Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 543

In the morning, Zhulan woke to the sound of the wind. Wrapping herself in her clothes, she rose and went out, only to see Liu Ya already bringing in hot water. There were snowflakes on Liu Ya’s body. Zhulan drew the curtains aside and saw that it was snowing outside, although it was only a light snow that must have just started—there was just a thin layer of snowflakes on the ground.

Liu Ya stood to the side, "Breakfast is ready."

Zhulan looked at the gloomy sky, then let the curtain fall, "Bring it over."

Liu Ya, "Yes."

After Zhulan had washed up, Zhou Shuren had already dressed and come out, Zhulan couldn’t help but chuckle, "The little guy never gets up early when it snows!"

Zhou Shuren turned back to look at his deeply sleeping son, feeling a tender softness in his heart, "Indeed."

Breakfast today was made up of millet porridge, steamed stuffed buns, and some pickled vegetables; in fact, the Zhou family’s breakfasts were really quite simple.

Zhou Shuren finished his meal, and Jingyan was already waiting early on. Zhulan didn’t speak until Zhou Shuren reached the doorway, "Be careful."

Desperate situations arose all too often.

Zhou Shuren nodded, "Don’t worry."

After Zhou Shuren left, Zhulan lost her appetite. She cleared away the breakfast and went back to snuggle with her son for some more sleep, forgetful of her troubles once asleep.

At the Government Office, the Princely Heir Yao had arrived early and was already waiting. Zhou Shuren rubbed his neck, "Let’s go."

Mr. Wang stood to the side with a feeling that the dust had settled, finally about to begin. He had matters to attend to as well, so after Mr. Zhou left, he pulled Mr. Wang along, "We should start as well."

The officials of Jinzhou Province only knew that something was about to happen, but what exactly was still unknown to them. Those with guilty consciences feared for their own safety.

Zhou Shuren and Princely Heir Yao went straight to the Lin Residence. The soldiers had already surrounded the Lin Residence, its gates wide open. Zhou Shuren and Princely Heir Yao entered the courtyard, where Mr. Lin and his entire family were already kneeling.

Princely Heir Yao executed the Emperor’s command, saying to Zhou Shuren who had stopped in his tracks, "Mr. Zhou, I am heading to the study."

Zhou Shuren, "Hmm."

It was Zhou Shuren’s first time leading a house raid. Observing the Lin family kneeling on the snowy ground, he was inwardly shaken, especially by the wailing of the women and children, which made him inadvertently think of his own family.

Mr. Lin had sobered up the moment Mr. Zhou entered the courtyard; he hurriedly got up, but was pushed back to the ground by the soldiers. Unable to struggle free, he pleaded urgently, "Mr. Zhou, I am the in-law of the Second Prince; what crime has the Lin family committed? What authority do you have to raid my residence?"

Zhou Shuren looked at Mr. Lin, feeling no pity for him. Everyone must be accountable for their actions, and Mr. Lin was simply paying for his own ambitions. He leisurely took out an imperial edict from his bosom, "The authority given by the Emperor."

Mr. Lin fell back onto the ground. He had held some hope when he hadn’t seen the imperial mandate, but now, seeing it, he knew it was over. He was well aware of what he had done, and thinking of the Second Prince, a glint of hope appeared in his eyes, "I want to see the Second Prince, I must see the Second Prince."

Zhou Shuren observed Mr. Lin’s pathetic frenzy and said indifferently, "Wait until you return to the capital for the trial, then it will be up to the Second Prince whether he wants to see you or not."

The news he received indicated that the Second Prince was not faring well; after the Second Prince had crossed many, it was rare to see unity against him.

Zhou Shuren looked up at the sky. Even if the Second Prince might have been somewhat better, he would feign illness now, and if the Emperor hadn’t kept him for a purpose, it would be hard for the Second Prince to disentangle himself.

Mr. Lin felt a chill in his heart. He was clear that being captured meant being abandoned. Listening to the crying of his aged mother and children, he wondered, did he regret it? It was already too late.

A soldier beside Zhou Shuren said, "Sir, it is snowing outside. Please go inside and rest."

Zhou Shuren glanced at the kneeling children and women, "Find an empty room, and lock the women and children inside."

The fate of the men of the Lin family was inevitable. Zhou Shuren sighed, thinking that calamity should not extend to the wives and children—ancient times knew no such mercies.

Mr. Lin lifted his head, wanting to glean something from Lord Zhou’s expression, but unfortunately, there was nothing to see. Should he feel fortunate that Lord Zhou had accompanied the raid on his family manor?

Mr. Lin’s voice was hoarse, "Thank you."

Zhou Shuren scoffed, stepping into the house where the antiques had already been sealed. The sealed crates were placed right in the middle of the room. Having personally witnessed the raid, he needed to be even more cautious with each step.

Zhou Shuren closed his eyes, and the movement of the officials and soldiers inside the house became gentler.

The Lin Residence was being raided. No, it was not just the Lin Residence; many merchant families and shops had been sealed. The entire Jinzhou Province was in turmoil.

There were officials and soldiers everywhere on the streets. It was only at the city gates that they learned the gates had been closed since the previous evening and hadn’t been opened that morning.

Wang, the Government Office official, didn’t know much; upon hearing the news, he asked Wang, the Circuit Intendant, "Did you know about this early in the morning?"

The Circuit Intendant spread his hands, "I truly didn’t know."

He wasn’t lying. Since he was not involved anymore, he had not inquired any further. He only knew there was a major operation underway, but not what it was for; he was merely following orders.

Wang and the Circuit Intendant exchanged glances and quickly looked down. It was better not to ask; they should just focus on their responsibilities!

In Zhou’s mansion, Zhulan woke up after a short sleep because her little one did too. As she fed her son, she listened to Nanny Song talk about the news from outside, "Is that so?"

Nanny Song, having seen much in her life, was calm, "Yes."

Zhulan felt unsettled, holding her son tightly, reminding herself over and over that one must be extremely cautious living in ancient times.

Eventually, Nanny Song realized that her lady’s mind was elsewhere and fell silent. This was the first time her lady had experienced a family being raided. Based on her experience, she estimated that the entire Lin family would probably face execution.

Zhulan thought of the Xu Residence, "Has there been any movement at the Xu Residence?"

Nanny Song said, "No officials or soldiers have gone to the Xu Residence."

Zhulan thought to herself that the Xu Residence had managed to step out of the fray; Old Master Xu had protected his family. That was truly remarkable.

The raids in Jinzhou City continued, with box after box of silver, jewelry, and antiques being sealed. The government office’s storerooms were nearly unable to hold any more, with the merchants’ homes containing mostly silver.

In the Lin Residence, the Princely Heir, Yao, searched the entire manor, his face looking extremely troubled. Zhou Shuren heard footsteps and looked up, "Didn’t find any secret room?"

The Princely Heir sat down, "I’ve searched everywhere and found nothing."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "What about under the rockery and the gardens? Did you search there?"

The Princely Heir’s lips twitched, "Sir, I’ve searched everywhere."

He was a professional. Do not underestimate him.

Zhou Shuren uttered an "Oh" and thought to himself that he had watched quite a few costume dramas. Secret rooms were a given; he always wanted to criticize that if he were to prepare a secret room, he definitely wouldn’t set it up in his own residence. A goose leaves traces behind. "Then it must be in an outer courtyard or one of the Lin family’s shops."

The Princely Heir, "I’ve already sent people to check."

What they needed were the ledgers; they believed that Mr. Lin must have transaction records in his possession. They wanted to know who Mr. Lin was working with from higher up.

The main gate was open. Zhou Shuren looked at Mr. Lin. He had found a breakthrough with Mr. Lin and discovered quite a few things, but after startling the snake by beating the grass, he dared not investigate further for fear that someone would notice and cover their tracks. Hence, after reporting to the Emperor, the Emperor decided to catch the other party off guard, which led to today’s actions.