Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1149: Calm Mind

Zhou Shuren returned to the Ministry of Revenue. He even admired himself for his exceptional inner calmness. He had seen many storms, but now his house, cough, it was comparable to a residence of a Hou, a size he was well aware of from the Rong family. Even after the estate was divided into three parts, the sectioned blueprints still showed his portion to be twice the size of his current home!

His heart remained calm as he returned to the Ministry of Revenue, unaffected in his work.

Qiu Yan knocked and entered, "Did the Emperor summon you for something?"

Zhou Shuren said, "Nothing much. Have you finished with your tasks?"

Qiu Yan shook his head, "Not yet. I saw you went to the palace for quite a while, so I came to ask, thinking there might be urgent news from the southwest."

Thinking of the military situations in the southwest gave Zhou Shuren a headache. As soon as the large army arrived, the enemy hid, and the imperial court couldn’t withdraw the troops for fear that the enemy would attack again once they left. The Southwest was the most headache-inducing region, worsened by the fact that the enemy employed poison extensively. Many soldiers and officers fell victim, and if it weren’t for the gathering of the country’s best doctors, many of whom understood poisons and accompanied the army, the situation would have been even more troublesome.

After speaking, Qiu Yan fell silent, then added, "The stationed army’s consumption of food, grain, and medicinal herbs is immense."

Zhou Shuren, "...Yes."

On his desk, there was a Zhezi from the Ministry of War approved by the Crown Prince, requesting the Ministry of Revenue to allocate silver for purchasing medicinal herbs, which had significantly risen in price!

Qiu Yan coughed once, "Then I will take my leave."

"Mhmm."

At the Shi residence, Shi Huai was dumbfounded as he listened to the old steward recount his ancestry. It took some time for Shi Huai to accept the reality, his eyes fixed on Yu Dang, "This is the steward you found? Why did you investigate my ancestry?"

The old steward didn’t want to hear secrets, his mind still on when the Emperor had called him "Sixth Auntie," "This old man will take his leave first."

After the steward left, Shi Huai’s gaze stayed intently on Yu Dang, "You approached me with a purpose. Who am I?"

Yu Dang sighed, "This starts a long time ago, beginning with Rong Garden, the original residence of the Rong clan, where many members of the Rong family lived. We should start from the previous dynasty."

Yu Dang spoke for half an hour, discussing many affairs of the Rong family, from the initial suspicions to step by step arrangements, and then the escape. Over the years, the hardships and the other clans’ relentless pursuit to eradicate the Rong clan, only then he touched upon Shi Huai’s ancestry.

Shi Huai was so shocked that he lost his voice for a while. It took him fifteen minutes before he finally said hoarsely, "Am I a direct descendant of the Rong family? Am I the Emperor’s cousin? And a close one at that?"

Yu Dang thought to himself that the Emperor hadn’t acknowledged that. The Emperor had only recognized that Shi Huai came from the direct lineage of the Rong clan, but not as a cousin. The Emperor’s word made one a cousin; without it, one was merely a relative. The Crown Prince had never called Ning Zhiqi ’cousin’ even though they were from the Empress Dowager’s Ning clan!

Seeing Yu Dang remained silent, Shi Huai’s mind cleared. How could it not? If he were who he imagined, the Emperor would have summoned him to the palace, not just his fourth uncle who had no blood relation to him. His fervent blood turned cold, "Fourth Uncle said the Emperor would restore the Rong family’s honor."

Yu Dang nodded, "Yes, the Rong clan has sacrificed much for the Emperor."

His heart was in turmoil. He waited for the restoration of honor. If it exceeded his expectations, then he would know the Emperor had uncovered the Rong family’s secrets. If it didn’t, and was solely based on the posthumous favor of the deceased Empress Dowager’s affection for her maternal family, he could rest a bit easier.

Shi Huai stared at his son, whose face seemed equally dumbfounded, and forced a smile, "Fourth Uncle mentioned that the Yao clan betrayed the Rong family."

Yu Dang’s gaze fell on Shi Qing, "Mhmm."

Shi Qing’s usually expressionless face took on a hint of emotion, though it was rigid and quite laughable. He had been extremely cautious, careful, acting as the Emperor’s blade, marrying the person approved by the Emperor – a suitable match, even without love. But what was the result?

Shi Qing felt the irony of the situation. The Emperor would be generous to him in the future; he could shed the burdens he carried, no longer living in fear of what was to come. Yet it turned out to be a jest in his marital fate. He didn’t wish to bear the hatred of the Rong family, but now he had to shoulder it nonetheless.

Shi Qing felt an unventable frustration burning within him. Eventually, a mouthful of blood sprayed forth, and he collapsed to the ground.

Yu Dang was terrified, "Quick, find a doctor."

Shi Huai was also stunned; this was his only son after all, "Son, son."

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan was arranging flowers with Mrs. Zhao. These were bought by Chang Yi. Mrs. Zhao said, "In the past two days, your husband mentioned that he’s been invited to dine by many people."

Zhulan glanced sideways at Mrs. Zhao, "It’s not just about having meals, is it!"

Mrs. Zhao seemed somewhat displeased, "Hmm, yesterday I even smelled the scent of rouge and powder."

Zhulan wondered why Mrs. Zhao was holding the flowers bought by Chang Yi and came to ask her to arrange them, "Worried?"

Mrs. Zhao shook her head, "My husband told me, he has no interest, and he knows their intentions are not good, it’s just that he finds it hard to decline the invitations."

In the capital, where the rich and noble gather, sometimes you cannot refuse as you wish. A single strike could reveal someone with serious backing.

Zhulan said, "Chang Yi knows his limits, and he’s not a man who fancies women; you should know him."

This second son, now his career in the imperial court is of utmost importance to him.

Mrs. Zhao smiled, "I think I might be pregnant, that’s why I’ve been overthinking."

Zhulan put down the scissors, "I understand, you’re afraid he’ll be plotted against."

Mrs. Zhao pursed her lips and smiled, "Don’t worry, daughter-in-law."

Zhulan sighed, "Today, I don’t know what’s wrong, but my eyelids have been twitching non-stop, and I’ve been constantly worried."

"Mother, haven’t you been resting well?"

Zhulan shook her head; she always felt something was amiss.

At the Shi residence, Shi Qing had not yet woken up. Yao Yao, upon receiving the news, was extremely anxious. Looking at her father, he did not even glance at her. She had not been in the hall just now, but she knew something serious had happened.

Now that her husband had fainted, she was even more panicked.

After the doctor used acupuncture, Shi Qing slowly came to. The first thing he saw was his wife with eyes red from crying. He sighed and beckoned, "Why cry? I’m fine."

Yao Yao’s uneasiness settled down at that moment, "Just now, the doctor said it was a sudden rush of fire to the heart."

Shi Qing was particularly exhausted. He had no energy to say anything now and was not sure how to speak to his wife. All he could do was reassure her, "I’m fine, don’t worry. Yes, send someone to the Ministry of Revenue, I need to apply for sick leave."

Yao Yao said, "Alright, I’ll go arrange that now."

As Yao Yao went out to arrange it, Shi Huai watched his son’s demeanor, his mouth twitching but not daring to make a sound. For many years, he had lived under his son’s control, and even though he was aware of his own origins, he had not grown much bolder. He was still smart. Between him and his son, the Emperor clearly favored the son more, "You should rest well and not overthink things."

Those dry words, however, relieved Shi Qing. He truly feared the old man might lose control. Dealing with enough worries as it was, he did not want to spend extra energy on his father, "Father, you should rest too. I’m fine here. And thank you."

Not interfering was the best help he could give. The more he got involved, the more chaos it would create.

Yu Dang watched the father and son, his eyes flickering. He stood up, "Everyone rest. I should also return."