Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 127 The Ancients Were Ruthless_1

Chapter 127: Chapter 127 The Ancients Were Ruthless_1

Zhulan endured the embarrassment; she didn’t even need to speak. The words spoken by the Zhou-Wang family were much harsher than anything she could have said. They went straight to accusing them of crimes, not only calling out the second daughter of the Wang family but also pinpointing Wang Ru. The Zhou-Wang family held high prestige and spoke from a position of authority, speaking on behalf of the entire village. The implication was that the entire village was involved. The words spoken tonight would seal the coffins for Wang Ru and the second daughter once they spread— it was just short of directly accusing them of not abiding by womanly virtue. Within a radius of miles, no one would dare to marry them, and even if someone did marry them, any divorce would be blamed on Wang Ru and the second daughter.

The matriarch of the Zhou Clan personally lectured them. In the future, if Wang Ru and the second daughter again tarnished their reputation, it would not only completely dissociate them from the Zhou family but also deeply entrap the Wang family. It suggested that the daughters of the Wang family were not educated properly, implicating the character of the entire Wang family.

Zhulan took a deep breath. The ancients were much more ruthless than modern people. It was clear that Wang Ru’s schemes against Zhou Changzhi’s future were just as damaging as they would be to the prosperity of the Zhou family. Ultimately it all came down to interests. If Chang Zhi became powerful, the entire Zhou family would benefit, gaining the scholarly fields for the clan school and being able to support capable younger family members. Chang Zhi’s matter was not just a family affair; it involved massive interests.

Wang Ru, not understanding, only felt that the Zhou family had come to her door to deliberately insult her. Anyway, there were plenty of rumors about her. After her initial anger, it didn’t bother her much. In contrast, the second daughter, Wang Rong, had shrunken pupils and a pale face, sitting powerlessly on the ground, taking a long time to recover her senses. Her reputation was ruined. Who would dare to marry her in the future? Even if she got married, who would respect her? And even if she married, she would have to live in constant fear of divorce.

Wang Rong immediately fell to her knees, knowing that their schemes were nothing in the eyes of these old foxes. It was better to be frank. "I was wrong. I shouldn’t have had crooked thoughts when I stumbled. From now on, I will strictly discipline myself and won’t leave home again."

She didn’t reveal Wang Ru’s plotting, keenly aware that Wang Ru would be more guilt-ridden and thus willing to give up more silver. If they had enough money, they could marry far away and never return.

Zhulan raised an eyebrow. This was a truly smart person. Seeing Wang Ru’s indignant and unsatisfied expression, she scoffed and turned to Wang Rong, "Don’t blame us for coming to your door today. If you intend to ruin someone’s future, you must bear the consequent repercussions. If you feel hate or resentment, it should be directed at the one who truly deserves it."

Wang Rong, a clever person, grew even more afraid. She really did not know about ruining someone’s future. She understood only a little; she was persuaded only because she wanted to marry well. The Zhou family was one of the top households in the village, and Zhou Changzhi was well-educated and the eldest son, surely the most favored. She really had no idea that it could ruin Zhou Changzhi’s future. No wonder, no wonder the Zhou family was so angry, directly destroying her reputation and future. Trembling, she lowered her head, thinking herself smart but being outwitted because she knew too little, painfully gripping the palm that had been struck by a swallow.

Wang Ru pursed her lips and stared fiercely at Mrs. Yang. The entire Zhou family was not to be trifled with. She was angry that her schemes had not only failed but had led to this public humiliation by the Zhou family, yet she dared not confront them directly.

She couldn’t leave home; she was still too young. And then, considering the steward from the Shi family’s purpose in coming, her gaze darkened. Shi Qing was insatiably greedy, constantly leeching off her. It hadn’t been long since he wanted to get his hands on her recipe again, thinking that gifts could easily appease her.

Her fingers toyed with the bracelet on her wrist. Shi Qing could not be trusted; she feared being stabbed in the back. The more she thought about it, the more anger she suppressed in her heart. If her schemes had worked today, there would have been no need for the Zhou family to knock at her door. Taking a deep breath, she decided that she had to endure today’s humiliation, withdrawing her gaze and hiding her hatred.

Zhulan truly did not care that the hatred in Wang Ru’s eyes had deepened. From the very beginning, they were adversaries, and she and Zhou Shuren did not take action, which certainly did not mean they were all good-tempered. As for herself, she had always preferred overt plots since childhood, and half a year of getting to know Zhou Shuren had proven that he was not a kind-hearted man. Zhou Shuren preferred to scheme in the shadows. As long as Zhou Shuren became a Scholar and participated in the imperial examination next year, widening the distance between them, there would be no need to fear Wang Ru.

Wang Ru had failed to see her own dire situation, harming no one but herself.

Holding his tobacco pipe, the Clan Leader Zhou addressed Wang Laosi, who was leaning against the wall, "I hope you’ll behave yourself. Don’t blame me for not showing any mercy. Today is both the first and the last time."

If it weren’t for the impossibility of expelling Wang Laosi and his family all at once, he would have done everything to drive them out today. Unfortunately, Wang Laosi had a son, and with a son, one’s footing in the clan was more substantial. Wang Laosi was not about to abandon his home and leave!

Old Fourth Wang’s body shuddered at those words. Though Clan Leader Zhou hadn’t raised his voice or altered his calm tone, this was the gravest of warnings. He knew full well that the Zhou Clan was considering banishing his family from the village. "I’ll remember this and will surely keep the two girls in line from now on."

He had a son now and had to think of the boy’s future. His daughters meant nothing in comparison. However, all the Silver Coin in the household was earned by Wang Ru, and his eyes flickered.

Clan Leader Zhou stood up; he didn’t want to face Old Fourth Wang any longer. "All right, we’ll be going back."

Hastening back to his house, Old Fourth Wang caught up with Zhulan and her party just as they were nearing the gate. Zhulan clearly saw Old Fourth Wang hand a bulging purse to the Clan Leader, who accepted it.

With the purse handed over, Old Fourth Wang felt somewhat relieved, yet it pained him deeply.

Clan Leader Zhou spoke, "Don’t leave just yet, come over to my house first."

Old Fourth Wang’s heart lifted once more with anxiety, yet he dared not ask. However, remembering the purse, he felt a bit more reassured. After the others had gone far off, he closed the main gate and, with a darkened face, headed for his third daughter’s room.

Wang Ru had anticipated Old Fourth Wang’s arrival. Despising her mean and irresolute father, she still needed to coexist with him at home. She took a deep breath, her expression sour, and idly played with the bracelet on her wrist, waiting for her father to start talking.

Old Fourth Wang’s hands were clenched into fists behind his back. No matter what, he was the head of the household and had to endure repeatedly being challenged by Wang Ru. His gaze lingered on the bracelet; the damned girl had someone to back her, and he couldn’t afford to provoke her, so he softened his tone, "Ru girl, don’t blame your father. What happened today was all a show for the Zhou family. If I hadn’t stepped in, Wang Rong from the Zhou family would have, and they’d have struck you themselves. Your mother and I would have been heartbroken."

Wang Ru sneered internally, as if her cheap father never hit her. Not wanting to listen to him ramble further, for she felt like vomiting, she cut in, "Out with it, how much Silver did you give away?"

Feeling exposed and annoyed, Old Fourth Wang held back, mindful that the Silver given away belonged to his son, "Twenty taels."

Wang Ru narrowed her eyes; she wasn’t blind. A single purse could hardly contain more than ten taels, and yet Old Fourth Wang claimed it was twenty. There were no silver notes of small denominations in this era, "There are ten taels on the table; there’s no more."

Old Fourth Wang noticed the purse on the table, prepared in advance, and squinting his eyes, he knew that no amount of talking would get him more. He took the purse and left, pondering how to extract more Silver Coin from Wang Ru.

Zhulan and her companions returned to the Clan Leader’s house, where the Clan Leader generously brought out the purse and poured out its contents, "Roughly ten taels of broken silver, just given to me by Old Fourth Wang."