Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 333 Threat_1

Chapter 333: Chapter 333 Threat_1

The Hou Residence’s carriage crest was particularly conspicuous; Zhulan found it hard to ignore as she watched the familiar carriage come to a halt, with a familiar young servant and familiar faces.

Scholar Deng was somewhat stunned, staring blankly at the carriage of the Hou Residence, not understanding why it had stopped.

The broker shrank to the side, thinking it best for someone insignificant like him to stay out of the way at this moment!

This time, Yao Zheyu did not sit aloft in the carriage looking down, but alighted with the support of a young servant’s arm, courteously bowing and saying, "Scholar Zhou."

Zhou Shuren kept his composure, knowing full well that without a cause there would be no visit to the temple, and by the manner of address, he knew that the male lead had been paying close attention to the imperial examinations. Zhou Shuren returned the bow, "Mr. Hou."

Yao Zheyu’s young servant spoke up, "The young master has become the Princely Heir."

Zhulan, "....."

This turn of events was quite significant. She had almost forgotten the plot, but she had to remember the part where the male lead appeared—after all, she clearly recalled that he was still Mr. Hou a year later when he participated in the children’s trials!

Zhulan’s sidelong glance sized up Yao Zheyu. He was dressed entirely in black. Hmm, a darkened male lead really does have unmatched fighting power!

In just a few months, Zhou Shuren had become a candidate, and Yao Zheyu had become the Princely Heir directly. The ascent to Princely Heir in this dynasty required the Emperor’s approval. Given the Hou Residence’s situation, the Emperor would definitely want to obliterate it swiftly. How could it have been so smooth to get approval for the Zhezi?

Moreover, considering the male lead’s situation, it should have been one where his father didn’t care for him and his stepmother was malicious. Even under such circumstances, he managed to make Mr. Hou request an official title—his combat effectiveness was truly fierce!

The Princely Heir and Mr. Hou are completely different concepts. The only thing notable about Mr. Hou is his status as the legitimate heir, but the Princely Heir has the power to handle some affairs and access to the Hou Residence’s connections!

Yao Zheyu gazed at Scholar Zhou—rather, Scholar Zhou now—and not the insignificant character he had once dismissed from his memory. He had not anticipated that Scholar Zhou would come out on top so triumphantly. Yao Zheyu, who possessed a detailed investigative report, said, "Meeting is a form of fate, and my connection with Scholar Zhou is not shallow!"

Zhou Shuren maintained a smile, but inwardly he wanted to curse. Honestly, he didn’t want to have any connection with the male lead—whoever did tended to end up as cannon fodder. Although things had deviated, and you were no longer the male lead, your combat strength was still fierce. He really wanted to curse, "It’s only a slight acquaintance, Princely Heir, you flatter me."

The smile on Yao Zheyu’s face deepened. He wondered how he had never noticed Zhou Shuren to be a fox—especially a sly one at that. He had misjudged, "Scholar Zhou once saved me. What I say is nothing but the truth."

Zhulan, "..."

Now you remember the life-saving grace. What about a few months ago when you handed over the silver note to warn us about debts of gratitude and revenge—I suppose you forgot then?

Zhou Shuren, "...The silver has been received, and the debt of saving a life is no more."

Yao Zheyu thought of the silver, and he really hadn’t expected that Scholar Zhou’s wife was such a skilled money-grabber. The properties they had bought had all appreciated significantly, leaving him envious. He had been painstakingly scheming in secret against merchants and openly against his father, yet in several months, he had only netted two thousand taels. In contrast, the Zhou family’s fortune had doubled over a few months.

Yao Zheyu then thought of the land in Pinggang, his gaze growing even deeper. Scholar Zhou’s financial luck seemed excessively booming!

The most uncomfortable moment in such situations is the silence. Zhulan internally wanted to curse; this was West City, where the powerful were aplenty. Yao Zheyu could easily get someone killed. Great, now their family and Yao Zheyu were involved even if they hadn’t been before.

Just look at Scholar Deng’s dumbfounded expression and the broker looking scared. Hmm, she found the male lead more annoying than a clingy plaster.

Yao Zheyu lowered his eyelids, "Scholar Zhou, I have prepared a meal to congratulate you. Shall we move to the restaurant?"

Zhou Shuren internally cursed; the Princely Heir was determined to engage in a drawn-out confrontation. Whether he got into the carriage or not, he would appear to have a close relationship with Mr. Hou. He didn’t want Zhulan to catch a cold, "Princely Heir, please."

Yao Zheyu turned and boarded the carriage, thinking to himself that the old fox was still a decisive person. How had he let him escape back then? He was too young at the time!

Zhou Shuren once again enjoyed the ride in the Hou Residence’s carriage, feeling a wave of emotion inside. Having a title really makes a difference, just look at how enviously grand the carriage is. And the Hou Residence is indeed rich. The Emperor has been coveting the golden pig for a long time, why hasn’t it been slaughtered yet!

He really wasn’t a good person, especially after encountering dangerous individuals; his moral bottom line seemed to drop accordingly. He threatened me today, and I’ve remembered it!

Zhulan watched as the carriage pulled away, while Scholar Deng stood dazed, "Sister-in-law, are we still going to look at the estate?"

Zhulan gritted her teeth, "Yes, we’re going right now."

With that said, Zhulan boarded her own carriage. She was accompanied by Er Yue and Li Chun, not alone. Why wouldn’t she go to see it, especially since she was feeling aggrieved inside? Yao Zheyu remained annoying, with his haughty attitude inciting her anger!

Scholar Deng and the broker exchanged glances before boarding the carriage as well.

Zhulan inspected the estate at the northwest border. The place was truly dilapidated, but what she liked about it was a well in the courtyard, a small pond, and a few fruit trees. Oh, and there was also a small, untidy thicket of bamboo.

The broker was in an awkward position too; the estate wasn’t for sale before, and now that it was, no one wanted to buy it. "The owner wasn’t adept at managing it. Over the years, he had nothing left to live on, so the house became somewhat dilapidated."

"Somewhat dilapidated?"

If it weren’t for the fact that it wasn’t the season for snakes to wake up from hibernation, Zhulan would have never entered the place. The courtyard was overrun with wild grass, and looking at the rockery, she felt scared, afraid that a hibernating large snake might be underneath.

The broker felt a bit guilty saying it was just slightly run-down, "The location is still good, look. It can be built into a compound with three sections. If designed well, it can even be fashioned like the estates in the south."

Zhulan was calculating the amount of silver in her mind. The place was indeed large, but rebuilding it would require a lot of silver. She remembered the estate of Wu Chun and immediately put those thoughts aside, pursing her lips, "How much is this estate listed for again?"

The broker responded, "Two thousand four hundred taels."

The last time Zhulan came to the capital to buy an estate, she didn’t bargain because it was already the lowest price. She knew she couldn’t have talked it down anyway, and since she wasn’t familiar with Scholar Deng and was just starting out with Zhou Shuren, she didn’t want her finances exposed and paid in silver outright.

This time was different—her status had changed, not to mention that she didn’t think the estate was worth two thousand four hundred taels in her heart, "Two thousand one hundred taels, and if that’s acceptable, we’ll proceed with the transfer of ownership. If not, then let’s forget it."

The broker thought to himself that she cut down three hundred taels at once, and then he asked, "What about the two-section estate in West City?"

Zhulan really didn’t fancy the West City estate; it was small, and she intended it only as a temporary residence, "Two thousand eight hundred taels. Now it’s time to see what you can do. If you can bring down the prices, I’ll give you fifty taels as a thank you."

The broker, who was initially feeling troubled since even a small estate in West City was still in West City, perked up at the prospect of a fifty tael gratuity and the hope of selling the South City estate for the Zhou family. He gritted his teeth, "Please wait for good news, Mrs. Scholar!"

Zhulan said to Scholar Deng, "I’ve caused you some trouble today. I will invite you to tea another day."

Reliant on a Third-rank official brother-in-law, others perceived Scholar Deng as the Deputy Minister’s brother-in-law, yet in truth, the Chief of Staff’s own brother was the real brother-in-law. There were plenty of Third-rank officials in the capital, and a bargain brother-in-law who wasn’t a Chief of Staff really couldn’t compare to the Hou Residence, which held actual power!

Scholar Deng politely said, "I will surely visit in person on another occasion."

Zhulan curtsied, "I’ve been out for a while now; I should head back."

Scholar Deng, "Safe travels, Sister-in-law."