Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1249: The Empress

Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren didn’t even need a handover, Xiaodian had relinquished his powers so efficiently that Zhou Shuren’s biggest change was getting the most prominent office, which was also the best one at the Ministry of Revenue.

Before the Crown Prince had ascended the throne, Xiaodian had already taken all his belongings away, leaving nothing behind for Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren’s favorite tea set had also been taken away by Xiaodian, completely disregarding his hints. Looking around the empty room, he pouted and said, "I’ll wait for my son-in-law to present me with the best tea set, yes, and the tea leaves too."

Qiu Yan, "..."

Having an impressive son-in-law was indeed remarkable, especially one you raised yourself, just look at how confidently he spoke!

Zhou Shuren’s belongings were slowly moved over. Qiu Yan went out for a while, then quickly returned, "All officials from the Ministry of Revenue are already waiting outside, eager to hear from you!"

Zhou Shuren blinked, "Is there also a speech for taking office?"

Qiu Yan, "Huh?"

Zhou Shuren waved his hand, "I won’t give a speech. Let them all go back to their offices."

He wasn’t new to a department; it was still the Ministry of Revenue, and no one there was more familiar with the ministry officials than he was.

Also, a new official should come in with three policies to assert, but he preferred to burn those fires later. It was better to hold off meeting people and cool down the enthusiasm of some with ulterior motives.

Qiu Yan repeated Zhou Shuren’s words. The officials outside were a bit stunned, but most of them promptly returned to their offices, familiar with Zhou Shuren’s temperament after many years of working together.

Those with other intentions, however, hesitated a bit before leaving.

Qiu Yan came back and asked, "I thought the Emperor would assign someone to the vacant Deputy Minister position today at the Ministry of Revenue."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "This position should remain vacant for a while. The Emperor has only just ascended the throne."

Even having become Emperor, one still had to be cautious when placing confidantes in significant departments. And according to Zhou Shuren’s understanding of the Emperor, the fact that the Third Rank Vice Minister of Revenue position was empty was also an attractive bait!

In the evening, at the Qin Prince Residence, the vast residence housed only three masters. If not for the numerous servants, it would really feel quite empty.

Rongchuan would always seek out his wife and daughter upon returning to the prince’s residence, never opting to linger alone in the front courtyard for an extra second.

Xue Han was playing peek-a-boo while trying to avoid her daughter’s chubby hands. When the little girl saw her father, she stopped chasing her mother and ran swiftly towards him, babbling, "Daddy."

Rongchuan, who had just been tormented by his father-in-law, felt instantly healed when he lifted up his daughter, "Did Lin Xi miss daddy?"

"Missed."

Daddy was so good at playing with her, she loved to be tossed high in the air.

Xue Han laughed, "You should go change. They’ll bring the meal soon."

Rongchuan handed his daughter over to his wife and nodded as he went to change clothes. When he reemerged, he said to his wife, "The tea set that I got from the Emperor a few days ago, pack it up, and yes, pack the tea leaves that my father gave me as well."

Xue Han was taken aback by his words, "You like that tea set so much, why pack it up?"

Rongchuan suppressed the pain of parting with the set, "I’ll take it to dad at the Ministry of Revenue tomorrow."

Xue Han, "...Did you run into dad when you came back?"

Rongchuan hummed in affirmation; the old man had specifically waited for him at the crossroads. His words implied that Xiaodian was stingy and had left nothing behind, and he had pointed out Xiaodian’s tea set several times, so Rongchuan could not pretend to be ignorant.

Xue Han burst into laughter, "How could Dad be shearing wool from your side?"

Rongchuan also smiled, "As long as the old man is happy, that’s all that matters."

Xue Han wasn’t worried that Rongchuan and Dad would have any estrangement; Dad was always measured, Rongchuan indulged him, and besides, with her husband having become a Prince, Dad had been behind him, offering advice and strategies.

From the increasingly deep affection between her husband and the Emperor, it was clear just how effective Dad’s ideas had been.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the Empress’s conferment ceremony arrived. The ceremony was grandiose and intricate, but simpler than the enthronement ceremony. Zhulan and the other noble women waited in the harem, ready to pay respects to the Empress.

Zhulan, now a wife herself—Mrs. Yang, held a prominent position as a Third Rank because she was the wife of one of The Six Ministries’ Chief of Staff. All around her were other Chief of Staff wives.

Zhulan wasn’t the fattest one, but she was the youngest, and her plumpness made her seem even younger, which made her stand out from all the old ladies.

Zhulan felt indifferent about meeting the new Empress. Tilting her ear, she could even hear the sounds of palace music, recalling the process Chang Yi had explained to her; the Empress would be back in a while.

These noble women were treated well during the wait; not only did they have places to sit, but also convenience for relieving themselves.

Zhulan thought of her daughter; the Prince’s consorts were not with the noble women but rather with the noble wives of those with peerages.

In the room where Xue Han was waiting, she sipped tea and watched her sisters-in-law. Princess Qi, following mother’s words, let herself go—it seemed. Yes, the second sister-in-law looked the healthiest, even with the mother-in-law moving into the prince’s residence, Princess Qi didn’t seem troubled.

The one with the worst complexion was the third sister-in-law, Princess Chu. Remembering the gossips the Empress had shared with her, the air at Prince Chu Residence was lively indeed, no wonder Princess Chu had to apply such thick makeup.

The fourth sister-in-law had lost her usual edge. Ever since the palace upheaval, Prince Liang Residence was as if trying to become invisible, avoiding any attention, and now she would stay silent if she could.

Xue Han withdrew her gaze, thinking of the harem. The day after the Emperor ascended the throne, the women and children of the Crown Prince’s harem had all entered the Palace. Thinking of this, Xue Han considered the conferral edict with a subtle expression on her face, anticipating the big drama that was to unfold the next day.

The Empress, having returned to the harem, first met with the Princes. The Princes’ birth mothers had to wait, as they had not been formally conferred, while the Princes had been Princes since the Emperor’s ascension.

Following the Princes were the princesses, who were princesses whether they had titles or not.

Today was the Empress’s day of great joy, a day belonging solely to her. Women who had not been formally conferred would have to wait until tomorrow’s official ceremony to meet her.

The Empress sat, enjoying the courtesies extended by Princess Qi and the others, a subtle smile curling her lips—they would still have to bow before her.

When it was time for the noble women to pay their respects, Zhulan found even sitting had become tiring.

Entering the room, the first thing she saw was the radiant Empress. "Joy brings out one’s best spirit," referred to no other than the Empress today, who shone brightly despite the fatigue.

The Empress reveled in the noble women’s salutations; this was true power, "Dispense with the formalities."

Zhulan thought to herself that with changing status, the Empress had grown increasingly regal and majestic—no wonder every woman in the harem aspired to be Empress. ƒreewebɳovel.com

There would be no idle chitchat today, just procedural formalities. The Empress was exhausted; the Phoenix crown and Phoenix robe were far from light, and she had to maintain composure without error—the back of her robes was already soaked with sweat.

By the time she had seen all the noble women, nearly two hours had passed.

Zhulan and the others could finally leave the Palace. Zhulan was truly tired, but thankfully she had Su Xuan, her daughter-in-law skilled in martial arts, to support her, making Zhulan’s exit from the Palace much easier.

As for the other wives, though they too had daughters-in-law of noble rank, few were skilled in martial arts. Barely able to stand on their own, they could hardly muster the strength to support their mothers-in-law.

Beneath envious glares, Zhulan leaned a bit more on her daughter-in-law for support.

In the Palace, the Empress changed out of her attire and enjoyed a massage from the palace maids, holding in her hand the list given to her first by the Emperor, her gaze fixed on the Liu family and others. The corners of the Empress’s mouth turned up; indeed, they had all been looking forward to this, and she couldn’t wait for tomorrow to arrive.