Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1374: Thoughts

Chapter 1374: Chapter 1374: Thoughts

After the tribal prince left, the Crown Prince finally spoke up, "Father Emperor, they didn’t get the grain and fodder, which means they are now grasping at marriage alliances."

The Emperor replied sarcastically, "A marriage alliance also depends on whether I allow it or not."

He would only accept princesses sent to him, and he would absolutely not send princesses or the daughters of important ministers to distant lands for marriage alliances. Sustained peace is based on military power, not on exchanging women for benefits, he thought to himself and spoke out loud.

Looking into his father’s piercing eyes, the Crown Prince couldn’t help but swallow hard, "Your son will remember this."

Only then did the Emperor avert his gaze. Although there had been princesses in past generations who entered into marriage alliances, the different customs and unfamiliar living environments often did not bode well for these princesses and their end. He would never engage in such alliances with women, nor would he allow his descendants to do so in the future.

At the same time as the imperial examinations began, the Grassland Tribe had set their mind on a marriage alliance, and their actions were much more significant than before the new year. They had been rejected before the new year and had not made a sound, so very few within the Imperial court were aware of the news. Now, with the deliberate spread of the news, darn it, all the ministers in the court knew.

In these peaceful years, some ministers in the Imperial court believed that marriage alliances could ensure long-term stability and thought it to be beneficial. Others opposed the idea, fearing that it would only raise tigers that would cause future troubles.

Zhou Shuren’s face was cold. These tribes could not receive grain and fodder for nothing; it was time to take off the gloves. Remembering the Zhezi he had seen today, Zhou Shuren’s face was as dark as can be.

When Qiu Yan came in, he met with Zhou Shuren’s cold face, and it was clear he was very angry, "Sir, are you angry about the marriage alliance?"

Zhou Shuren replied, "You’ve also heard the news, they aren’t asking to marry a princess or any royal lady, any well-born daughter of an Imperial minister will do."

Qiu Yan had heard more; some ministers thought a Zhou family girl would be suitable, whether in terms of age or lineage, "The Emperor will not agree."

Zhou Shuren’s demeanor softened slightly, "You see things clearly indeed."

Qiu Yan sat down, "If I were not clear-sighted, I would not have gotten to where I am today."

He paused and then continued, "Sir, you have earned the deep trust of the Royal family on your journey, and this trust has also aroused others’ envy. There is no need for you to be angered by every bit of news you hear."

Of course, Zhou Shuren knew this. He had already expressed his stance clearly. The Grassland Tribe did not propose a Zhou family girl this time. Their intention in seeking a marriage alliance was to temporarily lull the Imperial court, not to seek trouble; they also feared he might interfere.

However, there were too many in the court who disliked him. They submitted Zhezi directly nominating a Zhou family girl as suitable.

Qiu Yan continued, "I see that the Emperor has no intention of a marriage alliance. Sir, you may rest assured."

Zhou Shuren, pressing the center of his forehead, "It seems I am too talented, and thus hated by others. Whatever means they use, I will take it all."

Qiu Yan, "..."

He regretted speaking up!

In the Palace, the Emperor was flipping through the Zhezi, "Some ministers have grown too accustomed to ease and have lost their sharpness. Look at what they’re saying. Do they not understand that these tribes have recuperated? Don’t they know that these tribes are insatiable wolves?"

Sipping tea, the Retired Emperor listened to his son’s indignant words and spoke unhurriedly, "The country has developed rapidly over these years, and continuous envoys from other countries have made our ministers feel wealthy. The start of a war has massive implications. Some want to maintain their interests, and others, perhaps, have already been bought off."

Just as the son keeps buying off people from the Grassland Tribes, the ministers at the Imperial court are not united as one either.

The Emperor tossed down the memorial, "There are those muddying the waters, several memorials have already mentioned the Zhou family’s daughter."

The Retired Emperor, "Fully aware that Zhou Shuren has offended various tribes, if their wishes are granted, it would mean that there’s a rift between the Royal family and the Zhou family, a very clever calculation indeed."

Several in the capital want to marry off their daughters to forge alliances; the Grassland Tribe is already the defeated party. With the nation’s rapid development these years, they’re even more acutely aware of what it means to be a nation under the celestial empire. Despite the ministers being courteous to the tribal princes, only they know what they truly think.

The Emperor sneered, "They couldn’t even wait for me to test the waters and have jumped out one after another, which is very good."

The Retired Emperor remained very composed, his son was ambitious and those at the Imperial court who could not keep up with his son’s ideas would inevitably become marginalized. He tapped the memorial, "Them jumping out on their own saves you the trouble of testing them one by one."

What the Retired Emperor cared more about was, "The Empress is pregnant again, and this spring’s examination holds the Wen family in high regard. I hear that one of them is a strong contender for Top scorer."

The Emperor hmm’ed in response. These years he had placed more value on the Zhou family, a force that he and his father had carefully nurtured. The Zhou family was bound to touch upon other families’ interests. After he took the throne, he distanced himself from the Wen family and brought the Crown Prince closer to the Zhou family, which left the Wen family very dissatisfied with the Zhou family.

The memorials sent up had a lot of the Wen family’s manipulation behind them.

The spring examination had not yet ended, and everyone’s attention was focused on the alliances with the Grassland Tribe.

Yushuang’s marriage into the Gu family was simple since Uncle Gu Zhuomin was already holding an idle position and wouldn’t interfere much. Gu Zhuomin even warned his wife not to gossip, so Yushuang had not heard any news and was just at home taking care of her son, Gu Zhaoyuan.

The situation was different for Yu Lu; the Wang family was well-informed, and with some intentionally spreading the news, it was hard for the Wang family to be ignorant.

Facing her sisters’ inquiries, Yu Lu showed no hint of worry on her face, "Rumors cannot be trusted, everything depends on the will of the Imperial Family. Do you sisters think what your sister-in-law says is right?"

Wang Hua did not let go of any changes in her sister-in-law’s expression, regretfully finding nothing, "Sister-in-law is right, but, I heard that the young Miss Zhou is the most popular choice, aren’t you really worried?"

Yu Lu concealed her impatience, replying with an unaffected demeanor, "There are plenty of candidates in the capital, and the rumors aren’t just about the Zhou family. The Wen family, the Rong family, and others have also been mentioned. How come in my sister’s mouth it seems as if the Zhou family is the decided one? Sister-in-law just said we follow the intentions of the Imperial Family. Whether this union is one-sided passion or mutual interest, we just need to wait for the result."

Wang Hua’s complexion changed slightly. She couldn’t let go of the young Miss Zhou because of jealousy. Before her sister-in-law married into their family, she was already jealous of the young Miss Zhou. Knowing even more about how well the Zhou family treated their daughter after her sister-in-law’s marriage only increased her envy.

Wong Yun did not like this sister from the second wife’s family at all. As a legitimate granddaughter of the second wife, she should have been magnanimous, yet she pretended to be so while harboring a heart as small as a needle’s eye.

Wong Yun changed the subject, "Tomorrow big brother’s spring examination ends, I wonder what ranking big brother will achieve."

Wang Hua’s mind stirred, her face flushing unconsciously, "I heard that the fourth son of the Wen family is the most likely to become the Top scorer. I wonder if Wen Rong might first become the top scholar."

Wong Yun was stunned, over the years she had come to realize this sister’s aspirations, aiming very high indeed, yet remarked, "Sister, we were discussing our brother. It’s not good for you to be concerned about an external man at this time."

Wang Hua realized she had misspoken and hastily explained, "It’s precisely because I’m worried about big brother that I want to know about Wen Rong. He’s big brother’s competitor."

Yu Lu inwardly sneered, she didn’t expect Wang Hua to have her eyes on Wen Rong. Thinking of what her husband told her, that making it into the top ten would be enough, Yu Lu worried that her husband was under too much pressure, and her patience with Wang Hua was wearing thin.