Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 225 Back Way_1

Chapter 225: Chapter 225 Back Way_1

Master Zheng, having heard his wife’s sufficient explanation, asked the necessary questions. Indeed, just like his daughter’s assessment, Zhou Shuren was quite confident about passing the exam. The status of a Graduate was enough to safeguard the property, and as for the future possibility of holding an office and not returning, he wasn’t worried; as long as the property wasn’t sold, that was all that mattered.

Having experienced the vicissitudes of life, and a great escape, he had not an iota of trust in the Imperial court. He was genuinely frightened; if only his ancestors had prepared an escape route, his family wouldn’t have been forced into a corner. He didn’t want his descendants to suffer the same fate. The rise and fall of a family were ordinary; it was critical to keep an escape route here.

Moreover, as the most secretive escape route, it was best to have a slight connection with the family but not an in-depth one. That was the safest. The Zheng family had learned from experience, to at least not easily fall into disaster in the future. After a few decades, when those who should know have passed away, investigating would become difficult.

He had his own way of judging people, and Zhou Shuren had a plan and a rough direction. By suggesting a backup plan, the property would be secure, which was the Zheng family’s most secretive escape route.

Zhou Shuren was unaware of Master Zheng’s many thoughts but could guess the gist. The first time he was schemed against in ancient times, why was he feeling so uncomfortable? Even knowing that the Zheng family would certainly offer some benefits, he was not pleased in his heart. Indeed, pies falling from the sky were never easy to catch.

Zhou Shuren cleared his throat, "Elder, we’ve been sitting for a long time, shall we go have a look at the land?"

Master Zheng stroked his beard and stood up, "Let’s go, I’ll take you out for a walk."

Zhou Shuren, "....."

It seemed he had no intention of taking him to see the land.

Seeing Zhou Shuren leave, Zhulan blinked her eyes; it seemed they were going to have a private conversation.

Laughing, Madam Zheng got up, "I’ll also take you around the various courtyards. Our family has many people, so there are quite a few small courtyards within. A lot of thought was put into building the house—warm in winter and cool in summer. And we’ve dug deep cellars specifically for storing ice, so we can use it to cool off in the hot summer days, very convenient."

Zhulan, "....."

She realized that she thought their family savings of over six hundred Silver Coins were enough, but actually, they fell far short. This property alone was worth a lot of Silver Coins. If the Zheng family hadn’t come to them, they wouldn’t be able to afford it.

Mrs. Zheng continued, "Each courtyard is independent."

The more Zhulan saw, the more she liked it. She always preferred independent courtyards where there was no disturbance from others, and she and Zhou Shuren could have more personal space. It was just a pity that their family was moving to Pingzhou.

Zhulan and Madam Zheng walked around the courtyard. Zhulan didn’t see any of the Zheng family members and didn’t know if they had left or were staying indoors.

After completing a round and returning to the main house, Zhou Shuren and Master Zheng had already returned. The two appeared as close as father and son, which made Zhulan quietly look away. Both foxes, it seemed they had found their kind.

Madam Zheng was amused; it had been a long time since the old man was so happy. The sons in the family were good at physical activities but lacked in intellect, which infuriated the old man. The grandsons were not too bad, but as the head of the family, he had to be firm. The third son had a stolid nature, which caused the old man many years of lack of joyful conversation.

Master Zheng said, "Old woman, quickly prepare some more pastries for the great-nephew’s children to take back."

Madam Zheng smiled, "I had them ready a long time ago."

No sooner had Madam Zheng spoken than Eldest Master Zheng brought in two baskets, one filled with pastries, the other with dates and other nourishing items.

Zhulan felt embarrassed, "This is too much. Anyone who knows would think we’ve come to look at the land, but anyone who doesn’t would think I’ve come back to my mother’s house to scrounge."

Madam Zheng chuckled, "How can you say that?"

Zhulan recounted how her parents had subsidized her, and Madam Zheng, empathizing with the sentiment, patted Zhulan’s hand and said, "That’s just a parent’s heart, always thinking of their children."

She also had often subsidized her daughter; otherwise, the ginseng medicines her daughter used to improve her health couldn’t have been afforded by her son-in-law. Her daughter’s survival to this day owed much to her and her husband’s subsidies.

About a quarter of an hour later, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren left the Zheng family’s gate, where Big Zhou, who had been taken away by Zheng’s elder brother, Big Zheng, was now back, sitting in the ox cart waiting.

Big Zhou was somewhat perplexed as he saw his parents come out and hurriedly took the basket from his father to place it in the cart.

Zhou Shuren and Zhulan exchanged pleasantries with Zheng’s elder brother for a while before mounting the carriage to head home.

After leaving Li Family Village with no one around, Big Zhou couldn’t hold his words back any longer, "Dad, didn’t you come to look at the land? Why did I end up being the one to see it instead?"

He was somewhat confused, having not anticipated that Big Zheng would take him to see the land, and he had introduced it in great detail, too. The paddies were slightly better than average, and the dry fields were genuinely good, most importantly, they were contiguous, stretching out before the eyes and leaving one’s heart feeling open and clear.

He repeatedly asked about his parents, but Big Zheng sidestepped, and had he not known his parents were fine, he would have rushed into their house!

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, realizing that the land viewing was here. Without responding to his son’s remark, he counter-asked, "What do you think of the Zheng family’s land?"

Big Zhou, seeing that his father did not respond, understood that this was not his place to question and replied, "The paddies could become first-rate with a few more years of cultivation, and the dry fields are already first-rate. They’re well cared for, and the soil is fertile. Dad, if we buy the Zheng’s land, just flipping the paddies in a few years could turn a huge profit. It’s definitely a good deal to buy their land, and had it not been for Auntie Zheng’s connection, it probably would have been sold before we even had a chance."

Zhou Shuren snorted, "Indeed, it’s only because of your Auntie Zheng that we’ve been hit by this unexpected windfall."

Big Zhou did not look back, sensing something more in his father’s words, and asked, "Dad, didn’t the negotiation go well?"

Zhou Shuren gazed at the sky, "It went well, the transfer will be made tomorrow."

Big Zhou looked back abruptly; the speed of this was too fast—his father had made the deal without even seeing the land? "Dad, how much did we pay for it?"

He remembered they were supposed to buy the residence as well. He swallowed, feeling the magnitude of his family’s leap. Now they not only had a house and a shop in the capital, but the land was close to a hundred acres, along with a big manor. He pinched himself hard, and though it hurt, it felt like a dream.

Zhulan also looked towards Zhou Shuren, not really knowing the specifics of the negotiation, but as she touched the bracelet on her wrist, she knew that no matter the price, they had made a gain.

Zhou Shuren, setting aside the unease from being outsmarted, thought everything else was quite satisfactory. Leaning against the ox cart, he said, "We’ll talk more at home."

Big Zhou had been anxious throughout the journey. With his father seeming in a good mood, the price must have been low. Holding the whip, he drove the oxen, hoping to get home quicker. The prospect of not having to worry about food and money and having a substantial family fortune filled him with vigor. He silently chanted his wife’s words, "I won’t split the family assets, not ever!"

Zhulan watched Big Zhou, who was like a chicken injected with vigor, feeling slightly amused at his intense reaction. Today had been a big shock for him, a lesson that there were still unexpected twists they hadn’t accounted for, and unnoticed pitfalls in areas they were unaware of. Fortunately, the Zhengs had been intending to use them to their advantage today. Had it been someone with ill intentions, it would have been too late for regrets. They still needed to be more careful and cautious.

When they arrived back at the Zhou family home, Zhulan got out of the carriage and stretched her legs a bit before entering the house. Big Zhou helped Big Second unload the ox cart while Zhulan and Zhou Shuren entered the house, followed shortly by their two sons.

Big Zhou, who had been concerned all the way, looked eagerly at his father and said, "Dad."