Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 366: Heart Bleeds_1

Chapter 366: Chapter 366: Heart Bleeds_1

Lady Hua spoke up, and the bustling garden fell silent.

With a smile, Zhulan said, "The tea is here, and Concubine Yi will know once she tastes it."

Taking a cue from her mistress, Liu Ya went down to serve the brewed tea.

As the teacups were presented at each table, Lady Hua could tell it was fine tea just by the smell. If she couldn’t overshadow Lady Yang today, wouldn’t she and her husband be suppressed by the Zhou couple?

After taking a sip, Lady Hua’s heart sank. Weren’t the Zhous of a scholar-farmer background? How could they have such top-tier tea? Reluctant as she was, she couldn’t make a fuss over nothing; she intended to overshadow Lady Yang, not to trouble her master. She kept a straight face, "Not bad."

Zhulan’s smile deepened, "It seems Hua Yiren has had better tea, for even tea bestowed by the Emperor is merely ’not bad’ in her eyes!"

She understood why Lady Hua was picking a quarrel— it was a matter of stance—but that didn’t mean she was of a mild temperament herself.

Lady Hua’s hand trembled, and she took a deep breath. Now, she thoroughly dared not underestimate Lady Yang. If Lady Yang had revealed from the start what kind of tea it was, she wouldn’t have picked a quarrel. But Lady Yang had not, waiting instead for her to make a move before setting a calm trap. Such a deep strategist... Thinking of her husband’s evaluation of Mr. Zhou, the couple both had hearts like beehives, full of craftiness.

Lady Miao squinted her eyes, finding the scene fascinating. She thought she could play the peacemaker, "Today, thanks to my sister-in-law, we have the privilege of tasting top-tier tea. I offer my thanks to her."

Zhulan paused for a moment. This Lady Miao really resembled the Circuit Intendant Zhou Shuren often spoke of—both had the knack for smoothing things over, "Today is not just for tea tasting; I’ve also bought some flowers. We can arrange them while we chat."

As she spoke, Liu Ya and the others had already brought over the flowers and various vases.

Zhulan said with a smile, "I thought it’d be monotonous always using porcelain vases, so I had wooden vases and bamboo baskets specially crafted. Everyone can choose their favorite for the flower arrangement."

Lady Miao’s eyes brightened; she liked the shape of the wooden vases. "Sister-in-law’s idea is really ingenious. However, just us arranging flowers is not interesting enough. How about letting our daughters compete, and we serve as judges? The winner gets a prize."

Today, everyone had brought their daughters, with the eldest being thirteen and the youngest around eight—deliberately chosen to be close in age to Xue Han.

Lady Hua had regained her composure and said with a smile, "That’s a good idea."

Zhulan had no objection, "Very well, since today’s tea party is hosted by me, I’ll provide the prize."

Turning to Liu Ya, Zhulan instructed, "On the third shelf of the cabinet, there is a set of newly forged jewelry. Bring it here."

This set of jewelry was prepared by Zhulan as part of Xue Han’s dowry, newly made in the capital. A festive and auspicious gemstone-encrusted headdress. Today there was no need to be discreet; although it was a significant expense, Zhulan seized the opportunity to ensure no one underestimated the Zhou family again.

There, the ladies were all eager to see the jewelry.

In the front courtyard, Zhou Shuren and his company had just begun tea tasting.

After taking a sip, Chen Chen’s ulterior motives vanished, and he puzzled over how such tribute tea came into Mr. Zhou’s possession. He had even thought about surpassing Mr. Zhou in the art of tea, "Exquisite tea."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Given by the Emperor, though I do feel somewhat guilty!"

Chen Chen swallowed the tea in his mouth, his respect for Mr. Zhou’s favor with the Emperor deepening. Considering he had never even seen the shadow of the Emperor himself, having worked his way up arduously, the envy was unbearable, "Mr. Zhou has stabilized Lizhou Prefecture City, from where does this guilt stem?"

Zhou Shuren enjoyed the back-and-forth, "I’m worried about next year’s imperial examinations for children and the provincial exams. Ah, I am unworthy of the imperial grace!"

Chen Chen fell silent; it was indeed a troubling matter. "Ah!"

Zhou Shuren added, "However, I have a solution, as long as the gentry here are supportive."

The Circuit Intendant He Yun respected Mr. Zhou and believed his solutions benefited Lizhou Province, "Please speak, sir. If there’s anything we can assist with, we certainly will."

Zhou Shuren looked at Chen Chen, and Mr. Chen didn’t know why, but he had a bad premonition. Seeing everyone agreeing, he suppressed his anxiety and said, "Please, continue."

Zhou Shuren’s mouth curved into a smirk, "I’ve decided to hire...."

Zhou Shuren repeated what he had said to Zhulan the day before. After finishing, he paused and said, "I come from a family of scholars, and we don’t have many books at home. I’m not like Mr. Chen, who often tells me about the books he has read. I’m ashamed to admit, many I have not read. However, I do have two rare books. They’re not unique copies, but they are worth some silver. I’ll bring them out—ah, who makes me have fewer books in my collection than Mr. Chen? My embarrassment."

He Yun, "...."

He had said that Zhou Shuren didn’t seem like a man with a good temper, so why did he endure Mr. Chen? He had been waiting for this moment!

Chen Chen, "...."

He regretted boasting. If only there were a pill for regret!

Zhou Shuren took a sip of tea, "The tea bestowed by the Emperor is indeed a generous grace!"

Chen Chen, "....."

That was said for his benefit. Chen Chen took a deep breath, "I’ll put up three books."

Zhou Shuren fondled his teacup. "Let me count how many books Mr. Chen mentioned these days that I haven’t read. Seems to be seven, or..."

Chen Chen hurriedly interrupted, "Five books, Zhou Shuren, I’ll put up five books."

Zhou Shuren didn’t want to be too demanding, even though he clearly remembered it was eight, "Then I must have remembered wrong, five books, five books."

Chen Chen breathed a sigh of relief, yet his heart was bleeding. As more copies would be made, even his treasures would decrease in value, which pained him.

Seeing Zhou Shuren looking at him, He Yun jumped with alarm. "We don’t have many books at home either, but my wife brought two books as her dowry. I’ll put up three."

Zhou Shuren was quite satisfied. He Yun came from a family of scholars just like himself.

The other officials had thoughts of cursing and were speechless, but they had all drunk the tea bestowed by the Emperor. Those who genuinely couldn’t produce books decided to donate silver instead.

Upon hearing that they could donate silver, Chen Chen’s heart wasn’t just bleeding anymore, it felt like it was running dry!

In the garden, Liu Ya had already returned with the headpiece, which Zhulan had spent fifty silvers on!

Zhulan smiled, "This headpiece was crafted by a famous master in the capital. I’ll use it as the prize today."

Lady Hua and Lady Miao exchanged glances, aware that such a headpiece was not cheap. They signaled to their own daughters with their eyes. They must win.

Especially Lady Hua needed the win to ease the frustration in her heart.

Zhulan chose a bamboo basket and flowers and sat down. She didn’t put pressure on her daughter. After all, the other young ladies hadn’t learned this either. The art of flower arrangement had been passed down from mother to daughter in the dynasty, and although its origins were ancient, it had only been a game among young girls in the current and previous dynasties. If it weren’t for Zhulan wanting to save on silver and make the event presentable, she wouldn’t have thought of this idea.

Time flew quickly, and the young ladies finished their arrangements, which were very simple—whatever looked good, they did.

To ensure fairness, the young ladies’ works were anonymous, and they were seated apart from the adults. Zhulan and the others took pens and wrote down their favorites. Whoever got the most votes won.

The rules were simple, and the results were quickly announced.

The final tally reached Zhulan’s hands. She raised an eyebrow at the list, quite surprised.