Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1009 - 109: Satisfaction

Chapter 1009: Chapter 109: Satisfaction

Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren’s joyous mood was unmasked, and anyone who saw Zhou Shuren could feel it.

Xiao Qing was still very curious, "Do you have good news?"

This was the first time Zhou Shuren had come out of the palace this happy. Usually, he seemed deeply troubled, and it was always about Silver. That’s why Xiao Qing was curious and also wanted to know what the Emperor had said, hoping to get some news.

Zhou Shuren nodded, "Indeed, there is good news. My second son has returned."

Xiao Qing accepted the reason, Zhou Shuren sometimes mentioned his son from abroad, and he had heard it a few times, "It’s good that he has returned safely so you don’t have to worry."

"Yes, I have many children, and it’s inevitable that some are overlooked. I didn’t feel it when they were all around, but this time it struck me deeply— I worry about each of my children."

Xiao Qing laughed, "Wong Ju will be envious again when he hears this."

Zhou Shuren also smiled. Wong Ju was fond of children; no, it would be more accurate to say that the Wong family cherished children—a well-known fact in the capital.

Back home, Zhulan was a bit tired. Chang Yi had returned, and although she hadn’t fallen asleep, she was merely resting with her eyes closed when Su Xuan came over.

Zhulan sat up from the small stove, Su Xuan’s arrival at this time surely meant she had something to discuss, "Sit down and speak."

Su Xuan felt somewhat embarrassed; she didn’t know her mother was resting, "Mother, I have disturbed your rest."

"It’s okay, I had just been resting for a while."

Su Xuan had thought it over last night, the more she thought, the more excited she became, "Mother, the second brother has established a foundation overseas, and I have a good amount of Silver Coin at hand, so I also want to participate in overseas trade."

Zhulan knew Su Xuan would be tempted, "Tell me."

Hearing her mother’s approval, Su Xuan was encouraged, "All the big noble families have controlled merchants below them, this is well-known, and those responsible are trusted people. Mother knows I have been managing affairs on my own for many years, and the Su family’s properties are managed by my daughters-in-law. I have quite a few trustworthy shopkeepers, so I’m thinking of picking one to partner with a merchant, then have the shopkeeper manage the affairs."

Zhulan knew Su Xuan was well-versed with this setup. There were pastry shops abroad, no, it would be fair to say that all noble families, as well as some financially strong official families, operated this way, especially with the Emperor’s support for the economy in recent years, some strict regulations had disappeared. Be it Shi Qing or the grandson from Xu family, all signaled the same.

Zhulan looked at Su Xuan, "Do you want to involve the second wife as well?"

Su Xuan nodded, "The second brother has established a foundation overseas, and he also has some connections, plus his foreign language skills are good, so I want to give him some shares and have him take care of things more."

Zhulan thought Chang Yi would definitely agree, "I will talk to the second wife."

Su Xuan couldn’t help but smile; with her mother’s intervention, it could surely succeed.

Zhulan didn’t mention the main wife or the third wife; this was Su Xuan’s idea, so it was Su Xuan’s matter. Although she would include them if she spoke, she felt it inappropriate—each branch of the family had its own life, and she didn’t want to interfere too much.

As for herself, she hadn’t thought about getting involved, not because she didn’t want to earn more, but because she represented Zhou Shuren. Zhou Shuren was already conspicuous enough; thus, it was better not to get involved.

Moreover, she had a complete plan for the future and didn’t need to change it.

At the Duke Residence, Xue Han asked many things she didn’t understand. Her mother could solve her confusion, but it was more convenient to ask her grandmother. Her grandmother’s identity as the Duchess meant she knew more about certain rules and taboos, leaving her with plenty to learn.

The Duchess became more and more pleased as she talked. Xue Han was genuinely inquiring, not just humoring her. Happily, she even ate a piece of fruit. When her husband came in with their son and grandson, she still felt her joy was incomplete.

The Duke immediately noticed his wife’s happiness. Except for Rongchuan’s marriage this year, his wife hadn’t been happy, "What are you discussing that makes you so pleased? Let me listen too."

The Duchess, in a good mood, didn’t show any displeasure to her husband, handed over the fruit Xue Han had brought, and repeated Xue Han’s words, clearly expressing her satisfaction with Xue Han.

The Duke was also pleased that the girl Xue Han said things that were enjoyable to hear. Being old, he liked hearing these things, "Good child."

Ning Xu raised an eyebrow. Before his son was married, he had met his daughter-in-law only twice without speaking. After his son married, having another mistress in the house clearly had its benefits. Women were detailed and, in just a few days, many changes had taken place in the house, which according to his son, felt warmer.

Moreover, his daughter-in-law was filial and handled many things well. The servants were also well managed. Now, hearing his parents praise her, he naturally felt happy.

As for Rongchuan, it was needless to say, he appeared supremely proud of his wife, feeling delighted inside.

Lady Du’s palm turned white, having pinched it for too long already showing a bluish tinge. Since Zhou Xuehan arrived, her mother-in-law hadn’t even glanced at her, not to mention Yu’s situation. The only one she could really talk to was her granddaughter, Ning Ting.

After the Duke sat down and tried the fruit, which was sweet and tasted good, he quite liked it, "I hear from Rongchuan that your second brother brought back a foreigner."

Xue Han had nothing to hide since it was something that would be known sooner or later, she freely said, "Yes, my brother intends it as a scouting visit. Apparently, this person is of some status in his country."

He also brought many gifts for the family, the most conspicuous being gold and some specialty products.

The Duke didn’t ignore what Rongchuan had said. Rongchuan couldn’t be mistaken. Stroking his beard, Zhou Shuren’s second son was also a fierce character. Not everyone could bring themselves to kill, and even fewer could retain fierceness after doing so, "I really want to meet him sometime in the future."

Xue Han smiled, "I’ll talk to my second brother about it, and he will surely come running over immediately. When that happens, Grandfather must meet him. Please don’t stop him at the door; my brother would be heartbroken."

The Duke was momentarily stunned, then laughed heartily, "The Duke Residence is always welcoming."

Previously, he wouldn’t have paid much attention to Zhou Changyi. Now he would, as those with talent are always worth noticing.

Ning Xu looked at his daughter-in-law more closely, nodding internally. She spoke competently, not displeasing anyone while accurately conveying her thoughts and gaining favor. Indeed, Zhou Shuren and his wife knew how to teach their children. Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but think of the eldest grandson from the second wife’s family and then reconsidered, deciding it wasn’t his place to intervene in the second wife’s affairs.

At the Zhou family’s second wife’s home, Zhao had been terrified and worried last night, only regaining her spirit today to organize the items her husband had brought back. There were many items; the timber was easy to sort, but the small, miscellaneous items required careful organization, especially the gem and gold jewelry.

Chang Yi sat by playing with his little daughter, occasionally watching his wife and eldest daughter tidy up. Seeing his daughter-in-law pack away the gems, he thought for a moment and said, "Take some out. I’ll deal with them tomorrow and exchange them for some silver."

Zhao, reassured by her husband, looked up and asked, "How much should I take out?"

Zhou Changyi thought about his friends in the capital, "Take out eight large ones and six small ones."

Zhao motioned for her daughter to bring a small box, packed what her husband wanted, then placed it in front of him, curiously asking, "The harvest was good this year, and we have quite a lot of silver. What do you need the silver for?"