Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 973 Methods

Chapter 973: Chapter 973 Methods

At the Zhou family dinner, Chang Lian came home a bit late, with Rongchuan joining him. As he sat down, he noticed his father was missing, "Mother, aren’t we waiting for father to come back?"

Zhulan responded, "Your father has an appointment; he won’t be back for dinner tonight."

Chang Lian’s thoughts stirred, "Is father dealing with Ran Lei’s matter?"

Zhulan didn’t hide the truth, "Yes."

Rongchuan thought for a moment and then said, "Auntie, I..."

Zhulan cut him off, "You can’t, let’s all start eating."

Rongchuan bowed his head, as his aunt was right; he couldn’t use the Ning Residence’s influence to help. The Ning family was being very cautious in their actions now, with many people watching them closely. As the maternal family of the Crown Prince, plenty of people wanted to catch them on something.

Despite the Ning family appearing like a colossal behemoth, they dare not make a single move and could only lie low. Even he had not been spared the difficulties lately. If it weren’t for his frequent visits to the palace, he would have faced even more blatant targeting.

At the restaurant, Zhou Shuren generously treated Mr. Lei to a meal, not avoiding anyone. Instead of being secretive, it was better to be forthright. However, Zhou Shuren did not start by mentioning Ran Lei’s case, but rather said, "You’ve been in the Ministry of Justice for a few years, and during these years, you’ve never been promoted."

Mr. Lei had prepared himself for Grand Master Zhou’s inquiries and had even deliberately reviewed Ran Lei’s case. Unexpectedly, Grand Master Zhou was talking about his own situation. Thinking of his many years without a promotion, Mr. Lei felt bitter, "Yes, I have been in the role for quite a few years."

Zhou Shuren continued, "The Ministry of Justice has just been purged, and the staff have been newly reassigned. There are no available positions left."

The implication was clear: he had no chance of promotion in the Ministry of Justice and waiting a few more years would not likely improve the situation.

Mr. Lei felt disheartened; he was aware of his predicament and had even considered moving elsewhere, but transferring was not as simple as just thinking about it. He drank his wine in silence.

Zhou Shuren spoke with a smile, "I have seen for myself your capabilities; it’s a waste for you to remain in the Ministry of Justice."

Mr. Lei’s interest was piqued, "Grand Master?"

Zhou Shuren didn’t continue, a hints was enough. Regarding moving Mr. Lei to the Ministry of Revenue, he had already spoken with the Grand Master of Writing about it. He had emphasized that Wong Ju would be leaving next year, and the Grand Master of Writing knew he was in need of a capable assistant, so he had taken note of Mr. Lei.

Zhou Shuren had spoken to the Grand Master of Writing early, not out of fear for the one in a thousand chance things might go wrong, but because he was cautious by nature. By speaking with Mr. Lei in advance, he hoped that Mr. Lei would share more about the Ran Lei case. Knowing that Mr. Lei also preferred to avoid trouble, to pry open his mouth, it was necessary to show him hope for a promotion.

Just as he said, he had confidence in Mr. Lei’s abilities, who had been a great help to him in the Ministry of Justice before, possessing meticulous attention to detail.

Mr. Lei touched his wine glass, understanding that the Grand Master had spoken with him to inquire about the Ran Lei case. In a particularly low voice, he said, "In truth, everyone knows Ran Lei has been wronged. There are just several parties who want to convict him, while others are obstructing, leading to a deadlock."

Zhou Shuren narrowed his eyes, "Several parties?"

Mr. Lei pondered a moment, then raised three fingers, though he seemed unremarkable, his observations were clear.

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that this meant three princes were involved. Prince Chu had completely given up on Ran Zheng, and as for those obstructing, he didn’t need to ask. Ran Zheng had held office for many years and had his own influence. Plus, the Crown Prince was the least eager to see the Ran family in trouble.

The Zhou family had risen too late to have substantial backing; now it was a struggle between various powers, and he didn’t dare to make a move. He drank the wine in his glass, "Thank you for today; your words won’t go beyond us."

Mr. Lei, truly afraid that Grand Master Zhou would ask for something else, was relieved it was only about understanding the situation and felt no burden.

Back at home, Zhulan mentioned that someone from the Qi family had come by during the day, "I reckon she came without Ran Zheng’s knowledge."

"Yes, Ran Zheng wouldn’t seek me out for help on his own. He knows we can’t provide any real assistance."

Zhulan sighed, acknowledging the sad reality Zhou Shuren spoke of, as the Zhou family’s foundations were too shallow, "What is your plan?"

Zhou Shuren changed his clothes, "Evidence isn’t important. What matters is who wins this game. If the Crown Prince wins, Ran Lei will be fine. If he loses, the Ran family will be in trouble."

Zhulan frowned, "Then why did you go to meet with Mr. Lei?"

"I just wanted to confirm some things."

Zhulan sat down and asked, "Do you have any solutions?"

Zhou Shuren actually had a solution, "It’s just that the cost might be a bit high for the Ran family."

Zhulan watched Zhou Shuren go to bathe and thought about her husband’s words. The cost that the Ran family could afford to pay, she realized, she understood Zhou Shuren’s method, but she just didn’t know if the Ran family was willing to pay the price.

As for overturning the testimony and retrying the case, it was no longer necessary, but the Ran family was stuck in it, being led by the nose, still obsessively searching for evidence to prove innocence!

The Ran family, Ran Zheng has a terrible headache, "You went to the Zhou residence?"

Madam Qi, touching her tears, "We have an arranged marriage with the Zhou family. If you don’t seek help from Zhou Shuren and even stop me, I am just desperate."

Ran Zheng’s headache got even worse, "The Zhou family has just arrived in the capital and has no foundation, and although they are related to the Ning Residence by marriage, the Ning family won’t offer help, and Zhou Shuren wishes to help but couldn’t possibly do so."

If Zhou Shuren could really offer help, wouldn’t he have gone to find him? Since Zhou Shuren couldn’t help, seeking him out would be useless, better to completely detach the Zhou family now and save the relationship for the future.

Now that his wife had gone to the Zhou residence, what Zhou Shuren thought of him, he didn’t know, but the main thing was the Zhou family truly couldn’t offer help!

Madam Qi was indeed anxious, "I will return to my parents’ house tomorrow, I’ll beg my father."

"This is ludicrous, with the Crown Prince involved, do you still think of going back to the Qi Clan? Let me make it clear to you, Prince Chu is also involved now, so stop harboring any illusions."

Madam Qi collapsed into a chair, Prince Chu had taken action, "What are we to do now?"

Ran Zheng sighed. He had been so careful, but still couldn’t avoid it. This time’s rumors were utterly baseless, the Emperor had never intended to give him an official appointment, which is why he had remained so well-behaved, patiently waiting for an opportunity. But now, damn it.

Early the next morning, Zhulan saw Mingyun, "Are you looking for your grandfather?"

Mingyun hadn’t seen her grandfather, "Grandfather has left?"

Zhulan nodded, "He had some unfinished business yesterday, so he went to the Ministry of Revenue early this morning."

Mingyun was inquiring about the Ran family’s issue, "Grandma, will the Ran family encounter trouble?"

Zhulan thought for a moment, "You need to ask your grandfather about that, Grandma doesn’t know."

Mingyun thought that made sense, "Grandma, then I’ll go head off, I’ll come back later for breakfast."

"Mmhmm, alright."

Mingyun turned her head and saw her third uncle, "Uncle Chang Lian, good morning."

Chang Lian patted his grandnephew’s head, "Morning."

Chang Lian approached his mother after the grandnephew left, "Mother."

Zhulan dropped her guard only in front of Chang Lian, she turned her head away, not wanting to deal with Chang Lian.

Chang Lian followed his mother’s steps, "Mother, Mingyun is concerned about Ran Wan whom he is engaged to."

Zhulan with a tone of aversion, "Don’t follow me so closely, keep your distance."

Chang Lian took a step back and asked softly, "Mother, it won’t be easy for the Ran family to get out of their predicament."

"If you know that already, why are you still following me?"

"Your son thinks that you are as formidable as father, which is why I wanted to ask, Mother, do you think the Ran family can get out of this?"

Zhulan turned around, "If you think I’m formidable, that’s your misperception. Alright, stop bothering me, go do what you’re supposed to do, and if you don’t want to eat, just go to the Hanlin Academy early."