Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 428 Fishing_1

Chapter 428: Chapter 428 Fishing_1

Zhou Shuren held Zhulan’s hand, "Don’t worry anymore, Shi Qing won’t visit Zhou Mansion during the daytime after this, it’s just for these two years. However, now that we’re kept apart, should any trouble arise, let Wu Ming handle those villains. Wu Ming won’t let our younger brothers and sisters come to harm."

He certainly didn’t have the leisure to continue playing the part of a caring but cheap substitute father, exhausting himself to death. He wanted to live a long and healthy life with Zhulan, watching their unborn child become independent, and seeing their great-grandchildren would be even better.

Zhulan, "But Wu Ning is with our family, we had agreed that we would take good care of Wu Ning."

Zhou Shuren spread his hands, "We can’t stop the Emperor, right? If Wu Ming wants to be angry, let him be angry at the Emperor. It was the Emperor who sent Shi Qing over."

Zhou Shuren paused, "Moreover, you are only speculating, who knows what Wu Ning is thinking. After all, how old is Wu Ning? Forget it, let’s not think about it anymore."

Zhulan thought about it and felt it made sense; they might just be overly nervous. Afraid of being overly sensitive, Zhulan decided to observe first.

In the following days, Zhulan deliberately observed Wu Ning and found that she was behaving completely normally, without the slightest hint of strangeness. After watching for a few more days, she even began to doubt if her daughter’s eyes had deceived her.

Ever since Wu Ning noticed that Xue Han had seen the painting, her heart had been in her throat. Later, aware of her aunt’s scrutiny, she wished she had destroyed the painting earlier; it was a thoughtless act when she drew it.

She also understood in her heart that there was no possibility between her and Young Master Shi; she knew he was ambitious. She and Young Master Shi were never on the same path, and she had hidden any unusual feelings a long time ago.

She was somewhat envious of Young Master Shi; how wonderful it would’ve been if she were a boy. Young Master Shi had a bad reputation, yet managed to gamble with fate. As for her, she could only wait for what destiny held, the only defiance being not to marry. But if she didn’t marry, it would affect the already tarnished reputation of the Wu family. She knew her willful brothers would support her, but she couldn’t be so selfish as to impact them, who already faced disparagement.

Zhulan couldn’t always keep an eye on Wu Ning, and having not noticed anything amiss, she breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that she and Xue Han had been overly concerned.

Wu Ning had become quite adept at hiding her thoughts, so much so that even Xue Han, who lived and ate with her, failed to notice.

A few days later, in the capital, the expedited Zhezi due to the snow arrived several days late. The Emperor, upon seeing the expression of gratitude from the commoners, felt stirred. In the early years of his reign, he had spent most of his time executing people – the remnants of the former dynasty, ambitious ministers; he had suppressed them with an iron fist and a policy that preferred to mistakenly execute rather than let go. His reputation was not good, true, but harsh measures were necessary to stabilize the situation.

The common people feared him. The ministers in the court feared him too. Even though he gritted his teeth and reduced taxes after the turmoil of war, his reputation didn’t improve.

No one would disdain more accomplishments. This expression of gratitude from the commoners was good indeed, and the tangible changes in Lizhou Prefecture City were significant. Zhou Shuren was capable, but without his, the Emperor’s, recognition of such talent, the livelihood of Lizhou City’s citizens would still be difficult. He welcomed this gratitude – he deserved it.

The Crown Prince could sense the Emperor’s happiness. There were many rumors about the Emperor among the people, and not one of them was positive. This time, the expression of gratitude from the commoners greatly pleased the Emperor.

Thinking of Minister Zhou, the Crown Prince was quite amused. This Minister Zhou was interesting, very interesting indeed. It was just a pity that he didn’t know how long the Emperor would remain in power; he would certainly not mind having more capable people like him.

After the Emperor’s moment of joy, he said with a smile, "Crown Prince, you may go back now. There’s court tomorrow."

The Crown Prince lowered his head, "Yes."

As the Crown Prince stepped out of the palace hall, he looked ahead silently, sneering to himself. Despite the Emperor’s apparent happiness, the Emperor would still be awaiting the news from his spies.

The Crown Prince had not walked far when he saw a figure, "Fifth Brother, where have you just returned from?"

The fifth Prince, Zhang Jinghong smiled beamingly, "Crown Prince Big Brother, I’ve just returned from outside the palace."

The Crown Prince’s hands behind his back moved slightly, his eyes deep. Two years ago, he would have included his full brother in his protective embrace, but now within the royal family, there were no brothers. He’s already becoming quite thoughtful at such a young age, "Your sister-in-law is waiting for me to return, I’ll head back first."

Zhang Jinghong continued to smile, "When Crown Prince Big Brother is less busy, please invite your brother for a meal."

The Crown Prince waved his hand, "Sure."

Inside the hall, the Emperor had already reviewed the spy’s message, and couldn’t help the twitch at the corner of his mouth, especially Zhou Shuren’s words were quite brainwashing. The Emperor narrowed his eyes—Minister Zhou indeed had a great talent for brainwashing, he discovered another merit. Speaking of which, he found the old fox Zhou Shuren’s flattery quite refreshing.

If Zhou Shuren knew what the Emperor was thinking, he would certainly chuckle. He still had a long way to go; the Emperor was unaware of modern pyramid schemes!

Time flew by, and nearly half a month had passed when the Zhou family received a letter from Jiang Ming. Zhou Shuren got it at the government office and after reading it, gave it to Zhulan, "Although the Emperor didn’t publicly promote my rank on the court, he did praise my work over the past two years and recorded a merit for me. I estimate that the imperial edict will arrive after the New Year."

Zhulan was not pleased, "Why didn’t the Emperor just do it directly?"

Zhou Shuren hugged Zhulan, "Fishing, my dear. Jiang Ming can’t attend the court sessions, but he has sources of information. The Emperor has been vigorously praising me, and quite a few people think I will return to the capital. The Emperor really knows how to use his confidant. Just you watch—there will be no shortage of people trying to woo me. Pretty soon, Lizhou Prefecture City will be anything but quiet."

Zhulan pursed her lips, "Some people are cozying up to you because they want you in the capital, but others surely do not."

And indeed, more people didn’t want Zhou Shuren to return to the capital. A confidant of the Emperor, especially a capable one, would invite more jealousy than admiration.

Zhou Shuren’s silence didn’t mean Zhulan was unaware. Zhou Shuren in the border Prefecture City might be impressive, but who could say when he’d return to the capital? Zhou Shuren started from too high a position—those attempting to woo him believed he still had years to wait, so their approaches had always been mild.

But now, the Emperor had made this move, and coupled with his unpredictable behavior, everyone thought Zhou Shuren would be called back to the capital and in no minor position.

Yet the truth was, she could guess some of the Emperor’s intentions—bah, without the ten thousand citizens’ petition, a lateral move was more likely. The Emperor had indulged his whim once already, but now, having recognized Zhou Shuren’s capabilities, the Emperor wouldn’t want to ruin him. So a single merit was likely the limit of his promotion; it wouldn’t be too excessive.

Zhou Shuren said in a low voice, "Don’t worry. Do you think I’m surrounded by too few people? These past two years, I’ve already identified many of the Emperor’s men among my own."

Zhulan felt somewhat reassured, but the Emperor was too inscrutable, and with Zhou Shuren’s stellar reputation, she couldn’t predict where he would be transferred to. "Where do you think the Emperor will send you?"

Zhou Shuren narrowed his eyes, "I can’t tell anymore."

Without the Emperor’s probing, he could have guessed some possibilities, but after this round of testing, knowing his own capabilities in garnering influence, the Emperor grew wary. With the recent events, he was truly at a loss for predictions.

Zhulan, "Let’s not think about it. In this ancient regime of imperial power, what the Emperor says goes. He’ll send you wherever he pleases!"

Zhou Shuren didn’t tell Zhulan that the Emperor was using him as bait, not only to test various powers but also as an assessment. He feared that after passing this test, he might be thrown into a position of real power. The Emperor’s mind was indeed hard to guess. He thought he could discern the Emperor’s thoughts through study, but the Emperor’s fishing strategy made him realize he wasn’t a deity; the deeper truths were beyond his grasp.

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that he indeed needed to be careful. This time it was truly dangerous. The household needed some skilled warriors among the servants, and he’d have to seek Wu Chun without Zhulan knowing.