Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 996: Love Who You Want

Chapter 996: Chapter 996: Love Who You Want

Zhulan said, "This means Prince Qi also suspects whether the fifth prince’s concubine is truly pregnant, which is why he had Princess Qi personally bring the Imperial Physician to check."

Xue Han’s mouth opened slightly in surprise, "Prince Qi is really determined to pin down the fifth prince!"

Zhulan gestured for Granny Song to rest, "I heard from your father that the fifth prince has caused Prince Qi quite a bit of trouble; how could Prince Qi let Zhang Yang spread rumors without consequence?"

Xue Han thought about it and had to agree. Now that the miscarriage had become public, there were hardly any rumors left to spread. Xue Han asked in a low voice, "Mother, do you think the Prince Qi’s suspicion about the pregnancy is warranted? Is she really pregnant?"

"How would I know that? Just wait and see; if it’s a lie, it will definitely stir up a commotion."

Xue Han, not understanding, asked, "Mother, with the Crown Prince’s position so stable, why can’t these princes just be virtuous?"

"The Emperor’s harem represents various powers; it also consists of the maternal families of the princes. Do you think they would be content? The Crown Prince and the other princes are of similar ages, and all are the Emperor’s sons."

Moreover, the Crown Prince’s stable position is a testament to his own capabilities. It’s not just the Emperor’s trust but also the Crown Prince’s shrewdness and caution that have prevented the other princes from having a chance. Otherwise, even with abundant trust, continual mistakes would not be sustainable.

Within the Palace, Eunuch Liu reported, "Princess Qi has already left the fifth prince’s residence."

Eunuch Liu paused, then continued, "The Imperial Physician brought by Princess Qi confirmed that the fifth prince’s concubine indeed had a miscarriage."

The Emperor sneered and asked the Crown Prince, "What do you think?"

The Crown Prince was shocked inside, "This Imperial Physician must be trusted by the second brother to have been brought by Princess Qi. Now that he’s told a lie, he must have another master behind him."

The Emperor’s gaze grew dark, "The more that is exposed, the more shocked I am. We must thoroughly clean this up this time."

The Crown Prince’s heart clenched, "Zhang Yang’s plan didn’t kill Zhang Jinghong’s child, but now that the rumors have been dispelled, it can be considered a success. In such a short time, Zhang Yang has grown rapidly."

If it hadn’t been for the unexpected interference from Mr. Li’s wife, Zhang Yang’s plan would have been very successful!

The Emperor had never taken Zhang Yang seriously; Zhang Yang was the most important bait in his net, "The last mishap was a lesson for him. This winter might be a bit quieter, and your younger brother might also be able to marry smoothly."

The Crown Prince’s pupils constricted slightly. He had always thought it was the second brother’s doing, but now, hearing his father’s meaning, it seemed the Emperor had acted and even pinned it on Prince Qi. Now, Zhang Yang was convinced that Prince Qi was behind it. The Emperor deepened the conflict between the two, using Prince Qi to dig out the forces behind Zhang Yang, and conversely using Zhang Yang to wear down the Chen family.

The Crown Prince’s breathing became tense. The Emperor valued and trusted him highly, and he had to be even more cautious. Sometimes, the Emperor’s heart was too secretive. For many years as Crown Prince, he had always remained hidden beside the Emperor, never acting rashly, fearing to appear as a threat to the Emperor. His increased activity in recent years was also at the Emperor’s instigation.

The Crown Prince watched the Emperor’s retreating figure. The Emperor was a monarch first, and then a father, which meant he had to be an even more qualified heir.

At the Qi Prince Residence, Prince Qi asked the Imperial Physician again, "Are you sure there was a miscarriage?"

The Imperial Physician was very confident, "Yes, I’ve checked thoroughly several times, and there is no trace of medicinal use."

Prince Qi frowned, wondering if the fifth had really resolved the poison issue.

The Imperial Physician bowed his head, "Your Highness, I shall return to the Imperial Hospital."

"Good, you may go."

Prince Qi still felt something was amiss; it was all too coincidental, as if deliberately arranged. He turned to Princess Qi, "What do you think?"

Princess Qi said, "The despair of the fifth prince’s concubine seemed genuine, not feigned."

Prince Qi regretfully said, "What a waste of a good rumor."

Princess Qi was more concerned, "Father handed over the task of rebuilding the Rong family to the Crown Prince, my lord, will you not contend for it?"

Prince Qi was more informed, "It’s not about rebuilding the Rong family; Father wants to build gardens using the silver from his private treasury. It would be good enough if we don’t have to add our own silver to it, let alone skimming off the top."

As if it were a favorable task, years of lessons had taught him, if he volunteered, ha, the silver he had painstakingly saved up would definitely go into the gardens. He would not compete for it. He wouldn’t bother to contend for it—let whoever wants it, have it.

Days passed in a flash, and the whole capital knew that it was not about the Rong family having survivors returning but about the Emperor wanting to build gardens. This matter overshadowed the gossip about the Fifth Prince, thankfully taking the heat off Zhang Yang and finally no one paid attention to the child anymore.

The Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren almost blackened his face, looking at the tea-drinking Crown Prince wanting to spit blood, "Your Highness, you want me to do the budgeting?"

He was truly busy, very busy. Although the proposal he submitted had pressed the Ministry of Works for silver, the funds for shipbuilding were still flowing like water. The Emperor wanted to build a new harbor next year, and the silver from this year’s tax revenue had not yet arrived in the capital, but he had already made plans for it.

The Crown Prince, "It’s not a detailed budget. You just estimate the cost for me, so I have an idea."

The Emperor’s private treasury would eventually be his, and he ached over the significant outlay of silver, especially as the Emperor had been adding to the drawings from time to time. He had coveted the Emperor’s private treasury for a long time, being the pitiful one that the Emperor occasionally exploited.

Zhou Shuren took out a detailed construction material chart and handed it to the Crown Prince, "I recommend someone to you. As long as you follow this calculation, it will give Your Highness a more accurate estimate."

Crown Prince took the bound charts, flipping through them page by page. They were indeed detailed, "Is this entire book about the market price of building materials?"

Zhou Shuren hummed in affirmation.

The Crown Prince had not visited the Ministry of Revenue for a long time. He had many matters to deal with and rarely paid attention to details, knowing that the Ministry of Revenue had changed a lot. After receiving several more books from Zhou Shuren, the Crown Prince fell silent for a moment, "No wonder I’ve heard that the other ministries are complaining about the Ministry of Revenue."

Zhou Shuren, "That should be taken as a compliment; I have no choice."

What he really wanted to say was that he was compelled by the lack of silver, so he had to think of other means.

The Crown Prince coughed, his gaze drifting slightly. Mr. Li was too capable. Although he and the Emperor had given their orders, they knew what to expect in their hearts. He didn’t expect that the Ministry of Revenue would actually withstand the pressure, truly talented people, "Who do you want to recommend?"

"Zhang Jinghong. He has learned quite a bit by my side."

The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes, "Mr. Li takes good care of Zhang Jinghong."

That care had even affected the families of women.

Zhou Shuren openly, "He’s the one I favor; he helps me a lot, and I am in a difficult position."

The Crown Prince smiled, knowing that Zhou Shuren wanted to transfer Mr. Lei from the Ministry of Justice to his side. He looked at Zhou Shuren’s desk and cleared his throat, "I’ll take Zhang Jinghong with me later."

"Yes."

In the Zhou family, Zhulan held a puppy in her arms, precisely a little pup. The pup was slightly larger than a palm, and all the granddaughters in the room were present. If it weren’t for her holding it, Yu Die would certainly reach out to grab it.

Lady Li coveted it greatly, "Mother, where did Father find this pup for you?"

Zhulan stroked the sleeping pup. It was a little surprise from Zhou Shuren yesterday, indeed a surprise. For many years, she had never thought about keeping a pet. Back in the Zhou family’s village, they did keep dogs for guarding the house, but it was never a pet raised by the womenfolk in their arms, "This one was fetched from Mr. Li’s residence."

Lady Li asked, "Which Mr. Li?"

There were quite a few Mr. Lis in the capital; she knew several of them.