Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 836 Frustration

Chapter 836: Chapter 836 Frustration

Zhou Residence, Zhulan gestured for the maids to leave and handed her own washed handkerchief to her husband, "Tonight, Chang Lian brought up Shen Yang, saying that Shen Yang has been ill for two days now. The rumors about the real and fake princes haven’t subsided yet, they can’t keep dragging on like this."

She even suspected, with such dragging out, whether Shen Yang might scare himself to death!

Zhou Shuren accepted the handkerchief and wiped his face, then setting it down, he said, "No, the Emperor is waiting for Zhang Jinghong to return to the capital. Once Zhang Jinghong is back, things should come to a conclusion."

Zhulan had less contact with these matters than her husband, and she wasn’t completely sure, so she tentatively asked, "Will the Emperor acknowledge Shen Yang?"

Zhou Shuren eyed the door, because of the habit he had with his wife, no one was left to keep watch there, but he still spoke softly, "Very likely."

"How so?"

Zhou Shuren took off his outer garment, changed into a fresh inner robe and sat down comfortably before saying, "After the Jianghuai region was cleared up, those hidden forces have been struck twice. No, three times, including the Ministry of Justice’s clean-up. These strikes were devastating, especially since their financial pathways in Jianghuai were completely cut off. Planning any future schemes will require much more caution unless they can achieve a decisive victory. In the future, they will certainly lie low even more carefully, and it will be very difficult for the Emperor to discover them. That’s when Shen Yang, an unused piece on the Emperor’s chessboard, will gain value."

Zhulan laughed quietly, "I’ve noticed that these setbacks they’ve suffered have a lot to do with you; you must be on their blacklist."

Zhou Shuren wasn’t directly involved in the Jianghuai or Ministry of Justice affairs, but even so, they couldn’t be ignored.

Zhou Shuren gave a dry laugh, "It seems like it."

They probably hated him to death by now!

Zhulan slipped off her shoes, climbed onto the kang bed, pulled over a pillow and lay down, "Since we’ve been back these past few days, because of the Hou Residence’s mourning and the Ministry of Justice’s clean-up, all banquets in the capital have stopped. Although I haven’t gone out, I’ve heard some news. I heard that it’s not only the Ministry of Justice, other official positions have been taken down as well."

Zhou Shuren nodded, "Some of the princes received hints from the Crown Prince, cough, or rather, were made to work for him by the Crown Prince. They found out some things and cleaned up a number of problematic people."

Zhulan gasped, "There were so many hidden lines. There were problems with the people around the Crown Prince and the other princes, this was clearly paving the way for the false fifth prince. It looks like these people really want to push Shen Yang onto the throne to then plot for imperial power."

Zhou Shuren spoke softly, "It’s a good plan that could succeed without a hitch, but sadly, there are too many unforeseen events."

Zhulan chuckled, "Indeed, our wings are the hardest. We brought back the real fifth prince to the capital. You seem to specialize in combating covert forces, as they’ve been thwarted at every turn."

Zhou Shuren thought so too. Back in Jinzhou Province, it was them who provoked him first. He adjusted his posture to lie on his side, "It’s getting late, let’s rest. We have to get up early tomorrow, and just the thought of attending court soon leaves me feeling completely drained."

Zhulan leaned against Zhou Shuren’s shoulder, "At least we can sleep in for a few more days. Let’s sleep, rest well."

Zhou Shuren could only console himself with that thought, closing his eyes he soon fell asleep.

At the Hou Residence, Yao Wenqi hadn’t slept. He kept thinking over and over that his father’s decision was wrong. The Yao family should not have lain low; now they were stuck with nowhere to go, their bargaining chips being slowly taken back by the Emperor. The Yao family used to have the Yao family army, but now, aside from a few loyal followers, the Emperor had replaced them with his own men.

Yao Wenqi seethed with resentment. His father’s plan was not mistaken, unfortunately, there were too many variables. After being undiscovered for over a decade, just as the plan was progressing smoothly and the Emperor was getting older, there were frequent problems during the critical years.

Yao Wenqi closed his eyes, carefully reviewing everything. Then, opening his eyes, his expression was extremely somber. Zhou Shuren, ever since Zhou Shuren arrived in Jinzhou Province, everything had gone off track!

Thinking of how the Emperor secured an island, bringing back loads of silver, a war that should have dragged on for years ended in less than a few, boosting the royal family’s prestige and unifying the people more tightly.

Then, there were floods in Jiangnan, and the Ministry of Revenue had no silver to deal with the situation. Just when they were planning to create trouble, Zhou Shuren was transferred to the capital where silver was available. He also gave the great suggestion of purchasing grain from overseas. His plan had no flaws, yet it ended before it could even start, which was incredibly frustrating for him.

Today, Yao Zheyu even invited Zhou Shuren for a meal, he scoffed disdainfully.

Time flew by, and finally, the Li family’s caravan arrived at the capital. Having entered through the city gates, they had already sent someone ahead to the Zhou Residence to inform them.

Zhulan stood up, "They’ve finally arrived. Granny Song, go to the kitchen to arrange some food quickly, prepare something simple to eat."

It had just passed lunchtime and her grandson and Li family’s eldest nephew must be hungry.

Grandma Song hurried to the kitchen. Ever since young master from the branch family arrived these past few days, the mistress would recite every day what the young master liked to eat, which she remembered by heart.

The Li family’s caravan, and Big Brother Li, who was also entering the capital for the first time, even though the weather was cold and he had changed into warm clothes, still couldn’t resist the cold and pulled open the curtains of the carriage.

Big Brother Li, with eyes wide open, looked at the bustling shops and crowds, "This is the capital, truly prosperous and lively."

Jiang Zhu sat beside him. Today, there was a breeze, and the tip of his nose had turned a bit red. Yet, his bright eyes shone with excitement—he had arrived in the capital, and he absentmindedly watched the carriages pass by.

His hometown was a small place where he only saw wagons pulled by a single horse, and the wagons were very simple. But just upon entering the capital, he had already seen many large carriages, and the horses pulling them were particularly spirited. This was the capital.

Big Brother Li had a country bumpkin look about him. Passing coachmen glanced at him with disdain in their eyes.

Big Brother Li was careless, but after these past years of toughening up, he had still learned to read the room. He wasn’t afraid of being looked down upon but worried it might affect his child. He drew the carriage curtains, "The wind is too strong."

Jiang Zhu clenched his fists. He had just seen the coachmen’s disdain, which made him nervous. His mother and father had told him that the capital was the place with the most nobles and everywhere there were people of high status. They advised him not to go out too easily. He touched the Jade Pendant at his waist, and his nervous heart calmed down quickly. He wasn’t afraid, he had his maternal grandfather—touching the Jade Pendant his grandfather had given him relaxed him greatly.

Big Brother Li noticed Jiang Zhu’s movement, and with a grin, thought he was overly worried. With Uncle Zhou around, who was an important official, Uncle Zhou held a significant place even in the capital.

The carriage soon arrived in front of Zhou Residence’s grand gate, and Big Brother Li gaped in awe. My goodness, Zhou Family was something else, the gate was too imposing, making him too afraid to move.

Zhou Big Brother, upon seeing his cousin standing there dumbfounded, hurried over and pulled his grandnephew Jiang Zhu. Seeing the child was all right, he felt relieved before saying, "Big Brother, you must be tired from the journey. Come on, let’s go inside."

Big Brother Li then came back to his senses, "Oh, right."

But his hands and feet were somewhat uncoordinated, "This residence is truly imposing, far more so than anything in Jinzhou Province."

He now felt completely at ease. The Zhou family was doing well in the capital, which made him happy. The better the Zhou family’s state was, the better it was for his sister and the more shelter the Li family would receive.

Zhou Big Brother said, "This is a residence bestowed by the Emperor. This residence is nothing much. The truly impressive ones are the estates that were given. My father said, don’t rush back. I’ll take you to the estates to have a look and enjoy for a few days."

Big Brother Li excitedly asked, "Zhou Big, did Uncle Zhou really say that?"

His mind raced with the thought, Uncle Zhou cares about him!

Zhou Big Brother laughed, "Yes, he asked me to take good care of you."

Big Brother Li’s grin widened, overjoyed. Uncle Zhou was such a high-ranking official yet had no pretense and was close to the Li family. He responded with a smile, "Well then, I’ll stay a few more days."

Jiang Zhu had been listening quietly the whole time. Only after his Uncle and Big Brother Li from the Li family had finished talking, did he say, "Big Uncle."

Zhou Big Brother, delighted to see his grandnephew, responded, "Your grandmother has been asking every day whether you have arrived. She’s waiting for you in the main courtyard."

If it weren’t for the fact that his mother caught a cold the day before yesterday and he had adamantly barred her from going out, she would have been waiting at the front courtyard for him already.

Not only was his father anxious about his mother catching a cold, but all of them as her children were worried sick. The example of the Hou Residence was there to see, but fortunately, after taking medicine for one day, she got better.

Zhulan heard voices outside and quickly saw Big Brother leading her grandson in. She stood up and pulled her grandson’s hand, "Look at this, your little hands are ice-cold. It’s been getting colder these past few days; you must be frozen, come, let Grandma have a good look at you."

Throughout the journey, Jiang Zhu felt uneasy. But when his grandmother embraced him, he felt peace. He had arrived at his maternal grandparents’ home, finally. "Grandma, don’t worry about me, I’m in very good health. It’s Grandma who I’m worried about—I just heard Big Uncle say you caught a cold. Are you better now?"

Zhulan was touched by his words; her heart melted. Look how filial the child was, "All better, all better. It’s just your grandfather making a fuss over nothing. Ever since Grandma caught a cold, your grandfather hasn’t let me out of the room, he’s been quite overbearing."

Jiang Zhu held his grandmother’s hand. He had heard from his mother that his grandparents’ affection was the deepest of any couple she’d seen. Supporting his grandma, he sat down and said, "Grandfather is just worried about you, Grandma. If you’re sick, he wishes he could take your place. Grandfather is very fond of you, Grandma."