Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1216: Dragon Robe

Zhulan returned to the main yard, and Nanny Song had already gone to check the room of the maid from before. After waiting for almost an hour, Nanny Song finally returned.

Not only did Nanny Song come back by herself, but she also brought back an arrowhead and a small bag.

Upon seeing the arrowhead, Zhulan did not reach out to take it. With items from outside, who knew if they were poisoned, "Found in the maid’s room?"

Nanny Song nodded, "Yes, the message was sent with the arrowhead, and there’s medicine in the bag too."

Zhulan, "...."

It sounded like it was anything but good medicine.

Nanny Song also felt quite frightened, "The maid who was interrogated by Qing Xue has confessed. She was bought off while at the Hou Residence and has been passing messages ever since. Because the lady had people watching the Hou Residence’s servants, no messages could be sent out. That’s why last night someone climbed into the residence to deliver the message."

Zhulan squinted her eyes, "So they didn’t climb the walls, but walked over the rooftops."

That was certain because if it were the walls, sorry, but under every corner of them were traps filled with iron arrows. Iron was hard for the common folk to come by, but the Zhou family reported and managed to get a batch. Zhulan had given all of them to Shen Xing to make traps. If one fell into a trap, they might survive if lucky, or die on the spot if not so.

Nanny Song, "Yes, Shen Xing found footprints on the rooftop."

Zhulan was unhappy. The entire residence, especially the main yard, was the safest, with experts like Qing Xue around. However, other yards, especially the guest yards, were not, hence why someone had managed to sneak in.

Zhulan, "The traps are apparently not plentiful enough."

Especially on the rooftops, they should have been smeared with oil and even better if they were coated with ice during the winter.

Nanny Song blinked, feeling that the lady was quite persistent about making traps, and continued, "The medicine delivered was intended to be put into the well water."

Zhulan asked, "What kind of poison is it?"

Nanny Song, "It’s just ordinary poison, but its only highlight is that it’s a bit stronger."

Zhulan took in a sharp breath. This meant annihilating the Zhou family, "Did she confess when the poison was to be administered?"

This was of utmost importance; they couldn’t just eliminate the Zhou family alone as that would be too conspicuous. It must be that the Zhang family was planning a big move and would poison everyone simultaneously.

Nanny Song, "She said she wasn’t told."

Zhulan didn’t believe that nothing was communicated, but then again, the opponent probably didn’t expect such tight control within the residence. They locked on the target and caught the little maid so quickly. Thinking about it, Zhulan felt proud. Her foresight in having people watch these maids and nannies early on was paying off.

Zhulan said, "I don’t believe this little maid’s words. Send someone to carefully check all food and water sources within the residence. We must ensure safety."

Nanny Song, "Yes."

Zhulan then summoned Qing Xue, "Take some people and send this little maid away. I trust you understand."

Qing Xue indeed understood very well. She’d already sent out a message. In fact, if the lady hadn’t let her send the maid away, someone would have come to take her soon.

Inside the Palace, upon hearing the news from the Zhou residence, the Crown Prince said to the Emperor, "Your son is convinced. The Zhou family truly is overcoming the Zhang family."

The Emperor responded with a hum, "Go back to your residence and check the servants thoroughly."

This poison wouldn’t only target one household, and other sons’ households, especially the Crown Prince’s, were the main focus. Had the Zhang family not hated Zhou Shuren so much, there wouldn’t be poison found in his residence.

The Crown Prince, "Yes, I will inspect carefully."

It wasn’t just that poison was discovered in the Zhou residence; even if it hadn’t been found, he would have been cautious about poison being used against him in his residence.

That night, when Zhou Shuren returned home, Zhulan first informed him, "I’ve told Yao Yao that the Rong Enqing in the prison is a fake."

Zhou Shuren, "It doesn’t matter. Your disclosure is excusable."

Zhulan, "There’s also the matter of discovering the poison..."

Zhou Shuren, with a cold expression, "The Zhang family has sent poison into our residence; they must be fearful of failure and intend to kill us all in one fell swoop!"

Zhulan thought the same, "You’ve maxed out the Zhang family’s hatred for us."

It was intense hatred for the Zhou family, wanting to kill them all and not even waiting for success, fearing that if their plot failed, the Zhou family would still be alive.

Zhou Shuren, "...."

He truly hadn’t intended to provoke such hatred, but it had just come his way.

Zhulan continued, "You also need to be careful at the Ministry of Revenue."

Zhou Shuren, "Don’t worry, I’ll be cautious."

With a sigh, Zhulan expressed, "I hope these days of constant fear and trepidation will end soon."

"Very soon."

As the troops in the capital were being deployed elsewhere, the talk against the Crown Prince grew more intense. Furthermore, rumors circulated that the Crown Prince had already rushed the production of the Dragon Robe, preparing for his accession to the throne.

Prince Chu sought out Prince Qi, "Second brother, do you think the Dragon Robe rumor is true?"

Prince Qi glanced askance, "What, you haven’t given up yet?"

Prince Chu remained silent, believing he could face the outcome calmly. Yet when he heard the rumor, he was anything but calm, "I just feel a bit unsettled."

Upon hearing the rumor, he didn’t think it was false. Setting up a trap using the Dragon Robe was unnecessary. It could only mean that making the robe was true and likely the Emperor’s idea, signifying a preparation for abdication.

Just thinking about it soured Prince Chu’s heart. How could it not? The favor the Emperor showed the Crown Prince, even to the extent of abdication, made him feel less fortunate compared to historic heirs. His big brother was indeed too lucky.

Prince Qi understood Prince Chu’s feelings. Even if he had let go, he still felt the sting, "What’s done is done, it is better to accept it."

Not accepting it would just lead to personal distress.

Prince Chu asked, "Where have you been recently, second brother?"

Prince Qi, fanning himself, "Attending to duties."

Prince Chu, "...."

That was as good as saying nothing. He felt even more upset. There were differences between sons, and comparing himself to the Crown Prince or even with his busy younger brother, Prince Chu felt he was the most idle.

Prince Chu looked accusingly at his second brother. They had agreed to enjoy life together, yet his second brother had sneakily gone off to attend to duties!

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren also heard the discussions about the Dragon Robe. He remained calm. With the Zhang family dealt with, the Crown Prince would ascend to the throne. Making the robe was no simple task, and according to the timeline, it would be after autumn.

Qiu Yan, "Do you think the Emperor will really not recover?"

Zhou Shuren felt Qiu Yan trusted him too much, "Aren’t you afraid I’ll betray you? You tell me everything."

Qiu Yan, with a smile, "Mr. Zhou won’t."

After so many years of working together, he knew what kind of person Mr. Zhou was. Mr. Zhou’s principles provided him with exceptional assurance.

Zhou Shuren’s smile deepened, "How would I know?"

Qiu Yan sighed, "The Imperial Hospital hasn’t released any news at all."

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes, "It concerns the Emperor, how dare the Imperial Hospital share idle gossip."

Qiu Yan felt deep discomfort. The Emperor, such a sagacious Monarch, to end his reign in such a way. Thinking of the Dragon Robe, Qiu Yan closed his mouth; this was a topic not to be discussed too openly.

Zhou Shuren looked at the teaware on the table, his fingers brushing over the teacup.

As it was time to leave the government office, the Ministry of Revenue received sudden news: there would be a grand court assembly in three days.

With the Emperor unconscious and without any prior information, the sudden convocation of a grand court assembly was sure to arouse speculation.