Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 420 Sympathy_1

Chapter 420: Chapter 420 Sympathy_1

Zhou Shuren stood up, "Come over every evening for an hour after dinner."

Shi Qing said excitedly, "Student pays respect to Master."

Zhou Shuren took hold of Shi Qing, not allowing him to bow in salute, "I will only teach you for two years. How much you learn in that time is up to you. Go back now."

Shi Qing was stunned, "Master, why?"

Zhou Shuren said softly, "I am merely your teacher. Call me ’Teacher’ in the future."

Frankly speaking, the Emperor only hoped that he would instruct Shi Qing, not truly take him as a disciple.

Shi Qing reacted quickly. Indeed, the Emperor had mentioned becoming a disciple, but he never specified how. Shi Qing looked at Lord Zhou, steadied his heart, and gained confidence in his future, knowing how rare it was to have such a teacher in the capital and that Lord Zhou could discern the Emperor’s intentions.

Zhou Shuren did not keep Shi Qing for dinner but had Steward Ding escort him out.

In the main courtyard, Zhulan had fallen asleep waiting for Zhou Shuren. When he returned, he found Zhulan sleeping soundly, pinched her slightly plumper cheek with a smile, removed his shoes, and lay down beside her.

With Shi Qing’s matter settled for now, he believed the Emperor would be pleased with his handling of it. His tense spirit relaxed, and he fell asleep shortly after wrapping his arms around Zhulan.

The next evening, after dinner, Shi Qing arrived at the Zhou residence as scheduled. Zhou Shuren taught only Shi Qing; he did not rush his progress. Whether Chang Lian or Rongchuan, the content Zhou Shuren taught Shi Qing was not suitable for them to hear.

Zhou Shuren did not discuss Lizhou Province’s shortcomings with Shi Qing but wrote a Zhezi to the Emperor. It was indeed inappropriate to establish a supervisory office at the moment, yet adjustments could be made to the accounting. Embezzlement often involved cooking the books, but with more detailed accounting, even embezzlers would not dare to go too far. Zhou Shuren highlighted the risks that foreign clans brought; Lizhou was a border city, and it seemed prosperous not only to their own kingdom but also to the foreign clans.

Having weakened the foreign clans, Zhou Shuren believed they would recover in a few years, and Lizhou Prefecture City would undoubtedly be the first to be targeted.

Hence, the defenses of Lizhou were crucial. Regrettably, he could no longer stay in Lizhou. Given two more years, he could have ensured its defenses were secure.

Regrettably, the Emperor would not give him the time. He had no choice but to write down his thoughts in a Zhezi.

Yet Zhou Shuren was in no rush to send off the Zhezi; he was waiting for the imperial decree of his reassignment. After receiving it, he would present the Zhezi to the Emperor, so as not to let the Emperor know that he could guess some of his thoughts—a grave taboo.

Three days later, the Emperor learned everything about how Shi Qing became a disciple and Zhou Shuren’s handling of the situation. After reading the reports, the Emperor chose not to share them with the Crown Prince, who did not show curiosity about what the Emperor had learned.

The Emperor put away the reports, his eyes grew deeper, "Old fox, truly elusive. This time with two years of effort, the old fox has become ever more cunning," the Emperor murmured, "If only everyone was as aware of when to advance or retreat as Lord Zhou, I wouldn’t have to bother much."

Unfortunately, while the Emperor was alive, he could suppress them, but what about once he was dead? Those who had survived the rebellion with him were hardened killers. How many would submit to his son?

Some people just could not retire peacefully but instead had to vie for greater power.

The Crown Prince, with his head lowered, knew that his father’s temper was becoming uncontainable. He thought somberly, "Who asked you to leverage marriages so extensively back then, father, marrying many and begetting only sons? It’s the maternal families of my brothers that are restless, all ambitious to be the Emperor’s maternal family."

The Crown Prince would indeed prefer if his father lived longer. Truly, compared to his brothers, he was in no rush to ascend to the throne.

Let his father deal with the maternal families of his brothers for now.

The Emperor gestured for the Crown Prince to leave. Once the Crown Prince departed, the Emperor’s face turned very cold, thinking that too much greed was not good, not good at all.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was Zhou Shuren’s day off. Shi Qing did not need to wait until the evening and arrived in the morning.

By coincidence, Zhulan was heading to her parents’ home. In a rare visit this year, Wu Chun had returned, and alongside Wu Ning and Xue Han, Zhulan left home and ran into Shi Qing at the gate.

Shi Qing paid his respects, "Mrs. Yiren."

Zhulan gestured for Shi Qing to rise, and as Wu Ning and Xue Han bowed their heads in greeting, she led the two maids onto the carriage.

Shi Qing walked a few steps, glanced back as the carriage left, and then continued on his way. He reflected on the girl who had climbed trees, and in the days at the Zhou residence, the young servant had gathered plenty of news from Lizhou Prefecture City. The Zhou family had not concealed anything, and he knew what he was supposed to know.

Wu Ning, a girl with a tarnished reputation, found it difficult to marry out. He was not any different; it was hard for him to marry a girl from a good family. Marrying an ordinary girl would only hold him back; he might as well remain unmarried.

Shi Qing lowered his eyelids. When he caught Miss Wu, she was truly thin, nothing but bones.

Shi Qing scoffed at himself, surprised he still had the capacity for sympathy. At least Miss Wu had her brother’s protection and the backing of the Zhou family. Meanwhile, the only one he could rely on was himself.

At lunchtime, after Zhulan had finished her meal, Steward Ding informed her, "Mistress, the master took Young Master Shi to the Meng residence."

Zhulan responded, "Understood, you may go."

Zhulan planned to sleep; she was tired again. She had intended to stay longer at her parents’ home, but she couldn’t resist the fatigue.

Zhulan seldom dreamt during the day, and this was her first daytime dream. By the time she woke, Zhou Shuren had returned. Zhulan asked, "What time is it?"

Zhou Shuren answered, "Almost four o’clock. Did you have a dream? You laughed out loud in your sleep."

Zhulan smiled with her eyes curved, "Because it was a good dream. I dreamt of a little baby calling me ’mother’."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Indeed, that is a good dream."