Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 791 Zhang Jinghong_1

Chapter 791: Chapter 791 Zhang Jinghong_1

Lady Li forced a laugh, "Now that my daughter-in-law manages the household, she’s afraid of embarrassing our family, so she keeps everyone we have dealings with close to heart."

In the past, she wouldn’t have taken this to heart, but now she remembered it clearly, fearing that she would bring shame to the Zhou family.

Zhao Bo came to a realization, finally understanding why the Duke Residence had invited the Zhou family, the root lay here, "Mother, this blood relation, even if separated, they will meet again, it truly is miraculous."

Lady Dong snapped back to attention, "No wonder Marquis Ning is so fond of Rongchuan."

She had been puzzled all this time, but now she finally had her answer.

Su Xuan had higher views, thinking further, "Mother, what about Xue Han and Rongchuan’s marriage arrangement?"

It wasn’t that she was overthinking, but the gap between the Zhou and Ning families was too great, she really feared the marriage arrangement would fall through.

Zhulan saw everyone looking at her nervously, and said with a smile, "The estate we just bought is for Xue Han’s dowry; the marriage arrangement hasn’t been affected."

Su Xuan felt reassured, it was good that there was no impact, and then she felt happy, the Zhou family’s weakness was their feeble roots, but now with their favors and marriage connections to the Ning family, as long as the Zhou family remained steadfast, people in the capital would not easily cause them trouble, "Mother, this is great news."

She needed to think about what to add to her sister-in-law’s dowry, and she must add more, considering she was not lacking in silver; in the future, her sister-in-law would be Mrs. Hou, and that would be good for her daughter, she, holding the empty title of Magistrate, could not compare, right, she should add some more precious jewelry.

Lady Li and Lady Zhao were stunned, regretting that they couldn’t go to the estate to escape the summer heat, but they also understood, a sister-in-law marrying high, the dowry was the foundation, Lady Li and Lady Zhao were somewhat worried, ever since father became an official, they had heard too much about the difficulties faced by women who married into higher ranks, especially those with meager dowries, their lives were even more miserable, so the dowry had to be substantial.

Zhulan truly didn’t know that her daughters-in-law had already thought about adding to Xue Han’s dowry, giving instructions, "In the future, there’s no need to be distant with Rongchuan, after all, he grew up in our family."

This relationship needed to be maintained, she did not want to distance and lose the affection, now was not the time to pass up the opportunity to build more goodwill, later would be too late.

Inside the palace, today’s court assembly ended a bit late, Zhou Shuren was quiet on the court hall, even though many eyes were stealthily glancing at him, it really didn’t have much to do with him, he was just the one who discovered it!

Leaving the assembly, Zhou Shuren walked briskly, unfortunately, he was still caught up to by someone, Zhou Shuren was quite surprised, "Your Highness, aren’t you going to see the Emperor?"

Having just received a mission, shouldn’t he check with the Emperor?

Zhang Jinghong had received the Emperor’s message the night before, he was the bait, and this mission was just incidental, "Lord Zhou, there’s something I’d like to consult with you about!"

Although the mission was incidental, he still wanted to earn some merits, merits were never undesirable, he was doing all this purely to survive better, without the false identity of the fifth Prince, he still wanted to be an official, he feared retaliation as a commoner!

Zhou Shuren found the current Zhang Jinghong quite agreeable, "Your Highness, what would you like to ask this subject?"

Zhang Jinghong, noticing not a few officials behind them, who were passing by and slowing down to eavesdrop, "This is not the place for consultation."

Zhou Shuren thought about the Crown Prince in the Ministry of Revenue, looking at Zhang Jinghong with a meaningful gaze, "Would Your Highness like to accompany this subject back to the Ministry of Revenue?"

Zhang Jinghong thought about the Crown Prince, he too wanted to meet the Crown Prince, this was a good opportunity, "That would be excellent."

The Minister of Personnel squinted his eyes, smiling at the Minister of War, "This Lord Zhou from the Ministry of Revenue is not simple, is he?"

Li Zhao curled his lip, "As if you’re any simpler."

This man was the most complicated of all!

The Minister of Personnel rolled his eyes inwardly, "It takes one to know one."

Inside the palace, the Emperor looked at his fourth son, this son inherited his ruthlessness, yet lacked his breadth of mind to tolerate others, "You must be extra careful on your trip to Jianghuai."

Having not many sons, although he cared more for the Crown Prince, the other sons also mattered to him.

This trip to Jianghuai was fraught with danger, and as a father, he couldn’t help but give a few words of advice.

Zhang Jingxi felt a fleeting touch of emotion but quickly stated his purpose, "Father Emperor, the Qi family has deep and entangled roots in the Jianghuai area. Your son has reservations."

The Emperor saw through the fourth prince’s thoughts. He was trying to gauge his tolerance toward the Qi family clan. As for reservations, the fourth prince wouldn’t have any; it was a perfect opportunity to strike at the third prince head-on. "Fourth one, what I want is the mastermind behind the scenes. Do you understand?"

Zhang Jingxi had a clear understanding, "Your son understands."

The Emperor hummed in acknowledgment, "You may withdraw."

Zhang Jingxi stood up and left the government hall, then remembered that Zhang Jinghong had also gone to the Jianghuai area, but since Zhang Jinghong hadn’t come to the government hall, it seemed he would not be in the way.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren and Zhang Jinghong went to see the Crown Prince first.

Upon seeing Zhang Jinghong, the Crown Prince raised an eyebrow and commented, "You’re becoming smarter."

Zhang Jinghong coughed, "Your servant has been assigned a task, hence I came specially to seek advice from Master Zhou."

The Crown Prince was in a good mood—he had discovered something. Finding Zhang Jinghong pleasing to his eyes, he said, "Come see me again later."

Zhang Jinghong, "Yes."

Zhou Shuren brought out the fifth prince, "Your Highness, please speak."

Zhang Jinghong had many questions to ask, "Master Zhou, since the salt tax issue was first discovered by the Ministry of Revenue, this prince would like to ask what would you pay attention to if you went to the Jianghuai area? Where should one start?"

Zhou Shuren, "....Hmm?"

He thought the question would be about the ledgers, but surprisingly, the prince wanted to cheat.

Zhang Jinghong smiled, "Master Zhou has sharp eyes, which this prince greatly admires. Unfortunately, this prince was not born with such eyes and can only seek your counsel."

Zhou Shuren looked to the sky, speechless. Flattery was useless on him; he truly didn’t want to say more, as he had already put himself in a difficult position. "Your Highness is joking. I am in the capital and do not have an understanding of the Jianghuai area. You asked the wrong person."

In truth, he had been in constant correspondence with Zhao Bo and did have some knowledge of the Jianghuai region, which he analyzed based on Zhao Bo’s letters. However, he couldn’t say that—he knew nothing, nothing at all!

Zhang Jinghong’s astute gaze fixed on Master Zhou, and in Zhou’s eyes, he saw sincerity. He felt disheartened. The old fox’s acting was too good; he didn’t believe for a second that Zhou Shuren had failed to notice anything. After all, this was someone capable of detecting problems from mere numbers, a remarkably talented individual.

Knowing that Master Zhou had received a reward and understanding why helped Zhang Jinghong realize that if it weren’t for issues of status, he would be tempted to kneel at Master Zhou’s doorstep and beg to become his disciple!

Zhou Shuren remained composed, apologizing, "I’ve disappointed His Highness."

Zhang Jinghong smiled, "Master Zhou, could you teach me how to read the ledgers?"

Zhou Shuren looked at Zhang Jinghong. This was doable, "If Your Highness would follow me, please."

The Crown Prince, already aware of the content of their conversation, chuckled, "Tell me, what would Zhou Shuren pay attention to?"

The guard kept his head down, "I do not know."

The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes. For so many years, the Jianghuai region had been protected by official collusion. The things that could be discovered now were still uncovered by following the ledgers, but these findings were not yet enough, nor did he dare to act rashly and startle the quarry. He should have a good talk with Master Zhou indeed.

Thus, shortly after Zhou Shuren sent off the fifth prince, he was summoned away again without having a moment to rest.

Zhou Shuren, "...."

This time he’d been trapped by the fifth prince!