Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 149 Noble ah_1

Chapter 149: Chapter 149 Noble ah_1

Wu Ming was clear about the roots of his own home; East City was full of the destitute, and his family had no such wealthy relatives.

Shi Qing furrowed his brows; he had not anticipated that the coachman was his stepmother’s man, nor had he imagined that Wang Ru, a peasant girl, would cause him to lose face and nearly reveal Wang Ru’s worth.

Initially, he had been squeezing Wang Ru, hoping to extract more benefits for himself and at the same time using her peasant identity to lull his stepmother, but now he faced public humiliation. Wang Ru’s duplicity had set his anger ablaze.

Struggling to contain his anger, Shi Qing remembered all the members of the Zhao family worth knowing. Addressing the related household, he said, "My surname is Shi, first name Qing. Sorry to arrive uninvited; I’ve just learned that the girl wandered off and have come to take her back. She comes from a humble place and caused trouble today due to her rashness. Please accept this small token as a gesture of our apologies."

Wu Ming’s mind raced; he realized he had overthought things. This man was not part of Zhang Heng’s gang. Still confused, he wondered about this odd girl who knew about Uncle Zhou’s situation and wanted to do him a favor. Who was she? Seeing Uncle Zhou’s indifferent expression, Wu Ming knew that Uncle Zhou must be aware and decided to find an opportunity to ask for clarity.

A polite distance on Wu Ming’s face, he said, "Please take back the items, and kindly keep a closer watch over your girl in the future, to spare your lordship any trouble from careless talk."

He even reminded kindly in the end.

Shi Qing’s expression stiffened; he was well aware that Wang Ru often spoke nonsense, causing him further embarrassment. Rage smoldered within him as he replied, "Let the items serve as an apology. I’ll take your advice and ensure stricter discipline in the future."

As he finished speaking, the young servant led Wang Ru out.

Zhulan, initially swayed by appearances, lost all good feelings upon learning that the gentleman was Shi Qing. Observing Wang Ru’s pale complexion and Shi Qing’s unchanged expression, she surmised that he must be infuriated. Her experience told her that those who can control their facial expressions so well are usually deeply cunning!

Wu Ming glimpsed the chest; it seemed to be a day for riches. He had noticed that ever since his grandmother started working as a kitchen maid at Uncle Zhou’s, food at home had improved. Not only did he enjoy meat from time to time, but also, on examination days, Aunt Zhou gave him chicken soup, knowing he had exams too. He had been worried about lacking strength for the exams due to poor nutrition, but his improved diet kept him healthy and he managed to make it through without getting sick.

Thanks to Uncle Zhou’s influence, he navigated Zhang Heng’s scheming and even gained thirty taels. Unsure what was inside the wooden chest, Wu Ming knew it couldn’t be cheap. The more he thought about it, the more he regarded Uncle Zhou’s family as his benefactors!

Wu Ming caught Uncle Zhou’s barely perceptible nod, understanding it was safe to accept and also a means to keep him quiet. "I’ll accept the items. Given the events of today, I won’t keep you any longer, Young Master Shi."

Shi Qing, "I take my leave."

Watching Shi Qing depart with Wang Ru, Zhulan fondled her bracelet. Shi Qing’s address was interesting. Girl, he really had no intention of keeping her as a concubine!

The Zhou and Zhao Bo families were in different directions, so they parted ways at the street corner.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren returned to the backyard. Ming Qing had a harsh awakening today, the shock had been quite significant. The child felt dejected for being outperformed by one five years his junior after a silent journey home and went to his room to recover.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren went back to the backyard, and Zhulan first assured her daughter that the Wu family was alright.

Only after that did she return to her room to find Zhou Shuren had heard her coming, yet he turned away instead of looking at Zhulan. Zhulan approached with a teasing smile, "Is Mr. Zhou feeling jealous?"

Zhou Shuren flipped through his book, without replying, an aura of ’hurry up and pamper me!’ surrounding him.

Zhulan’s lips curled into a smirk as she stepped closer and swiftly pecked Zhou Shuren’s cheek, "Suppose someone smiles, what about a kiss for symmetry?"

Zhou Shuren weighed the pros and cons. Holding his façade any longer wouldn’t get him more attention from Zhulan, so with a smile in his eyes but feigning reluctance, he said, "It wouldn’t be too much trouble for you to kiss me again, I suppose."

Zhulan gritted her teeth at his pretend haughtiness, bending down for another kiss, "All right, now come help me with the fish."

Zhou Shuren felt elated, sensing a step closer to her. Setting the book down, he coughed, "In modern terms, I have very high attractiveness value, much better than Shi Qing’s pretty-boy face."

Zhulan trusted Zhou Shuren’s words; even when she first rescued Zhou Shuren with his glasses on, he had looked impressive. Nevertheless, she sized up the Zhou Shuren of the present, "Pity you’re the ancient Zhou Shuren; you’re old enough to be my grandfather!"

Zhou Shuren, "....."

Cursed ancient times!

At noon, Lady Li still came to cook, arriving full of joy. Only then did Zhulan learn that Shi Qing had given twenty taels of silver, accounting for a total of fifty taels in one day, wiping away Lady Li’s shock. With this sum, there was no need to worry about next year’s expenses for Wu Ming’s imperial examination; she could even pay for her grandsons’ schooling fees. Lady Li was energized.

And after hearing her eldest grandson’s analysis and being superstitious, she became even more convinced that the Zhou family was their benefactor. There was no excuse for shirking her cooking duties.

Through chatting with Lady Li, Zhulan realized that her family’s move to Pingzhou had indeed transformed the Wu family’s life significantly. Had they not hired Lady Li to cook, one grandson would have had to quit school. Considering today’s events, they truly qualified as benefactors.

The time for the college examination came the next day, and the few candidates took their exams smoothly. Zhulan finally became anxious, knowing how hard Zhou Shuren strived to be first; despite their family not lacking the Silver Coin needed for the yearly four taels of silver, Zhou Shuren wanted to have his moment of triumph!

The college exam ended swiftly, and on the day the results were released, Zhulan found Zhou Shuren unusually calm, "I thought you would be apprehensive!"

Zhou Shuren, "The exams are over; worrying won’t change anything, so I might as well stay composed. By the way, have you prepared the congratulatory money?"

Though he spoke in this manner, he internally pleaded, let it not be second place; otherwise, it would be even harder to achieve first place in the future.