Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 365 - Disappointment_1

Chapter 365: 365 Chapter Disappointment_1

Zhulan took out the blueprints she had drawn, "Tomorrow I will find some craftsmen to polish some unique wooden vases and weave bamboo baskets. What do you think of my drawings?"

Zhou Shuren took the stack of drawings, "I can’t help but admire, your drawing skills have improved tremendously."

"Thank you."

Looking over the drafts, Zhou Shuren said, "The designs for the wooden vases are quite good, Mrs. Zhou. Your tea-tasting banquet is sure to be a great success."

Zhulan took back the blueprints, "That’s what I think, too. My preparations will be complete in two more days. When do you have your days of rest?"

Zhou Shuren sat down and said, "Four days from now will be our day off."

"That’s just perfect."

Zhou Shuren also thought it was perfect; he had been longing for a book that was soon to be in his hands.

The next morning, Zhulan had Steward Ding’s eldest son, Goo Yu, go to look for carpenters. There were plenty of carpenters in Lizhou Prefecture City, and those who had worked for the Zhou family enjoyed it—a guaranteed three meals a day, silver coin paid daily, and if they didn’t eat at the estate, they could take the food allowance home. This rule had many asking if there was more work at the Zhou estate.

Zhulan also instructed Steward Ding to check out some properties. She had specific requirements for choosing a shop: first, it had to be spacious, and second, the location had to be prime, no matter if it was a bit more expensive.

The citizens of Lizhou Prefecture City had stabilized, and many had some silver to their names. With silver came demands. In the span of a month, the number of merchants in Lizhou had seen a noticeable increase, mainly cloth and sundry goods merchants, ensuring that residents with silver wouldn’t encounter the inability to buy soy sauce and vinegar.

With more merchants, Lizhou Prefecture City gained some vitality. The prices of shops and residences had gone up significantly, especially the residences. Some far-sighted wealthy households from neighboring prefecture cities had bought a fair number of properties in Lizhou.

As for shops, many were observing and waiting for more merchants before making their move.

Steward Ding was well-known in Lizhou Prefecture City, with a particularly high recognition. He selected a few suitable options and reported back to Zhulan. Riding in her carriage, Zhulan visited the shops—all located on a main street. By modern calculations, one approximated one hundred fifty square meters, the others around one hundred twenty.

Zhulan picked two shops, each one hundred twenty square meters, solely because the two were next to each other. In the future, not only could the two shops support each other, but if a merchant needed a larger space, they could be combined, potentially earning a higher rent.

The two shops were quite a bargain, costing a total of only one hundred and ninety taels of silver. Including the broker’s fees and other expenses, the total came out to two hundred taels.

Most of the shops in Lizhou Prefecture City were vacant. Zhulan wasn’t planning on running a business. Although many officials liked to invest with merchants or hide their business dealings behind others, Zhulan had no such plans.

She intended to keep her shops for now and rent them out next year. In fact, compared to shops, she preferred estates and land. One benefit of having official status was that as long as Zhou Shuren’s position was secure, they wouldn’t have to worry about selling the produce from their estates, nor fear being swindled by merchants.

Zhulan’s purchase of two shops in Lizhou Prefecture City was purely for investment. She believed that after the autumn harvest, real estate prices, be it residential or commercial, would skyrocket.

Being on the frontier had its advantages, making trading with foreign clans convenient. The dynasty had crippled the foreign clans but hadn’t prohibited trade with them. As long as Lizhou Prefecture City offered goods that attracted foreign merchants, its tax revenue could shoot up significantly.

Apples were scarce not only in the dynasty but even more so among the foreign clans, especially during winter. Dried vegetables were a delicacy, not to mention fruits.

Zhulan never considered transporting her home’s apples to the north to sell; there were good buyers nearby, so why bother seeking distance when she had proximity?

Time passed quickly, and Zhulan’s invitations had been delivered to the residences of the officials in Prefecture City. The preparations at Zhulan’s home were also all in place.

Ladies were invited to the garden, for the weather in June was not particularly hot, making it just suitable for entertaining guests outside.

The front courtyard was where Zhou Shuren entertained his colleagues.

For the food, the pastries were all made by Lady Li’s instructions to the kitchen, and the menu for dishes and drinks was set. Zhulan didn’t have much information; the only source of news was Zhou Shuren, and she truly did not understand the guests’ preferences. To avoid any lack of consideration, she prepared a table with sixteen dishes: four spicy, four savory, four sweet and sour, and four light; she also bought several types of wine.

Zhulan had invited everyone of rank this time. There were quite a few officials of rank in Prefecture City, and the ladies brought their daughters, along with maidservants. Fortunately, Zhulan’s garden was large; otherwise, it would have seemed crowded just looking at it.

Among these ladies, Zhulan paid special attention to Deputy Magistrate’s wife, Hua Yiren, as well as the wife of the Circuit Intendant, Lady Miao.

The Deputy Magistrate Chen Chen’s wife was forty-two years old, a petite woman with a soft southern accent. She was somewhat slender—well, all the madams present were somewhat slender, a result of vegetarian diets and figure maintenance; even after taking supplements for over a month, they hadn’t gained much back.

Lady Miao, the wife of the Circuit Intendant, was thirty-five, good-looking, and not short statured either. Every movement she made was rhythmic, a lady born into a wealthy family who knew how to maintain her appearance, looking around thirty years old.

Zhulan sized up the two, while Lady Hua and Lady Miao also scrutinized Zhulan.

Lady Hua was surprised. She had heard from the old master that Mr. Zhou was from a family of scholars and farmers, so in her mind, Mr. Zhou’s wife would be coarse like a countrywoman. Even if the daughter of the Yang family had become a general, it wouldn’t change her former status, especially since the Yang family had been buying and farming land ever since they arrived in Lizhou Province. She and Lady Miao looked down on them with disdain.

Even though her husband said that Mr. Zhou was top-notch in both capability and cunning, it only reflected on Mr. Zhou himself; she still disdained Madam Yang.

She had been eagerly awaiting an invitation from Madam Yang, hoping to watch the show and, incidentally, use Madam Yang’s coarseness to put pressure on Mr. Zhou—after all, Mr. Zhou had cast a shadow over her husband ever since he arrived in Lizhou Province.

She was there to see the joke today, but to her shock, Madam Yang, who was a few years younger, seemed ten years younger than her! Not to mention appearance for the moment, but what about poise?

How could Madam Yang come off as more noble than her, a woman born into an official family?

Lady Miao regained her composure, thinking that Madam Yang and Lady Hua could fight all they wanted—as long as she disliked both, that was fine. At least for now, Madam Yang didn’t seem simple at all!

As everyone took their seats, Zhulan smiled and said, "I have been in Lizhou Province for over a month without the opportunity to meet you all. I’ve arranged this tea tasting event today and hope everyone will enjoy the experience."

Lady Hua, listening to the agreeable voices around her, felt a bit stifled. She was used to being flattered; putting down her fan, she smiled and said, "I’m quite the tea lover myself, and we even have a tea garden at home. May I know what kind of tea Yiren has? The tea Lady Zhou has must be exquisite. Today, I am looking forward to a real treat."

Zhulan maintained her smile. Looking for trouble, eh? She had felt a bit of sympathy for Mr. Chen, but not anymore. She hoped Zhou Shuren would squeeze out a few more books.

Lady Miao covered her mouth with the fan. They were squaring off, weren’t they? Should she smooth things over? Perhaps not; it’s better to just enjoy the show.