Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 752 Li Zhao_1

Zhulan had been refraining from seeing Rongchuan, as father had said that since Zhou Shuren had just taken office, it would be best for the Ning household to avoid contact with the Zhou household. Today was quite a coincidence, "Are you here to look at paintings?"

Rongchuan took another step forward, "Yes, does Mr. Hou also have an appointment?"

Zhulan nodded, "That’s right."

Rongchuan felt a bit disappointed, but he couldn’t help asking, "Has Mr. Hou been very busy lately?"

Mr. Hou had not come to see him for a long time. Ever since he started to regard Marquis Ning as his father, having never received his parents’ love since childhood, he gradually began to crave his father’s attention.

Zhulan’s eyes brightened with surprise, Rongchuan really cared about him. The joy in his heart was almost overflowing, and he couldn’t help stretching out his hand to touch Rongchuan’s hair, "I have indeed been very busy lately, the army is returning to the capital."

He wasn’t lying; indeed, the Emperor had him running in circles recently, further confirming that the Emperor did not want the Ning house to contact the Zhou house for the time being. The Emperor really valued Zhou Shuren.

Rongchuan repressed his emotions, the army’s return to the capital was a major event. He took a step back, "Please go ahead with your business, Mr. Hou."

Zhulan nodded to the Yang family who bowed to him, then lowered the carriage curtain, "Let’s go."

Once the carriage had left, Zhulan watched as Rongchuan kept his gaze on it. While talking with Lady Dong, Zhulan heard that Chang Lian and Rongchuan often encountered Marquis Ning. At the time, she didn’t think much of it, assuming it was just an uncle looking after his nephew.

But today she saw something was off. That uncle’s eyes seemed to look at his nephew as a father looks at his son, and Rongchuan looked at Zhulan as if looking at a father. If it weren’t for the certainty that Rongchuan was the Emperor’s son, she would have thought otherwise.

It didn’t take long for Zhulan to think of Shen Yang, and looking at Rongchuan’s features, she realized something. The Emperor and Empress truly protected Rongchuan; they didn’t want anything to implicate him which was likely why they hinted at Marquis Ning.

At the painting shop, Zhulan went upstairs with her granddaughter and daughters. The shop wasn’t small, and the stores on both sides belonged to the shop as well; the upper floor was interconnected so one wouldn’t reach the end immediately. Standing by the window, one could also see the courtyard behind the shop, where the rooms, not for living, each contained paintings. frёewebηovel.cѳm

Zhulan stood at the window, "There sure are a lot of people today."

There were people everywhere in the courtyard, coming and going.

Lady Dong was a bit excited, it was her first time at a painting shop, "Mother, this must be the biggest painting shop in the capital, mustn’t it?"

Zhulan, "I just heard Rongchuan mention it, it seems like it’s the biggest. The paintings here are all quite good."

It was a pity that their household funds were a bit tight; otherwise, she really would have liked to buy a couple of paintings to take back home. The thought of silver reminded her of her purse shrinking at the end of every month.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren and Qiu Yan were looking at the requisition forms from The Six Ministries for silver, freshly delivered from the palace. Qiu Yan was used to it, "As long as we understand the situation, it’s fine."

Zhou Shuren didn’t take it seriously either, finding the reasons given amusing, which is why he looked at them a bit longer. The reasons from the Ministry of Rites were that their supplies were old and needed replacing, some were no longer usable, and so on.

The most unremarkable one was from the Ministry of Works. There was no helping it, the Ministry of Works really didn’t have much clout, indeed being the weakest.

Zhou Shuren didn’t believe the reasons from the Ministry of Rites. Despite its lack of significant power, it was ranked third among The Six Ministries and could certainly secure the silver needed, whereas the Ministry of Works truly did need silver for replacements.

Xiao Qing scoffed, "The Ministry of Revenue finally has some silver, and yet they all come asking for it at the beginning of the month."

Zhou Shuren said, "There’s no document from the Ministry of War here."

Xiao Qing’s face darkened in an instant, "Just wait, old man Li will be here soon."

No sooner had he spoken than Sir Li, Minister of War, walked in, "Brother Xiao, how are you doing? I was thinking to pay a visit to my brother, and here my brother is talking about his little brother. Our bond is truly special, isn’t it!"

If Zhou Shuren didn’t need to maintain courtesy, he would have looked away. Mr. Li really had a formidable way with words!

Zhou Shuren and Qiu Yan paid their respects, "Mr. Li."

Mr. Li chuckled, "Ah, you two are here too."

He then turned to Xiao Qing, "I really envy you, brother. You have capable people by your side for both your left and your right arms, unlike me, who has a couple of Hanhans as my left and right arms."

Crying, causing a fuss, or threatening suicide they can’t do; they can’t even dream of taking my position. The Ministry of War can’t fall into the hands of fools, or else I’ll be bullied to death.

Xiao Qing’s mouth twitched, his beard moving with every word as he gritted his teeth, "We’ve been dealing with each other for so many years, who doesn’t know whom? Even if you call me your own brother, there’s no Silver Coin here for you, only trouble."

Li Zhao glared, "Aren’t you really my brother? Brother, you can’t hurt your little brother’s feelings."

Zhou Shuren this time looked up at the ceiling, otherwise, he would have burst into laughter. Those who become Chief of Staff are indeed capable! He always thought his own skin was thick enough, but today he admitted defeat; he couldn’t hold a candle to Mr. Li!

Xiao Qing felt a pain in his stomach, disgusted, "The door is behind you. Hurry up and disappear from my sight. We at the Ministry of Revenue are extremely busy, so be on your way."

Seeing that soft tactics won’t work, Li Zhao pulled over a chair and sat down, "Old man Xiao, you won’t drive me away. I’ll just stick around here today, and don’t think of getting rid of me without ten thousand taels."

Today, he wasn’t actually here for compensation Silver; he came because the Ministry of War was in need of Silver. The Ministry of Revenue had just received some Silver, and if he didn’t secure some for his own department soon, they wouldn’t get anything when more time passed.

Xiao Qing’s face went black. He still needed to discuss the matter of the bookshop with his two assistants. The Silver offered by the maritime merchants hadn’t satisfied him, and he was thinking of ways to scrape together more Silver from the bookshop. It didn’t matter whether they tricked the Prince or someone else; they could only swindle them once, and the purse of the Ministry of Revenue must be filled to the brim.

Li Zhao watched Xiao Qing with amusement. He had been keeping a close eye on the Ministry of Revenue’s follow-ups. Having dealt with Xiao Qing for so many years, he might not understand him completely, but he still knew him halfway through, and he was confident about getting Silver.

Zhou Shuren and Qiu Yan exchanged glances, deciding to remain in the background.

Zhou Shuren was contemplating how much Silver was left in the Ministry of Revenue. Twenty hundred thousand taels might seem like a lot, but there were even more places to spend it. This was to be used for emergencies only, and the southern flood had already taken away one hundred thousand taels, not to mention salaries and several other urgent expenditures. The Ministry of Revenue really didn’t have much Silver left.

Xiao Qing clenched his back teeth. Li Zhao’s skin was thick, and he was shameless; Xiao had experienced that firsthand. Over the years, the Ministry of War had taken the most Silver through his hands, all thanks to Li Zhao. Li truly had no personal agendas, otherwise, the old man wouldn’t still be sitting in the Minister of War’s chair without having moved.

Li Zhao accepted the tea that was served. He envied the Ministry of Revenue every time he drank their tea; he was a connoisseur, "Every time I drink the tea from the Ministry of Revenue, I’m filled with envy. Then I think about our Ministry of War, no comparison! We’re all rough men in the Ministry of War, and we can’t outmaneuver the other departments; we’re always being bullied!"

Xiao Qing spat out, "Would you just shut your mouth? No one is as cunning as you. And if you’re envious, go ask the Emperor yourself!"

Li Zhao let out a forced laugh. He knew the plight of the Ministry of Revenue all too well; their expenses were specially approved by the Emperor, and he didn’t dare, "I’m just saying."

Just then, a messenger came in, "Sir, several Princes have arrived."