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

Chapter 1137: Chapter 1137: I Dare Not

Yao Yao frowned, disbelieving that her father had just made friends after going out only a few times, her eyes showing some impatience, ”Dad, our family is no longer merchants, my husband had cut off all those ties; have you gotten in touch with them again?”

Master Shi hastily waved his hands, ”No, no, that’s not it. I haven’t contacted them, I’ve made new friends.”

Yao Yao, ”Who?”

Master Shi said, ”I met him last time I went out. We listened to an opera together in the theater garden; he’s a foreign ambassador who resigned from his position, liked the capital and stayed, even bought a residence in South City.”

Yao Yao knew her father-in-law had been to the theater garden to watch operas, and as long as he was not dealing with the previous merchants, it was fine, ”I will talk to my husband about it.”

Master Shi nodded, as today he had intended to come clean because he wanted to invite someone to the mansion.

The Zhou family received many visitors offering congratulations. It was clear to discerning eyes that Zhou Shuren was trusted by the Emperor and the Crown Prince. With many visitors coming, Yu Dang’s presence did not stand out.

Yu Dang motioned to Zhou’s eldest, ”I have something to discuss with your mother.”

He couldn’t approach Shuren directly, so he could only speak with Madame Yang.

Zhou’s eldest gestured for a young servant to lead Uncle over and went back to entertaining the guests.

When Zhulan saw Yu Dang, she asked, ”Uncle, what brings you here?”

Yu Dang glanced at the old maids and maidservants in the room, and Zhulan signaled for them to leave. Once the room was clear of outsiders, Yu Dang said, ”I made a friend at the theater garden a few days ago.”

Zhulan didn’t think making a friend was worth mentioning, ”Is there a problem with this person?”

Yu Dang had come to understand Madame Yang better; ever since he learned that Zhou Shuren was her son, he had heard a lot of stories. Zhou Shuren’s affection for his wife was the talk of the capital, but what caught his attention more was how Madame Yang was a virtuous and intelligent partner.

Yu Dang admired Madame Yang’s response and didn’t beat around the bush, ”Hmm, there’s a little problem. I had seen him once before at the lantern shop during the New Year, and unexpectedly, I bumped into him at the theater garden, so I struck up a conversation on purpose. We became friends, sharing a love for operas.”

Zhulan thought to herself that this must have been after some investigation, ”Who in the capital?”

Yu Dang replied, ”Lord Shi, the same Shi Qing related to your estate, Shi Qing’s father.”

Zhulan sat up straight, ”Uncle, who do you think Shi Qing’s father resembles?”

This person had seen members of the Rong family and the Zhang family; he was a living tool for recognizing people!

Yu Dang was somewhat uncertain, ”This man has aged, and his face has changed quite a bit. I only remember what the Emperor’s young uncle looked like in his youth; what struck me most were his eyes, they were like the old madam’s.”

Zhulan exclaimed in surprise, ”The child that mother saved back then had a birthmark.”

Yu Dang was aware, as the Emperor had told him, ”I’m also not completely sure. I’ve inquired, and for several generations, the Shi family has been in trade, a merchant noble family. So I haven’t mentioned it to the Emperor. I wanted to do some investigating myself first, and now I’m discussing this with you to learn more about the Shi family. What else do you know?”

Zhulan was taken aback for a moment, needing some time to regather her thoughts before saying, ”What Uncle has investigated is true; the Shi family has been in trade for generations. I remember Shi Qing saying he resembles his mother, but he rarely speaks of anything else. However, I think if Shi Qing’s father is alive, there should still be older members of the Shi family alive; a thorough investigation will reveal the truth.”

Yu Dang was disappointed, hoping the Zhou family would know more, ”Then have the Zhou clan look into it. The Zhou clan is in Pingzhou, and my people don’t know much about Pingzhou.”

Zhulan, ”Alright, I’ll write back home.”

She could also ask the Zhao family to investigate; when it came to Pingzhou, there was nothing the Zhao family couldn’t uncover.

Zhulan was still distracted after Yu Dang left; she felt it was too much of a coincidence, surely impossible. Just as Uncle said, the Shi family were merchants, and the child was left with an ordinary family, wasn’t he?

When Zhou Shuren came back, Zhulan explained, ”Do you think we should tell the Emperor? He could investigate this faster.”

Zhou Shuren was stunned, ”Is there such a twist?”

Zhulan, slightly annoyed, pressed, ”This is not the time to be surprised; I’m asking if we should tell the Emperor?”

Zhou Shuren, ”I think Fourth Uncle has his reasons for not wanting to talk. The Rong family prides itself deep in their bones, and I can imagine how conflicted Fourth Uncle must feel in his heart. Let him investigate in whatever way he chooses; in any case, he won’t be able to hide it from the Emperor for long.”

In the end, the old master couldn’t stand it because the Shi family were originally merchants, coupled with the status of Shi Qing’s wife. Even ordinary citizens would be better received by the old master, so this investigation was also a process for the old master to change his mind.

Zhulan whispered, ”If the speculation turns out to be true, oh my heavens, it would turn everything upside down. Shi Qing’s wife is the legitimate daughter of the Yao family!”

Moreover, the child would have the bloodlines of both families, which would make things even more troublesome.

Zhou Shuren, ”...If I remember correctly, Shi Qing was poisoned because of Zhang Yang, making it difficult for him to have offspring?”

Zhulan, ”...”

She hoped that Fourth Uncle was overthinking it because if not, heh, there would be quite a commotion indeed.

At the Shi family, Shi Qing knew that his father had made new friends and his wife had already sent people to inquire about this ambassador, ”And to have connections with Lord Zhou’s family?”

Yao Yao said, ”Yes, in celebration of their move, Lord Zhou’s eldest son had sent a gift, and he even visited the Zhou residence to offer his congratulations today.”

Shi Qing breathed a sigh of relief, ”Then there should be no problems.”

Yao Yao felt the same, as her husband had said, not to allow Father-in-law to associate with his old merchant friends, and knowing that the ambassador had connections with Lord Zhou’s family made her feel at ease, ”Yes, Father-in-law also wants to invite him to our residence.”

Shi Qing shook his head, ”It’s better for them to interact more at the opera garden. There’s no rush to invite people over.”

”Understood.”

The next day, inside the Palace, the Emperor gestured for the Crown Prince to continue with his duties and then said to Zhou Shuren, who was about to follow a group of ministers out of the Palace, ”You accompany Us for a walk in the garden.”

Several scholars looked at Zhou Shuren with envy, and Scholar Ding was visibly jealous.

Zhou Shuren could bear it; not being envied meant mediocrity, ”Yes.”

The Crown Prince watched his father and pursed his lips.

Arriving in the garden, the Emperor signaled Eunuch Liu and others not to follow and led Zhou Shuren to the pavilion, ”The Crown Prince wants you to mentor Xu Hao, are you aware?”

Zhou Shuren, ”...”

He knew, but the Emperor was too unconventional and direct.

The Emperor didn’t look at Zhou Shuren’s changing expression and continued, ”And We know that you, being cunning and sly, are unwilling. You’re afraid.”

Zhou Shuren’s normally unflappable face finally crumpled, ”Emperor, your subject dares not.”

His heart pounded wildly. The Emperor seemed to be trying to scare him to death!

The Emperor hummed internally, still knowing fear. After the Crown Prince mentioned it a few times, he knew that the old fox had sensed something but continued to feign ignorance. At first, he didn’t think much of it, but later, thinking in the way of the old fox, he realized what terrified him.

The Emperor wasn’t angry, ”We must say, you think far ahead.”

Zhou Shuren trembled, ”No, Your Majesty sees more clearly.”

His schemes were so well-hidden, yet the Emperor exposed them all in just a few words.

The Emperor was silent. It was because of this matter that he, too, had considered Zhou Shuren’s concerns, and upon further thought, he inadvertently scared himself.

The Emperor felt very complicated, so he truly wasn’t angry with Zhou Shuren, ”You have also reminded Us.”

The Crown Prince was indeed young, but what if he reigned for thirty years? Forty years? The Crown Prince held his eldest grandson in high regard, and knowing his son, the Crown Prince would surely appoint his eldest grandson as the Crown Prince upon his ascension. There’d be more sons born to the Crown Prince in the future; he couldn’t bear to think further, yet could not help but do so.

Zhou Shuren’s knees hurt from kneeling, but he had to keep kneeling!