Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1118: Numb Scalp

Chapter 1118: Chapter 1118: Numb Scalp

Time passed quickly, and Zhang Yang’s child was taken care of in the palace without causing much of a stir. Zhang Yang himself became increasingly low-profile, spending all his days holed up in the Fifth Prince Residence.

Chang Zhi finally made his way back to the capital. As his carriage reached the gates of the capital, he felt at ease, "At last, I’m home."

Su Xuan was even more excited than Chang Zhi, "This time, the Zhou family has done itself proud, producing five Graduates."

Chang Zhi leaned on his wife’s shoulder, "My grand slam is gone."

Su Xuan patted her husband’s shoulder. Remembering the expression he had when learning his ranking, one that hinted he was about to cry, she had such a vivid memory of it. She never expected his goals to be so lofty, "If you don’t tell, and I don’t tell, and your parents don’t find out about this goal of yours, then all is well. You’ve said before you’d bring home the title of Top Scorer. Cheer up."

Chang Zhi wrapped his arms around his wife’s waist, "My wife is the best."

Su Xuan, in turn, pinched her husband’s waist, "Hmph, if I hadn’t stopped you from bringing others, you would have agreed."

Chang Zhi rolled his eyes, "I’m not fooling around. Coming to the capital for the examination and being ahead of us on the road - we came early to return home. Didn’t I think to bring them directly to father?"

His wife, on the other hand, had quite a fiery temper. Seeing the other party accompanied by a young woman, she dragged him onto the carriage and they left quickly, not giving him any chance to maneuver.

Su Xuan snorted, "My reaction was normal. That trip to Pingzhou was utterly nauseating."

Knowing full well that the Zhou family did not take concubines, and she was still a Magistrate, it became all the more aggravating once the rankings came out, and people were falling over themselves to offer concubines. Just thinking about it made her fume.

Chang Zhi shut his mouth, having broached a subject he should not have.

At the Zhou family home, the eldest Zhou brother had been waiting at the gate. Seeing the carriage approaching, he descended the steps with a smile, waiting for his fourth brother to return, embracing him and saying, "You’re home. Let me take a good look at you. You’re an Old Graduate now."

Chang Zhi’s face stiffened, "Big brother, stop patting my back, will you? How has your strength increased so much?"

The eldest Zhou brother laughed heartily, "I’ve been working on the farm for almost a year; that’s where I got this strength."

The other four Zhou family Graduates came forward, all calling out, "Uncle Chang Li."

The eldest Zhou brother was most familiar with Ming Qing and nodded with a smile, saying to him, "The Clan Leader has gotten his wish."

Ming Qing grinned, "Indeed."

Lady Li had already led her younger siblings into the home. The eldest Zhou brother said with a laugh, "Come on, let’s go inside."

Chang Zhi inquired, "Is everything well with father and mother?"

Chang Li replied, "Everything is fine. You haven’t seen your little sister’s daughter yet, have you? Knowing that you’d be home today, she came back with the child."

Chang Zhi cherished his fortunate niece, "I’ve brought gifts back for my niece."

In the main courtyard, Zhulan talked to Chang Zhi for a while and then asked Ming Qing about some family matters. Chang Zhi introduced the other four, "Mother, this is Ming Shan; he rejoined the noble family later. These two are Ming Qi and Ming Zhen, whom you know."

Zhulan looked at Ming Shan a few more times. This young man from the noble family was only twenty-six, an impressive age for such scholarly achievements; Ming Qi was older at thirty-seven, whereas Ming Zhen was the oldest at forty-five.

Zhulan smiled, "Good, good, if your father didn’t have to work today, he would certainly have come to greet you young men himself."

Including Chang Zhi, there were five Graduates. The five of them taking the imperial examination together greatly increased their odds, especially since Zhou Shuren made two significant suggestions this year, with the imperial court establishing two new departments and already needing more talent. With many attending the examination, there would also be more retained.

Zhou Shuren often went into the palace and had already received some news.

After a while, Ming Qing and the others went down to rest, leaving only family members. Chang Zhi, holding Lin Xi, said, "My niece is really beautiful. She will definitely be a great beauty when she grows up."

Zhulan’s eyes brimmed with smiles. No matter how beautiful Lin Xi was, there was no fear of anyone daring to covet her.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren looked at the list of merchants sent by Prince Liang and thought to himself that Prince Liang dared to make his move selectively. He remained hands-off with the merchants controlled by the noble families, putting down the list, "Your Highness has shown the list to this official, but I am somewhat puzzled."

Prince Liang was internally agonizing. He actually had to consult Zhou Shuren and endured it before speaking, "Controlling the merchants affects the interests of too many noble families. You are very clear about this, aren’t you, Minister Zhou?"

Zhou Shuren thought, very clear, indeed. After the control, many underhanded profits would be severely cut, like slicing flesh. Nobody wanted that. His expression still pleasant, he replied, "This is the duty of Your Highness. This official has already received imperial orders to separate the Ministry of Commerce from the Ministry of Revenue and is waiting for Your Highness’s action."

Prince Liang cursed the Crown Prince and even more so Zhou Shuren. This proposal was Zhou Shuren’s, and the Crown Prince had assigned him this task, making him an enemy of all noble families. The dignity of noble families was plated with silver. If one was used to making silver quickly, who would give that up for the slower earnings of ordinary commerce?

Thinking about it made Prince Liang shudder. The interconnected marriages among noble families made cutting off someone’s wealth akin to killing their parents.

Zhou Shuren saw Prince Liang’s darkening face and felt a surge of satisfaction. Lowering his eyes, he slid over his own list, "These are the merchants controlled by the noble families. This is the most I can do to aid Your Highness."

Prince Liang took the list and browsed through it. Zhou Shuren had been meticulous, recording not only the merchants controlled by the noble families but also some open trade dealings, "Minister Zhou, you’ve taken great pains."

Listening to the gritted-teeth voice of Prince Liang was music to Zhou Shuren’s ears. This was intentional, not help but a push for Prince Liang to act swiftly, a slight vengeance on Zhou Shuren’s part. Smiling, he replied, "By imperial decree, the Ministry of Revenue is to assist Your Highness. This is all part of our duty."

Prince Liang’s face remained stern, "His Royal Highness has other matters to attend to."

Internally cursing, damned Zhou Shuren had been an official for so many years and yet the Zhou family actually hadn’t controlled any merchants, the only one with significant connections being a figure who was openly endorsed by the Emperor, aligned with the Crown Prince. He found no leverage against Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren, after seeing Prince Liang out, slapped his head, "Oh, right. The Crown Prince handed me a letter this morning and said to give it to Your Highness if I saw you. My memory sometimes..."

Zhou Shuren did not look at the letter, despite dying of curiosity. He didn’t have the temerity to peek. Knowing too much wasn’t good, but judging from the expression of Prince Liang tearing open the letter, Zhou Shuren, savoring his tea, could guess the gist—it must have been something that uncovered Prince Liang’s secrets.

Shortly after Prince Liang left, Shi Qing arrived. Zhou Shuren was quite surprised, "Why have you come here?"

Shi Qing closed the door, and with Jing Yan standing guard outside, he spoke, "Recently, there have been quite a few minor moves against your residence. It would be wise for you to take extra precautions."

Zhou Shuren acknowledged Shi Qing’s concern, "This official takes note. You don’t have to come yourself in the future."

Although Zhang Yang stayed within the residence, the backers behind him were biding their time. Shi Qing didn’t need to see Zhang Yang regularly, but a bit of caution was always wise.

Shi Qing said, "This subordinate knows. Coming openly like this is less likely to arouse suspicion, and I will have frequent dealings with the Ministry of Revenue in the future."

Zhou Shuren heard much from that statement. Shi Qing was in his three-year assessment, and indeed, some scholars from the Hanlin Academy with outstanding abilities had already been preassigned. It seemed his proposal for the Ministry of Commerce would involve Shi Qing.

Shi Qing was pleased. Even though entering commerce wouldn’t lead to preferential use, it was a relatively leisurely position, and he was already very content.