Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1066 - 166: Investigation

Chapter 1066: Chapter 166: Investigation

In the evening, Zhulan couldn’t sleep at all, "We’ve been suspecting whether there are any survivors from the Zhang family, do you think Rongchuan really saw someone wrong?"

Zhou Shuren was also awake, pondering the matter in his mind, "I don’t know either, it might just be someone who looks similar."

Zhulan’s nerves were very sensitive, every little breeze made her speculate, what if it really was a person from the Zhang family, and they were in the capital, where would they be hiding?

If they weren’t hiding in the capital, why would they come to the capital? Rongchuan said that the face was full of beard, and this point was very important to her, a beard meant disguise.

Zhou Shuren pulled up the quilt, "Stop thinking about it, whether it’s a member of the Zhang family or not, it has nothing to do with us now."

Zhulan turned on her side, "Speaking of which, the Crown Prince was searching the harem a few days ago, this is not just the Emperor’s trust, the Emperor is gradually handing over power!"

Zhou Shuren felt it deeply, "Hmm, I don’t even know what has prompted the Emperor, there shouldn’t be such an urgent cleanup."

"Probably a significant provocation, like confirming that someone from the Zhang family is still alive."

Zhou Shuren thought even more, the Emperor must have confirmed the person cooperating with Yao Wenqi.

Inside the Palace, the Emperor went alone to the hall where his mother’s spirit tablet was worshipped, with only one spirit tablet in the empty and desolate hall, the candle flames flickered, casting long shadows of the Emperor. Coupled with the wind outside the window, it made the hall seem extremely terrifying.

Eunuch Liu stood at a distance, Zhou Shuren’s residence was full of spies, the words of the fifth Prince were quickly brought inside the Palace, the Emperor, after hearing, sat for a while and then stayed here all the time.

The Emperor knelt on the cushion, the prayer beads in his hands constantly rolling, showing his inner unrest.

Eunuch Liu heard noises, went out of the door, and then came back, cautiously reporting, "Emperor, the person wasn’t captured, the message is gone."

The Emperor gripped the beads, "The last cleanup was not thorough, there are still undiscovered places, very good indeed!"

Eunuch Liu swallowed, "We have gone to check at the Yao Hou Residence."

The Emperor, with closed eyes, suddenly opened them, "The secret tunnels of the Zhang Residence weren’t built in recent years; they are old, a family’s escape routes are many, did only one person escape back then, or were there several?"

Eunuch Liu’s forehead sweat increased, because the deeper he investigated, the more he felt it was impossible that only one escaped, as the Emperor said, a family has many escape routes, back when the Emperor rebelled, did the Zhang family not get the message? Even suddenly, there were secret tunnels.

The Emperor stood up, "The corpses of that time, heh."

Eunuch Liu dared not speak anymore, the people who collected the bodies for the Zhang family back then were long gone, all were dead, which had already proven there were survivors.

The next day at the morning court, Zhou Shuren saw the Emperor, who had not held court for a long time, and his appearance this time must mean a serious matter. That’s what everyone thought.

Zhou Shuren glanced at the Crown Prince, who stood quietly.

The Emperor’s face was expressionless, already an old man with many wrinkles on his face, and today he was especially solemn, the court was unusually quiet for a moment.

The Emperor touched the Dragon Throne, his gaze sweeping over the ministers, his heart filled with rage, there were certainly those yet to be captured in the court, he withdrew his gaze, "Prince Qi has recently been constructing Rong Garden, I’ve seen all the hard work, Prince Qi has worked hard."

Prince Qi, who would have been nervous before, wasn’t now. At least since his maternal grandfather stepped down, he hadn’t caused any trouble, focusing only on the construction of Rong Garden, even if investigating the Rong family might raise suspicions, his tone was steady, "It’s my duty as your son."

The Emperor cleared his throat, "Prince Qi has been performing his duties with caution for many years, I deeply appreciate that. Now that Rong Garden’s construction is on the right track, my son should relieve my worries even more."

The Emperor paused, then continued with a sweep over the ministers, "A secret tunnel, long in construction, was discovered beneath the Zhang family estate. I’ve pondered a great deal and suspect that someone escaped back then. It’s like a thorn in my throat, Prince Qi, you have my command."

Prince Qi’s heart pounded, "I obey the command."

The Emperor, "Prince Qi, thoroughly investigate the Zhang family, dig out all the living, dig three feet into the ground if you must, regardless of whether they’re alive or dead."

Prince Qi felt like his ears might burst; he had always suspected the Zhang family had survivors, now the Emperor himself confirmed it, "Yes."

No, rather, many of the old foxes had guessed that there were survivors; the Emperor’s words had just confirmed it.

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, the Emperor has lost patience, now directly seeking people, it was indeed more efficient than secretly searching; openly searching on a grand scale, as those in hiding would eventually slip up.

The Emperor had come only to issue the command, his second son acknowledged the order, and then the Emperor left.

Prince Qi began calculating where to start the search. The Rong family had been erased from records, but the Zhang family had not. He needed to consult his grandfather.

Zhang Yang felt like his heart might stop, just now, just a moment ago, when the Emperor left, he had glanced at him. He saw the intent to kill, and when he tried to take a closer look, the Emperor had already departed.

After the morning court, the ministers walked in small groups, talking softly about the Zhang family.

Zhou Shuren listened for a while, no one believed that the Emperor harbored kind intentions for the Zhang family, "Regardless of life or death," the phrase itself indicated the Emperor’s long-standing murderous intent toward the Zhang family.

Zhou Shuren walked slowly, careful of puddles, since the rainfall hadn’t stopped, this land needed to be farmed.

Then, Zhou Shuren heard Zhang Yang talking to a few Princes.

Zhang Yang’s mind was a mess, and he felt inexplicably uneasy, and this unease was making him flustered. He then heard Prince Chu saying, "Big brother, if anyone from the Zhang family escaped, it must be from the main branch. If we’re to search, it would be easier to look for those with similar appearances. They should look a bit like father, right?"

Zhang Yang’s head nearly exploded, he didn’t know why but upon hearing this, he felt even more uneasy and didn’t dare make a sound.

Prince Qi furrowed his brow, "There are similarities in appearance even without blood relation, doesn’t your son look a lot like Princess Chu? Lots of them don’t necessarily resemble their fathers, and many resemble their maternal families."

Prince Liang felt a flash of insight, but alas, couldn’t grasp it, he frowned with contemplation.

Zhou Shuren withdrew his attention and quickened his steps; these few words had hit the mark. If it weren’t for Rongchuan looking too much like a Ning family member, Prince Qi’s words would have definitely aroused the suspicions of the Princes.

In Zhou Residence Village, Dong Yiyi angrily wiped away her tears, pushing away the maidservant who was trying to stop her, "Our child’s marriage hasn’t been consented by us, her parents, so it counts for nothing."

However, the maidservant displayed a hypocritical smile, "Our Madam is considering the best for your girl, arranging a match from a family of an official of fourth rank, this is an excellent opportunity for a country girl, you should be grateful to our Madam, if it weren’t for your sister, our Madam wouldn’t bother."

Dong Yiyi was furious, "Get out, all of you get out, Jiang Muting doesn’t need to pretend to be nice, even if this marriage is settled, we won’t acknowledge it, go away, get out!"

But the maidservant didn’t move, scolding the servant girl beside her, "Aren’t you going to pack the second young lady’s luggage."

Dong Yiyi’s head buzzed, she was more and more certain this wasn’t any good marriage, "This is Zhou Residence Village, not a place for you to run wild."