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

Chapter 1725: Chapter 1725: Zheng Hong

In the evening, Zhou Shuren came home and mentioned the Zheng family, “I haven’t seen the Zheng family for many years.”

He could still see them in Lizhou Province in the past, but after he left, he never saw them again. The backup plan left by the Zheng family is still in his hands.

Zhulan said, “The Emperor mentioned that our two families have a good relationship. Is this to tell you that the royal family is well aware of the Zheng family’s past?”

“The Retired Emperor used the Zheng family, so he must have investigated thoroughly, which is a pity.”

Zhulan continued, “It’s a pity the Zheng family didn’t expect you to achieve what you have today. The Zheng family’s backup plan is no longer useful.”

“You can’t say it’s completely useless.”

“If it was just the Zheng family, the royal family would have investigated, but since they’re connected to you, the royal family trusts you but is more wary of the Zheng family.”

Zhou Shuren coughed lightly, “The Emperor trusts the Zheng family.”

Zhulan smirked, trust is one thing, caution is still real, “I wonder who will come to the capital.”

“Once they enter the capital, we’ll know. The Emperor also mentioned Wu Chun.”

Zhulan said, “The Yang family is doing quite well now.”

The Yang family’s military officer rank is not high, but they have a strong backing. As long as the Zhou family is around, no one dares to bully the Yang family, so their days are quite peaceful.

The next day, Zhou Shuren sneaked out right after the morning court session. His steps were swift, but he was still caught up with.

The Minister of Works chuckled, “Are you not going back to the Ministry of Revenue?”

So sneaking away was pointless, just a wasted trip!

Zhou Shuren said, “I can close my door.”

He’s the highest authority in the Ministry of Revenue. If he closes the door and sees no one, would anyone dare to break his door?

The Minister of Works was speechless, “…”

Li Zhao had already left the Ministry of War. The new Minister of War, Mr. Gong, was a bit chubby and wheezed as he caught up, pushing aside the Minister of Works, “Mr. Hou, when can I get the silver?”

Zhou Shuren was speechless, “….”

The Minister of Works knew the Ministry of War was changing armor and weapons, snorted, and said in a sour tone, “Such a large sum of silver was given to them, but my Zhezi was delivered and you wouldn’t approve it.”

Zhou Shuren got angry, “You already have silver in your hands!”

Patents were generating very handsome revenue; the Ministry of Works wasn’t lacking silver, yet they pretended to be poor.

The Minister of Works glared, “That’s the Ministry of Works’, but you can’t withhold the silver that’s meant to be given.”

Zhou Shuren smiled, “Who was it that patted the table and said they didn’t need silver from the Ministry of Revenue back then?”

The Minister of Works was stumped, “That was just words in anger.”

“Sorry, I took it seriously.”

Karma is real; he waited for the Minister of Works to come begging!

The Minister of War, Mr. Gong, stretched his chubby hand, unable to stop them, watching as the two walked away, “Wait, I—, hey, see me, won’t you!”

The Minister of Personnel twitched his mustache, saying to Li Zhao, “I thought the Emperor would choose from the Ministry of War, but this was unexpected.”

Li Zhao, having been transferred, felt the sky was bluer, walking slowly with his hands behind his back, “It’s a pity my face wasn’t thick enough.”

Zhou Shuren deliberately made a fuss, which successfully left Mr. Gong behind.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan was eating grapes when she moved her ears to confirm she had heard correctly, “The wedding date is set too hastily.”

Lady Li said, “Who knows what the Luo family and Duke of Yongan Residence are thinking, getting married in ten days.”

Ever since her mother-in-law returned to the capital, Zhao often visited her, and they chatted about much gossip, “I heard the Luo family lacks silver.”

Lady Li was surprised, “Lack silver? From whom did the second sister-in-law hear that?”

Zhao smiled with bent eyes, “Servants always say, each residence spends a lot daily, requiring daily purchases, but the servants of the Luo family buy mediocre goods.”

Zhulan was surprised, “Why not just cut down expenses instead of buying inferior goods?”

The Luo family is completely losing face!

Zhao chuckled lightly, “Mother, since the old lady of the Luo family stopped managing, expenses have already reduced. Any more cuts, and there won’t be enough for food.”

Su Xuan interjected, “Some people still want to make a profit from purchases.”

Zhulan realized, “I understand now why the wedding is so urgent.”

Lady Li and others understood as well, eyeing the dowry of the Zhuo family’s legitimate daughter, while the Zhuo family eyed Mr. Luo’s status.

Zhao said, “It’s said wealth shouldn’t be flaunted; this move by the Duke of Yongan Residence wasn’t wise.”

Su Xuan said, “If they don’t make this move, there’s no move to make.”

If they had succeeded in plotting against her daughter, the Duke Residence wouldn’t be this passive. But, alas, no one’s foolish enough to sit and be plotted against.

Zhao smiled, “The Earl’s Residence will definitely regret it.”

Zhulan ate grapes and listened to her daughters-in-law chat idly. The Luo family is already heading towards decline; as soon as Mr. Luo dies, with the bad reputation of the Luo family’s descendants, they will be kicked out of the capital.

Time passed quickly, and the Zheng family entered the capital. Since the Zheng family was comprised of military generals, they received attention as soon as they entered the city.

Zhulan was informed, never expecting the Zheng family to visit so soon after arriving. Upon seeing Zheng Hong, Zhulan took a moment to recognize him, “It’s you.”

Zheng Hong paid his respects, “Greetings to the old madam.”

“Oh my, General Zheng, there’s no need for that.”

Zheng Hong laughed, “It’s necessary, as you are an elder.”

Zhulan motioned Zheng Hong to sit, “It’s been many years, and you haven’t changed much.”

He’s more mature, yet still looks the same as before.

Zheng Hong chuckled, “Indeed, it’s been many years. How have you been, old madam?”

Zhulan smiled warmly, “Good, see how prosperous I look now.”

Zheng Hong was surprised at the old madam’s change. In Lizhou, she was still very slender, “You are blessed.”

Zhulan was pleased to see Zheng Hong, “It must have been tiring traveling to the capital.”

Zheng Hong shook his head, “Now that roads are built, traveling isn’t tiring. Oh, this is some specialty I’ve brought for you and Mr. Hou.”

Zhulan glanced over; it wasn’t valuable but full of thought, “Very thoughtful of you.”

Zheng Hong then talked about the Northwest, not inquiring about the Zhou family’s situation because there was no need. Who could have foreseen the Zhou family’s current position and power?

All these years, there was no contact with the Zhou family, not because they didn’t want to, but they couldn’t. Altogether, because the Zhou family’s high position and prestige made it inappropriate for Zheng to reach out.

This time, coming to the capital, he intends to stay in the capital, and being in the same city, he felt it necessary to visit.

In the evening, Zhulan mentioned Zheng Hong’s visit, Zhou Shuren said, “The Zheng family has handed over part of their military authority, and Zheng Hong is the eldest grandson of the Zheng family. This branch has moved to the capital.”

Zhulan asked, “Not leaving?”

“No, they are staying. The Zheng family voluntarily moved to the capital.”

Plying in the Northwest for years and seizing the moment of the Emperor’s trust to come to the capital, the Zheng family is very savvy.

Zhulan squinted, “Will the Emperor deploy someone to balance the power?”

“Yes, the opportunity the Zheng family provided made the Emperor very satisfied.”

Zhou Shuren paused and continued, “The Emperor intends to confer a title on Zheng Hong.”

Zhulan asked, “What about Zheng Hong’s father?”

“He passed away last year.”

“Passed away?”

“Yes, from illness.”

Zhulan was puzzled, “The Emperor is quite stingy with titles, why so generous this time?”

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, “Because some people have been stationed too long, thinking the army is their own.”

Zhulan thought of private armies, saying, “Not just that simple, I’m sure.”

Zhou Shuren didn’t know much either, the Emperor rarely discussed military matters with him. When Li Zhao was the Minister of Revenue, they only talked about silver and avoided sharing other info. This current minister hasn’t even settled into office!

The next day, Zhou Shuren, upon attending the morning court, saw Zheng Hong, who quickly approached him, “Mr. Hou.”