Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 815 Overview

Chapter 815: Chapter 815 Overview

The Crown Prince took over the conversation, "These days have been hard on Minister Zhou. You should head back early."

Zhang Jingshi was reluctant to let Zhou Shuren leave, for a simple reason, he wanted to gauge whether Zhou Shuren truly stood behind the Crown Prince. Zhou Shuren had always been on his mind, especially since his previous attempt to strike at Zhou had failed, he had never ceased to keep an eye on him.

The more attention he paid, the higher his regard for Zhou Shuren grew, the less he wanted Zhou to pick sides.

Especially with this return to the Palace, his father the Emperor was very satisfied with the work he had done, but he also mentioned Zhou Shuren. The site selection for the expansion of Pinggang had been brought up by Zhou before he even came to the capital. The Emperor mentioning Zhou three times in a row—what did that imply? It meant the Emperor had taken note of this minister.

Zhou Shuren certainly wasn’t going to wait for the Second Prince to speak up. Now that the Crown Prince held the highest authority, Zhou feigned a couple of coughs and quickly climbed into his carriage, "Back to the residence."

The Crown Prince felt like laughing; if he hadn’t asked for the Imperial Physician today, Zhou would have certainly found an excuse to take leave. Turning his head he said, "With Minister Zhou gone, it looks like I won’t be able to have a meal with my second brother. I should take my leave as well."

Zhang Jingshi didn’t want to see the Crown Prince’s face; he felt much more at ease without the Crown Prince in the government hall today, "I won’t walk you out."

The Crown Prince stopped in front of his carriage, "Right, I must go to the Palace to dine with the Empress Dowager."

Zhang Jingshi watched the carriage leave. He had forgotten there was still the Empress; the Crown Prince could indeed frequently enter the Palace.

Although of late the Emperor had seen the favored concubine frequently, he hadn’t slighted the Empress’s dignity.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan inquired, "Why have you come back so late today?"

Zhou Shuren washed his face and said, "I won’t have much free time in the days to come. The Second Prince has returned to the capital, and I really was thinking of taking a leave to rest for a few days at the villa."

Zhulan’s hand paused as she was handing over clothes, "Now that you mention it, I also feel like spending a few days at the villa, soaking in the hot springs, enjoying some barbecue—that’s truly living."

After changing his clothes, Zhulan noticed the paper Zhou Shuren had brought back. "What have you written here?"

Zhou Shuren spoke softly, "I’ve identified some officials with rather serious issues. These officials... tomorrow I will go to the Ministry of Justice, and I must investigate them thoroughly. Once everything is clear, perhaps, I might actually be able to take some leave."

He did not believe the Emperor wanted him to get involved; so the Emperor must be expecting him to uncover something. If that was the case, once he had everything figured out, he could take the opportunity to request leave for recuperation and also gauge the Emperor’s intent.

Zhou Shuren sighed. When he was not in the capital, he was an observer and could guess some of the Emperor’s thoughts, but being in the capital transformed him from an observer to a chess piece. On the chessboard, it was hard for Zhou Shuren not to be led astray, which affected his judgment.

He too needed a vacation to calm his mind and think carefully.

Zhulan expressed her worries, "You be careful as well. Being close to the monarch is like lying with a tiger; it doesn’t matter how well they treat us, in the end, they are the ruler."

She never believed that kindness to Rongchuan could act as a talisman against all threats. When the Ning Residence acknowledged Rongchuan, she and Shuren initially thought it was for protection, but as the attitude of Ning Residence changed, along with Rongchuan’s surname, she and Shuren had more to consider. The Emperor was a monarch before a father.

Zhou Shuren reassured her, "I have a clear grasp of it, don’t worry."

"You’ve worked hard," Zhulan said.

Zhou Shuren held his wife’s hand, "You’re the one who has worked hard, caring for the entire family, instructing the daughter-in-law, keeping the servants in line, and busying yourself with social engagements. Without you managing things at home, I wouldn’t be able to devote myself to my work with peace of mind. My dear, you’re the one who has really worked hard."

The Zhou family had not held him back, and that was all due to Zhulan’s efforts; he had seen too many examples where one’s family became a burden.

Except for Chang Yi who was at the villa, tonight’s dinner at the Zhou family was one of the most complete gatherings.

Chang Li, holding up his wine cup, said, "Father, your son would like to toast you."

Zhou Shuren raised his cup, amongst his sons, it was the eldest who spoke least, "Good, you’ve worked hard on your journey."

Chang Li slurped his wine with a grin, "Dad, it’s not hard for your son; this is what I should do."

Chang Zhi picked up his wine cup, "Dad, my recent trip home has made me realize a lot, and I’ve caused you worry."

Zhou Shuren was pleased inside; Chang Zhi truly had grown up this time, "Good, I hope that in the future, you and your third brother can complement and support each other in moving forward."

Chang Zhi knew that this was his father’s expectation of him, "Yes."

Zhou Shuren then said to Chang Lian, "In the future, take more care of Chang Zhi; when dad is busy, you, as the elder brother, must be attentive."

He really didn’t have the time to tend to Chang Zhi more; even checking on his grandsons’ studies during his trip to the capital required stealing time, and he would only be busier in the future. Therefore, Chang Zhi still had to be entrusted to Chang Lian.

In the Palace, the Crown Prince and his mother had just finished their dinner when the Emperor came, and the Empress stood up, "You father and son talk, I’ll check the small kitchen to see if we can add some dishes."

The Emperor sat down and poured himself a cup of wine, "Why did you think of having a meal with your mother today?"

The Crown Prince, "Your son had already made arrangements with mother."

He truly hadn’t come to the Palace to see his father, nor was it because of Jingyang’s return to the Palace; it was really an arrangement he had made with his mother.

The Emperor believed the Crown Prince, for the food on the table was all what the Crown Prince liked to eat, showing that the Empress had prepared early, "Did you discover anything at the Ministry of Justice today?"

The Crown Prince was aware that every move of his was in his father’s sight, and he didn’t intend to hide anything. The further he went, the steadier he became, and the more he trusted the Emperor, "Your son indeed discovered many things. I have the records on me and was planning to report to you after everything was cleared."

The Emperor naturally extended his hand, "Let’s take a look."

The Crown Prince untied his purse and took out a stack of folded papers, "Everything I discovered is recorded here."

The Emperor unfolded the papers, which truly contained a lot, and after skimming through them quickly, he slapped the table, "The Second Prince really has the audacity to embezzle any silver."

The Crown Prince didn’t want to speak for the Second Prince, but as the Crown Prince, his first concern was the state, and personal grudges came only afterward, "Your son believes that the Second Brother wouldn’t be so foolish. Although Second Brother has always been bold, he still has some bottom line when it comes to truly vicious deeds. Your son thinks there might be issues with the people around him, just as there are with those around your son."

The Emperor was very pleased with his eldest son’s words; the Crown Prince approached the issue with the big picture in mind, not limited to personal struggles, which satisfied him. The Emperor thought that once all matters were resolved, he wouldn’t have much else to teach his eldest son. He patted his son’s shoulder, a shoulder now capable of shouldering the nation, "Very good, your father is very reassured."

The Crown Prince was thrilled inside, this was his father’s affirmation, "It’s because of dad’s teaching."

Meaning dad has taught him well.

The Empress stood at the doorway, not entering, somewhat dazed. It had been so many years, the Emperor had not referred to himself as father; now, the Emperor was a father, not just a monarch.

The Emperor heard his son calling him dad, his tone light-hearted, "Continue your investigation into these matters, and dad will have your back."

"Yes."

At the Zhou residence, Chang Zhong lounged in his parents’ room, unwilling to leave, "Dad, mom, your son also wants to go to the estate with big brother."

Zhou Shuren teased his son on purpose, "Your big brother is going to be busy, and if you go, he’ll have to take care of you, it won’t do."

Chang Zhong pouted, "Your son won’t cause trouble for big brother and second brother."

Zhulan chimed in, "Your promises aren’t very reliable."

Chang Zhong was dumbfounded; with mom weighing in, wasn’t it hopeless? He truly wanted to play at the estate; he’d had enough of roaming around the house, and the street outside didn’t hold much attraction either, losing interest after a few visits. He wanted to go to the estate; he had pestered the steward incessantly about it, for there were many fun things to do at the estate.