Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1429: In Advance

Chapter 1429: Chapter 1429: In Advance

Ming Rui returned to the capital very discreetly; even the Zhou family did not make it public, so no one in the capital knew about the Crown Prince’s return. At home, Ming Rui enjoyed meticulous care without the need to step outside.

Having returned home, he could relax both physically and mentally, free from the caution and tension he faced outside. It was rare for Ming Rui to let his guard down, and he made it a point to lie down whenever possible instead of sitting. As he lounged in the rocking chair, his mind was not idle, pondering how to meet his future brother-in-law.

Within the Palace, the Crown Prince did not need to attend the government hall. Returning to the Palace also meant he couldn’t visit the harem to see his mother, so he could only stay in his own palace chambers to write down his reflections.

The Empress, knowing that her son had returned to the Palace, did not need to worry about him. She felt much better and could go out for a walk when the weather was nice.

The entire harem focused on the Empress. Many cursed her behind her back with ill wishes of her perishing along with her unborn child. When they saw the Empress walking about, one can only imagine how many handkerchiefs were torn to pieces.

In the blink of an eye, Prince Qi returned to the capital with his sons. Some of the seriously wounded sons were lucky, while others were less fortunate, leaving some with chronic ailments which made the imperial examination an immense challenge. Several families from the noble families in the capital wept while others rejoiced...

The next day at the Ministry of Revenue, Qiu Yan sipped his tea and sighed, "Guardian Wei’s second son is just unlucky. He sought a doctor’s help immediately upon returning to the capital yesterday. The child has damaged his lungs, and I’m afraid he won’t be able to withstand the examination hall’s environment for the spring examinations. Whether he can participate in the imperial examinations is now a matter of luck."

Zhou Shuren, "What a pity."

Qiu Yan nodded, "This child is very talented. I saw Guardian Wei early this morning - his eyes were rimmed with dark circles."

A family cannot stand alone; every talented and legitimate heir is a treasure. Now that they’ve lost one, how can they not be full of resentment?

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that it was easy for people to harbor feelings of unfair resentment, especially when the disparity was great. If his grandson received a reward, it would certainly attract much hatred. It might be better to let the Wen family attract the hatred instead.

Originally, everyone in the capital thought that the Zhou and Shangguan families would receive rewards. They kept waiting, and after two days, it was finally confirmed that there were no rewards.

The old foxes quickly sensed the underlying tone, and with ill intentions, they watched the Wen family’s drama unfold.

Wen Laoda clenched his teeth, originally thinking that the Shangguan and Zhou families would divert attention. If all eyes were drawn towards them, it would be best. However, in the end, it was still the Wen family that was despised.

Over the past few days, the Wen family had been secretly making amends – some accepted while others did not. Today, members of the Wen family were being targeted.

At the morning court session, Zhou Shuren watched the drama unfold with glee. Seeing Wen Laoda with a sorrowful face every day at court made Zhou Shuren able to eat an extra bowl of rice.

Li Zhao coughed, "Enough already, haven’t you watched enough excitement after several days?"

Zhou Shuren, "Their family’s drama is never tiring to watch."

Li Zhao thought to himself about the old man who held grudges, "Wen Daoren is looking at you!"

Zhou Shuren noticed, and he responded with a broad smile, making Wen Laoda turn his head away, and only then did Zhou Shuren satisfactorily withdraw his smile. After all, as long as the Wen family was not doing well, he was happy.

Li Zhao lowered his voice, "It looks like you are in a good mood. Is the Ministry of Revenue flush with cash now?"

Zhou Shuren’s face turned cold instantly, no longer looking at Li Zhao. Everyone wanted Silver. Without it, for the purpose of purchasing medicinal materials, he couldn’t tell how much hair he had lost. Beside the Silver that the national treasury had prepared in advance, the Ministry of Revenue could no longer come up with large amounts of Silver.

Li Zhao, "..."

Recently, Zhou Shuren’s demeanor was not at all generous – very stingy, in fact!

Today’s morning court session was very serious; an urgent report had arrived in the capital last night. There was movement on the border in Dongbei, and several states in the nation had experienced flooding, making the border tribes sense an opportunity to exploit.

Zhou Shuren frowned, as the necessary war, because of this natural disaster, was now imminent.

Today’s morning court session ended late, and after it concluded, the Emperor retained many ministers to continue discussions in preparation for the upcoming war.

Zhou Shuren fretted inwardly. Although the Emperor had set aside Silver for the war early on, he had to prepare some Silver for unexpected needs. Silver, Silver...

Zhou Shuren left the Palace in a hurry as the Ministry of Revenue had to manage the logistical support for the war, a crucial aspect.

In the harem, Aerola touched her stomach. She wished she was truly pregnant. In reality, since she entered the Palace, the Emperor hadn’t touched her. Every month, her palace chamber rituals were just for show.

The Emperor warned her, but what could she do? For the sake of her tribe, she could only resign herself to her fate.

A palace maid entered, "The princess of the Yiqi Tribe has arrived."

Aerola removed her hand from her belly, "You’re talking about me."

"What does sister want to say?"

Aerola’s face changed for a moment, but quickly regained composure, "Don’t you think you visit me here a bit too often, sister?"

The princess of the Yiqi Tribe, "Who makes sister so favored? I barely see the Emperor a few times after entering the Palace."

"Sister, that’s not right. If seeing the Emperor twice a month makes me favored, then you seeing him at least thrice a month should mean you see him less? That’s not how black and white are defined."

The princess of the Yiqi Tribe did not respond but instead asked, "Sister is about to give birth soon, right?"

Aerola looked down, "There’s still time."

The princess of the Yiqi Tribe, "We are both princesses from the grasslands, sister is really lucky."

Aerola thought to herself, because she was obedient, unlike the princess of the Yiqi Tribe who was not. Touching her belly, they were both pawns of the Emperor; she could live well, but the one before her could not.

At night, Zhou Shuren didn’t come back on time. It was late when he dragged his weary body home, having sat uncomfortably all day.

Zhulan helped him rub his back, "I had the kitchen stew some soup for you, do you want to have some later?"

Zhou Shuren waved his hand, "I already had soup at the Ministry of Revenue, no need to bring up the kitchen’s soup."

"Didn’t the issue with the silver for the medicinal ingredients get resolved? Why are you still frowning?"

"There’s unrest in Dongbei; the war is going to start earlier."

The unrest in Dongbei was a probe, once it leads to war, full-scale warfare would ensue.

Zhulan stopped in her tracks, thinking for a moment, "Because of the flood?"

"Yes, this year’s flood was severe, and the grain production in various provinces was reduced due to the weather. The grassland tribes think it’s an excellent opportunity and don’t want to wait until autumn, when the Imperial court might get a chance to recover."

Strike while the iron is hot, but the grassland tribes do not know that the Emperor had already purchased long-lasting grain stores. Although many provinces were affected by the disaster this year, there is just a shortage of medicine; there is no shortage of grain in the disaster areas.

Zhulan thought of the replies from her elder and second brothers; they were unwilling to come to the capital. She knew her brothers had their suspicions, but to avoid affecting Wu Chun and Wu He, they would not leave unless absolutely necessary.

"I just hope this war can bring about true peace."

Zhou Shuren had confidence in the Imperial court; the Emperor had been preparing for this war for too long, and if not for the natural disaster, the Emperor’s plans would have been flawless.

Zhulan expressed her concerns, "Now that there’s unrest in Dongbei, there might be spies inciting the people in the disaster areas. I wonder how Chang Lian is doing."

Zhou Shuren, "At this time, it will depend on force. Pacifying the people and finding the spies would be a great achievement, but if the people really start to riot, that would be a big mistake."

This is a crucial moment. If they cannot pacify the people, being held accountable at harvest would be the least of worries; a lifetime career could be ruined.

Do not expect mercy from the Royal family; they are even ruthless to their own offspring, let alone to ministers. He was always very clear-headed, never deceived by the Retired Emperor’s demeanor, never relaxing his vigilance because of the Emperor’s trust, and never forgetting who he was because of the Crown Prince’s closeness.

The most ruthless are the imperial families; he always remembered that.

Zhou Shuren was also worried about his son and his daughter, "The Emperor has ordered Prince Qin to return to the capital, I don’t know if Xue Han and the child in her womb can withstand the travel."

Zhulan was silent for a while, "Will Prince Qin join the war?"