Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 799 Various States_1

Chapter 799: Chapter 799 Various States_1

Zhou Shuren snorted, "Then it’ll be a matter of skill."

The grandson-in-law he had set his eyes on, he certainly wouldn’t let go easily.

Early the next morning, Zhou Shuren attended the morning court session with Minister Xiao. After they left court, Xiao Qing said, "The capital does seem to have seen a lot of events during my absence."

Zhou Shuren replied, "With your return, the Ministry of Revenue now has a pillar of strength; no amount of issues could spread to the ministry."

Thinking of what the Emperor had said yesterday, Xiao Qing patted Zhou Shuren on the shoulder, "Do your best."

Zhou Shuren felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier, "Yes."

Xiao Qing smiled, "I’m waiting for your return. Consider these days a vacation."

In his heart, Zhou Shuren scoffed; he certainly didn’t consider leaving the Ministry of Revenue as a holiday. The Crown Prince wouldn’t let him slack off. Zhou Shuren looked at the Minister of Rites and was truly looking forward to seeing his reaction at the Ministry of Rites.

Xiao Qing was quickly surrounded by other Grand Masters of Writing, and the Minister of Rites spoke, "Old Xiao, it seems the Ministry of Revenue is just fine without you. Mr. Zhou from your ministry is quite capable indeed."

The Minister of Rites was obviously trying to sow discord, which caught the attention of the other Grand Masters.

Xiao Qing wasn’t concerned; he wished Zhou Shuren would step up sooner. Shifting positions, he said, "We in the Ministry of Revenue are busy; I wish there were more people to share the workload. Unlike Mr. Phang, who clings to the powers of the Ministry of Rites. Not to speak out of turn, but you should give others a chance. Anyone unaware would think the Ministry of Rites is named after Phang."

The air was thick with gunpowder as Phang retorted with fluttering sleeves, "Minister Xiao would do well to think before he speaks."

Xiao Qing responded, "The feeling is mutual, Mr. Phang. A brain is a fine asset; next time you attempt to incite trouble, perhaps put it to use."

Zhou Shuren smiled inwardly. The Minister of Rites had no backup. Look, the Minister of Personnel was fiddling with his sleeve, as if counting the patterns, while Sir Li, Minister of War, looked skyward at the cloudless expanse, seemingly deep in thought.

The Minister of Justice was engaged in lively conversation with the Minister of Works; the two departments rarely interacted, but here they were chatting away energetically!

The other officials attending court, especially those with lower ranks, vanished at the sight of trouble. The scholars who were at odds with The Six Ministries were content to watch the spectacle but would never open their mouths. To interject would invite confrontation, so they silently enjoyed the show.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard; every action in this sea of officials was a lesson. He still had so much to learn.

At the Hanlin Academy, Rongchuan’s two days of leave had ended. When he returned today, the headmaster greeted him with exceptional warmth, looking at him as one would at a beloved grandson, "The first time I met you, I felt you had a good face. Turns out your background isn’t simple. Well done, my boy. Now that you are home, you must work even harder."

Rongchuan had become accustomed to this; he had heard plenty of such talk yesterday. "This official will certainly live up to the headmaster’s expectations."

The headmaster stroked his beard, thinking how fortunate it was that he’d always been good to Zhang Rongchuan. Coughing, of course, it was also because Zhang Rongchuan brought something back every time he visited the palace – one couldn’t help but pay attention. The reason laid in his lineage. Taking another good look at Rongchuan, rumors had spread, some even saying Zhang Rongchuan was the reincarnation of the Duke’s eldest son!

When Rongchuan returned to his quarters, he was met with the usual courtesies from his colleagues. Having been slated to marry into the Zhou family, they had treated him with great politeness. Now, it was even more pronounced, as he was destined to inherit a marquisate. Not only was the Empress his aunt, but the Crown Prince was also his cousin, not to mention his ties to the Duke’s residence. His status had indeed changed drastically.

His colleagues’ treatment of him had evolved from mere politeness to flattery. Fortunately, he remained composed; otherwise, it would’ve been easy to become arrogant due to the shift in his status. Thinking of Uncle Zhou, it was all thanks to Uncle Zhou’s guidance.

The Minister of Rites returned with a belly full of fire and the deputy minister, who hadn’t attended the morning court, was waiting at the entrance, "Sir, the Crown Prince has come to the Ministry of Rites."

Mr. Phang was taken aback. "The Crown Prince didn’t go to the Ministry of Revenue?"

The deputy minister shook his head. "He arrived at the Ministry of Rites early in the morning and is currently reviewing the ministry’s financial records from past years."

Mr. Phang remained calm. Let him look, the books were falsified well; he wasn’t afraid of being found out. He strode forward, rubbing his face, and went in to see the Crown Prince.

He had only taken a few steps when a carriage pulled up. Mr. Phang glanced back; the carriage looked familiar—if he remembered correctly, it seemed to be the one Zhou Shuren often used at the palace gate. He stopped in his tracks, and indeed it was Zhou Shuren.

Mr. Phang said indifferently, "What brings Mr. Zhou to the Ministry of Rites?"

Zhou Shuren alighted from the carriage. "The Crown Prince summoned me here. As for the matter, sir may inquire with the Crown Prince Himself."

Mr. Phang, who had previously felt secure, now finally felt anxious. Zhou Shuren could spot issues in the salt tax from the figures; he was extremely sharp with numbers. Thinking of the Crown Prince scrutinizing the ministry’s finances, Mr. Phang grimaced—wishing he could slap himself. If only he had known, he wouldn’t have tried to sow discord today. Not only did he fail to stir up trouble, but he was also met with a bellyful of rebuffs. Now, with Zhou Shuren, who knows what kind of grudge he was holding!

Mr. Phang forced a smile. "So it was the Crown Prince who invited Mr. Zhou. Please, come in."

To the deputy minister and others, he ordered, "Don’t just stand there; go prepare some good tea. Yes, brew the tea I brought from home for the Crown Prince."

Zhou Shuren extended his hand, "After you, sir."

Phang Huai felt extremely irritated inside. Why did the Crown Prince have to come to the Ministry of Rites, instead of going to the Ministry of Justice? The Second Prince had his people there. And he thought of Zhou Shuren—the Zhou family’s ties with the Crown Prince were growing deeper. He had aimed to undermine Zhou Shuren, also to weaken the Crown Prince’s power, and yet, the Crown Prince had brought Zhou Shuren to the Ministry of Rites.

When the Crown Prince saw Zhou Shuren, he said, "I was just mentioning Mr. Zhou, and here he is."

Zhou Shuren bowed. "Your Highness, I’ve come as summoned."

The Crown Prince pointed to a chair. "Sit."

Phang Huai was a beat slow in his greetings. The Crown Prince smiled, "Mr. Phang, please take a seat quickly. I was just about to seek your counsel; there are some things here I do not quite understand, and I need someone to explain."

The Ministry of Rites might not hold much power, but it deals with a host of complex matters and, thanks to its handling of rituals, has secured its place as the third among The Six Ministries. The Crown Prince had not previously paid much attention to the Ministry of Rites. Of course, primarily because there was so much to learn and it was easy to neglect some aspects; the Ministry of Rites was exactly the kind that could be overlooked easily.

The Crown Prince felt that the Emperor had done well to send him to examine The Six Ministries firsthand. Only by personally delving into their affairs could he handle them more adeptly in the future.

Mr. Phang said, "Your Highness, if there’s anything you do not understand, I am here to resolve Your Highness’s doubts."

The Crown Prince did not wish to engage with Phang Huai and said with a smile, "Mr. Phang is the Chief of Staff and must be very busy managing the Ministry of Rites. We need not trouble you, sir; calling a doctor over will suffice."

Mr. Phang considered who to choose. There were only a few doctors in the Ministry of Rites who leaned towards him; others who had not come over were from prominent families. Mr. Phang glanced at Zhou Shuren and said with a smile, "I’ll have Officer Liu come over."

Zhou Shuren thought of the Tao family, the surname of the Wong Ju and Yue families. He remembered there were members of the Tao family serving in the Ministry of Rites. Mr. Phang had looked at him earlier; he had deliberately avoided anyone Zhou Shuren was acquainted with, having investigated them thoroughly.