Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1073: Surname Change?

Chapter 1073: Chapter 1073: Surname Change?

The Emperor’s favoritism was too obvious; rumors had circulated within the palace about the Emperor’s affection for the Empress, and now it seemed these were not just rumors; the situation looked increasingly bleak. Therefore, his mother was a tie of interest, and he existed to protect those interests.

Rongchuan suddenly ran downstairs. Seeing the chaos below, His Highness Prince Qi didn’t want to speculate anymore. Frowning, he ordered the guard to follow, not allowing any harm to come to either Rongchuan or Minister Zhou.

Downstairs, Zhulan, furrowing her brows, tightly gripped Zhou Shuren amidst the relentless shouting in the hall, where young servants had already formed a circle around them.

Seeing Rongchuan come downstairs, Zhulan, worried sick said, "Don’t be rash, we’re okay; just be careful."

Seeing that his parents were indeed fine, Rongchuan protected himself. By then, the guard had arrived; Rongchuan, still frowning, observed the chaotic scene surrounded by overturned tables and chairs with broken teapots and cups scattered all over the floor.

When the patrol guards from the capital arrived, the chaotic scene finally ended.

Seeing the situation under control, Rongchuan quickly took a few steps forward. "Father, Mother, what happened just now?"

As Zhulan was about to speak, Prince Qi, who had come downstairs, intervened, "Minister Zhou, shall we talk upstairs?"

Zhou Shuren, holding his wife’s hand which he never let go, was not about to start now. Together, they headed upstairs; Prince Qi glanced over, his eye twitching slightly.

Once upstairs in a private room, Prince Qi asked, "Minister Zhou, you were downstairs the whole time; do you know what happened?"

First, Zhou Shuren and his wife paid their respects together, then helping his wife to sit down, he said, "Just now, my wife and I were listening to storytelling attentively. I noticed the storyteller bore a resemblance to the Emperor, especially when bowing his head. Thinking of the Zhang family, I sent a young servant to inquire with the Shopkeeper. Unexpectedly, the servant didn’t find the Shopkeeper, and suddenly someone yelled that there was a murderer, and then chaos ensued."

Prince Qi abruptly stood, addressing the guard, "Capture the storyteller for me."

Zhulan thought for a moment, "Your Highness, do you have any ink and brush here? My painting skills are passable; may I draw a portrait to aid in finding him?"

Prince Qi gripped his fan tighter; the recent upheaval wasn’t coincidental—the storyteller had escaped, which undoubtedly related to the Zhang family—a fact well-known to the Royal family investigating them, "It would be much appreciated, lady."

Zhulan nodded, stood up, and walked to a nearby table. Soon, ink and brush were brought over. Confident in her skills honed over many years, she meticulously recalled the storyteller’s features she had observed and began to draw. It wasn’t a sketch per se, but it was well drawn, with clear facial features. Zhulan even portrayed the storyteller without his beard, revealing a face that indeed resembled the Emperor’s.

Prince Qi, surprised, looked at Lady Yang, impressed by her undeniable skill in depicting such a lifelike figure, "This prince thanks you, Lady Yang."

Zhulan hurriedly stood to return the courtesy, "This humble lady merely did what was needed."

Prince Qi handed the portrait to the guard, "Take this portrait and search carefully for me."

Afterward, feeling a bit embarrassed Prince Qi requested, "Would the lady kindly paint a few more portraits? I’d like to take them back for my painters to copy."

Zhulan nodded, "Yes."

Zhou Shuren had already exchanged a few words with Rongchuan. Watching Prince Qi glance his way, Rongchuan spoke, "They say the most dangerous place is often the safest. Your Highness, I had the young servant inquire earlier; this storyteller has been here for years. Just after father sent someone to find the Shopkeeper, chaos erupted. This tea house requires thorough investigation."

Naturally, Prince Qi understood, "Hmm."

Sitting on the side, Zhou Shuren was incredibly frustrated. He hadn’t expected such a coincidence; a simple outing with his wife turned into an encounter with the Zhang family. Indeed, now it was certain—they wouldn’t run if they weren’t guilty, clearly influenced by the Emperor’s high-profile investigation and frightened by it.

Zhou Shuren stood, helping his wife with the ink stone, pressing down on the paper periodically, cherishing his wife thoroughly.

Upon returning after delegating tasks, Prince Qi saw the doting expression on Minister Zhou’s face. Indifferent, Prince Qi didn’t ask Lady Yang to do much—just paint a few portraits; was that really necessary?

His Highness Prince Qi looked at Rongchuan again. Rongchuan was serving tea one moment and fanning the next, twitching the corner of his mouth. Who would have thought this was a son-in-law, when even a son wouldn’t be this filial.

Rongchuan saw that Prince Qi had returned. "Your Highness, may we depart now?"

Prince Qi picked up two portraits, raising his eyebrows, "The lady paints quite swiftly."

Zhou Shuren seriously said, "My dear, your wrist must be hurting again. You just touched it yet insisted on painting; it pains me to watch."

Prince Qi, "..."

Did he think he was blind? Lady Yang’s wrist was very agile!

Rongchuan silently looked up, thinking the teahouse’s roof was quite commendable.

Zhou Shuren sighed, "My dear, please sit down and rest for a while."

Prince Qi didn’t want to look at Zhou anymore. He feared he wouldn’t be able to eat his dinner. "Sir, I am busy here, but for your safety, soldiers from the National Protection Camp will escort you home."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Then I won’t disturb Your Highness any longer."

Saying this, he started to leave with his wife, but after two steps, he said, "Your Highness, today could be considered our couple’s discovery. My wife painted another portrait; wouldn’t you say she helped Your Highness?"

Prince Qi didn’t want to continue the conversation, "I will remember it in my heart."

Zhou Shuren, "You’ll just remember such a big favor in your heart?"

Prince Qi thought for a moment, "Once the culprit is caught, I’ll certainly present a generous gift."

Zhou Shuren pursed his lips, playing word games, was he? If not caught, then no gift? Although Zhou Shuren didn’t speak, his face made his thoughts clear!

Prince Qi, "..."

Rongchuan took over, "Your Highness, you often come to this teahouse but never noticed any suspicious people. What do you suppose the storyteller thinks each time you’re here?"

Prince Qi’s expression stiffened; he must be cursing him for being foolish. It frustrated him just to think about it and he forced an ugly smile. "I’ll send a generous gift in a moment; Lady Yang was troubled today."

Zhou Shuren was satisfied, but on his way out, he lamented, "Prince Qi has changed, he used to be so brilliant, and now, alas!"

Rongchuan couldn’t help laughing out loud; Prince Qi’s face darkened. So, he was brilliant and Zhou Shuren was exploiting him for Silver? What was the meaning of this now?

Inside Zhou’s carriage, Zhulan softly said, "From today’s event, it seems that many of the Zhang family who escaped years ago are still around. The person just now probably wasn’t someone Rongchuan had seen before."

"Hmm, to boldly continue as a storyteller, they clearly have great confidence in their ability to hide. It seems they could be in any profession."

Zhulan counted the years, "The Zhang family was completely eradicated thirty years ago; two generations have passed, and it’s become another family."

Zhou Shuren pressed his temples, "Yes, and we still don’t know how many are left."

Zhulan thought of a possibility, "What if they had their children raised by others? What if their surnames have changed?"

Song’s old woman and Jin Yan exchanged glances; they felt this needed to be reported, as the lady’s conjecture was highly plausible.