Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 764: Will Hide_1

Zhang Jinghong was seething inside. Ever since he had received the Emperor’s command, he had wanted to curse someone out. Why did the task of investigating Sun Liao have to fall on him? "Ah, this Prince did not come to seek out the official."

Zhou Shuren, "....Hm?"

Then what do you need this official for? I’m in a hurry to go home for dinner, my son and daughter-in-law are waiting for me!

Zhang Jinghong forced a laugh. He couldn’t admit he was avoiding someone. He coughed, "Without realizing it, this Prince found himself at the entrance of the Ministry of Revenue, and it just so happened that Zhou was the first to come out, so I called out to the official."

Zhou Shuren, "...I’m in a hurry to go home."

So I’ll take my leave now. Goodbye!

Zhang Jinghong watched as Zhou Shuren bowed and turned to leave. He opened his mouth to speak but then closed it. He didn’t want to irritate Zhou, especially since he had no confidence at the moment. Seeing the officials from the Ministry of Revenue coming out one after another, he sighed and returned to his carriage.

The guard asked, "Your Highness, shall we return to the residence?"

Zhang Jinghong scoffed, "No."

He had been dodging everyone since he left the palace. By this time, they all would know he was responsible for investigating Sun Liao. They were probably all waiting for him at the residence. He’d be a fool to go back.

The guard hesitated before asking, "Where does Your Highness plan to go?"

"To the Crown Prince’s residence. My elder brother is under house arrest, and as his brother, how can I not go see him?"

And while he was there, he might as well stay at the Crown Prince’s residence. In any case, he was not planning to go back to his own residence.

The guard, "....Understood."

At the Zhou residence, Chang Zhong was overjoyed to see his father, "Mother didn’t lie to me, father is really coming back to stay."

Zhulan explained, "This child got up this morning and didn’t see you; he thought I was teasing him again. He’s been waiting in the front courtyard for you to come home all afternoon."

Zhou Shuren, holding his chubby son’s hand, said, "I’ve been too busy these days; he must have missed me. Now that the Ministry of Revenue is not so busy with silver, I will be able to come home to stay in the future."

Chang Zhong clutched his father’s hand tightly, "Father, tonight’s dishes are all your favorites, I ordered them."

He looked up eagerly for praise, his little head raised.

Zhou Shuren patted his son’s cheek, "Good, tonight your father will eat more. All of this is a token of Chang Zhong’s filial piety."

Zhulan watched her son take Zhou Shuren to dinner, and stopped them, "Your father’s clothes have been worn all day; change them before eating."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "I’ll go change with my son."

Zhulan smiled, "Alright."

After dinner, Zhou Shuren, knowing why Chang Lian and Rongchuan had not left, said with his hands behind his back, "Let’s talk in the study."

Chang Lian and Rongchuan exchanged looks and hurriedly followed him.

In the study, Zhou Shuren sat down and gestured for his son and Rongchuan to do the same. He then asked Jin Yan to bring a pot of tea, as he felt a bit greasy after eating too much meat that evening.

Chang Lian had been holding back and, once the tea was served, began, "Father, I’ve heard about what happened at the morning court."

Rongchuan was the most worried. He often saw the Crown Prince, and he felt very close to him in his heart. After hearing the news today, he couldn’t calm down at all.

Zhou Shuren looked at his son and then at Rongchuan. The two of them were still too young. He didn’t intend to say much, "This is a matter for the Imperial Family. We are all outsiders. The Imperial Family’s matters are for them to resolve on their own. What we can do is to take care of ourselves and manage our own affairs."

She paused before continuing, "No matter who comes to you in the future, you must keep your mouths shut, and remember, the Zhou family does not take sides but remains only loyal to the Emperor. Especially you, Chang Lian, as my only son currently entering public service, if anyone tries to rope you in and you dare have any crooked thoughts, see how I will deal with you."

Chang Lian wished he could raise his hand and swear, "Father, I don’t dare now, nor will I dare in the future. I take you as my role model and am absolutely loyal to the Emperor."

However, with his father’s words today, his uneasiness had completely disappeared.

Rongchuan couldn’t help himself and eventually spoke up, "Uncle, will the Crown Prince be in any danger?"

Zhou Shuren’s fingertips brushed the bottom of the teacup. After all, they were blood brothers who had met several times, and even without mutual recognition, the blood relation was undeniable. Rongchuan was genuinely worried about the Crown Prince. After thinking a bit, he said, "As I’ve already said, this is the Imperial Family’s own matter; the Crown Prince will be fine."

If it weren’t for Rongchuan’s background, he would have said more, but now he could only give a vague response.

In Rongchuan’s mind, his uncle was the strongest person. If his uncle said it was fine, then he was reassured.

In the Crown Prince’s residence, the Crown Prince sat in the main seat, watching Zhang Jinghong eat with gusto, taking alternate bites of food and sips of wine, "Has the Fifth Prince’s residence become so poor that you have no rice to eat? I seem to recall that the stipend for a Prince’s Residence is not low."

Zhang Jinghong used to be more refined, but now he seemed rather crass, as if he had never seen fine things before and had to stuff it all into his stomach before he could feel at ease.

Zhang Jinghong drained the cup of wine, "Fine wine, Your Highness. I need to save for the future; silver is essential. Aside from the necessary expenses, the Fifth Prince’s Residence has cut all others. I haven’t eaten a meal this exquisite in a long time."

He had stored all the fine wines from his residence, thinking he better save up now while he still had the chance to handle tributes.

The Crown Prince chuckled, "Aren’t you afraid that when the time comes, you won’t be allowed to take your savings with you?"

Zhang Jinghong replied cheerily, "I am very afraid, which is why I asked the Emperor early on, and His Majesty has allowed me to take away the silver that I have rightfully acquired."

What he had amassed before, he couldn’t take away, but he could take away what he had saved himself.

Although the Crown Prince found the current Zhang Jinghong rather agreeable, he noted the time and said, "It’s getting late, you may go now."

Zhang Jinghong wilted, "Your Highness, I can’t return to the residence; they are all waiting at the residence for me!"

He couldn’t afford to offend anyone now, lacking in confidence. If he were truly the Fifth Prince, he wouldn’t have to hide and would have talked back already.

Zhang Jingchen narrowed his eyes, "You can’t stay at the Crown Prince’s residence, but I can suggest another place for you."

Zhang Jinghong asked, "The Duke Ning’s Residence?"

He had thought about it, but he dared not visit the Duke Ning’s Residence. The Duke Ning had kept a low profile for many years, and now with the Crown Prince being punished, he could not risk visiting.

Zhang Jingchen pointed out, "Aren’t you on good terms with a scholar from the Hanlin Academy? His home would be a good place to go."

Zhang Jinghong froze. The only person in Hanlin Academy he was on good terms with was Shen Yang. The Emperor had instructed him to contact Shen Yang, and after arranging a few coincidental encounters and exchanging words, he was a bit baffled. Shen Yang seemed rather naive, and if it weren’t for the Emperor’s instructions, he wouldn’t bother with him. It had been some time since he had seen Shen Yang.

Zhang Jingchen stood up, "So, what do you think? Is it a good place to go?"

Zhang Jinghong’s heart trembled, the Crown Prince now resembled the Emperor so much; truly a chip off the old block, raised by the Emperor’s own hand. He had his suspicions about the Emperor and the Crown Prince, and looking at the Crown Prince now, he knew it was better to be honest, "Indeed, it is a good place."

"Good, you may go now."

Zhang Jinghong had been there for over an hour, holding up many matters.

Zhang Jinghong, sensing the thick disdain, did not dare to speak up, "Yes."

At the Fifth Prince’s residence, someone reported to the Second Prince, "The Fifth Prince went to the Crown Prince’s residence and did not return after leaving. He has gone to a small courtyard in Beicheng."

Zhang Jingyang was not just filled with a bellyful of anger, having been ganged up on by the third and fourth brothers, Zhang Jinghong had been eating and drinking at his expense these days, and now he dodged him as soon as he left the palace, he gritted his teeth, "Beicheng, he certainly knows how to pick a place."