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

Chapter 1194: Chapter 1194: A Bleak Future

Prince Qi looked haggard, evidently having had no proper rest for several days. This suppression had not gone smoothly. Gunpowder – damnation – gunpowder had been discovered during the operation. The Imperial court had always maintained strict control over it; had it not been for the discovery during this suppression, the thought of the possible consequences was terrifying.

These people had prepared their escape routes early on. They had ships ready to flee by sea. By the time it was discovered, it was too late; they had already boarded the ship. To let even one escape would mean a flaw in the Emperor’s plan, yet inadvertently, he had overlooked someone, and Rongchuan had taken a ship to pursue them – at sea no less!

Just thinking about it made Prince Qi’s heart lurch. He had cursed them already, but now, there was no use talking, ”What are you doing still kneeling here? Get up and continue the search at once. If the Princely Heir is not found, you will all face the consequences.”

Not to mention these people, even his own grand plans had evaporated. The Emperor’s most guilt-ridden youngest son, the Crown Prince’s own brother – heh, just the thought made life seem so bleak!

At the Palace, the Empress had embraced her granddaughter. The little girl could already speak, calling out for her parents. The Empress, who had not smiled for many days, finally did so, ”Lin Xi is so smart, she can call out to people already.”

The Female Officer was finally at ease and said with a smile, ”The Commandery Princess is a bright child. The education she received from the fifth Prince’s Consort is commendable.”

The Empress weighed her granddaughter in her arms, ”She’s put on quite a bit of weight; I can barely hold her.”

While looking at the food that had been served, she held her granddaughter with one hand and picked up her chopsticks with the other, eating the light vegetables and drinking some porridge.

Seeing the Commandery Princess reaching to grab the food, the delighted Female Officer said, ”The Princess wants to eat too.”

The Empress replied with a smile, ”But she cannot have this. Go prepare some fruit puree she can eat.”

The Female Officer complied and went off to personally make the fruit puree, knowing that enabling the Empress to dine was like performing a great service.

The Emperor too had quickly received the news and paced back and forth in his study to exercise his body, ”Go ahead, no, better not act rashly.”

He intended to thoroughly uproot all the spies within the Palace, leaving none behind.

Eunuch Liu spoke words the Emperor enjoyed hearing, ”The Princess did not cry or make a fuss; she was even smiling on her way to the Palace. She’s also very pretty, like a celestial maiden at Guanyin’s side.”

The Emperor’s affection for his legitimate granddaughter was not just a case of loving everything associated with his children; Lin Xi was indeed a likable child. Thinking of his own private treasury, ”When the time comes, I’ll pick out some treasures for Rongchuan as her dowry.”

Eunuch Liu thought to himself that the Crown Prince was on the Emperor’s mind every day. Yet, his youngest son was different; the Emperor was so eager to give gifts to him!

The Crown Prince, operating covertly, sneezed. Rong Enqing, seeing him, indicated that he was alright despite the redness in his eyes, ”Has there been no message from Xuzhou?”

Rong Enqing was also in distress. Who could have anticipated such a significant oversight with the failure to detect the large quantity of gunpowder, ”No.”

The Crown Prince took a deep breath. Prince Qi dared not conceal the matter from the Emperor and sent the news back immediately after the incident occurred. However, the Crown Prince had not dared to inform the Emperor, fearing he could not withstand the shock, ”How could such a significant matter have gone unnoticed? Damn it.”

After each suppression, they were supposed to take control, but considering the vast amounts of gunpowder, the Crown Prince’s expression turned terribly grim.

Rong Enqing bowed his head, thinking to himself that it was fortunate the Crown Prince was in charge of the covert operations. Otherwise, this would be his fault, and the thought was terrifying, ”Actually, no news coming back is good news.”

The Crown Prince could only comfort himself with that thought. However, he also had to prepare for the worst scenario. Should the worst-case situation arise, the Crown Prince closed his eyes. Damn it, Prince Qi was more experienced than Rongchuan. Why hadn’t it been Prince Qi who followed them?

Rong Enqing returned to the Maritime Affairs Administration and saw Qiu Yan at the entrance. His heart skipped a beat. Lord Zhou would never personally come looking for him, ”Qiu Yan, what brings you to the Maritime Affairs Administration?”

Qiu Yan, after paying his respects, said, ”My lord would like to invite Mr. Hou for tea after finishing at the government office.”

Rong Enqing didn’t feel like going deep down. Recently, he had been trying to stay out of sight as much as possible, feeling guilty because he knew too much. Dryly, he asked, ”Why does he want to invite this Mr. Hou for tea?”

Qiu Yan was at a loss for words; how could he know? Aside from in front of silver, where his master would reveal some of his true self, at other times, he was exceptionally skilled at putting on a facade, ”I do not know.”

Rong Enqing did not want to go, and since he had heard nothing from Rongchuan, there was no way he was going to go. ”I have something to attend to today, so I’ll pass on the tea.”

Saying this, Rong Enqing quickly strode into the Maritime Affairs Administration.

Zhou Shuren furrowed his brows upon hearing the cautious reply. He did not plan to spend silver to invite Rong Enqing over; it was just a probe. With little information known, he decided to find some way to acquire more.

Rong Enqing’s avoidance suggested that Rongchuan’s situation was definitely more than just an assignment in Pinggang. He had not avoided Zhou before. In fact, during the times when there were no replies from Rongchuan, he avoided Zhou even more. This indicated a significant problem. If Rongchuan were safe and sound, there’d be no reason to hide; otherwise, Rongchuan’s situation was likely not good.

Zhou Shuren returned with a solemn face, causing Xiao Qing and Qiu Yan to feel anxious.

Particularly Xiao Qing, ”Has something serious happened?”

Zhou Shuren shook his head, ”Nothing.”

Xiao Qing, ”Look at your own face in a mirror, then answer me again.”

Zhou Shuren knew his complexion was off, his facade almost falling apart, but he couldn’t say anything about it. He quickly regained his usual smile, ”Really, it’s nothing.”

Xiao Qing was certain that it wasn’t an issue with the imperial court. He understood Zhou well enough, ”If there’s something at home, do you want to go back there first today?”

Zhou Shuren did not want to go back. Going home meant facing his clever wife, and he was afraid of slipping up and making her worry, ”No need, there’s nothing serious at home either.”

Xiao Qing was even more certain that it concerned Zhou’s family, as there had just been someone from the Zhou residence delivering a message, ”How about I give you the day off?”

Zhou Shuren’s body tensed, and he firmly said, ”How can I, the Vice Minister of Revenue, justify resting at will? Please, Deputy Minister, let’s not talk about this, I have duties to attend to.”

He was the picture of someone who loved work, claiming that work brought him joy.

Qiu Yan, ”...”

Xiao Qing, ”...”

What kind of shock did he get to transform someone who pondered rest every day into what he was now?

Zhou Shuren felt a bitter pain in his heart—his wife at home was too smart. What could he do except rack his brain thinking about how to speak with his wife when he returned?

In Xuzhou Province, Chang Lian had come home to find Lady Dong with her bulging belly, helping her husband with his clothes. Chang Lian hurriedly grabbed his wife’s hand, ”Your body is important now; let me handle these little things.”

Lady Dong smiled and shook her head, ”I’ve already had two children; I know what I’m doing.”

She was content with this pregnancy, no longer obsessed over having a son. Eating and sleeping well, her complexion was radiant. As for her parents’ letters, she simply ignored them.

Chang Lian changed out of his official robe, ”Try to avoid going out street lately. If you need anything, have someone else go buy it.”

Lady Dong nodded, ”I’ve remembered your words.”

Chang Lian caressed his wife’s belly, ”In a few months, our child will be born.”

Lady Dong’s eyes crinkled with a smile, ”Yes. Mother said that two months before I’m due, Granny Song will come over.”

Chang Lian smiled, ”Then I can be at ease.”

Lady Dong was also relieved. Without elders in the house, she often felt uncertain. With Granny Song’s arrival, she could rest assured and was glad for her mother-in-law’s care. She felt that her frequent letters to her mother-in-law had paid off—see, even living away from the capital, the bond between her and her mother-in-law remained strong!