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

Chapter 1501: Chapter 1501: A Man of Few Words but Decisive Actions

Zhou Shuren straightened his posture, ”The eldest grandson of the venerable Mr. Wen possesses outstanding abilities, determination, and diligence. In my view, the eldest grandson of Mr. Wen is highly suitable. As for the fourth son of the Wen family, given that he is the Top scorer, his capabilities speak for themselves.”

The other ministers in the hall felt that Zhou Shuren’s words were sarcastic. While the fourth son of the Wen family indeed needed no elaboration, the eldest grandson of Mr. Wen was exceedingly mediocre, currently occupying a leisurely and insignificant post.

The only notable trait was his family background. As for determination and resilience—how laughable.

The Emperor felt conflicted, while Mr. Wen’s face turned red with anger. In a sullen voice, he said, ”The whole capital knows Marquis Zhou is adept at educating children; why not recommend your own grandson?”

Zhou Shuren wore an expression of mock indifference, ”Those are just rumors that shouldn’t be taken seriously. If I were truly so capable, why haven’t I groomed a Top scorer?”

Mr. Wen’s face darkened, ”Your family has produced three second-place scholars.”

Zhou Shuren replied, ”But none are Top scorers.”

Mr. Wen knew Zhou Shuren was intensely vengeful. This old fox had guessed it was Zhou Shuren’s strategy, but he hadn’t anticipated that Zhou Shuren would directly target his grandsons—both part of the main line of descent. One was the eldest grandson, and even though he was mediocre, he represented the future of the lineage. The other was the continuation of his legacy.

Mr. Wen gritted his teeth, ”Wen Rong and the second younger one are still young and not suitable for such an important task.”

This task was not favorable—it was thankless, physically demanding, and required travel to remote areas. Moreover, Mr. Wen was worried. Once they left the capital, who knew what Zhou Shuren might do? He suddenly regretted targeting Zhou Shuren’s children, but it was too late to restore things to their previous state.

Zhou Shuren smiled faintly. ”Oh, sir, don’t be so modest. The Top scorer can certainly handle it. Although your eldest grandson is merely an add-on, fear not—if the Top scorer is involved, the task will surely be accomplished.”

The Emperor, ”...”

The ministers, ”...”

Just moments ago, Zhou Shuren had praised the good virtues of the Wen family’s eldest grandson!

Mr. Wen raised his hand in anger, ”You—”

Zhou Shuren’s eyes turned icy. Attacking his children was crossing the line; everyone could keep each other in check, but children should remain off-limits.

”Mr. Wen, no need to be agitated. The country is currently facing a grain shortage. Last year, when Mr. Wen took the lead in donating grain, I genuinely admired him. Surely, sir wouldn’t want to see the citizens starve. Reclaiming farmland and cultivating crops is a worthy endeavor for the people. Sir, there’s no need to be modest—your grandson will certainly excel.”

Mr. Qie and several other ministers exchanged glances, thinking Zhou Shuren had gone mad. Mr. Qie took a deep breath and, considering that the Qie family and Wen family were related by marriage and closely aligned, stepped forward to say, ”Marquis Zhou, your words are misguided. Reclaiming farmland and planting crops should be entrusted to experts in agronomy, lest the effort yields no harvest and an entire year is wasted.”

Zhou Shuren raised his eyes to look at Mr. Qie. ”What you say is reasonable. I recall that your youngest son has cultivated many flowers and plants, which surely shows expertise. Therefore, I recommend Mr. Qie’s youngest son as an assistant.”

Mr. Qie froze momentarily. His son’s fondness for flowers and plants was unrelated to farming!

Through the corner of his eye, Zhou Shuren observed the other ministers, signaling an attitude of ’If anyone dares speak, I’ll retaliate.’ Since they had targeted his grandson, he had no choice but to assert dominance—lest his descendants were continuously jeopardized in the future.

The Emperor was fiddling with a string of pearls. The Wen family had succeeded in enraging Zhou Shuren. Among the various branches of the Wen family, the second wife’s household had already been sidelined, leaving only the main household with promising members.

The Emperor glanced at the Zhezi in his hand. Reclaiming farmland with labor from convicted criminals—Zhou Shuren had presented both methods and suggestions. His gaze swept towards Mr. Wen. He hoped for mutual restraint between the two families, not outright hostility. Zhou Shuren possessed both intellect and strategy, beneficial to the state and its people.

Today, Zhou Shuren’s actions gave the Emperor a deeper understanding of his audacity and willingness to think beyond conventional limits.

Mr. Qie was about to speak, love for his youngest son evident—his son resembled him a great deal.

The Emperor interjected first. ”Reclaiming farmland is indeed a good exercise for Wen He. After these years, it’s time he shows some achievements. It’s settled—Wen He will lead the reclamation effort, with Qie Li as his assistant.”

Mr. Wen protested, ”Your Majesty—”

”Enough. This matter is decided.”

Zhou Shuren looked on coldly. The royal family’s interests were paramount. He had presented sufficient offerings to win the Emperor’s favor. But the Emperor was measured—he sacrificed only Wen He. As for the Qie family, the Emperor had long been intent on disciplining them for their servility to the Wen family while neglecting their allegiance to the throne.

Other officials watched the drama unfold. Previously harboring secret intentions toward Marquis Zhou, they now retreated. Zhou’s direct confrontation defied common logic—they would expect covert attempts at revenge, but Zhou Shuren countered by targeting the most valued grandson of his rivals. An astonishing display of ruthlessness.

Mr. Wen was infuriated, almost ready to spew blood, only to meet Zhou Shuren’s cold, unyielding gaze. His pupils contracted as realization dawned—Zhou Shuren’s prior conflicts with the Wen family had been petty. Even though Wen’s clan had bullied Zhou’s sons, Zhou’s demeanor remained unperturbed. Now, though—this Zhou Shuren had bared his teeth.

The discussion soon shifted to other political matters. However, everyone’s thoughts were preoccupied. Ultimately, Zhou Shuren remained behind to discuss the Zhezi with the Emperor.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan asked Rong Enqing, ”When did you visit the orphanage?”

Rong Enqing replied, ”Two days ago. Yao Yao went to pray, and we passed by and decided to take a look.”

”So, you find it agreeable? You want to teach the children there?”

Rong Enqing, who had officially passed the imperial examination, was like a half-student of Shuren—educated and knowledgeable.

Rong Enqing nodded, ”Yes. I have little to occupy myself with, so I want to teach the children.”

”Why not go to the Imperial Orphanage? Teaching is also possible there.”

Rong Enqing smiled faintly, ”The Imperial Orphanage doesn’t lack tutors.”

Anyone could see that the Imperial Orphanage belonged to the royal family and had an excess of volunteers. Rong didn’t wish to involve himself.

Zhulan said, ”If you’re teaching at a private orphanage, I fully support it.”

Rong Enqing’s face brightened. Though he had grown accustomed to a leisurely life, the sight of children learning reignited a passion within him.

At the Ministry of Rites, Chang Yi ignored Sir Liu by his side and continued reading and studying. Sir Liu, exhausted, remarked, ”I don’t believe you have no thoughts on this. Don’t pretend!”

Chang Yi set down his book and said, ”My father told me he would handle it.”

As a son, Chang Yi understood his father’s temperament. He was simply waiting for Zhou Shuren to take action.

Sir Liu sighed, ”No wonder you’re so collected. If you’d told me earlier, I wouldn’t have wasted energy coming up with suggestions.”

Chang Yi pointed to his head, ”I come up with more reckless ideas than you.”

After hearing Chang Yi’s suggestions for revenge, his father’s expression had been indecipherable. Chang Yi didn’t want to dwell on it—his father had called the ideas ’too low-grade,’ reducing himself in the eyes of others while failing to serve as a deterrent or warning. It was ineffective.

At that moment, Chang Yi’s young servant entered and recounted the capital’s latest rumors.

Chang Yi proclaimed, ”My father truly is unparalleled.”

Sir Liu, ”...”

A ruthless man—he strikes decisively and lethally, an absolute force!

Chang Yi grinned, ”What do you think? When my father acts, it’s always a masterstroke.”

Sir Liu nodded blankly, ”Avoid antagonizing Marquis Zhou.”