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

Chapter 1713: Chapter 1713: Live a Little Longer

The Retired Emperor’s face bore no smile, his slightly pale face very solemn, with piercing eyes that directly gave off an oppressive feeling to Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren felt tense at his back, thinking that if he weren’t used to the imposing aura of the Retired Emperor, he would definitely panic.

The Retired Emperor withdrew his aura, “You’re not from a noble family; your status on a local level is decent, but your vision and thoughts shouldn’t be nurtured by the Zhou family.”

Sometimes, one must admit the impressive upbringing of noble families, for the vision of the children of noble families is accumulated over generations, it cannot be learned if desired, this is the foundation, the heritage, and the wisdom.

Zhou Shuren relaxed his mind, knowing full well that the Retired Emperor would investigate him thoroughly, and if not for the blood ties of the Rong clan, the Retired Emperor would not trust him as much as he does now.

What the Retired Emperor said was all correct; his original self indeed lacked vision and thoughts.

His thoughts differ from Wu Ming; the Retired Emperor could accept Wu Ming’s brilliance because Wu Ming was purely ancient, meaning he could not detach from the past, while his thoughts stood on the shoulders of giants from the future, learning the essence.

The Retired Emperor did not expect Zhou Shuren to explain, nor would he believe him if he did. He was dying, so he wanted to speak up, “You have secrets, then let them remain secrets for a lifetime, what do you think?”

Zhou Shuren’s heart thudded intensely, “Yes.”

The Retired Emperor smiled, but the smile lasted only a moment, his tone becoming severe again, “You are attempting to change, am I right?”

Zhou Shuren felt exceptionally relaxed now, “Without change, there can be no future? You’ve seen the benefits change brings. Without it, the nation wouldn’t have the current stability, and the people wouldn’t have their present good life.”

Look at the surrounding countries; even though our own people are affected by the Little Ice Age, there’s still hope, all thanks to change.

Without change, even with great abilities, he wouldn’t possess his current capabilities.

The Retired Emperor said quietly, “In your eyes lies the nation.”

Between the nation and the Emperor, he slowly realized, Zhou Shuren’s focus was on the nation, not the rule of imperial power. He realized this after confining himself for several days, repeatedly reviewing Zhou Shuren’s official career. The first time he felt complex emotions, but after several reviews, he was no longer angry with Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren was silent this time. Indeed, in his eyes was the nation, the nation that belongs to everyone, “Minister.”

The Retired Emperor raised his hand, “I had two nightmares, both because of you, which led to the current stability of the nation and the solidification of imperial power.”

This is merit. If not for the shock of those two nightmares, he wouldn’t have easily calmed his anger; though anger remained, he never considered taking Zhou Shuren’s life.

Zhou Shuren was deeply shocked, feeling relaxed but also mindful of the consequences, never expecting the Retired Emperor to be not enraged, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your support and trust.”

The Retired Emperor smiled, “I can’t see the future, but I’ve accepted many of your ideas. I believe the future will be bright, so I need you to watch over it and report to me.”

Don’t make him regret his decision, stabilize the country and bring peace – Zhou Shuren indeed has the nation in his heart.

With tears flowing, Zhou Shuren said, “Yes.”

The Retired Emperor continued, “You may not be the Crown Prince’s mentor, but I hope you can educate the Crown Prince’s children.”

Zhou Shuren was stunned, “Retired Emperor.”

The Retired Emperor motioned not to speak, “I know the future will bring many changes, I believe in my grandchildren, but they also lack guidance; the Crown Prince learned to guard, his offspring need new ideas.”

He remembered Zhou Shuren’s talks of reform, knowing that stagnation means regression; he thought his memories were unclear, but now at his deathbed, everything became vividly clear.

Zhou Shuren swallowed, genuinely admiring the Retired Emperor for seeing through some of the future.

The Retired Emperor continued, “The Emperor told me about several countries from across the sea, their rapid changes, especially in ship technology and gunpowder, I always remember you saying that being backward means being beaten.”

So he feared, feared that the Crown Prince’s descendants would only know to guard, hence the need to choose a mentor.

The Retired Emperor said so much, paused for a moment, and continued, “I haven’t figured everything out, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I won’t force you to be the Crown Prince’s mentor, but you must educate his children well.”

Zhou Shuren gazed into the Retired Emperor’s eyes, “What about the Emperor?”

The Retired Emperor replied, “The Emperor has agreed.”

He had already discussed it with the Emperor, saying little about Zhou Shuren, focusing on the future, and he knew even if he didn’t say much, Zhou Shuren’s son would understand.

Zhou Shuren took a deep breath, “As long as I am alive, I will definitely teach well.”

The Retired Emperor said, “Then you must live many more years.”

He hoped more than ever that Zhou Shuren would live a long life, watching Zhou Shuren’s hair, truly worrying that this old fellow might not live long.

Outside the sleeping quarters, the Emperor stood quietly; everyone’s eyes were on the direction of the quarters, curious about what was being discussed for so long.

The Second Prince was shocked, realizing that his grandfather, despite his illness, insisted on seeing Marquis Zhou, spending such a long time talking, shocking him at the position Marquis Zhou held in his grandfather’s heart.

The Crown Prince was truly saddened, shedding silent tears, knowing his grandfather was still concerned for him even at the end.

At the door of the sleeping quarters, a red-eyed Zhou Shuren emerged, “The Retired Emperor requests the Emperor to enter.”

In the final moments, the Retired Emperor wanted to be with the Emperor, delivering his final instructions.

Zhou Shuren paid no mind to the curious gazes, sitting back in his previous spot; his heart had just experienced a roller coaster and was now finally at ease.

The Emperor hurried over as he saw his father with eyes closed, “Father.”

The Retired Emperor opened his eyes, seeing the door closed, motioned for his son to sit beside him, “I hope you remember, Zhou Shuren is crucial for stabilizing the nation.”

The Emperor smiled bitterly, “Father, your son has never forgotten.”

The Retired Emperor added, “I’ve already informed him, the Crown Prince’s current child is the legitimate heir, Zhou Shuren will be this child’s mentor.”

The Emperor had no objections, both he and his father knew there was value in Zhou Shuren’s mind, “Send him over at five years old.”

The Retired Emperor waved his hand, “Four years old. Sigh, this old fellow’s bones are so weak, I am worried. The more years he can teach, the better.”

The Emperor also recalled Zhou Shuren’s hair with worry, thinking the grandson might not mature before Zhou Shuren, uh, no, that’s not right to think, “I will keep an eye on it.”

If not feasible, then it will be up to Zhou Shuren’s descendants.

The Retired Emperor pointed to his head, “His mind holds good things. If they haven’t come out, it’s not because they’re unsuitable, but because he doesn’t want to be too conspicuous and attract caution, he cares about his descendants, don’t push too hard.”

Over the years of being ruler and subject, he may not fully understand but understands thoroughly.

The Emperor, “Your son understands.”

Over all these years, he was no less appreciative of Zhou Shuren than his father was.

The Retired Emperor weakened further, “With you in charge, I have no worries about the nation. In the future, you must bear it alone; if tired, don’t endure it alone, sons are meant to share the burden.”

The Emperor remembered being a Crown Prince, his father drinking tea while he reviewed documents, smiling even as tears rolled down his cheeks, “Your son cannot bear to part with you.”

The Retired Emperor looked towards his wife, who sat unmoving in the distance ever since he awoke, like a statue, “I have nothing left to say, let me spend a moment with your mother.”