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

Chapter 1712: Chapter 1712: I’m Somewhat Confused

Candles were already lit in the hall, and Zhou Shuren gazed at the candle that had burned a quarter down while Rongchuan came out from inside.

Rongchuan held a box in his arms, and everyone’s eyes turned to him, but no one paid attention to Rongchuan’s reddened eyes.

Zhou Shuren noticed that both Prince Qi and Prince Chu’s breathing was somewhat erratic, indicating their increasing unrest.

Immersed in sorrow, Rongchuan sat back motionless on the chair, unconsciously stroking the box. It contained the wealth his father and mother had accumulated for him over the years, left to him by his father.

His father’s guard had long been given to him, and today, in front of his elder brother, his father mentioned it again as a form of protection for him.

Rongchuan felt sad at heart, realizing he was luckier than his brothers. Although he had suffered when he was young, he returned to receive all of his father’s love, and his mind was filled with his father’s kindness toward him.

Rongchuan looked up at his father-in-law, recalling his father’s reassurance that with his father-in-law around, he could rest assured that he would not stray from the right path.

Zhou Shuren felt the gaze, sighed inwardly. The Retired Emperor truly couldn’t move on, and a thunderclap boomed, startling everyone in the hall with its loudness.

Inside, the eunuch Zhang invited the Crown Prince inside. The Crown Prince glanced out the window, listening to the pouring rain, feeling increasingly heavy-hearted with each step.

The room was brightly lit, and in the Crown Prince’s eyes, his grandfather’s face appeared bluish, leaning against the cushion, looking at him. His nose tingled, and tears fell unchecked.

The Retired Emperor weakly smiled, “Don’t cry; life and death, sickness and health are part of life’s course. I’ve had a remarkable life, and the younger generations are brilliant. I have no regrets.”

The Crown Prince knelt on the ground, “Grandfather, you’ll get better.”

The Retired Emperor raised his hand to stroke his grandson’s head, his gaze fixed on his son’s grey-streaked hair, signaling him to extend his hand.

The Emperor, with reddened eyes, extended his hand to his father, “Father.”

The Retired Emperor placed his grandson’s hand into his son’s hand, “You raised him bit by bit, as I did with you. Do you understand?”

The Emperor grasped his son’s hand, “I understand, Father.”

The Retired Emperor withdrew his hand, feeling weary after holding it up for a while, “The Crown Prince is excellent, and I’m very satisfied.”

The Emperor understood his father’s fear of him growing fond of power as he aged, and of him deposing the Crown Prince, “Father, you are the one who taught me.”

You must have faith in your teachings. I don’t want history to record that I was inferior to you.

The Retired Emperor let out a long breath, “As a father, I also have many shortcomings.”

The Emperor shook his head, “To me, you are the best father.”

The Retired Emperor smiled, “Your future is still long; I will be watching you.”

The Crown Prince cried aloud, “Grandson won’t disappoint you.”

The Retired Emperor exhaled once more, feeling he didn’t have much time, gesturing for the Crown Prince to rise and stand aside, calling for Prince Qi and Prince Chu.

The Retired Emperor gazed at his two sons kneeling together. They, too, had aged, with white hair stark against the black, and he coughed, “I have treated you well.”

Prince Qi and Prince Chu kept their heads down, aware that they wouldn’t have the lives they do without their father.

The Retired Emperor continued, “After I leave, you must adhere to your duties. The Emperor will not trouble you.”

Prince Qi and Prince Chu looked up, their father reassuring them, tears rolling down, “Father.”

The Retired Emperor didn’t have time for fatherly affection, “In the future, live your own lives. There’s value in a simple life.”

Prince Qi replied, “Your son will keep this in mind.”

Prince Chu hastily added, “Your son will live well.”

The Retired Emperor felt assured about his sons, knowing they were clever and understood the difference with and without a father, “Alright, I have nothing else to give you. Step aside.”

Prince Chu glanced at Rongchuan, who had come in behind with a box, and felt heartache. As expected, the most beloved youngest son—the Qin Prince Residence is already wealthy enough!

Outside, Zhou Shuren watched as the Grandson entered and soon came out. His sharp eyes caught the unwillingness on several Princes’ faces.

His gaze turned to the Fourth Prince, who had also come out; the Fourth Prince, though a legitimate son, was the only Prince without any resentment.

Eunuch Zhang approached, “Mr. Hou, the Retired Emperor requests your presence.”

Zhou Shuren stood up to stretch his legs, which were numb from sitting so long, making walking agonizingly uncomfortable, and entered the hall, where an empty space in front of the Retired Emperor’s bed awaited him.

Zhou Shuren respectfully bowed, “Your subject pays homage to the Retired Emperor.”

The Retired Emperor watched quietly until Zhou Shuren rose, “I haven’t received such a grand gesture from you for many years.”

Zhou Shuren replied, “That’s because the Retired Emperor has been kind to me.”

Exempting him from many formalities, of which he was well aware.

The Retired Emperor chuckled, “I knew you, old rascal, understood.”

Zhou Shuren sat on the chair brought by Eunuch Zhang, “I have always understood your trust and kindness toward me, and I remember them all. You are my benefactor.”

Without the Retired Emperor’s trust, he would not have achieved what he had today, nor would he have changed so much.

The Retired Emperor fell into a reverie, “From the start, I had faith in you, and you did not disappoint me.”

Zhou Shuren’s eyes were slightly red; there was sentiment between ruler and subject, “I remember too.”

The Retired Emperor smiled again, raising his hand for Zhou Shuren to hold, “I have many regrets, yet I cannot see them fulfilled. Watch over them for me and tell me when you join me below.”

He had initially dismissed the heatstroke, and though the Imperial Physician said his constitution was strong, his time was up. Good health alone couldn’t carry him through, and he genuinely felt his life was nearing its end this time.

Zhou Shuren was stunned; he didn’t know if he would see the Retired Emperor after death, sensing he might return to his own time. He took a deep breath, “I will watch over them for you and write to you every year. Don’t find my drivel annoying.”

The Retired Emperor didn’t think much of it, “Only you, old rascal, would have such a good idea.”

Better to let him wait with such news than tell him all at once.

Zhou Shuren exhaled inwardly, feeling this way he hadn’t broken his promise.

The Retired Emperor continued, “In the future, the Rong family will still need your care. I owe the Rong family. I must go see them; with your care, I have peace of mind.”

Zhou Shuren’s voice was hoarse, “The Rong family never blamed you.”

The Retired Emperor’s voice was very soft, “I know, I know.”

After Yu Dang passed, he dreamt of his mother. Behind her stood many people, now forgotten. He only remembered his mother telling him she was well, and everyone was well.

But despite this, his heart couldn’t help but hold onto the memory. The Rong family had few left. He later met Rong Enqing and discussed many things with the Emperor.

The Retired Emperor signaled for everyone else in the room to leave, leaving only his wife. The Emperor paused, then led the way out and gently closed the door behind him.

The room fell silent, and Zhou Shuren’s heart tightened to the extreme.

The Retired Emperor’s gaze deepened as he stared at Zhou Shuren, the warmth from earlier gone. Zhou Shuren couldn’t help but lighten his breath; in that moment, the Retired Emperor seemed more like the Founding Emperor!

The Retired Emperor softly said, “Sometimes I just don’t understand.”

Zhou Shuren asked, “What does the Retired Emperor not understand?”