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

Chapter 1490: Chapter 1490: Numbness

Chang Li wrung out a cloth to place on his son’s forehead when a young servant entered and reported, ”Princely Heir, the County Magistrate has arrived.”

Chang Li stood up. ”Keep an eye on the young master. Inform me immediately if anything happens.”

”Yes.”

Chang Li arrived at the private room in the restaurant. The County Magistrate promptly stood up, ”I heard the young master is ill. Is he feeling better now?”

Chang Li gestured for the County Magistrate to sit down, his expression devoid of much cheer. ”I, as the Princely Heir, have certain doubts I wish to inquire about. Was it true that the Imperial court’s fish cakes and grain supplies never reached this place?”

The County Magistrate’s heart tightened, and he stammered, ”We received them.”

Chang Li let out a cold laugh. ”Were they distributed to the common folk for survival?”

Beads of sweat emerged on the County Magistrate’s forehead. ”They were distributed. Every household received their share of grain and fish cakes for survival.”

Chang Li had already conducted an investigation. This County Magistrate in front of him was far from virtuous—the survival supplies had indeed been distributed, but in meager amounts. A greater portion had been sold off privately.

The County Magistrate, eager to steer the conversation away from food rations, shifted topics and continued, ”Nowadays, meat is scarce, and the wild game on the mountains is hard to hunt. The utterly depraved Wu family has even set its sights on the children.”

Saying this caused the Magistrate himself to feel a wave of nausea in his stomach—this was truly revolting.

Chang Li’s expression became unreadable, but he followed the topic. Regarding the Wu family, he had exhausted his outrage earlier and now felt almost calm. ”The Liu family selling the orphaned siblings of a hero who defended the country—such behavior deserves utter condemnation. I have already reported the situation clearly and sent it back to the capital.”

The County Magistrate’s calves began to tremble, but he consoled himself: he had distributed the grain and fish cakes to each household, and he was not afraid of being investigated. Avoiding direct eye contact with the Princely Heir, he said, ”The Liu family members have already been imprisoned, awaiting their sentence.”

Chang Li picked up his teacup and sipped lightly, ”County Magistrate, you would do well to conduct a thorough investigation. My father once said that once a person’s moral bottom line is breached, it spreads easily. I suspect the Wu family buying children is not an isolated case.”

The County Magistrate was stunned, his lips trembling. His mind buzzed. If further cases were uncovered, regardless of the embezzlement issue with the grain and fish cakes, his career would unravel completely.

Chang Li set down his teacup. ”To be born human is not easy, and for those who disregard their humanity and choose to wear human skin while behaving like beasts, then they should be treated as beasts. Don’t you agree, County Magistrate?”

The County Magistrate swallowed hard. ”I will investigate immediately, thoroughly investigate.”

Now, all he could hope for was to redeem himself with meritorious deeds. As for silencing the Princely Heir, he wouldn’t dare entertain such thoughts, not even on an impulse.

Once the County Magistrate departed, Chang Li sat in wordless contemplation. Anger filled his chest. The Wu family’s purchase of the Liu siblings was not due to a lack of food. When their premises were searched, the Wu family had plenty of grain—they were truly monsters.

Chang Li’s report reached the capital two days later and was delivered directly to the Ministry of Revenue.

Zhou Shuren received the letter while discussing official matters with the Crown Prince. When he noticed the delivery, Zhou Shuren was slightly surprised. Why was family correspondence sent to the Ministry of Revenue? Opening the letter, he passed it to the Crown Prince, ”Your Highness, please have a look.”

The Crown Prince took the letter with a puzzled expression. After reading it, he slammed his hand on the desk. ”Worse than animals!”

From the words within the letter, Zhou Shuren could feel his eldest son’s wrath. A simple and honest man’s anger was frightening. This particular assignment would undoubtedly help his son mature significantly. Gathering his thoughts, Zhou Shuren remarked, ”This situation is unlikely to be an isolated case.”

With a grim expression, the Crown Prince said, ”Investigate. I want every one of these beasts dragged out into the light.”

Zhou Shuren suggested, ”Clearing land for cultivation requires labor. Since these people reject their own humanity, they might as well be used as beasts of burden.”

The Crown Prince found this idea appealing. ”Death would be a release for them. Marquis Zhou’s suggestion is sound—let them toil in the fields until their last breath.”

After sighing, Zhou Shuren continued, ”I believe the orphaned children of our soldiers should be brought to the capital. It’s best to assign someone to guide their emotional recovery lest some of the children develop extreme mindsets.”

The young boy mentioned in the letter had endured immense trauma. Without proper guidance for his values and worldview, there would certainly be consequences as he grew older.

The Crown Prince pondered for a moment. ”Mr. Hou’s words are wise. However, who should be assigned to this task?”

Zhou Shuren, who considered himself highly adept at persuasion and education, refrained from recommending himself. ”Your Highness might seek advice from His Majesty.”

Although the Crown Prince asked outwardly, internally he had already decided on Zhou Hou. ”Very well.”

Meanwhile, at the Zhou family estate, Zhulan was in high spirits. In two days, the donated supplies had been properly stored, and both the houses and greenhouses on the manor grounds were under construction. The nearby villagers had been hired to help, proving that many hands make light work, and progress was swift.

Lady Li had grown thinner over the past two days from sheer exhaustion. ”Mother, when will the orphanage begin accepting orphans?”

Zhulan’s good mood dimmed. There’s still so much to be done. ”It can start immediately; we’ll begin with the villages near the manor.”

As she finished speaking, a Female Officer entered. ”Madam, the Empress Dowager has relayed a message. The orphans housed in East City are to be transferred to civilian orphanages.”

Zhulan was unsurprised. ”Understood. I will send people to take charge. Once the manor’s houses are built, the children will be relocated here.”

After the Female Officer left, Zhulan decided to personally visit East City to check on the children and asked Steward Ding to prepare the carriage.

Zhulan took Lady Li along. Sitting by the window in the carriage, Lady Li gazed outside. Zhulan asked, ”What are you looking at?”

Lady Li turned back. ”Mother, I’m looking to see if there are any young beggars on the streets.”

Zhulan replied, ”Don’t bother looking; there won’t be any.”

In the capital, beggars were almost non-existent. Ongoing renovations in the city required significant manpower, and even beggars had become a labor force. Older beggars were taken to construct housing, exchanging labor for food. Younger beggars were either absorbed into royal manors for farming or sent away for training. Over time, beggars wary of losing their freedom refused to enter the capital, fearing forced labor.

Lady Li stopped discussing beggars and instead asked, ”Mother, how many orphans do you think there will be?”

Zhulan replied, ”We’ll know soon enough.”

Upon arriving in East City, Zhulan frowned as she entered. The children lacked any energy or vitality. Boys fared slightly better, but the girls were utterly listless, blindly following orders from the supervising matrons.

After observing discreetly, Zhulan decided such conditions could not continue. Just idly passing time would never do. She held hope for these orphans—they were seeds of inheritance.

Zhulan declared, ”By order of the Empress Dowager, I am here to take charge of these orphans.”

The supervising matron responded respectfully, ”The message has been received. Here is the roster of one hundred and seventy-three orphans.”

Zhulan signaled for Lady Li to take the roster, then went to inspect the remaining grain supplies. She did not interact with the children, as they were under the strict control of the matrons, and her questions would yield little information. After a brief stay, she returned.

In the carriage, Lady Li frowned deeply. ”Mother, as your daughter-in-law, I feel a heavy burden on my heart. These children lack even a trace of liveliness. If spoken to loudly, they shy away in fear.”

Zhulan responded, ”I’m aware.”

She already had plans to transform the situation.

Lady Li, reassured by this, ceased worrying. In her heart, her mother-in-law was incredibly capable. She herself had learned a great deal over the past few days.

Zhulan looked at Lady Li. In the future, wherever she went, Lady Li would accompany her. Lady Li was her future successor as Mrs. Zhou Hou. After Zhulan passed away, Lady Li would be responsible for carrying on her philosophy.