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

Chapter 1184: Chapter 1184: Leaving

Prince Qi felt as if he had been enlightened, his previously muddled mind suddenly clear. Indeed, Rongchuan was of the same mother as the Crown Prince, and the Emperor, though quick to anger, had never lost his temper with Rongchuan. Guilt? Don’t be ridiculous. If the Emperor were really so easily provoked, how could he have spared Rongchuan from his wrath while indulging him, even after having an outburst with the Crown Prince?

Moreover, Rongchuan had left the capital, naturally binding the Crown Prince’s fate to his own. The Emperor’s trust in Rongchuan was essentially trust in the Crown Prince.

Prince Qi’s expression kept changing. He had, after all, been trapped by the first outburst of rage from his father.

Mr. Chen truly disdained, waving his hand dismissively, ”Hurry up and go, don’t get in the way.”

Prince Qi, ”....I.”

”Do you want to help me farm the land?”

”No, I have matters to attend to; I must return to the capital.”

Farming was out of the question; helping out last year had been truly exhausting, a kind of tiredness different from martial training, which he had no desire to experience again.

Seeing his grandson leave, Mr. Chen shook his head, muttering, ”Thank goodness he first thought of securing a retreat for himself; he’s far behind the Crown Prince.”

In the Palace, the study room of the government hall, once the Emperor’s visitor had left, he said to Eunuch Liu: ”In all the land, only this old coot ponders about me every day.”

Eunuch Liu, ”That is also a message that the Emperor deliberately revealed.”

If the Emperor really wanted to act, he would have treated everyone equally a long time ago; it was simply that Prince Qi and Prince Chu, despite knowing the truth, still failed to notice the messages the Emperor had been sending. Indeed, the Emperor had been infuriated by their actions lately.

The Emperor also found his two sons foolish. Ever since he learned that they had secretly sought Rongchuan, he had made no secret of his fondness for Rongchuan. Yet, these silly sons, unable to find their balance, only knew jealousy.

The Emperor, tired at heart, waved his hand, ”Are you prepared?”

Eunuch Liu shivered, ”Yes.”

With a sweep of his hand, the Emperor knocked over the Zhezi and shouted, ”Someone! Drag this old coot out and beat him soundly for me—give him a heavy beating of twenty strikes.”

Eunuch Liu cried out incessantly, ”Your Majesty, spare my life, oh, spare my life.”

The Emperor’s gaze was penetrating. The guard who entered felt a tremor in his heart; serving in the government hall used to be an enviable position, but now it was something to be feared.

Eunuch Liu was dragged out, and the sound of the stick striking him was especially loud. All the palace maids and eunuchs who watched shivered, for this was Eunuch Liu, once the Emperor’s most trusted man. The Emperor they were seeing now was too unfamiliar to them.

Eunuch Liu fainted after only a few hits, and after the beating was over, he was dragged away. The Emperor then called out, ”Summon Mr. Hou to enter the Palace.”

In the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren learned of it somewhat late and thought to himself that the stakes had been raised.

When Prince Qi heard the news, he simply responded ”Oh,” without any excess reaction, continuing to trim a bonsai with scissors.

Prince Chu, ”...Second brother, are you listening to me? The Emperor has punished Eunuch Liu, and that’s Eunuch Liu.”

Prince Qi clipped with the scissors, ”I heard.”

”You heard, and you have no reaction?”

Prince Qi gripped the scissors tightly, a reaction—he could slap himself for not having noticed all the hints the Emperor had been giving these past days, calling him foolish was no injustice, ”I’m busy here, you should go back to your residence.”

Prince Chu narrowed his eyes. He knew about his second brother’s trip out of the capital today. Mr. Chen must have said something, ”Second brother, that’s not very brotherly of you. I am your own brother.”

”Not born of the same mother.”

Prince Chu, ”But we share the same father.”

”In the Royal family, there are no familial affections, even siblings of the same mother can be enemies.”

Prince Chu choked, ”Second brother.”

”Take care; I won’t see you out.”

Prince Chu, ”....”

At the Zhou residence, Xue Han waited for Ming Teng to leave, ”Every time I see Ming Teng, I can’t quite believe it.”

Zhulan burst into laughter. ”You don’t believe what?”

”Before, Ming Teng was mischievous and unstable, but now he carries himself as if he’s truly been raised as a Princely Heir since childhood.”

Zhulan, ”Scholars instructed him, and we hired experts to build his character. All of these are investments of real silver. After studying for so long, Ming Teng can at least put on a good act.”

Xue Han was dumbfounded. ”An act?”

Zhulan chuckled. ”What did you think? A child’s nature can’t be changed in the blink of an eye.”

Xue Han also laughed. ”Fourth Uncle has poured all his efforts into Ming Teng.”

Zhulan, ”Don’t you have anything you want to ask?”

”Nothing to ask. As long as I have my parents and husband, all I need to do is take care of Lin Xi.”

Zhulan looked at her little girl, who was now genuinely blessed. A supportive family, a husband who had grown up with her, a lovely daughter, and protection from the Empress above—a life of true happiness without a worry in the world. Who in the capital wouldn’t envy Zhou Xue Han? Her daughter was truly fortunate this lifetime.

Zhulan thought of Yao Zheyu’s wife, Magistrate Shen, who reportedly had moved out of the Hou Residence to live in her dowry house and seldom returned to her parental home.

Zhulan watched Xue Han play with the little girl, her eyes brimming with happiness, and smiled.

At the restaurant, Ming Teng stepped out of the carriage that befit the Hou Residence’s standards and saw Ran Xun waving his arms about. Ming Teng was about to raise his hand but stopped himself, reminding himself quietly, He is a young Mr. Hou, observing Qing Chen at his side, the young servant given by his Great Grandfather, who had replaced his former servant.

Ming Teng ascended to the room where only Ran Xun was there alone.

Ran Xun widened his eyes, circling Ming Teng twice. ”Is this really the Zhou Ming Teng I know? No, you’re Rong Ming Teng now.”

Ming Teng rolled his eyes internally. ”Why aren’t you at the Academy today, and why did you send me a letter?”

Ran Xun, ”I was just missing my brother.”

”Stop, get straight to the point.”

Ran Xun leaned in a bit closer. ”Brother, I mean Mr. Hou, it’s an urgent matter of brotherhood!”

Ming Teng knew it wasn’t serious. Ran Xun wouldn’t have sent a letter to the Zhou family otherwise. ”What’s so pressing that you’re driven to this state?”

Ran Xun looked dejected. ”My grandfather wants to pack me up and send me to my father for guidance. I don’t want to leave the capital!”

Ming Teng frowned; this was no trivial matter. These days, his Great Grandfather would discuss the imperial court with him. He knew about the affairs of the capital, sometimes even asking his elder brother secretly.

After a moment of thought, Ming Teng said, ”I think it’s good to leave the capital for a while.”

He didn’t understand Grandfather Ran’s actions, but he supported Ran Xun’s departure. The last few profligate friends Ran Xun made, he found undesirable. Being apart might help him gather his wits.

Ran Xun was stunned. ”Are you really heartless enough to send me away?”

”Halt. It’s Grandfather Ran who wants to send you off.”

Ran Xun, ”It would be so dull for you without me!”

Ming Teng, ”I’d be bored with or without you. Anyway, I can’t leave until I’ve completed my studies.”

Moreover, according to his Great Grandfather, he shouldn’t think of going anywhere for at least another year.

Ran Xun was not pleased at all. What place could compare to the capital, even if his father held significant influence locally? He didn’t want to leave, but with his friend not offering help, he had no choice!

Ran Xun cast a resentful glance at his friend. ”You’ll lose me.”

Ming Teng’s eyes twinkled with mirth. ”Those are your words. See if you have the guts to not seek me out when you return.”

Ran Xun, ”...I was joking. Our friendship will last forever; nothing can break it.”

Right now, he couldn’t afford to lose his friend, who was his future support!!

Ming Teng was disgusted by these words!