Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1084: I am Afraid

Chapter 1084: Chapter 1084: I am Afraid

The following day at the Zhou residence, Zhou Shuren sat opposite Wong Ju, "You come here and sit without drinking tea for a quarter of an hour. What exactly are you here for?"

Wong Ju snapped back to reality, "I just wanted to find some peace. Our Wong residence has been turned upside down these past few days."

Zhou Shuren looked over the account book, "Your Wong residence being manipulated and eaten up must be truly frightening."

Wong Ju found it difficult to explain. His household was a bit chaotic, not just because of the purchasing steward’s matters. His wife also wanted to clean out the people from the other quarters, aiming to take full control of the Wong residence, "I am truly envious that your residence has no strife."

Zhou Shuren understood, "That’s why it’s better to only have one official spouse."

Wong Ju forced a smile. Not everyone could be like Zhou Shuren. He felt that his relationship with his wife was not bad, yet he still ended up with other women, "Speaking of which, I have to thank you. Otherwise, the entire imperial court would have suffered a great loss."

Zhou Shuren curled his lips; these people wouldn’t thank him for that. When it came to power struggles, they were anything but courteous to him.

Wong Ju suddenly perked up, "Did you hear the news yesterday?"

Zhou Shuren had heard quite a few pieces of news yesterday, "Which piece are you referring to?"

Wong Ju lowered his voice, "The Fifth Prince, Prince Chu and Prince Liang went to The Prince Residence the day before yesterday, and yesterday the affair of the Fifth Prince’s residence spread throughout the capital. The news must have been deliberately released by the two princes."

Zhou Shuren had indeed heard about it. Zhang Yang’s pregnant concubine was wearing a Human Skin Mask, and it was Zhang Yang who caught her himself. The scandal at the Fifth Prince’s residence was huge. The pregnant concubine did not die, making the drama even more sensational. Who was the woman, and whose child was she carrying?

When had the woman entered the residence wearing a Human Skin Mask!

Wong Ju speculated, "I think someone deliberately arranged for the pregnant woman to enter the Fifth Prince’s residence to confuse the royal lineage. The plot is substantial."

Zhou Shuren asked, "Why don’t you think it’s the Fifth Prince’s child?"

Wong Ju’s voice grew even softer, "My father said so."

Zhou Shuren coughed, "Ahem."

Wong Ju was speechless. There was no breeze or choking to cause the cough, so why the cough? Again, he lowered his voice, "My father said so."

Zhou Shuren kept a straight face. What happened to their old understanding? For Wong Ju’s sake, Zhou Shuren stood up and bowed, "This minister pays his respects to the Emperor."

Wong Ju’s eyes widened. He didn’t think Zhou Shuren would joke about such a matter; nobody in the capital would make jokes about the Emperor. So the Emperor really was there. With a thud, he fell from his chair and knelt on the ground, "Emperor, this minister pays his respects to the Emperor."

The Emperor glared at Zhou Shuren, seated himself unhurriedly into the chair, and took in the aroma of the tea, "Good tea."

Zhou Shuren cursed the petty-minded Emperor inwardly, "New tea recently sent into the capital."

The Emperor waited until Eunuch Liu brought over a new cup, drank a mouthful of tea to quench his thirst, "The weather indeed is quite hot."

Zhou Shuren knelt in a spot shaded by a tree, "Yes, the temperature is somewhat abnormal."

The Emperor’s gaze swept over Wong Ju, "We have just learned that Minister Wong is very fond of gossip. We would like to hear as well; what has Minister Wong been saying?"

Wong Ju felt his luck had run out, his forehead covered in sweat as he bowed his head low, "Your humble servant dares not."

The Emperor let out a cold laugh, "Control your own mouth. There are things you may say and things you mustn’t. Have you remembered that?"

Wong Ju trembled, "Your servant, your servant remembers."

Zhou Shuren realized at once, the Emperor was in a foul mood, indeed, a lot of the Zhang family had died yesterday, and though the Emperor reveled in their mutual destruction, not one was left for him, the feeling of being a step late must not be pleasant.

The Emperor hadn’t left the palace to vent his anger, and signaled Zhou Shuren and Wong Ju to rise, "Both of you, please rise."

After thanking the Emperor, Zhou Shuren and the other were granted permission to sit.

Wong Ju’s heart was in his throat; he didn’t even dare to ask to be excused, he just had to sit obediently.

Zhou Shuren was quite at ease, in his own home, there wasn’t much the Emperor could do even if he was annoyed, and having seen the Emperor so often, he was very composed.

The Emperor observed their behaviors and felt that Wong Ju was becoming an eyesore. Originally keeping Wong Ju around because the Wong family knew their place, now, "Minister Wong, you may leave first."

Wong Ju was overjoyed, the temperature today seemed high, and he felt that the Emperor might explode at any moment, he slipped out quickly, "Your minister takes his leave."

Zhou Shuren watched as Wong Ju left without even glancing his way, speechless, what a fair-weather friend!

The Emperor signaled Eunuch Liu and the others to also leave, "Shuren, what do you think of the Yao family?"

Zhou Shuren inwardly complained, he’d been asked about the Zhang family before, and now it was the Yao family, "May I refrain from answering?"

The Emperor smiled, not quite reaching his eyes, "What do you think, Shuren?"

Zhou Shuren forced a face as if he was about to cry with difficulty, "Your minister thinks it’s still possible to speak on the matter."

"Hm, I am listening."

Zhou Shuren’s mind raced, and after composing his thoughts he said, "Your minister isn’t very familiar with the previous dynasty. During its final period, the commoners lived in misery, the Imperial court was corrupt, and the royal family was in decline, incompetent and foolish. At that time, your minister was young and lived in the countryside, lacking the vision to see the truth."

He paused before continuing, "Now, as your minister has step by step made his way to the capital, and arrived at today’s position, to say I have no thoughts of my own would be deceitful, so I wondered if it might be possible to refrain from speaking. But being loyal to the Emperor, if the Emperor asks me to speak, I would risk beheading to do so."

The Emperor gritted his back teeth as Zhou Shuren was really building up quite the preamble.

Zhou Shuren knew that continuing to prevaricate would annoy the Emperor and spoke frankly, "During the past dynasty, the Yao family held high positions and controlled military power. Your minister believes the Yao family had rebellious intentions even back then, yet failed to seize any initiative. Their vast influence became a shackle because they indulged in the highest level of wealth, which made them unable to let go, lacking the will to fight, always looking for a way out in case of failure."

Having said this, and with much more remaining unsaid, Zhou Shuren decided not to continue. Yao Wenqi had already become a cornered beast today, still not daring to fight.

The Zhang family, despite being rather foolish, still dared to make repeated movements in the capital, they had the guts to fight, possibly Yao Wenqi saw opportunities, but perhaps she was just making excuses for her own retreat.

The Emperor’s mood improved a bit, "You do dare to speak."

Zhou Shuren, "...I am your minister, Your Majesty. If you ask me to speak, I dare not refuse. And not only must I speak, but I must also speak to your heart. There aren’t many ministers like me left!"

Thus, you should especially cherish him; anyone else would not dare to be so candid!

By speaking out, Zhou Shuren implied that he understood why the Emperor moved against the Yao family and that he had seen through some of the Emperor’s schemes.

The Emperor stared at Zhou Shuren, motionless. After what seemed like an eternity, he smiled, "You certainly hold a grudge, you’re dissatisfied that there were no survivors from the Zhang family yesterday."

That’s why the old fox revealed more of his genuine thoughts to him.

Zhou Shuren’s eyes widened, his emotions raw, "I am fearful, with no survivors, no more people can be caught. But because of this human skin mask being exposed thanks to me, though a merit, has brought more danger to me. I am afraid!"

The Emperor’s lips twitched slightly, Zhou Shuren’s words were true, and so today, he clapped his hands.

Zhou Shuren was dumbfounded, then Eunuch Liu entered with two young servants and two maids, leaving Zhou Shuren speechless, "Your Majesty, is this for me?"