Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 957: Take Seriously

Chapter 957: Chapter 957: Take Seriously

Lady Tao was also uneasy, "Yes, just after the assassination attempt occurred, the Empress’s actions have been rather significant. Having just arrived in the capital, I’m feeling uncertain, so I especially came to ask if you would go with us. Now that I know you’re going, I can be at ease."

Zhulan was not at peace either, she always felt like the virtuous Empress was about to enter a fierce confrontation. Alright, she was actually looking forward to the Empress’s combativeness. After all, the Empress had been the Emperor’s official wife, accompanying him through thick and thin—her combativeness must be high.

Lady Tao asked further, "Will you bring Xue Han with you?"

Zhulan nodded, "Mhm, and you?"

She had no choice but to bring her, as the Empress would be her daughter’s future mother-in-law. Since the Empress specifically mentioned it, her daughter must be brought along.

After thinking for a bit, Lady Tao said, "Then I’ll also bring Wong Lei with me, so she can keep Xue Han company."

"Sure."

The Empress’s move to pray for blessings perplexed people, causing quite a stir in the capital.

In the Palace, the Emperor remained silent. He understood his wife, just as his wife understood him, but too many things were mixed in between them. His wife was the mother of the Crown Prince and their youngest son, whereas he was not just the father of the Crown Prince and the youngest son. After all, he was the Emperor.

The Crown Prince was also silent. The actions of the Empress not being communicated to the Emperor suggested she was upset with the Emperor. "Father Emperor, Mother Empress."

The Emperor raised his hand, "Let her do as she pleases!"

The wife might be upset but she knew her limits and would not affect the court affairs, because she would consider the Crown Prince. Now that she was upset, let her do as she wishes.

The Crown Prince gazed at the Emperor. The Emperor had feelings for the Empress, but too many things stood between them. The once mended rift now showed signs of strain again.

The Emperor cared deeply about his realm, and this time, the rift would be difficult to mend unless he abdicated. But was that possible?

After indicating that the Crown Prince could leave, the Emperor was alone when he untied his purse and took out a rosary, sighing as he touched it. After putting the rosary away, the Emperor remained the Emperor.

In the afternoon, as Zhou Shuren was returning to his residence, he watched Prince Chu speechlessly. Yesterday it was Prince Qi, and today Prince Chu. However, his encounter with Prince Chu was purely coincidental.

Zhang Jingshi shielded his face with a fan from behind the carriage curtain, "Master Zhou, what a coincidence."

"Indeed, this servant also finds it quite coincidental. I have a feeling I might encounter Prince Liang tomorrow. This is the first time I’ve discovered the capital can be so small," responded Zhou Shuren.

Zhang Jingshi was not angry, "This Prince believes Master Zhou will not encounter Prince Liang tomorrow."

Zhou Shuren straightened up, none of the Emperor’s sons were simple, their words full of hidden meanings, "Is that so? We shall see tomorrow."

Zhang Jingshi added, "Master Zhou’s third son is skilled in martial arts. To the unknowing, he could be mistaken for a military general. Master Zhou’s guidance of his son is admirable."

Zhou Shuren understood then; this was not a quest for information but rather idle chatter and, in passing, to drop some hints to him.

Zhang Jingshi continued, "Everyone says Master Zhou is intelligent. This Prince thinks Master Zhou certainly won’t believe any divisive rumors and it would be wise for Master Zhou to keep his eyes wide open."

After finishing his words, Zhang Jingshi lowered his fan while Zhou Shuren watched his carriage drive away. Prince Chu must have thought that Prince Qi told him something yesterday. Prince Qi had indeed said a lot, but nothing about Prince Chu.

The Emperor had called for no Prince. Prince Qi’s actions yesterday were indeed a good strategy of open scheming, forcing Prince Chu to act.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, pondering. The Emperor did not summon him either. It seemed that both Prince Qi and Prince Chu believed the Emperor would summon him, not wishing him to meddle before the Emperor.

Prince Qi clearly stated from the start that it wasn’t his doing. As for Prince Chu, Zhou Shuren was somewhat uncertain; he had always wavered between Prince Chu and Prince Liang—they are all masters of acting!

Yet he had no desire to see the Emperor at all, not in the slightest, especially not now.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, thinking that the Prince who took action hadn’t expected that neither Chang Lian nor Rongchuan would suffer any harm.

In the blink of an eye, the day to visit the Imperial Temple arrived. Zhulan, accompanied by her daughter and the Tao family, set out, as the Imperial Temple was close to the capital. Today, the outskirts of the capital were quite spectacular, teeming with carriages, led by the Empress’s carriage, accompanied by Guards and Female Officers; the Empress’s travel entourage was indeed sizable.

Following were carriages from the Crown Prince’s household and various Princes’ estates, and then came the officials’ families, who were also accompanied by young servants and maids. One could imagine how long the procession was to the temple.

The Zhou family’s carriage wasn’t at the back but rather towards the front of the procession.

Xue Han carefully pulled back a little of the carriage curtain and whispered softly, "Mother, there are so many people here today."

Zhulan nodded, indeed there were many; "Stick close to me when we get to the temple."

Xue Han nodded; at this time, indeed one needed to be careful.

Upon arriving at the temple, the Empress did not hurry to ascend. The Crown Princess Consort stood by the Empress’s side, followed by Princess Qi and others.

The Crown Princess Consort supported the Empress, and the two spoke softly to each other.

The officials’ family carriages gradually arrived, and no one had expected the Empress to wait instead of proceeding first.

Zhulan stood with her daughter not too far away, until a Female Officer approached and said, "The Empress requests Miss Zhou to come over."

Xue Han was taken aback, but upon seeing her mother nod, she suppressed the nervousness in her heart and followed the Female Officer. It wasn’t much distance to cover, yet as Xue Han felt everyone’s scrutinizing gazes, she repeated to herself not to be nervous, so as not to embarrass her family, and thus did not falter.

The Empress’s gaze rested on the Zhou family’s daughter the whole time; this was her youngest son’s fiancée. As her son’s heart was entirely with Zhou Xuehan, the Empress felt a bittersweet sentiment—the love she had not received herself, she hoped to see in her son.

Xue Han stepped forward to greet her, "Your subject greets the Empress."

The Empress nodded, and after Xue Han had paid her respects to the Crown Princess Consort, before she could greet the several Princess Consorts, the Empress spoke, "It’s getting late, we should ascend. Xue Han, come to my left side."

Xue Han glanced at the Princess Consorts from the corner of her eye, seeing smiles on their faces but who knows what they were really thinking. The Empress disregarded the Princess Consorts, and Xue Han took two steps forward to stand on the Empress’s left side. She felt dazed; the Empress truly valued her, to have her stand side by side with the Crown Princess Consort!

The Crown Princess Consort was familiar with Miss Zhou of the Zhou family, all because Miss Zhou was to marry into the Ning family, which was the Crown Prince’s maternal family. Unexpectedly, the Empress held Miss Zhou in such high regard. Considering the Empress’s affection for her cousin Rongchuan, the Crown Princess Consort took Miss Zhou even more seriously.

Zhulan did not know what had been said at the front, but she could see her daughter walking on the left, supporting the Empress.

Madam Tao was astonished, wanting to ask questions, but seeing everyone’s eyes on them, she swallowed her words.

Zhulan wasn’t surprised; from the moment the Empress summoned Xue Han, she was prepared, and it was not excessive for the Empress to do so. Since Xue Han was to marry into the Ning family, it made sense that the Empress would show her favor. Moreover, the Empress bringing Xue Han to her side also indicated a preference for the Zhou family following the assassination attempt on Rongchuan and Chang Lian.

Zhulan felt comforted, for although the Emperor had overlooked the Zhou family, the Empress had not, and she somewhat understood the Empress’s intentions today.

The Empress walked ahead with the officials’ families following in succession. Zhulan walked alongside Madam Tao—now was not the time to speak, as there were people all around.

In the capital, Zhou Shuren did not wish to enter the Palace at all; just yesterday he should not have even considered it, and now, he had been summoned to the Palace.