Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 461 A Man Like a Treasure_1

Chapter 461: Chapter 461 A Man Like a Treasure_1

Eunuch Liu would not introduce the Second Prince, but his mind raced with the thought that the Emperor had guessed correctly: the first one he met was the Second Prince. Eunuch Liu’s head dropped even lower, and it revealed the Emperor’s terrifying aspect—he knew that several Princes would definitely meet with Master Zhou, so he had tried to predict who would be the first to do so.

After a few steps, Eunuch Liu stopped, stealing a swift glance at the Fourth Prince, his heart thudded violently—the Emperor was right again, "Fourth Prince."

With a beaming smile, the Fourth Prince said, "Eunuch Liu, I’ve always heard about Master Zhou, and I’ve been very curious, so I waited especially for you. I hope I haven’t delayed you."

With his head bowed, Eunuch Liu thought: Should he say how formidable the Emperor is? Hence, all the Princes are also extremely formidable. He didn’t dare meet the Fourth Prince’s eyes. The Fourth Prince liked to smile, which meant he didn’t want people to see his eyes. Naturally, all this was according to the Emperor.

Therefore, the Emperor was the most formidable of all.

Zhou Shuren also smiled as he greeted, "Fourth Prince."

The Fourth Prince’s smile deepened, "Indeed, your reputation is well deserved."

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes internally. Just one glance and he could tell the depth of the Fourth Prince’s scheming. Why does he smile when tricking someone? Because it makes his eyes squint, so others can’t see through his thoughts. The Fourth Prince’s thinking was similar to his.

Zhou Shuren’s smile faded as he opened his eyes wide, looking directly at the Fourth Prince, "Your subject does not dare accept such praise."

The Fourth Prince’s hands, clasped behind his back, moved slightly, "Master Zhou is very good."

Daring to meet his gaze, he saw nothing in Master Zhou’s eyes, he could only think that truly, Master Zhou was indeed the Emperor’s trusted confidant.

Out of the corner of his eye, Eunuch Liu watched Master Zhou, his respect for Master Zhou growing, "Fourth Prince, we should proceed."

Fourth Prince, "Very well."

Zhou Shuren followed Eunuch Liu, still feeling the Fourth Prince’s gaze on him, his heart sneering. Being part of the game, if he did not show his hand at this moment, he would be the one outmaneuvered. Sorry, but to discern anything from his eyes, you’d have to be more adept than he.

The Fourth Prince still had much to learn; the fact he dared not reveal his eyes was proof enough.

Zhou Shuren had expected to see the Third Prince too, but it seemed not; they hadn’t come as a group. A pity, he was quite curious about the Third Prince.

As Eunuch Liu walked on, sweat gathered on his back. The Emperor had predicted everything correctly. Everyone envied his closeness to the Emperor, bah, he was the most nervous of all, sometimes wishing he were deaf and mute.

Arriving at the government hall, Eunuch Liu said, "Sir, please wait a moment."

"Yes."

Zhou Shuren fiddled with the account book in his hand, the corner of his mouth upturned. He was quite excited to meet with the Emperor again.

When Eunuch Liu came out, he saw the smile at the corner of Master Zhou’s mouth, suppressing a twitch. He really didn’t know what Master Zhou had to be happy about, "Sir, please come inside."

He knew well that ministers summoned by the Emperor looked as though their fathers had died, horribly downcast.

Zhou Shuren thanked Eunuch Liu and entered the hall without a glance to the side. Seeing the Emperor, his knee pain flared, and his good mood dissipated, "Prefect of Jinzhou pays respects to the Emperor. May the Emperor live forever, forever and ever."

Emperor, "...Zhou, my dear, dispense with the formalities."

The Crown Prince glanced at the floor tiles. He felt a pause in the Emperor’s voice but understood why; even he would’ve paused—curious about what could make Master Zhou so pleased.

Zhou Shuren had already noticed the boots beside him as he knelt; the Crown Prince was also here. Interesting.

Zhou Shuren presented the account book, "Here is the verified master ledger, the first volume."

The Emperor narrowed his eyes, knowing without looking what was written inside; he had a copied version in his hand. He knew the ledger was meant for outsiders, hence why he had summoned Zhou Shuren to the capital—indeed, there were some surprises, "And the second volume?"

Zhou Shuren said, "It is all in your subject’s mind."

The Emperor curled his lips; indeed, the safest place, "Eunuch Liu, bring paper and ink."

Eunuch Liu, "Yes."

Soon paper and ink were brought, and the Emperor pointed to a table outside, "Write it there, my dear."

Zhou Shuren, "By your command."

The Emperor didn’t move, sipping tea and too lazy to flip through the ledger. There weren’t many issues in the book, mostly insignificant, but the Emperor’s smile remained. He was in tacit agreement with Zhou Shuren—indeed, he didn’t want to make too many moves, and the ledger’s contents roughly matched some of his own conclusions.

If Zhou Shuren knew what the Emperor was thinking, he would’ve laughed. He had guessed plenty but wouldn’t dare write it all down—getting it all right could be fatal.

The Crown Prince watched the Emperor, sensing his good mood.

As time ticked by, the Emperor frowned. It had been almost half an hour, and still not finished; wasn’t he supposed to highlight the key points?

After waiting a bit more, the Emperor stood up and walked over. As he read the content, his eyes squinted, and then he stopped moving too.

The Crown Prince was intensely curious but felt like he’d been standing as punishment. He really wanted to see what Master Zhou had written, sighing internally that it was futile to want to know; the Emperor wouldn’t show him.

Just being allowed to stay and meet Master Zhou with the Emperor was a sign of the Emperor’s trust in him.