Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 504 Knocking _1

Chapter 504: Chapter 504 Knocking _1

Zhou Shuren pointed at the jewelry on Zhulan’s head, "I guessed it from the pearl headwear your daughter brought back."

Zhulan was stunned for a moment before realizing and saying, "You mean, the Xu family intends to secretly fish for pearls? The Xu family wants to use this to scheme against Lady Li, and thereby against the Zhou family?"

Zhou Shuren nodded, "Otherwise, I can’t think of how a mere fishing boat could scheme against us. In fact, secret pearl fishing has always existed. If you look into it closely, you’ll find that many fishermen who are good at diving in various fishing villages suddenly disappear because they are captured and forced to fish for pearls on ships. For some forces with strong backgrounds, it’s very easy to launder pearls that are fished privately."

Zhulan was silent, Zhou Shuren was right. With ancient technology not being developed and strict surveillance lacking, there were too many loopholes. As long as you found an island as a base, it would be very difficult to trace, "Secret fishing, if caught, is a serious crime, right?"

Zhou Shuren poured himself a cup of tea, "Yes, to prohibit private fishing, the law code declares it a grave offense, with the severe penalty being beheading, and the lighter penalty being the confiscation of property. This is someone attempting to wipe out the Zhou family in one fell swoop."

Zhulan pursed her lips, this trap was set very deep, "So it seems, the person the Xu family has pledged loyalty to finds you in their way. Who do you think it could be?"

Zhou Shuren’s mind raced. The Crown Prince was absolutely impossible, he had met the Second Prince a few times, and the Second Prince was actually quite proud and preferred straightforward confrontation. He had never met the Third Prince, so that remained an option. The Fourth Prince was ruthless enough to have a motive. As for the Fifth Prince, he had seen him today, but he feared there might be an even more powerful figure behind the Fifth Prince, such as Marquis Yao.

Marquis Yao was also a likely suspect, Zhou Shuren counted, he really had blocked a lot of people’s paths!

Zhou Shuren put down his teacup, "Regardless of who’s scheming, it must be true that someone is fishing for pearls privately, and that it’s an entire fishing line. The Xu family is just the breakthrough point. If we tug this thread, we’ll likely uncover a major scandal that will shock the imperial court."

He had a premonition that this private fishing line would not be simple; it might unravel some matters that would shake the imperial court to its core. Stroking his beard, he thought that if they aimed to drag the Zhou family down as scapegoats, they needed to be prepared to die for it.

At this moment, the old maid Song who had gone out, returned. Zhulan picked up the half-finished waistband to change the topic with Zhou Shuren, "I have prepared the invitations for the wedding banquet. The guest list is ready too. Have a look later and see if anyone’s missing so you can add them."

Zhou Shuren, "Ah, alright."

The two chatted intermittently, and when Zhou Shuren stood up to head to his study, Zhulan said, "You should also talk to Er and the others. They want to buy a fishery. Make sure they don’t fall for someone’s trap."

Zhou Shuren understood, Zhulan feared that if the Xu family’s plan against Lady Li failed and they refused to give up, they would find Zhou Changyi and the others, "Got it."

Zhou Shuren arrived at his study, calling for Jin Yan to inform Zhou Changyi and the others to come to the study.

Sitting and reading for a while, all four sons arrived, lined up in a row. Zhou Shuren looked up from his book and observed his adopted sons, who had changed so much. When they first came, Changyi and Chang’er were just simple countrymen. Look at them now, with thumb rings on their fingers, Jade Pendants at their waists, clad in silk garments, hardly resembling themselves from years ago.

Zhou Shuren’s silent, appraising gaze made the Elder Zhou brothers’ hearts race.

Standing honestly in fear, they reflected on their actions, worried that Father had called them in to settle scores. It was rare for Father to summon them all at once, especially during rest days.

Zhou Shuren looked at his adopted sons speechlessly. Merely a moment’s scrutiny and they were sweating bullets. They were genuinely afraid of him, "Stop overthinking. I called you here to remind you to keep your feet on the ground. Don’t rush blindly at the sight of profit. Remember, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Everything comes at a price."

Changyi, having grown smarter through experience, asked, "Father, has something happened?"

Zhou Shuren approvedly glanced at Changyi; even the characters "Hanhan" had become shrewd, which was good, "Hmm."

With understanding, Changyi’s heart, which had been tense just moments before, suddenly lifted, and he broke into a foolish grin.

Chang’er’s heart rose to his throat and sweat trickled down his forehead, "Father, is someone scheming against the Zhou family?"

Zhou Shuren fixed Chang’er with a stare. The boy had not been home long and kept running out, rarely at home during the day. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, "What, has someone approached you?"

Chang’er swallowed nervously, "Father, I, Changyi, and Changzhi wanted to buy a fishery. I met a merchant yesterday who said fishing boats earn more Silver. I haven’t agreed yet and was thinking of gathering more information!"

Zhou Shuren placed his teacup down with a bit too much force, the cup clattering on the desk, "What is the surname of this merchant?"

So it wasn’t just Lady Li they had approached, but Changyi as well.

Changyi’s heart hammered, swallowing again, Father’s tone carried anger; there must truly be trouble, "A merchant surnamed Zhang dealing in marine goods; he said many fishing boats earn a lot of Silver."

Zhou Shuren made a mental note, "You buying a fishery is your business, but stay away from fishing boats. Anyone who disobeys will not find me merciful."

"Understood."

Chang Lian felt Father’s gaze like a dagger, firmly embedding itself in the four brothers, "Father, is our Zhou family being targeted?"

Zhou Shuren hummed, not hiding the truth, "Remember, always be cautious when you’re outside."

Changyi and the others took note, and Chang Zhi pursed his lips, "Father, Su Xuan also has fishing boats."

Zhou Shuren’s mouth twitched, "That is Magistrate’s own business, you don’t need to worry about that."

The Magistrate’s every action was watched, and with her intelligence, she knew better than anyone what to touch and what not to.

Chang Zhi closed his mouth, but his thoughts lingered on giving Su Xuan a set of law codes. In the future, she could practice her calligraphy by copying them. His gaze then turned to the bookshelf.

His eyes soon widened, noticing several new books he’d never seen before. Although he rarely had the chance to visit Father’s study, he knew Father had a system for placing books. Any new addition would be a recent acquisition. Forcing his eyes away from the books, he asked, "Father, may I take the law code home?"

Zhou Shuren was genuinely surprised by Chang Zhi’s request, "You want to read it?"

Chang Zhi felt slightly embarrassed, his ears reddening, "I was thinking of copying it to give to Su Xuan, for her to practice her calligraphy."