Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1133: The New Year

The festive spirit of the capital was drawing nearer, and Zhou Shuren was resting at home when Prince Qi arrived at his residence.

Prince Qi, sipping on tea, said, "It’s tough to get a cup of tea from Minister Zhou. You invited me for tea, but we’ve waited till the end of the year. Minister Zhou hasn’t been avoiding me, has he?"

Zhou Shuren replied, "Prince, you jest. You know the Ministry of Revenue is busy all year round. This year especially, with the addition of the Ministry of Commerce and the year-end duties, even my rest days are occupied."

Prince Qi set down his teacup. "Speaking of the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Revenue has seen a considerable increase in revenue."

Zhou Shuren paused before responding, "...Not much increase, the Ministry of Revenue is still short of silver."

He knew well that the Ministry of Commerce would only be part of the Ministry of Revenue for one year, branching out the next year, which pained him to think about. This year’s joy of collecting silver would turn bitter the following year.

Suddenly, Prince Qi said, "I’ve noticed, Minister, you have quite a few secrets."

Zhou Shuren knew Prince Qi had been watching him. It was His Highness Prince Liang’s attitude that sowed doubts in Prince Qi’s mind. "Speaking of which, Your Highness has quite a few secrets too. Well, they might not be secrets anymore. With the year coming to an end, I have heard quite a few rumors about Your Highness."

Prince Qi’s expression stiffened. He was a man who cared about appearances. Previously, he had a competitive spirit and was somewhat restrained, needing support from his wife, and he didn’t dare to indulge excessively. Now, he didn’t want to shortchange himself and became more self-indulgent, his wife even more so than him.

Previously, the Princess Consort still harbored hopes for the Empress’ position and her son becoming Crown Prince. Now, she had abandoned those hopes, showing no courtesy to him anymore. Recently, taking a new concubine had caused much trouble.

Prince Qi, rubbing his nose, said his wife had taken their child back to her parental home in a fit of defiance, "It’s all rumors."

Zhou Shuren chuckled, "Oh."

After seeing off Prince Qi, Zhou Shuren returned to his courtyard and saw his wife with furrowed brows. "What’s wrong?"

Zhulan handed him two lists of gifts. "Take a look. The top one is from the Crown Princess Consort, and the bottom one from Consort Lau of the Crown Prince’s residence. Both are extravagant gifts."

Zhou Shuren examined the lists. It made sense for the Crown Princess Consort, coming from a wealthy family and having rich parents, but for Consort Lau, "Indeed, it’s excessively generous."

Just this list amounted to over a thousand silver.

Zhulan commented, "I don’t understand, the other day when Xue Han visited the Crown Prince’s residence, the Crown Princess Consort even mentioned you to our daughter. Now, Consort Lau has sent such generous gifts too, I wonder why?"

Zhou Shuren had a bad premonition, then frowned, "This gift, let it be, even during the holidays there’s no peace. I will write a note to the Crown Prince."

Zhulan cautioned, "That might not be wise. Consort Lau is still a mother of one of his sons. If the Crown Prince ascends the throne, that son would become a prince. If you directly return the gifts to the Crown Prince, it might offend them."

Zhou Shuren said, "We cannot accept this gift. It’s better to cut it off from the start. The gift from the Crown Princess Consort represents the Crown Prince’s residence; this concubine has gone too far."

"People are just too restless these days. The Crown Prince hasn’t even ascended the throne yet, and his consorts are already restless."

Zhou Shuren said, "Leave it to me. I know what to do."

"Hmm."

Being efficient, Zhou Shuren immediately wrote a note and sent it to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince, not having responded yet, was surprised when he saw the note that night, wondering why Zhou Shuren, who usually avoided him with well-masked efforts, had sent him a note proactively.

The next morning, Zhou Shuren received a reply and changed into a fresh set of clothes before heading to the tea house as mentioned by the Crown Prince.

Zhou Shuren arrived first, and the tea was ready when the Crown Prince arrived. "Your Highness, I pay my respects."

The Crown Prince was in a good mood. "Sit."

Zhou Shuren personally poured tea for the Crown Prince, who paused, surprised, "Minister, you seem overly solicitous today."

Zhou Shuren smiled, then took out a list of gifts and handed it over, "I fear greatly."

The Crown Prince had already investigated after receiving Zhou Shuren’s note the previous day, so this came as no surprise. He took the list and examined it, his expression unchanging. He had already been irked by the rumors last time, upset with the Crown Princess Consort. Without her indifference, the rumors wouldn’t have spread so fiercely.

Moreover, it was really an injustice; he had never intended to take Miss Wu as his concubine, yet his household was already on edge.

"The gift list, the Crown Prince felt, was still not enough of a knock on the backyard, ’I take back the gift list.’"

Zhou Shuren sighed with relief, yet felt obliged to clarify, "I knew not of anything worth noting, my loyalty lies solely with the Emperor."

The Crown Prince understood, it was all because of him. He had praised Zhou Shuren many times, naturally, the women in the harem would overthink. He hadn’t even ascended the throne yet was already drawing people to his side, truly impatient.

Zhou Shuren and the Crown Prince hadn’t sat for long, for the Crown Prince was a busy man. Upon leaving the teahouse, they encountered Shi Qing; Zhou Shuren noticed the elder beside Shi Qing, and so did the Crown Prince.

Shi Qing promptly paid his respects, "I have seen the Crown Prince."

Then he said, "And I have seen Lord Zhou."

The Crown Prince inquired, "Who might this be, Minister Shi?"

Shi Qing said, "I brought my father to the teahouse for tea."

The Crown Prince merely asked out of courtesy, then boarded his carriage and left. Zhou Shuren was also about to leave when Shi Qing said, "Would you join for a cup of tea, sir?"

Zhou Shuren thought for a moment, "Alright."

They returned to the teahouse and Zhou Shuren felt the old Master Shi’s eyes fixed on him. Becoming curious, he looked back.

Shi Qing quickly explained to his father, "This is Lord Zhou, the Vice Minister of Revenue."

The future Minister of Revenue. Although he had not yet joined the Ministry of Revenue, he knew much already; only waiting for the Crown Prince’s accession for Lord Zhou’s official position to change.

Master Shi quickly said, "I have seen Lord Zhou."

Zhou Shuren was curious about the old man; he knew that Shi Qing had always kept him hidden, and yet today he was brought out, suggesting that the father and son seemed to have eased their relationship. "Shi Qing is competent."

Master Shi, knowing his son was set to join the Ministry of Commerce in the Ministry of Revenue the following year at a Sixth Rank, transitioning smoothly from merchant to official and remaining in the capital, was pleased. Upon meeting the Vice Minister of Revenue, he hurriedly said, "Shi Qing still lacks a great deal and does not deserve such praise."

Shi Qing relaxed, his father’s good appearance now was critical for the future of the Shi family; that’s why he had brought him out.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan asked, "Why did you come back so late?"

Zhou Shuren said, "I ran into Shi Qing, so we talked a bit."

"Zhang Yang staying in the Prince Residence, Shi Qing also relaxed."

"Hmm, however, Zhang Yang is still somewhat unusual. Just how long has it been? He must have taken in almost ten concubines by now!"

Zhulan had not counted, "In any case, it has been continuous, and all are of low status."

Zhou Shuren’s intuition told him that the abnormality hinted at something big brewing.

Zhulan asked, "Is the gift list issue resolved?"

"Yes, it’s settled."

"Here’s a letter from Chang Lian; take a look."

Zhou Shuren took the letter handed over by his wife and read the content, "This boy did well this year; his performance is top-notch."

"He too has worries, everyone talks about him having only daughters. Write him back, say anything, grandchildren are all wonderful, it’s all destiny."

She feared that dwelling on it too long might lead to a psychological implication.

Zhou Shuren, "I will write immediately."

The New Year was celebrated as usual. After the New Year, the capital’s major focus was on the imperial examinations. The year passed, and Zhou Shuren’s concerns shifted to Chang Zhi and the younger generation in his clan. He personally mentored several of the clan’s youngsters, who benefited greatly.

Time flew rapidly; the more he focused on the imperial examinations, the faster the exam day approached.