Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 999: Eating Melons, Delicious

Chapter 999: Chapter 999: Eating Melons, Delicious

Zhou Shuren sipped his tea and sighed, "In a few days, the blood-red plum blossoms should bloom."

Wong Ju did not react at first but quickly understood. These past few days, his father had ceaselessly discussed the affairs of the court with him, "It’s a pity they’re not pleasant to look at."

The metaphor used by Zhou Shuren made him no longer wish to admire the plum blossoms this year.

At the Ministry of Rites, Phang Huai’s face was gloomy. The officials from the Phang family clan had been continuously impeached, and it was premeditated. Although the Emperor hadn’t made a move yet, he felt anxious. He was so close to the position of Minister of Personnel.

Wu Ming, on the other hand, felt much more relaxed. Since the Phang family had run into trouble, the Ministry of Rites no longer had the time to trouble him. The appetizer alone had already thrown the Phang family into turmoil.

Gu Zhuomin felt restless. No one was troubling him now, but he was afraid, "If the Phang family is in trouble, does it mean they will purge the Ministry of Rites?"

He had just entered the Ministry of Rites and wondered whether he could be implicated, or if he might be pushed out to take the fall again.

Wu Ming looked at Gu Zhuomin’s pale eyes, "You’re asking me? How would I know?"

Gu Zhuomin did not believe him. He always felt that Wu Ming knew something, and he knew quite a lot, but Wu Ming remained too composed.

Wu Ming added another comment, "In a few days, be extra careful."

This was not merely to scare Gu Zhuomin. If they were to purge the Ministry of Rites, he could very easily be dragged down with it.

Gu Zhuomin swallowed hard, having thought that the Ministry of Rites was relatively stable among The Six Ministries. He had not expected this.

The next day, the snow in the capital ceased, and the Emperor looked through one Zhezi after another, "Zhang Yang has really meddled a lot. Look, he has found things even I hadn’t noticed."

The Crown Prince knew that his father was not talking about Zhang Yang, but about the force behind Zhang Yang, "Is this an opportunity to purge some elements?"

The Emperor did not speak; he was not ready to act yet. He was waiting for Prince Four to strike back.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the Emperor finally spoke, "Let Prince Four know about Zhang Yang’s actions."

The Crown Prince felt a stir in his heart, "Yes."

The next day, at the early court, Zhou Shuren arrived late. As he stepped into the hall, he halted, noticing all the ministers with their heads bowed. He took a quick look and saw that the Emperor had not arrived.

It was only when he saw Prince Liang clutching Zhang Yang by the collar that he understood, he understood. He hurried to his place, wanting to be as close to the event as possible.

Prince Liang was so furious he could have chopped Zhang Yang to pieces. Just yesterday, he had found out that Zhang Yang’s reach extended the farthest—farther than Prince Chu. How much Prince Three hated him! Yet he never expected that it wasn’t Prince Three’s doing. Prince Three was merely kicking him when he was down.

Prince Qi’s gaze was deep and penetrating as he stared at Zhang Yang. It should not be possible; Zhang Yang had only returned to the royal family not long ago. He should not have had such influence. Now that he could enrage Prince Four, it was clear that Zhang Yang had been quite busy. Could it be that Zhang Yang was truly serving the Crown Prince?

Prince Qi quickly denied the notion. One cannot hide ambition, especially among princes like themselves. Even if it was well-concealed, they could sense it in each other; it was an instinct against their enemies.

Prince Chu took a step back and whispered in a low voice, "Brother used to think the Fifth was only foolish, but now why do I feel a creeping sense of horror?"

Should he be happy that it was Prince Qi who struck at his family first?

The Phang family had not committed any serious crimes at the moment, but everyone knew that the real drama was yet to come.

Zhang Yang’s face was flushed red, and his neck was uncomfortably tight. Indeed, he had done quite a lot, and he never expected his people to be so efficient in their tasks. In just a few days, they had procured evidence of crimes by the Phang family, all of which carried the death sentence.

Zhang Yang desperately tried to pry Prince Liang’s hands off but in vain. Prince Liang was skilled in martial arts, while he was but a frail scholar with no chance of breaking free.

Prince Qi and Prince Chu, despite being close, did not attempt to save him; they would rather see the youngest suffer a heavy hand and be done with it altogether.

The ministers grew anxious; as the Fifth Prince seemed on the brink of rolling back his eyes, they hurriedly stepped forward with their advice. Phang Huai was so terrified that his soul nearly left him, and he quickly moved forward, "Your Highness Prince Liang, please let go."

Prince Liang wasn’t truly intent on killing anyone. He released his grip with disdain as Zhang Yang coughed, having truly felt the presence of death, and his throat hurt terribly, leaving him unable to speak a single word.

Zhou Shuren, not a tall man, really wanted to stand on his toes to get a better view, but he refrained, as gawking too obviously wouldn’t be appropriate. He didn’t believe Prince Liang was rash; looking at how Zhang Yang was unable to utter a word implied that Prince Liang did not want Zhang Yang to speak that day.

Zhou Shuren felt that the Emperor’s arrival that day was not only late but also suspiciously timely—as if he arrived just as the farce had ended.

Once the Emperor had seated himself, he asked with concern, "My fifth son, why are you holding your neck?"

Zhang Yang, in great discomfort, could not speak when he opened his mouth, but he could still gesture with his hand, pointing at the fourth son as if to say it was all his fault.

Prince Liang immediately knelt down, "Father Emperor, in my anger, I’ve treated my fifth brother with nothing but sincerity, sparing no effort to guide him. But how has he repaid my kindness? First, he stages his own poisoning to harm me, and now he sets traps for me. I am heartbroken, Father Emperor."

Zhou Shuren heard the crying and felt sentimental. His impression of the Fourth Prince had always been that of a great actor: behold, he weeps on cue with such aggrieved sobs.

Zhang Yang glared; how had he orchestrated his own poisoning, "Father Emperor, I did not frame my fourth brother; I was truly poisoned."

Prince Liang appeared even more heartbroken but thought to himself, he can still talk? Despite the pain, he retorted sharply, "If you were truly poisoned and it affected your progeny, how could your concubines be pregnant?"

Even with a sore throat, Zhang Yang insisted on clarifying, "That was after the detoxification."

Prince Liang countered, "You say you’re poisoned, then you’re poisoned; you say you’re cured, then you’re cured. Father Emperor, you must uphold justice for me."

Zhou Shuren felt a thrill inside. This was drama live on scene; how he envied those in the front row for having a perfect view, leaving him with some regret.

Prince Qi’s mouth curled in a sly smile; regardless of whether Zhang Yang’s concubines were really with child or not, Prince Liang was set on pinning the orchestrated poisoning on Zhang Yang.

Prince Chu wanted to speak up but glanced at Zhang Yang and ultimately kept silent. With the Phang family’s mishap, the fourth son was no different to him, yet Zhang Yang’s actions made him wary.

After the morning court ended, Zhou Shuren watched as Prince Liang beat up Zhang Yang. The Emperor, pretending ignorance, called for no one’s help.

That night, back at home, Zhou Shuren vividly recounted the day’s events to his wife, "Prince Qi and Prince Chu weren’t there to break up the fight at all; they both took their secret shots. Prince Qi stepped on Zhang Yang’s leg; had Zhang Yang not been shielding his head with his hands, his hand would have surely been trampled as well. Prince Chu was no less cunning, sneakily kicking whenever he had a chance."

Zhulan, "...Was it really that exciting today?"

Zhou Shuren was exhilarated, "Ah, it was incredibly exciting! This wasn’t just an act; it was genuine malice, both in heart and in action."

Zhulan looked at her husband’s excitement and said, "Zhang Yang has alerted several princes."

"Which is why one must proceed step by step. Trying to achieve everything all at once, tsk tsk!"

Zhulan let out a laugh, "Alright, it’s getting late, hurry up and rest. You still have the morning court tomorrow!"

Zhou Shuren pursed his lips discontentedly, "I hate attending the early morning court in winter the most."

Especially since this year was particularly cold!

In the Fifth Prince’s residence, Zhang Yang had taken quite a beating, most of which was to his ego. Twice today, Prince Liang had embarrassed him in front of the ministers. He swore to take his revenge. Afterwards, furious, he threw aside his pillow. Children, why were they so difficult to conceive? Hadn’t he been detoxified? Why were there still no children? If not for his own schemes... his face darkened further at this thought.