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

Chapter 1196: Chapter 1196: A Flick of the Fingers Calculation The Emperor, clutching the table, heard a buzzing in his head. His youngest son, whom he could indulge without any reservations and who had been restored to him, had been pampered for a few more years. His paternal love had risen straight upward.

While grooming the Crown Prince and managing the nation, the Emperor’s heart was also weary. The boundless fatherly love he had for the Crown Prince couldn’t be overly expressed. For the sake of balance with his other sons, it had to be concealed even more. Only for his youngest son could he unreservedly act as a father.

The Crown Prince quickly stepped forward to support his father, ”Father, are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

The Emperor lifted his hand to signify he was alright and then sat down on the chair. In his mind, he thought he mustn’t let the Empress find out. If the Empress were to know that the youngest son was missing, he swallowed, she would surely tear him to pieces this time around!

The first time, he failed to protect his son. The second time, he had personally sent him out. The more he thought about it, the more sweat formed on the Emperor’s forehead.

The Crown Prince was terribly anxious and wanted to summon the Imperial Physician, but the Emperor grabbed him, ”I don’t care what methods you use. You must thoroughly search the sea and nearby islands. I refuse to believe Rongchuan could encounter mishap. You must bring your brother back to me safe and sound.”

The Emperor was so anxious that he used the word ”I,” showing how much the youngest son meant to him.

The Crown Prince nodded emphatically, ”Father, I will certainly find Rongchuan.”

If not for the fact that Rongchuan was the most suitable, neither he nor the Emperor would want Rongchuan to take such risks. But only Rongchuan was deemed trustworthy by both. The military token could only be safe in Rongchuan’s hands.

The Crown Prince had a somber expression, with a chilling look in his eyes. The Zhang family had secretly amassed a large quantity of gunpowder, all meant to be brought into the capital. If not for Rongchuan’s alertness in discovering the gunpowder in advance and seizing control of the area before the planned explosion, their scheme would not only have been exposed but would also have caused massive civilian casualties. Who could have imagined that underneath Xuzhou City lay stacks of explosives? Once detonated, the entire Xuzhou City would be doomed.

The Crown Prince pressed his aching temples. Recently, he had no time to rest. The gunpowder had to be stealthily removed, fake gunpowder had to be left in place for the Zhang family to collect, and, most importantly, Rongchuan had to be found. Thinking of Rongchuan, the Crown Prince took a deep breath -- he must be alright.

At the Maritime Affairs Administration, Zhou Shuren had come in person. Rong Enqing had just returned to the Maritime Affairs Administration when he was called over.

Upon seeing Zhou Shuren, Rong Enqing was silent...

He had just heard some bad news and was evasively avoiding it, oh, he wished he hadn’t come back!

Zhou Shuren asked, ”Can’t face me?”

Rong Enqing refused to meet Zhou Shuren’s gaze, ”No, I’m just surprised. You are so busy, how did you find time to come here to the Maritime Affairs Administration?”

Zhou Shuren replied, ”I’m here to discuss the issue of customs duties and to check in on you. By the way, you’re quite the busy man, having been assigned such a cushy job at the Maritime Affairs Administration. Yet, you don’t stay put and even take leaves of absence repeatedly.”

Lately, Rong Enqing hadn’t needed to deal with Gu Ren as he wasn’t in the capital, and he was busy handling matters for the Crown Prince, hence his frequent leaves, ”As you know, my wife is carrying twins, and I’m worried.”

Zhou Shuren didn’t want to beat around the bush anymore. Rong Enqing’s evasive behavior said it all – Rongchuan indeed must have had an accident. The Emperor must be anxious, ”Speak up. What happened to Rongchuan?”

Rong Enqing chuckled nervously, ”You’re thinking too much. Rongchuan is fine and in Pinggang!”

Zhou Shuren’s face was expressionless.

Rong Enqing couldn’t utter another word, ”I didn’t...”

”Once you’ve thought it through, let me know. I’m someone who holds grudges, really, I can hold a grudge for a lifetime.”

He might not be able to end Prince Liang, but he enjoyed creating obstacles for him. Neither the Crown Prince nor the Emperor had noticed, and there was a period when Prince Liang was indeed in a sorry state, thanks to his stirring behind the scenes!

Rong Enqing believed those words, ”Rongchuan has gone out to sea in pursuit of someone.”

Zhou Shuren’s pupils constricted, obviously alarmed at the news that those who had gone out to sea were missing, staring intently at Rong Enqing, ”What else have you heard? Speak.”

Cold sweat broke out on Rong Enqing’s back, feeling a sense of oppression; the news today was truly something he dared not disclose, ”That’s all. Rongchuan took a number of skilled people with him. There should be news soon.”

Zhou Shuren didn’t believe everything Rong Enqing told him. If he were that optimistic, why would Rong Enqing avoid him on the high seas where floating skills were useless; the ocean was too vast and unpredictable.

Zhou Shuren even had a fleeting thought, wondering whether Rongchuan would still be alive if he and his wife hadn’t crossed paths with him. Surely, Rongchuan didn’t have a death fate waiting for him, given his destined life of wealth and honor was fraught with so many twists and turns.

After Zhou Shuren departed, Rong Enqing was soaked in sweat on his back. Zhou Shuren’s face really had many facets, and he was certain that the appearance just now was the true Zhou Shuren!

Having received the news, the Crown Prince also got a message from Rong Enqing, but didn’t bother too much about it. Knowing was one thing, but Zhou Shuren was well aware of the score, and he couldn’t help but think that Zhou Shuren, as a father-in-law, certainly had reasons to be concerned since Rongchuan had been calling him ”Dad” for many years.

At the Qi Prince Residence, Prince Chu sat before Prince Qi and once again confirmed that the man in front of him was an imposter; the real Prince Qi was flippant and insouciant after his freedom.

The fake Prince Qi was prim and proper, barely speaking a word.

The fake felt tense; he truly didn’t want to encounter Prince Chu, but why did he see him regardless? It was all because Prince Chu didn’t take the usual path, a Prince climbing walls in broad daylight!

The fake Prince Qi took a deep breath, ”Third brother, what about the rules?”

Prince Chu replied, ”Big brother rarely calls me ’third brother’.”

The fake Prince Qi fell silent.

His task was too challenging; he had been exposed on the very first day as Prince Qi. Princess Qi recognized at a glance that he was an imposter and nearly captured him!

Now, with another doubter on the scene, the fake Prince Qi felt like spewing blood. He just wanted to quietly fill the role for a few days—why was it so difficult!

Prince Chu smiled, ”Alright, I’m off to the palace to accept my punishment.”

No more pretense from the fake Prince Qi, ”Farewell, Your Highness.”

Prince Chu swaggered out from the Qi Prince Residence, and as soon as he left, there indeed was a crowd keeping a close watch at the entrance.

Zhou Shuren’s carriage was en route to the Ministry of Revenue when he encountered Prince Chu on horseback. Prince Chu dismounted and asked, ”Mr. Zhou, have you just been to the palace?”

Zhou Shuren regained his focus, ”No, I went to the Maritime Affairs Administration.”

Prince Chu uttered an ”oh,” then remounted his horse, ”You go ahead with your business, Mr. Zhou; I need to make a trip to the palace.”

Zhou Shuren hummed in acknowledgement, and then it hit him, ”Your Highness.”

However, Prince Chu, eager to get to the palace, merely waved without giving Zhou Shuren a chance to speak further.

Zhou Shuren fell silent.

He rarely desired to do a good deed and had the good intention to advise that today was not a good day to visit the palace. Regardless of Prince Chu’s reasons, due to Rongchuan’s matters, the Emperor’s mood would surely be as volatile as gunpowder, ready to explode at the slightest provocation!

Zhou Shuren sighed deeply.

Jin Yan asked, ”Mr. Zhou, what’s wrong?”

Ever since leaving the Maritime Affairs Administration, something seemed off with Mr. Zhou’s expression. Jin Yan didn’t know what Mr. Zhou and Mr. Hou had discussed, and now, seeing Zhou Shuren sigh after encountering Prince Chu.

Zhou Shuren responded faintly, ”I’ve figured it out; Prince Chu is not having a lucky day today.”

And not just unlucky, but after a short time in the palace, Prince Chu was beaten and, reportedly, carried out of the palace. This was no act; Prince Chu had truly suffered a beating!