Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1077: Clues

Chapter 1077: Chapter 1077: Clues

Zhou Shuren returned to the Ministry of Revenue and first went to Mr. Xiao’s room to report the matter with the carriage. Xiao Qing called for the guard with a stern voice, "Take the coachman and investigate."

Zhou Shuren sat still without moving, feeling a heavy sense of dread in his heart. Having failed to catch anyone last time and instead someone had died, he knew that the grudge against him had exploded. Someone had made a move against him this time, and it seemed that the victim was someone of significant status.

Xiao Qing was extraordinarily serious. Zhou Shuren was to be the next Minister of Revenue, an important official that the Imperial court needed. The carriage of the Ministry of Revenue had been tampered with, an area under his jurisdiction, "Do you have any leads?"

Zhou Shuren, "Leads?"

Xiao Qing frowned, "Don’t play dumb, you know what I’m asking. You’re well aware of what Prince Qi was investigating these past days."

Zhou Shuren didn’t intend to play dumb either, "Last time it was a chance encounter. Mr. Li even said that this junior official was lucky. I feel that my luck is not good at all. Look, now they’re taking their anger out on me after someone died."

It wasn’t clear how that person had died, but he seemed to be the soft target, a suitable outlet for someone’s rage—an extremely unpleasant feeling.

Xiao Qing choked on his words, not knowing whether to say Zhou Shuren’s luck was good or bad.

Jinyan and the guard quickly returned. Jinyan held a tray in his hands, on which laid several needles, "Grand Master of Writing, several poison needles were found in the carriage. The toxins on the needles are very potent."

Zhou Shuren was startled, his pupils contracting, thinking to himself that they wouldn’t rest until he was dead—first, a carriage accident and now poison needles!

Xiao Qing’s face grew even grimmer as he questioned the guard, "Did the coachman find the person who passed the message?"

The guard shook his head, "We’ve checked all the people but couldn’t find anyone."

Xiao Qing slammed the desk, "To think that a stranger could infiltrate the mighty Ministry of Revenue, what are you all good for?"

The guard’s face also turned sour; this was their dereliction of duty, "This junior official will investigate thoroughly as soon as possible."

He knew that the Emperor greatly valued Zhou Shuren. During the last purge, they had received words from the Crown Prince, who insisted they must protect Zhou Shuren at all costs!

Xiao Qing had no more expectations for the guard. Every government department had guards and soldiers responsible for protecting officials. If someone could infiltrate the Ministry of Revenue, what else could he expect? He darkened his face, "Conduct a thorough investigation for this official."

After he finished speaking, Xiao Qing’s gaze swept over to the poison needles, the anger churning within him. Zhou Shuren was critical to the Ministry of Revenue, and his talents were even more beneficial to the country. With the unusual weather since the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Revenue needed Zhou Shuren, "I will go to the Palace and report to the Emperor right away."

Zhou Shuren didn’t want to go to the Palace; he wanted to go home, "This junior official wishes to go home to rest. I have been quite startled today—yes, this junior official needs to rest for a few more days, please grant me permission, sir."

Xiao Qing, "..."

He didn’t want to grant leave, although Zhou Shuren had arranged everything in the Ministry of Revenue properly, he still hoped Zhou Shuren would be present there, especially when the state treasury was in need of silver. After not having to strain himself for so long, he couldn’t go back to the times when he was playing with his life on the line.

Zhou Shuren saw everyone looking at him, feeling a bit embarrassed. He didn’t indeed look like someone who had been startled. His thin hand slowly moved to his chest, and he turned his head, "Quickly remove these poison needles; I cannot stand to see them. Today I almost died, just the thought of it sends chills down my spine."

The guard, "...."

Master Zhou puts on quite a performance!

Jinyan looked down at the needles, thinking the master’s acting was too fake.

Xiao Qing initially thought today’s incident was very grave, but now he felt like rolling his eyes, "Pretending."

Zhou Shuren wouldn’t have it, "Sir, how am I pretending? I am genuinely frightened. I am most fond of my life, today I nearly stepped into The King of Hell’s palace!"

Xiao Qing, "The Ministry of Revenue cannot function without you. You may go home and rest today, and tomorrow—"

"Sir, I cannot come tomorrow either; who knows whether I’ll be able to avoid another assassination after today’s close shave. I feel it’s safer to stay at home."

Xiao Qing also felt somewhat scared; it was indeed unsafe if the Ministry of Revenue hadn’t been thoroughly investigated.

Zhou Shuren continued, "Sir, the Ministry of Revenue has already been arranged properly."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qing asked, "Everything is arranged?"

"Indeed."

So all that he had said before, it was the final sentence that really moved Xiao Qing.

Xiao Qing cleared his throat, "The Ministry of Revenue is indeed not safe. Mr. Zhou, you should go back and rest for a few days. By the time you return, I will ensure you a safe Ministry of Revenue."

Zhou Shuren was pleased inside; the thought of resting was delightful. "Thank you, Mr. Li."

Zhou Shuren then exchanged a few words with Qiu Yan, who had been preoccupied. The incident had already spread throughout the Ministry of Revenue. "Are you alright?"

Zhou Shuren gestured with his hand, "I’m fine. You know I rarely take carriages from the Ministry of Revenue."

Qiu Yan’s heart skipped a beat, feeling a bit frightened after the fact. Zhou Shuren did not like taking the Ministry’s carriages, but other officials did. Today, with Zhou Shuren’s lowered guard, it was uncertain who might have been unlucky enough to take a ride. Especially this month when Qiu Yan attended the morning court, he gulped nervously.

Seeing Qiu Yan’s pale face, Zhou Shuren asked, "What’s wrong with you?"

Qiu Yan replied, "Nothing, I’m just overthinking it. You should go back."

Zhou Shuren always felt that Qiu Yan was the one who was truly scared. "Alright."

Zhou Shuren’s own carriage had already been checked by Yuguang, thinking to himself, in the future, he would stick to his own carriage. Truly safe, especially since it was inspected every time before heading out!

In the Palace, the Emperor was reviewing the discoveries sent by the fourth, who had actually found some clues. The Emperor handed them to the Crown Prince, "You take a look as well."

The Crown Prince took them, noting there weren’t many clues. "They’ve fled south?"

The Emperor, thinking of something, asked, "Do you believe that?"

The Crown Prince did not believe it. He had been closely watching the fourth’s actions. The fourth had visited Hou Residence, and then in just a short seven days, he had clues and even suggested a direction. "Father, the south is vast, densely populated. Trying to find someone there is like searching for a needle in an ocean. I think the clue is false."

The Emperor shook his head, "I, on the other hand, feel it’s true. However, those of the Rong family who have fled south must be dead by now."

The fourth wouldn’t dare provide any clues without ensuring there were no survivors, and he was not easily fooled.

The Crown Prince carefully looked at his father. "Father, are you..."

The Emperor waved his hand, "I’m fine."

That year’s event was too distant; extermination was only to be expected.

The Crown Prince pondered and then said, "The Rong family would not have fled in just one direction."

The Emperor grunted, "Let the fourth investigate it."

Eunuch Liu entered, "Emperor, the Minister of Revenue, Mr. Xiao, has arrived."

The Emperor commanded, "Please invite him in."

At the Zhou family, Zhou Shuren arrived home and felt relieved as he stepped through the main gate. Not seeing the steward, he proceeded to the main courtyard, and there he discovered that the place was crowded with people, and a man was tied up on the ground.

Zhou Shuren’s mind went blank. He should have anticipated this. Knowing that his own household was compromised, how could they not target his family after trying to kill him today? "Zhulan."

He did not see Zhulan in the yard, nor his granddaughter and daughter-in-law; only Old Madam Song and the steward were present.

Old Madam Song and the rest were startled, then, seeing the master return, Wang, the steward, quickly approached, "Master."

Zhou Shuren had no time to deal with the steward and hurriedly made his way into the house.

Zhulan, inside the house, was startled; she had already twisted her ankle and, in her haste to get up, sat back down in pain. Seeing Zhou Shuren rush in, she asked, "Why have you come back?"

Zhou Shuren could only hear his pounding heart, and then he quickly embraced his wife, "I’m just glad you’re safe, so glad you’re safe."