Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1185: Making Decisions as a Minister

Chapter 1185: Chapter 1185: Making Decisions as a Minister

Several days later, Zhulan learned from the Qi Clan that Ran Xun had left the capital in quite a hurry.

Zhulan’s surprise was genuine. "Was it that urgent?"

Upon hearing this, the Qi Clan matriarch said, "Didn’t Ming Teng tell you?"

"He did not. I only knew that Ming Teng went to see Ran Xun—it turns out it was to say goodbye!"

Recently, the Qi Clan matriarch had aged considerably, her hair growing whiter by the day. With a sigh, she said, "The boy sought Ming Teng for help. Ran Xun didn’t want to leave the capital, but..."

She paused before continuing, "But you know, the Crown Prince’s residence has been sealed, with not a bit of news coming out. My old master is unsettled. He feels it’s not good for the child to stay in the capital. Plus, he wanted to distance Ran Xun from his other friends, so he sent him away directly."

Zhulan asked, "Did Ran Wan leave too?"

The Qi Clan matriarch replied, "Only the girl Ran Wan is left."

Seeing the Qi Clan matriarch looking at her, Zhulan understood. Since Ran Wan was betrothed to the Zhou family, Ran Zheng and his wife felt at ease. "You should take good care of yourself as well."

Zhulan did not offer more advice. Since it did not concern her directly, it would seem insensitive and might even come off as annoying.

The Qi Clan matriarch’s face bore a bitter sweetness. "My whole life... Ah, just when it’s time to enjoy some comfort, an accident happens."

Noble families’ daughters are said to be born into luxury and enjoyment, but the more they enjoy, the more they have to give as well, treading carefully for fear of irreversible misfortune.

The Qi Clan matriarch stayed for a while before leaving. Currently, the only household she could visit was the Zhou residence. Zhulan was not the type to kick someone when they were down, nor to look down on or disdain anyone, leaving a very favorable impression on the Qi Clan matriarch.

After Xue Han and the others had left, she came in. "Mother."

Zhulan gestured for her daughter to sit. "Is Lin Xi asleep?"

"Yes, she’s tuckered out."

Zhulan counted the days. "Both your second sister-in-law and third sister-in-law are pregnant. Your second sister-in-law is by my side, so I’m not as worried, but I am concerned about your third sister-in-law. I reassured her last time, but I’m anxious she might have another daughter."

It’s said not to obsess over things, but when one has a fixation, it’s very easy to do so.

While chatting with her mother, Xue Han had learned quite a bit about her third brother’s family in Xuzhou Province. "I think the third sister-in-law has come to terms with it."

Zhulan smiled. "I hope so."

Xue Han blinked. "I also asked Rongchuan what we should do if we only have daughters."

"What did he say?"

Xue Han smiled, "He said it was just fine, even if they are girls, there’s no fear of them being bullied."

Zhulan laughed. That’s because he is confident. "Rongchuan is good."

At the Palace, Zhou Shuren stood inside the study, while the other scholars stood quietly, as still as chickens. Even Scholar Ding, who was usually so talkative, was silent as a mute.

Zhou Shuren sighed. His position was excellent. Why? Because he had been pushed to a spot closest to the Emperor, right in front of Prince Qi and the other princes.

The Emperor was truly angry this time, not just feigning it. Grinding his teeth, he learned that the commercial fleets of Zhang clan in Pinggang had been thoroughly investigated, implicating them in smuggling harmful salves into the country. They had such audacity.

The Emperor considered more deeply. It hadn’t been long, yet they had managed to acquire these items. What did this imply? It meant there must be a base on an unknown island, and a close one at that.

Zhou Shuren gazed at the teacup on the floor. The epidemic in Pinggang was fabricated, but the Emperor was genuinely enraged because they had found something.

The Emperor’s face looked gloomy as his gaze fell upon Zhang Yang, "The deeper I investigate, the more horrifying it becomes. Young Five, just look at yourself; you hardly resemble a Prince."

A shiver ran through Zhang Yang’s heart, but the hatred suppressed deep within only grew more intense. Zhang Yang looked down at the ground, knowing that if he were to kneel, he would surely kneel onto the shattered pieces of a broken teacup.

Zhang Yang took a deep breath, unwilling to move. He had been losing weight for some days now, and his stomach growled with hunger. If he injured his leg, it would be even more unbearable.

The Emperor’s expression darkened even more. "Very well, very good indeed. Before I am even dead, you disregard my words as if they are nothing. Someone, take him away and administer a harsh beating with ten heavy blows."

There was some trickery involved with the beatings within the Palace; some sounds intense but aren’t very painful—the pain subsides after enduring it for a bit. With thick clothing, one wouldn’t hurt their bones or muscles, but a real beating, let alone ten blows—most people couldn’t withstand even five.

Zhang Yang suddenly looked up, sweat streaming down his forehead, "Father Emperor, your son has been wronged! Your son wouldn’t dare!"

The Emperor hummed inwardly, well aware of Zhang Yang’s true reasons for not kneeling. If he would not kneel, then he would be beaten.

Zhou Shuren had a good vantage point and saw the sinister look in Zhang Yang’s eyes as he was dragged away. He felt a jump in his heart; the man had turned utterly ruthless. However, whether ruthless or not, the Emperor didn’t care.

After the beating was done, the Emperor signaled the ministers to leave.

Zhou Shuren did not stay behind; more precisely, after the Emperor’s performance, he rarely kept Zhou Shuren alone.

Prince Qi hurried forward a couple of steps. "Minister Zhou, you’re leaving quite swiftly."

"I am very busy."

Prince Qi scrutinized Zhou Shuren closely. He had been reflecting on recent events and suddenly realized that Minister Zhou surely knew more than he did. The last time, Minister Zhou had joined the Emperor in intimidating him. "Your birthday is approaching, isn’t it?"

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, "Yes, but I do not intend to celebrate."

Prince Qi lowered his voice, "Minister Zhou, do you think the Crown Prince is in the Crown Prince’s residence?"

Zhou Shuren wondered if Prince Qi had discovered something. As for the whereabouts of the Crown Prince, he was unaware. "I shall pretend I did not hear Prince Qi’s question."

Prince Qi looked Zhou Shuren up and down, confirming him to be an old fox without any expression on his face. "I was joking."

"That joke is not at all funny. I have matters to attend to and must leave first."

Prince Qi, with his fan in hand, grew more convinced that Zhou Shuren knew far more than he did, and he felt incredibly frustrated.

When the group reached the Palace gate, Zhou Shuren and the others encountered Yao Wenqi and his son Yao Zheyu. Zhou Shuren merely glanced at them before swiftly boarding his carriage.

The others weren’t curious either; at a time like this, it was better to steer clear of trouble. Taking care of oneself was paramount, as almost all of them had families and clans to consider.

Yao Wenqi had lost much weight during these days of confinement, being trapped with no extraneous movements, only waiting for the right moment.

Instead, Yao Wenqi’s gaze was fixed on Yao Zheyu. Yao Wenqi might have played it smart, but the smarter he was, the colder his emotions became, whether towards his children or women. He was selfish; his own well-being was always his foremost concern.

When his first wife had heard things she shouldn’t have, his first reaction was distrust. Even though he kept his eldest son, there was always a knot in his heart that deepened as the son grew older, and later on, there was no need to say more.

This time, the Emperor had summoned both father and son, and Yao Wenqi felt some panic. He realized there was a problem with the Emperor and was afraid that the Emperor would move against him.

Inside the government hall, the Emperor looked at Yao Wenqi and his son. "Yao Wenqi, during these days of imprisonment, do you have anything to say to me?"

Kneeling on the ground, Yao Wenqi bowed his head. "Your servant has been wronged."

The Emperor’s gaze turned to Yao Zheyu, "Do you have anything to say?"

Yao Zheyu knelt upright, then took the evidence he had collected from his chest and offered it with both hands to the small eunuch beside him. "Your servant begs the Emperor to deliver justice for me."