Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 766 Cover_1

Chapter 766: Chapter 766 Cover_1

The Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren stepped off the carriage. Fortunately, his stay within the palace hadn’t been long. After tidying his official robes, he entered the Ministry of Revenue and first went to greet Grand Master Xiao. Grand Master Xiao neither said much nor asked any questions; he simply stated, "The Emperor values you, so you must be more thoughtful and cautious."

Zhou Shuren bowed and replied, "This official will bear it in mind."

Xiao Qing was growing increasingly fond of Zhou Shuren. The favor revealed by the Emperor, coupled with some hints, made it clear that he genuinely intended to cultivate Zhou Shuren as a successor. Of course, the most crucial factor was Zhou Shuren’s ability to manage the silver for the Ministry of Revenue.

When Zhou Shuren returned to his office, he saw Qiu Yan lift his head and greeted him, "Mr. Qiu."

Qiu Yan felt complicated inside. No amount of effort on his part could compare to the Emperor’s recognition. He had attended so many court sessions over the years, and the Emperor had never kept him behind alone, nor had he conversed with him much at all. With a sigh in his heart, he said, "Grand Master of Writing wants us to calculate the silver needed for Jiangnan because you previously served as a Magistrate and have experience repairing dikes, so this task is given to you."

In his mind, Zhou Shuren thought he indeed had ample experience with dike repair, "Alright."

This visit to the palace had taken up a good deal of time, and the Emperor would need the figures by tomorrow. There was no way around it; he wouldn’t be able to return home to rest today. He needed to send a message home to let them know.

Just as Zhou Shuren sat down, Mr. Fang, the Deputy Minister of Works, walked in.

Mr. Fang carried a ledger in his arms and cheerfully said, "Our Minister of Works heard that the Ministry of Revenue needs to calculate the silver. This is the material from the previous years when the Ministry of Works repaired the dikes, so I’ve brought them over."

Zhou Shuren hurriedly took them, "This is really appreciated. We are in dire need of it."

Qiu Yan moved his mouth, but said nothing. Even without these materials, Zhou Shuren knew his figures. Zhou Shuren was indeed good at his conduct.

Mr. Fang chuckled, "So it is Zhou Da-ren who is responsible for this calculation."

Zhou Shuren nodded, "Yes."

Mr. Fang, seeing that they were busy, smiled and said, "Then I’ll take my leave now, both of you are busy."

Zhou Shuren said, "I’ll see you out."

"No, don’t bother, you’re busy."

Zhou Shuren thought that officials from the Ministry of Works were much more agreeable than those from the Ministry of Personnel. During these past few days in court, it wasn’t Grand Master Zhong who attended from the Ministry of Personnel, but another Deputy Minister, with an arrogance that was insufferable.

By comparison, this made the officials from the Ministry of Works seem all the more amiable.

In the Ministry of Works, when Minister of Works saw Fang Tan return, he said with regret, "I regret having you deliver the materials. At the time, all I thought was that rather than having the Ministry of Revenue request them later, it would be better to deliver them sooner to make a good impression. I completely forgot that Zhou Shuren from the Ministry of Revenue served as a Magistrate, in Lizhou Province, in Jinzhou Province, and Zhou Shuren managed them well, fully as knowledgeable about dyke repair as the Ministry of Works."

Fang Tan was taken aback, "Just now when I gave the materials to Zhou Da-ren, he thanked me for it."

The Minister of Works stroked his beard, "That being the case, Zhou Shuren indeed proves himself capable."

Fang Tan remarked with admiration, "Truly, in the past, this servant was brushed off plenty when visiting the Ministry of Revenue. But since Zhou Da-ren became a deputy minister, my two visits were the most comfortable."

The Minister of Works sighed, "We are both Grand Masters of the second rank, but my rank is at the bottom of the pile."

"You may go and attend to your duties," he said.

"Yes, this official will take his leave."

At Hou Residence, Zhou family’s carriage came to a stop. Zhulan disembarked from the carriage; there was still a distance to the Hou Residence, and the carriage couldn’t pass as the road ahead was clogged with carriages.

Today was the full month celebration of the legitimate grandson of the Hou family, and the guests swarmed in abundance.

Previously, Zhulan had passed the Hou Residence in a carriage and felt it was majestic. Now that she had entered, she was even more impressed. It was not just majestic — it was enormous. Listening to the matron’s proud introduction, she felt envious. The Hou Residence was twice the size of Zhou’s, and it was a gift from the Emperor.

Upon reaching the back courtyard, numerous officials’ wives had already arrived. Zhulan spotted Lady Gao and approached her, "You’ve arrived quite early."

Lady Gao smiled, "Our residence is closer to this side."

Zhulan estimated the time, "It will still be a while before it starts."

Lady Gao nodded, "Let’s find a place to sit first."

Zhulan, "Alright."

They had no chance to go to the back to see the children; they had to wait in the hall for the children to be brought out.

Zhulan knew that Lady Gao was not a person who loved gossip. By taking a seat with her, she also showed no desire to get involved. They found a place farther away to sit down, where they could still hear gossip. It was about some of the hotter topics from the capital.

For example, which family’s concubine was too arrogant, which family’s daughter married well, or which family’s son was incompetent. Actually, the biggest gossip concerned the Yao Hou Residence.

Zhulan had heard at home that Magistrate Shen and Yao Zheyu had returned to the Yao Hou Residence with their son, and many servants were sold that day. The Yao Hou Residence was really bustling, but today, at the Shen Hou Residence, people were cautious and thus kept their mouths shut.

At the auspicious time, Mrs. Hou and Old Lady Shen came out with the second daughter-in-law and grandchild. Zhulan looked at Mrs. Shen of the Hou Residence, who at her advanced age finally had a legitimate son. She had heard quite a bit about her; the second Mrs. Shen had given birth to three legitimate daughters, and her days in the Hou Residence were difficult.

Zhulan could also overhear people quietly saying that having a son really made a difference.

Zhulan noticed Magistrate Shen. Now a mother, Magistrate Shen’s sharpness had softened considerably, but she still frowned occasionally, glancing at the hourglass, probably worrying about her son and wanting to get back early.

The banquet at the Hou Residence was indeed good. Zhulan had never been shortchanged in terms of food in ancient times. Zhou’s household diet was good as well, but some delicacies were too precious to waste silver on. The Shen Hou Residence really had silver.

Zhulan had her fill and took her leave. Lady Gao left with her. At the gate of the Hou Residence, they ran into Magistrate Shen by coincidence, "Magistrate."

Magistrate Shen was in a hurry, but she still suppressed her impatience and warmly said, "Lady Zhou, please come to visit the Yao Hou Residence another day."

Zhulan had no desire to go but, standing at the entrance to the Shen Hou Residence with people coming and going, she could not refuse and embarrass the magistrate, "If there’s an opportunity."

Eager to return to her residence with Zhou’s residence having arrived in the capital and future meetings easily arranged, Magistrate Shen said, "I’m in a hurry to return home, so I’ll leave first."

"Please, Magistrate."

After Magistrate Shen’s carriage had left, Lady Gao asked, "You know Magistrate Shen?"

"When father was the Prefect of Jinzhou, the Princely Heir and the magistrate stayed in Jinzhou for a while. The young Shen is still there."

Seeing that Yang did not elaborate further, Lady Gao understood that their families were not closely acquainted and smiled, "Let’s drink tea together another day."

"Alright."

In the Crown Prince’s residence, the Crown Prince was holding a list in his hands. If he hadn’t learned to control his emotions, he would have really wanted to throw his cup in frustration, damn it, there were indeed quite a few problematic people under him, and he had not noticed any of it all these years.

The Crown Prince gripped the list. There must be someone by his side helping to cover up; otherwise, he could not have failed to notice. Good, very good, now he doubted everyone, closed his eyes, and thought of the few who were entrusted with important responsibilities—most of them had been with him for over ten years.

Crown Prince took a deep breath, "Send the list to the palace, give it to the Emperor."

"Yes."

After the Crown Prince sent people out, he summoned another and inquired, "Where is the Fifth Prince? Has he been in contact with anyone?"

The guard bowed his head, "The Fifth Prince was intercepted by the Second Prince after leaving Scholar Shen’s house, and has not made contact with anyone else."