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

Chapter 1204: Chapter 1204: Guessed Correctly

Zhulan saw that because the coachman moved too hastily, the oil paper scraped against the broken part of the box, the force was too strong, and it tore a small slit as the truck in front moved away.

Zhulan still got off the carriage and walked to where the items had fallen, crouching down to carefully examine the scattered items. She was about to reach out when someone grabbed her.

Zhulan looked up, ”Mr. Rong.”

Rong Enqing helped her up and asked, ”What are you looking for?”

Zhulan pointed to the ground, not hiding anything, ”A truck just passed by and lost something; it was wrapped in oil paper. Some items spilled out, and I came over to take a look.”

If Rong Enqing had not been one of the Emperor’s men, she would not have explained it outright.

Rong Enqing was stunned; he reckoned the days—it was not right, the merchant convoy coming from Xuzhou Province had not yet reached the capital. He said to the young servant by his side, ”You clean this up.”

The young servant carefully took out a cloth, ”Yes.”

Seeing that Rong Enqing had taken over, Zhulan stopped interfering. Although she hadn’t touched the items, she habitually thought of the worst possibility. Given the strict hiding, the flustered coachman, and the blackish-gray substance, the only thing that came to mind was gunpowder.

Zhulan was helped by Rong Enqing into the carriage, ”Then we should go now.”

”Okay.”

Rong Enqing also advised the coachman to drive slower and more steadily; once everyone had left, Rong Enqing took the cloth collected by the young servant and then got into the carriage to look at it carefully. His heart sank, ”We have to go.”

An hour later at the Palace, the Emperor’s face was solemn, ”Gunpowder?”

The Crown Prince, ”Yes, the Zhang family has not only hidden gunpowder in Xuzhou Province.”

Had it not been today’s discovery, this batch of gunpowder could have gone unnoticed. The Crown Prince felt heavy-hearted; today’s gatekeepers of the city were bribed, and who knows if any other gunpowder had been transported into the capital?

The Emperor, ”Conduct an investigation for me, and also replace this batch of gunpowder for me.”

The thought of a batch of gunpowder in the capital, which could ignite and inevitably cause numerous casualties, especially if brought into the Palace, turned the Emperor’s complexion even graver.

The Crown Prince said, ”Yes.”

The Emperor’s expression softened a bit, ”If it hadn’t been for the roadwork, the box wouldn’t have hit the ground and cracked open. This road was well constructed.”

The Crown Prince also felt frightened in hindsight, ”It was good Mrs. Yang curiously acted, otherwise Mr. Rong Enqing wouldn’t have noticed.”

The Emperor nodded, ”Hmm.”

The Emperor and the Crown Prince’s impression of Mrs. Yang significantly improved.

That evening, Zhulan shared her discovery, ”Although I didn’t touch it, my instinct tells me it was gunpowder.”

Zhou Shuren was alarmed, and then said, ”Since Mr. Rong collected it, he will surely identify the problem; there’s no need to worry now.”

Zhulan frowned, ”It seems, the Zhang family is really making their move, using gunpowder and treating human life as nothing.”

”They won’t think so—they’ll probably believe the sacrifice is worth it, but it might also be for their escape plans.”

Zhulan with a stern face, ”Whether it’s for fighting for the throne or escaping, using gunpowder shows a blatant disregard for human life.”

Zhou Shuren patted Zhulan, ”They will reap what they sow.”

”Hmm.”

Then the couple returned to their respective reading, Zhulan said, ”Make me some stuff I need.”

Since she had to instruct Chang Yi, she still had to prepare everything that could be used.

Zhou Shuren took the list written by his wife, ”Okay, I will find Mr. Fang.”

Zhulan hummed a response, then continued reading.

The next day, at sea, Rongchuan awaited General Hou. Rongchuan only saw two warships. ”General Hou, the island’s defense is very tight, and there’s even a high platform. I suspect there are cannons on the island. Aren’t two warships too few?”

General Hou replied, ”Deploying a large number of ships requires a reason. To avoid alerting the enemy, ships will continue to arrive gradually.”

Rongchuan then felt relieved, genuinely afraid that failing to capture the island would result in heavy losses on his side.

General Hou continued, ”Princely Heir, the Emperor has decreed that during the attack on the island, the Princely Heir must not leave the ship. I shall be watching over the Princely Heir, and I ask for your understanding.”

Rongchuan, who still wanted to land on the island, froze, ”No other options?”

General Hou smiled, ”None.”

Rongchuan wilted. He realized why he hadn’t returned to the island; he wanted to land on it — not out of boldness, but because he didn’t want to go back and be punished. Now, his little scheme had failed.

General Hou genuinely wished to send the Princely Heir back, but he could not oppose the Emperor’s decision.

In the capital, at Prince Liang Residence, Prince Liang looked at the letter on the table and sneered, thinking Zhang Yang had completely resigned himself to his fate. However, this man still hadn’t given in.

Prince Liang called someone over, gave some instructions, and then went to the study.

Within half an hour, the messenger returned, bringing a note from the Crown Prince. Prince Liang, smiling enigmatically, said to the young servant, ”Bring a set of clothes here.”

Today, Zhulan visited her family’s new house, which was nearly completed. She came today to see what modifications were needed.

The house was truly large; even walking from the front courtyard to the main courtyard took a while. The house had been simply cleaned, and the discarded lumber and stones had already been cleared.

Zhulan was followed by several daughters-in-law, including Lady Li.

The group first reached the main courtyard, which was larger than their current dwelling. Modeled after Jiangnan architecture, it was more elegant. Currently lacking trees, the main courtyard appeared much emptier.

Seeing the daughters-in-law’s curiosity, Zhulan said, ”You all should take a look around too, but avoid the garden—it’s under construction. Be careful not to stumble or bump into anything.”

Lady Li and others were already itching with anticipation, ”Yes, Mother.”

Zhulan entered the house, which, although unfurnished, was large and brighter than their current home.

After touring for about two hours, Zhulan finally left with her daughters-in-law, having a good measure of the place in her mind.

Lady Li remarked, ”Mother, this new house is truly beautiful. It’s my first time seeing such a splendid residence. Mother, are we really going to move here?”

Zhulan smiled, ”Yes, we’ll move next year.”

The house, rebuilt anew, made one forget what had once happened here. However, Zhulan decided that once they moved, they would hire more servants to add more vitality to the house.

At the theater in the capital, Prince Liang entered a half-open box. Zhang Yang was humming a tune with his eyes closed.

A look of disgust hidden deep in his eyes, Prince Liang sat some distance away from Zhang Yang.

Slowly opening his eyes, Zhang Yang, who had lost much weight though not back to his former self, said, ”I didn’t think Fourth Brother would come back.”

Prince Liang retorted, ”His Highness merely wishes to hear what you have to say.”

Zhang Yang, with a peculiar smile, gestured for the box to be closed, ”I have much to say, depending on what Fourth Brother wishes to hear. But truly, I feel for Fourth Brother—your past year has been truly miserable, let me count, numerous assassination attempts, so tragic.”

Prince Liang, not touching anything on the table, spoke sarcastically, ”Is that what you wanted to say?”

A gleam of excitement in his eyes, Zhang Yang replied, ”No, I merely feel pity that Fourth Brother has become a mere tool in the Crown Prince’s hands. A blade used too often will eventually break.”

Prince Liang remarked, ”The Crown Prince is your elder brother from the same mother.”

With a sinister laugh, Zhang waved his hand, ”No, no. We are not brothers, Fourth Brother, or rather, Your Highness, I am here to help you.”

Prince Liang, ”...”

An old saying goes, unbeknownst to speak or not, all the damn things turned out just as the Crown Prince had calculated!