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

Chapter 1203: Chapter 123: Want to Escape Zhou Shuren thought for a moment and replied, ”Soon.”

Yao Wenqi, who is now trapped by the Emperor and also targeted by the Zhang family, still controlled quite a few things. The Emperor had been dragging things out without success, and although the Zhang family knew that Yao Wenqi had killed members of their clan, they tolerated it for the sake of the chess pieces Yao Wenqi controlled.

Yao Wenqi was aware that the Emperor would not let him go and that the Zhang family would also turn on him once he outlived his usefulness. Therefore, what Yao Wenqi wanted most was to escape.

Zhou Shuren knew all this because the Emperor had confided in him, trusting him deeply because his mother was from the Rong clan.

Yu Dang had waited for so many years and did not mind waiting a bit longer. He just wanted to inquire about some progress. ”Alright, then I will be heading back.”

Zhou Shuren grunted in acknowledgment, ”Uncle Four, you should rest early too.”

Yu Dang stood up and then paused, ”By the way, I plan to take Chang Li for some time. He will inherit the title in the future, and since you’re busy, I will teach him.”

Zhou Shuren, ”Thank you for the hard work, Uncle Four.”

”It’s not hard work.”

He was also finding something to do for himself. Since Ming Teng had tutors during the day, he was left with nothing to do.

Time flew by, and five days had passed. These days, the Ministry of Rites had been incredibly efficient and had already started preparing for trade recruitment. This opportunity was too tempting, and everyone wanted a piece of the cake.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren was surprised that Chang Yi would come to see him. Qiu Yan tactfully left them alone.

Zhou Shuren asked, ”What brings you here?”

His son wouldn’t come to the Ministry of Revenue without reason. With a furrowed brow, did the Ministry of Rites need silver again?

Chang Yi came with a nervous heart, ”Father, the Ministry of Rites is beginning the recruitment.”

”Ah, I’m aware. What about it?”

Chang Yi said, ”These days, the fight over who will be responsible has intensified. The decision was only made today, and your son has been chosen as an assistant to Lord Sun.”

This was like a pie falling from the sky. He was totally flabbergasted; he hadn’t involved himself or even contemplated it, having stayed honestly at the embassy.

Zhou Shuren, ”Minister of Rites decided?”

Chang Yi nodded, ”Yes.”

”Oh, since that’s the case, continue on.”

Chang Yi, ”Really? No problem?”

Zhou Shuren coughed once, ”This idea was mine. When the Ministry of Rites asked for three hundred thousand taels, I didn’t give it, so I came up with this idea.”

Chang Yi, ”....”

So that was the root of how he got the assignment.

Zhou Shuren continued, ”When you go, just focus on your duties. Don’t concern yourself with anything else, and don’t talk too much. This is a political achievement. With this achievement, you should be able to get promoted next year.”

Chang Yi, excited by the last statement, replied eagerly, ”Father, your son will handle the affairs with utmost caution.”

Zhou Shuren smiled, ”Mhm, alright then, hurry back. At this time, Lord Sun must be very busy.”

Chang Yi quickly stood up, his voice much louder now with newfound confidence. ”Yes, your son will head back now. You go ahead with your work, father.”

In the Ministry of Rites, upon Chang Yi’s return, Gu Zhuomin was waiting and said, seeing Chang Yi’s demeanor, ”Congratulations.”

Chang Yi smiled, ”It’s just luck.”

Gu Zhuomin didn’t believe it. He was sure that the enviable assignment Chang Yi got was thanks to Lord Zhou. The difference in Chang Yi’s expression when he left and returned was too great.

Gu Zhuomin sighed. He didn’t care about the benefits of the assignment; he valued the political achievements. The first recruitment had a different significance.

Wong Ju walked over, ”Chang Yi, come here. I’d like to have a few words with you.”

He hadn’t participated this time because he would be leaving the Ministry of Rites. He wanted to give Chang Yi more instructions now—this assignment was tricky!

In the capital, Zhulan and her young daughter went to the foreign shop. She wanted to buy some items useful for learning, only available in foreign stores.

Xue Han wasn’t very interested in foreign goods. After looking around, she stayed beside her mother, watching her choose items and even inquired with the Shopkeeper about long glass tubes and such.

Xue Han had a wooden expression. Ever since her mother got hold of foreign books, she had been reading them voraciously, more than her second brother even, muttering to herself and always holding a book in her hands. These days, she no longer sought out her daughters-in-law for a chat but immersed herself in her studies.

Xue Han was baffled by her mother’s obsession with learning. Now her mother continued to speak, and the Shopkeeper was dumbfounded.

The Shopkeeper said with a troubled face, ”We don’t have the items you’re asking for. Would you like to check out the new perfumes? They are quite popular.”

Zhulan, disappointed but also coming to a realization that the store sold items that were popular, ”No thanks.”

She had no interest in perfumes. Considering the living conditions in Europe, she cringed and lost her appetite. Perfumes were meant to mask scents, and with that thought, Zhulan couldn’t help but step back, keeping her distance from the perfumes.

The Shopkeeper, ”?”

Xue Han also put down the perfume she had been holding. If her mother didn’t like it, neither did she.

Zhulan paid the Silver Coin and then complained as they left, ”That’s outrageously expensive.”

Xue Han, ”Yes, it is.”

Zhulan thought about asking Zhou Shuren to get the equipment. In her previous life, she had never studied so intensely. She never would have thought that she would need to strive and study so hard in ancient times.

Zhulan had a wooden expression. Initially, it was Zhou Shuren who studied desperately. Now it was her turn. How fair!

Mother and daughter boarded the carriage back to the residence. On the way, they encountered a merchant convoy. The merchant’s carts were quite long, which was not unusual in the capital.

The capital was the center of power. Even if the south was more prosperous, consumption there was not less than in the south. The area where noble families congregated was full of big spenders.

At the Hou Residence of Yao Wenqi, he ignored the persuasion of the visitor and closed his eyes as if he was asleep.

Gu San wasn’t in a hurry and took out a letter from his master and placed it down, ”This is a letter from the master.”

After hearing the door close, Yao Wenqi picked up the letter from the table and skimmed through it, scoffing, ”They promise the title of nobility, as if that would fool him. Such fools.”

Yao Wenqi clenched the letter. He should have been in control, but now things were not going his way, and there were also the Zhang family’s unauthorized actions, making him fall into a desperate situation. He remembered the place where the Zhang family hid their treasures and his face turned ugly. He had sent people only to find out it was a fake location.

Yao Wenqi seethed with anger. Had it not been for the Emperor cutting off his contacts, allowing the Zhang family to swallow his remaining power, he wouldn’t be in this situation. He suddenly laughed, the Emperor had nurtured the Zhang family; now he would watch for their downfall.

It was just that Yao Wenqi relaxed his grip, knowing from the moment the Emperor cut off his external contacts that all his moves were being watched by the Emperor. He had lost, but not completely. He squinted his eyes; the greater the chaos, the more opportunity he had to escape.

On the street, Zhulan sat by the window of the carriage and immediately noticed a box falling from the cart ahead. The box hit the newly paved road and, astonishingly, split open.

Next, Zhulan saw some fish fall out of the box along with paper-wrapped items. She directed the coachman, ”Stop the carriage.”

Zhulan was about to get out of the carriage when the coachman of the cart ahead frantically stopped the horses and started stuffing everything back into the box.