Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1214: Prince Qi

The next morning, since the Crown Prince had to stay with the still comatose Emperor, there was no morning court.

The Zhou residence was exceptionally quiet as well. Rong Enqing’s affairs had some impact on the Zhou family; if the royal family disliked someone, they would remember it for a lifetime.

Zhou Shuren wanted to keep a low profile, but it was impossible. Luckily, Xiao Qing had always delegated authority to him, and with the power of the Ministry of Revenue under his control, and Xiao Qing’s ongoing support, no one in the Ministry dared to gossip about him.

Moreover, at this time, many noble families were preoccupied with their own concerns.

In the Ministry of Rites, Chang Yi was not having an easy time, especially after the results regarding Rong Enqing had come out. Without waiting for the Emperor to wake up, it was decided that he would be executed in three days.

Chang Yi was very high-profile in the Ministry of Rites. Despite his modest official rank, he received good assignments that made many too envious to the point of turning red, not to mention those who didn’t like Chang Yi to begin with were speaking even more sarcastically.

"One official is waiting for Zhou Shuren to be implicated. I want to see whether Zhou Changyi can stay in the Ministry of Rites without his father."

Another person laughed, "Without his father, he is nothing, hmph."

"Ha ha, you’re right, without his father, he can only scram."

Gu Zhuomin and Yuguang observed Chang Yi, whose smile never changed on his face. It was remarkable how he could still smile now; truly a deep and calculating person.

Over time, Gu Zhuomin had encountered many two-faced individuals—those who smile to your face but hold the deepest grudges.

Chang Yi showed no sign of being disturbed, just quietly listening. He had to listen; it was a way to remind himself that indeed, he was not outstanding and currently depended on his father, but he would make an effort. In the future, when people speak of him, it wouldn’t be as Zhou Shuren’s second son, but as Zhou Changyi, Zhou Shuren’s father.

Chang Yi waited until the people in front had left before coming out.

Gu Zhuomin said, "Don’t mind them. They are just jealous of you. Zhou Shuren won’t be implicated."

This was indeed what he thought. He believed that Zhou Shuren was no simple character. As long as Zhou Shuren was stable, the Zhou family would be fine. Gu Zhuomin hadn’t forgotten Zhou Shuren’s merits—they were solidly established.

Chang Yi replied, "When have you ever seen me care? I just want to listen to them more to wake up my mind."

Gu Zhuomin was speechless.

Chang Yi smiled again, "Besides, this is a rare opportunity to remember who has spoken against my father. I want to remember more—my father is not someone they can just talk about."

He wasn’t angry about the discussions regarding himself because he did indeed stand in many people’s way and hadn’t established himself without help. He was resigned to any comments about himself.

But talking about his father made him angry. He could remember those people for a lifetime.

Gu Zhuomin was speechless again.

So anyone who thought Zhou Changyi was simple-minded was simply blind!

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren watched Xiao Qing speechlessly, "Sir, I have already drunk a pot of tea. If you have anything to say, please speak directly."

Xiao Qing replied, "I just want to see how stable you are. Seeing you stable makes me feel secure."

Zhou Shuren joked, "You flatter me, sir. I am also quite nervous."

Xiao Qing didn’t believe Zhou Shuren’s bluff, "Rong Enqing is to be beheaded. Are you really not anxious?"

Zhou Shuren replied, "Being anxious is useless, sir. Conspiring against the Emperor is a grave crime; I am powerless in this matter. The only thing I can protect right now is my own family."

After Xiao Qing delegated authority to Zhou Shuren, Xiao Qing became almost a mascot in the Ministry of Revenue. As he delegated more and more, the Emperor stopped consulting him on important matters. The fact that he was able to remain stable was all down to watching Zhou Shuren, whom he trusted, "Be careful these days."

Zhou Shuren felt his life was too difficult, surrounded by too many cunning foxes, especially Xiao Qing, whom he spent so much time with. He was also grateful to Xiao Qing, "Sir, I won’t have any issues."

That was all he could say.

Xiao Qing’s eyes brightened a hint, "Mhm."

At the Qi Prince Residence, Princess Qi frowned as she looked at the prince walking in, then felt something was off and squinted her eyes, "Oh, so the Prince remembers to come back."

Prince Qi’s eyes widened, "How did you find out?"

He’d wanted to test it out; he heard from a loyal retainer that the Princess Consort had spotted the problem at first glance. He didn’t believe it, so after leaving the Palace, he came to find the Princess Consort.

But Princess Qi was no longer willing to speak. What could she say? That she knew his every move, the unknown little habits, the food he loved, the accessories he preferred.

Princess Qi felt she had a loose tongue, regretting having exposed the fake loyal retainer and bringing trouble upon herself.

Prince Qi, not content, pressed further, "Tell me, how did you discover it?"

Princess Qi pointed toward the door, eyes closed, "Get out."

Prince Qi’s face darkened, "You’ve been getting bolder and bolder, daring to scold me."

Princess Qi’s heart was irritated, vexed that she still cared about Prince Qi, and now feeling as though her emotions lay bare. She opened her eyes sharply, "Well then, will you divorce me?"

Prince Qi stood there dumbfounded. The Princess Consort was now furiously embarrassed, and he felt wronged. He had finally come home only to find she didn’t welcome him, despite him having been concerned about her and having chosen a gift for her.

Princess Qi took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, "There are plenty of women in the backyard who miss you. If you don’t come back soon, rumors of Prince Qi having a hidden disease will start to spread."

Prince Qi’s lips tightened as he gripped his fan, gazing deeply at Princess Qi.

After Prince Qi left, Princess Qi was somewhat in a trance, then chuckled to herself. She was actually pleased that the Prince had returned safely.

Marquis Rong’s Residence was sealed, and Rong Enqing lost his marquis position; the only consolation was that it was only Rong Enqing who was punished.

The assets of the Hou Residence were not confiscated, and now the Hou Residence was moving out. Rong Yushang sent a message not to let the Zhou family get involved, he would handle it.

At the entrance of Marquis Rong’s Residence, many people stopped to watch.

Rong Enqing was inside a teahouse with a view of the Hou Residence, watching box after box being moved out. Although it was a ruse, the process was real; Rong Enqing’s eyes never wavered, reminding himself how easily the royal family could take back all the wealth he had amassed.

Yao Zheyu, too, was nearby, clenching his fists. Rong Enqing was wronged, manipulated by others. Even if the Crown Prince knew, Rong Enqing still faced the death penalty, and he, Zheyu, had not yet come forth.

At the Zhou family, Zhulan comforted her daughters-in-law and then told her young daughter, "Spend more time talking with Yao Yao recently."

"Mother, make sure to keep a close eye on the old maids and maids around Yao Yao."

Zhulan, "Rest assured, it’s all good."

Xue Han remarked, "It’s uncertain when Rongchuan will return."

Without Rongchuan’s return, her heart was unsettled.

At sea, Rongchuan held a telescope, looking into the distance. The ships were already assembled, just waiting for the signal to attack the island. Rongchuan put down the telescope, his eyes fixed on the cannonballs on the ships.

Rongchuan was astounded; the Emperor intended to flatten the Zhang family’s stronghold completely. All these cannonballs fired, even the most robust defenses were futile.

General Hou came out, "For the next few days, the Prince must not leave my side for even a half step."

Rongchuan, "..."

Was such a measure necessary to watch over him? He had long since let go of any notion to go ashore, now his whole mind was on whether he would face retribution once back in the capital!

General Hou, too, was quite puzzled. Every time the Emperor sent a message, he would mention Ning Princely Heir and repeatedly reminded him to keep a close watch on Ning Princely Heir. Now that the day of the attack on the island was set, the Emperor even threatened him at the end, stating that if anything happened to Ning Princely Heir, he would hold General Hou accountable.