Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1402: Martial Force

Chapter 1402: Chapter 1402: Martial Force

The next day, Yu Jiao was taken away by the Female Officer, and Yu Yi could no longer maintain her composure. She was extremely worried about her younger sister, for the Palace was a place that devoured people.

Zhulan tapped on the book in Yu Yi’s hand, "If you can’t concentrate on reading, then don’t read."

Yu Yi put down the book, "Yes, granddaughter will not read anymore."

"Don’t worry, Yu Jiao is smarter than you think, and Lin Xi will take care of her too."

Yu Yi knew that, but in her heart, she felt her sister was delicate and a bit silly. Clenching her fists, she said, "If that girl doesn’t remember the instructions, just wait until she comes back and see how I’ll deal with her."

Zhulan, "..."

Why did she feel that no matter what, Yu Jiao would be reprimanded when she returned?

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren changed into casual clothes. Sitting in the carriage was the Emperor, who wore simple attire without any valuable accessories. "Your guesses, where am I planning to go?" asked the Emperor.

Zhou Shuren didn’t know where to guess, "Your servant does not know."

The Emperor said, "Yesterday two Spies were caught at the National protection camp site. They were quite audacious."

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes secretly; he didn’t believe that the Emperor hadn’t scouted the military strength on the grasslands. Both were equally audacious, "There are definitely more than two Spies."

The Emperor twirled a String of Pearls in his hand, "Yes, it’s more convenient with insiders in the capital."

Yesterday’s Spies managed to avoid the secret guards all the way. Without insiders, this would be impossible, especially at the National protection camp site.

Zhou Shuren felt the Emperor’s imposing aura. This matter had hit the Emperor’s raw nerve, "They’re not only spying but also wanted to steal the military defense maps of the capital’s forces."

"Indeed, such a pity."

Zhou Shuren instantly understood—it was a shame the Emperor hadn’t managed to steal the deployment maps of the forces on the grasslands.

Once the carriage left the capital and traveled along the main road for a while, it soon left the main road. Zhou Shuren watched the clock inside the carriage; they had been traveling for almost two hours since leaving the main road. The ride had been bumpy and uncomfortable, the road extremely difficult to navigate.

Zhou Shuren resisted the urge to open the tightly shut carriage curtains, as it was clear the Emperor didn’t want him to memorize the route, wondering where the Emperor intended to take him.

The carriage soon stopped. The Emperor got off first, and outside there were horses ready.

Zhou Shuren, "..."

It had been many years since he had last ridden a horse.

The Emperor was the first to mount, looking down at Zhou Shuren, "I remember you know how to ride, your."

Zhou Shuren mourned for the insides of his thighs, but still mounted the horse, "Your servant hasn’t ridden in a long time, and will not be quick."

The Emperor laughed, "No matter, we’re not in a hurry."

Even though they rode slowly, Zhou Shuren’s inner thighs were rubbed sore. If they were going to return on horseback, his thighs would surely be chafed raw. Why did the Emperor bring him out here!

They traveled along a small path through the mountains, and Zhou Shuren guessed they had been riding for about an hour when they finally arrived at their destination.

The way had several checkpoints, and each one was guarded by many guards, which made Zhou Shuren both curious and rather not wanting to know.

After dismounting, Zhou Shuren hissed in pain.

The Emperor looked aside, "Are you alright?"

Zhou Shuren, "Still okay."

Zhou Shuren saw the approaching Zhao Hang, and he knew where he was—this was the place for artillery research. And then he looked up at the sky; this seemed to be his fault as well.

The Retired Emperor intensified the research on the cannon, claiming that military technology must be kept secret. He implied that other nations coveted the technology and might set traps for Zhao Hang and others; the researchers of weapons must be protected, preferably in a closed environment.

Now it seems that the Retired Emperor has taken this to heart and has done an excellent job keeping it confidential.

Zhao Hang exclaimed excitedly, "Emperor, the improved cannon has a wider range and more power."

The Emperor smiled, "Good, this time, I came to see it with my own eyes."

Zhou Shuren’s eyes also lit up; such an opportunity was too rare.

Zhao Hang had already prepared and went straight to the testing ground. Zhou Shuren watched the ancient cannon from up close for the first time. The previous dynasty valued gunpowder, and the Retired Emperor also placed great emphasis on it during the founding of the nation. The use of gunpowder was more advanced than the history he had learned.

After igniting the gunpowder, Zhou Shuren watched the range and power of the cannon, his mouth agape in awe.

The Emperor repeatedly praised it three times, saying, "Shuren has said that military force determines discourse power. I think it is very true."

Zhou Shuren, "..."

He himself could not remember what he had said, but both the Retired Emperor and the Emperor recalled it clearly.

The Emperor, with a smirk, said, "With the improvements of the cannon, our army will be as if divinely aided, surely crushing all obstacles."

Zhou Shuren was silent. An ambitious Emperor with absolute military force seemed extremely invigorating. His eyes too now gleamed with fire; this was strength, the beginning of prosperity.

At the Palace, Yu Jiao and others had already met the Empress Dowager. Afterwards, the Female Officer took them to another palace prepared for them. Yu Jiao could not stay with Lin Xi in the Empress Dowager sleeping quarters; she lived with the other young ladies.

The main hall of the palace was sealed. These young ladies were housed on both sides, and there was a hierarchy to the east and west. With many ladies entering the palace, it was inevitable that some would have better rooms than others.

It was not yet summer, and there was a temperature difference between morning and evening. The worse rooms got no sunlight, and no one wanted to stay in the bad ones.

Yu Jiao was the youngest, but no one dared to underestimate her because she came with Commandery Princess Lin Xi.

Yu Jiao and Lin Xi stood afar. While the other young ladies argued, Yu Jiao had already asked the maids brought into the palace to give a coin purse to the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall.

After distributing the coin purses, Yu Jiao whispered to her cousin Lin Xi, "Why didn’t they arrange the residences in advance?"

This was the pitfall that Grandma had mentioned; they had just entered the palace and were already facing traps!

Lin Xi looked left and right, "It’s probably a test."

Yu Jiao nodded. She knew it. Looking at the other young ladies fighting over the rooms, Yu Jiao turned her attention to Wong Yun, who kept trying to get close to her. Wong Yun, the only Illigetimate Daughter among the young ladies entering the palace, had a father with a low-ranking and idle position, was immediately assigned the worst room.

Yu Jiao blinked, "That’s really cruel."

Lin Xi thought for a moment, "Sympathy is not needed in the palace."

Because your sympathy would be exploited, she had seen too many sob stories lately. Hmm, she had steeled her heart and pretended not to see.

Thinking about this, Lin Xi shared her experience with her cousin, "Ignore anyone who asks for help."

Yu Jiao nodded repeatedly, taking the advice to heart, "Mm-hmm."

Lin Xi led her cousin toward the third best room. They did not vie for the best one, nor did they want to be looked down upon. She thought the third room was the best selection.

After the two young girls entered the room, the other young ladies fell silent for a moment, instantly ruling out the third room.

Shangguan Li, ten years old this year, looked left and right. Her legitimate sister was the future Crown Princess Consort. She was targeted by everyone; every time she tried to speak, she was interrupted, which frustrated her to the brink of tears.

When Yu Jiao came out, she saw Shangguan Li’s reddened eyes and grabbed Lin Xi’s hand, "She’s from the Shangguan family; her sister is the future Crown Princess Consort."