Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1053 Rumors

Chapter 1053: Chapter 1053 Rumors

Zhulan gestured for the maid to leave, then sighed and said, "The main branch already has four sons, what name are you planning to give your little grandson?"

The Zhou family’s grandsons were indeed plentiful, and all legitimate sons at that, which both aroused envy and felt like a burden!

Zhou Shuren, sitting by the edge of the heated brick bed, said, "You can choose."

Zhulan felt somewhat troubled; having many grandsons made naming them quite difficult, and she genuinely wasn’t good at coming up with names. After a moment’s thought, she said, "How about ’Ming Jung’? What do you think?"

Zhou Shuren pulled the quilt over himself and lay down, "That’s quite good. Let’s sleep, we have to rise early tomorrow."

Zhulan also lay down. She really couldn’t fall asleep. The rainy days these past few days were especially conducive to sleeping and she had slept a bit much. "Do you think the princes will recognize reality and behave sensibly after today’s actions by the Emperor?"

Thinking of Prince Chu’s laughter, Zhou Shuren said, "I’m not certain either. You didn’t hear the sourness in Prince Chu’s laughter today. This is a father not giving opportunities, hard to accept."

Zhulan, envious of Zhou Shuren, said, "If only I were a man, I could have a close-up view of the live version of it all, which is far more thrilling than watching various historical dramas."

Zhou Shuren turned to face her and said, "If you were a man, wouldn’t that make me a woman?"

Zhulan’s face showed great regret, "That’s why I say I was clothed wrong at birth. How good it would have been if I were a man."

Then she burst into laughter at the thought of Zhou Shuren socializing with a bunch of women, finding the idea delightful!

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes, "I can’t believe you even think of such things. Sleep, just sleep."

Zhulan, giggling, pulled the quilt over herself and suddenly felt drowsy, holding her husband’s hand as she closed her eyes.

The next day, after Zhou Shuren left the court session, he stayed behind; the Crown Prince had asked him to stay. After coming out from the side hall, Zhou Shuren met Mr. Chen, who hadn’t attended the morning court session but unexpectedly had been in the palace the whole time, with Eunuch Liu escorting Mr. Chen out. Mr. Chen had been in the palace to see the Emperor.

Upon seeing Zhou Shuren, Mr. Chen smiled, "Are you leaving the palace, Lord Zhou?"

Zhou Shuren greeted him and replied, "Yes."

Mr. Chen extended a hand, "It just so happens that we can leave together. Please, Lord Zhou."

Zhou Shuren took a step back, "Mr. Chen, please go ahead."

As they walked on, the young eunuch accompanying them had disappeared, and Mr. Chen then spoke up, "When one gets old, one yearns for the simplicity of the countryside to find one’s true self. In the future, Lord Zhou, please come and visit more often; I will be waiting for you at my manor."

Zhou Shuren almost stumbled, turning around sharply, "What do you mean by that, sir?"

Mr. Chen’s eyes twinkled with mirth as he stroked his long white beard, "I have retired. Our estates are not far from one another, so when we have some spare time, we can go fishing together."

The news hit Zhou Shuren hard. Prince Qi’s biggest supporter had retired. Seeing the old master’s facial expression and his lively spirit, Mr. Chen seemed quite pleased with himself. Such magnanimity was truly unmatched, "You have my admiration, sir."

Mr. Chen walked on, hands clasped behind his back, "There’s nothing worth admiring. It’s simply a case of the victor being king and the loser the bandit. I am just more fearful of death and clingier to life, that’s all."

Zhou Shuren felt a complex mixture of emotions. Among the maternal families of these princes, aside from the Crown Prince’s family, which always kept out of trouble and maintained a low profile, only the Chen family clan had survived. Just a day after the Emperor sent out his signal, here was Mr. Chen, acting immediately—a truly wise man, knowing when to advance or retreat, protecting his family. Zhou Shuren bowed deeply, "You have taught me a valuable lesson, sir. I am grateful."

Mr. Chen, squinting, thought to himself that it was no trouble to talk with a clever person, "All my life I have been calculating, and now in my old age, I’m just looking to make some good karma, that’s all."

He had taught Zhou Shuren a lesson with his own lifetime, to retire when it was time to do so, for that was the wisest move.

Zhou Shuren, "My lord, please."

Mr. Chen felt relieved. After today, he would be able to put down all his burdens. In the troubled times, he had advised his father to pledge their family to the wise ruler. His father did not live to see the dynasty established, and he, while protecting the family, had cautiously sought power and influence for the Chen family clan.

After the establishment of the new dynasty, he had struggled and fought for the family, and the whole journey was fraught with hardship. Now that he had secured a future for the Chen family clan, he felt no guilt toward the family or his grandson.

Mr. Chen strode forward, laughing heartily, "Lord Zhou, I am taking my leave first."

Zhou Shuren stood without moving, watching the elder leave, then smiled as well. He would do even better than Mr. Chen.

In the government hall, the Emperor and the Crown Prince sat opposite each other. Once only father and son remained in the hall, the Emperor said, "Let’s leave it at that with the Chen family clan."

The Crown Prince felt a hint of unwillingness in his heart, cursing Mr. Chen, the old fox, in his mind for having so many ways to retreat. Of the few top-tier noble families, only the Chen family clan remained, and he could not help but admire, "Yes."

The Emperor continued, "In the days to come, officials occupying important positions from the Chen family clan will resign one after another, and you may begin appointing new people."

The Crown Prince was stunned. The Chen family was giving up so much; such a move required leverage not just anyone could possess. It directly weakened Prince Qi’s influence. The Crown Prince looked at his father; his father’s consent to this deal was not just for the sake of the Chen family clan but also for Prince Qi. Over the years, Prince Qi’s subtle moves had been ongoing, and because Mr. Chen had been suppressing him, no major faults had occurred, but his merits had become even greater.

The Crown Prince’s heart stirred. Among his brothers in the Emperor’s heart, Prince Qi’s position was somewhat more weighty, and the Emperor’s action was out of paternal love. This time, he also wanted to make use of the Chen family clan to foster a more inclusive heart, "Your son understands."

The Emperor sipped his tea, hoping that his eldest son could truly be magnanimous. That was his personal wish as well.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan held a letter that had come from Xuzhou Province. News from the capital had already reached Xuzhou early on, delivered by the third youngest on horseback.

Xue Han sat next to her mother, "Mother, the capital’s gates have opened, haven’t you sent a letter to Third Brother?"

Zhulan had already opened the letter, "I was just afraid your Third Brother would worry, so I sent it as soon as the city gates opened."

Having finished speaking, she looked at the letter, which was filled with concerns from the third youngest. Seeing the end of the letter, Zhulan’s expression turned sour, "You should take a look as well."

Xue Han took the letter and read it carefully, "They’re actually spreading rumors about our Zhou family being exterminated."

Zhulan snorted, "Fortunately, your Third Brother has brains and didn’t fall for the trap and come back, or who knows what might have happened on the way here."

Xue Han put down the letter, feeling waves of fear, "Mother, first there were two batches of assassins, and then rumors reached Third Brother’s ears; they are trying to exterminate our family."

Zhulan’s face turned particularly cold, "Such a well-laid plan, indeed."

Xue Han couldn’t express how anxious she felt, the joy of her little nephew’s birth gone.

In Xuzhou, it was a coincidence; just as the capital received a letter from Xuzhou, Xuzhou also received a letter from the capital. Lady Dong had been anxious, unable to eat or sleep well these past few days, looking drained of spirit. Hearing that a letter had arrived from the capital, she moved impulsively and felt a moment of darkness before her eyes. It took a while before she rapidly grabbed the letter, and upon seeing the first sentence assuring that all was well at home, she heaved a sigh of relief, muttering, "As long as there’s nothing wrong, that’s good, that’s good."

She then came to her senses and called for the young servant, "Go quickly and tell the master that everything is fine in the capital, and everyone at home is safe."

The young servant ran off promptly after hearing her. The maids and the old women, who had looked mournful, also showed smiles; they had all feared a true disaster in the capital!

Lady Dong continued reading the letter, which described the dangers, the aftermath, and some events in the capital. She stared in shock. So much had happened in the capital in just a few short days, even the rumors of family extermination; Lady Dong was terrified.

Upon receiving the letter, Chang Lian finally relaxed, joyfully stood up, and started pacing back and forth. Then, contemplation appeared in his eyes. Heh, the extermination rumors were aimed at him. Fortunately, his father had told him again and again not to trust any hearsay, that seeing was believing.