Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1045: Annihilation

Chapter 1045: Chapter 1045: Annihilation

Zhou Shuren withdrew his gaze, "My uncle’s grandson has already arrived at the capital, let me know when you’d like to meet him."

Li Zhao stroked his beard. The Ministry of War had been busy lately, "Give me some time, and I’ll send you a letter."

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, thinking about the soldiers stationed at the Zhang residence, and nodded, "Alright."

Li Zhao asked, "Is the Ministry of Revenue really out of silver?"

Zhou Shuren thought of Yang Wen and restrained himself, "We really can’t spare any."

Li Zhao pouted, "In my eyes, you’re like the God of Wealth."

Zhou Shuren, "...Do I thank you for that compliment?"

Li Zhao truly felt that way; ever since Zhou Shuren had joined the Ministry of Revenue, although still stingy, they readily provided the necessary silver, unlike before when they genuinely had none and payments were made in installments. He patted Zhou Shuren on the shoulder, "You need to think of a solution."

Zhou Shuren was speechless, "Once the delegation sells the ships and returns, we’ll have the silver."

Li Zhao rolled his eyes, "It’s uncertain if they can sell them, and even if they do, it’ll take several months to return."

Zhou Shuren chuckled dryly, not waiting for Li Zhao who walked away quickly.

In the government hall, the Emperor ignored Yao Wenqi, who was kneeling, and perused through the Zhezi one by one. The hall was silent, and time ticked slowly by.

Yao Wenqi knelt motionlessly, his head bowed low, for several days without adequate rest. The day the sky-high fire had erupted, he had stood on a high platform watching, as the fire consumed the buildings and similarly consumed him, as if flames were scorching his skin, robbing him of peaceful sleep day after day.

"During the founding of the previous dynasty, your ancestors were soldiers under the Rong family’s command."

Yao Wenqi tensed up, "Yes, my ancestors were guards in front of General Rong’s tent."

The Emperor continued, not putting down the Zhezi in his hand, "Your ancestors worked hard for generations to establish what the Yao family is today, no, the flourishing Yao clan of the late previous dynasty. Meanwhile, the Rong family declined, and the Yao clan held military power—it was quite the spectacle."

Yao Wenqi’s back was soaked with sweat, and the sweat on his forehead trickled into his eyes, causing discomfort, yet he dared not wipe it away, "When the Emperor entered the capital, it was the Yao clan who opened the city gates."

The Emperor certainly remembered. At that time, his army had surrounded the capital, preparing to attack when the Yao clan surrendered and opened the grand gates of the capital. The capital was already in chaos, many had died, but not at the hands of his army, "At that time, your Yao clan was the sole authority in the capital."

Yao Wenqi bent his back further, "Emperor, on that day, the Yao clan pledged loyalty to the Emperor, and we remain loyal solely to the Emperor."

Finally setting aside the Zhezi, the Emperor looked at Yao Wenqi with a faint smile, "I remember, I have always remembered, but your father only pledged loyalty, he didn’t swear an oath. What about you, would you like to swear an oath?"

Yao Wenqi raised his head, "Emperor, I am willing to swear."

"Very well, go ahead, I am listening."

Yao Wenqi’s mind was spinning, lifting his fingertips, "I swear, if I ever betray the Emperor, may the Yao clan meet with a dire fate, never to recover."

The Emperor scoffed, "I reluctantly accept that. Alright, you may go now."

Yao Wenqi’s mind was in turmoil, he didn’t believe in oaths, yet he didn’t understand why the Emperor had asked him to swear one. He dragged his numb legs and struggled out of the government hall.

After Yao Wenqi left, the Emperor called to Eunuch Liu, "It’s time to act."

Eunuch Liu bowed his head, "Yes."

The next day, more soldiers entered the previous Zhang residence, and the soldiers outside enclosed the residence tighter, obscuring any view of the inside.

Two more days passed, and amidst the already restless times, a murder occurred, wiping out an entire family—over thirty people, leaving no survivors.

Zhulan was stunned when she heard the news, "A branch of the Yao clan?"

Zhou Lao Da’s hands trembled greatly — he happened to pass by today and only realized upon seeing the soldiers that over thirty members of the family, including the master and the stewards, had died. Only the younger female servants and young servants had survived.

It was his first encounter with someone daring to wipe out a family in the capital, now his limbs felt ice-cold. "Mother, it’s terrifying, this is the capital."

Zhulan wasn’t scared, instead, she thought a lot about it. The Yao family name was enough; her first reaction was the imperial palace. She remembered Zhou Shuren had mentioned that the Emperor had summoned Yao Wenqi.

Zhulan comforted her eldest son, "Don’t be afraid. Our residence is protected by people bestowed by the Emperor. Go and tell the steward now that, aside from necessary purchases, no one should leave the residence lightly."

Zhou Lao Da looked dazedly at his mother. Her calm reaction startled him to the extent that he pinched himself. "Yes, mother, I’m on it."

Zhulan thought to herself that the Emperor had acted against the Yao family. In the Emperor’s mind, the entire Yao clan deserved to be massacred; enacting it in advance wouldn’t weigh on his conscience. Bah, the Emperor wouldn’t feel any psychological burden, especially since in the Emperor’s view, the Yao family was a clan of criminals.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren froze upon hearing the news; what had the Emperor discovered to take such ruthless action?

The news spread rapidly. Soon, everyone in the capital knew.

Originally, Prince Liang intended to find Yao Wenqi to inquire about matters concerning the Rong family. He just found out about the affiliation between the Yao and Rong families, not expecting a massacre of the Yao clan to occur.

Princess Liang furrowed her brows, "Prince, who do you think did it?"

Prince Liang murmured thoughtfully, "It wouldn’t be Prince Qi and others, especially now when it’s clear that something significant is happening, none of us would dare to make a move."

Princess Liang tensed, pondering, "Then who could it be?"

Prince Liang shivered at the core, "Could it be the Emperor?"

The Emperor toyed with Yao Wenqi. He knew the Emperor well; surely the Emperor was utterly disgusted with Yao Wenqi. Fortunately, he had never sought out Yao Wenqi.

Upon hearing the news, Prince Qi rode his horse to the Chen Residence.

Mr. Chen had taken a few days off and was playing with his birds. He turned his head, "Your Highness has arrived."

Prince Qi pulled up a chair, "Grandfather, are you familiar with the Yao family?"

Mr. Chen turned his head, "Not much."

"What do you think, Grandfather?"

Mr. Chen put down the bird cage in his hand, "Don’t you have an idea yourself?"

Prince Qi fell silent; he indeed had an idea, "Why? Didn’t the Emperor already seize the military power from the Yao Duke Residence?"

He watched as the Emperor gradually devoured the Yao family’s military power, disintegrated the power of the Yao Duke Residence. Now, the Yao Duke Residence was like a toothless tiger, and the Princely Heir became like a cat raised in the hands of the Emperor. Why did the Emperor strike against the Yao family?

Mr. Chen sighed, "You should understand, your father always has a purpose behind what he does."

Prince Qi looked at his grandfather, actually having suspicions in his mind, always a power which he had investigated but found nothing. Now things had become somewhat clear.

Mr. Chen continued to play with his bird, "You, never mind."

"What were you trying to say, Grandfather?"

Mr. Chen, "Nothing."

The next morning, notices were posted within the capital, and the city was sealed.

The Ning Duke Residence sent a steward saying, "Our Mr. Hou said to try to stay indoors and secure the residence doors well."

Zhulan signaled the steward to see the guest out, called the eldest, "None of the children are to go to the Academy today. Send capable young servants to guard the gates and inspect the walls of the compound."

Zhou Lao Da, looking at his mother’s serious expression, sweated in his palms, "Mother, I’ll arrange it right away."