Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1356: The Lord is Always the Lord

Chapter 1356: Chapter 1356: The Lord is Always the Lord

Several days later, Zhou Shuren and his party finally arrived in the most disaster-stricken area, Jinzhou Province. The location of Jinzhou Province is unfavorable, and even with roads constructed, its development remains slow. Additionally, due to the soil quality, the grain yield here is not high.

This snow disaster had the greatest impact on Jinzhou Province. The other two provinces passed by from the capital had already brought their disasters under control, and the residents just needed to clear the snow as instructed by the local government officials.

Only Jinzhou Province was different; there was grain in the granaries, but not as surplus as in the other two provinces. The people here were also not wealthy, with continuous heavy snow collapsing many houses.

Upon entering the city of Jinzhou Province, the Crown Prince’s brows were deeply furrowed. Numerous shelters were set up outside the gates of Jinzhou Province city, where many disaster victims gathered.

Officer Yan had been silent since entering Jinzhou Province and only now spoke up, "There is a significant developmental disparity among the provinces."

Zhou Shuren continued the conversation, "That’s quite normal. Jinzhou Province is closest to the capital and has Pinggang, so its prosperity is inevitable. However, Jinzhou Province is not conveniently accessible and does not have notable resources to attract people, which significantly slows down its development."

The inability to develop leads to low local tax revenues, and naturally, Jinzhou Province is poor.

Officer Yan fell silent; never having served as a local official, he refrained from making further comments, looking through the glass window at the cold streets outside and sighed deeply.

The Crown Prince was also particularly silent. He would help the Emperor review documents, and being young, he only dealt with minor affairs. His understanding of the provinces mainly came from these documents, more specifically about their tax situations.

In other aspects, the Crown Prince did not know much. What he saw more was the prosperity of the capital, with continuous streams of merchant caravans, and the people living nearby the capital leading a content and peaceful life. He often liked to leave the palace to visit the markets and other places, where he saw the smiles of the people.

Leaving the capital, he saw the rapid disaster relief and the proper resettlement of the people, which filled him with pride. This was the country governed by his father, the Emperor.

However, arriving in Jinzhou Province, what he saw were collapsed houses, blocked roads, disaster refugees, and make-shift shelters outside the city, nothing like the specialized disaster relief settlements built in the capital.

Zhou Shuren looked at the sky, "It’s getting late, we should head to the inn first."

Along the way, they disguised themselves as a merchant caravan, with the guards acting as escort guards, followed by a team. The carts behind were carrying supplies such as grain and cotton transferred from Jinzhou Province.

This arrangement wasn’t made by the Crown Prince but was the explicit decree of the Emperor after being informed of the situation in Jinzhou Province.

Actually, their arrival was somewhat conspicuous. It was particularly noticeable for a merchant caravan to enter the city during the snow sealing off the city, but it was more low-key compared to a visit by the Crown Prince.

Upon arriving at the inn before the meals were ready, local merchants in Jinzhou Province searched for them. Being a mysterious caravan from a city under lockdown, the local merchants wanted to get news and secure the goods of the caravan.

Zhou Shuren drank his tea without moving, continuing to wait for the meals to be served.

The Crown Prince stood up, "I will go have a look."

Officer Yan tried to follow, but Zhou Shuren stopped him, speaking to the Crown Prince, "Go ahead, Young Master."

The Crown Prince’s eyes brightened, "Alright, don’t wait for me when the meals arrive."

Once the Crown Prince left, Officer Yan, frowning, asked, "What does Sir mean by this?"

Zhou Shuren set down his tea cup, his gaze sharp as he looked at Officer Yan, "We have been together for a few days, and although I hadn’t interacted with you before, I’ve made some significant observations over these days."

Officer Yan’s frown deepened. He didn’t think he had done anything wrong and looked displeased, "Then please, Sir, enlighten me with one or two points."

Zhou Shuren took a hand warmer handed to him by a servant, gesturing for everyone in the room to leave, "Officer Yan, don’t you think you are overstepping your boundaries?"

Zhou Shuren had sensed this from the first day and had been extra observant in the following days. He had held back until they reached Jinzhou Province. He guessed the Emperor had also noticed this, which is why he had Officer Yan accompany them this time. Initially, it was agreed that he would accompany the Crown Prince alone; it was quite unexpected when Officer Yan was suddenly added to the trip, clearly the Emperor meant to use his words to admonish Officer Yan.

Officer Yan’s frown deepened even more, "I do not think so."

He strictly demanded the Crown Prince, and he didn’t think he had done anything wrong.

Zhou Shuren pointed to himself and Mr. Yan, "We are subjects, the Crown Prince is the future Emperor. You are just one of his mentors, it’s better not to overstep in matters that you shouldn’t meddle in."

The Emperor was clearly not pleased with Mr. Yan meddling in every aspect of the Crown Prince’s affairs. The Crown Prince could respect his mentors but should not be influenced excessively by anyone. Mr. Yan didn’t feel anything wrong, but the Emperor didn’t see it that way.

Zhou Shuren continued, "No matter how young, the Crown Prince is still a ruler. He has his own thoughts, and I think it’s good for him to be curious. Curiosity leads to exploration, and exploration can lead to solutions. In the future, Mr. Yan need only watch and guide him appropriately when he makes mistakes."

Mr. Yan pursed his lips, his back breaking out in cold sweat. Becoming the teacher of the Crown Prince was not only an honor but also a representation of interests. The Yan Family had gained many benefits because of him being the Crown Prince’s teacher, and he was revered by his family. With the respect from the Crown Prince and the implied intentions of the Emperor, he indeed overstepped his bounds.

Mr. Yan looked up to see Zhou Shuren, who had already closed his eyes to rest.

In the capital, at the Wong Family house, Yushuang brought pickled plums to see Yu Lu, "I heard from my mother that you wanted fruits. Taking care of the child, my mind is all about the child. If my mother hadn’t come to see me, I wouldn’t have known. These are the plums pickled by my mother-in-law; do you like them?"

These were pickled by her mother-in-law during her pregnancy. She liked sweets, but didn’t eat much then. Her mother-in-law, however, grew fond of the flavor and pickled some more.

Yu Lu, while retching and taking care of her child, did not think of it initially; her mind was full of her mother’s pickles. Her mother’s pickles did not work, and she was confused. She remembered her aunts and sister-in-laws all ate her mother’s pickles.

When her mother came to see her and mentioned fruits, she then remembered the pickled plums at home.

Yu Lu had already opened the jar, smelled the aroma, and urged the maid to bring chopsticks. She ate several mouthfuls in a row, "I’m so hungry. Big sister, you have no idea, these past days I couldn’t eat well, I’ve been relying on fruits."

Yushuang smiled, "If you’re hungry, eat more regular meals. You like it, my mother-in-law has more. I’ll have the maid send some over later."

Yu Lu, "Hmm, thank you, big sister."

"Why thank ’sister?’"

Yu Lu asked with a smile, "Has my nephew’s name been decided yet?"

Yushuang, "He’s still called by his nickname Qiuqiu. My father said to wait until after the New Year to calculate at the temple. He says calculations done at the beginning of the year are accurate."

Yu Lu laughed uncontrollably, "Uncle really treasures Qiuqiu."

"Yes, it’s the special affection of a grandparent."

The little brother isn’t very old, dad also dotes on him, sadly the little brother is precocious and doesn’t talk much, dad’s enthusiasm is all on the grandson now.

Seeing no maids around, Yushuang asked softly, "You haven’t been mistreated at the mansion, have you?"

This was the first time Yushuang had visited Wong Residence after Yu Lu got married.

Yu Lu, "I only listen to the good things and ignore the bad; don’t worry, big sister, I haven’t faced much trouble."

She patted her belly, "I’m carrying the precious child now, no one dares to really upset me."

Yushuang felt relieved, but also reflected, "The Wong family really lacks heirs."

"That’s true, in our big room Wong Wei is the only child, in the second room Wong Jing is also the only child, the concubine’s third room has two sons, but among the grandchildren, there is still only one grandson."

There are few children, yet each branch has many women in the backyard.

Yushuang felt even more assured, telling Yu Lu, "Trust me, this child will definitely be a boy."

This was her blessing to her sister, having a son first would reduce the future pressure on her sister.