Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1141: The Blow is Not Small

Zhou Shuren invited the visitor in and, after serving another cup of tea, with Jingwen guarding outside, said, "Uncle, why have you come to the Ministry of Revenue to find me?"

Yu Dang’s expression was horribly strained; God knows how he managed to keep his emotions in check in front of Shi Huai, "Today I arranged to meet with Shi Huai at the tea house to watch the bustle, and saw a person, a business associate of Shi Huai from years ago, around forty years old, with the surname Gu."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shuren sat up straight and said gravely, "Uncle, do you recognize him?"

Yu Dang shook his head, "I do not recognize him, but I recognize his face; he should be Zhang Xiaowu’s child, the two of them look very much alike."

Zhou Shuren was hearing about the Zhang family’s members for the first time, "Zhang Xiaowu?"

Yu Dang was lost in thought, "The Zhang family’s main branch is different from our Rong family; they are the true main descendants. This Zhang Xiaowu was fifth in birth order; back then, the father of the current Emperor was second in birth order, with Zhang Laoda dying young but still retaining his rank."

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, looking at his uncle, and then thinking about the Emperor’s father, he should be dead by now, and even if someone had taken his place and lived, he couldn’t be alive at this age, "Did Zhang Xiaowu never marry?"

Yu Dang counted on his fingertips, "No, but he was betrothed, only fourteen at the time."

Zhou Shuren inquired, "Uncle, what are your plans in coming to see me?"

Yu Dang sighed, "I had intended to investigate on my own, but now that I’ve discovered someone who might be of the Zhang family, I can only report it to the Emperor."

He was not only conflicted because Shi Huai had originally become a merchant, even though the Shi family has now entered officialdom, he still had reservations in his heart.

He was also somewhat wary of the Emperor, keeping the Rong family’s secrets hidden, although he didn’t know them, he feared the Emperor finding out, and the Rong family losing everything.

Now, he could only lament having encountered someone who might be from the Zhang family, he could only sigh at the will of heaven.

Zhou Shuren swirled his teacup, coming to a conclusion in his mind, "Shall I take you into the palace now, Uncle?"

Uncle couldn’t enter the palace alone, and to avoid attracting attention, Uncle had severed ties with the Emperor. It was expected that the Emperor had not anticipated Uncle discovering anything.

Yu Dang, "Mhm."

Nearly two hours later, Zhou Shuren arrived at the government hall. Concerning the Zhang family, he felt it was better to know less, so he requested to wait outside, and the Emperor agreed.

However, Zhou Shuren felt Uncle’s intense stare; after all, he was not a member of the Rong family. He wanted no part in the current affairs.

Inside the study, Yu Dang reported his findings and also requested the Zhou family to investigate the Shi family in Pingzhou.

The Emperor, "..."

The Crown Prince, "..."

Seeing the two most venerable individuals fall silent, Yu Dang felt quite disheartened. If Shi Huai were the child from back then, well, this drama would indeed be spectacular. And the chief culprit for all this was the current Emperor; the Rong family had helped the Emperor far too much, completely unexpected!

Even if Zhou Shuren understood his uncle’s thinking, he remained calm. Although his efforts and his wife’s had played a part, at least compared to his past life, all members of the Shi family were alive and well!

The Emperor was shocked and then felt somewhat guilty; Shi Qing was his tool, married into the Yao family to spite Yao Wenqi. The target was Yao Wenqi, but now if Yu Dang’s discovery was true, then the ones spited were the Rong family.

Truly, he was at a loss for words, glancing sideward at the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince twitched his lips, finding the situation absurd but unable to ignore it, clearing his throat, "Should we discuss Shi Qing’s situation?"

The Emperor came back to his senses, "..."

Yu Dang had a bad feeling, "What else has happened?"

The Emperor looked up and could only speak, "Shi Qing was poisoned while performing his duties, which has affected his future offspring; it will be difficult for him to have children."

Yu Dang sat there so shaken that he was dizzy and blurred; he couldn’t help but ponder over and over in secret. If it really was Shi Huai, then Shi Qing could simply have another child. This, this was truly, the shock was too much, and he fainted.

Zhou Shuren only heard a thud, followed by the Crown Prince’s shout, "Summon the Imperial Physician."

Zhou Shuren entered with Eunuch Liu and immediately noticed Yu Dang lying on the floor. "What happened?"

The Crown Prince’s face was emotionless. "The shock was quite substantial."

The Emperor remained silent. It was not just a substantial shock; the stimulation was far too great.

Zhou Shuren, "...."

He had guessed it.

The Imperial Physician arrived quickly and used a needle; Yu Dang woke up.

The Emperor said, "It’s possible that the investigation leads to someone not of the Shi family."

Yu Dang felt heavy-hearted, "He seemed very familiar to me, especially his eyes. I hope so."

That evening, after Zhou Shuren went home and had dinner, he spoke to his wife about it.

Zhulan thought deeply, "I remember in the original text the daughter was the female protagonist, and Shi Qing died after failing to seize power. Now it seems that the Shi family’s involvement with the Zhang clan must be deep. In the end, they were purged after failing? We might have simply fluttered our wings, for Shi Qing is alive and well."

Zhou Shuren, "So by surviving, he has created an uncontrollable future, setting off a chain of events that although have surpassed a fatal juncture, remain fraught with difficulties."

"All of these are guesses; we may be overthinking it. It might not be the Shi family after all!"

Zhou Shuren continued, "The Emperor has taken over the investigation into the Shi family, and in order not to alert the enemy prematurely, he hasn’t captured the members of the Zhang clan encountered by Uncle Four. He already sent someone to follow them, and moreover."

Zhulan chimed in, "Moreover, the Emperor instructed Uncle Four to stay put and continue befriending Old Master Shi, hoping to catch more fish along this line. Today, someone from the Gu family took the initiative to greet Old Master Shi, all because Shi Qing holds a court position, and it’s in the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Commerce, overseeing registered merchants. For this reason, they will continue to seek out Old Master Shi."

"My wife is truly intelligent; indeed, the Emperor’s intent is to watch without taking action."

The Zhang clan knows the capital too well, having operated there for so many years; they have too many escape routes. Several encirclements have ended with their escape. This chance is too rare.

Zhulan said, "We should just take care of ourselves."

Zhou Shuren nodded, "Hmm."

The next day, Master Liu Song personally visited to see Chang Zhi, with Chang Zhi welcoming him with a smile, "Brother Liu, what brings you here?"

Liu Song was very modest and not of arrogant nature, "I greatly admire Brother Zhou’s vast knowledge; I finally mustered the courage to visit today and hoped to see Brother Zhou’s study."

The Liu family possessed many books, but through several conversations with Zhou Changzhi, he realized that Zhou Changzhi’s reading was exceptionally wide-ranging. With an interest in befriending Zhou Changzhi, he paid a personal visit.

Chang Zhi was not a petty man, "Let’s go to my study then. Many of my books are manuscripts, and some are part of my wife’s dowry."

Indeed, his wife’s father collected many, and his wife transferred them over gradually, even specially copying some from the Su family’s ancestral home. Along with his master’s, his bookshelves were indeed enriched.

Liu Song was astounded upon entering, seeing so many bookshelves filled with books. Thankfully, he remembered his manners, "May I take a look?"

Chang Zhi gestured with his hand, "Of course."

Zhulan had also heard the news but paid no mind to her son’s social engagement.

In the Ministry of Revenue, Shi Qing was preoccupied with thoughts, lost in reverie as he walked.