Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 236 Condition_1

Chapter 236: Chapter 236 Condition_1

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren sat down, and as Zhang Datie looked over at the Zhou family’s sons, Zhou Shuren did not hide them. However, the matter Zhang Datie was about to speak of was very secretive. Zhou Shuren and Zhulan exchanged a glance, and both of their gazes fell on Rongchuan simultaneously.

Feeling uneasy under their scrutiny, Rongchuan couldn’t understand why his uncle and aunt were looking at him this way.

Having been sold into servitude from a young age, Zhang Datie was adept at reading people. Seeing the reaction of Zhou Shuren and his wife, he understood in his heart that even if he did not speak, the Zhou family would have their suspicions. Indeed, they should suspect, for as time passed, Rongchuan’s face had filled out and he looked less and less like a member of Zhang family.

Zhang Datie rehearsed the words he wanted to say in his mind, "It seems that Scholar Zhou has long suspected, and indeed, I am here for that very matter today. Rongchuan is indeed not my biological son. I can tell you what I know, but I have my conditions."

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren inwardly exclaimed that it was indeed so, their minds had been wavering all along. Although they had seen many news stories in modern times about biological parents mistreating their children, in ancient times when the preference for sons over daughters was especially strong, having multiple sons shouldn’t lead to the mistreatment of the eldest son. As Rongchuan grew older, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren had discussed it in private.

Particularly after the male lead arrived and mentioned how "benevolent" he looked, Zhou Shuren etched this statement in his heart. Following the laws of male leads, the male lead would not say anything superfluous, which made Zhulan and Zhou Shuren even more certain that there was something wrong with Rongchuan’s origins.

However, neither Zhulan nor Zhou Shuren had expected Zhang Datie to take the initiative to reveal this. They were surprised that he had come today not to try to win Rongchuan back, but to speak the truth.

Rongchuan was the most shaken; he had indeed harbored doubts. Which parents would treat their own child this way? Later, he stopped wondering. But now, what he had fantasized turned out to be reality.

The Zhou family’s young men were inexperienced, and even less familiar with the sordid affairs of the inner quarters. They had never considered this possibility and their reaction was significant.

Zhou Shuren leaned back in his chair, feeling quite uncomfortable and not wanting to waste time, "First, state your conditions."

Knowing he had been put on the back foot, Zhang Datie didn’t dare make an outrageous demand, since the Zhou family had long held suspicions. Now that they had asked him to state his conditions first, and pursing his lips, he found the Zhou family truly vexing, "Don’t you want to know Rongchuan’s identity?"

He didn’t believe Zhou Shuren would not be in a hurry.

Zhou Shuren was indeed not in a hurry, because he and Zhulan feared that Rongchuan might become cannon fodder, and they wanted things to take their natural course. Of course, the main reason was that he was now too weak to be a pillar of support for Rongchuan. What difference would it make if Rongchuan found out now? Who knows, the sooner he found out, the sooner he might become cannon fodder!

With a faint smile, Zhou Shuren said, "Regarding Rongchuan’s origins, I indeed am not in a rush. What fate bestows at its time is smoothly gained, and what is not in one’s fortune should not be forcefully sought after. What is meant for Rongchuan will naturally not need to be sought after, and what is not meant for him will be in vain even if he knows. Why should we seek trouble for ourselves?"

Zhang Datie, "...."

He really wanted to curse, especially at the highly educated members of the Zhou family. It would be enough that they had a cunning mind, but why did they have to read so many books!

Zhulan was anxious, annoyed by Zhang Datie’s dawdling and feeling sympathy for Zhou Shuren as he endured his discomfort. Her complexion darkened and her tone became impatient, "Are you going to speak or not? If not, then leave."

Zhang Datie heard that they were really trying to send him away. How could that be acceptable? He couldn’t be aggressive, so he had to lower his demands, "First, it’s simple. Let Rongchuan swear that no matter what happens in the future, he must never seek revenge on us. Second, give me one hundred taels of silver."

Originally, his demands were greater. He had carefully analyzed Zhou Shuren and thought Zhou Shuren becoming a Scholar was not a problem. His plan was to ask for one hundred taels of silver and to have the family land registered in Zhou Shuren’s name to avoid paying taxes in the future. He would use the family’s savings to buy more land, which would earn a fair amount of Silver Coin each year. But fearing Zhou Shuren was too crafty, he had to lower his demands.

Zhou Shuren looked at Rongchuan, "What do you think?"

Rongchuan had already calmed down. He did want to know about his origins, but the demands were too high, and he did not want his uncle to spend silver coins. He already owed his uncle and aunt too much. Thinking of his uncle’s words, he also gained some insight, "Uncle, I don’t want to know about my origins. Just like you said, when the time comes, I’ll naturally find out. If the time hasn’t come, then it’s not meant for me to have."

Zhou Shuren was pleased. Rongchuan’s perception was quite good. What he had just said was more for Rongchuan than for Zhang Datie. A person’s nature is very important, and he had not misjudged Rongchuan. Although this child was not as cunning as Chang Lian, he was also not bad, very smart and of good nature, and with his talent for studying, it was hard to determine who would be more successful in the future between him and Chang Lian.

Zhou Shuren hummed in acknowledgment, looking at Zhang Datie’s pale face, truly a failed negotiator, "Twenty silver taels, will you talk or not? If not, then leave."

Zhang Datie really wanted to turn around and leave, but he couldn’t, for without this, he wouldn’t have a single copper coin, "Fine, give me the silver coins first."

Rongchuan was startled, "Uncle, why spend silver coins?"

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Although fate will reveal itself when the time comes, sometimes knowing in advance gives you some control over the future, and a peace of mind, doesn’t it? ’Knowing the enemy and knowing yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles,’ it’s naturally good to know in advance."

Zhang Datie, "...."

Is it too late for him to regret it now? But seeing Zhou Shuren’s smile that seemed like a smirk, he knew Zhou Shuren wouldn’t give him the chance to take it back.

He didn’t dare to take it back anyway, afraid that Zhou Shuren would seize the matter and send him to the government office!

Rongchuan stood there dumbfounded, how could his uncle always make sense!

The eldest Zhou saw nothing strange. Father was always like that; whatever Father said was right.

Zhou Er also learned a lot today. Compared to Father, he was still too green in deceiving people.

Chang Lian clenched his fists excitedly; this was what he had to learn.

Zhulan observed Rongchuan but also noticed Chang Lian. Chang Lian’s gaze seemed familiar; Chang Lian had utterly idolized Zhou Shuren!

Zhulan took out the silver and handed it to Zhang Datie. Zhang Datie, stifling his frustration and looking at the twenty taels, thought he would make a fortune today, but who knew it would only be twenty taels? After receiving the silver, he said, "I was sold and changed several masters before ending up in the capital. There were wars at that time, and the capital was a coveted spot. The battle reached the capital; the capital was in chaos. The master’s family had money and became a target. One night, people forcefully entered, and I saved the Family Head’s life."

Zhang Datie lifted his leg as he spoke, "I lost a leg in the process. The Family Head was grateful for my loyalty and, since I was crippled, granted me grace, releasing our family’s indentures and gave us a good amount of silver. The chaos in the capital soon ended, a new dynasty was established, and our family was released from servitude."

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren didn’t rush him to get to the point; they didn’t know if everything Zhang Datie said was true. They could only analyze the useful messages from what Zhang Datie said.

Zhang Datie continued, "My leg was injured and couldn’t endure long-distance travel, so I needed to rest. Having already left the master’s family, we couldn’t go back, so we rented a house for my recovery, hoping to heal quickly and return to our hometown soon. That recuperation lasted for over half a year, and then we spent another winter because of the cold, and in the spring of the second year of the new dynasty, we planned to return to our hometown."

At this point, Zhang Datie paused.