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

Chapter 1723: Chapter 1723: Targeted

In the days that followed, Zhulan seldom left home except when necessary, and as time passed, the investigation of Mr. Loo’s case continued, implicating more and more people.

The Emperor seemed intent on a purge, and the noble families in the capital had become very low-key recently. Even the idle young aristocrats in the capital had disappeared, leading to a decline in businesses such as horse tracks in the Suburb of the capital.

At the Zhou Residence, Zhulan received Lady Phang. Lady Phang was supposed to be a generation younger, but since her daughter was marrying her son, they were now equals.

Lady Phang brought a lot of fruits, ”From the hometown, sent to the capital for you and Mr. Hou to try fresh.”

Zhulan, having aged, particularly enjoyed drinking fruit juice, which was a luxury in ancient times. Hypermarket fruits weren’t cheap, and she even received tribute honey.

Zhulan said, ”Then I won’t be polite.”

Seeing that Zhulan genuinely liked it, Lady Phang was happy. She knew the Zhou Residence was good, but it was only through genuine contact that she realized how good it was. Marrying into a high family had too much hardship; sometimes, even the servants dared to give attitude due to lack of respect for the maternal family, among other things.

In the Zhou Residence, she received only respect without needing to curry favor, and regular conversation was enough, making her feel comfortable!

Zhulan asked, ”Why didn’t you bring Xingyi?”

Lady Phang replied, ”She caught a cold in the rain the other day and is currently taking medicine, so she didn’t come.”

”She’s ill, is she feeling better now?”

”Much better, she’s still young and playful.”

Zhulan laughed, ”Not very old, being young and playful is nice, once you’re married, there’s no time to play.”

The wrinkles at the corner of Lady Phang’s eyes deepened, ”You’re right.”

It was said that Mrs. Hou cared for her daughters-in-law, but it was the daughters who were the fortunate ones.

Lady Phang continued, ”Many people have been coming and going at home recently, oh, the master’s brow has been furrowed, and the wrinkles on his forehead increased.”

Zhulan understood that some people, to survive, were secretly running around, seeking favors from the Zhou Residence or some were using threats to pressure them, but the Zhou Residence wasn’t afraid to offend and refuse them, while the Wei family wasn’t as strong.

Zhulan advised, ”It’s better to be cautious these days, try not to leave the city without reason. If you’re well, Mr. Wei can be at ease.”

It’s not a certainty until unlikely events happen, and in the face of survival, the Hou Residence’s in-laws can’t intimidate everyone. There will be some who are willing to take risks.

Especially those aware of the Emperor’s temperament, those wanting to survive will devise many ways. After all, it’s not a mistake that would wipe out the entire family, they will avoid provoking those they shouldn’t, while those without backing have little to fear, another crime on their heads doesn’t matter as much.

Lady Phang turned pale, the master had recently warned her to be cautious many times, ”I will remember that.”

Zhulan laughed again, ”The capital today is not the same as over a decade ago. No one dares to commit crimes openly, unless they’ve truly gone mad.”

Lady Phang felt much relieved, the law and order in the capital was indeed good.

Zhulan also prepared a return gift, including some medicinal herbs for Xingyi’s illness.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren looked at the newly bound account books, amounting to five boxes, ”Not bad.”

Qiu Yan appeared emotionless, ”Won’t this be too much?”

How many households would need to be confiscated? How many industries recorded?

”Just afraid you might feel it’s too little when the time comes.”

The annual silver for road repairs from the Imperial court didn’t seem much in a year, but over time it added up. The real highlight was the silver donated by merchants, and the country was vast, with the south not only having wealthy Prefecture Cities, but some counties were also affluent, especially those places that needed to pay tribute, housing wealthy merchants.

He could already imagine the treasury becoming full; indeed, fortunes were made overnight by confiscating property.

Qiu Yan’s scalp tingled, ”Why don’t these people want to enjoy a good life?”

”Because of greed.”

Qiu Yan moved his mouth, ”Silver is indeed a wonderful thing.”

Zhou Shuren agreed, ”You may go ahead.”

Not long after, the Crown Prince arrived, surprising Zhou Shuren, ”Why has the Crown Prince come to the Ministry of Revenue?”

The Crown Prince held two Zhezi in his arms, ”Would you like to take a look, sir?”

Zhou Shuren glanced at them, oh, the Ministry of War’s Zhezi, ”I don’t wish to see them.”

The Crown Prince thought to himself that he shouldn’t have asked and handed the Zhezi over, ”Please take a look, sir.”

Zhou Shuren, ”...”

So why ask him? Just give it to him directly.

The Ministry of War’s Zhezi sent to the Ministry of Revenue had no other purpose but to request silver; indeed, after Zhou Shuren read it, his eyes widened, ”Changing armor?”

The Crown Prince nodded, ”It’s been a few years since the war ended, and the armor used hasn’t been replaced. Some need to be changed.”

Zhou Shuren closed the Zhezi, heart aching to the point of being unable to breathe, yet he couldn’t find words to refute. In recent years, the silver coin given to the Ministry of War was mostly used for cotton clothing and other expenses, and the armor was always makeshift, as the national treasury’s silver was limited.

Now that it seems the Ministry of Revenue is distributing funds, the Ministry of War, knowing the Emperor’s mood is not good, still had to submit the Zhezi.

The Crown Prince cleared his throat, ”Not all needs to be changed.”

Zhou Shuren looked up, ”Even if sold, I couldn’t come up with all the silver needed for a full replacement.”

Unless the state ceases to exist, it’s truly too difficult for him.

The Crown Prince chuckled, ”No one would sell you.”

Zhou Shuren wasn’t pleased, ”Part of the confiscated silver needs to be used for repairing dikes.”

He also wanted to build reservoirs in drought-prone Prefecture Cities to minimize the harm of droughts; in the past, there was no spare silver, every coin had to be stretched, and now that there was excess silver, his heart ached!

The Crown Prince had spent considerable time in the Ministry of Revenue, aware of how frugally it operated, ”It’s been hard on Mr. Hou.”

Zhou Shuren glanced at the Zhezi, indeed he was weary.

The Crown Prince sat for a while longer, asked about his perplexing problems, and Zhou Shuren explained them without holding back, surprising the Crown Prince with his straightforwardness.

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, since he would be guiding his son in the future, explaining more now would make it easier for the Crown Prince to understand later.

Leaving the Hanlin Academy, Gu Sheng watched the people around Zhuo Guyu with indifference. Since the Duke Residence donated half of its assets and the shock passed, Zhuo Guyu attracted more people around him.

Gu Sheng could feel that the way people looked at Zhuo Guyu had changed; previously, Zhuo Guyu was very generous and his wealth from the Duke Residence was assumed, but now, seeing the depth of the Duke Residence’s assets, people thought Zhuo Guyu was stingy, such is human nature!

Zhuo Guyu was impatient, yet the smile on his face didn’t change, having to patiently engage in conversation.

Chang Zhi approached Gu Sheng, ”Shall we go together?”

Gu Sheng, ”Sir?”

”I’ll accompany you for a while.”

Gu Sheng said, ”I need to inform my brother first.”

”Alright.”

After Gu Yan hurried over with the carriage and discussed the situation, Gu Yan said, ”Then I’ll head back first.”

”Alright.”

Chang Zhi took Gu Sheng to have tea first, noticing that Gu Sheng seemed distracted, ”What are you thinking about?”

Gu Sheng shared his thoughts, ”Sir Zhuo seems to have shackled himself.”

Chang Zhi, ”He has merely integrated into the officialdom.”

Gu Sheng laughed at this, ”Sir, you’re right.”

Zhuo Guyu had ambitions that he did not, which was why Gu Sheng noticed the obvious changes in Sir Zhuo.

Chang Zhi gently touched his teacup, ”Many have been keeping an eye on you lately.”

This was the reason he sought Gu Sheng for tea; recently, Gu Sheng had been frequently entering the palace, and he left with ease, catching the attention of those who observed, as Gu Sheng was on good terms with Young Master Wu. Zhuo Guyu could no longer suppress Gu Sheng’s brilliance, and Gu Sheng’s reputation was no longer a concern; moreover, the family wealth of Gu Sheng had accumulated significantly, and he seldom sold paintings anymore.