Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1176: Smiling Without a Word

Chapter 1176: Chapter 1176: Smiling Without a Word

The next day, Zhou Shuren entered the palace and noticed a box placed in front of the Emperor’s desk. He couldn’t help but give it a second glance and it caught the Emperor’s attention.

The Emperor smiled, "Shuren, are you curious about what’s inside?"

Zhou Shuren, "...No, not curious."

He truly wasn’t curious, it was just a couple of extra glances. Usually, there were only zhezi on the desk, this was the first time something else was placed there.

At that moment, Eunuch Liu came in, "Prince Qi and Prince Chu request an audience."

The Emperor, "Hmm."

Zhou Shuren swiftly stood to the side, making space for Prince Qi and Prince Chu to enter. The two princes entering the palace together surely meant serious business.

Prince Qi immediately noticed the box upon standing up. It was familiar; just yesterday he had the waiter from the tavern describe it, his pupils dilated, "Father, who sent you this box?"

Yesterday in the private room, that merchant was continuously persuading Rong Enqing. They feared it wasn’t something benevolent, rather something harmful, hence they specifically didn’t attend the court session and came directly to the palace.

The Emperor tapped on the box, "Are you very curious?"

Prince Qi regained his composure, "Your son heard some matters at our family’s tavern. I am not curious, but I worry that someone harbors ill intentions against you, Father."

The Emperor looked at his two sons below. Prince Qi had a well-connected grandfather, resilient and strategic; among several sons, he had become the most dashing one now. Prince Chu, disgruntled, had been tightly controlled by the Crown Prince, suppressing his ambitions.

The Emperor thought of his fourth son, who had been offending people throughout the capital. The Crown Prince also liked using sharp measures, but he, the Emperor, was reluctant to use his sons. Yet, the Crown Prince was willing, and the fourth son was more useful than any blade.

Seeing his son’s sincere concern warmed the Emperor’s heart. It was not in vain that he had worried for his sons. He opened the box in his hand, signaling Zhou Shuren to come forward, "Shuren should be most familiar with this item. He was the first to propose banning its importation."

Zhou Shuren had already seen the contents of the box, no matter how many names it had been given, it was opium. Frowning, he asked, "Are there smugglers?"

The Emperor, "Yes, smuggling is repeatedly banned yet persists."

Especially items that incurred high customs duties, prompting people to take risks. The Maritime Affairs Administration had now become a lucrative position, fattening some rats within who would turn a blind eye and provide cover during inspections.

Zhou Shuren fell silent. Let alone ancient times without modern technological means, even today smuggling still persists, opening people’s eyes to the extent of smuggling techniques, "I think imposing fines is very good."

Since prohibition was ineffective and strict measures didn’t work, imposing fines would do, adding more silver to the national treasury. If fined painfully, people would restrain themselves, and if they did not, harsher measures would be necessary.

The Emperor hummed affirmatively, then said, "This substance is smuggled in and still finds business in the Northwest, showing that there are still people in the nation harming themselves with this vile substance. Such things must not be tolerated."

Zhou Shuren felt fortunate that he came to this era. Although the earlier dynasties ended in negligence, they had changed history, and now he continued to change history. His ideas influenced the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Moving forward, he could change even more.

Zhou Shuren’s eyes twinkled with a smile, "I think we should enhance the propaganda about its harms. Everywhere clinics hang at the government office are most suitable for spreading propaganda."

Doctors, ah, ancient doctors held a high status in the hearts of the common people. Unlike government officers whom the common folks might doubt, doctors would certainly not be doubted as their business was related closely to health, making a profound impression on the people.

The Emperor’s eyes brightened, "Shuren’s suggestion is good."

Zhou Shuren continued, "I would like to have some paintings made for the propaganda, as not many common folks are literate."

In ancient times, the majority were illiterate, so painting was more convenient.

Prince Qi had been listening intently, his eyes sparkling; Zhou Shuren’s talent was hard to ignore. How could the Emperor and the Crown Prince overlook someone as capable as Zhou Shuren?

Zhou Shuren left the palace first. With narrowed eyes, he thought to himself that the Emperor hadn’t mentioned some officials from the Maritime Affairs Administration. It seemed the Emperor planned to leave that for the Crown Prince to establish his authority. As for the opium, the Emperor’s intention was also to wait a few days. The Zhang family had taken the bait, the implications were significant, so it was better to keep it hidden for now.

Inside the palace, Prince Chu frowned deeply, "Father, Marquis Rong harbors malicious intentions. Please make a clear decision."

Prince Qi looked at Prince Chu speechlessly; the Emperor clearly knew about Marquis Rong’s actions. The third brother was being too fake. Even if it was an act, one should keep it moderate; not start talking as if dumbing down himself.

The Emperor said, "You have not been wronged in your loss."

Prince Chu felt awkward, realizing that showing concern excessively was not good. He lowered his head and remained silent.

Since the Emperor had opened the box in front of both his sons, he had no intention of continuing to hide the truth from them. Compared to Prince Qi, who knew somewhat more, Prince Chu knew much less.

The Emperor patiently explained everything, clearing up some points even Prince Qi hadn’t known about; the most shocked was Prince Chu.

Prince Chu was utterly dumbfounded and a bit foolish. For the sake of the Emperor’s grand strategy, an actual son was surnamed Ning, which was quite the masterstroke. Seeing how composed his second brother was, Prince Chu felt slightly aggrieved; so he was the one who had known the least.

Prince Qi patted Prince Chu’s shoulder, "Think about the fourth brother."

Prince Chu’s mood improved; there was still the fourth brother.

The Crown Prince silently watched Prince Chu. He thought that despite how shrewd his younger brothers could be, they were genuinely naïve at times. Thinking about their nature to join the crowd and kick someone when they’re down, they really were true brothers.

Two days later, the Ministry of Justice unveiled considerable evidence, proposing to arrest Marquis Yao. The Emperor held the Zhezi.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Qiu Yan said somberly, "When Yao’s family was first established, how glorious it was. You don’t know how many people tried to please Yao Wenqi back then, and that wasn’t many years ago."

Zhou Shuren knew Qiu Yan wasn’t feeling sympathy for Yao Wenqi; he was just more reflective, "One must finish the path they chose even if they must kneel. Good acts result in good outcomes, and clearly, the Yao Residence has always been in the wrong. Now they are just reaping the evil seeds they sowed."

Qiu Yan replied somberly, "Indeed."

He wasn’t foolish; the ongoing delay in Lady Bai’s case definitely indicated a problem. It showed that Yao’s family had not only betrayed the Rong family but also crossed a line with the Emperor. He dared not think further.

Zhou Shuren was considering that the Emperor had already accelerated the crackdown. Now, Yao Wenqi had become important bait.

Qiu Yan continued, "Marquis Rong takes leaves occasionally."

Zhou Shuren naturally knew, "Aren’t you uninvolved in these matters?"

Qiu Yan replied, "I am uninvolved, but being too extreme isn’t good either. Our Ministry of Revenue doesn’t have idle positions."

He didn’t really want to intervene; he had merely overheard some conversations among officials of the Ministry of Revenue, so he mentioned it to Zhou Shuren, considering that Zhou Shuren still had some familial connections with Rong Enqing.

At the Academy, Ran Xun had held back for a whole class period and finally, when the teacher left, pulled Ming Teng aside, "My grandfather received an invitation from your residence."

Ming Teng acknowledged, "Yes."

Ran Xun widened his eyes, "So it’s true? What was written in the invitation?"