Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1106: Credit’s Gone, Fuming

Chapter 1106: Chapter 1106: Credit’s Gone, Fuming

In the evening, Zhou Shuren finally returned home, still dressed in his ordinary coarse cotton robe, but was limping as he walked, and it was just dinner time. The family had been waiting for him to eat, and they all saw him limping.

Even with his thick skin, Zhou Shuren couldn’t hold it together at this moment and said dryly, "You guys eat, don’t wait for me."

Zhulan watched her husband endure the pain as he left; he had truly been beaten.

Chang Zhong was terribly worried, "Mother, what’s wrong with father’s leg?"

He wanted to check on his own father, who was limping, and he felt both anxious and pained.

With a strange expression, Zhulan knew that Zhou Shuren had been spanked. She coughed and said, "It’s nothing, don’t worry, just eat."

Because of Zhulan’s calm demeanor, Zhou family’s eldest sons exchanged glances and silently continued eating.

Chang Zhong couldn’t hold back, took a couple of bites, and then ran off. Zhulan didn’t stop him. At this moment, Zhou Shuren really didn’t want anyone to see him like that. After so many years, this was the first time Zhou Shuren had been beaten, and his expression on returning said it all. Zhou Shuren felt humiliated!

Inside the room, Zhou Shuren was changing clothes and had his pants halfway down when his son entered. Startled, he put his pants back on, gasping from the pain.

Chang Zhong hurried over to support his father, "Father, are you okay? Son, how come your buttocks are swollen?"

Zhou Shuren’s face turned red. For the first time in many years, he felt such embarrassment. The Emperor really did hit him, "Why did you come here?"

Chang Zhong, who was quite worried, now couldn’t help wanting to laugh as he saw his father’s red face, "Mmm, your son was worried about you, so I came. Father, who spanked your buttocks?"

Zhou Shuren replied irritably, "Who do you think can spank your father?"

Chang Zhong said, "Apart from mother, only the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Father, did you say something wrong today?"

Zhou Shuren lay on the kang bed, listening to his son’s words, marveling at how mature the boy had become. Should he thank Wu Ming for teaching him well?

Seeing that his father remained silent, Chang Zhong looked at the medicine in Jin Yan’s hands and reached out, "Let me apply the medicine for you, father."

At the dining table, Zhou Changli was as restless as if sitting on needles. His heart flew to his father’s side, but he dared not go over. He understood all too well that at this time, apart from mother, his father wouldn’t want to see anyone. Now that his little brother had gone over, he would be scolded for not going, and scolded if he did. It was too difficult for him.

Eventually, he couldn’t eat anymore and went over. Upon entering the room, he saw his little brother trying to remove their father’s pants while their father was holding onto them.

Chang Zhong felt that his father looked just like he did when he refused to take medicine. He saw the look in his big brother’s eyes brighten, "Big brother, come on over, help me get father’s pants off."

Zhou Changli felt as if his father’s gaze was like knives. He chuckled awkwardly, "Little brother, you’re being neither gentle nor careful. Let Jin Yan apply the medicine instead."

Chang Zhong looked disapprovingly at his big brother, "As sons, of course, we should personally fulfill our filial duties."

Zhou Changli stood still, not moving. His little brother could be insolent without consequence, and being the younger son, he had the right to be willful. He was useless, look, his little brother does that and father doesn’t scold him but instead, his father’s looks were getting worse. Suddenly, it dawned on him, he quickly went over, picked up his little brother, "Father, your son is taking the little brother outside."

The father looked so spirited, and mother wasn’t worried, it seemed like nothing serious.

Zhou Shuren felt that his eldest had finally behaved properly and grunted in acknowledgment.

Chang Zhong wanted to say something else, but Zhou Changli quickly covered the little brother’s mouth and rushed out.

In the Palace, the Emperor continued in silence, asking Eunuch Liu, "I had only ordered five strokes of the plank, and in the end, due to Zhou Shuren’s miserable cries, only two were administered. Are you certain that the young eunuch practiced restraint and did not strike too hard?"

Eunuch Liu hurriedly responded, "This old servant is certain, I personally oversaw the matter. There are tricks to administering the plank, of which this old servant is aware. Indeed, only two light strokes were delivered."

The Emperor hmphed, knowing well Zhou Shuren’s history of misdeeds, "Zhou Shuren is indeed delicate. I perceive there is an element of performance involved; he does not wish to go to the Ministry of Revenue tomorrow."

Eunuch Liu did not continue the conversation, thinking it best not to speak further of the matter concerning Zhou Shuren.

The whole situation was a great injustice to Zhou Shuren. He truly felt the pain. Ever since becoming an official, he had lived a life of luxury and never endured hardship. Even following the Emperor in coarse clothes caused him discomfort, and now, with summer upon them and the coarse fabric being a single layer, coupled with Zhou Shuren’s slender frame, well, although there might have been some exaggeration, Zhou Shuren truly was in pain, and his behind was indeed somewhat swollen.

By the time Zhulan returned, Zhou Shuren had already applied medicine to his buttocks, and upon hearing he had only received two strokes, Zhulan burst into laughter. Initially filled with sympathy, she now felt an urge to laugh.

The following day, Zhou Shuren’s behind had healed, the salve proving to be highly effective and the pain having subsided. Still, Zhou Shuren continued to rest at home, and the Emperor, turning a blind eye, tacitly approved.

The news of Zhou Shuren’s punishment still managed to spread. Given the number of visitors to the Zhou residence, the household managed to deflect the gossip.

Xue Han was worried and Rongchuan personally visited the residence only to find his father leisurely reading a book, showing no signs of the debilitating pain rumored about, "Father, are you alright?"

Zhou Shuren set the book down, "I merely wished to rest for a few days, I’ve been exhausted recently."

Rongchuan’s imagination took flight. So, to secure a rest, father did not obtain the Emperor’s permission and consequently received a beating? Seeing his father well and seated comfortably, he was reassured, "Father, it’s good to see you are well."

Zhou Shuren hummed in acknowledgment, "I will return to the Ministry of Revenue tomorrow. You can rest easy."

Rongchuan smiled, "You don’t know, Father, when the news of you getting beaten spread, my father was immensely worried."

Afraid that the Emperor was becoming unpredictable.

The next day, Zhou Shuren briskly made his way to the Ministry of Revenue. The officials there all eyed Zhou Shuren’s rear end, finding no signs of injury, and felt that the rumors in the capital were greatly exaggerated.

Qiu Yan said, "It’s good to see you’re unharmed."

Zhou Shuren could not acknowledge his own faults nor offer explanations, given that the current misunderstanding was with the Emperor.

In the afternoon, the Emperor again sought out Zhou Shuren’s company, thus dispelling any rumors of Zhou Shuren having fallen out of favor.

Within four days’ time, a letter marked urgent from the capital reached Prince Liang’s hands, with several horses having died in the haste of its delivery.

The courier declared, "Your Highness Prince Liang, an urgent letter from the Emperor."

He was utterly exhausted. Had Prince Liang not left instructions, he would not have been able to find him.

Prince Liang was a little dazed. By his calculations, his own letter should have just reached the capital, yet the Emperor’s letter had arrived first.

Upon opening the letter and quickly reading it, Prince Liang was stunned. His credit had vanished, and seething with rage, he clenched his teeth. Just when Zhou Shuren had recognized the Jade Pendant as inadequate, Prince Liang himself had made progress. Yet Zhou Shuren seemed revitalized, gnashing his teeth in frustration.

Chang Zhi was about to step out when he saw Prince Liang approaching furiously with his retinue, which gave him a start. His first instinct was to run, but he stopped himself, realizing it was futile. Resigned, he waited and greeted, "Your Highness Prince Liang."

Prince Liang, through clenched teeth, declared, "I wish to return to the capital. It is the Emperor’s command that I take you and the box you uncovered back with me."

Chang Zhi’s mind went blank. He did not believe Prince Liang’s words, his disbelief plainly showing on his face. Warily, he observed Prince Liang.