Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 302 Slapping Oneself Unambiguously_1

Chapter 302: Chapter 302 Slapping Oneself Unambiguously_1

In the evening, Zhulan checked the gift list and neatly sorted all the congratulatory gifts, which mostly consisted of fur today, although there were no bright red fox furs any longer, only some medium quality ones. The most collected today were mink furs. Although they were not of the finest quality, Lady Li cherished them dearly. Sadly, Zhulan still had no intention of sharing.

Zhulan sent the three daughters-in-law away, relocked the storeroom, and returned to the back yard with the gift list in hand.

Zhou Shuren heard footsteps and, seeing Zhulan returning, asked, "Are you done tallying?"

Zhulan opened the gift list, "The Shi family sent gifts too? Didn’t the Shi family relocate to the capital?"

Zhou Shuren took the list and saw the Shi family’s name, with quite a significant gift, a set of exquisite ceramic tea ware, "Pingzhou is the Shi family’s base; even with the master gone to the capital, someone was left in charge. Over the years, the Shi family has consistently sent gifts to scholar candidates, and the master must have left instructions before leaving. It’s unlikely he only sent one to me; I reckon the top ten graduates received them."

Zhulan took over the list, "It’s truly unexpected. When we first came here, based on the original host’s memories, how much the Emperor despised merchants, how harshly he suppressed them. I never imagined that our Emperor would rather slap his own face than be consistent, even permitting Shi Qing to participate in the imperial examinations. Once this precedent is set, there’s no stopping it in the future."

Zhou Shuren was also astonished by the Emperor’s shamelessness; he considered himself quite shameless at times but couldn’t compare with the Emperor, "That’s why the Emperor is a ruthless man. But it also proves that we’ve grown powerful wings. Shi Qing has indeed changed his destiny."

Moreover, the Emperor’s move to set a precedent was but bait, waiting for others to bite!

Zhulan closed the gift list, "The change in Shi Qing’s fate has been thorough. His master has become the Emperor. However, even if Shi Qing becomes an official through the examinations, he can only be loyal to the Emperor. The slightest hint of disloyalty and he would be annihilated in minutes."

Zhou Shuren chuckled lightly, "In the era of imperial power, loyalty is owed to the Emperor. Shi Qing’s move has been smart and grand."

Zhulan spoke somberly, "No wonder he dropped Wang Ru so decisively. He has clung to the sturdiest leg."

Zhou Shuren smiled with a twinkle in his eyes, "Actually, I quite admire Shi Qing. He’s fully embodied the principle ’if others do not care for their own lives, Heaven and Earth will annihilate them.’ It is just unfortunate that being of merchant origin limits his potential achievements in the imperial examinations; otherwise, he would have been quite a figure!"

Zhulan’s eyes glistened, "Who do you think is more formidable, Shi Qing or Wu Ming?"

Without hesitation Zhou Shuren declared, "Shi Qing."

"Why?"

Zhou Shuren’s lips curled into a smirk, "Shi Qing has always grown in adversity, navigating various powers from a young age. His mental fortitude and ruthlessness are beyond what Wu Ming can match. Wu Ming, on the other hand, has had a smooth path in the imperial examinations due to our indirect influence and has long lost the resolve to reach a high position."

Zhulan was deeply curious, "Do you think Shi Qing orchestrated the abduction of Wang Ru himself, secretly offering her up?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head, "Shi Qing is not that foolish. Knowing Wang Ru hates him, how would he let her meet the Emperor? Yet, he can’t kill her because he knows he can’t erase all traces of Wang Ru; the Emperor would eventually find out. Thus, the best strategy is to have Wang Ru abducted by someone else."

Zhulan squinted her eyes, "Shi Qing dares not kill Wang Ru, for upon her death, he would become the Emperor’s suspect. The Emperor’s suspicion would make him think that Shi Qing hadn’t disclosed everything, that he’s hiding something. Should Wang Ru die, Shi Qing would face the same predicament as her."

"Correct, and so the cleverest move was for Wang Ru to be abducted. The Emperor, given his suspicious nature, would never trust Wang Ru again. By the time Wang Ru is found, Shi Qing would have already gained enough of the Emperor’s trust. When faced with the unknown versus someone already understood, anyone would trust the person they already know."

Zhulan continued, "Moreover, Shi Qing must have nearly emptied Wang Ru’s mind."

Zhou Shuren said solemnly, "We can guess so much because we know who Wang Ru is, and we’ve always been paying attention to Shi Qing and Wang Ru. It’s hard for others to guess; Shi Qing is too cunning. If not for his background limiting him, his achievements would be immeasurable."

Zhulan silently reminisced. After Wang Ru was kidnapped, Shi Qing openly sought for her, with notices plastered all over the streets. She and Zhou Shuren had seen quite a few on their way back. Hmm, with Shi Qing making such a public search, the person who abducted Wang Ru wouldn’t dare let her show her face again and could only hide her away securely. Wang Ru’s situation was worrisome indeed!

Zhou Shuren noticed it was getting late, "Busy for two days, and haven’t bathed for two days, I’ll go heat some water for your bath."

Zhulan indeed wanted to bathe, "Alright."

Back in modern times, Zhulan used to bathe daily, regardless of the seasons. But in ancient times, conditions didn’t allow it, especially in Dongbei. Bathing in the summer was somewhat convenient, but in the winter, not only was it troublesome, but the cold made her reluctant to move. Zhulan had changed many of her habits.

By the time Zhulan and Zhou Shuren bathed, it was very late. Zhou Shuren, exhausted from carrying water, didn’t chat anymore. They lay down and fell asleep shortly after.

In the following days, the number of people coming to offer their congratulations decreased, while those wishing to become disciples increased. Many were scholars wanting to take Zhou Shuren as their master. Some sincerely sought apprenticeship, valuing Zhou Shuren’s abilities, while a large part came for future benefits.

Zhulan knew Zhou Shuren too well. None of these people had a chance. Zhou Shuren wouldn’t take disciples. Teaching the Zhou family’s sons was just for living better; he was certainly not willing to spend the energy on teaching disciples!

Especially in ancient times, a master was like a father, and Zhou Shuren, who found it troublesome, was even less willing.

Those who came left disappointed, and as word spread that Zhou Shuren didn’t accept disciples, visitors gradually dwindled.

The invitation from Jiang Residence arrived. It was the first time Zhou Shuren had received an invitation from Mr. Jiang, and Zhulan was to go with him.

Zhulan didn’t plan to bring Lady Dong, even though Lady Dadong was her own sister.

This visit to Jiang Residence, Zhulan went alone. She dug out clothes she bought in the capital, brought jade accessories, packed up gifts, and went with Zhou Shuren to Jiang Residence.

This was Zhulan’s first visit to Jiang Residence, a compound with four courtyards. Zhou Shuren stayed in the front courtyard, while she was led by the steward to the inner courtyard.

Zhulan walked with her eyes straight ahead, carrying herself with natural grace.

The steward observed her secretly and nodded with a smile, "Graduate’s wife, this way, please."

Zhulan followed the steward, stepping through the doorway with a mild smile and a nod.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhulan met Lady Jiangdong, who sat in the host’s seat. Lady Jiangdong looked a lot like Lady Dong. Lady Jiangdong was well-preserved, not seeming her thirty-one years, appearing to be in her twenties instead.

Zhulan hurriedly glanced at Lady Jiangdong’s clothes, which were everyday attire. She thought Lady Jiangdong might try to intimidate her because of Lady Dong, but to her surprise, she was quite amiable. Zhulan took mental note and stepped forward to perform the courtesy, "I pay my respects to Lady Yiren."