Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1041 Intimidate

Chapter 1041: Chapter 1041 Intimidate

Prince Chu looked at the fire in the distance with lingering fear. From the private room of the teahouse where the Crown Prince was, he could clearly see the entire scene. "Isn’t it ridiculous, that without our father the Emperor’s command, the Crown Prince would dare to set a fire secretly?"

Prince Liang knew that the National Protection Camp troops had entered the capital and surrounded the abandoned residence. Before he could figure it out, the result had arrived. He felt that the older the Emperor got, the more capricious he became, and over the past two years, the Emperor’s hands had been stained with blood. Prince Liang pursed his lips as he watched the flames.

The Crown Prince remained silent, his gaze fixed on the distant firelight. Suddenly, he remarked, "Don’t you think the scenery in the distance is beautiful?"

Prince Qi and the others stared at the Crown Prince. Beautiful? What they saw was bloodshed, like the fires of hell, and yet the Crown Prince called the scenery beautiful!

Zhang Yang, "...."

So, was the Crown Prince the most ruthless character?

The Crown Prince put down his tea, and his smile dazzlingly bright, said, "Am I wrong? Such a beautiful sight, rarely seen in this world."

Prince Qi and the others exchanged glances, then stepped back slightly, determined to keep their distance from the Crown Prince.

Inside the Palace, the Emperor stood atop the high wall, gazing continuously at the distant firelight. He had been silent for a long while before speaking to Eunuch Liu, "The scenery tonight is truly beautiful."

Eunuch Liu, shivering, no, he didn’t find it beautiful at all. He only felt that the darkening sky was like a monstrous beast, the firelight like the beast’s eyes, the vast expanse of buildings ablaze lighting up the sky, involuntarily swallowing a gulp of saliva.

The Emperor adjusted his cloak; there seemed to be a ferocious beast in his heart. Through the firelight, he almost heard screaming, yet he felt very relieved and suddenly started to laugh, his laughter echoing on the silent city wall.

Eunuch Liu’s calves trembled in fear, and he dared not speak, only waiting.

The laughter satisfied the Emperor, dispersing the gloom in his heart. He continued to gaze at the distant fire. "The corpses from the mass executions in those days, are they at the mass graves?"

Eunuch Liu cautiously replied, "Yes."

The Emperor sneered, while Eunuch Liu shrunk his neck.

At the Zhou residence, Zhou Shuren was watching the distance. Hearing footsteps, he asked, "Have the two children fallen asleep?"

"Yes, they have already fallen asleep."

Zhou Shuren thought of Ming Jia with a headache, "Ming Jia is too lively."

Zhulan also felt worried, "Only Su Xuan can manage him."

Thinking of his grandson, Zhou Shuren was particularly troubled; the boy was not only active but also mischievous. Having stayed in the main house for just a few days, either a vase was smashed one day or a teacup the next, scaring Chang Zhong into refusing Ming Jia entry into the house.

Zhulan then laughed, "This child is just scared of Yu Wen. When Little Yu Wen puts her chubby hands on him, Ming Jia doesn’t move."

Zhou Shuren’s mustache twitched, "Let’s also head back."

Zhulan raised her head and looked at the reddened west, "I wonder how many people will be unable to sleep tonight."

Zhou Shuren held his wife’s hand, "It has nothing to do with us."

The next day, Zhou Shuren went to court early. As he passed the still burning estate, he did not ask the carriage to stop, glancing through the curtain at the stationed soldiers before quickly averting his gaze.

Arriving at the Palace gate, he saw many standing in small groups; Zhou Shuren immediately spotted Ning Xu, "You came today as well?"

Ning Xu signaled with his eyes, "Not just me."

Following his gaze, Zhou Shuren saw that many nobles, who normally had no obligation to attend court, had arrived. It was clear how much importance they attached to this fire, fearing they might miss something crucial during this morning’s assembly.

Ning Xu had not rested well the previous night, and when the fire broke out, he had promptly returned to the Duke Residence. Although his father could not fathom the Emperor’s thoughts, he was certain of one thing—the Emperor had not let go yet.

The Palace gates opened, and Ning Xu tugged at Zhou Shuren’s sleeve, "Just bring your ears today."

The Emperor’s actions this time had truly frightened him.

After Zhou Shuren nodded, he hastened to catch up with Li Zhao, "Mr. Li."

Li Zhao, lost in his thoughts, stopped walking, "Did you call me for something, Mr. Zhou?"

Zhou Shuren felt that today’s focus was on the fire, and even if he approached Mr. Li, Mr. Li would not cling onto him demanding Silver. He spoke, "Indeed, there’s something. My uncle’s grandson will soon arrive in the capital. Yang Wen has been practicing martial arts since childhood, and originally wanted to join the Navy, but being too young, he thought to train for a year at a military camp near the capital. Please, could you speak on his behalf?"

Li Zhao thought it was a significant issue, but it turned out to be a minor favor, "Alright, I’ve noted it. When the child arrives, bring him to me."

Knowing the significance of Li Zhao’s meeting with Yang Wen for the Yang family, Zhou Shuren expressed his gratitude, "Mr. Zhou here thanks you greatly."

Li Zhao, feeling slightly embarrassed as he had often taken advantage of Zhou Shuren in the past, replied, "Don’t mention it."

By the time they reached the grand hall, all the ministers had quieted down because the Emperor had arrived earlier.

The Emperor wore a constant smile, "My dear subjects, yesterday—no, even today, you must have enjoyed the beautiful views of the capital, didn’t you?"

Zhou Shuren, "...."

The Emperor now appeared like a deranged maniac. He heard swallowing noises nearby, out of fear.

The Emperor didn’t seem to think that he had frightened anyone. He was in an excellent mood, as if the chains he had placed on himself were gone. He felt his breathing ease, "Hehe, I find the scenery of the capital today quite beautiful."

Zhou Shuren was speechless, wishing the Emperor would spare the ministers. With blood shed every year for the past several years, and now acting like a psychopath, the ministers probably had no idea what to think!

Zhang Yang was utterly shocked, his pupils constricted with fear. This was the first time he had seen his father like this—his back was covered in cold sweat. Was this worse than what the Crown Prince did yesterday? Was it because the Crown Prince resembled his father that he remained stable through repeated schemes?

Prince Qi, his head bowed, recalled his grandfather’s words—that his father was inherently insane—that everything was a facade, which sent a tremble through his heart.

Prince Liang, his eyes downturned, thought of the time his uncle was beheaded, standing afar amidst the blood everywhere.

Prince Chu glanced discreetly at the composed Crown Prince, whose expression hadn’t changed and still stood by his father. Prince Chu thought about the Crown Prince’s increasingly ruthless strategies and slowly averted his gaze.

The morning court concluded under the Emperor’s fair mood. Although the Emperor’s mood was indeed good, the ministers were not pleased.

After the court session, it was as if someone were chasing them; they walked briskly.

Zhou Shuren walked with Ning Xu, and then he saw a familiar eunuch. He didn’t want to meet the present Emperor, but unfortunately, the eunuch had already spoken, "Mr. Zhou, the Emperor summons you."

Zhou Shuren could feel everyone’s gaze on him, Zhou Shuren, "..."

Ning Xu raised his hand, patted Zhou Shuren on the shoulder, and then quickly walked past the eunuch.

Zhou Shuren followed the eunuch, and after walking a few steps, they encountered the Crown Prince, where he promptly spoke, "This official pays respects to the Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince’s humor was malicious. During the morning court, he had stood at a high place and observed everything clearly below. The cunning old foxes were expressionless; some were very scared, their faces pale. Initially, the Emperor indeed wanted to share his joy, but it later turned into intentionally frightening the ministers.

Zhou Shuren, stroking his beard, "Crown Prince, did this official do something wrong?"

The Crown Prince, with a smile, "No, Mr. Zhou is very good."

Zhou Shuren felt exhausted. Serving the Emperor was not the end; with this successor, he would still need to serve. The Crown Prince truly emulated the Emperor completely, just the thought made his stomach