Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 697: Bad Premonition_1

Zhou Shuren was steady, "Rongchuan is here!"

In the capital, no one can outdo Rongchuan in terms of parental background, neither from father’s nor mother’s side, right, including an elder brother. Despite not acknowledging Rongchuan’s return, Rongchuan remained the most domineering person in the capital.

Zhulan laughed lightly, indeed, Chang Lian, being with Rongchuan at the Hanlin Academy, really had taken a great advantage.

Xue Han led her younger brother into the room, and Chang Zhong let go of his sister’s hand, "Daddy, the official uniforms of Third Brother and Brother-in-Law look so good."

Zhou Shuren became serious, "Daddy’s doesn’t look good?"

Chang Zhong widened his eyes, "Daddy’s official uniform looks good too, it’s just that I feel like it’s somewhat lacking."

Chang Zhong, clever as he sometimes was, did not know how to be tactful, and the little guy expressed his thoughts directly.

Zhulan observed Zhou Shuren’s face, stabbed by his son’s words. What was lacking? Obviously, it was the looks, Although Chang Lian might not be as handsome as Rongchuan, Chang Lian was tall with symmetrical features. Dressed in his bright official uniform, he also made a very dazzling figure, not to mention Rongchuan.

Zhou Shuren gazed into his son’s bright eyes and said wistfully, "That’s because your Daddy has gotten older. When they’re over forty, they won’t even compare to your Daddy!"

Zhulan was dumbfounded, doesn’t this man have any shame!

Xue Han, "..."

Who would have thought, this is what Dad is like!

Chang Zhong didn’t understand, he just knew that everything Daddy said was right, and he nodded in agreement.

Zhou Shuren laughed. Hmm, he wasn’t heartbroken at all, humph, at least he wasn’t bald, and while Chang Lian and Rongchuan had handsome faces, who knew if they would be losing their hair in their forties!

Zhulan was too lazy to look at Zhou Shuren anymore, his smiling face, who knows what kind of blessings he was truly wishing for Chang Lian and Rongchuan!

The meal was already on the table, and Chang Lian and Rongchuan came over after changing out of their official uniforms.

Chang Lian was excited, "Dad."

Zhou Shuren’s ears buzzed from the loud call before he chuckled, feeling more at ease as he saw his son, "Ah, don’t just stand there, sit down quickly."

Chang Lian sat next to his father, feeling secured, as if to say, my Dad is here, "Dad, why did you come to the capital?"

Chang Lian only knew his father came to the capital because the Emperor had summoned him, but he didn’t know why.

Zhou Shuren didn’t hide the truth, and shared his purpose, "That’s the situation, I should be staying in the capital for some time. If you run into any issues at the Hanlin Academy, ask me while I’m still in the capital."

Chang Lian knew his father’s actions were meaningful, both his father and mother were the kind to think ten steps ahead, "Dad, you..."

Zhou Shuren wasn’t planning on discussing much with Chang Lian, some things were better left unknown to him, "Stop talking, eat first."

Chang Lian busied himself pouring wine for his father, "Dad, have some wine."

Zhou Shuren nodded, he ate some dishes first to lay a base, and then clinked glasses with Chang Lian.

Chang Lian and Rongchuan exchanged glances. Why was Dad not asking more questions, seriously focusing on eating dinner, all the way until the meal was over. Chang Lian went back to the courtyard to his wife and grumbled, "Why didn’t Dad ask anything?"

Lady Dong was wiping the corner of her daughter’s mouth, "It’s very normal. Dad doesn’t ask because he trusts you and Rongchuan."

Chang Lian listened to these words and felt gratified, "Now that father has come to the capital, my heart has lightened considerably."

Lady Dong chuckled, "I understand, just like me, with mother in the capital, I can do anything without hesitation."

Chang Lian, "It would be great if father could enter the capital."

At the Crown Prince’s residence, the Crown Prince looked over the materials his father the Emperor had given him, all about Rongchuan. As the Crown Prince touched the papers, he thought that Xiao Wu was truly blessed by the ancestors—no, the Emperor did not acknowledge the Zhang family’s ancestors, so it was really the gods’ blessing.

The Crown Prince burned the materials, pondering how to take better care of his younger brother. This was his blood brother, same father and same mother, and it seemed that the Emperor also approved the marriage alliance with the Zhou family—he agreed as well!

The next morning, at the Zhou residence, after breakfast, Zhou Shuren changed into his official attire and, with more detailed materials, went ahead to the Palace.

Chang Lian and Rongchuan headed out later, arriving at the Hanlin Academy. As soon as Chang Lian entered the room, he was stopped by Shen Yang.

Shen Yang looked puzzled, "I clearly saw the Zhou family’s carriage ahead of me, how come Young Master Zhou has just arrived?"

Chang Lian thought that Shen Yang really had too much free time on his hands to ask such questions, but seeing that many people were pricking up their ears, he narrowed his eyes and saw no reason to hide the truth, "Ah, the Emperor summoned my father to the capital, what you saw was his carriage entering the Palace."

Shen Yang was taken aback. So, the great official Zhou had come to the capital, and he was summoned by the Emperor himself!

The others also listened intently. Not many officials had the honor of seeing the Emperor, especially those of lower Rank, and now official Zhou had gained audience with the Emperor once again, which clearly showed the Emperor’s trust in him.

No sooner had Chang Lian sat down than someone delivered the material he had been looking for the day before. Chang Lian thanked the person gratefully. He had also learned to conduct himself well in society, sure to convey his genuine gratitude. As the person left, Chang Lian leafed through the material while thinking to himself that he too was someone with a good father!

He had absolutely no intention of not relying on his family and father!

Shen Yang, sitting at his place, watched with envy as several people struck up a conversation with Zhou Chang Lian in a short while. Pressing his lips together, he was reminded of Chang Lian’s words and felt that he couldn’t compare even to his own father.

Inside the Palace, the Emperor had already finished with the morning court. Zhou Shuren, carrying the materials, walked in. As he entered the government hall, the eunuchs took the materials from him.

Zhou Shuren bowed and said, "Your servant pays respects to the Emperor."

The Emperor, having to deal with his son’s jealousy towards Zhou Shuren, did not let his emotions show, "Rise."

This time, Zhou Shuren did not kneel earnestly; his knees were perfectly fine, and he got up nimbly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Emperor pointed at the materials on the table, "You brought so much material here. What are all these?"

Zhou Shuren replied, "These are the detailed materials of Jinzhou Province, along with two maps of Jinzhou City—one of the current city and one of the planned scenario after my regulation. There might be some discrepancies, but it’s also possible to make comparisons."

As the Emperor browsed the materials, he was aware of Zhou Shuren’s dedication to his duties, and he admired his capabilities. However, as he continued reading, the Emperor fell silent. This wasn’t just about outstanding capabilities; the details of Jinzhou were meticulously recorded—population, main residences, household registries, arable land, and taxes, all compared to previous years, clear and coherent, highlighting every increase and decrease quite clearly, unlike previous officials who provided much vaguer information.

The more the Emperor looked at the material, the harder it was for him to put it down, especially thinking that Zhou Shuren had cleared old cases soon after his arrival in Jinzhou, making the Emperor think to himself that keeping Zhou in Jinzhou would be a waste.

Zhou Shuren shivered suddenly, feeling somehow anxious. He couldn’t help but sneak a peek at the Emperor, then at the materials. He felt that he might have oversold himself; it seemed as if he had set himself up for failure. He wanted to create advantages to move to the capital, but not at the expense of working himself to death!

Eunuch Liu looked at Zhou, "Official Zhou, are you cold?"

Zhou Shuren, "....No, not cold."

He just had a bad premonition, that’s all!