Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1248 Retired Emperor

Eunuch Liu stood beside the Retired Emperor, feeling very uneasy, not for himself, but for the Emperor. The end of an Emperor’s reign, even if not desolate, made him even more distressed.

The Retired Emperor, Yuguang, saw this and chuckled, "I am happy."

Certainly, there was a sense of loss, but joy was the predominant feeling. The successor he had personally nurtured was about to embark on a new Chapter today, and anticipation was what filled his heart now.

He was looking forward to seeing the empire grow stronger under his son’s rule, and to witnessing the golden age that would belong to his son.

The Emperor, standing on the high platform, could see farther, raising his head to look at the sky that seemed much closer. The sky was vast and endless, just like his son’s ambition. The Emperor, no, now should be called the Retired Emperor, chuckled softly to himself.

At this moment, the sound of firecrackers could be heard in the capital, faintly audible even within the Palace.

With his hands clasped behind his back, the Retired Emperor looked toward the direction outside the Palace, "The Emperor has truly won the hearts of the people!"

Eunuch Liu said, "The Retired Emperor has taught him well."

The Retired Emperor was pleased, "Yes, that’s right. Tomorrow you should retire from the Palace."

Eunuch Liu was sentimental, yet he could not cry; today was a day of great joy, "Yes."

The Retired Emperor added, "You truly deserve to enjoy a few years of good fortune."

Eunuch Liu knew the Emperor was going on a distant journey, and his health did not permit him to follow. Kneeling down, Eunuch Liu performed a kowtow as a grand salute, silently wishing the Retired Emperor a long life.

In the harem, the Crown Princess Consort, not yet the Empress, was told by a Female Officer that the ceremony had concluded. She finally loosened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand, which was now damp with sweat.

The Crown Princess Consort stood up; this was the former bedchamber of Her Majesty the Queen Mother, now hers. She was very familiar with this place, so familiar she could navigate it with her eyes closed.

Now, the Phoenix robe that belonged to her hung in the bedroom. Touching the robe, she couldn’t help but remember the envious looks of the Liu family and others. Let them be envious, she thought. Only she could enter the Palace, and now it belonged just to her and the Emperor.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan sat with her eldest daughter, while the sound of firecrackers continued outside.

Zhulan asked, "Have your in-laws prepared everything?"

Xue Mei nodded, "Yes, the luggage is all packed."

Zhulan was curious, "Why have they suddenly decided to return? Didn’t Jiang Sheng discuss with Elder Jiang during the ancestral worship that your in-laws would live with you in the future?"

Xue Mei smiled, "My father-in-law recently dreamt of his grandfather, so he wanted to return to personally tend to the ancestral grave. If it hadn’t been for the Crown Prince’s succession, my in-laws would have started their journey a few days ago."

She paused, then continued, "Moreover, my in-laws miss the other branches of the family. They are all sons and grandsons, and my in-laws have saved up some Silver Coins over the years on their own. I guess they want to give some to the other branches of the family."

Xue Mei didn’t mind these matters. After all, the Silver Coins were saved by her in-laws through their own farming efforts. They were longing for their hometown, and both she and her husband understood.

Zhulan inquired, "When will they come back?"

Xue Mei replied, "Jiang Zhu will return when he comes back from his Scholar exams."

Zhulan nodded. It seemed that the Jiang family elders only visited Zhou’s residence in the capital when invited, and never on their own initiative, no matter how much Zhou’s status in the capital grew. The Jiang family elders continued to live their own lives and did not instigate Xue Mei to vie for anything.

Thinking about this, Zhulan looked at her eldest daughter, who was brewing tea, and felt there was a great deal to do with her.

After all, even the eldest branch of her children would have titles in the future.

Zhulan mentioned, "The day before yesterday, your father reviewed Jiang Zhu. Before bed, he told me that Jiang Zhu has a very solid foundation, and also, the boy has a good temperament."

Hearing her father praising her son, Xue Mei was extremely happy, "The boy hasn’t mentioned this to me!"

Zhulan smiled, "This child takes after you."

Previously, Zhou family’s grandson, because of the Jiang family’s low profile and the fact that Jiang Sheng was just a Graduate, truly did not attract much attention. Now that he garnered more, the child was not disturbed by external things, Zhou Shuren praised Jiang Zhu without deceiving his eldest daughter.

In the afternoon, when Zhou Shuren returned, he was completely exhausted. The thin old man lay on the kang, not wanting to move at all, "Tired, today I am indeed tired."

Zhulan pushed him a bit, "Get up, you should change your clothes before lying down again, they’re covered in dirt."

Zhou Shuren refuted, "Not dirty at all, the floors of the entire Palace have been scrubbed clean."

Nevertheless, Zhou Shuren still propped himself up, quickly changed his clothes, kicked off his shoes, and lay on the kang, turning his head towards his wife, "Wife, could you help me untie this?"

Zhulan had already come over with a comb, "Is there a grand court assembly tomorrow?"

Zhou Shuren, "Mm, tomorrow your husband will be promoted, and your decree edict will also arrive at our house together. You should prepare early."

Zhulan was surprised, "Together, huh?"

Zhou Shuren with his eyes closed, "Mm, it’s been drafted for some time, you’re not unaware of how busy Old Fourth has been these days."

Zhulan laughed, "Right, Chang Zhi is at the Hanlin Academy." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Zhou Shuren fell silent for a while then said, "When we left the Palace, I saw the Retired Emperor from the high platform."

Zhulan paused for a moment with her hand, "The Retired Emperor is already very impressive."

Zhou Shuren also admired this point, the previous dynasty marked a historical turning point; the Founding Emperor was extraordinary too, but what was the result? He still ended up sitting on the throne until death before finally relinquishing his power.

Zhulan finished combing her husband’s hair, by which time Zhou Shuren had already fallen asleep.

Zhulan carefully put down her husband’s head; her husband was getting older by the year, increasingly prone to becoming tired.

The next morning, the rewards ceremony was grandly distributed; those who had contributed to the Palace change were rewarded, with some titles being elevated. Most were titles being shuffled around, and there were not many promotions among the officials; Zhou Shuren was probably the one with the most significant change, officially becoming the Minister of Revenue.

Deep down, Zhou Shuren didn’t feel much, and the other ministers didn’t show much reaction either.

Today’s early court was quite simple, consisting only of the awarding of titles.

After the early court concluded, the faces of the ministers showed disappointment as well as joy, but Zhou Shuren became the center of attention.

The future Minister of Revenue, legitimate from today, one of The Six Ministries, holding sway over the national Silver Coin, his power was truly great.

The Minister of Personnel smiled, "Congratulations to Minister Zhou."

The Minister of Justice felt complicated inside but still said, "Congratulations."

Li Zhao, who had a good relationship with Zhou Shuren, said, "You’d better prepare good wine for your feast, it won’t do if it’s not a famous brand."

Zhou Shuren, "Rest assured, it will definitely satisfy everyone."

The Minister of Works and the Minister of Rites also came over to congratulate him, especially the Minister of Works, whose tone was most enthusiastic. It had to be; the Ministry of Works was now one of the major consumers of Silver.

Wong Ju bid his congratulations and left; as a senior, he hadn’t yet recovered from yesterday’s grand ceremony. After walking a few steps and seeing that his son hadn’t followed, he tugged at his son’s sleeve, "Let’s go."

Wong Ju followed his father’s footsteps; as the crowd thinned, he couldn’t help reflecting, "When Zhou Shuren was a Magistrate, we were almost at the same level. In just a few years, he’s risen several ranks above his son."

The elder Wong Ju, "Zhou Shuren’s career path is inimitable."

Zhou Shuren’s success was not solely due to luck; along the way, he had accumulated accomplishments and abilities on his own merit.

In the Zhou household, Zhulan had long been prepared. Once the enunciation of titles was completed and she received her custom decree robe, she realized the size was a bit larger than when measured.

What made Zhulan feel stifled was that the larger size actually fit perfectly; she, she had gained weight again!!