Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1074: Dead

Chapter 1074: Chapter 1074: Dead

Zhou Shuren and his wife had only just returned home when the gifts from His Highness Prince Qi arrived. They consisted solely of food items—fruits, meats, and various seafood.

Zhou Shuren, "...Is this really a generous gift?"

Zhulan gazed at the full courtyard of bamboo baskets. "It indeed is a generous gift. Look, it’s filled the entire courtyard."

Zhou Shuren blinked, "The current Prince Qi truly disappoints me."

Zhulan chuckled, "Well, looks like Prince Qi knows how to live modestly."

Zhou Shuren gave a soft laugh. He really does know how to live modestly. All the items combined aren’t even worth a hundred Silver. The most expensive items are the fruits. "Mr. Chen is truly skilled. What a pity that I cannot leave the capital. If I could, I’d really like to visit Mr. Chen’s estate."

Zhulan admired Mr. Chen as well and then signaled the young servant girl to take all the food to the kitchen.

The Palace was very quiet in the government hall. The Emperor was carefully looking at a portrait. The resemblance showed a close blood relation, truly daring. This storyteller was under thirty, had run away but managed to survive. "The teahouse worker mentioned the surname Gu?"

Prince Qi replied, "Yes, we’ve checked him out. He’s surnamed Gu and usually tells stories and writes. He lives alone. We found only clothing at his residence, nothing else."

The Emperor’s memory was somewhat distant, but some memories were deeply ingrained and never forgotten. His stepmother was surnamed Gu. Not only the Zhang family was executed but also the connected Gu family, although the Gu family wasn’t a major clan.

Thinking this, the surname Gu made sense.

The Emperor set down the portrait in his hand, "What else have you found?"

Prince Qi could feel his father’s suppressed rage and lowered his head. "Son indeed found some information. The families that had divided the Zhang family’s possessions, some of them have deteriorated over the past thirty years, or barely have any members left. There are also some things son hasn’t made clear."

The Emperor hummed, "Go, find out everything for me, and catch this person."

Prince Qi thought it would be difficult to capture him unless they conducted a sweeping, house-to-house search again—indeed, the most dangerous places can be the safest. "Yes."

In the Ning Duke Residence, Yao Wenqi was pacing around furious. The Yao family should never have collaborated with the Zhang family. He cursed repeatedly, "Damn it, I told them to leave the capital immediately, to leave right away, and they even left someone behind. Damn it."

What irritated him the most was that he wasn’t aware of the person left behind. Great, the Zhang family had always been wary of him, hiding him well.

Yao Wenqi’s teeth itched with hatred. Over the years, he had been significantly burdened by the Zhang family, and after running away, they didn’t seek him out. Good, very good.

Yao Wenqi felt that everything was going against him. The Emperor was aggressively investigating the Zhang family. The Zhang family attempted to divert attention by striking at Duke Ning, but it failed. The people planted in both Duke Ning’s Residence and Ning Duke Residence committed suicide by poison, and the hidden person of many years was gone!

The next day, Zhulan received an invitation from Princess Qi to enjoy the flowers together. Perusing Princess Qi’s invitation, she was really asking her to enjoy the flowers?

Now, with Princess Qi’s invitation, she didn’t need to be cautious and could go.

Lady Du entered, "Mother, my younger brother sent a letter, the Qian family from Pingzhou reached out to him."

Zhulan remembered the Qian family from Pingzhou. "We returned the Silver last time. I thought that was the end of it. Why would they reach out?"

Lady Du was still holding the letter. "The Qian family also has a Scholar who is planning to take the rural exams this year."

Zhulan understood. The Qian family had severed ties with the Zhou family in the past, and now they wanted to reconnect, hence they approached Qian Keqi. "What does your brother think?"

Lady Du sat down, looking somewhat frustrated. "He intends to keep in touch with the Qian family. He’s not worried about being bullied by them but he does need the family ties."

Zhulan responded, "Your brother has really grown up."

Having her own ideas, she had also planned for her future.

Zhao’s lips pursed, "My daughter-in-law really dislikes the Qian family, they bullied Keqi quite a bit in the past."

Zhulan replied indifferently, "Your mother had already taken her revenge back then, after all, it is your brother’s own family, you should be more open-minded. The children of the Qian family are scholars, and re-establishing contact now could be a support for your brother in the future."

As for the Qian family wanting to use Qian Keqi, that won’t happen, the Qian family is looking for protection. Let Chang Yi worry about it when he returns.

Zhao sighed, her mother-in-law was right, and she felt emotional about her brother’s growth.

Inside the Palace, Zhou Shuren and several officials were reporting to the Crown Prince. On the other side, the Emperor was talking with Prince Qi.

Zhou Shuren was the first to report, his ears pricked up. The Emperor did not avoid others, the person from yesterday was found, but unfortunately, he was already dead, killed in a drainage ditch.

Zhou Shuren bowed his head, things were getting more interesting. It probably wasn’t done by the Zhang family themselves, if it were, the person should have died during the day, not last night.

After reporting, the officials could leave; Zhou Shuren was not the only one eavesdropping, nobody felt like talking about anything else. The officials including Zhou Shuren said, "Your subjects withdraw."

Zhou Shuren and others hadn’t walked far when Prince Qi caught up, "Lord Zhou, did you enjoy the generous gift yesterday?"

Zhou Shuren tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Your Highness Prince Qi, it’s touching that you could still spare a thought to inquire amidst your busy schedule, I am moved, very satisfied indeed."

Prince Qi smiled, "I’m glad you’re satisfied, your Highness’s generous gifts will always be as such."

Zhou Shuren felt like Prince Qi had a bit of an overly self-indulgent air, and didn’t bother to engage further.

Li Zhao and others watched from the side. When Prince Qi moved ahead, Li Zhao approached, "When did you and Prince Qi become so familiar?"

Zhou Shuren briefly explained yesterday’s incident at the teahouse, "That’s all there is to it, it’s not that I’m close to Prince Qi."

Li Zhao stroked his beard, "I’ve always thought you were particularly lucky, to stumble upon such a good fortune even when just stepping out."

Zhou Shuren didn’t think it was a good thing; the person had hidden well, and he had run into him, drawing even more hatred now, "Huh."

Li Zhao leaned in closer, "Your birthday is coming up soon, I have all your gifts ready."

Zhou Shuren stepped back, "Why are you standing so close?"

Li Zhao regretted Zhou Shuren’s avoidance, "I’ve been down on my luck recently, hoping to share some of yours."

Zhou Shuren wanted to roll his eyes, "I have other matters, I must go ahead."

Li Zhao smiled warmly, "Don’t worry, I will definitely deliver a generous gift for your birthday."

Zhou Shuren didn’t want to hear the words ’generous gift’ right now and quickened his pace.

At the Ning Duke Residence, the Duke finally met his second son, gazing at his son lying on the bed, "Did you want to follow Lady Du? I didn’t expect you to be so sentimental."

Ning Hui’s complexion was ashen, stung by his father’s sarcastic words, he started coughing again. After catching his breath, "Dad, you know it’s not for Lady Du."

Duke, "Your two sons certainly believe in your deep love for each other."

Ning Hui’s expression changed again, filled with guilt, contemplating his father’s many years of planning now destroyed, his illness worsened by worry, combined with his guilt towards his mother, he no longer wanted to drink his medicine, "Dad, I will get better."