Zhou Shuren entered the government hall and greeted the emperor with trembling hands. When he heard the emperor asking him to stand up, he seemed to have no strength left and sat down on the ground.
Your Majesty, "..."
Prince, "..."
Zhou Shuren was silent. He really wasn't acting. Today he was frightened, and he had to act in front of the palace gate. He also had to walk all the way here. For a physically weak man like him who had been sitting in the office all the time, his strength was really exhausted. "Your Highness, I may have to sit for a while."
The emperor admired Zhou Shuren's appearance. He was already in a mess, and now it was even more irritating. His beard was all messed up, as if it was blown up, and his eyes were red and swollen. He silently looked away, "Shuren can sit as long as he wants."
Zhou Shuren, "... ... Your Majesty, I just cried, and now I feel empty inside. I think I will have to sit for a long time."
This is the truth. If he wants to cry now, he really needs to build up some emotions. He has no strength left and looks even more depressed.
The emperor felt bad when he saw Zhou Shuren was looking more and more like an old woman. Thinking of himself, his tone became much softer and he didn't care how much Zhou Shuren was acting. "I know all your grievances. I have summoned the Prince of Qi to the palace and will investigate every household. I will definitely get to the bottom of it and give you an explanation."
Zhou Shuren regained his strength after hearing this. His voice was really hoarse. "Your Majesty, am I not wronged? I am just afraid? My first half of life was ordinary, and I achieved great success in the second half. But I couldn't do without my wife all the way. My ordinary days? My wife managed the whole family and supported me to move forward. The rich days were mixed with too many things. My present is also inseparable from my wife. My glory is half of my wife's. I am really scared today."
Zhou Shuren's tone was very calm, without any acting, and he spoke the truth, which actually touched people's hearts even more.
The emperor was shocked. Zhou Shuren couldn't live without Yang to get to where he is today, and he couldn't live without his wife, who silently gave and supported him all the time.
Zhou Shuren didn't stare at the emperor. He paused and continued, "It's said that people can live without anyone in their lifetime, but I don't think so. I really can't live without my wife in this life. I came home and found that something happened at home? I thought, if my wife is in trouble, I will go with her. I want to go with my wife and accompany her on the road to the underworld."
The prince stared at Zhou Shuren, he carefully deciphered Zhou Shuren's words. Zhou Shuren's eyes were clear, this old fox was telling the truth. He remained silent. Because of the Ministry of Revenue's matter today, Zhou Shuren was too lazy to even go to the palace, he went straight home. When something happened at home, Zhou Shuren didn't even care about his face to go to the palace.
The emperor narrowed his eyes and said, "I have always known that Shuren loves Yang. Today I know how to love her. Shuren, which is more important, the country or the family?"
Zhou Shuren curled his lips, feeling really embarrassed. In this time and space, his wife is the most important. All his changes are because of his wife. "The country is more important than the family, but my heart is very small. I can be loyal to the emperor and the country, but my heart is completely for my wife."
He only has his wife in his heart. As for family, he was really useless because he was selfish before. It was like completing a task. Now he has enriched his emotions, which was also guided by his wife.
The emperor looked at Zhou Shuren. This old fox's eyes had always been hiding his emotions, but this was the first time he completely exposed his thoughts. Yang had moved up in his heart. Before, Yang was just a capable minister's wife, but now she was someone who could influence the minister's life. "Which is more important, your wife or your current power?"
Zhou Shuren said simply, "Wife."
The emperor moved his fingertips, "I understand."
Zhou Shuren relaxed his breath. He just wanted to let the emperor know that his wife was the most important. As long as he was useful to the court, his wife would be safer. The two assassination attempts really scared him to have a heart attack. Moreover, during the transition of imperial power, he wanted to magnify his weaknesses to the emperor and the prince so that they could see clearly and feel more at ease with him.
Zhou Shuren's mind was very complicated. The longer he had been in the officialdom, the more he participated in it. He would think ten steps ahead before taking each step. He could analyze the pros and cons clearly when speaking. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The prince feels that the current Zhou Shuren is more pleasing to the eye. The old fox before was too slippery, and he was very wary of Zhou Shuren.
The emperor signaled Eunuch Liu to bring the assassin in.
Zhou Shuren was supported by the eunuch and sat on a chair, waiting for the assassin to come in. Zhou Shuren was surprised, "This face is not right."
He knew his own girl very well.
Eunuch Liu replied, "Wearing a human skin mask, this is his true appearance."
Zhou Shuren's mind worked quickly, "What the father-in-law meant was that my girl was murdered, and this assassin entered my house wearing a human skin mask?"
Eunuch Liu nodded, "Yes, sir."
The emperor has already seen the human skin mask on the tray, "Shu Ren is indeed blessed."
Zhou Shuren, "Hmm?"
The prince also smiled. He finally found out why someone escaped during the last crackdown. The human skin mask was really a good thing. "Put it on her. I want to see it."
The man in black behind Eunuch Liu already had a bottle of potion in his hand. He applied it and then gave it to the assassin.
Zhou Shuren stared with wide eyes, and she really became his big girl again. He stood up and looked carefully at her face to see if there was anything different, then quietly returned to his chair, "It's hard to find any flaws."
The emperor glanced at Eunuch Liu, who explained, "It is indeed difficult to find. I didn't find it during the interrogation just now. It was only when someone who is good at making masks came over that they found it. This thing needs potion to be removed."
Eunuch Liu paused and continued, "Drop the potion into the water, and then wash it with water to know whether it is wearing a human skin mask."
Zhou Shuren stared at the potion in the black-clothed man's hand and said, "Your Majesty, there is an assassin in my family. I am afraid there are still some who have not been exposed. I want to go back and see if there are still people wearing human skin masks."
The emperor agreed and signaled Eunuch Liu to give the potion to Zhou Shuren.
Eunuch Liu felt a little pained, "Sir, only one or two drops are needed, this bottle."
Zhou Shuren interrupted Eunuch Liu and sighed, "I have climbed up all the way, but I have seen too little. My means of self-protection are useless. I cannot compare with the foundation of the big family, this official."
This time the prince interrupted, "Master Zhou, this bottle is all yours."
Zhou Shuren forced a smile, although it was quite eye-catching, "I thank His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Eunuch Liu handed the bottle to Zhou Shuren speechlessly, "Master Zhou, the medicine is hard to come by, you must use it carefully."
Zhou Shuren held it in his arms like a treasure, "I know, I know."
There were so many good things in ancient times. When you think about all the poisons, ancient times were quite dangerous.
The King of Qi arrived, and the first person he saw when he came in was Zhou Shuren. Zhou Shuren was crying loudly at the palace gate, and the news had spread throughout the capital. But he only took one look and then looked away.
The King of Qi greeted him and said, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Father. I pay my respects to Your Highness, the Crown Prince."
Zhou Shuren, “… .”
He felt offended.