Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1182: Image Collapse

After several days, Rong Enqing personally carried the tax account books of the Maritime Affairs Administration to the Ministry of Revenue. Once at the Ministry of Revenue, Rong Enqing was greeted with much obsequious attentiveness.

Rong Enqing walked inside with a smile, having smiled so much these days that the feigned smile became more and more perfect.

Zhou Shuren was giving instructions when Rong Enqing arrived.

Zhou Shuren gestured for everyone to leave, "Here we are, here we are, it’s time to put on an acting performance," he said with an indifferent expression, "There’s no need for Mr. Hou to deliver the account books personally, and certainly no need to deliver them to me."

Rong Enqing laughed, "Mr. Hou has not seen you for many days, so that’s why I wanted to deliver it personally."

Zhou Shuren glanced at the open door, "I’m well aware that Mr. Hou is a very busy man, with duties to perform and frequent visits to the Palace."

Rong Enqing continued to smile, "Could it be that you envy me?"

"You jest, Mr. Hou. The account books should be delivered to the appropriate department. If there’s nothing else of importance, please take your leave."

Rong Enqing’s expression changed, "Now, it is Mr. Hou whom the Emperor favors. The Fourth Uncle has not been to the Palace for many days now."

Zhou Shuren frowned, "Do not deliver them."

Rong Enqing swung his sleeve in a huff and turned to leave, storming out of the government office still visibly agitated.

Zhou Shuren saw Zhang Jinghong looking at him with concern in his eyes, "Are you worried about me?"

Zhang Jinghong was also bewildered. He had thought that once the Crown Prince ascended to the throne, his days of comfort would truly begin. But lately, he had heard too much about the Emperor’s irritability. Now, it seemed that even the relationships amongst relatives were not without conflict, "Sir, the Emperor values Mr. Hou greatly. Could it be that he might..."

Zhou Shuren blinked, stroking his beard, his expression changed to one of heartfelt pain. The chance for a break had been right in front of him, and he let it slip by!

Seeing the change on Zhou’s face made Zhang Jinghong feel even more uneasy, "Sir?"

Zhou Shuren waved his hand, "It’s nothing, I’m well aware of what I’m doing. Just make sure to carry out your duties properly."

At the tea house, Rongchuan thought he had arrived quite early, only to find that Prince Qi and Prince Chu had already arrived, "This official greets the two princes."

Prince Qi was feeling utterly drained. He didn’t even know how many times he had been scolded recently. Since the last time the Emperor had flipped the dining table, just yesterday, he nearly overturned a kang table in the government hall and almost hit him.

Prince Qi said, "Take a seat as you please."

Prince Chu’s situation was even worse. Already lean, he had lost several more pounds in recent days. Looking at his younger brother, he couldn’t help feeling envious, "Have some tea."

Rongchuan observed his two elder brothers, seeing just how much their father, the Emperor, had tormented them. He couldn’t help but think that their father seemed rather pleased with tormenting his sons.

But that was something to be kept to oneself.

Prince Qi said, "I heard you went to the Palace yesterday."

Rongchuan nodded, "Yes, I went to report to His Majesty."

Prince Qi quickly asked, "Were you safe yesterday?"

Rongchuan, "... I was quite alright."

Prince Qi felt discontent stir within. Rongchuan had entered the Palace later than he had, yet while Prince Qi had been scolded out of the Palace, Rongchuan had faced no such ire!

Rongchuan squinted, thinking the tea offered by the host was not to his taste. Prince Qi was looking for some sense of balance from him!

After sipping some tea, Rongchuan said, "Yesterday, I also took with me some pastries from the Imperial Kitchen. The Emperor generously rewarded me with plenty, all freshly made by them. Ah, yes, and some tribute fruits as well. When I return to the Hou Residence, I will send some to the two princes."

Prince Qi, "...."

Such a blatantly favoring father.

Prince Chu, "...."

He felt like vomiting blood; he was on a diet!

Inside, Rongchuan could barely contain his amusement. He felt as though he understood why their father was tormenting his sons.

At the Maritime Affairs Government Office, Rong Enqing saw Gu Ren’s carriage upon his arrival. Rong Enqing frowned, still upset, "Why have you come to seek me out at the Maritime Affairs Administration?"

Gu Ren asked, "Who has angered Mr. Hou?"

Rong Enqing huffed, "Who else but Lord Zhou? Nevermind, why am I even discussing this with you? What brings you to seek me out?"

Gu Ren produced a list of names of several merchant caravans, "These caravans are about to enter port, I humbly request Mr. Hou’s assistance."

Rong Enqing took the paper and quickly made a note, then smiled, "You’re quite impressive, with so many caravans. You must have made a tidy sum of silver this year."

"This is a humble tribute to you, Mr. Hou." freewebnσvel.cøm

Rong Enqing calmly accepted the case, then said, "I understand. In the future, should you need help, considering the favors you’ve done for me, I shall assist you."

Gu Ren’s face showed joy, but inwardly he sneered. Rong Enqing was truly foolish. He looked forward to the day Rong Enqing would bring about his own downfall, and the thought of the Rong clan being exterminated this time made his blood boil.

Gu Ren continued, "Mr. Hou, gaining sudden imperial favor now may still leave you struggling to command respect. I think you might be able to find a solution through Lord Zhou."

Rong Enqing pondered, then waved his hand, "Very well, you may go."

Gu Ren left in high spirits, waiting for Zhou Shuren’s misfortune to unfold, ready to collect some interest.

Zhou Shuren was blissfully unaware, but had he known, he surely would have been pleased.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan saw off the Qi Clan. These days, the mother’s families of the ladies of the Crown Prince’s residence were busy gathering information, so her home was bustling.

Zhulan considered closing her doors to visitors, but she could not.

Chang Zhong fanned his mother with a fan, "Mother, isn’t this a time when doing more can mean more mistakes?"

"It is true, but unexpected changes have left some who were adrift without direction. Remember, no matter what, one must always stay grounded."

Chang Zhong smiled, "Your son understands. Brother Wu has already instructed me."

Zhulan was reassured about her youngest son’s future. All of her sons had their own paths, and the youngest was under Wu Ming’s protection.

Chang Zhong whispered, "Brother Wu told me, he plans to join the Ministry of Personnel next year."

Zhulan was surprised, "He told you that?"

Chang Zhong nodded, "Yes, and he also said that now is the time to concentrate."

Zhulan thought, a true magnate remains unshaken by sudden turmoil, standing firm as a mountain, "You must learn well from your Brother Wu."

Chang Zhong, "I will."

Within the Palace, Rong Enqing copied down the caravan names, then said, "Gu Ren bears great resentment towards Lord Zhou and seeks to sway me."

The Emperor asked, "What do you think?"

Rong Enqing replied, "I believe we should seize this opportunity to let Gu Ren lower his guard."

The Zhang Clan’s dealings were hidden too deep. Everything they had secretly discovered were decoys, with an abundance of leads, but unraveling them was excruciatingly slow.

The Emperor rejected the idea outright, "That will not do."

Rong Enqing, "?"

The Emperor lamented, if only Zhou Shuren weren’t always looking for ways to shirk work, he might have agreed, "You don’t understand."

Rong Enqing, "...."

Although stability was key, a small exploit seemed harmless and would not disrupt the peace, especially since Lord Zhou wasn’t oblivious. He had cooperated well just earlier in the Ministry of Revenue.

He found working with Lord Zhou to be not tiring at all!

The Emperor, in a rare good mood, explained, "He’s too lazy. Don’t be fooled by his pretense of braving mountains of blades and seas of fire for me, as if dedicating his life to the Imperial court. It’s all a deception. If I provoke him, he’ll cooperate on something significant – then he’ll take his rest."

Rong Enqing, "...."

So, it was his own naiveté. The image of Lord Zhou’s diligence at the Ministry of Revenue was all an act!!