Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1087: Deceive Him

Chapter 1087: Chapter 1087: Deceive Him

Zhou Shuren bowed deeply before the Emperor. "Emperor, at the beginning of the dynasty, there was a drought. The impact on my hometown was minor, but my daughter-in-law had personally experienced the drought, and I myself had dealt with a heavy snow disaster. I know humans are vulnerable in the face of major disasters, and it’s the common people who suffer the most. I am a man with some petty thoughts, but more than that, I want to live well to protect my wife and children. In the face of a great disaster, I am not seeking merit."

The Emperor felt he had seen through Zhou Shuren, but only today did he realize he had not seen through him at all. This time, Zhou Shuren truly sought no credit. In fact, since the weather had turned abnormal, Zhou Shuren had been constantly counting his silver, willing to enter the palace, and would occasionally talk about food and preventative measures.

The more he heard, the more concerned he became.

Had he taken preventive measures against disasters before? No, it wasn’t until after the snow disaster that he took prevention seriously.

The Emperor personally helped Zhou Shuren up, "You do not seek merit, but what you are doing may save many lives in the future. Having Shuren is a blessing for me; having you as a loved official is a blessing for the people."

Zhou Shuren was stunned, he didn’t consider himself as grand as the Emperor said. "Emperor, I do not deserve such praise."

The Emperor patted Zhou Shuren. "You do deserve it, you surely do."

He decided to delete from his memoir the zhezi where Zhou Shuren was bootlicking. Such an excellent official who would be remembered throughout history should not be the subject of jest, causing future generations to debate.

The Crown Prince watched Zhou Shuren intensely, stirring a cold feeling in his heart. Please stop looking at him like that, honestly, he was getting nervous!

That night, Zhou Shuren came home and spoke of the matters within the palace. Zhulan let out a sigh, "In the future, no matter where a doctor is needed, the Imperial court will have the capacity to respond."

Zhou Shuren felt that only back at home could he relax, "I hope there won’t be a flood. Right now, the situation in Jiangnan can be controlled according to the zhezi. But if a flood really breaks out, the situation would be too terrible."

Zhulan said, "Preventative measures have been recorded long ago; we can only do so much."

Zhou Shuren felt a deep sense of emotion, "Because of my status, speaking a few more words and thinking of a few more solutions can save many lives. If I were still cooped up in my village, I could only save my own family, and I might not be able to save them at all."

Zhulan understood Zhou Shuren’s feelings and held her husband’s hand, "Our lives have not been in vain this time."

A smile appeared on Zhou Shuren’s face, "Right, not in vain."

This time he felt he had ascended, on a spiritual level.

Suddenly, Zhou Shuren held his wife tight, "I have grown a lot since I came here and understood much more."

Over the years, he too had been growing, and he was more grateful for having his wife by his side; without her influence, he wouldn’t have grown into who he was today.

Zhulan was taken aback by the hug, but hearing her husband’s words, she smiled, "Me too, we have progressed together."

The next day, Mingyun and the others took a day off, and the weather felt rather warm; the children were not at home either.

Eldest Brother Zhou had taken some of the young boys to the fields outside the city; Zhulan found out only after her eldest son had taken the children there.

Lady Li was worried about her son, "Mother, my husband took Mingyun and the others to fetch water for the fields. I told him off, but he agreed with words and still took the children."

"The eldest wants to educate the children in his own way; you should not worry too much. He knows where to draw the line."

Lady Li furrowed her brows, "Mother, Mingyun and the rest have to go to the Academy tomorrow. What if they are truly exhausted, what should we do?"

Zhulan understood Lady Li’s concerns - all mothers worry about their children, "If they really cannot get up tomorrow, they can just ask for a day off. However, when it comes to educating the children, you must not interfere."

Upon hearing her mother-in-law’s words, Lady Li knew she supported her husband, "Mother, I will remember that."

Outside the city, the Zhou family’s carriage arrived at the fields, where the sprouting seedlings lacked vitality, wilting due to the unusually high temperatures and lack of water.

Zhou Laoda led the children off the carriage, "This plot is our task for today, we can return home only after we’ve watered it."

Dressed in coarse clothes, Mingyun deftly took the water bucket, "Dad, leave this to us, you don’t need to work today."

The family’s fields had always been Dad’s responsibility, but these days he had lost much weight. His hands, once pampered, were now rough with calluses!

Zhou Laoda felt a sense of urgency, and although they had plenty of Silver, the poor condition of their tenant farm caused him sleepless nights and restless days, "Don’t worry about me, just look after your younger brothers."

Near the field was a river that had receded a bit. The children, accustomed to daily exertions, still had strength, especially Ming Teng, who was the strongest.

An hour later, the usually energetic Ming Teng wilted too, his back in particular pain and his arms sore from splashing water, his pace slowed down.

Mingyun, the eldest, continued to persevere, whereas Ming Rui was the weakest and had already taken to resting and cooling off with the water bucket.

Looking at his children drenched in sweat and disheveled, Zhou Laoda laughed, "Now you understand the hardships of farmers, don’t you? Our family used to till the fields. I worked hard out there, and I hope you experience it and learn. I may not know much, but I know your grandfather was a good official, and you should learn from him. Remember the toil of the common folk."

Mingyun stood upright; it was rare for Dad to preach so much. At home, Dad seldom spoke so freely, and suddenly he laughed. Dad gained confidence and discovered his own principles from the teachings of Grandma and Grandpa.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren felt that His Highness Prince Qi’s tea was unpalatable, expecting to meet Prince Qi alone, only to find that Prince Chu was also there, which made Zhou Shuren retract his step into the private room, "I’ve just remembered, I have matters to attend to at the Ministry of Revenue."

However, no more than a couple of steps were taken before he was dragged back, Zhou Shuren emotionless.

Prince Chu, releasing his hand, chuckled dryly, "Minister Zhou, you are quite fleet-footed."

Zhou Shuren, dryly, "Not as quick as His Highness Prince Chu."

With a sideways glance at Prince Qi, Prince Chu saw him roll his eyes; he had only agreed to help lure out Zhou Shuren for the day, not to speak on his behalf.

Clearing his throat, Prince Chu said, "After you left Minister Zhou, our father the Emperor called me into the palace. I suppose you know why."

Zhou Shuren understood; the coveted position that usually would fall to a doctor was now in Prince Chu’s hands. He glanced at Prince Qi doubtfully, having thought the responsibility would be Prince Qi’s, then realised that even if Prince Qi bowed to the Crown Prince, a balance still needed to be maintained.

Zhou Shuren then looked at Prince Chu; had the Prince managed to accept his new role without bitterness after catching such a great opportunity?

Prince Chu continued, "The Emperor said if I need guidance, I can consult with you, Minister. Please take a look at this."

Zhou Shuren’s heart soared with silent glee. Prince Chu had often opposed him, and now he was being addressed with respect. Taking the Zhezi, which was the Crown Prince’s speech from yesterday written down, he looked puzzled at Prince Chu, "Isn’t it quite clear?"

Prince Chu smiled, "So, it was indeed Minister Zhou who suggested this."

Zhou Shuren, "...."

Being fooled! Prince Chu had been too natural just now, and with Prince Qi present, he hadn’t suspected a ruse. Could it be said, ’Like father, like son’?

Price Qi cleared his throat, "Minister, even if you didn’t say anything, we could guess it was yours. If it had been the Crown Prince, he wouldn’t have written it down, he would only provide a rough idea."

Zhou Shuren chuckled, "It seems that Prince Qi and his fellow princes understand the Crown Prince quite well."

Prince Chu wanted to say, to know your enemy, you must know yourself—cough—so it was necessary to understand some of the Crown Prince’s habits.