Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1072: Having a Goal

Chapter 1072: Chapter 1072: Having a Goal

The Zhou household was full of sighs that evening. Zhou Shuren lamented, "This year’s harvest isn’t good, the constant rain has caused some of the seeds to mold."

Zhulan also had a headache, as the Zhou family owned quite a bit of farmland and manors. "This year, it’s not just the north—there’s plentiful rain in the south too."

Zhou Shuren fretted over silver. "I hope Chang Yi and the others will be successful and bring back more Silver Coin. There are so many uses for silver this year."

With furrowed brows, Zhulan said, "You mentioned the heavy rainfalls, could there be a severe drought this summer?"

Zhou Shuren turned over, "How would I know? I can’t interpret the heavenly signs, I just hope not."

Sometimes Zhulan felt that the ability to observe the heavens in ancient times was quite formidable. "Alas, this year’s spring plowing will have to be delayed."

Zhou Shuren was somewhat irritable. The memorials at the early court session all stemmed from spring plowing issues. Furthermore, the incessant rain meant that the elderly and children fell ill easily. The dampness was hard for the adults to bear as well. Common folk already led hard lives; where would they find Silver to buy coal? Even the firewood was damp from the rain. "The hardest hit are the common people."

Zhulan pulled up the blanket, which was dry and comfortable, thanks to the constant heat from the coal fire burning daily in the room. "Let’s sleep; you’ve worried enough for the day."

Zhou Shuren uttered a sound of agreement. He was indeed tired and anxious.

The next day, on his day off, Zhou Shuren was treated to rare good weather and a glimpse of the long-absent sun, which brightened his mood a bit. "The dark clouds from yesterday are gone."

Zhulan looked up, "Indeed, they’ve finally dispersed."

Hands clasped behind his back, Zhou Shuren said, "The weather today is nice, shall we take a walk outside? I’ve not gone out for a stroll in a long time."

Zhulan nodded. "Good, it’ll be just the two of us today. We haven’t had many chances to be alone together during the day over the years."

Zhou Shuren held his wife’s hand. "When things aren’t so busy, I’ll request a few days off to spend more time with you."

"Mhm."

The old couple set out as they said they would, without bringing along any maids, but rather with a few young servants. The only older servant that followed was Mrs. Song.

As they boarded the carriage, Zhulan noticed Mrs. Song’s increasingly white hair. "You’ve worked hard these years."

Mrs. Song shook her head, "Serving by your side is no hardship at all."

Being a servant to good masters was relaxing; life in the Zhou household was like retirement. She never felt it was hard.

Zhulan opened the carriage curtain and was surprised to see the Zhang family estate bustling with many craftsmen.

Zhou Shuren knew more. "Having such a large area lying empty is a waste. The Crown Prince and the Emperor’s idea is to divide it up and sell it off. People can build their own houses."

Essentially, it was a land sale. There was no longer value in holding onto the Zhang family’s estate.

Zhulan asked, "Are there many buyers?"

Zhou Shuren whispered, "I’m not sure. The last time I played chess with the Emperor, he mentioned it in passing. Now it seems they are surveying the land. Why, are we interested in buying?"

Zhulan thought to herself that the Emperor not only intended to repurpose the land but also to signal to any remaining hidden members of the Zhang family that it was truly over for them. "No need, our home is big enough as it is."

There was no point in drawing enmity. As for the other families in the capital, even if they took advantage, it wouldn’t be an issue. The land was likely to be in high demand given the prime location of the Zhang family estate.

The couple didn’t venture out of the city. Since the incident where an assassin infiltrated their home, they became keenly aware of how much animosity they had attracted. They simply meandered around the outskirts of the capital before deciding to rest in a tea house along the street.

The tea house was bustling today, thanks to the rare good weather, everyone wanted to get some fresh air. They arrived a bit late, and the upper floor was already full.

Zhulan had never had tea on the lower floor. "Let’s sit down here."

Zhou Shuren nodded, cleaned a chair himself, and then assisted his wife to sit. He did everything, from washing cups to pouring tea, without relying on Mrs. Song. He attended to his wife personally.

Upstairs, Prince Qi watched in astonishment. He knew Zhou Shuren adored his wife, but to this extent was truly exceptional. He nudged Rongchuan, "Has Zhou Shuren always been like this?"

Rongchuan kept a stony face. He’d been dragged out early in the morning by Prince Qi when he was supposed to be helping Prince Liang investigate the surviving members of the Rong family. Why was he the focus of Qi now, and Liang didn’t even care!

Rongchuan quietly moved away a step and, distancing himself from Prince Qi, said, "Always like this."

At home, father was even more excessive; Rongchuan had seen his father prepare a foot bath for his mother. The small surprises he gave her, ones that caused Rongchuan to be continuously astonished—his wife said that was romantic!

Prince Qi, watching Zhou Shuren as if he wished he could blow the tea cool to offer it to Lady Yang, could not bear to watch. Despite having had tea, he still felt sickeningly sweet. He had thought about inviting Zhou Shuren up, but now he no longer wanted to.

Frowning, Rongchuan said, "Your Highness Prince Qi, aren’t you going to look into the escaped members of the Zhang family?"

Tapping his hand with a fan, Prince Qi said, "That’s where you’re ignorant. Members of the Zhang family escaped and have hidden for so many years. Do you think it’s as simple as my deciding to look into it? I need to thoroughly investigate the Zhang family’s former assets and then find out who has seized their assets. Those tasks are tedious; it’s better for me to wait."

Those below him weren’t simply drawing a salary for nothing. It was enough for him to steer them in the right direction; personally taking charge would wear him out.

Plus, Prince Qi had his own targets. The Crown Prince had told him that Rongchuan was the true Fifth Prince, implying that Zhang Yang was fake. Combined with the Emperor’s attitude and Zhang Yang’s appearance, despite being under the Crown Prince’s orders, Prince Qi had come to understand a lot. So, he was in no hurry.

Rongchuan was genuinely surprised. Prince Qi seemed idle day-to-day, as if he had no desire to dutifully fulfill his responsibilities, yet he had handled many matters behind the scenes. He thought to himself, surely, this is a child raised within the Palace. Reflecting again, he realized Prince Qi had significant abilities; it was just that there was an even more formidable Crown Prince above him. In another dynasty, Prince Qi surely had the capability to be Emperor.

Prince Qi hid his face behind his fan. "Why do you keep looking at me?"

Rongchuan smiled, "No reason. I’m just impressed by Your Highness Prince Qi."

Prince Qi felt bittersweet in his heart. Was this the connection of blood kinship? He’d disliked Zhang Yang from their very first encounter, yet he felt quite favorably towards Rongchuan. Although it didn’t rise to the level of liking him, it was certainly friendly. "Sometimes, I think things aren’t so bad for you like this."

Without growing up in the Palace, without harboring ambitions, given Rongchuan’s situation and looks, even if he returned to the royal family, he wouldn’t pose any threat to the Crown Prince. Plus, with the Emperor’s guilt, the Crown Prince would be a good elder brother.

Rongchuan’s pupils contracted slightly. Prince Qi treating him like this meant he knew of his origins. He had thought Prince Qi had gone mad, but now it seemed that among the princes, Qi’s mind had always been the most sound.

Prince Qi chuckled lightly, "Oh, such a big reaction. It seems you know as well."

Rongchuan pursed his lips, "This subject doesn’t understand what Your Highness speaks of."

Prince Qi was also startled; Rongchuan indeed knew his identity. He felt a sour feeling in his heart; the Emperor truly played favorites. Were the sons of the Empress not sons just as much as the rest?