Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 412: Not Easy to Win Over_1

Chapter 412: Chapter 412: Not Easy to Win Over_1

Zhulan laughed to her heart’s content before asking, "What is Shi Qing here for? He first piqued my curiosity, and then sent a letter saying he wanted to visit. I found it not so simple and turned him down."

Zhou Shuren conveyed Shi Qing’s letter to Zhulan, who frowned, "In the capital, there are plenty of people who could be Shi Qing’s master. Why did the Emperor let Shi Qing take you as his master?"

Zhulan realized as soon as she finished speaking, "Look at the foolish question I asked. Given Shi Qing’s status and the matters he’s involved with, there’s no one in the capital willing to take him in. Moreover, the Emperor doesn’t want people to know he’s cultivating Shi Qing, so it’s even more important that Shi Qing’s master cannot be found in the capital. The Emperor recognizes your abilities and schemes, and you are not in the capital."

Zhou Shuren continued Zhulan’s line of thought, "Most importantly, we are from the same Pingzhou City as Shi Qing. Shi Qing knows us. Back in the capital, after I became the second-place scholar, Shi Qing even sent me a gift. The Emperor knows all this, so it makes it slightly more justifiable for Shi Qing to take me as his master."

Zhulan narrowed her eyes, "The Emperor is casting a wide net. He’s given Shi Qing tough challenges and simultaneously continued to press and temper Wu Ming. Is he aiming to have two sharp blades or does he only need one? I feel like the Emperor values Shi Qing more."

Zhou Shuren spoke solemnly, "Shi Qing comes from a merchant background, and he has conducted trades with the Emperor before. According to the Emperor’s personality, he surely has given Shi Qing a tough grind these past years. Shi Qing can only rely on the Emperor, who indeed values him more."

If it were him, he would also favor Shi Qing. Shi Qing has no brothers, and his father probably hates him to death by now. Shi Qing, all alone without any weak points, is ruthless enough. If properly tempered, he would be a knife made for killing.

But Zhou Shuren was unhappy. He did not want to have any dealings with Shi Qing at all. It was obvious that Shi Qing’s end would not be a good one. And since he had helped Wu Ming before, it was very likely that Shi Qing would meet an end as ill as Wu Ming’s. If the Emperor felt pity for Shi Qing, he might leave a way out for him.

However, Shi Qing committed a taboo. The Emperor had never truly trusted him from the start, only continuing to sharpen him, so in the end, it would still be up to Shi Qing himself.

Zhulan looked at Zhou Shuren, "What are you thinking? You don’t look well."

Zhou Shuren shared his thoughts with Zhulan, "I should write another letter to Wu Ming, mentioning Shi Qing’s matter. Wu Ming will see it more clearly. The Emperor, who wouldn’t put all his interest in Shi Qing, wouldn’t neglect Wu Ming either. No one would complain about having too few knives in hand, especially our Emperor who is eager to consolidate power."

Zhulan opened her mouth, undecided. She neither liked nor despised Shi Qing. Everyone’s position is different, with different origins, naturally leading to different behaviors and personalities. Shi Qing, an illegitimate son, would die if he did not scheme. Scheming against Wang Ru was his survival instinct.

Yet now that they were involved with him, Zhulan couldn’t help but feel, "It’s really unexpected. After all is said and done, Shi Qing ends up connected to us. It truly is strange."

Zhou Shuren also found it strange, "That’s why this is the real world, not just words. Once every person’s destiny deviates, what follows can’t be predicted. I’m so annoyed right now I want to curse. The Emperor has indeed posed a difficult question for Shi Qing, but he’s also testing me."

Zhulan quickly grasped the situation, "Your reputation in the locality is too high, so he’s using this to test you. If you bluntly refuse Shi Qing, the Emperor might think you have become arrogant. If you readily accept, the Emperor might think you’re hiding your intentions too deeply and that he can’t quite grasp what you’re up to. He would be wary of you."

Zhou Shuren kissed Zhulan, "My wife is clever."

Zhulan felt Zhou Shuren’s official duties were too difficult, "Now, you not only have to accept Shi Qing, but also need to manage the relationship carefully."

Zhou Shuren sighed, "That’s why I have a headache. Moreover, the Emperor isn’t getting any younger, and most of the power in the court lies in the hands of the Princes’ maternal relatives. The Emperor is bound to be somewhat suspicious."

Zhulan understood clearly—Zhou Shuren’s reputation was high, and Lizhou Province was now like a juicy chunk of meat. The province’s taxation was divided into several parts, not relying solely on the people and some merchants’ taxes. This year, not only was ice storage added, but also a trade area was established. Just the revenue from these two additions was already substantial.

In ancient times, ice in summer was precious and expensive, and the rent from leasing it out was considerable.

Why did Zhou Shuren start digging ice cellars early in the year if not to take advantage of the unthawed ice and restore it in the ice cellars? Although each cellar wasn’t filled to capacity, the cooling effect was the same.

All these rents go straight to the government office. Plus, the common people now had some silver, so tax revenue also increased. Lizhou City, though not comparable to some cities in Jiangnan, could now rank high in terms of profit.

Yawning and leaning on Zhou Shuren, Zhulan said, "Not to speak out of turn, but the Princes’ maternal relatives are indeed too restless. They can’t seem to stay put."

Zhou Shuren hadn’t told Zhulan for fear of worrying her, but he had already met with people from the Princes’ maternal families. As someone regarded as the Emperor’s trusted confidant, they all wanted to win him over. Fortunately, he managed clever maneuvers that made them wary of dealing with his unpredictable nature, and they approached with kind words.

Zhou Shuren thought deeply, Lizhou City was the last bit of tranquility he would get. Once he left, life was bound to become extremely interesting.

Looking down, Zhou Shuren saw Zhulan leaning in his arms, fast asleep. He frowned. Zhulan had been falling asleep earlier than usual.