Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1144: Disaster Star

Chapter 1144: Chapter 1144: Disaster Star

Shi Huai was blunt, "Hmm, indeed, quite a coincidence."

A coincidence my ass. After all our dealings, we’re both old foxes. Who doesn’t know who? Where’s the chance in that? He was pondering the other’s intentions.

Yu Dang noticed immediately, his expression stiffened briefly before returning to normal, "So I’m not the only one you invited."

Gu Ren glanced back; he had already checked out the foreign ambassador, whose identity had no issues, and he said with a smile, "I just happened to encounter him, so I came over to sit."

Shi Huai smiled, "We’ve made plans to go to the opera."

Meaning that Gu Ren could leave now.

Gu Ren said, "I happen to be free as well. May I join?"

Shi Huai didn’t plan on bringing him along. These days he listened to his son a lot. People were reluctant to look back at the past, and he didn’t want others to gossip about his son’s background because of him.

Yu Dang interjected, "Great, I love watching operas. Let’s go together."

Shi Huai was stunned for a moment, but Yu Dang quickly explained, "I plan to settle in the capital in the future. I have some merchants under my control, so I’d like to learn more about which business is better in the north and south."

Shi Huai thought about it and then agreed. Gu Ren’s eyes sparkled as he said with a smile, "Well, you’ve come to the right person. Our Gu family has always been engaged in business from the south to the north, including sea trade."

Yu Dang smiled, "Then I’ll have to listen carefully."

Inside the palace, the southwest border had already erupted in conflict. The Emperor’s face was extremely grim, feeling that it was an utter provocation.

Xiao Qing stepped forward, "The last batch of grain and forage has already been sent to the southwest."

Li Zhao also spoke with a cold face, "According to the army’s march, they need one more day to arrive."

The government hall fell quiet. The friction in the southwest continued, and urgent war reports arrived in the capital. The capital had already prepared grain and mobilized soldiers as quickly as possible, but it was still too late.

Zhou Shuren’s heart was bleeding. War was fought with silver. He had a terrible headache. The southwest’s terrain was full of mountains and forests, complicated and full of ambush spots—it was quite difficult to fight. With impassable roads and rugged mountain paths, the transport of grain and forage was not easy, and wiping out the enemy was not a simple task.

Zhou Shuren thought about the recently separated Medical Department from the Imperial Hospital, and the sum of Silver Coin allocated from the Ministry of Revenue, noting that expenditures had been somewhat high this year.

Then he thought about the numerous Zhezi submitted to the Emperor, all asking for more silver.

Following the Emperor’s successive arrangements, the ministers left the government hall half an hour later.

Xiao Qing straightened his back, "You’ve been at the Ministry of Revenue for a while now."

Zhou Shuren turned his head, "Yes, it’s been four years including this one."

Xiao Qing quickened his steps slightly, "How quickly time passes."

He was almost ready to completely let go. Starting this year, the Emperor had rarely interfered with government affairs, except for major issues. Those in the know were aware that this was a transition, the Crown Prince would soon ascend to the throne, especially since the Emperor had hinted as much to him.

Zhou Shuren also felt sentimental; indeed, time had flown. Before he knew it, he had been holding the reins at the Ministry of Revenue all by himself.

Two days later, a visitor approached the Shi residence. Shi Huai did not expect Gu Ren to come, "Why are you here?"

Gu Ren replied, "I couldn’t wait for your invitation, so I had to visit in person."

Shi Huai, thinking of the inquiry sent by his daughter-in-law just now, narrowed his eyes, "Our family is no longer composed of merchants."

Gu Ren said, "I know, and I also know your son is in the Ministry of Revenue’s Ministry of Commerce, so I seek a favor."

Shi Huai knew his son was exceedingly cautious about his official role, already looked down upon for his humble origins, fearful of giving others a handle, "You should go back."

"I’m not just asking for a favor without giving anything in return. I’ve come with sincerity, take a look."

As he spoke, Gu Ren opened a box, which contained thick silver notes, "I know your Shi family still has some assets. Here are one hundred thousand taels. It’s not much, but it should help your family smooth things over with those above."

Shi Huai felt a chill in his heart; such a large sum meant the requested favor must be significant, "We can’t help."

"Don’t hurry, we just want your son to help us register some things, just to cover things up a bit."

Shi Huai still shook his head, "No, it’s not possible."

Gu Ren hadn’t expected to succeed in one try. He knew Shi Qing, who had become an official, would naturally be cautious, "You should consider it first, I will come again."

Actually, he could have sought out Zhang Yang, having laid his cards on the table, but he shouldn’t use Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang’s obvious involvement would be too deliberate; it’s better for Zhang Yang to continue indulging in his love for beauty.

At the Zhou family, Zhulan and her elder brother and sister-in-law bid farewell to Yang Wen. Yang Wen’s vacation had ended prematurely, and the marriage matter was still unsettled.

Yang Zhumu, "What kind of situation is this?"

Zhulan said, "Yang Wen is still young and not in a hurry; waiting a little longer is fine."

Yang Zhumu sighed, "Your sister-in-law and I came here for his sake, but it’s alright. With Yang Wen not in the capital, we will return too. The matter of the child’s marriage will be up to you— I trust your judgment."

Zhulan knew that her elder brother hoped Yang Wen would settle in the capital, the Yang family’s residence in the capital had been given to Yang Wen, "Brother trusts me, I will certainly handle it well."

Yang Zhumu, "Then we should pack up and return."

Zhulan was reluctant, "You and sister-in-law should stay a few more days."

Yang’s sister-in-law, "I can’t set my mind at ease about the house, there’s a whole family to look after!"

Zhulan didn’t press any further.

That night, when Shi Qing returned home, Shi Huai didn’t dare to hide anything and recounted the day’s events, somewhat nervously, "I didn’t agree, I didn’t accept it."

Shi Qing’s eyes lit up, truly hooked, "Dad, accept it next time he comes."

Shi Huai was stunned, "Huh?"

Shi Qing said, "It’s not that I’m greedy for money; you’ll understand later."

Shi Huai furrowed his brow, "The Shi family did not easily get to where we are today; you better not take a crooked path."

Shi Qing felt complicated inside, "I have my own measures."

Shi Huai was still worried, but his son was resolute. He moved his lips, regretting that he had gone out.

Two days later, Zhou Shuren stood at the entrance of the Ministry of Revenue, having sent off the Minister of War who came to collect Silver. Turning around, he was surprised, "How did you come out here?"

Shi Qing said, "I’ve seen the minister; I am here waiting for someone."

Just as Zhou Shuren was about to ask for whom, a carriage stopped, and a man alighted from it.

Gu Ren got off the carriage and paused, "Minister Shi, who is this?"

Shi Qing was reluctant to say more, for Minister Zhou was too clever. Shi Qing had no idea that Zhou Shuren knew everything.

Shi Qing introduced, "This is Deputy Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Revenue."

Gu Ren’s smile stiffened, it was Deputy Minister Zhou. Multiple attempts to eliminate him had failed, and it was his first meeting with Deputy Minister Zhou. So this is what he looked like?

Gu Ren quickly composed himself, earnestly saying, "I have seen Deputy Minister Zhou."

Zhou Shuren did not leave. He asked Shi Qing, "Who is this?"

Shi Qing braced himself as he introduced, "This is a former business partner of my father’s, here today to ask for my assistance with registration."

Zhou Shuren’s gaze deepened, so this one was a member of the Zhang clan. Observing closely, he definitely didn’t resemble the Emperor. Yes, that makes sense, as his fourth uncle had said that Zhang Xiaowu resembles his mother.

Gu Ren, puzzled, watched as Zhou Shuren withdrew his gaze, turned to Shi Qing, and said, "You go ahead with your work."

Gu Ren’s heart skipped a beat, feeling that today’s events were not going smoothly. Ever since meeting Zhou Shuren, nothing good happened. Within the Zhang clan, Zhou Shuren was a harbinger of disaster. He hurriedly took out a thick purse from his pocket and offered it, "Deputy Minister Zhou."

Zhou Shuren instinctively stepped back, then felt he had overreacted. There was no helping it, wanting to kill him, he valued his life. With a darkened face, he steadied himself, "What do you take me for?"

Shi Qing, "..."

How could Gu Ren be so foolish today?

Gu Ren also froze, realizing his own rashness. Who would not fear Zhou Shuren, the disaster star?