Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1224: Awakening

In the Palace, Zhou Shuren and several ministers were seated together; they were all uninjured, while those ministers who had been hurt were in the next room, being treated by the Imperial Physician.

Outside, rain fell at the moment, washing the ground and mingled with the noise of palace maids and eunuchs sweeping the floor with brooms.

The doors were open, and the striking red color was impossible to ignore. The maids and eunuchs swept diligently, rainwater mixed with blood flowing into the drains.

Those ministers within the great hall did not know how many had died outside. When they emerged, bodies were being moved, blood was everywhere, staining the flagstones, even the boots of Zhou Shuren and others were smeared with blood.

Zhou Shuren felt he wouldn’t be able to eat meat for a while.

Too much had happened today. Even those with strong psychological fortitude could not find words to speak at this moment.

Zhou Shuren’s thoughts drifted. The Emperor had wiped out the Zhang clan in one fell swoop, eradicated the Yao clan, and now the only one left was Zhang Yang, who had been captured. The Emperor did not decree Zhang Yang’s death but instead locked him in the dungeons, leaving him to count his days and die slowly.

The Emperor entrusted the follow-up matters to the Crown Prince, while he himself awaited Prince Liang’s awakening.

The Imperial Physician was treating Prince Liang, who was seriously injured. Although vital spots were missed, his lungs had been damaged. Even if he recovered, Prince Liang would be much weaker than a normal person.

The Emperor twirled his String of Pearls, gazing at his fourth son, who was unconscious and feverish, having just taken his second dose of medicine.

The Emperor closed his eyes, seemingly asleep.

In the government hall, the Crown Prince thoroughly checked the results, ensuring nothing was missed, before feeling satisfied.

Prince Qi and Prince Chu had hurriedly left the Palace and returned to their residences, both eager to see their wives and children safe and sound.

In Prince Qi’s residence, bloodstains marred Princess Qi’s quarters. Prince Qi’s heart skipped a beat, his foot lashing out at the steward, "Is this what you call the Princess Consort and the Princely Heir being safe?"

The steward sat on the ground, scrambling up, "Prince, the Princess Consort truly isn’t hurt."

Prince Qi had already stepped inside the courtyard. Princess Qi, upon seeing Prince Qi safe, instinctively moved forward but then hesitated.

Seeing his two sons eating pastries, Prince Qi smiled, "As long as you’re safe, that’s good."

Princess Qi covertly observed Prince Qi, her worried heart easing, "Everything is fine in the residence."

Prince Qi was skeptical, "Then what is the bloodstain in the courtyard?"

Princess Qi snorted, "It’s not just poisoners we had inside, but others too. A number of guards died killing them."

Prince Qi looked at Princess Qi a few more times; seeing her gaze, he quickly shifted to his eldest son. His eldest son was frail, and after deciding not to contend for the throne, Prince Qi agreed with his father-in-law, believing it right to appoint a Princely Heir early to avoid sibling strife.

The two children had already rushed over, clearly still frightened by the day’s events.

Prince Qi comforted the children, then said, "The fourth is seriously injured; I have to return to the Palace, I leave the residence in your hands."

Princess Qi was surprised, "Prince Liang is injured?"

Prince Qi, "Mm."

The situation at Prince Chu Residence was a lot simpler. The relationship between Prince Chu and Princess Chu had almost hit rock bottom. Without much exchange, Prince Chu had already returned to the Palace.

In the Palace, the Empress came looking for the Emperor and saw Prince Liang lying on the bed.

Supporting the Empress, the Emperor said, "If you have something to discuss, I could have come to you. Why bother coming yourself, especially since it’s still a bit chaotic in the Palace?"

The Empress said, "It’s all been cleaned up. Now the Palace is the safest place. I know you’re busy; I just took a few steps to find you."

The Emperor asked, "Have you come to me in person for Rongchuan?"

The Empress shook her head; it truly wasn’t so, "That child being raised in my palace, you haven’t said how to arrange for him."

This child wasn’t poisoned, she and the Emperor planned to send him away.

But they hadn’t expected him to be poisoned. The Zhang family would certainly regret, the only root they had left was the one they themselves had poisoned, exhibiting symptoms of an early death—their original plans would have to change.

The Emperor pondered, "Send him to the temple, as a secular disciple. How long he survives will be up to the child himself."

This was the greatest kindness he could offer.

The Empress thought for a moment and said, "That sounds good, Master Huien’s medical skills are also exceptional." frёewebηovel.cѳm

"Indeed."

The Empress looked towards Prince Liang, "Has he not awakened yet? Did the Imperial Physician say when he might come to?"

Her eldest son had already secured the throne, the Dragon Robe was real. A month ago, the Emperor had told her that one-third of the Dragon Robe had already been tailored, especially for her eldest son.

Thus, the Empress didn’t pay much attention to the illegitimate sons. She not only trusted the Emperor but more so believed that her eldest son could handle them. However, she hadn’t expected an accident to occur with Prince Liang.

The Emperor said, "The Imperial Physician hasn’t given an exact time. It’s getting late; you’ve also been frightened today. I’ll take you back."

The Empress asked, "You’re not staying with him?"

She knew the Emperor well, attending to Prince Liang wasn’t just due to worry—the Empress no longer wished to delve into it.

The Emperor smiled, "No need, there’s no hurry at this moment. Let’s go."

The Empress’s eyes smiled as well, "Alright."

In the government hall, Zhou Shuren arrived holding an umbrella; he was representing the Ministry of Revenue. The ministers of various departments gradually arrived. Li Zhao, absent until now, wore his armor, radiating a fierce aura. It was only at this moment that Zhou Shuren fully recognized Li Zhao for who he was—a General battle-hardened by many conflicts, ready for the battlefield at the grasp of a sword.

The Crown Prince gestured for the ministers to be seated. Zhou Shuren, being the lowest-ranking Deputy Minister, was particularly noticeable.

After everyone was seated, the Crown Prince spoke, "Today, the officials have been alarmed. The Ministry of Revenue will allocate a sum of Silver, as consolation Silver according to official rank, to comfort the officials. Zhou Shuren, draft the Zhezi and submit it."

Zhou Shuren felt a twinge of pain in his heart, and his beard quivered. This was compensation for mental distress and, oh, for occupational injuries too. Today, the officials were poisoned, and although the Emperor knew, he didn’t tell the officials. The Crown Prince’s intention was to give them a bit extra in compensation.

Zhou Shuren knew the Silver could not be spared, "Yes."

The Crown Prince continued, "Compensate the soldiers and Generals who suffered casualties today as per regulations, and I will provide an additional sum of Silver for compensation. Mr. Li, tally the number and deliver it to the Ministry of Revenue."

Li Zhao responded, "Yes."

The Crown Prince went on, "Today there were fifteen officials whose houses were raided, as well as the confiscation of the entire Yao family’s property. Zhou Shuren, you won’t have an easy time in the coming days."

Zhou Shuren replied, "I accept the decree."

The Minister of Rites and the others looked at Zhou Shuren. The Grand Masters exchanged glances, understanding clear as day—if the Crown Prince ascended the throne, Zhou Shuren would be the Minister of Revenue.

Order by order the Crown Prince gave, the people of the capital still needed to be calmed; there was indeed no shortage of matters to attend to.

By the time the ministers were allowed to leave the Palace, the sky had already darkened. Zhou Shuren and several Grand Masters left together, while other officials like Minister Xiao had already left the Palace ahead of them.

Li Zhao walked close to Zhou Shuren, "Congratulations in advance."

Li Zhao felt a sense of wonder in his heart; Zhou Shuren hadn’t been an official for many years, but his accomplishments were indeed convincing—soon to be the future Minister of Revenue.

Was Zhou Shuren happy? Naturally, a promotion brought joy, but when compared to the endless official duties, this joy was diminished.

In a side hall of the Palace, Prince Liang opened his eyes. Dazed for a moment, he gradually gathered his senses. Hearing some noise and seeing his father, the Emperor, Prince Liang tensed up inside.