Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 115 Disappointment_1

Chapter 115: Chapter 115 Disappointment_1

Zhou Shuren pointed at the Silver Coin, "The rent is fifty-five taels, the pawned jewelry is two hundred and fifty taels. This time’s pearl necklace and bracelet are better than the last, and with pearls from the north being more expensive than those from the south, we pawned an extra fifty taels. I’ve directly exchanged them for two hundred in silver notes, ten in gold, and Five taels of silver in silver angles and broken silver."

Zhulan was distrustful of silver notes and preferred tangible assets, "Let’s exchange another hundred taels. We’ll keep a hundred in silver notes for convenience when traveling later."

Zhou Shuren, "We’ll go out and exchange it back tomorrow."

Zhulan had spent nine hundred and fifty taels on buying the shop and ten taels on hosting a banquet, leaving her with just over one hundred and fifty taels. Including the rented and pawned silver, she had a total of more than four hundred and fifty taels in hand. Sadly, she couldn’t buy another shop; without backing, purchasing more would just court trouble, "Going out this time, we’re bringing back quite a bit of Silver Coin."

Zhou Shuren took out fifty taels, "This money will be given to Brother Zhao when we leave, to help him purchase furniture. The rest will be a token of our gratitude."

Zhulan wasn’t afraid of being cheated by Zhao Bo. For the sake of his family’s and his own reputation, he wouldn’t do such a thing. Besides, Zhao Bo had been a great help to the family, clearly seeing potential in Zhou Shuren, and having invested early, he wouldn’t jeopardize the bigger picture for a small gain.

In ancient times, noble families liked to support poor scholars, which was also an early investment. If any scholar eventually achieved success, they would surely reciprocate and protect their benefactors. To maintain their reputation, there were rarely any ingrates.

It took five days to settle everything from home to Pingzhou. Zhulan and Zhou Shuren planned to enjoy a good two days of sightseeing.

Pingzhou is the largest Prefecture City in the Northern Province, beyond which no other city in the north can match its prosperity. Further north are the stationed troops, with regions around being exile destinations. The county towns there, mostly inhabited by military families, were not prosperous.

Early next morning, Zhulan packed up the Silver Coin, and, holding a bundle, finally saw her own residence—a two-entry courtyard with more than a dozen rooms, two kitchens, one in the back yard and one in the front. Zhulan was most delighted with the well in the courtyard and, after a thorough inspection, she was very content.

Having inspected the house, they rode in a carriage to see the shop. Since there were many shops in South City, Zhulan, together with her daughter, visited quite a few. Pingzhou was famous for its furs, and Zhulan couldn’t resist going in for a look.

The shop was bustling with customers, and the sales assistants were busy. Zhulan didn’t inquire but listened as an assistant introduced to other customers that the fine fire fox fur cost thirty taels per piece, the rare white fox fur eighty taels, and bear fur, even more expensive at over a hundred taels. Mink furs ranged from a dozen taels for lesser quality to twenty taels and up for better quality.

Zhulan touched the furs but didn’t buy any. Back in the carriage, she said to Zhou Shuren, "The furs in Pingzhou are cheaper than in the capital, and those from the northern border are even cheaper. We must buy more when the chance arises, for gifts or personal use—respectable and prestigious."

Zhou Shuren, having ventured out, had gained a deeper understanding of the ancient world, "Forget about going north to get furs. There are already fixed buyers there, and no one will sell to you, no matter how much you offer. They wouldn’t dare. When it comes to acquiring more in the future, we’ll do so in Pingzhou or purchase from locals who have hunted some down."

Zhulan replied, "That’s a shame, there are big differences in the margins!"

Zhou Shuren said hauntingly, "You’re not the only wise one; everyone knows the profits are huge. Yet no one dares to reach out their hands greedily for the massive profits that are protected by Imperial relatives and nobles."

Zhulan decided not to discuss it any further, as it was better to be cautious when outside.

When the carriage reached the jewelry shop, Zhulan, who already loved jewelry in the modern world, found herself even more enamored with ancient jewelry. Previously limited by funds, now with plenty of disposable income, it was a rare chance to enjoy shopping for jewelry.

The jewelry shops in Prefecture City were much higher-end than in the counties, with not only gold and silver jewelry but also pieces with agate and gemstone-set vermillion hairpins.

Zhulan’s eyes lit up, admiring the gold earrings with tiny rubies, the agate-embedded openwork Silver hairpin, and each bracelet looking very attractive.

Zhou Shuren finally realized what it felt like for friends to spend money on their girlfriends; as long as they liked it, any amount spent was worthwhile, "If you like it, buy it. Don’t hesitate."

Zhulan’s hand twitched, and she grinned, "Alright."

Pointing at the hairpin and bracelet, "Shop assistant, how much for these?"

The shop assistant, astute as ever, could often guess what a customer might buy just by looking at them. Seeing a potential buyer, he enthusiastically introduced the items. "Madam has truly excellent taste. These two items are part of a set, finely designed with openwork that’s delicate and lightweight. The rubies add a touch of wealth and prosperity. Madam, with the earrings over there, the whole set is fifteen taels of silver."

Zhulan wasn’t swayed by the assistant’s pitch. Though the pieces were inlaid with rubies, they were merely leftover fragments of low quality. She didn’t say she would buy them but instead requested, "Show me something suitable for a girl of eight or nine."

The assistant was not in a hurry, his experience telling him that those who don’t haggle are often the ones who will buy. He promptly opened a cabinet and brought out some jewelry for children. "These bracelets and earrings are all suitable for a young miss, with options in sapphire and agate."

Zhulan took a liking to them at first glance. Adult jewelry was always so grand, but girls’ pieces had a variety of designs and even included some gem fragments. This meant they wouldn’t look shabby even when visiting others. Zhulan asked for the prices, "How much do these cost?"

The assistant replied, "Children’s jewelry is not expensive. A pair of gem-inlaid bracelets is one tael of silver, and the earrings are half a tael per pair."

Zhulan selected four sets of bracelets and earrings, and also chose the jewelry she liked earlier. She then picked out three silver hairpins adorned with gemstones, spending a total of twenty-eight taels.

After paying with Silver Coin, even if she was reluctant, Zhulan knew she had to buy them. When Zhou Shuren would come to Pingzhou in the future, and she visited, it was essential to host guests properly. Being without jewelry could lead to being looked down upon.

Zhou Shuren had gone to the second floor at some point without Zhulan noticing. When she finished paying, he returned to the carriage holding a small box. Only then did Zhulan ask, "What did you buy?"

Zhou Shuren opened the small box, revealing some gemstone fragments from the leftovers. "They customize jewelry upstairs and there were many gem scraps. I picked some that seemed shiny and bought them. It cost a total of twenty taels."

Zhulan counted the various gemstone scraps and asked, "Are you planning to take these and order custom pieces yourself?"

Zhou Shuren smiled, "The gold and silver jewelry designs at home are outdated. It’s better to melt them down and have new pieces made. As for the designs, I don’t understand jewelry, so I will leave it to you."

Zhulan accepted the box, "Wait until you have made a name for yourself. Otherwise, even if the jewelry is made, you can’t wear it."

It was like the pearl jewelry and pendants she coveted; ordinary people were not allowed to wear them. She saw several daughters of the officials wearing them at the jewelry shop earlier, each of them incredibly proud and yet stunningly beautiful.

Unfortunately, before she could even speak, the assistant had already lectured her about which classes could buy and wear certain jewelry, plainly revealing a sense of superiority tied to social status!

Zhou Shuren wasn’t well-versed in jewelry and had no idea that there was such depth to it. He thought as long as there were no dragon or phoenix carvings, it would be fine.

After that, they visited a ready-to-wear clothing store. The house was not short on fabrics, and Zhulan was mainly interested in the styles of the clothes. She instantly adored a yellow cloak, thinking luckily the Emperor didn’t wear yellow, and the fictional dynasty had no rule against wearing it.

In the end, she bought some special pastries unique to Pingzhou and intricate wooden carvings as gifts for a few children. They had lunch outside and returned to the inn after nightfall.

The next day they visited the temples of Pingzhou. Zhulan had hoped to encounter an enlightened monk who could offer guidance, but the place was crowded with officials’ families and their servants blocking the way. There was no chance to meet a great monk, let alone see many monks at all, as they had all been called away to chant scriptures.

Besides the temples, there wasn’t much to see in Pingzhou. The exquisite private gardens, unlike in later centuries, were not open to the public as tourist spots. After returning to the inn to pack up, they followed the caravan home the next day.

Reaching Zhou’s village before dark, Zhulan scanned the crowd and asked the eldest, "Where is Lady Li?"