Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1179: Lost

Zhou Shuren asked with a hint of doubt in his voice, "Your Majesty, your complexion?"

The Emperor extended his hand for Zhou Shuren to see, "It’s dyed, does it look real?"

Zhou Shuren examined the Emperor’s hand, which had really been done thoroughly, its skin tone matching that of his face, "Your Majesty, to have transformed yourself to come see this subject, is there something you need this subject to cooperate with?"

A delighted look flashed in the Emperor’s eyes, "Today, I have invited Shuren to dine with me."

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that the Emperor must be playing a role. The Emperor indeed trusted him a great deal; now many matters were not concealed from him, such as the source of the opium last time, "Then this subject will not stand on ceremony."

The Emperor smiled with his eyes, "There is no need for ceremony, someone will pay the bill."

Zhou Shuren, "...."

Zhou Shuren couldn’t go in his official attire, as it would attract too much attention. He changed into another set of clothes before he and the Emperor boarded the carriage and left the Ministry of Revenue.

In the carriage, the Emperor asked, "How has your second grandson been doing recently?"

Zhou Shuren replied with a smile, "The child can handle responsibility, aware of the duties he carries. He works hard every day reading and practicing martial arts, even painstakingly attending to subjects he dislikes."

The Emperor nodded, "He is indeed commendable."

Originally thought to be a rowdy child incapable of reining in his nature, the news he received showed that the child was indeed working hard. The Emperor agreed with Yu Dang’s words; Zhou Shuren was truly good at educating children.

The Emperor then said, "Since the roads have been fixed, the capital has become even more prosperous and lively."

"Indeed, the people are very grateful to Your Majesty, they are thankful to you for ending the chaos and gradually creating a golden age."

The Emperor felt proud. He had wronged many for the sake of his empire, but he could boldly claim to have done right by the populace, patting Zhou Shuren’s slender shoulder, "Your achievements play a part in this as well, and they will be recorded in the history books."

The Emperor considered himself fortunate. Zhou Shuren had influenced his thinking, brought forth many favorable policies, and with progressive accumulation, they reached today’s prosperity. Thus, Shuren must help him look after the empire and the Crown Prince.

When the carriage arrived at the restaurant, Zhou Shuren alighted first, assisting the Emperor to disembark. They proceeded to a private room upstairs; the Emperor’s face might not be widely recognized, but Zhou Shuren’s was known by many.

The restaurant’s shopkeeper recognized him and personally came to serve them. This time the Emperor was treating; he gestured for Zhou Shuren to order, and Zhou Shuren did so without reserve. At this moment, being reserved with the Emperor would come off as insincere.

Moreover, as the Emperor aged, he sought genuineness and hoped that Zhou Shuren could be more authentic too.

After ordering, the Emperor signaled the attendants to leave and slowly began to pour and drink tea.

In the private room by the window, Rong Enqing stood by the window and exclaimed in surprise, "That really is the Emperor. But why does His Majesty’s face look so sallow?"

Gu Ren had been beside Rong Enqing the whole time, carefully observing the Emperor, whose complexion was indeed waxy yellow, yet his spirit seemed good, his mouth corners faintly curved up. Gu Ren felt pleased, "When people get older, their bodies tend to act up, but look, His Majesty’s vitality is still good. If you’re concerned, you can send more gifts; His Majesty will surely like them."

Rong Enqing said after a moment’s thought, "You’re right. The last time I saw the Emperor, His Majesty mentioned that as well, saying that I should appear more often and that it lifts his spirits."

Gu Ren’s voice contained a hint of excitement, "Correct, His Majesty’s health is important; you must not be negligent."

Rong Enqing’s eyes held a hint of irony. Today, he had deliberately brought Gu Ren along; how could Gu Ren be at ease without seeing the Emperor with his own eyes? "Let’s drink, and thank you for your help. Without you, this lord wouldn’t have received His Majesty’s favor, nor would I have been sent to the Maritime Affairs Administration. It’s all thanks to your effort."

Gu Ren felt extremely gratified, "What kind of relationship do we have; it’s what I should do."

In another private room, Prince Qi was holding a beauty’s hand, the woman having been sent up from below. A beauty was indeed pleasing to the eyes, but thinking of bringing her home was another story. Prince Qi felt a headache coming on merely at the thought of the Princess Consort; with her unbending spine and two legitimate sons, he felt a mix of regret and comfort.

In Zhou Shuren’s private room, the Emperor gestured for Eunuch Liu to activate a mechanism, and then, Zhou Shuren’s eyes opened wide.

However, the voices from next door, "...."

"Prince Qi, ah, there’s even a woman’s voice urging you to drink!"

Zhou Shuren turned his head to look at the Emperor, then picked up his chopsticks and started to eat. With delicious food around, one only needs to bring a mouth, as for the ears, he hadn’t brought them today.

The Emperor snorted. None of his sons could hide anything from him. The next booth was Prince Qi’s, and the mechanism was simple. Last time, Rong Enqing and Gu Ren had dined in this very booth.

Drinking his wine, Prince Qi felt a chill down his spine, and his hands trembled slightly. He always had a bad premonition.

Prince Qi carefully recalled the day’s events. The Princess Consort had returned to her parental home, so it couldn’t be her. Besides, the Princess Consort would cause a ruckus in the manor but wouldn’t chase him outside. As long as he didn’t bring any women into the manor, the Princess Consort didn’t care.

So who could it be?

On Zhou Shuren’s side, the Emperor didn’t eat much but looking at the significantly reduced dishes, he watched Zhou Shuren’s belly, "You say you’re lean and thin, yet you eat quite a lot."

Zhou Shuren pointed to his head, "This official engages in mental labor and uses my brain extensively every day. Look at this official’s hair. Ever since I joined the Ministry of Revenue, my hair volume has drastically decreased. Naturally, I need to eat more to compensate."

The Emperor laughed, "What twisted logic."

"That’s not twisted logic, this official speaks nothing but the truth."

The Emperor enjoyed talking with Zhou Shuren; sometimes the words he used were novel and interesting, "Have you eaten your fill?"

Zhou Shuren nodded, "I have."

The Emperor hmm-ed, signaling Eunuch Liu to go out. Soon after, the door to the booth opened, and then Prince Qi appeared with a beauty.

Zhou Shuren, "..."

This was all premeditated, ah. The Emperor was about to put on an act of fury, and it seemed the anger was going to fall upon Prince Qi. Relieved that the Emperor didn’t want him to cooperate in the performance, having only invited him as an audience member. However, for the sake of stability, the Emperor also wouldn’t lash out at him.

Prince Qi stood stiffly, especially when he caught sight of the mechanism being open, his scalp tingling, "This son pays respects to Father Emperor."

The Emperor, "Prince Qi really seems to have a lot of free time."

Prince Qi with his head lowered, "This son... this son..."

Well, he indeed had too much free time.

The Emperor snorted, "Lift up your head."

When Prince Qi raised his head, he was startled. He hadn’t dared to look directly at his father when he came in, but now that he did, "Father Emperor, why do you look so pale?"

The Emperor, angered, slammed the table, "I am quite well, are you blind? What, do you wish for me to be unwell?" fгeewebnovёl.com

Prince Qi leapt in fright. These past couple of years, the old man had treated them, his own sons, rather well. The sudden outburst had him quickly kneeling, "This son dares not, this son did not..."

"Did not what? I can see you are not short of courage, and I can see your mind is very busy."

Prince Qi’s heart skipped a beat, what was his father implying, "This son has no ulterior motives, please discern, Father Emperor."

Zhou Shuren looked sympathetically at Prince Qi. Your father wants to put on a show, and poor Prince Qi is going to suffer; probably, Prince Qi will develop a psychological shadow towards beauties from now on.

The Emperor tugged at his beard, Zhou Shuren’s glance catching his attention, he coughed.

Zhou Shuren immediately withdrew his gaze and kneeled down with an expression of fear.

The Emperor, "...."

He lost!