Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 800 Black-hearted_1

Crown Prince Yuguang glanced at Zhou Shuren, and what Phang Huai could think of, he naturally could as well. The Tao family, like the Wang family, were old-timers in the Ministry of Rites, holding no high positions, yet numerous in their clan. Most importantly, like the Wang family, the Tao clan was neutral.

Phang Huai swept a glance over the ledger, then withdrew his gaze. He could no longer look at it; the more he looked, the more troubled he became.

The Crown Prince said, "Mr. Phang may attend to his business. I came to the Ministry of Rites to learn; there’s no need for special attention on me."

Zhou Shuren, "..."

Crown Prince, when you say this, could you put down the ledger in your hands? It would be far more convincing. As it stands, it looks very much like a threat to Mr. Phang.

Phang Huai managed a tight smile, "Then I shall attend to my affairs. The Crown Prince may seek me out at any time should there be a need."

The Crown Prince, caressing the ledger said, "I will."

Zhou Shuren felt like laughing but held it in!

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan received an invitation from the Third Prince Residence. It was for the Third Prince’s Consort’s birthday banquet. With only the Third Prince in the capital, Zhulan thought of Miss Ran, the current Crown Prince’s side consort, wondering if she would be able to see Miss Ran there.

Xue Han asked, "Mother, it’s becoming difficult for our family to keep a low profile from now on."

In recent days, the entire capital had been buzzing about the Zhou family; they were the talk of the town. She was on good terms with several young ladies in the capital and had been frequently exchanging news lately. So many were watching the Zhou family!

Zhulan put down the invitation, "Previously, we couldn’t even dream of attending a Prince’s banquet; now, they will be frequent. Fortunately, only the Third Prince is in the capital, or today I would have received even more invitations."

The Prince intended to probe whether the Zhou family had decisively aligned with the Crown Prince. She felt a sense of pride, realizing that Zhou Shuren had unwittingly amassed such great influence.

Xue Han stood up to massage her mother’s shoulders, "Mother, let’s go shopping today."

Zhulan turned her head, "Do you have something in mind to buy?"

Xue Han said, "Hmm, I want to personally carve a seal and need to buy some materials."

Zhulan turned her head, "Rongchuan taught you to carve, didn’t he?"

Aside from Rongchuan, she couldn’t think of anyone else who could teach her daughter. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Xue Han admitted openly, "I saw him carve and found it interesting, so I asked him to teach me. I had been practicing with wood, and now I want to try different materials."

Zhulan then understood why her daughter’s hands bore a few wounds—it was rooted here. She touched her daughter’s hands; even with care, they had become quite rough. This girl surely wanted to carve a seal for Rongchuan herself, "Alright, let’s go shopping today."

Just as well, she had some silver on her and was also keen on strolling through the streets.

Zhulan thought of bringing along her granddaughters, Yushuang and Yu Lu. It would help them relax and enjoy themselves, unlike Chang Zhong and Ming Hui, who were currently engaged in their studies with the tutor.

Zhulan remembered Scholar Deng’s son. After the Zhou family had entered the capital, Scholar Deng brought his son back home because Master Meng had returned as well. Now, Scholar Deng’s son was studying at the same Academy as Mingyun and the others.

At the Duke Residence, Duke Ning was entirely focused on changing Rongchuan’s surname, "As for Rongchuan’s surname, go ask the Emperor, we’ve come ninety-nine steps and need only the final one."

Ning Xu felt apprehensive, for the Emperor least wished to see him lately. Now, bringing up the change of Rongchuan’s surname to the Emperor could get him chastised, "Father, I think this matter still requires your intervention."

The respect due to his father’s generation meant the Emperor would hold back even if he wanted to lash out.

Duke Ning choked, "Do you think the Emperor would want to see me?"

Ning Xu fell silent; the Emperor did not wish to see anyone from the Ning family at the moment, "But it’s a problem for Rongchuan to still bear the surname Zhang; if left too long, rumors will start."

Duke Ning stood up, "What use is there in having you? Prepare the carriage, I’m going to the Palace."

Ning Xu eagerly stood up, "I’ll prepare it at once, Father."

Duke Ning silently tallied in his mind; these past years his health had not been good and in favor of keeping a low profile, it had been several years since he last entered the Palace.

At the Ministry of Rites, Officer Liu explained some of the items on the account but was somewhat trembling afterward. After the Crown Prince and Mr. Zhou acknowledged their understanding, they lowered their heads to look at the account book. What made him most nervous was that Mr. Zhou was particularly good at using the abacus, and the sound of it made him involuntarily swallow.

Officer Liu knew that he would not be able to complete the task given by the Grand Master of Writing. He did want to say more, but every time he tried to elaborate, he was interrupted by Mr. Zhou, which was frustrating.

Zhou Shuren had finished auditing an account book. Since he had been transferred to the Ministry of Revenue, he paid more attention to the Ministry of Works, wanting to allot it more silver. However, the amount of silver allocated to The Six Ministries was fixed by Mr. Xiao, so he would have to start with the other ministries. The Ministry of Personnel had the Emperor’s attention, so he did not look there much. The Ministry of War, though demanding a lot, used it in proper ways.

Zhou Shuren was then more interested in the Ministry of Rites. The ledger in his hand was from the first half of this year, and it was a year when silver was tight, with the Ministry of Rites’ silver nearly catching up to that of the Ministry of Personnel.

As for the Ministry of Rites’ supplies, there was a lot of trickery involved, with the biggest issue being where they were purchasing from. The Ministry of Rites was not foolish; they did not buy at high prices, but substituting inferior goods for good ones was something they were capable of doing.

He had received a hint from the Crown Prince. Exploring the account books was not to expose embezzlement; he knew, the Crown Prince wanted to understand the Fourth Prince through the account books.

Zhou Shuren noted several suspicious purchases in his mind, all of which had problems.

When the Crown Prince heard the counting of the abacus stop, he looked up at Officer Liu, "You may leave now."

Officer Liu’s mind was in turmoil, and not daring to look more, he could only leave, carrying his anxiety with him.

Zhou Shuren, "...."

The Crown Prince was cunning indeed. Mr. Phang was already nervous, and the Crown Prince deliberately sent Officer Liu away to intimidate Mr. Phang!

The Crown Prince asked, "Can anything be deduced from the account books?"

Zhou Shuren stood up, pointing out the suspicious items to the Crown Prince, "There are problems here."

He did not say much. The Crown Prince demanded his obedience, and who was he to refuse when the Crown Prince had the Emperor’s decree.

The Crown Prince picked up the ledger he was holding, turned to the pages of the items purchased, and smiled, "Good, very good."

The Crown Prince felt clever for bringing Zhou Shuren along, saving him much trouble. Look, with just a few hints, Zhou Shuren had understood without having to focus on the silver itself.

Zhou Shuren sighed internally, praying the Crown Prince would spare him the scrutiny.

In Mr. Phang’s office, after hearing Officer Liu’s report, he started to feel uneasy. The Crown Prince was coming on strong, and the Fourth Prince was not yet in the capital.

Officer Liu soon arrived, "Sir, the Crown Prince took Mr. Zhou and left."

Mr. Phang’s mind was slow to react, "Who did you say has left?"

Officer Liu had been ordered to keep close watch and saw clearly, "The Crown Prince took Mr. Zhou and left."

Mr. Phang quickly left his office, but by the time he reached the gate of the Ministry of Rites, the Crown Prince’s carriage had already departed. Seeing the direction, it seemed to be the Palace, he asked in a hushed tone, "When the Crown Prince left, did he take anything with him?"

Officer Liu shook his head, "No, he didn’t take anything, just left directly."

Mr. Phang didn’t believe it and had someone check. Soon the message came that the ledger was still on the table; indeed, nothing had been taken. Mr. Phang couldn’t figure it out and felt even more uneasy, so he had someone watch the Palace gates.

Zhou Shuren had not expected the Crown Prince, upon obtaining what he wanted, to leave the Ministry of Rites so promptly, "I assumed the Crown Prince would spend more days in the Ministry of Rites."

The Crown Prince, in a good mood, said with a smile, "I merely had to leave temporarily due to pressing matters. I will return to the Ministry of Rites tomorrow."

Zhou Shuren, "...."

So, Your Highness was merely toying with Mr. Phang over and over!