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

Chapter 1236: Chapter 1236: Feelings Need to be Cultivated

In the blink of an eye, another three days had passed, and the Emperor still had no intention of meeting with the foreign ambassadors. By this time, the ambassadors had visited every corner of the capital that they were allowed to traverse, and had even observed some places they couldn’t enter from the outside. Having been in the capital for many days, they had initially been calm due to guilt, thinking that the Emperor did not meet with them immediately upon their arrival. But now, they were struggling to maintain their composure. Hearing rumors was by no means as shocking as seeing with their own eyes; it was only after arriving in the capital that they understood why the records spoke of the ancient eastern country being strewn with gold, so powerful as to command awe.

Now, having witnessed the might of the eastern country with their own eyes, they regretted harboring improper thoughts; they truly did, especially after seeing the clean streets of the capital where, even after a rain, there was no mud. The drainage was particularly good, and the streets were not at all dirty or disordered.

This was what they had longed for, a longing without a doubt.

Inside the Palace, the Emperor was playing chess with Zhou Shuren. The Emperor said, ”In three days, it will be the day of sacrifice.”

Zhou Shuren replied, ”Everyone in the capital knows.”

This was the current major event, overshadowing the visits from the foreign delegations. The Emperor’s mind was fully occupied with the grand matter of his son returning to the royal family.

The Emperor was in a good mood. ”It is thanks to you that the boy returned safely. Sometimes I shudder to think of the danger; if you hadn’t saved Rongchuan, I can’t bear to imagine what might have happened to him.”

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that if he had not extended a hand at the beginning, Rongchuan’s fate would either have been death or enduring tribulations. Moreover, the environment in which a person grows up is very important. Thanks to his and Zhulan’s modern thinking and education, Rongchuan had managed to stand tall and strive for his future, even while fostered in the Zhou family.

And indeed, Rongchuan had succeeded, having been named Tanhua and proven his excellence through his own efforts.

But without him and Zhulan, even if Rongchuan had lived to return to the royal family, he would have felt inferior; the environment and education of a child are too important.

Zhou Shuren smiled, ”A blessing comes after a great disaster, and this now proves true.”

There was no one in the entire capital luckier than Rongchuan. These days, Rongchuan had gradually taken control of the national propaganda, representing the royal family, a sign of trust from the Crown Prince.

The Emperor was proud of his younger son. ”You have taught him very well.”

On this point, he was genuinely grateful to Zhou Shuren. His younger son’s abilities had all been taught by Zhou Shuren, who was not just a father figure to Rongchuan but also a master.

Zhou Shuren looked at the Emperor. Though he was reluctant to think ill of anyone, he couldn’t help but ponder that if Rongchuan had not met him and been less impressive, the Emperor probably wouldn’t feel so proud.

Inside his study, Rongchuan recalled his father-in-law’s words. At this moment, it was unnecessary to be overly formal with the Crown Prince, adhering strictly to the rituals between ruler and subject; it was more important to be close to the Crown Prince. He was a full brother born of the same mother, and if the sincerity was real, the Crown Prince would feel it.

Rongchuan sat casually with a troubled expression. ”I’m going out of my mind. These last two days the foreign prince has blocked my way several times, and he’s given me quite a lot of things that I really don’t want.”

The Crown Prince observed his younger brother’s relaxed posture but did not reprimand him. Instead, he felt more at ease himself, and his face was full of smiles. ”Actually, I would quite like to see you try them on.”

Rongchuan glared at him. ”Are you really my brother? You want me, your brother, to wear high heels? Those are high heels!”

The Crown Prince replied, ”It’s more enjoyable to share happiness together.”

Rongchuan was surprised. ”They gave you some too?”

The Crown Prince nodded. ”They also sent some to our father, who went pale with shock when he saw them.”

Rongchuan felt like laughing. ”No wonder these foreigners are so persistent about cement. Every time they see me, they praise the Ministry of Works to the skies and want to meet with its craftsmen!”

The Crown Prince took a fruit from Rongchuan’s hand. ”I wouldn’t mind selling these off.”

Rongchuan was stunned. ”I thought you wouldn’t sell them!”

The Crown Prince naturally spoiled his younger brother. With Rongchuan’s identity revealed, and the affection and reliance that had grown between them, the Crown Prince increasingly felt what it was like to be an elder brother. His kinship with his own flesh and blood brother was truly different.

The Crown Prince found brotherly affection amid his disappointment with his own harem, patiently explaining, ”I’ve obtained quite a bit of information from the spies returning from overseas. You’ve spent a long time in the Imperial Hospital and know that dirtiness and disorder easily breed illness. Now that maritime trade is so prosperous, the Imperial court must be prepared and cannot afford to be without fallbacks; hence, I am willing to sell cement.”

He felt pretty good about it, as it had brought in profits and eliminated some dangers.

Rongchuan blinked, ”Brother, you will surely become an Emperor praised by the world.”

The Crown Prince’s eyes brimmed with laughter as he ruffled his brother’s hair, seeing him protect his head with both hands, the Crown Prince laughed heartily.

The study was not far away, and the Crown Prince’s laughter was not concealed; Zhou Shuren and the Emperor could hear it.

The Emperor was in an exceptionally good mood, then said, ”I will allow Shuren to take back his move.”

Zhou Shuren, ”....”

Haha, the three of you, father and sons, are happy, but he is not pleased. Who are you insulting? Moreover, take back a move? He was going to be a Chief of Staff!

However, Zhou Shuren, stroking his beard, Rongchuan had taken in all his words. Since brotherly affection needed cultivation, without investment of feelings between brothers, sooner or later there would be estrangement.

Ever since his wife told him about the Crown Prince’s harem, whenever Zhou Shuren had time, he would mention a few words to Rongchuan. If they did not forge a strong brotherly bond now, there wouldn’t be an opportunity to do so in the future.

The Crown Prince was still the Crown Prince, but once he ascended the throne, his identity and status would change; first an Emperor then a brother. Seizing the opportunity now would ensure a better future for Rongchuan.

At the Zhou residence, Xue Han returned from outside, bringing back quite a few things.

Zhulan asked curiously, ”Weren’t you just going to pick up jewelry? Why did you buy so much more?”

Look at those exquisite and luxurious boxes; they were all sold in foreign stores.

Xue Han, ”Mother, it wasn’t me who bought them. Your daughter ran into a foreign princess, and these were all gifts from her to your daughter.”

Zhulan blinked, ”They’ve already started seeking you out.”

Xue Han spread her hands, ”Yes, Rongchuan has ignored them several times, so they turned to your daughter. Mother, see if there’s anything you like.”

With that, the maid had already opened the boxes.

Zhulan looked at the rows of delicate glass bottles; inside flowed perfumes, and there were also some liquors sold by the foreigners.

Zhulan shook her head, ”No, I don’t like them.”

The scent was too strong; she genuinely disliked it.

Xue Han didn’t like it either. After years of habits formed with her mother, she preferred lighter scents.

Just then the maid opened the last box, which did pique interest with its array of intricate ornaments. She selected a few to keep and gave the rest for Xue Han to distribute among her sisters-in-law and nieces.

In a blink of an eye, the day of the ritual arrived. To avoid troubles, Xue Han and Rongchuan entered the Palace the day before the sacrifice.

Zhou Shuren was to participate in the sacrifice while Zhulan could not go. Zhou Shuren said, ”I will tell you about it when I return.”

Zhulan was extremely envious; Zhou Shuren got to witness the live event every time, which made her jealous.

Zhou Shuren was getting dressed in his official attire, glanced at the teacup, but ultimately resisted temptation. The sacrifice today was arduous, involving standing for a long time, and needing to use the restroom would be most troublesome; enduring it was extremely difficult, a feeling he did not want to experience a second time!

Zhulan laughed at this scene, realizing that experiencing the live event came with a price!