Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 533 Knee Pain_1

The Government Official had a look of sheer horror on his face, as if to say I’m truly not dreaming, "A person outside the Government Office claiming to be Prince No. 5 requests to see the Magistrate."

Speaking of which, didn’t Prince No. 5 return to the capital? Initially, these Government Officials had no idea, but after Prince No. 5 was conspicuously brought back to the capital, they all knew about it. It hasn’t been long since he left, so how could there be another Prince No. 5 so soon? If it weren’t for the Jade Tag in his hand, he would have already dragged the person in for questioning.

Zhou Shuren choked on his throat, and it took him a while to stop coughing. His throat and windpipe were uncomfortable, and as he was catching his breath, his mind was busy working. Prince No. 5 had finally shown some intelligence, and the mastermind behind him was no simple figure. Seeking him out was indeed the safest option!

Magistrate Wong’s mind was in utter turmoil—life was full of frights at every turn, "Magistrate."

Zhou Shuren’s throat felt much better, and he cleared his throat, "Let the person in."

The Government Official was nervous, wondering if the Magistrate’s tone implied that this could really be the prince. Oh my, this could be a major incident, "Yes."

Once the Government Official left, Magistrate Wong hurriedly asked, "Magistrate Zhou, what’s all this about?"

Zhou Shuren spread his hands out, as if to say he’s all show, "I also don’t know, I’ll only find out after meeting this Prince No. 5."

Magistrate Wong smirked inwardly; he’d sooner believe in ghost stories than in Magistrate Zhou’s words.

The Government Official quickly returned, following Prince No. 5, Zhang Jinghong, into the room. Zhou Shuren scrutinized Prince No. 5’s disheveled appearance and narrowed his eyes critically. While the prince’s attire did seem accurate, the eyes couldn’t lie, nor could his physique. Even if Prince No. 5’s disguise was impeccable, it couldn’t change the fact that Prince No. 5’s body was healthy, his skin fair, and his face much chubbier than when they last met—clear signs of having lived in luxury.

Zhou Shuren silently rated within his heart, The acting is terrible and lacks attention to detail.

Magistrate Wong gazed at the tent’s ceiling, not wanting to look anymore, for fear he might burst out laughing.

Zhang Jinghong felt very uncomfortable being scrutinized. He, too, wished to appear more convincing, but having been well-fed and cared for at the Lin family estate, and with the lack of martial training, he had put on weight, which made his expression a bit stiff. Still, he had to carry on with the act, "Magistrate Zhou, I’m relieved to have finally found you. It was with great difficulty that I made it back to Jinzhou Province. Magistrate, please escort me to the capital. I must face the Emperor and expose the conspiracy."

Zhou Shuren had intended to speak first, but now Prince No. 5 had beaten him to it. He swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He really didn’t want to inquire about the true or false Prince No. 5, but he still had to ask simply because the person had come to him, "Do you have proof of your identity?"

Zhang Jinghong hastily took out a jade tag from his bosom, "This is my proof. Each prince is given a jade tag at birth. Mine is the real one. When I was young and mischievous, I cracked it, and the mark is quite noticeable; both the Emperor and the Empress are aware of this."

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes internally, Oh, he has kept one last card up his sleeve. Indeed, the jade tag bore the crack as Prince No. 5 had mentioned. "While I have not seen the injured Prince No. 5, I cannot take your word alone. It’s a pity that Yao Zhe Yu has returned to the capital, otherwise, I might have invited him to identify you."

Zhang Jinghong grimaced internally. He despised Yao Zhe Yu to the core and was now urgently needing to return to the capital, "Magistrate, please escort me personally to the capital, where the truth shall reveal itself immediately."

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow. The prince was waiting for him indeed, knowing full well that it would be difficult to enter the capital unscathed. Now he was asking Zhou Shuren to provide an escort. In Zhou Shuren’s eyes, Zhang Jinghong was a tremendous nuisance. By staying out of sight, Zhou could feign ignorance; but now that he had appeared, no matter what, he had to ensure Zhang’s safety. He was certain the other princes would relish the chance for Zhang Jianghong to meet with trouble in Jinzhou Province.

Zhou Shuren weighed the pros and cons and sadly realized that the longer this big troublemaker stayed, the worse it would be for the Zhou family. Now that peace had been made with the other princes, it didn’t mean they wouldn’t take the opportunity to deal with him using Prince No. 5’s presence as an excuse.

Zhang Jinghong was anxious. The man in front of him was indeed an old fox. The longer he stayed in Jinzhou City, the more he heard, and the less he wished to interact with Zhou Shuren, always feeling seen through, "Magistrate Zhou."

Zhou Shuren, addressing the Government Official waiting outside the door, said, "Go find Guard Captain Wei and tell him I have an urgent matter and must see him."

The Captain of the Guard in Jinzhou City was a reliable man. Zhou Shuren felt that the more people who accompanied them back to the capital, the better. Of course, it wasn’t to protect Zhang Jinghong; it was purely for his own safety. Yes, and also for the safety of his own guards. Zhou Shuren thought to himself that the Emperor must certainly know of Prince No. 5’s ploys; hopefully, the Emperor would pick them up on the road back to the capital!

Zhou Shuren arranged everything and then looked at Zhang Jinghong, who had taken a seat. He fell silent for a moment before speaking, "This matter is of great importance. I will personally escort you back to the capital; all decisions will be made by the Emperor himself."

If it weren’t for the fear of something going wrong along the way, he would not personally go to the capital. In fact, he did not wish to face the Emperor; he felt that communicating with the Emperor on paper was quite satisfactory, at least there was no need to kneel, which spared his knees from aching.

Zhang Jinghong breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Lord Zhou was willing to send him back, he felt more confident. He was afraid of dying too, life was precious and irreplaceable. If it weren’t for having a body double, it would have been him who suffered severe injuries. Although he believed that he would be protected along the way, staying by Lord Zhou’s side felt even safer. However, Zhang Jinghong was conflicted, "Doesn’t Lord Zhou have any questions?"

Zhou Shuren maintained a smile, "This subordinate is but a Fourth-rank Official."

The implication was that his rank was too low to be involved.

Magistrate Wong’s mouth twitched. My Lord, what you’re doing is hardly the work of a Fourth-rank Official.

Zhou Shuren narrowed his eyes, "Did Magistrate Wong catch a chill last night?"

Wong Ju was taken aback, "Not at all."

Zhou Shuren spoke in a haunting tone, "If you haven’t caught a chill, then why does your mouth keep twitching? Magistrate Wong, do not hide any ailment."

Magistrate Wong, "...."

He knew that Lord Zhou was trying to change the subject, but this was no way to treat him!

Zhang Jinghong felt powerless. He had intended to drag Lord Zhou into this mess, hoping to muddy the waters even more, but he always felt defeated when facing Lord Zhou.

Zhou Shuren was pleased with Zhang Jinghong’s silence and stood up, calling to Jingyan, "Go back to the residence and inform them that I will be departing for the capital immediately. I will not be returning tonight."

Jingyan stood outside. Due to years of martial training, he had keen hearing and eyesight; he could clearly hear the voices inside the room, "Yes."

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan, upon hearing Jingyan’s words, did not have time to dwell on them. She quickly got up and, along with Nanny Song, began packing Zhou Shuren’s luggage. After double-checking to ensure nothing was forgotten, Zhulan handed the prepared purse for rewards to Jingyan.

Zhulan said, "Of these five purses, the one on top contains one hundred taels, and the remaining four each contain fifty taels. Also, make sure the two hundred taels of silver notes are secure."

Jingyan accepted the purses, grabbed the luggage and the hot water bottle that had been prepared, "Madam, rest assured, I will protect the Lord."

Zhulan expressed her gratitude, "Thank you for your trouble."

Zhulan was truly grateful. Jingyan’s demeanor assured her that if there were any danger, he would protect Zhou Shuren with his life, and her thanks came from the heart.

Jingyan and Nanny Song exchanged glances. This was their duty, yet it was the first time they had received thanks, and they could discern its sincerity.

Warmth filled Nanny Song’s eyes, the Zhou family was very good.