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

Chapter 1148: Chapter 1148: Familiar Taste, Fear

The Emperor was disturbed by the crying to the point of a headache, and waved his hand to signal Eunuch Liu. Subsequently, guards came in, covered the mouths, and dragged people out; the Shi family’s old steward also followed Eunuch Liu out.

The Emperor pressed the center of his brows, as the situation had become real, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions, ”Back then, this family couldn’t support two children, so they fled to Pingzhou City. The Shi family’s legitimately born son was seriously ill, and a wandering Taoist suggested a substitute. So, they searched throughout the city for a child born under a fitting ”Birthday” to be raised alongside him. This family was reluctant to part with their own son, knowing full well that sending him meant death.”

The Emperor paused as everyone listened intently then continued, ”Therefore, my brother-in-law’s child was taken advantage of, and they sent him over in exchange for a substantial amount of Silver. With the Silver, the family left. The Shi family’s legitimate son did not survive, and originally, the brother-in-law’s child was meant for the burial, but unexpectedly, Shi Qing’s grandfather encountered bandits and died during his travels.”

The Emperor sipped his tea and the Crown Prince picked up the thread, ”At that point, the woman managing the household didn’t want the Shi family devoured from within the clan. Ultimately saying the legitimate son was saved, the Taoist’s method worked, and my brother-in-law’s child was raised as the legitimate son.”

Zhou Shuren felt dizzy from what he heard; this child’s life was indeed not easy. After many tribulations, it was a miracle that he still lived—Zhou Shuren muttered, ”The ancestors truly blessed him.”

This remark was very soft, yet Yu Dang heard it and murmured ”Amitabha,” repeating, ”The ancestors did bless him.”

The Prince, ”...”

He thought the same; surviving so many disasters must indeed be the ancestors’ blessing.

The Crown Prince then looked towards his father, indeed, Shi Qing still had a son. Indeed, the ancestors had blessed them.

Yu Dang moved his lips slightly, muttering under his breath, ultimately, all those words turned into a sigh. What could he do? He had to accept it; this was the rightful lineage of the legitimate branch. All he could do was compensate Shi Huai, ”Actually, Shi Huai’s character is quite good. I have been in contact with him during these days, although he is somewhat selfish.”

Well, more than just selfish; influenced by his upbringing, Shi Huai had many flaws.

The Emperor tugged at the corner of his mouth, thinking of the treasury at Rong Garden and then of the Silver and properties the Shi family had submitted. He pulled at his mouth, ”The blueprints of Rong Garden have been changed. Uncle, please review them when you have time. As for the buildings of Rong Garden, I don’t remember much. See what needs to be changed or restored. I will take care of the Silver.”

Yu Dang was dumbfounded, stiffly turning his head. What had the Emperor just called him?

Zhou Shuren’s tea sprayed out, ”Uncle?”

Yu Dang choked himself, dryly, ”Your Majesty mustn’t.”

He couldn’t bear it—it was terrifying!

The Emperor narrowed his eyes, ”You are up to it, as now the only elder left is you.”

For a moment, the hall quieted again, Zhou Shuren touched his own face, and then silently drank his tea. He realized that if the Emperor wasn’t embarrassed, their embarrassment was personal.

Yu Dang could only change the subject, ”Is Your Majesty giving Rong Garden to the Rong family?”

The Emperor nodded, ”Now that we’ve found my brother-in-law’s descendants, naturally it should be returned. However, the Rong family’s mansion is extensive; a place where many family members reside. I have divided Rong Garden into three parts: one for my brother-in-law’s descendants, one part for you, Uncle, and the remaining part for Aunt Six.”

Zhou Shuren coughed and coughed, staring dumfounded at the Emperor, as if hearing something unbelievable.

The Emperor had this idea for a long time, but the initial thought was that if the descendants of his uncle were not found, the Rong Garden would also be divided into three parts, one of which, the treasury, would naturally belong to the Royal family. Now that the people have been found, it will be given to the descendants of the uncle.

As for Zhou Shuren, indeed, Zhou Shuren’s mother had merits, and Zhou Shuren’s achievements over the years were significant, many of which had not been announced. He knew every little detail of these years, and Zhou Shuren also had the blood of the Rong family, so it was only right to allocate a portion to Zhou Shuren.

Of course, there was an even more important reason. Zhou Shuren was unwilling to teach Xu Hao, which he agreed with. From the bottom of his heart, he hoped that Zhou Shuren would watch over the court for him; it was always good for the Zhou family to remain loyal to the imperial power.

Yu Dang, shrewd with age, stroked his sleeve and tugged at the corner of his mouth. Zhou Shuren was his nephew by marriage after all, which was different. From the Emperor’s allocation and address, it was clear in the Emperor’s heart that Zhou Shuren was more important than the Shi family. He concealed the emotions in his eyes, ”Emperor, now that matters have been investigated clearly, do you think it’s time to summon Shi Huai and Shi Qing?”

The Emperor, ”... Today has been laden with many issues, and I plan to consider legitimizing the Rong family officially and restoring the honor owed to them. Please go to the Shi family and explain clearly.”

Yu Dang, ”.... Yes.”

Zhou Shuren was shocked back to his senses. From the several instances the Emperor called him ”nephew” and wanted to restore the place for his Rong family, he felt that the belated justice from heaven had finally arrived. But this time, he truly did not want it!

The Emperor did not retain Zhou Shuren and Yu Dang, and as the two walked on the palace path leading out, Zhou Shuren lowered his voice, ”I was wondering why the Emperor so readily agreed last time. It turns out that the Emperor never really planned to let me teach the Crown Prince’s eldest son. The Emperor always had his calculations!”

Yu Dang, ”The Emperor never engages in a losing trade.”

Feeling pity for his uncle, who seemed to have aged several years now, Zhou Shuren said, ”I’ll accompany you.”

Yu Dang waved his hand, ”No need, you go back to the Ministry of Revenue; I know you’re busy.”

Zhou Shuren did not want to go to the Shi family either; after all, he was an outsider. He had already seldom watched plays, ”Alright.”

Inside the government hall, the Crown Prince, seeing his father personally writing the imperial decree, held back and then said, ”Father Emperor, Shi Qing and Gu Ren have connections. Announcing the identity at this time, won’t it allow Gu Ren to escape?”

The Emperor, with a trace of sarcasm in his eyes, ”No, back then, when the Zhang family triumphantly exterminated the Rong family, now that there are living members of the Rong family still connected to them, they will only be pleased, and even excited, as they believe that if they could eliminate them once, they could do so a second time. If they use the Rong family to strike at the royal family, they will definitely be even more thrilled.”

The Emperor paused and continued sarcastically, ”It’s known that Yu Dang has met Gu Ren. Yu Dang pretended not to recognize him, so the Zhang family has nothing to fear anymore. The surviving members of the Rong family do not recognize the Zhang family; they will definitely try their best to get close to Shi Qing. Moreover, with the Shi family’s identity restored, they need to nurture and control merchants.”

The Crown Prince understood the next move of his father, ”Father, your wisdom is profound.”

The Emperor looked at the written imperial decree, feeling guilty towards Shi Qing, but not towards Shi Huai; he remembered the wife of Shi Qing, ”Ultimately, it was my doing.”

He did not plan to interfere anymore, whether it was divorce or whatever, it was Shi Qing’s affair.

The Emperor felt very tired inside. Who could have foreseen such coincidental events? Now that the Shi family’s property had been integrated into the royal assets, it was difficult to sever. Looking up at his son, ”I remember.”

The Crown Prince felt a chill down his spine, almost unable to stop himself from stepping back. What does Father remember? He always felt a great financial disaster was imminent!

The Emperor glared, ”What are you afraid of?”

With so many past experiences, how could the Crown Prince not be afraid? At this moment, the Emperor was to compensate the Rong family; he was naturally afraid!