Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1027: Errand

Chapter 1027: Chapter 1027: Errand

Zhang Yang smiled on his face but cursed inwardly, thinking how cautious it was and how difficult it would be to set a trap for Zhou Shuren, "Just now, I heard Father Emperor laughing in the hall, and I haven’t heard that in a long time. As his son, I have always wanted to make Father Emperor happy, so I would like to ask for your advice, and I hope you won’t hold back."

Zhou Shuren inwardly curled his lip and spat, thinking that Zhang Yang was just here to fish for information, "Does Your Highness really want to know?"

"Yes."

Zhou Shuren laughed, "Actually, it’s quite simple. Taking myself as an example, I have the capability to alleviate Emperor’s worries and solve difficulties, am honest and upright and loyal only to Emperor, harboring no ill will, and I work hard for the country. As long as you do as I do, Emperor will like you and be happy."

Zhang Yang’s smile at the corner of his mouth froze completely. He always felt Zhou Shuren was implying something, yet also felt he might be overthinking, and even more, he thought Zhou Shuren was shameless, the first time he had ever seen someone praise themselves so shamelessly, "Heh heh."

Zhou Shuren said, "Your Highness, I have told you everything I can tell."

Zhang Yang wanted to continue inquiring but couldn’t find the words, so he just laughed, "You must be very busy, Sir. I will take my leave slowly, so please go ahead."

Zhou Shuren was unwilling to walk fast, "I’m not good on my legs, I prefer to walk slowly."

Zhang Yang sneered inwardly, knowing full well that he had seen Zhou Shuren sprinting when necessary; back then, Zhou Shuren never mentioned having bad legs. Zhou Shuren was the most hypocritical and cunning.

The two walked out of the palace unhurriedly, and upon reaching the palace gate, Zhou Shuren suddenly leaned in close to Zhang Yang, "Your Highness, don’t be disheartened. You will have children sooner or later; I have high hopes for you."

Zhang Yang stepped onto the carriage step, lost his footing due to inattention, and nearly fell. If not for the guards behind him, he would have almost sat on the ground. He glared furiously at Zhou Shuren, only to see that Zhou Shuren had already left in his carriage.

Zhang Yang angrily shook off the guards, thinking bitterly about children, always children.

The Emperor listened without a word as Eunuch Liu recounted the conversation between Zhang Yang and Zhou Shuren, "The older they get, the thicker their skin becomes, and they become more shameless."

Self-praise without subtlety!

Eunuch Liu wanted to laugh; he had seen many ministers, but none quite like Minister Zhou, "Minister Zhou is indeed true to his nature."

The Emperor scoffed, "He’s a cunning old fox."

Eunuch Liu imagined a fox’s face on Minister Zhou and somehow felt it suited him; indeed, he was a cunning old fox, and a sharp-tongued one at that.

In the evening, at the Zhou residence, Zhou Shuren kept Chang Yi behind, "The Emperor is thinking of selling the first batch of constructed ships, which are better than merchant ships. I figure you’ll be leading a mission soon, and I’ve had Scholar Deng look up the prices of merchant ships so you’ll have an idea."

Chang Yi was elated, "Father, if I successfully manage this mission and sell them at a high price, would that count as a merit?"

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Of course, why wouldn’t it?"

Chang Yi grew anxious again, "Father, will I get this mission?"

Zhou Shuren sighed inwardly, Chang Yi was still lacking confidence, even as an official, and this confidence needed to be gradually built, "Have you forgotten Bahu? Have you forgotten that you spent a year there, and that experience is the very foundation of your confidence?"

Chang Yi grinned, now brimming with confidence, "I’ve dealt with officials from this country quite a bit, and there are currently two factions. The faction Bahu is in is slightly weaker, and the old Emperor is about to abdicate—there’s intense competition now."

Zhou Shuren’s mouth curved, "There’s a lot of room to maneuver."

Chang Yi felt the same; initially, he collected this information to better his prospects. Now, the information he held was very important, especially concerning some corrupt officials—oh, how much money they had accepted from him. He had to cough it all up this time. He needed to ponder how to sell at a high price—merit, merit. Father said his highest rank in life wouldn’t surpass fifth grade; he believed his father’s judgment, but he wanted to rise through the ranks faster.

After Chang Yi left, Zhou Shuren chatted with his wife about some matters from the past few days, "Are things going smoothly?"

"Smoothly, incredibly smoothly."

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, one should never provoke a woman; Zhulan had used the hint dropped by the mistress’s tryst to trigger doubts. Once Zhang Yang’s concubines were suspected of being pregnant, a few Princes would keep a close eye on them. Regardless of whether Zhang Yang’s concubines were truly pregnant, they would, to some extent, be affected by such suspicions.

To protect the Emperor’s family reputation, the matter would not become public, but it would privately cause trouble for Zhang Yang. If it was arranged by Zhang Yang himself, he could tolerate it when he heard about it. But if it wasn’t his doing, the drama would intensify, and prolonged suspicion would lead him to doubt himself. The child would certainly be kept; after all, Zhang Yang lacked an heir, but this would make him suspicious of those around him.

Zhou Shuren asked, "Do you really think Zhang Yang, struggling for an heir, would resort to such a ploy?"

Zhulan replied, "I don’t think it’s just about the difficulty in producing an heir. If he truly weren’t affected, the incident at the end of last year wouldn’t have happened. Moreover, Rongchuan mentioned that the medicine never stops flowing at the Fifth Prince’s residence. These are all things that the Ning family discovered. I think the doctor by Zhang Yang’s side is highly problematic."

Rongchuan had revealed that Zhang Yang desperately needed a child. He had erupted in fury several times over the matter; the Fifth Prince Residence even became a laughing stock because one of his concubines had an upset stomach and vomited. Who knows what desperate measures might be taken if pushed too far.

Zhulan continued, "Today the Qiao family sowed doubts about Zhang Yang’s issue. Leaving his side dealt a significant blow to him."

It was a pity for the women, for once they entered Zhang Yang’s household, they had no future; if their families posed a threat, their fate was only to be discarded.

Zhou Shuren moved close to his wife, attentively massaging her shoulders, "You’ve worked hard, my dear."

Zhulan pulled at Zhou Shuren’s beard, "Don’t be nervous, you haven’t provoked me."

Zhou Shuren yelped in pain, thinking even if he wanted to provoke her, he wouldn’t dare, "I’m not nervous."

"What are you being so attentive for, then?"

Zhou Shuren rubbed his chin, "It’s something I should be doing, but now you have to take action and think, which can be very tiring."

He truly couldn’t be involved, which was frustrating; he really wanted to take matters into his own hands.

Zhulan didn’t feel particularly tired; she just needed to set a trap and then watch the drama unfold.

The next day, at the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren laughed upon hearing the news from Jinghong, "I see."

Yao Wenqi had indeed fallen ill, and it wasn’t feigned.

Zhang Jinghong entered, looking puzzled at the official, "Do you have good news?"

Zhou Shuren replied, "Yes, Liufeng’s illness has improved. It won’t affect the upcoming court examination."

This was something his wife had mentioned the day before; the Zhao family was concerned about Liufeng and had sent someone to the Hu family to inquire in the afternoon.

Zhang Jinghong knew of Gu Liufeng. Many were paying attention to him; after the unsatisfactory performance in the provincial examination, many at the Ministry of Revenue had privately criticized the future grandson-in-law of the official, "So Master Gu was ill."

Zhou Shuren was aware of the behind-the-scene talks but didn’t care. In fact, he didn’t pay much attention to Gu Liufeng, first of all, because he trusted the young man, and second, he just didn’t have the energy to concern himself, as his own family matters were enough to worry about.

Zhang Jinghong, having the news, didn’t plan to spread it. He would wait until the end of the court examination to see some people change their faces.

He knew many people were jealous of Hu Xia, criticizing Gu Liufeng just to vent their jealousy, wishing Gu Liufeng would disappoint the official, and it would be better if the marriage prospect fell through.

At the Hou Residence, Yao Zheyu stood outside a room, blocked by the steward, "Mr. Hou is seriously ill and fears contagion to the Princely Heir. Please return, Princely Heir."

Yao Zheyu’s eyes reflected scorn—it wasn’t that they feared he would catch the illness, but they feared him, perhaps worried he might take action. "Very well, then I shall leave."

Yao Zheyu walked away and heard the door shut behind him. He glanced back—the mistress managed the entire Hou Residence but never got involved with the main courtyard. The steward was responsible for his father’s eating and all other needs. They were guarding against him. Remembering the people he had followed some days before, Yao Zheyu narrowed his eyes and then looked in the direction of the Palace. He didn’t want to live his life in oblivion. Once he unearthed the truth, it would be his leverage.