Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1433: Change of View

Chapter 1433: Chapter 1433: Change of View

The next day, there was an urgent report from Dongbei that the northeastern border was under attack, and the enemy forces were still amassing, ready to launch a major offensive at any moment.

The Emperor had anticipated this, "My beloved officials, do we have any candidates to lead the troops into battle?"

Everyone looked at each other. At this time, morale needed to be boosted; Prince Qin would be the most suitable, but he had not yet returned to the capital, leaving them without a good candidate for the moment.

Official Wu stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I think Prince Qin could be the one to lead the troops."

The Emperor said, "Prince Qin has been assassinated and severely wounded; he is not fit to lead troops."

There was a moment of silence in the hall, followed by a flurry of discussions. Prince Qin being wounded at this crucial juncture, no one would believe there had been no premeditation.

Zhou Shuren was stunned, blankly looking at the Emperor. The Emperor would not lie; Rongchuan was seriously injured, what about Xue Han and the child in her womb?

Li Zhao took a step forward, "Prince Qin’s assassination was premeditated by various tribes; they harbored ulterior motives and deserve condemnation."

The crowd agreed one after another. Prince Qin was the best candidate to lead the troops, and now with him seriously injured, they had lost the best leader even before the battle had begun, and the soldiers’ morale would certainly be low.

Zhou Shuren pursed his lips and stepped forward, "The news of Prince Qin’s assassination must have already spread across the border."

Being gravely injured in his own territory, the impact on the soldiers’ morale was far from ordinary.

The Emperor had also thought of this, which was why he didn’t conceal the news of Rongchuan’s injury.

All those who could attend court this morning had come. After staying out of the public eye, Prince Liang stepped forward, "This official is willing to lead the troops into battle and pledge to annihilate the enemies who dare encroach on our territory."

All eyes turned to Prince Liang. He had been too reserved over the last few years. After the Empress got pregnant this year, Prince Liang had not left the Prince Liang Residence, almost as if he had put himself under house arrest.

Prince Liang’s request to go to war was unexpected; he had been seriously injured in the last palace upheaval. Could his health truly withstand battle?

For a moment, various covert glances were directed at Prince Liang; most people wondered whether his injuries were feigned.

Prince Qi and Prince Chu exchanged a glance. Prince Qi’s gaze briefly flitted towards the silent Emperor. The Empress being pregnant again—should the childbirth proceed smoothly, it would be fine, but if any mishap occurred during the delivery, Prince Liang would be in a terrible plight.

Prince Qi sighed internally; Prince Liang remained secluded to stay out of the Emperor’s mind, but with the Empress being of weak health, Prince Liang could not escape his fate, having been the one to entrap the Empress back then.

The morning court session had ended late, and commands were sent out one after another. As for the choice of who would lead the troops, the Emperor had not given a definite response.

Zhou Shuren had been discreetly allocating resources in secret. He knew where the supplies were sent; from the deployment of cannons and materials, he could guess some of the Emperor’s plans.

He wasn’t worried about the war in Dongbei; everything was within expectations. What troubled him were his daughter and Rongchuan; after all, Rongchuan was like a son he had raised.

Ning Xu was frowning deeply; it had been many days since he last attended court, and upon his return, he had been struck with troubling news. How severe were Rongchuan’s injuries? Princess Qin was still pregnant; were Princess Qin and the child safe?

Seeing Zhou Shuren stopping without leaving the palace, Ning Xu walked over quickly, "Do you want to inquire about Princess Qin’s condition?"

Zhou Shuren looked up, "Doesn’t Mr. Hou want to ask?"

Ning Xu thought, if this child were a son, he would be his grandson, "I’ll be with you."

There was no need for them to inquire, as eunuch Zhang had already been waiting outside the palace, "Princess Qin and the child are both fine, just need some time to recuperate. According to the schedule, Prince Qin has already set off again."

Zhou Shuren took out his purse and stuffed it all into eunuch Zhang’s hands, but eunuch Zhang hurriedly pushed it away, knowing well which silver he could accept with peace of mind and which he could not, "Sir, please take it back."

Zhou Shuren had already turned away in joy, eunuch Zhang really could not catch up to him.

Ning Xu felt a relief wash over him, his body hardened through martial training, and it didn’t take him long to catch up with Zhou Shuren, "Rongchuan’s return to the capital will not be smooth."

Zhou Shuren understood that Rongchuan was the son the Retired Emperor recouped after a loss, and the Emperor greatly relied on his legitimate younger brother. Any misfortune befalling Rongchuan would be a huge blow to the royal family, an excellent choice as a flag bearer.

Zhou Shuren sighed, "I very much hope Rongchuan were not a Prince."

The more a Prince receives, the more danger he faces in turn. As Rongchuan enjoys honor and power, he has to face unforeseeable dangers.

Ning Xu did not know how to continue the conversation for a moment. Zhou Shuren harbored no schemes against Rongchuan, this he had seen very clearly over the years. Raising Prince Qin, being his father-in-law, Zhou Shuren never used Rongchuan to gain anything.

On the contrary, as his own uncle, for the sake of Ning clan’s interests, his true feelings towards Rongchuan also carried calculations, yet the Retired Emperor was indeed good to Rongchuan, but also with his own measures in mind.

Ning Xu patted Zhou Shuren on the shoulder, "The greatest fortune in Rongchuan’s life is to have met you and your wife."

In Qiizhou Province, Zhou Changlian stood on the city wall with a cold face, not using his cane to support himself, his back straight as a pen, his gaze coldly fixed on the corpses below the wall.

The granary was burnt, the fire too fierce, saving little grain, and the fermenting unrest among the refugees overnight was incited into chaos.

The Magistrate tried to pacify the people in the morning, only to be shot with a cold arrow. If not for the highly skilled young servant who promptly pulled the Magistrate away, it wouldn’t have been just an arm injury.

The force of an arrow capable of killing the Magistrate, even if he avoided the arrow itself, it was poisoned; the Magistrate has gone for treatment.

Zhou Changlian watched the quiet citizens, cleared his throat, "The granary was indeed burnt to the ground, but it was premeditated; some wish to see chaos erupt in Qiizhou. You all witnessed what happened earlier, shooting a court official in broad daylight, how audacious."

He paused and continued, "This year many provinces have suffered from floods, each provincial city is doing their best to aid disaster relief, the Imperial court has never abandoned any one of you. Yet, you were so easily instigated, I am very disappointed. It’s been barely over twenty years since the founding of this nation; those of you who are older have lived through wars, do you truly wish to experience war again?"

The refugees weren’t foolish either; some of them took note of what happened to the Magistrate. Once their minds cooled down, they broke out in cold sweats.

Now that the Imperial court has established comprehensive disaster relief measures, in this year’s flood, they didn’t go hungry and didn’t suffer much, the refugees calmed down.

Zhou Changlian, with a cold look in his eyes, full of fed-up strength, said, "I know there are still people who haven’t been rooted out, they’re like venomous snakes hiding among you. For the peace of Qiizhou, I hope you report any suspicions, all for Qiizhou, for yourselves."

He wouldn’t mention doing it for the city or for the Imperial court, only personal interests could motivate the people to act positively. However, today’s soup would be forgone, letting them cool down was necessary.

Zhou Changlian nodded to General Liu, and General Liu understood; if anyone shows intent to cause a disturbance, they’d be killed.

General Liu came to see Zhou Changlian in a new light, everyone was aware of Zhou Changlian’s pedigree, with a good father, he had a smooth path in his career, unlike them, military generals who climbed up the ranks through bloodshed, they didn’t fancy Zhou Changlian, but today, their views completely changed.

Zhou Changlian didn’t need any support, making his way down the city wall step by step. Reaching the bottom, he couldn’t support himself any longer, his leg hadn’t yet healed, and he’d been standing too long today, also feeling slightly nauseous, oh the blood, the land outside the city stained with blood.