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

Chapter 1323: Chapter 1323: The Origin

Zhou Shuren arrived at the government hall and immediately spotted Chang Zhong standing in line, with a boy of similar age standing beside him, pouting unhappily.

Zhou Shuren’s heart clenched; what was his son doing inside the palace? Indeed, experience told him it must be troubling news.

Upon entering the study, Zhou Shuren saw the senior Wen, the Emperor’s father-in-law; no need to guess, the young lad beside Chang Zhong must be from the Wen family, and a legitimate descendant at that.

Zhou Shuren composed himself, ”Your servant greets the Emperor.”

The Emperor seemed to be in a good mood, ”We’ve been waiting just for you.”

Zhou Shuren took a deep breath, ”My youngest son is quite young; I would like to know why Chang Zhong has entered the palace?”

He wouldn’t directly plead guilt, pretending like his son had indeed made a mistake; providing such an opportunity was not something he would do.

The Emperor glanced at his father-in-law; seeing him plead guilty with the first sentence, then looked at Zhou Shuren, emphasizing that the child is still young.

The Emperor turned to the Crown Prince, who stepped forward, ”Today, there was heavy snow. I went out of the palace to inspect the snow-clearing, and coincidentally, encountered Wen Xiao and Chang Zhong. Their carriages collided.”

Zhou Shuren felt reassured; on a snowy day the roads would be slippery, his son wouldn’t have allowed the carriage to go too fast. It was the Wen family’s responsibility for the collision.

Zhou Shuren smiled at the senior Wen, making him quite uncomfortable.

Wen Chuhang had first entered the palace, and the Emperor didn’t initially explain why, now knowing the reason, his face felt fiery. Knowing his own grandson, Wen Xiao was the sole legitimate son of the third household, also the youngest legitimate descendant of the Wen family. Spoiled since childhood, his temper was naturally poor.

The Emperor was not concerned with how the Wen family taught their children; these were matters for the Wen family. Today’s summon was also meant to be a lesson, as the Wen family had been too flamboyant recently.

The Emperor asked, ”Does Grand Master Wen have anything to say?”

Senior Wen replied, ”This old servant will strictly discipline the children once we return.”

The Emperor was silent. Senior Wen added, ”Wen Xiao is young and ignorant; today he has made a mistake and should apologize to Young Master Zhou.”

Zhou Shuren pondered the Emperor’s intentions, meeting the Emperor’s gaze and then glanced at the smiling Crown Prince; ah, although young, the Crown Prince is quite opportunistic, his son today becoming a handy tool.

This was the Emperor’s dissatisfaction with the Wen family, seizing the chance for a reprimand, and Senior Wen understood this, thus he apologized so promptly.

After leaving the palace, an hour had already passed. Zhulan, anxious for not finding her son, only knew from inquiring that her son had gone with someone, but not the specifics.

A while later, Zhou Shuren returned home with his son. Zhulan was surprised, ”How come you and your son are together?”

Zhou Shuren explained the sequence of events, ”That’s how it happened, Chang Zhong was just unlucky today.”

Zhulan sighed, more than just unlucky, and concernedly asked her son, ”Were you scared inside the palace?”

Chang Zhong shook his head, ”Your son did nothing wrong, so there’s no fear.”

His father had said that with a clear conscience there’s nothing to fear; it wasn’t his fault, and he wouldn’t cowardly disgrace the Zhou family. He felt he had handled himself exceptionally well.

Zhou Shuren patted his son’s head, ”This boy did well.”

As his son grew bolder, it made Wen Xiao appear pettier; Senior Wen must surely regret spoiling the child.

Seeing her son truly unafraid, Zhulan breathed a sigh of relief. In her eyes, her son was still too young. She turned to her husband, ”Are you returning to the Ministry of Revenue?”

Zhou Shuren, ”Not going back.”

It would be foolish to miss the chance to leave work early.

Zhulan smiled, ”Then go change your clothes, I’ll instruct the kitchen to prepare dinner early; we’re having stew tonight.”

Zhou Shuren hooked a corner of his mouth, ”Good.”

The first snow has settled, and the temperature dropped rapidly. This year, some provinces have had frequent snowfalls, resulting in several heavy snowstorms, which would affect travel in modern times, let alone in ancient times.

Fortunately, in recent years, the Imperial court has always been prepared with emergency supplies for disasters. The provinces severely affected by the snow disaster did not suffer significant casualties, and the benefits of the Imperial court’s control over medical institutions were greatly demonstrated. The Imperial court allocated Silver to brew medicinal soup for free, and those with frostbite could go to these medical institutions to receive ointment.

Now, the national treasury has ample Silver, and the allocation of funds is also swift. The snow disasters that used to frighten the people can now be promptly addressed, and the people are grateful to the Imperial court, thus bringing the Emperor more public support.

The provinces affected by the disaster sent a Zhezi summarizing the situation to the capital. The Zhezi not only reported on the situation but also conveyed the gratitude of the people towards the Emperor.

The Emperor was in a good mood and showed even more kindness and favor towards Zhou Shuren, who was the first to propose countermeasures for the disaster.

The Emperor retained Zhou Shuren, ”Shuren, you have been working hard recently.”

Zhou Shuren, ”...”

This opening remark stirred his heart.

The Emperor continued: ”The reform of the Ministry of Revenue is going well, and other ministries are also undergoing reforms one after another; all these are Shuren’s achievements.”

Zhou Shuren squinted his eyes, ”This servant dares not take credit; it is what I should do.”

”If all ministers were like Shuren, I could truly enjoy peace of mind.”

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes internally, You really aren’t greedy, ”Emperor, I would like to ask for a few days off.”

It was time to test the waters given the Emperor’s good mood today.

The Emperor’s smile remained unchanged, anticipating that the old fox liked to rest, ”A maximum of three days.”

Zhou Shuren was somewhat unaccustomed; he really got the leave approved, and it wasn’t for a sick leave or any other reason, but just for rest, which made him open his eyes wide.

The Emperor patted the old man’s shoulder, hmm, quite skinny, ”What, is it too much?”

”Your servant thanks the Emperor.”

The Emperor stood by the window, looking through the glass at the snowy scene outside, with the corners of his lips slightly lifted.

Zhou Shuren clicked his tongue a few times, the Emperor was genuinely happy, and so was he, as he had saved many lives.

During the three-day vacation, Zhou Shuren and his wife went to the Hot Spring Manor for a dip and brought no one else with them, just the old couple.

Chang Xhong was pulling his fourth brother, ”Father is old but still talks about living a life of two, and he really didn’t take me when he left the capital.”

Chang Zhi, who rarely rested, responded coldly to his complaining brother, ”You should have gotten used to it by now.”

In Father’s heart, Mother’s position is absolutely unnegotiable, even Chang Xhong cannot compete, he figured that out long ago.

Chang Xhong, ”... I also want to go to the manor.”

Chang Zhi, ”Let Ming Teng take you, that kid has properties, he owns several Hot Spring Manors.”

Chang Xhong pouted, ”I can’t catch him now; he’s been taken by Prince Qin’s brother-in-law for training, he doesn’t have time to take me, fourth brother, why don’t you take me?”

Chang Zhi looked at the snowflakes drifting outside the window, tugged at the corner of his mouth, ”I’m very busy.”

He really didn’t want to move, especially in

winter, staying indoors during the holidays is the right choice, why leave a cozy house for a cold horse carriage?

Chang Xhong disdainfully said, ”In the future, fourth brother, don’t say you don’t know who Yu Wen takes after, that girl is exactly like you.”

Fourth brother is also lazy; without careful thought, one wouldn’t notice.

Chang Zhi refused to admit, ”I’m not as lazy as that girl.”

Chang Xhong laughed sarcastically, ”Stop struggling, Yu Wen is a clear reflection of your personality.”