Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent! Chapter 1738: Trust

Zhulan, "So the price of charcoal has increased this year, if not for price control, it would continue to rise."

Zhou Shuren said, "Firewood isn’t cheap either, I’ve seen quite a few people selling firewood."

"Yes, if they hustle a bit, they can sell multiple loads a day."

The Hou Residence has its own manor, so there’s no need to buy firewood. Every day, the manor sends firewood to the capital. The entire Hou Residence is large, with many masters and many servants, so even without counting firewood, charcoal is a major expense.

One can imagine how large the daily consumption of the entire Hou Residence is. The monthly expenditure is a considerable sum, and for official families without a clear and honest background, the days don’t appear as glamorous as they seem.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "Several officials have advanced their salaries this month."

The Imperial court has increased salaries a few tis, which is quite good, but the winter days are hard.

Zhulan said, "As long as they don’t borrow from the national treasury."

Zhou Shuren snorted, "They better not even think about it."

Advancing salaries is already his bottom line; the Emperor wouldn’t allow it either. Every silver coin in the national treasury must be used wisely.

The recent naval battle gave the Emperor quite a sense of urgency. He often looks at the sketched maps of the coastline. Thinking about this gives Zhou Shuren a headache; establishing a defense line requires silver coins, an endless amount of silver coins.

In the evening, the whole family had a reunion dinner in the main courtyard. Their clothes were still plain; they hadn’t changed into bright clothes since their ties with the royal family made it inappropriate for the Hou Residence to flaunt.

Other officials can live normally after a month’s salary, but the Hou Residence remains low-key, which at least pleases the Emperor. Zhou Shuren also rembers the kindness of the Retired Emperor.

The next day, Ming Teng accompanied his grandfather to the early morning court eting. After the anniversary, he was to officially appear on the court.

Talking about life’s endpoint refers to Ming Teng. Standing on the court, he appeared young, but his position was conspicuous. After a year of silence, he had changed a lot. A year’s worth of scripts wasn’t written in vain; he not only wrote but also studied daily, making his temperant more stable.

The Emperor was pleasantly surprised to see him, praised Ming Teng’s filial piety, and then took him away right after the court eting.

Elder Wen was both sour and frustrated. The Wen family is the maternal family of the Crown Prince, but the Emperor has repeatedly suppressed the Wen family, yet unconditionally trusts Zhou Shuren. Everyone could sense the Emperor’s affection for Ming Teng; having the surna Rong really was an advantage!

Elder Wen remarked sarcastically, "Marquis Zhou is fortunate indeed."

Zhou Shuren replied, "It must be because I have a good mother! No, it should be because I know how to reincarnate well."

Elder Wen, "..."

This old man’s mouth, he really shouldn’t be so an.

Elder Wen stord off in anger, while others ca to offer their congratulations, knowing well that the Emperor intended to heavily utilize Rong Mingteng. Despite their jealousy, there was nothing they could do. The surna was one aspect, but with the Rong family’s small numbers, the Emperor’s trust wasn’t threatened by them growing too powerful.

Zhou Shuren politely responded to each congratulation. After the crowd dispersed, he walked slowly with his hands behind his back.

The Second Prince gazed at the sky, wondering why it was so difficult to win over the Hou Residence’s people!

Unaware of the Second Prince’s frustration, Zhou Shuren was thinking about his third son, Chang Lian, whose days had beco tough since winter began. Even though the Imperial court was controlling rchants from exploiting the situation, noble families had their own ways of making profits.

Yet Zhou Shuren found solace in this being Chang Lian’s opportunity. Once tempered enough, it would beco Chang Lian’s asset.

After leaving the Palace, Zhou Shuren t Prince Qi, who was standing next to the Ministry of Revenue’s carriage, puzzled, "Does Your Highness have any business with ?"

Prince Qi said, "It’s a personal matter."

Zhou Shuren didn’t board the carriage, "Please tell."

Prince Qi said, "The capital knows the Hou Residence’s winter vegetables are excellent. I’d like to borrow a few vegetable farrs."

Zhou Shuren thought it was sothing private, "This is a small matter."

Prince Qi lowered his voice, "Do you rember the good seeds?"

Zhou Shuren thought for a mont, "The good seeds for cultivating grain?"

"Yes, I heard from the Emperor that this year they’ve stabilized."

Zhou Shuren hadn’t heard the Emperor ntion this. If it was not ntioned, it must have been because he wanted to wait until it was completely stabilized, "This is good news."

Increasing grain production is beneficial for the country, especially in years when there’s a reduction in grain output. It’s like a shot of adrenaline.

Prince Qi was uncertain whether the Emperor would credit this achievent to himself or add it to his father. Logically, it belonged to his father, but when his father’s strength was insufficient, it was the Emperor who took a hands-on approach.

Prince Qi left, and Zhou Shuren got on the Ministry of Revenue’s carriage, musing. Prince Qi was trying to probe for so inside information about the Emperor’s plans from him, but alas, the Emperor hadn’t discussed such matters with him.

Zhou Shuren returned to the Ministry of Revenue shortly before Ming Teng arrived, "Did you co straight here after leaving the palace?"

Ming Teng nodded, "Yes, the Emperor has arranged a task for ."

Zhou Shuren wasn’t surprised; the Emperor would certainly employ Ming Teng heavily, "What task?"

Ming Teng said, "The Emperor has tasked with managing the grain seeds."

This truly surprised him; he thought Ming Teng would be assigned a task protecting the Palace!

Zhou Shuren laughed, "This is a sign of trust in you."

"Hmm?"

Zhou Shuren recounted what Prince Qi said, "If nothing unexpected happens, there will be results next year. All these years of effort are about to pay off. The Emperor assigning you this responsibility is indeed trust."

Indeed, it was undeniable trust that led to such an arrangent.

Ming Teng also smiled, "Beneficial for the country and the people."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "The Emperor is practically giving you so achievents on a silver platter."

Ming Teng understood, "I will not let the Emperor down."

Zhou Shuren advised, "The Rong family ultimately belongs to the Emperor; rember that."

Ming Teng nodded, "I’ll keep my lips sealed."

He understood his identity; Rong An Hou was a demonstration of the royal family’s trust in the Rong family.

Zhou Shuren was pleased for Ming Teng, though a bit sour; his own achievents were hard-earned, whereas the Emperor was trying to pave the way for Ming Teng. Still, he was mostly joyful, "This ti, when you host a banquet, it signifies your status in the capital. You need not be timid."

Ming Teng smiled, "I understand."

The Rong family may not have many people, but they have confidence!

At the Hou Residence, Zhulan was going through selections chosen by Lau Jia, and said with a smile, "This is good; let’s go with this one."

Lau Jia was delighted to hear this. She feared her choice might not be suitable and feared bringing sha to the Rong family, "I’ll go arrange for the invitations to be written right away."

Zhulan nodded with a smile, "Don’t overwork yourself; take your ti."

Lau Jia understood, and after Lady Li and the other daughters-in-law left, she said with a smile, "This child still lacks confidence."

Zhulan replied, "Take it slowly; everyone learns step by step."

Lady Li remarked, "Handling the affairs within the residence sotis seems unreal. I can’t believe I’m managing so well."

"There you go boasting; fine, you’re the best at it, a promising young talent indeed."

Lady Li laughed aloud, then continued, "I wonder how Ming Yun’s couple has been doing lately."

Zhulan wasn’t worried, "Didn’t they write last ti saying the vegetables they planted sold well? Don’t worry about the two of them; from what I see, the little couple is living quite well."

Lady Li said, "Having a wife with you really makes a difference."

Zhulan also laughed; it truly was different. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law then discussed so matters in the capital, when Lady Li suddenly remarked, "The Crown Princess Consort is quite advanced in her pregnancy; she should be about to give birth."

Zhulan calculated the days, "Indeed, it’s soon."