Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1251 Cooperation

The Empress’s grand ceremony had been merely a few days old when the Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager moved into the Qin Prince Residence. Ever since the Retired Emperor left the palace, Zhou Shuren had been very cautious.

Zhulan had also received an invitation from the Empress. These recent days, the new Empress had been busy. With men overseeing the external affairs and women managing the internal, the Emperor busied himself with government affairs and consolidating power, while the Empress was meeting with the ladies.

This time was not like the grand ceremony that was merely for show; the Empress had personally invited each guest.

Zhulan was among the first group invited. When she entered the Palace, Lady Zhao was pregnant and about to give birth, and Lady Li could not enter the palace, so it was still Su Xuan who accompanied her.

Zhulan was familiar with the Empress’s bedchamber, having visited several times before. Yet, now the people she saw had changed, even the little palace maid leading the way was a stranger—all along the way, there wasn’t a single familiar face.

Zhulan felt that it must have been the Empress Dowager who had taken all the palace maids with her. Indeed, the Empress Dowager was a decent mother-in-law.

By the time Zhulan arrived, the Empress had already arrived, clearly showing she held Zhulan in high regard.

Zhulan greeted her, "Subject’s wife Yang pays her respects to the Empress."

Su Xuan also followed with her greetings.

The Empress’s tone was affectionate as she smiled and said, "Please rise quickly."

After Zhulan stood up, the Empress granted her a seat. Zhulan also noticed the Empress’s complexion, which was very good indeed. It was to be expected; since the Empress Dowager moved out of the palace, she was the authority in the palace, and the other concubines held lower status, naturally, the Empress’s complexion would be excellent.

The Empress said, "The other day, this palace was meeting the younger sister and spoke of the wife. This palace has long known that the wife is Zhou’s wise partner. Your wisdom is admired by this palace."

The Empress indeed wasn’t flattering her. She had been genuinely impressed with some calculations drafted by Yang and wondered how few women could reach Mrs. Yang’s level.

Zhulan modestly replied, "Your Highness flatters me. I am merely fulfilling my duty."

The Empress smiled, seeing that Mrs. Yang was truly modest. If Mrs. Yang were not a woman, her talents could have served in an official capacity.

Today was mainly for casual conversation, and the Empress was not yet in a rush to take any actions to draw her in, so she quickly rewarded her and sent her off.

Out of the corner of her eye, Zhulan glanced at the covered box, thinking to herself that the Empress had many ladies to meet, and this dispersal of wealth would require a considerable amount of silver coins!

Just as she was thinking this, Zhulan saw the palace maid leading the way stopping, and then she saw Consort Liu and a concubine.

The palace maid greeted them first, "Greetings to Consort Liu, greetings to Zhaoyi Du."

Zhulan was surprised to see Zhaoyi Du; she did not believe it was a coincidence. The palace was too vast for the wives to wander to the exit path by chance.

Consort Liu, holding Zhaoyi Du’s hand, smiled and said, "My sister and I were just heading back to the palace and didn’t expect to run into you. How have you been these past days?"

Inside, Zhulan processed this interaction and responded, "This subject’s wife is well, thank you for your concern."

The smile on Consort Liu’s face remained unchanged as she nodded, "My sister and I will take our leave first."

Zhulan watched as Consort Liu and Zhaoyi Du left. Once outside the palace and settled in her own carriage, Su Xuan finally spoke, "Mother, what did Consort Liu mean today?"

Zhulan opened the box and took out the bracelet rewarded by the Empress. "She was showing me how close she is with Zhaoyi Du, implying that they have formed an alliance and now support two princes."

Su Xuan blinked her eyes. She thought herself quite clever; aside from not loving to read, she had grown up amid constant deceit and trickery, yet she still couldn’t outsmart her mother. These coincidental encounters that her mother could read so much into seemed just normal to her.

Su Xuan was very curious, "Mother, how did you figure it out?"

Zhulan had already switched her own bracelet for the one bestowed by the Empress, and with a smile, she explained, "Firstly, when Concubine Du was at the Crown Prince’s residence, she always kept a low profile. Today, however, she walked with Lady Liu without any avoidance. Secondly, Lady Liu was holding Concubine Du’s hand, an action that denotes great intimacy. They couldn’t possibly be close friends, so they must be partners of convenience."

Su Xuan gave a thumbs-up, "Mother, you’re really impressive."

Zhulan raised her hand, "How does it look?"

Su Xuan looked at the Jade Bracelet. Her mother was fair-skinned, which made the green bracelet look lovely, but there was a gap between the bracelet and her wrist. Coughing, she affirmed, "It looks nice."

Zhulan took it off. She rarely wore bracelets anymore, simply because she had gained weight, so usually, her wrists were bare. She put it away, intending to divide it among her children after her death.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren, the new official, had already sprung into action with the first of three initiatives, clarifying job responsibilities. Where before there was little scope for drastic measures, now he didn’t hesitate. The absolute slackers who thrived in murky waters found no ground to stand on.

The yearly assessments at the Ministry of Personnel no longer allowed for gaining undue advantages. Now, obtaining a favorable evaluation depended on one’s own diligent work; failing this, Zhou Shuren neither lectured nor scolded—after two years of low evaluations, one could simply pack up and leave.

Zhou Shuren was able to implement such decisive reforms because he had spent years laying the groundwork, setting hidden traps. After all, he controlled the Ministry of Revenue, and he demanded efficiency; those looking to gain tenure advantage should not come to the Ministry of Revenue.

Zhou Shuren was in high spirits, then happily brought out some tea sets and tea leaves gifted by his son-in-law. His responsibility had shifted; previously, as the Chief of Staff’s right-hand man, he had to oversee everything personally. Now, he was the big boss!

Just as the tea had brewed, the Retired Emperor arrived. Zhou Shuren felt a weight lift off his shoulders; finally, he was here.

Zhou Shuren stood up, "Your Highness, I humbly greet the Retired Emperor."

The Retired Emperor, dressed in casual attire, had already taken a seat at the tea table. He sniffed the aroma, then glanced at the tea set, which looked familiar—it was the one the Crown Prince had once asked him for and was now in Zhou Shuren’s possession. With a sardonic smile, he remarked, "Zhou Shuren, you do have quite a few treasures."

Zhou’s instincts were sharp. Not daring to upset the Retired Emperor by saying it was a gift from his son-in-law, he earnestly replied, "Your Highness, I don’t have any treasures, as you know. I’ve always fancied Sir Xiao’s tea set, but since Sir Xiao did not leave it to me, I bragged that I could acquire even better; hence, I shamelessly asked Prince Qin for it."

The Retired Emperor grunted. If it had been a token of respect from Prince Qin, he wouldn’t have criticized Prince Qin; he had other ways of dealing with Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren asked, "Your Highness, what brings you to the Ministry of Revenue today?"

The Retired Emperor, "I heard about the big moves at the Ministry of Revenue from the Qin Prince Residence, so I came to see for myself."

Zhou Shuren, "...Your Highness, didn’t you anticipate today would come?"

He could not fool the former Retired Emperor, who had implicitly permitted it.

The Retired Emperor hummed, "They say a new official enacts three policies; I think one is enough for you. What do you think?"

Zhou Shuren understood. The Retired Emperor was representing the Emperor. He whispered, "Has someone been whispering to the Emperor?"

The Retired Emperor, "You should consider the other five Ministries as well; your strides are too large, and the others can’t keep up. It’s not good this way."

Zhou Shuren, stroking his beard, "I understand, Your Highness."

While he always wanted to improve the Ministry of Revenue, The Six Ministries was a collective entity; indeed, he needed to proceed slowly.