Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 552 Ambition_1

Shen Shi poured a cup of tea, "Mr. Zhou, today we set aside our titles and merely engage in idle chat, please enjoy the tea."

Zhou Shuren mentally scoffed, as if he would believe that. After taking a sip of the tea, he remarked, "Good tea."

A hint of amusement appeared in Shen Shi’s eyes, "Mr. Zhou, as you know I have a precious daughter whom I truly dote on. She’s now engaged to Princely Heir Yao. Knowing that you and Princely Heir Yao have worked together for many days, I, as a father, would like to inquire, what do you think of Princely Heir Yao?"

Zhou Shuren put down his teacup and refilled it, "Mr. Hou, you already have an idea, don’t you?"

Shen Shi leaned back in his chair. Indeed, he knew, and knowing too much made him realize that the Shen family’s influence had already made the Emperor apprehensive.

Zhou Shuren observed the smiling Mr. Hou, the capital was truly a den of foxes, even military generals weren’t straightforward. Just look at Mr. Hou’s sly fox demeanor. It was clear to him that this marriage alliance was not only to boost Yao Zheyu’s position but also a move to use the engagement to weaken the power of Anping Marquis Residence.

When two sides struggle, there is never a true winner; they are bound to wear each other down!

Shen Shi narrowed his eyes, his gaze never leaving Zhou Shuren. Being so valued by the Emperor, he truly wasn’t an ordinary man. Shen was contented, for only the clever could advance further, especially since Zhou Shuren’s position held much potential for promotion, indicating that as long as he remained steady, he wouldn’t become a casualty of power transitions.

Shen Shi was not in a hurry. He had time to wait, wait for Zhou Shuren to come to the capital, "Zhe Yu is alone in Jinzhou Province. In the future, I’ll be entrusting him to your care."

Now that the imperial decree for the marriage cannot be altered, the only hope is for Yao Zheyu to be compliant and not to be eliminated before he even returns to the capital.

Zhou Shuren understood, "Haha, Mr. Hou must be jesting. Princely Heir Yao is formidable indeed!"

Shen Shi felt a twinge of frustration. It was precisely because Yao Zheyu was formidable that Shen was worried. He had always wanted to find a simple and honest son-in-law for his daughter, one who didn’t need to be overly clever, just honest and decent. Thinking of the current match made him depressed every time.

At the Palace, the Emperor listened to the reports. After the attendants left, he signaled for Eunuch Liu to open the window. Light snow was falling outside. Remembering Shen Shi’s words, the Emperor chuckled softly to himself. He appreciated bringing up Zhou Shuren in front of Shen Shi repeatedly. He wasn’t the type to discard people once their usefulness ended, but the Shen family could not be allowed to progress any further. He could guarantee the Shen family’s current power, but not after a power transition. Fortunately, Shen Shi was always a clear-headed person who knew when to step back.

The court was full of clever people, but too many couldn’t control their ambition.

The snow outside grew heavier, and the Emperor motioned to close the window, then returned to his desk and fetched an imperial edict he had written two days ago. He truly didn’t want to execute anyone before the New Year, but alas, he had no choice.

Eunuch Liu held the imperial edict, his hands trembling. Last year at this time, quite a few people were executed, and this year was no different. These past two years had been restless.

At noon, as the snowstorm eased, Zhou Shuren bid farewell to Mr. Hou. As he boarded the carriage, he thought to himself that Mr. Hou’s appearance was utterly deceptive. He had spoken at length with Mr. Hou about poetry, ancient literature, and the latter’s insights had offered him considerable enlightenment.

Zhou Shuren lifted the carriage curtain, thinking that the capital was a battleground for acting skills, as well as a place where only the fittest survive, with natural selection at its most cruel!

Zhou Shuren and Marquis Anping had tea together, nearly the entire morning, and they emerged laughing and talking, drawing quite the attention. One was a staunch supporter of the Emperor; the other, a confidant, both trusted by the Emperor.

When the Second Prince heard the news, he was reviewing testimonies. He signaled everyone to leave, then stood up, pondering. When had these two become close? He knew that Mr. Shen had sent an invitation, but he hadn’t expected Zhou Shuren to outmaneuver them, meeting with Mr. Shen alone. Could there be something afoot?

The Third Prince couldn’t figure it out, but, he thought that he would just need to watch quietly as things evolved in the future, for he had more pressing matters on his mind.

The Fourth Prince felt restless inside, he disliked this feeling of not being able to fathom the situation, a sense of irritation similar to that felt in the presence of his father, the Emperor!

At the Crown Prince’s residence today, the Crown Prince had a rare chance to rest, and upon learning the news, he thought for a while and then laughed. He thought of the Emperor’s repeated assessments of Zhou Shuren, how the Emperor once bluntly said that Zhou Shuren’s efforts to ascend were not for power, but more to protect.

At the time, he was stunned when he heard it, and the Emperor just laughed, saying that details reveal one’s true nature, a conclusion the Emperor drew after observing Zhou Shuren for several years.

The Crown Prince chuckled. The Emperor must also have been surprised by his own conclusion, but, at least it pointed out one thing, Zhou Shuren was a man who could be trusted. The Emperor was conveying this message to him, and even if the Emperor didn’t say it outright, he also found Mr. Zhou quite agreeable, concurring with the Emperor’s description of him as a gem of a general.

The Crown Prince clenched his fist; the Emperor had entrusted him with so much this year. He suppressed the excitement in his heart. The closer it got to such times, the calmer he should be. The Emperor’s tests were everywhere, and he needed to proceed with even greater caution.

In Jinzhou Residence, Zhulan’s family’s mourning period was over, with the Xu family’s visit yesterday, today it was Lady Ranqi’s turn. Zhulan knew that once it started, it couldn’t be stopped, but what surprised her was that Lady Ranqi chose to visit at noon.

Zhulan looked at the unmistakable joy on Lady Ranqi’s face, "Is there a happy occasion at home?"

With a wide smile, Lady Ranqi replied, "Indeed, it’s a happy occasion. I was supposed to visit in the morning, but an unexpected joyous event occurred, so I arrived a bit late."

Zhulan grew more curious, "It seems like a very happy event."

Still beaming, Lady Ranqi said, "Yes, I’m going to be a grandmother."

Zhulan was stunned for a moment, then smiled, "That certainly is a joyous event, congratulations."

Lady Ranqi’s daughter was pregnant. Since Lady Ranqi spoke of it, it must have been over three months and could no longer be hidden. Now that those who should be aware were indeed so, it was no wonder Lady Ranqi was so happy. If her daughter was pregnant, it meant that the Crown Prince was indeed treating her very well.

Lady Ranqi was truly overjoyed. Her daughter was pregnant, and considering it, she was aware that the current status of the Crown Prince was very stable. Thinking of her husband laughing heartily, she sighed. It was going to be an unsettling time for the Qi family clan, as she was also anxious about whether her daughter could deliver the child safely.

Zhulan saw the change in Lady Ranqi and understood—Lady Ranqi realized the crisis. There were too many people who didn’t want Lady Ranqi’s daughter to have the child. The women in the Crown Prince’s inner court, the Qi family clan, and even the Third Prince, who would not want Mr. Ran to switch allegiance.

Although Mr. Ran had always been a man of the Emperor, the Third Prince didn’t know that!

Lady Ranqi had initially come to share her joy, but now the joy was gone, and she was incredibly anxious inside, "I have matters to attend to at my residence, so I must take my leave now."

In the capital, Zhou Shuren received an invitation. Seeing the invitation, he signaled Jinlian to admit the guest. Jiang Ming was still in his official attire. Zhou Shuren said, "I thought you were busy!"

Jiang Ming sat down, "Indeed, I am busy, which is why I have only taken the afternoon off. Uncle, it’s not often you come back, and I was afraid by the time I have my day off, you would have returned to Jinzhou."

Zhou Shuren looked at Jiang Ming. It had been a long time since they last met, and Jiang Ming had changed a lot. He saw ambition in Jiang Ming’s eyes. To be honest, he was disappointed. There was really no need for a personal visit—wasn’t Lady Dadong at the Zhou residence? Why did Jiang Ming have to make a special trip? To put it bluntly, the capital had fueled Jiang Ming’s ambition!