Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1460: Unaware

Chapter 1460: Chapter 1460: Unaware

The Zhou family. Zhulan was flipping through this month’s propaganda bulletin. Now, you could spend silver to subscribe to the bulletin, and at the start of every month, the number of printings would depend on the subscription count. Subscribers could collect their copies with a subscription receipt in the middle of the month.

The contents of the bulletin had grown more abundant. It included policies from the Imperial Court, propagandistic articles, and even some Ministry of Justice case reports.

Of course, the subscribers were still primarily wealthy families. The common folk were reluctant to spend silver on subscriptions and still gathered at city gates or walls to read the posted news.

Zhulan flipped through the bulletin, which was neatly bound with eight or nine pages. She wasn’t interested in the articles or policies; instead, she liked reading the case reports section.

Xue Han walked in to see her mother engrossed in reading. "Mother."

Zhulan looked up. "It’s such a cold day, why are you back here?"

"I came to bring you some fruits."

"I know you’re thoughtful, but there’s no need for you to come in this weather."

After giving birth, her daughter’s health had weakened, and Zhulan felt a deep pity for her.

Xue Han spun around twice, standing there. "Look, I’m dressed warmly."

Zhulan held her daughter’s hands. "So cold, like ice."

Xue Han had no choice. Currently, her hands and feet were perpetually cold. The Imperial Physician had visited and recommended good care for recuperation. "Mother, what were you reading just now, so intently?"

"I was reading the bulletin, specifically the case reports from the Ministry of Justice."

Xue Han sat down and remarked, "I don’t enjoy reading it. I wish there were some stories on it. The articles on the bulletin give me a headache."

Zhulan disliked reading classical-style prose articles as well. Though she’d lived in ancient times for years, she still found them dry. She could tolerate reading the travelogues her son-in-law wrote, but this year, since her son-in-law hadn’t submitted any articles to the capital, the bulletin felt even duller.

Zhulan said, "If you want stories, you’ll have to wait a few years."

For now, it was out of the question. This was the Imperial Court’s propaganda bulletin. Every article had to go through multiple rounds of review before publication. However, with increasing demand and development, various types of bulletins were sure to follow in the future.

In Zhangzhou Province, Yushuang accompanied her mother on a shopping trip. "Mother, this is the weaving shop I mentioned."

Madam Zhao’s eyes lit up as she saw the displayed flower baskets. "The craftsmanship is indeed exquisite."

Yushuang supported her mother as they entered the shop. "This is considered one of the small specialties of our county."

In various provinces, many people knew how to weave, but here, they didn’t use bamboo for weaving. The production volume was low, and the craftsmanship wasn’t famous because the region was poor, and there weren’t many traveling merchants. The weaving shop barely scraped by for survival.

Madam Zhao glanced around under the shopkeeper’s hopeful gaze, her brows slightly furrowed. "Are these the only kinds available?"

The shopkeeper said, "Yes, these are all we have."

A trace of disappointment passed over Madam Zhao’s eyes. Accustomed to the goods in the weaving shops of the capital, she found the designs here too simplistic.

Seeing the dim look in the shopkeeper’s eyes, Yushuang sighed. In the capital, one could find all the best goods. Her mother had discerning standards, and she asked, "Can you make custom designs if we provide sketches?"

The shopkeeper perked up with delight. "Yes, certainly! All the craftsmen in our shop are skilled practitioners of traditional techniques handed down through generations. If you provide sketches, we can make them."

Madam Zhao wanted to buy some unique local products to bring back to the capital. Their household had so many good items already, so she wanted something distinctive. However, the county was so impoverished that there were only a handful of shops. After some thought, she said, "Shopkeeper, do you have paper and pen?"

"Yes, we do."

Madam Zhao picked up the pen and sketched a few lines. After thinking a bit more, she added a few strokes. "Can you weave this kind of vase?"

The shopkeeper carefully took the paper and cautiously replied, "I’ll consult with the craftsmen."

He returned quickly, beaming. "It can be done."

Madam Zhao’s smile grew more pronounced as she took back the paper. "I’ll send over the final sketches later."

She decided not to leave her preliminary sketch behind; she’d have her son-in-law draw the finalized version instead.

The shopkeeper was thrilled. Everyone in the county knew the magistrate’s wife. It was also common knowledge that the magistrate came from the capital and his wife’s family were prominent officials there. If this order succeeded, it was bound to generate more customers.

Outside the shop, Madam Zhao said, "Let’s head back."

Yushuang remarked, "The county has too few shops currently. Over time, as the county prospers, more shops will spring up."

Madam Zhao nodded and looked at the beggars on the street, letting out a soft sigh. They couldn’t save everyone. Her husband had bought a manor estate in Zhangzhou Province and recently took in many destitute commoners. But they could only help to this extent and no more.

That evening in the capital, Zhou Shuren came home and mentioned court affairs. Zhulan, with low energy, said, "I’ve already heard."

Zhou Shuren said, "The Emperor isn’t rushing the betrothal. I’ll take my time observing the Yu family."

Zhulan pursed her lips. "That’s because the Emperor is confident the match will go through."

"Yes, I’ve been observing Minister Yu carefully. He seems unaware."

Zhulan arched a brow. "Ha, taking our side won’t make me feel any better."

Zhou Shuren said, "The Emperor sees this union as a good match. Indeed, it is. Since the Emperor personally proposed it, the Yu family won’t dare mistreat Yu Yi in the future."

Zhulan’s face softened slightly. "Still, there’s no rush to finalize the engagement."

"Agreed."

Zhulan saw Zhou Shuren pick up the bulletin. "Didn’t you read it at the Ministry of Revenue?"

"I was busy with no time to look."

Zhulan pointed to an article. "This edition includes several pieces on fishcakes and a piece about grain donations, but it doesn’t mention the Wen family leading the donations."

Zhou Shuren replied, "The Emperor wouldn’t erase the Wen family’s contributions. This must have been requested by the Wen family themselves."

The Emperor, knowing it couldn’t be concealed, wouldn’t go out of his way to obscure the credit and make himself appear petty or narrow-minded.

On the other hand, the Wen family desired good reputation but didn’t wish to provoke public gratitude from all corners.

Zhulan shared the same thought. "The Wen family has grown clever."

"Indeed. Recently, our family had a conflict with the Wens. Wen Xu’s drunken antics embarrassed the Wen family, but instead of becoming a laughingstock the next day, the Wens preemptively brought up grain donations in court, making Wen Xu’s drunken escapade a trivial afterthought."

Zhulan toyed with the hairpin in her hand. "The Wen family’s second branch is finished, the third branch has been weakened, and now the eldest holds sole dominance. Fourth Young Master Wen’s voice carries more weight now."

"You certainly have a clear grasp of the Wen family."

"Because our family and the Wens are at odds, of course I study them thoroughly."

Zhou Shuren chuckled and continued reading the bulletin. He soon finished and remarked, "The lack of infrastructure is still a problem. If transportation were convenient, we could have more issues released monthly. Sigh, news spreads far too slowly."

Zhulan curiously asked, "The bulletin sells quite well. They must have made a lot of silver, right?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head. "The costs are high. In some areas, bulletins are distributed for free. The manpower and resources involved are considerable; it hasn’t turned a profit."

"Actually, prefectural government offices in each province could create local bulletins, as long as the capital maintains overall control."

"That’s unlikely within the next year or two. Right now, all the provinces are too preoccupied with concerns over the grain shortage."

Zhulan stood up. "I’ll go freshen up."

"Alright."

The next day, as the New Year approached, the Emperor expressed his intention for the commoners to enjoy a good New Year. If the festival went well, it would instill hope in the people. The Emperor had already purchased large amounts of cloth and meat.

Zhou Shuren mused privately that during the grain donation last time, the Emperor had even allocated grain from the royal manors. Now, once again, he had drawn from the private treasury to purchase large quantities of materials—likely a move to bolster his public approval during the festive season.

He had no idea when the Emperor had secretly acquired such a substantial stock of goods.

This batch of supplies would first be distributed to the poorest provinces and counties. The Emperor had already made all the necessary arrangements.