Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 887 Two Small Boxes

Chapter 887: Chapter 887 Two Small Boxes

Zhang Jingyang was not satisfied, he did not believe that Zhou Shuren had not heard the news, as he had heard quite a bit from other ministers. It was just that Zhou Shuren pretended to be ignorant, and he felt it was inappropriate to press him for answers, "Is that so."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Does Your Highness come to the Ministry of Revenue for a matter?"

Zhang Jingyang pointed at Zhang Jinghong, "I came to see him."

Zhang Jinghong rolled his eyes inwardly, as if the pretense of concern for him was overdone. When he had been restricted, no one had come to see him. Today’s visit suggested that he was valued for his usefulness.

Zhou Shuren had official business to attend to, "Since Your Highness came to see Zhang Jinghong, let him entertain Your Highness. I have urgent official matters to deal with, so I will not entertain Your Highness."

Zhang Jingyang looked at the account books on Zhou Shuren’s desk and knew he was not lying. He stood up, "Then I won’t stay any longer, Jinghong, see me out."

Zhang Jinghong got up, "Alright."

Outside, the snowstorm was fierce, and Zhang Jinghong donned his cloak. Even though his health had improved, he was left with some lingering weaknesses, one of which was an especially low tolerance for cold.

At the gate of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhang Jingyang stopped, turned his head to look at Zhang Jinghong in a blue cloak, "You are learning from Minister Zhou, a chance many cannot beg for. You should apply yourself."

He paused, then continued, "Look at your complexion, you really need to take good care of your health. I’ll send someone to deliver some tonics to you."

Zhang Jinghong adhered to the principle that not taking advantage of an opportunity is foolish, "This official thanks Your Highness for your kindness."

Zhang Jingyang grunted in response, turned around, and got onto his carriage.

Zhang Jinghong tightened his cloak and watched the carriage drive away. To him, Zhang Jingyang’s concern might as well have been the sound of wind. Thus, he thought, it’s important to be of value. He didn’t yearn for Minister Zhou’s abilities; the Emperor wouldn’t like that and it could spell disaster for himself. He merely needed the ability to save his own life.

In the Zhou residence, Zhulan met with Scholar Deng, "The snowstorm is fierce outside, yet you were called over. Drink this ginger tea to warm up."

The snow on Scholar Deng’s head had already melted, leaving him quite chilly, "Thank you for the lady’s ginger tea."

Zhulan got straight to the point, "Find me a house in the capital, nearer to West City. It doesn’t need to be big, a small courtyard will do, but the location must be good."

Scholar Deng committed her request to memory, "It’s just that good locations are generally hard to buy, and it may take some time. Does the lady need it urgently?"

"It would be fine if it can be bought within about a month."

Scholar Deng was even more confident, "I’ve noted it."

Zhulan, seizing the opportunity to ask, "I heard that Deng Li got engaged?"

Thinking of his daughter, Scholar Deng respected his wife for raising her well, "Yes, she is engaged. Her fiancé is the son of a Graduate’s family, currently studying at the Academy."

Zhulan, "Congratulations to you."

Scholar Deng was indeed happy, "It’s all thanks to the blessings of the residence."

Now everyone knew that he worked for the Zhou family, which was why his daughter could choose a decent Graduate’s family, and her future uncle was also a man of official rank!

After exchanging a few more words, Scholar Deng left.

Once left alone, Zhulan said to the old servant Song, "With Xue Mei’s family arriving in the capital, I can let go of my last worries."

Old servant Song replied, "The young lady wouldn’t want you to worry so much, either."

"Children are the debts we owe from a former life."

Sometimes, Zhulan thought that she and Zhou Shuren must be here to repay debts.

Sometimes Old servant Song envied having children too, but fortunately, she was philosophical about it.

That night, through Zhou Shuren, Zhulan heard major news, and she whispered, "Is the Emperor really preparing to bestow titles on several Princes?"

Zhou Shuren nodded, "I was the last to leave today, and the Crown Prince mentioned it in passing."

Zhulan leaned on her husband’s shoulder, "The Emperor really doesn’t treat you as an outsider."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "It’s not just me who knows, some ministers are likely aware as well, which is why the Second Prince asked me."

Zhulan said, "Do you think the Emperor will grant Zhang Yang a kingship?"

"No," he said.

Zhulan said, "I don’t think so either, I guess this matter will probably drag on to next year."

"Yes."

Zhulan was feeling sleepy, and her head returned to the pillow, "I’m going to sleep first."

Zhou Shuren wasn’t sleepy, but he closed his eyes nonetheless, his mind however was occupied with thoughts of rewards, these unattainable things that he couldn’t stop fretting over—it was such an annoying feeling.

At Zhang Jinghong’s residence, Yao Xin was still worried, "We’ve taken the Second Prince’s tonic; if you don’t help him, will there really be no consequences?"

Zhang Jinghong was very calm, "No worries, the Emperor has pardoned me; he won’t really do anything to me."

Listening to her husband’s confident tone, Yao Xin felt reassured, but she couldn’t help blushing, "Don’t you think our home feels a little lonely?"

Zhang Jinghong thought nothing of it, "Then we’ll buy a few more maids and servants."

Yao Xin blushed even more, "I’m talking about children; it’s the absence of children’s laughter."

Because the room was dark, Yao Xin couldn’t see Zhang Jinghong’s expression. He felt somewhat guilty. While at The Prince Residence, Yao Xin hadn’t had any children, and he secretly had her consume contraceptives. At that time, he didn’t want Yao Xin to have children. After learning about his own background, he dared even less to let Yao Xin have children. If he himself was not certain of his own survival, how could he burden a child with that?

Now he still wasn’t sure if the Emperor would allow him to have offspring, so children would have to wait.

Yao Xin’s heart felt exceptionally desolate, and she fell silent with her head down. Children, she too was aware of her husband’s difficulties—their family was still on the edge of danger. Holding her husband’s hand, she said, "Just the two of us are quite fine; it might even be better without a third."

Zhang Jinghong understood Yao Xin’s meaning. The third person was not a child, but another woman, "When we left The Prince Residence, it was only you and me."

He did have concubines, but after he was no longer a Prince, he gave them silver and let them go.

Yao Xin was happy, and for the first time dared to confess her greed, beaming with joy, "Let’s sleep, let’s sleep."

Zhang Jinghong chuckled lightly, neither he nor Yao Xin were good people, but there was still a soft spot in their hearts. He wrapped his arms tightly around Yao Xin’s waist and closed his eyes.

Time flew by, and the convoy escorting the confiscated silver had arrived at the capital. Mr. Qiu brought back several boxes full of documents that needed to be sorted and filed properly.

The silver went straight into the national treasury; tangible wealth in gold and silver. Zhou Shuren had been to the treasury before, but the sight of boxes upon boxes of gold and silver still left him deeply impressed.

Not to mention the precious antiques and paintings. Looking at the lists from one confiscated household after another, Zhou Shuren felt that his own family fortune really amounted to nothing.

Qiu Yan was exhausted to the point of collapse, and Zhou Shuren said, "Take a good rest during these days off, and take care of yourself."

Qiu Yan truly was fatigued, mainly from mental exhaustion, "Before arriving at the capital, my heart was in my throat the entire time, I dared not sleep every day, and on this journey back to the capital, it was solely a matter of willpower that got me here."

Zhou Shuren expressed understanding, "You should also go back and rest now."

Qiu Yan was somewhat out of it, and all he wanted to do now was slurp two days and two nights’ worth of sleep; he was really too tired, "Then I’ll be going back now. Oh, I brought you a gift, I’ll have someone deliver it to your residence."

"Thanks."

In the afternoon, Zhou Shuren finally saw the rewards the Emperor had promised him, and was speechless—his worst fear came true, it really was just two small boxes!