Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 823 The Storm is Brewing

Chapter 823: Chapter 823 The Storm is Brewing

Zhou Shuren opened the letter and spoke in a low tone, "It really is a big deal."

Chang Zhi had been staring at the letter, and upon hearing it was a serious matter, worriedly asked, "Father, what’s happened to third brother?"

Zhou Shuren handed the letter to Chang Zhi, "Your third brother is fine, just read it for yourself."

Zhulan was by her husband’s side and had already read the letter. She had only one feeling: the storm Shen Yang had been brewing had finally exploded, but she couldn’t fathom why it had happened so suddenly.

Chang Zhi’s hands shook as he held the letter, and he said in disbelief, "The letter must be fake, right?"

Zhou Shuren took the opportunity while his wife was lost in thought to reach for some skewered meat. Earlier, with her watching, he hadn’t eaten much, so he grabbed two skewers and, while eating, replied, "For now, it’s just a rumor. As for its truth, what does it have to do with us? Whether it’s true or false, the Emperor knows."

Chang Zhi noticed his father eating the skewered meat swiftly and reached out his hand. Seeing his father taking advantage of his mother’s inattention, his initial worries suddenly vanished, "Father’s right."

Zhou Shuren reached for a chicken leg only to be smacked away. He withdrew his hand and smiled placatingly, "I’ll have another chicken leg."

Zhulan huffed, "You really think I didn’t see just now? I was sparing your dignity, yet you’ve lost all self-control."

Zhou Shuren knew his wife would not let him eat anymore, so he picked up a napkin to wipe his hands and slowly began to drink the porridge beside him.

Lady Li and Lady Zhao didn’t know what serious matter had occurred. They only knew that if their father-in-law said there was no problem, then there definitely was no problem.

Su Xuan understood more and her mind was in turmoil, worrying about the present Fifth Prince. Her intuition told her that the days ahead would certainly be unstable.

Chang Zhi offered a skewer of meat to his wife, "My dear."

Su Xuan came back to her senses, and seeing her father-in-law and mother-in-law behaving so comfortably, she suddenly laughed. Why should she worry? Her father-in-law was there, "You eat too, husband."

Chang Zhi spoke in a lowered voice, "Don’t worry unnecessarily. With father here, he knows what he’s doing."

Su Xuan nodded to show she understood. She realized that her father-in-law choosing this time to leave the capital for rest was impeccable timing, making her see him as even more unfathomable.

In the capital, at the Hanlin Academy, Zhou Changlian looked at everyone who seemed to have no interest in their duties, and he didn’t either. Today, Shen Yang had gone to the Palace in the morning, and by the afternoon, rumors had spread that Shen Yang was actually the real Fifth Prince, and that the current one was a fake.

The Hanlin Academy often went to the Palace, and the scholars there had seen the Emperor many times. As the rumor spread, everyone started to think that Shen Yang resembled the Emperor more and more.

Zhou Changlian cast a glance at Shen Yang, who was sitting alone in a corner with no one near him. The true or false identity of the Fifth Prince concerned the Royal family, and no one dared to approach Shen Yang for fear that the rumors were just rumors, and he might face repercussions later on.

Not one of the scholars with ambitions to be at the Hanlin Academy was foolish enough to gamble their future and family’s fate; they all quietly awaited the outcome.

Zhou Changlian bowed his head. He felt there was something off about Shen Yang’s identity ever since Shen Yang came to the Hanlin Academy. Whether he was the real Fifth Prince, he did not know. All he knew was that Shen Yang was at the center of a vortex, and to get close was to seek death.

Zhou Changlian greatly missed his father and thought how much better it would be if his father were at home. But even with his father away, he remembered his father’s words: take care of himself.

Shen Yang clenched his fists, his heart both panicked and hopeful. Panic that the rumor was false and if the Emperor became furious, he would have no way out, for the Emperor wouldn’t care if he had participated in the rumors or not.

Yet he also yearned; if he were truly the Fifth Prince, how wonderful that would be. He was tired of the house in the small alley, tired of the days without silver. If he were the Fifth Prince, would Zhou Changlian still dare to threaten him?

Rongchuan stood at the door, "Third brother, I need to talk to you."

Zhou Changlian quickly stood up. After the rumor came out, he had written to his father, and Rongchuan had also sent people back to Ning Residence. There must be news, "Alright."

Rongchuan and Chang Lian came to a corner, where Chang Lian asked, "Has the Duke or Mr. Hou said anything?"

Rongchuan lowered his voice, "Grandfather and father sent me a message, telling me to stay honest, not to meddle in anything, and to avoid contact with Shen Yang. Father asked me to pass the word to you as well."

Chang Lian blinked, Duke Ning was the Queen Mother’s family, and the Fifth Prince was the son of the Queen Mother. Now, the issue of the true and false Fifth Princes was highly related to the Ning Residence, yet the Ning Residence showed no intention of intervening and even told Rongchuan not to make contact. The problem here was serious.

Chang Lian’s heart thumped wildly, he better not think any further, "I understand."

With his grandfather’s and father’s message in mind, Rongchuan felt reassured, "Alright, I’ll head back first."

Chang Lian, "Okay."

Inside the Palace, the Emperor’s expression was exceptionally unpleasant. Eunuch Liu didn’t even dare to breathe loudly, crouching in a corner motionless.

The Crown Prince was aware that the rumors were not spread by the Emperor, especially at this time. With Zhang Jinghong acting as bait outside, the Emperor would not sabotage his own plan. Therefore, the rumors could only have been released by Yao Wenqi.

The Second Prince, Zhang Jingyang, was in a foul mood. He genuinely looked down on Shen Yang, and even though the Emperor had given Shen Yang special care, Zhang Jingyang never took Shen Yang seriously. He even thought it was good for Shen Yang to stay honestly in the Hanlin Academy, to be used as a bargaining chip when needed.

Now that the bargaining chip had run out on its own, no wonder his mood was foul.

Besides, it was time to clean up the Ministry of Justice, and with the rumors about Shen Yang emerging, it inevitably led people to speculate.

Zhang Jingyang looked at the silent Crown Prince, opened his mouth, but then shut it.

The Emperor, with a stern face, said to the Crown Prince, "The rumors have spread throughout the capital, and they can’t be suppressed anymore."

The Crown Prince admitted his fault, "It is my negligence."

The Emperor raised his hand, and Yao Wenqi was already prepared, "Since the rumors can’t be quelled, let it be for now, you may all withdraw."

Zhang Jingyang was stunned, did the Emperor mean to let the rumors continue, to not bother with Shen Yang?

After leaving the government hall, Zhang Jingyang caught up with the Crown Prince, "Big Brother, what exactly does Father mean?"

The Crown Prince, "His meaning is to not deal with Shen Yang for now, but to first clean up the Ministry of Justice."

Zhang Jingyang squinted his eyes, feeling as though the Emperor and the Crown Prince had a tacit understanding, almost as if they shared a common secret. This feeling was particularly unsettling. However, the Crown Prince was right, it was indeed necessary to clean up the Ministry of Justice. As for Shen Yang, he was somewhat foolish, and there was no rush to deal with him.

The Crown Prince, massaging his temple, had indeed been tired these past few days, Jinag by Shen Yang’s sudden outburst. Now his head ached, but on the bright side, Yao Wenqi and his cohorts were not united in opinion.

The Crown Prince knew that Zhang Jinghong was slowly infiltrating the inner circle. He had indeed underestimated Zhang Jinghong. Yao Wenqi was afraid too. First, there was the activity of Zhang Jinghong, then the Ministry of Justice, which is why the rumor of Shen Yang wanting to dispose of Zhang Jinghong became a diversion.

The Crown Prince had to admit, it was a well-played move, but it disrupted the game he and the Emperor had set up. That was not good.

At the gate of the Hanlin Academy, Chang Lian and Shi Qing came out together. Shi Qing, being better connected, knew more. Although he was unaware of Shen Yang’s origins, he had received orders to keep an eye on Shen Yang, indicating that Shen Yang was no simple character. He whispered, "Don’t meddle in anything, just wait for Mr. Zhou to return to the capital."

Chang Lian had a grasp of the situation, "I understand."

Shi Qing left first by carriage, while Chang Lian, before boarding his carriage, saw Shen Yang’s young servant, his face full of urgency. He couldn’t help but take a few extra glances. Once seated in the carriage, Chang Lian suddenly opened his eyes—he realized the young servant had a significant influence on Shen Yang.

Chang Lian felt like drinking some tea to settle his nerves. This matter was becoming increasingly complicated. Indeed, a storm was approaching!