Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1197: Missing

Leaving the government office, Zhou Shuren dawdled onto the carriage for home, fully aware that today would probably end in disaster—his wife knew him too well!

As soon as the carriage entered the mansion’s gate, he saw Steward Ding waiting for him. "Why are you personally waiting for me today?"

Joy flickered in Steward Ding’s eyes as he replied, "Master, the lady of the house had sent someone to deliver clothes and food to Young Master Yang Wen a few days ago. The person she sent has just returned today with some troubling news. Half a month ago, it was Young Master Yang Wen’s turn to patrol the seas, but there has been no word from him since, and the entire warship seems to have vanished."

Hearing this, Zhou Shuren quickened his pace. The Yang family held a significant place in his wife’s heart, cherished as her own family. While speeding up, he asked, "Has the Navy sent anyone to search for them?"

Steward Ding, who had been in the room, had heard everything. "They have sent people to investigate, but found nothing."

Upon reaching the main courtyard, maids and servant girls stood outside. Old Madam Song, seeing the master, sighed in relief and whispered, "The lady of the house has asked us all to come out, leaving her alone inside."

Zhou Shuren had already pushed open the door and entered—his wife sat motionless by the window, holding a handkerchief, clearly having cried. His heart tightened as he cautiously approached and embraced his wife, "Sometimes no news is also good news."

At least with no news, there was still hope.

Zhulan had already calmed down by then. Having just received the news, her heart had indeed panicked. Thinking of many things, like failing her elder brother’s trust, she spoke hoarsely, "You’re right, no news is good news. I believe Yang Wen will come back safe."

Zhou Shuren patted his wife’s shoulder, thinking to himself that one issue followed another, making it even harder to mention Rongchuan’s situation.

That night, Zhulan had little appetite. If not for Zhou Shuren’s insistence, she wouldn’t have wanted even soup, managing only a few sips before getting ready for bed, showing a clear avoidance, hoping to forget it all in her sleep.

Everyone has an instinct to evade, and though Zhulan considered herself strong, she couldn’t help but flee. The Yang family had already gone through this once, she knew the feeling, and allowed herself to escape by closing her eyes and falling asleep.

Zhou Shuren was waiting for Jingyan, who had been sent to Mr. Li’s house. Li Zhao, the Minister of War, was naturally aware, and upon inquiry by Zhou Shuren, it turned out that relatives of the Zhou family were also on that ship.

When Jingyan returned, he reported, "Officer Li said that no debris of the warship was found nearby, so a pirate attack could be ruled out. As for other reasons, they are still investigating, but the absence of wreckage suggests that the warship might just be trapped or have lost its way."

Zhou Shuren sighed in relief. With the information from Li Zhao, he could also be much reassured. These were all pieces of good news. "You should go rest too."

After returning from the front courtyard, he saw his wife already asleep, helpless yet heartbroken.

In the Prince Chu Residence, Prince Chu groaned in pain despite having applied the best poultice—his forehead damp with sweat.

Princess Chu expressed her concern, "Perhaps we should call the Imperial Physician again, your pain doesn’t seem right."

Prince Chu feebly waved his hand, "No need, the poultice we are using is already the best."

Princess Chu furrowed her brow, "What did you do to anger your father?"

In all her years married to the Prince, he had never been dealt such severe punishment—no, he had never been beaten before. Considering the Emperor’s recently unpredictable mood, she felt unease tightening within her.

Initially, Princess Chu had harbored some hope, thinking the Prince might continue to strive harder. Now, seeing him return as if half-dead, she felt like she was losing her soul.

Prince Chu didn’t know where he had misspoke. Was it because he was too playful and smiling? As for losing dignity by jumping over the wall, he didn’t think that was it. A trivial matter like that wouldn’t be enough to anger his father. Prince Chu pondered from every angle—could it be because of the acting?

Prince Chu felt wrongly accused; acting wasn’t supposed to involve real hitting. Ten strikes were real hits, and he had never been beaten like that as he grew up. He couldn’t bear it!

The next morning, Chang Yi and Chang Zhi looked at their mother with concern, noticing her complexion was somewhat better than the day before. Chang Yi then spoke, "Mother, Yang Wen has his own lucky stars, he will surely return safely."

Zhulan smiled, already aware of the news she had inquired about. "Yes, he will definitely come back safely. Now, hurry up and eat your breakfast so you don’t arrive late at the government office."

With Zhulan in a better mood, the atmosphere in the entire household improved significantly. Otherwise, the entire house would have been very oppressive.

In Xuzhou Province, after Zhou Changlian ate breakfast, he headed to the government office. On the main street, his carriage was blocked, and Zhou Changlian signaled the young servant to check.

The young servant quickly returned, "My lord, there is a merchant convoy trying to leave the city ahead, and their carts are blocking the road; it should clear soon."

Zhou Changlian got out of the carriage to have a look himself. Looking at the goods on the carriage, he frowned, "What are these loaded with?"

The young servant responsible for the cargo upon seeing the official garb hurriedly replied, "My lord, they are transporting dried seafood, intended for the capital."

Indeed, Zhou Changlian could smell the seafood, but the weights didn’t seem right for dried seafood. Having been in Xuzhou, he was no stranger to seafood, and his own family also shipped it annually to the capital, but it never weighed this much.

Zhou Changlian stared at the carriage deep in thought when the steward in charge approached, looking somewhat nervous.

At that moment, someone suddenly called out to Zhou Changlian. He turned around and upon closer inspection, recognized the man, though he couldn’t recall where from. However, the familiar feeling was unmistakable.

The man in front of him whispered, "My family head is waiting for you upstairs, my lord."

Zhou Changlian, frowning, inquired, "Your family head?"

The man extended his hand, "Please, my lord."

Despite his reservations, Zhou Changlian followed him up. When they reached the private room, there was no host to be seen, the door was already shut. Zhou Changlian focused on the man who had brought him, "Who are you?"

Prince Qi exhaled softly; he had just been watching from upstairs as the merchant convoy left and had seen Zhou Changlian in deep thought, fearful of jeopardizing their plans, he hurried down. Unable to reveal his identity as Prince Qi, he resorted to presenting his favorite fan, "My master is on an errand, I beg you not to concern yourself with the matters below."

Zhou Changlian recognized the fan before him, Prince Qi’s fan. Narrowing his eyes, Prince Qi’s merchant convoy?

Zhou Changlian said, "This official understands. I need to get to the government office, I will take my leave now."

Prince Qi realized showing the fan was a mistake, he hadn’t missed Zhou Changlian’s deep thought.

Zhou Changlian descended the stairs, recalling the fan. Prince Qi was fond of fans, and he had seen it many times. If he wasn’t mistaken, that was Prince Qi’s most frequently used fan. Remembering the feeling of familiarity a moment ago, he pursed his lips—something was not right here.

As the merchant convoy left Xuzhou, Prince Qi, exhausted, massaged his temples. Still unable to find Rongchuan, he couldn’t stay in Xuzhou any longer. There were a few more places he needed to clear up. But thinking of the military tally in Rongchuan’s hands, Prince Qi sneered, his heart filled with bitterness.

This time, Prince Qi had seen clearly, the emperor trusted only the sons born of the empress, even if he was disinterested, the emperor did not trust him.