Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1083: Killing Each Other

Chapter 1083: Chapter 1083: Killing Each Other

Zhou family, as soon as Xiao Qing entered the courtyard, he saw Zhou Shuren alternately serving tea and fanning himself. Now he truly believed what Zhou Shuren had said at the palace gate was true; the actions of Zhou Shuren serving his wife were genuine, particularly adept, as if he had been doing it at home all along!

Zhou Shuren sat down and said, "Sir, what brings you here?"

Xiao Qing sat opposite Zhou Shuren, his peripheral vision resting on Mrs. Yang. Mrs. Yang was indeed not a beauty, but the more one looked at her, the more pleasing she became. Her plump appearance seemed very fortunate indeed, especially since she was a third-ranked lady and dearly loved by Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren cleared his throat, "Sir?"

Xiao Qing looked away, "I indeed have some matters to discuss with you."

Zhulan also wanted to leave, but unfortunately, her own legs won’t move.

Zhou Shuren did not really want his wife to leave, as it would be too troubling for her to move around.

Qing Xue, following the old master’s signal, came over and carefully picked up her mistress, gently carrying her back into the room.

Xiao Qing was stunned, "Your servant girl is remarkably strong."

He estimated Mrs. Yang weighed over 130 pounds, and yet, she was lifted effortlessly, and her walking was impressively stable.

Zhou Shuren sighed, telling about yesterday’s events at home, "Now with Qing Xue at home, I can rest a bit easier."

Xiao Qing looked up at the sky, unsure whether to feel envious or sympathetic towards Zhou Shuren. Zhou Shuren had people from the Emperor around him, and so did his wife; the Zhou household certainly wasn’t short of the Emperor’s people. Cough, he had to be careful with his words today; after this visit, he did not plan to come again.

Once the courtyard was clear, Xiao Qing continued, "Regarding the human skin mask yesterday, the Ministry of Revenue had also checked early today for anyone wearing a mask. The officials found nothing, but one of the guards was wearing a mask and was recognized by the coachman as the person who delivered the letter yesterday; unfortunately, he committed suicide by poisoning."

Zhou Shuren exclaimed, "Having an extra face really helps."

Xiao Qing chuckled, "Why do I feel like being ’faceless’ is actually invincible?"

Zhou Shuren, "...Sir, are you referring to your subordinate?"

Xiao Qing lifted his teacup slightly, "You may interpret it as you see fit."

Zhou Shuren speechless; now the entire capital thinks he’s shameless. He grimaced; some people have faces but wear masks, better to be shameless!

Prince Qi came out from the Residence of the Minister of Personnel and saw his two tiresome brothers, "Are you two following me today?"

Ever since Prince Qi stepped down for the Crown Prince and showed submission, Prince Chu had been tormented inside. He was reluctant to give up but knew he had no chance to continue. He had never gained any advantage from Prince Qi, and now that Prince Qi had withdrawn, his morale had deflated.

Originally, they were all aiming for the same goal, but at the finish line, there was the far-leading Crown Prince. Prince Qi had been ahead, but suddenly, he stopped and slowed down. That feeling... He couldn’t summon the strength to fight even if he wanted to.

Prince Chu smiled, "Brother, I was free and thought following you might allow me to offer help. Should you need me, just say the word, and I shall not hesitate."

Prince Qi was surprised; compared to Prince Liang, he feared Prince Chu more—a biter does not bark. Prince Chu’s intents were profoundly deeper. Was this an offer of goodwill?

Prince Qi lamented; they were all sons of the Emperor, all very astute. Unfortunately, they were born in the same era—a true frustration, "Heh, if you want to follow, then follow."

Prince Liang felt the most uneasy. He was nauseous, not because the woman beneath the human skin mask was an ugly woman but because he recognized her. She was a dancer, one he had seen at the fifth’s residence, and now she’d turned up at his.

Filled with thoughts of the fifth, Prince Liang wasn’t paying attention to his third brother’s words but rather asked, "Second brother, why is there no news from the fifth’s residence?"

Prince Qi felt all-knowing; his two foolish brothers were still in the dark. This sense of superiority lightened his mood a bit, "The fifth has been informed, but he hasn’t shown up. Maybe he hasn’t noticed?"

Prince Liang looked so gloomy he was almost substantial, Prince Qi couldn’t have failed to notice, "Fourth Brother, have you yet to reveal whether the one caught in your residence was a beauty or not?"

Prince Chu narrowed his eyes, "It seems, Fourth Brother, that you recognize the person beneath the human skin. Share with us."

Prince Liang was stirred and finally spoke up, "That’s right, hence, brother wanted to inquire about the situation in Fifth Brother’s residence."

Prince Chu smiled crookedly, "Fifth Brother is quite capable, having talent that can craft human skin masks. I really must go see for myself."

Prince Qi was very busy, "Third Brother and Fourth Brother should go take a look."

He wanted nothing to do with Fifth Brother.

In the bustling capital, the next day’s early morning court left everyone uneasy, the Emperor personally presided, holding a booklet in his hand, "Everyone, take a look."

All the ministers knew in their hearts that this was Prince Qi’s recorded booklet—it was quite substantial.

After court, at the Residence of Zhou Shuren, Prince Qi arrived with the booklet, "Lord Zhou, the Emperor wants you to have a look, and since I was passing by, I brought it over."

Zhou Shuren puzzled, "The ledger from the Ministry of Revenue?"

He was resting!

Prince Qi shook his head and pushed the booklet towards Lord Zhou, "The ministers at court today have all seen it. It is not the Ministry of Revenue’s ledger."

Zhou Shuren noticed the edges of the pages were curled from much flipping, took it, and opened the first page, "!!"

Prince Qi surveyed the front courtyard of Zhou’s residence—the scenery wasn’t bad, with plenty of green plants and beautifully trimmed ornamental trees. His gaze fell on some ice, enjoying it this early, quite luxurious.

Prince Qi drinking iced tea, felt heavy-hearted. This year’s abnormal weather had him deeply worried about a potential national disaster. At such a time, the Ministry of Revenue became even more crucial, and protecting Zhou Shuren, who controlled it, was essential.

Zhou Shuren finished the booklet, "Did they really catch so many people?"

Prince Qi tapped on his teacup, "Did you discern anything, Lord?"

Zhou Shuren, "... I saw madness."

Damn madness, the methods were indeed numerous, thirty years of driving people, already rebellious at heart, to madness.

Prince Qi laughed, "Exactly, madness. If not successful, then ruin everything, haha, they should die."

So, capture one, kill one. He was vying for the throne but had never thought to destroy the dynasty his father had built. Precisely because of that, he envisioned a better future, a flourishing age, and thus had completely set his mind at rest. Those who sought destruction deserved to die.

Zhou Shuren felt a pang of regret; Prince Qi was born in the wrong era, "Your Highness, I have finished looking at it."

Indeed, it was time for Prince Qi to leave, there were still members of the Zhang family not found, "This prince will come to drink tea with Lord Zhou another day. By the way, my maternal grandfather has always wanted to drink tea with you; it’s just unfortunate that he cannot come to the capital."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "There will be an opportunity."

Prince Qi left the residence of Zhou Shuren, and a guard hurriedly approached, "Your Highness, we found some people poisoned to death."

Prince Qi pursed his lips, his intuition telling him it would be difficult to find members of the Zhang family in the capital now, as those dead were of the Zhang family, "Let’s go see."

Zhou Shuren got the news in the afternoon, brought back by Jin Yan, "A total of eight died, six were poisoned, the other two had numerous knife marks, died from a struggle."

Zhou Shuren scoffed, Yao Wenqi making moves, the Zhang family had to die to be silenced, allowing Yao Wenqi to continue surviving. Unfortunately, Yao Wenqi did not know, the Emperor enjoyed the current scenario of mutual destruction, enjoyed watching Yao Wenqi’s struggles.