Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 536

The Emperor’s eyes churned as he closed them, then opened them with a calm demeanor, "You mean to say someone kidnapped you and sent an imposter in your place?"

The Fifth Prince knew he must not reveal too much; the more he disclosed, the quicker his end would be. And of course, he was also aware that his words would not convince anyone. It was merely an excuse, but he steeled himself and said, "Yes."

As for how much his father the Emperor and his brothers knew, he need not know. He only needed to understand that he had already exposed too much, and that he must be even more cautious in the future.

The Emperor laughed, a mocking laugh. What an insincere excuse! It seemed they were counting on his tacit acceptance. Indeed, the timing wasn’t right—this was just the tip of the iceberg. Yet his heart seethed with rage. Bloody hell, he had to comply. "How will you prove your identity?"

Zhang Jinghong bowed and produced the Jade Pendant. Eunuch Liu took it and the Emperor was too lazy to even look at it. He’d been willing to play along when he was in the mood, but now, taking the Jade Pendant, he tossed it to the fifth son, "Keep it safe!"

The Jade Pendant crashed to the ground and shattered. The Fifth Prince’s pupils contracted sharply, every hair on his body standing on end, "Father, I am real."

The Second Prince and the other princes didn’t dare move a muscle. What did this mean?

Zhou Shuren felt the urge to stroke his beard. Those behind the Fifth Prince were too confident in themselves, but then again, the Emperor had too many cunning moves, catching the adversary off guard due to the lack of time to think things through. Given enough time, they would have come up with a more perfect excuse.

Zhou Shuren scrutinized the Fifth Prince. If Zhang Jinghong was an imposter, then who was he? Where had the real son of the Emperor gone?

Zhou Shuren averted his gaze. The waters were deep and unfathomable, and all he could see was the surface.

The Crown Prince, knowing his father well, realized the Emperor had gotten angry just now. He watched the flustered Fifth Prince with a deep gaze. How could he be so blind? After all these years, he hadn’t noticed the problem.

The Crown Prince remained silent. He too felt alone. Trust was greater among brothers of the same mother, he thought. It wasn’t that he was blind; rather, his father the Emperor and his mother the Empress had hidden it all too well!

The Emperor listened to the sound of kowtowing, calming his heart, "Broken, then broken; carve a new one, but this time keep it well and make sure no one takes it to counterfeit."

The Fifth Prince lifted his head, his eyes filled with surprise. Had he passed the test? "Thank you, Father."

The Emperor continued, "You say someone impersonated a prince. Shouldn’t they be torn apart limb by limb?"

The Fifth Prince was very nervous. The imposter at his estate was his man. This time, to come back, he could only sacrifice him, yet his heart still trembled, "Boldly replacing a prince and causing chaos with deceit deserves to be flayed alive."

Zhou Shuren watched the Fifth Prince’s eyes without blinking. There was no panic, only guilt. It seemed that this Zhang Jinghong did not know he was an imposter. Indeed, it was better not to know in front of the Emperor, the crafty old fox. The more one knew, the easier it was to expose oneself. Zhang Jinghong’s Dao was still too shallow.

Zhou Shuren quickly glanced at the Emperor, the crafty old fox. He still had much to learn.

The Emperor too withdrew his gaze, casting a sidelong glance at Zhou Shuren, and then fell silent. It seemed as if he saw admiration in Zhou Shuren’s eyes? Then he saw Zhou Shuren continue to stand motionless.

The Emperor turned his attention back to the Fifth Prince, "Fifth Brother, you will oversee the execution of being torn limb from limb. You must watch the entire process and afterwards write down your thoughts for me!"

Zhou Shuren, "...."

It must be said, the Emperor was as ruthless as ever. He had the feeling that Zhang Jinghong would have nightmares about the future!

The Crown Prince felt no pity for the Fifth Prince because he knew why the Emperor wanted the Fifth Prince to remember—the crime of impersonating a prince!

From the Second Prince to the Fourth Prince, the three princes trembled in fear. The Emperor had never changed!

The Fifth Prince felt his stomach churning but steeled himself, "Yes."

The Emperor was satisfied, and the last trace of anger in his heart dissipated. However, he added another entry to his mental ledger, having sat for so long, "Alright, since the Fifth has also returned, you may all leave."

Zhou Shuren’s heart leapt; he could now leave the palace to rest and finally sleep. Unfortunately, the Emperor said, "Minister Zhou has had a hard journey. There are accommodations in the side hall, so Minister Zhou will stay and chat with me."

Zhou Shuren, "....Yes."

Such high treatment, but he wanted none of it!

The Princes stiffened, knowing there were places in the palace specially designated for ministers to stay overnight, but never before had it been granted to someone of the fourth rank—a true first.

With his head lowered, the Fifth Prince hid the hatred in his eyes. He, a Prince, was actually lesser than Minister Zhou. Recalling his childhood and his father’s differential attitude, the Fifth Prince’s hatred grew. They were all sons of the Empress, but now he saw clearly that the Emperor was the most ruthless of all.

For the sake of the Crown Prince, the Emperor would sacrifice anything. He was merely a target used to attract danger for the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince, always watching the Fifth, noticed the hate in his eyes. Shouldn’t he hate even more?

As the Princes reached the doorway, the Emperor spoke again, "It’s getting late; you all should stay and rest as well."

The Crown Prince laughed, especially since he could hear the sounds of his brothers’ growling stomachs close by, lifting his spirits. He knew the Emperor had more to say.

Recalling the meal he had been longing for all night, the Second Prince felt a chill in his heart; the Emperor was doing this deliberately. He was angered that they all had their own influences. He knew it wouldn’t be so easy to let this pass.

Contemplating attending court the next morning on an empty stomach, the thought of having some snacks to fill his belly made the Second Prince sigh—daring to eat was out of the question.

The Crown Prince left first, and the other Princes quickly followed. Rubbing his stomach, the Crown Prince said, "I ate too much tonight."

Feeling the daggers in their stares, the Crown Prince turned and said, "Ah, you all haven’t had dinner yet? Look how hungry you are. Let me tell you about what I had tonight, roast duck, ginseng chicken soup..."

Zhou Shuren’s ears were sharp indeed, and he couldn’t help but laugh inside. The Crown Prince had truly inherited the Emperor’s ways.

The Emperor couldn’t help but curl his lips upward as the Second and his siblings couldn’t overtake the Crown Prince, listening to their footsteps slowing down to a crawl.

When it quieted outside, the Emperor gestured for Eunuch Liu to bring Zhou Shuren a chair, "Now that only you and I remain, there’s no need for formalities; please sit."

Zhou Shuren indeed felt unstable on his feet, complaining of back, leg, and knee pain, "Thank you, Emperor."

He quickly took his seat.

Seeing Zhou Shuren at ease, the Emperor relaxed considerably. Lately, he had had many exchanges with Zhou Shuren, whom he greatly esteemed—efficient and to the point, which he favored, "Having watched a play, what does your excellency speculate?"

Zhou Shuren had just gotten comfortable when his nerves instantly tensed again. This was a test, he thought. Even if he had guessed it, he couldn’t say. Some things were not meant to be known at this time. Massaging his lower back, he said, "My buttocks might as well be glued to the chair this year. My body isn’t what it used to be. Riding in a carriage all this way, my bones felt like they were coming apart. Now, my waist and legs are killing me. It’s the burden of growing old; I must exercise more when I return and look after my health, so I can serve the Emperor for many more years."

The Emperor listened chucklingly without giving a direct answer but made his point clear; Zhou Shuren hadn’t become conceited due to his special treatment. Good. However, Zhou Shuren’s experience had deepened since their last meeting, "Indeed, you should take care of your health."

Zhou Shuren noticed the Emperor’s gaze shifting away and understood he had passed the test, reflecting inwardly on the absolute supremacy of the imperial rule—serving the Emperor was truly demanding!