Chapter 1535: Chapter 1535: Don’t Come Out Anymore Since the Year Before Last

Zhou Shuren got up and walked around twice. “You’re right; rumors don’t come from nowhere. Perhaps the Empress really is ill. Did you ask our daughter?”

“Xue Han hasn’t gone to the palace recently. You know how cold it’s been—Xue Han is afraid Xiaxia might fall ill, so she doesn’t dare leave Xiaxia’s side.”

Zhou Shuren sat down. “The Emperor hasn’t reacted much, which indicates two things: first, the Empress’s illness isn’t serious; second, the Emperor is aware of her condition and has been mentally prepared for a long time.”

“I lean toward the latter.”

Zhou Shuren agreed. “Ah, for now, the Empress staying healthy is good for both the Crown Prince and the stability of the court.”

If the Empress’s health declines, it will embolden the harem’s ambitions and disrupt the currently stable political situation.

Zhulan said, “If the Empress is really ill, Hui Consort will become the most prominent figure in the harem. The Wang family has two Princes and recently got the position at the pharmacy. Now that the pharmacy has become lucrative and eye-catching, they’ve turned into a target.”

Zhou Shuren squinted. “You’re saying someone might take advantage of the Empress’s illness to make a move against Hui Consort?”

“If not Hui Consort, then the Wang family. As for the Princes, they wouldn’t dare for now—that’s the Emperor’s bottom line. But as ambition swells, eventually someone will cross that line.”

Zhou Shuren sighed. Once the bottom line is crossed, the breach cannot be closed.

Over the following days, rumors about the Empress spread even more. Word had it that the Empress was gravely ill, as though her end was imminent.

Only when the Empress met with several noblewomen did the rumors begin to subside.

It was around this time that Rongchuan returned to the capital. When the couple visited the Hou Residence, Zhulan noticed Rongchuan’s furrowed brow; his aura carried intense hostility, which hadn’t yet fully dissipated.

Xue Han saw her mother’s expression and said, “Mother, you’ve noticed too. He’s been back at the residence, but Xiaxia cried as soon as she saw him.”

“Rongchuan endured a lot of hardships on the grasslands.”

This aura—how many people had he killed?

Rongchuan tried his best to tone down his presence. “Mother, I had to be ruthless on the grasslands to keep people in line. On the way back, I’ve been trying to suppress it, but it hasn’t completely faded. I’m planning to stay at Huguo Temple for a while.”

If not, even his daughter and son were scared of him, let alone Xiaxia, who still didn’t understand anything—children are the most sensitive. His youngest son cried every time he saw him, which frightened Rongchuan terribly, especially given his son’s weak lungs.

Zhulan agreed wholeheartedly. “You should indeed stay for a while.”

Xue Han was reluctant, but there was no other option. “Mother, Rongchuan managing to come back early was partly thanks to Wu Ming.”

Zhulan looked at Rongchuan. “It seems Wu Ming helped quite a bit.”

Rongchuan nodded. “Indeed. Toward the end, Wu Ming helped a lot. Dividing up the states went smoother, so I wasn’t needed to stay in command anymore. But to be honest, I’ve returned with a mission.”

“Can you disclose your mission?”

Rongchuan nodded. “I can. The grasslands are extremely harsh during winter—there’s not enough firewood, and the stationed soldiers can’t endure it. I brought back petitions to request additional resources.”

Zhulan thought to herself: so he came back to ask for silver. This year, while troops have been gradually withdrawn, many soldiers are still stationed there. Stability is the priority, and military supplies cannot be saved.

Rongchuan described the hardships on the grasslands—lack of winter clothing, shortage of coal—it’s too hard to bear during winter.

That afternoon, Zhou Shuren met his son-in-law at the Ministry of Revenue. After reading through Rongchuan’s petitions with his smiling mouth, the smile quickly disappeared. “These should’ve been handed over by the Ministry of War.”

“Ah, the Minister of War asked me to deliver them to you.”

Zhou Shuren already knew this. “Military expenditures have risen drastically over the past two years.”

Once they rise, it’s hard for them to fall; it’s truly a headache for him.

Rongchuan rubbed his nose. “I heard the Ministry of War sent over quite a few petitions.”

Zhou Shuren gestured to a stack on the table. “All from the Ministry of War—this year’s sharp temperature drop has increased the need for cotton and coal.”

Rongchuan asked gravely, “Father, is cotton really scarce this year?”

“Yes. Some merchants are hoarding cotton. I’ve already purchased some in the name of the Imperial court, but it’s not much. The court still has some cotton saved for potential snow disasters, but that stock cannot be touched, and the amount we’ve bought isn’t enough to distribute.”

“I wish I could donate some, but unfortunately, this year our estates were all planted with grain.”

Zhou Shuren said, “How much could you personally donate? I understand the grasslands are going through tough times, and the soldiers have indeed endured great hardships. I’m aware of the situation.”

Rongchuan felt reassured. “Father, I’m not exaggerating the misery—the soldiers on the grasslands truly suffer. Even ointments for frostbite are in short supply.”

Zhou Shuren acknowledged this. “I know you shared the hardships with the soldiers there, but now that you’ve returned to the capital, you’re still an unarmed Prince. You’ve already done what you should. Tomorrow, go to Huguo Temple.”

Rongchuan felt warmth in his heart. “Father, I understand. I won’t let my imperial brother feel uneasy.”

“As long as you understand.”

The next day, Rongchuan left the capital early and went to Huguo Temple. After meeting the master there, he sat peacefully and recited Buddhist scriptures.

The Emperor learned of this and shook his head. “I still have many questions for him, yet he left so swiftly.”

Zhou Shuren laughed. “My wife told me that when Prince Qin returned, even his children feared him. They were so terrified that Prince Qin dared not approach them and could only steal glances from afar. Of course, Prince Qin must be in a hurry to resolve this.”

The Emperor said, “It wasn’t just the children—even I was startled by him.”

Zhou Shuren’s heart skipped a beat. “Sigh, he’s still too young to suppress his hostility. He’s far from the seasoned generals who fight on the battlefield with ease and precision. Prince Qin still has many shortcomings.”

“You’re expecting too much from him.”

Zhou Shuren, with a look of concern for his son-in-law, said, “My expectations aren’t high; all I wish for is his safety and well-being. Sigh, Prince Qin suffered greatly as a child—I still think about the past sometimes.”

The Emperor said, “It’s all in the past now.”

Zhou Shuren’s tightly wound heart gradually relaxed. His main worry was that the Emperor might harbor suspicion or resentment toward Rongchuan. Thankfully, the Emperor wasn’t thinking along those lines. In a few days, Zhou Shuren planned to have his daughter personally tell Rongchuan to stay at Huguo Temple until the New Year—there was no need for him to come out before then.

The Emperor brought up official matters. “The livestock breeding went well this year. The reclamation fields didn’t yield much, but they achieved their expected output. Next year, I plan to expand the reclamation efforts. These two consecutive winters with falling temperatures leave me uneasy.”

Zhou Shuren had no objections. “Your Majesty is wise.”

As for the Wen family’s eldest grandson completing the task, Zhou Shuren wasn’t surprised. The Wen family’s eldest grandson was useless, but the people the family sent with him weren’t. The Wen family valued their reputation, and the failure of their eldest grandson would reflect on the entire family. For the sake of their reputation, they undoubtedly worked hard behind the scenes.

Thinking back, sending the Wen family’s eldest grandson was a brilliant move. Look how attentive the Wen family has been.

A quarter of an hour later, Zhou Shuren left the palace, his step noticeably lighter. This year, there were no major disasters nationwide, grain had been stored in warehouses, and his confidence was strong. Furthermore, this year brought an additional tax revenue—thinking of that made the burden on his shoulders feel significantly lighter.

The next day, after court adjourned, Zhou Shuren rarely stayed late. Li Zhao approached him. “When are you releasing the silver?”

Zhou Shuren said, “Send someone over from your place.”

Li Zhao was surprised. “You’re giving it up so easily?”

Zhou Shuren snorted. “When have I ever held back in times of surplus? If I have silver, I give it. If not, how can I give you anything?”

Wasn’t it always him scrambling around to swap resources for silver? Just thinking about it made his heart ache.

Li Zhao chuckled awkwardly. “You’re capable, so you’ve got to handle more.”

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes. “I just want to rest.”

Li Zhao rubbed his nose. Zhou Shuren truly had it hard these past two years. He aged noticeably during this time.