Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 753 No, Don’t Want to Listen_1

Chapter 753: Chapter 753 No, Don’t Want to Listen_1

Xiao Qing, upon hearing this, regretted it immensely. If he had known earlier, he would have driven Li Zhao away sooner. Now that the youngster knew more silver had come into the Ministry of Revenue, that old scoundrel would surely linger and not leave. Grinding his teeth, he ordered, "Qiu Yan, you take Mr. Li to fetch the silver."

Qiu Yan felt the pain of losing ten thousand taels acutely. His heart was in a flutter, but he couldn’t contradict the Grand Master of Writing. "Yes."

Li Zhao was somewhat reluctant to leave, but considering Xiao Qing’s threatening gaze, he weighed his options and decided not to offend Xiao Qing too deeply at once. Otherwise, Xiao Qing would truly withhold the silver. He had impulsively offended Xiao Qing in his early years as the Minister of War and did not wish to relive that experience.

After Mr. Li left, Zhou Shuren spoke up, "My lord, I shall take my leave as well."

Xiao Qing said, "Stay, we don’t have time to discuss now. I trust your capabilities, just remember to gather more silver."

Zhou Shuren understood that the Grand Master of Writing was keeping him here to assist, "Yes."

When several Princes entered, Zhou Shuren thought to himself that the Ministry of Revenue was truly full of talent—what a leisurely pace they had taken to lead the way.

The faces of the Second Prince and the others were rather unpleasant.

Xiao Qing stood up. "All the Princes have arrived together, but why do you look somewhat unwell? It must be the heat."

He paused, then turned to the young servant on guard, "You blind thing, don’t stand there idle; go and bring some iced tea to cool the Princes down."

Zhang Jingyang had just sat down and almost couldn’t help but laugh. They knew too well why their complexions were terrible; the sly fox was crystal clear about it. The guide had taken his time on purpose, obviously stalling to plot and scheme against them, hadn’t he?

Zhang Jingshi glanced at Lord Xiao, then at Zhou Shuren, feeling slightly intimidated by the pair.

Zhang Jingxi sneered inwardly, eager to hurl insults. How cunning for the Emperor to put two such ruthless men together.

Jinghong was here simply to enjoy the drama. Following Lord Xiao’s lead, he said, "Wait, don’t just serve iced tea. I heard the Ministry’s expenses have always been handled well, so bring up some fruits and seeds too. Yes, and bring a couple more basins of ice while you’re at it. It’s hot indeed. You agree, don’t you, Lord Xiao?"

Xiao Qing, "...Yes."

This fifth Prince didn’t seem to be here for the contention, rather more to watch the drama, even asking for seeds. Despite the Ministry’s comfortable expenses, they were still limited each month. This hurt!

It had been a long time since Zhou Shuren had last seen the fifth Prince. Had he not remembered what the younger Prince used to be like, he almost wouldn’t have recognized him today—how unexpectedly pleasant to look at!

Zhang Jingyang, fanning himself with a fan, said, "Little brother, you know your elder brother has always been good to you, you’ve certainly taken your fair share of advantages from me."

Jinghong replied, "Ah, second brother has indeed been very kind to me."

He had freeloaded for so long without being kicked out.

Zhang Jingyang opened his fan to fan himself, "If you say so, brother, I feel more assured."

A chill ran down Jinghong’s spine, "As long as you don’t ask to borrow silver, you will be my second brother."

Zhang Jingyang choked, this younger brother sure was quick on the uptake.

Zhou Shuren found this fifth Prince to be quite interesting!

At the Painting Shop, Zhulan was preparing to leave. She descended the stairs and instructed the young servant to go find Rongchuan.

Rongchuan was already waiting at the shop entrance. Zhulan was mildly surprised to see the person beside Rongchuan—Shen Yang.

Rongchuan was immensely annoyed; Shen Yang had been circling around him for a while now. "Auntie, it’s getting late. I’ve had the servant book us a place at the restaurant; let’s head over," he suggested.

Zhulan was indeed getting hungry, "Alright."

Recalling his memory, Shen Yang recognized who it was, wondering why Zhang Rongchuan would come to the Painting Shop alone—turns out, he was accompanying someone. He promptly stepped forward, "Greetings, lady."

Zhulan had intended to pretend she hadn’t seen him. She too had her own acting skills, "Ah, it’s you, that Shen... yes, Shen Yang, I didn’t notice you just now."

Shen Yang smiled, "Lady also came to view paintings, is there one you like? If there is, please pick one out."

Zhulan was at a loss for words seeing how Shen Yang presented himself, as if he would gift her any painting she liked. Though she was of his grandmother’s generation, this was a public space in the Painting shop, it would have been more appropriate to give gifts privately. To do so openly — it was impossible, and it would only make her feel embarrassed.

Moreover, Shen Yang had just addressed her as a lady, openly indicating to everyone that she was of the rank of a third-tier official’s family. Was he treating her like an ignorant woman? What difference would it make if she accepted the gift or if the Zhou residence did?

Zhulan suppressed her smile, "The silver to buy paintings is something the Zhou residence can still afford. I must take my leave now."

You try to scheme against me, don’t blame me for not being polite.

Shen Yang’s face changed for a moment. The wife of Master Zhou seemed to imply he looked down on the Zhou residence. Yet she did not give him another chance to speak, as a group of people had already left the Painting shop.

Shen Yang stared blankly at the departing figures and heard the whispers behind him. His face darkened, and he quickly walked out. By the time he reached the entrance, the Zhou family’s carriage had already departed. The wind fluttered the curtains of the carriage; Shen Yang was startled.

The young servant asked with confusion, "Young Master, what are you looking at?"

Shen Yang came back to his senses, "Nothing, I wasn’t looking at anything."

Inside the Zhou family’s carriage, Xue Han looked at Yushuang sitting by the window and pulled her over to sit closer. The man who had upset Mother earlier was looking at Yushuang!

Xue Han observed Yushuang. She had been well-nourished since childhood and wasn’t lacking in nutrition. Yushuang had also inherited her second brother’s height, and the young girl was nearly as tall as her now; people would believe her if she said she was thirteen or fourteen years old.

Xue Han frowned, "Rongchuan, who was that just now?"

Rongchuan replied, "He’s Shen Yang, someone I often mention to you."

Xue Han realized, "So it was him!"

The man really isn’t smart.

Rongchuan sat beside Xue Han, feeling delighted inside. His hand was only a fist’s distance from hers. Suppressing the joy in his heart, he said, "Let’s not talk about him anymore."

Xue Han, "Hmm, which restaurant did you book?"

Rongchuan smiled, "I’ve booked the Feast House."

He had wanted to take Xue Han there ever since they’d eaten there last time, and now his wish was coming true.

Zhulan had been deliberately looking away to avoid eating dog food, but when she heard Feast House, she turned her head back. She had never brought herself to go, thinking it was too wasteful. The words reached her lips but she swallowed them back. After all, Rongchuan wasn’t showing her respect; it was all to charm Xue Han. Moreover, Rongchuan had silver, and in the future, anyone who lacked silver, he would not be among them. Thinking about it now, she was even a little jealous of the gold sent to her doorstep.

Xue Han knew of Feast House, "You mean the Feast House you wrote about in your letter?"

"Yes, I couldn’t book the Whole Fish Banquet, but all the dishes at Feast House are excellent."

Xue Han was unaware of the prices, as Rongchuan had never mentioned them. She felt only sweetness, knowing her beloved wanted to take her there to eat.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren’s gaze moved from several boxes. The princes really do have silver, it’s no wonder the Emperor is blatantly exploiting them.

Mr. Xiao cleared his throat, "Minister Zhou, since you’ve taken charge of this library, why don’t you say a few words?"

Zhou Shuren picked up on the cue and said with a smile, "Then I shall say a few words."

The princes, "...."

No, they didn’t want to listen!