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

Chapter 1014: Chapter 1114: Awesome, My Dad

Zhou family, not long after Zhulan returned home, Chang Lian came back from the Hanlin Academy, ”There’s a month and a half left. Xuzhou is not far from the capital, less than half a month by boat. When do you plan to set off?”

Chang Lian was looking forward to the life in Xuzhou and wanted to leave early. ”Mother, your son wishes to set off in half a month, to spare half a month to purchase a residence and settle down.”

Zhulan inquired, ”Do you have the silver for buying the residence?”

Chang Lian was embarrassed to ask his parents for silver. He knew how other families’ children managed their lives without splitting from the family, and that his parents’ silver did not come easily. ”Son has silver, Mother, please don’t worry about it. Your son will take good care of himself.”

Zhulan felt reluctant in her heart. Chang Lian was close to her and spent the most time chatting with her. ”You must take care of yourself when you are outside.”

”Mother, rest assured, your son is raised by you and father, I won’t be taken advantage of.”

Zhulan smiled, ”Alright, now you can go back and help Chu Chu pack. It’s uncertain when you will return to the capital after this trip to Xuzhou, so pack some extra belongings.”

Chang Lian’s lips quivered; he too was reluctant to leave home. But his wings were fully grown, and staying home would mean he’d never be able to stand on his own. Turning around, his footsteps grew more determined.

In the third branch, Lady Zhao and Su Xuan were helping out. Lady Li’s belly was too large, so she did not add to the chaos.

The third branch really had a lot of belongings. They had accumulated many things over the years, and Chu Chu wanted to take everything with her. ”You don’t realize until you pack how many things there are.”

Lady Zhao envied her youngest sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law’s imperial decree and her brother’s appointment arrived together, and now her sister-in-law was already an esteemed member of the An family. She looked truly beautiful in her attire. In the future, she would ascend step by step like her mother-in-law. But then she sighed, admitting she couldn’t compare.

Su Xuan also felt some envy, admiring how smoothly her third brother’s path had been. She was uncertain about her husband’s future career.

After Chang Lian came back, Lady Zhao and Su Xuan left together.

Dong Chuchu, ”Have you been to the main courtyard?”

”Hmm, I talked with Mother for a while upon returning. How’s the packing going?”

”You said there was no rush, so I wasn’t in a hurry. I’ve only packed Yu Yi’s belongings.”

She originally did not want to bring both children with her, but then she thought they were too young to be left without their parents. Furthermore, leaving such young children would worry her mother-in-law too much. After discussing it with her husband, they decided to take them along. In a few years when the children were older, they could be sent back to the capital to broaden their horizons and receive education from the grandmother—there would be no rush.

Chang Lian, ”Once we leave the capital, a vast world awaits.”

Dong Chuchu, facing the unfamiliarity of a new place, felt some unease but seeing her husband’s yearning expression, she curved the corners of her mouth slightly. Wherever her husband was, that was home.

The capital had no strong reaction to Zhou family’s third son being listed as an official. Instead, the Zhou family gained more esteem. First Zhou Xue Han married into the Hou Residence, and now Zhou Chang Lian was appointed to an official position. The Zhou family was no longer supported by Zhou Shuren alone. Their roots were deeply entrenched in the soil of the capital. It was only a matter of time before the younger generations exerted their strength, and the Zhou family would surely flourish.

In the Palace, Zhou Shuren had been there for a while but encountered several princes present and had no choice but to patiently wait.

The Emperor seemed to be listening to his sons pointing out each other’s faults, but in fact, his mind was wandering. Once they quieted down, the Emperor finally spoke up, ”Are you finished arguing?”

Prince Qi and his brothers glanced at each other and then bowed their heads, not daring to meet their father’s eyes.

The Emperor grew increasingly impatient. ”If you’ve finished arguing, you may leave.”

Prince Qi wanted to speak up but, meeting his father’s impatient gaze, quickly bowed his head, ”Your son requests to be excused.”

The remaining princes also spoke up in succession to take their leave.

Zhou Shuren, noticing that the faces of several princes outside looked exceptionally grim, hurriedly paid his respects to them.

Prince Qi watched Zhou Shuren, the new year had just begun, Zhou Shuren’s son had been appointed to office, and Zhou Shuren was the very first minister summoned by their father, the Emperor. A smile spread across his face, ”Minister Zhou, you’ve been waiting for a while, please come in.”

In his heart, Prince Chu cursed Prince Qi, for he would not speak up. The Prince Chu Residence had not spared any efforts in opposing the Zhou family.

Prince Liang currently found everyone displeasing to the eye and cast a disdainful glance before leaving first.

Zhang Yang indeed wanted to say something, but unfortunately, Zhou Shuren had already entered the inner chamber.

Upon entering, Zhou Shuren brought the ledgers the Emperor had requested and then stepped aside, indifferent to why several princes had come today.

The Emperor quickly flipped through the ledgers, ”The imperial court is short on silver.”

That was a headache for Zhou Shuren, with the new year just starting and last year’s pre-spending not insignificant, there was indeed a shortage of silver, ”Yes.”

The Emperor signaled Zhou Shuren to sit down and set aside the ledger, ”I had thought that confiscating the Phang family’s assets would replenish the state treasury somewhat, but it seems not to be the case.”

Being the Vice Minister of Revenue, Zhou Shuren naturally knew how much of the Phang family’s assets, once converted into silver, had been deposited into the treasury. To support their fourth son, Prince Liang, the Phang family had practically emptied their coffers over the years, especially these last two, with even larger expenditures. Naturally, the numerous incriminating evidences against the Phang family pertained to silver.

Thus it was evident that Prince Liang had significant backing, supporting quite a number of people.

Zhou Shuren had no desire to discuss the princes with the Emperor. While the Emperor might have his disdain, Zhou Shuren was an outsider, ”Your Majesty, my third son will be leaving the capital in a few days.”

Seeing the Emperor looking at him, Zhou Shuren paused before continuing, ”In the future, my third son will shoulder the responsibilities of the Zhou family, so as a father, I am extremely concerned, wishing I could give him all my cautious and prudent advisers to take with him.”

The Emperor understood and narrowed his eyes, ”You are not afraid, I see.”

”I have done nothing that weighs on my conscience; I have nothing to fear.”

The Emperor thought, this man is the only one who dares to boldly ask for personnel without fear of surveillance. Zhou Shuren surely knows he is being watched; the cautious and prudent cannot leave; they have already gained his trust, ”I understand. Just this once.”

Zhou Shuren grinned, ”I knew Your Majesty was the most wise. So, please give me a few more, as I can afford to support them.”

The Emperor almost rolled his eyes, did he think they came with the wind? Each spy was his investment. Were it not for Zhou Shuren’s discovery last time, he would not bear to give away so many all at once. Somewhat eager to be rid of Zhou Shuren now, he waved his hand, ”Be quick and go.”

Zhou Shuren had been planning to ask for people but hadn’t found the opportunity until now. Swiftly exiting, the Emperor’s men would follow beside Chang Lian, protecting him and monitoring the Marine Division—an outright form of surveillance that even the reluctant Emperor took some pleasure in.

The Emperor signaled for the Crown Prince to come out, and the Crown Prince said, ”Father Emperor, is Minister Zhou truly unafraid?”

The Emperor snorted, ”That old fox would wish to have more of my people in the Zhou Residence right now. It’s not only for the safety of his house; the old fox is also trying to show me that the Zhou family is not involved in anything untoward, open and transparent, to set my mind at ease.”

The Zhou family’s marriage alliance with the Ning Duke Residence had been established, and there were many rumors suggesting that Zhou Shuren was aligning with the Crown Prince, which he naturally knew about.

The Crown Prince thought to himself, an old fox indeed, every action laced with multiple meanings, too shrewd.

That evening, Zhou Shuren returned home in high spirits and said to Chang Lian, ”Your father has secured several people from the Emperor for you; you must keep them close at all times.”

Chang Lian, ”....”

He knew what kind of people his father had asked for and thus was impressed. My father is formidable!