Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 146: Ruthless and Cunning_1

Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Ruthless and Cunning_1

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren found a place to sit down, neither of them speaking, just sitting steadily.

Wang Ru had already calmed down. Now wasn’t the time to wonder why Zhou’s elderly couple was in Pingzhou; her mind raced as she realized she couldn’t let the Zhou family help Wu Ming solve his problem, and usurp the purpose of her visit to Pingzhou.

In her pitiable memory, Wu Ming had suffered in his youth, his grandfather had been extorted following an incident, missing the imperial examination. His grandmother then passed away, and later he rose through the ranks to become a first-rank official; Zhou Xuehan’s smooth and prosperous life after marrying the male protagonist owed much to being sworn sisters with Wu Ning, thus gaining Wu Ming’s protection and assistance later on.

She hadn’t wanted to provoke Wu Ming, knowing his ruthless nature, but with Shi Qing constantly extorting her, treating her like property, she was forced to take a risk.

She had arrived in Pingzhou long ago. For the sake of arriving, Shi Qing had taken many of her prescriptions. Not remembering the timeline but vaguely recalling that Wu Ming did not attend the imperial examination, she easily found out that he had come first in the prefectural examination in Pingzhou and located his residence. To offer timely help and make Wu Ming her backer and completely shake off Shi Qing, she had been following Wu Ming’s grandfather, to the point of exasperation, until an incident finally happened.

However, as Wang Ru looked at the expressionless Wu Ming and proposed using silver to solve the issue, Wu Ming became even more wary of her!

Zhulan’s gaze remained fixed on Wang Ru; undue eagerness was either treacherous or thievish. Wang Ru definitely had a problem. Recalling the pitiful storyline, Zhulan had absolutely no impression of Wu Ming. She wished she hadn’t jumped through the reading; even if she disliked it, she should have forced herself to finish it!

Nevertheless, considering Wang Ru’s appearance and combining it with Zhou Shuren’s admiration for Wu Ming, Zhulan felt she had stumbled upon the truth—perhaps Wu Ming was a future big shot!

Zhulan had no idea that she and Zhou Shuren had grown too confident, completely derailing the plot, and now Wang Ru was driven to reckless action involving people she never would have in the novel.

Wang Ru, no longer caring if Wu Ming had grown suspicious, stepped forward with her purse and said to the family trying to extort them, "Here are twenty taels of silver. Take it and leave at once."

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren, "....."

Wu Ming, "...."

Who is this woman? What is her purpose? And is she out of her mind, doubling the amount when they only asked for ten?

The family’s intent had been on Wu Ming, but taking the offered Silver Coin without grabbing it would be foolish, so they took it promptly, yet showed no intention of leaving.

Zhulan watched, suppressing her laughter as she observed Wang Ru’s astonished look.

With a fierce tone, Wang Ru said, "You’ve taken the Silver Coin and still won’t leave? Do you want me to call the officials?"

Zhulan, "...."

She really wanted to laugh, thinking that ancient times were like the present, where police come as soon as you call them?

The people in the hall wore strange expressions, while Wang Ru remained unaware, thinking she had gained control of the situation, not realizing that everyone in the room already considered her out of her mind.

The extorting family’s attention finally turned to Zhulan and Zhou Shuren – the ones they should really be wary of.

Wu Ming took a deep breath and said to Wang Ru, "Miss, we have never met before. You suddenly followed and meddled in our family’s affairs. I don’t understand your intentions, as the Wu family is a minor household with little to conspire about. I ask you to leave us."

As for the twenty taels of silver, it wasn’t his to worry about. All he wanted now was to send this mentally disturbed miss away quickly; he was scared. Having reached the age of marriage discussions, he wondered if some family had taken a liking to him and was trying to dump a foolish girl on him!

Feeling insecure, Wang Ru feared being seen through by Wu Ming, who despised being manipulated most of all. Yet, unwilling to give up, she persisted, "I want to help you."

Wu Ming, "....Please leave, Miss."

He was genuinely frightened, breaking out into a cold sweat at the thought of being connected to someone with a mental disorder, preferring to forever feel guilty towards his parents rather than marry her!

Zhulan held a handkerchief to the corners of her mouth, struggling to hide her amusement. She was close to bursting with laughter at the sight of the frightened Wu Ming, hoping he wouldn’t become phobic of women.

Zhou Shuren leaned over to shield Zhulan, his gaze landing on her gracefully curved fingers, his mind wandering. How he wished they were at home; he wanted to hold them so badly!

Wang Ru felt miserable. Why was everything going against her? Even when she tried to help, people didn’t appreciate it, as if they preferred keeping their distance. Clenching her teeth but not daring to offend Wu Ming—a man known for his ruthless and cruel methods, with none who had wronged him ending well—she still couldn’t bear the thought of the Zhou family benefitting, "Not letting me help - are you relying on them?"

Zhulan, seeing the gesture towards her and Zhou Shuren, understood Wang Ru’s intentions. No one was going to have it easy.

Wu Ming frowned, his need to rely on Uncle Zhou undeniable. Though Uncle Zhou’s family was not prominent, Wu Ming admired his ability to make friends. His disgust grew as he stared at the distorted face of the miss, "This is my family’s matter and none of your concern, outsider."

Zhou Shuren raised his eyebrows, noting how well Wu Ming could pretend. That cold tone was a sign of anger!