Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 462 Loyalty_1

Chapter 462: Chapter 462 Loyalty_1

The Emperor quickly flipped through the copied accounts and frowned deeply. He expected some skimming, but never imagined the amount to be so large. After mentally calculating each entry, he felt an itching desire to grab a knife.

Not a trace of emotion changed on the Emperor’s face. He calmly folded the account books, as these were to be settled after the autumn harvest. He intended to keep them well preserved.

The Emperor personally tucked the accounts away, squinting at Zhou Shuren. Zhou Shuren had discovered these discrepancies within the falsified accounts––not because the officials of Maritime Affairs were too stupid, but because Zhou Shuren was too skilled. The Emperor had also sent people to check the fake accounts, but the figures didn’t match Zhou Shuren’s, nor were they as detailed in listing each and every entry.

Zhou Shuren, well aware that the Emperor was observing him, remained composed. He had been relegated to the outskirts of the capital, and if he remained low-profile, he would be at others’ mercy. The higher his profile, the more seriously the Emperor would take him. As for being feared, only the mediocre go unnoticed. All he needed to do was to maintain a sense of balance.

The Crown Prince’s eyes were fixed on the floor tiles. Master Zhou must have written remarkable things. He thought to himself that Master Zhou truly played an unconventional game, except for the Emperor, he had ensnared everyone.

The Emperor chuckled, "You have rendered a meritorious service, your. What would you like as a reward?"

Zhou Shuren bowed his head, cursing inwardly. The Emperor was truly the most suspicious of all, testing him, "Your servant has a large family to provide for, and my youngest son has just been born. I am fond of him."

The Emperor cut off his words and smiled, "Your means are clear to me. How about this, I will name your youngest son: Zhou Changzhong."

Zhou Shuren, "...."

If it weren’t for being in ancient times, he would really resort to punching someone. He and Zhulan had thought long and hard about the name. He had been as busy as a dog these days, yet he hadn’t stopped thinking of a name for his son. The Emperor steps in and names him just like that? Although the meaning behind the Emperor’s chosen name was different, he didn’t need it. The frustration was unbearable. Such a lousy name, Zhou Changzhong, it certainly implied loyalty. Was this a hint towards him?

The Crown Prince, "...."

Although he couldn’t see Master Zhou’s facial expression, he guessed that Master Zhou must be seething inside. Ever since the Emperor let him present gifts, he had also come to learn quite a bit, and had started paying closer attention to Master Zhou’s household. He knew they hadn’t settled on a name yet, wanting to choose a good one.

Somehow, the Crown Prince felt a peculiar sense of relief in his heart. It wasn’t just him facing the Emperor now. Sometimes, the Emperor really could infuriate someone to death.

Having cursed enough internally, Zhou Shuren bowed his head to give thanks, "Thank you, Emperor, for the bestowed name."

Annoyed, not giving thanks would appear disloyal. Truly frustrating.

The Emperor was in an exceptionally good mood and chuckled merrily, "The hour is also late. Master Zhou, you may return."

Zhou Shuren’s mouth twitched. He had toiled to exhaustion, and for what? He hadn’t even had a sip of water. "Yes."

Eunuch Liu inwardly sighed. Master Zhou wasn’t laughing now, was he? With many years of experience, he knew that those valued by the Emperor had all been choked by him at some point. Eunuch Liu glanced at the Emperor and quickly lowered his head, "Master Zhou, please."

Zhou Shuren bowed and left the hall. Once outside, he gnawed his back teeth and followed Eunuch Liu. What use was respect if it meant his son’s name, which would last a lifetime, was compromised?

He deeply regretted his choice. If he had only known, he would have randomly selected a name from those he had considered, any of which would have been better than the one given by the Emperor. He felt sorry for his son but resolved to give him a nickname instead.

Back in the hall, the Emperor, having stored away the account books, told the Crown Prince, "Our Master Zhou is fond of silver coin. Reward him with a hundred taels of gold and a pair of Glazed Cups. You personally deliver them."

With his mood uplifted, the thought of another haul from the wealth of the deputy minister made the Emperor unusually generous.

The Crown Prince was surprised. He knew the Emperor’s act of naming had an admonishing purpose, but he hadn’t expected a physical reward. The act of naming itself was already a reward. The Crown Prince realized that Master Zhou’s standing in the Emperor’s heart had just risen. "Yes."

The Emperor grandly wrote the three characters for Zhou Changzhong, "Take this to Zhou Shuren as well."

The Crown Prince struggled to keep from smirking. The Emperor’s handwriting couldn’t be torn up or burned; it had to be framed. He suddenly felt sympathy for Master Zhou. This was a constant reminder for Master Zhou of his place. "Yes."

Zhou Shuren, on his way out of the palace, didn’t encounter any princes. On reflection, he realized they wouldn’t dare inquire about the affairs of the government hall.

Eunuch Liu walked slowly, to Zhou Shuren’s urgent disquiet––he was parched. Going to the palace was truly a torment, with aching knees to boot. He didn’t want to kneel so earnestly, but there was no option not to.

Finally at the palace gate, Zhou Shuren looked up at the sky speechlessly. What the heck, the Crown Prince had arrived earlier than him. Did that mean Eunuch Liu took a detour?

Eunuch Liu kept his head bowed, thinking to himself that without this kind of tacit understanding with the Emperor, there was no need for him to remain by the Emperor’s side.

The Crown Prince, observing Master Zhou’s reaction, couldn’t help but smile slightly. Master Zhou, unassuming in appearance but not lacking in skills, had quite an interesting character. No wonder the Emperor enjoyed teasing Master Zhou. "Master, the Emperor has rewarded you with gold..."

Zhou Shuren didn’t hear anything else; his focus was solely on the paper handed to him.

Not until he was back in his carriage and on his way, did Zhou Shuren finally snicker. He thought his own spiritual cultivation was deep, but compared to the Emperor, it was still shallow.