talking about the Ministry of Rites?”

Song Lan, visibly panicked, had been on edge for the past few days ever since Mr. Phang of the Ministry of Rites was imprisoned, and many connected with the ministry had been implicated. Her husband told her not to worry, but she couldn’t shake her anxiety, ”Godmother, could my husband be the one pushed out to take the blame?”

Her biggest fear was her husband facing constant difficulties in the Ministry of Rites; she didn’t want to see her sister-in-law’s concerned face, and had come to Zhou’s residence seeking comfort.

Zhulan was aware of the situation in the Ministry of Rites. A great purge had occurred, and many officials from the Phang family clan were arrested, all with genuine evidence against them. The Phang family clan had been too arrogant, and without good relations, they found many eager to turn against them when they fell into trouble, ”I’ve been worried, too. Your godfather told me, since Wu Ming only joined the Ministry of Rites this year and has always been unwelcome there, someone like him won’t be pushed out to take the blame under his watch.”

Zhou Shuren, after all, was someone who could frequently visit the Emperor in the palace; moreover, the whole affair was orchestrated by the Crown Prince. Wu Ming belonged to the Crown Prince, so the safest person in the Ministry of Rites was actually Wu Ming. If anyone should be worried, it would be Gu Zhuomin.

Song Lan felt relieved, ”Thank my godfather for his concern.”

”Of course, how is the babe in your belly behaving?”

Touching her stomach tenderly, Song Lan beamed with gentleness, ”This child made things difficult just after conception, but as the months went by, it seems to feel sorry for me, its mother. My complexion has improved significantly in the past two months.”

”And your sister-in-law?”

Wang Ling rarely visited the Zhou residence, and Zhulan realized it had been since her own last birthday that she had seen Wang Ling.

Song Lan replied, ”My sister-in-law has always been stronger than me. The doctor just examined her a few days ago, she and the child are both in good health.”

Zhulan was reassured. Without elders in the Wu family, she had been concerned but since it was another family, it wasn’t her place to meddle too much. At most, she could inquire after them occasionally.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren sat motionless with his hands tucked into his sleeves, warming himself by the fire, his hands numb from writing too much.

Zhou Shuren looked at the fire basin and signaled Jingyan to fetch a few potatoes or sweet potatoes from the Ministry’s small kitchen.

Wong Ju entered and immediately smelled the aroma of roasted sweet potatoes, enviously commenting, ”Did you roast these for me?”

Zhou Shuren scrutinized Wong Ju’s face, ”With the onset of winter, you’ve been gaining weight, your face has gotten even bigger.”

Used to Zhou Shuren’s teasing, Wong Ju shot back, ”Go on, you only have a few more days to tease me.”

He was thrilled about the purge at the Ministry of Rites; it meant he would be moved, which was a cause for celebration.

Zhou Shuren snorted, ”I’ve already found someone to replace you.”

”Well, I do feel sorry for the person who takes over my position.”

Zhou Shuren was also pleased, as some officials from the Ministry of Revenue would be leaving next year, and among those leaving were some he had identified. He needed people with stronger abilities and higher efficiency. With the Ministry of Rites now having an open position, quite a few of the lower-level officials from the Ministry of Revenue had their eyes on it.

Zhou Shuren glared at the roasted sweet potato that had been snatched from his hand, ”You really aren’t afraid of me anymore.”

Wong Ju wasn’t afraid, for in a few years he would be on the same level as Zhou Shuren. Although his power wouldn’t be as great, being on the same level had its own appeal.

Zhou Shuren wanted to kick Wong Ju, but thought better of it, on account of Wong Ju’s father’s face, ”You just have a good father.”

Old Master Wong had spared no effort to accumulate goodwill for Wong Ju. These days with the court in turmoil, as someone often summoned into the Palace by the Emperor, he truly had no lack of intimate associates. Old Master Wong had blocked many troubles for him.

Wong Ju was proud to have a good father, ”Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been the object of envy. You too have a good father. Your son must be attracting jealousy, especially now he must have made some people really hate him.”

Zhou Shuren was silent, indeed, the Emperor had made no secret of his actions. The capital’s Maritime Affairs General Administration had already been established, and some officials from Pinggang had been called back. With the establishment of this branch, many were eyeing up the list of officials. There were many who had heard that his son was personally praised by the Emperor for his outstanding abilities.

In this capital full of cunning old foxes, the Emperor had spoken in front of many ministers, sending a signal that Zhou Changlian’s name would be on that list.

Zhou Shuren laughed, ”What, are you jealous of my son?”

”No, I’m not jealous. I have a good father of my own. It’s a pity you don’t, otherwise your career would have been even smoother.”

Zhou Shuren smiled with a twinkle in his eye, ”I don’t have a good father, but my career has been smoother than yours.”

Wong Ju, ”....”

It was a blow to the heart; in the capital, who wasn’t jealous of Zhou Shuren? But jealousy was useless. Zhou Shuren might not have a good father, but he was favored and valued by the Emperor.

Inside the Palace, the Emperor felt relieved after dealing with the Phang family. With the Chen family now in trouble, he, too, could relax a little. ”In just over ten days, your brother will be married.”

The Crown Prince felt a pang of pain. He always regretted giving the house he had bought secretly to his third uncle rather than to Rongchuan directly, ”Rongchuan’s wish has come true.”

He had never seen someone so eager to marry—no, to get married. Minister Zhou had blocked the entrance to the residence, but Rongchuan’s attentiveness had not ceased. If anything, his gift-giving had become even more frequent.

The Emperor said, ”With the auspicious wedding day approaching, we can’t spill blood.”

Such a pity, months of prison food would go to waste.

Suddenly, the Emperor asked, ”As his older brother, what wedding gift will you give to Rongchuan?”

The Crown Prince, ”....Isn’t the house I gave him enough?”

The Emperor turned back, ”Does that count? You’re going to be the Emperor; you should be more generous.”

The Crown Prince felt like vomiting blood. It was precisely because he had to be the Emperor that he was being stingy; the nation’s development needed silver everywhere, ”Son.”

”Hmm?”

The Crown Prince paused, ”Son has a pair of carved bonsai trees that are exceptionally fine—a natural treasure. Doubling the joy for good fortune, son feels it’s a suitable gift.”

The Emperor’s eyes widened slightly; indeed, it was a treasure. His tight-fisted eldest son was actually willing to part with it, ”You are never this generous with your father.”

The Crown Prince, ”....”

He felt he was the most afflicted, truly, life was too difficult!