Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 513 Don’t Let It Out_1

Chapter 513: Chapter 513 Don’t Let It Out_1

Zhou Shuren took the lady’s handkerchief, with its pale green fabric not bearing many words, yet the key message was clearly conveyed—a rescue letter from the Xu family consisting of just a few characters. Zhou Shuren put down the handkerchief and tapped the table, "They have no power."

Zhulan nodded somberly, "Indeed."

It wasn’t just a lack of power. The Xu family had some influence, but what was the outcome? In the eyes of the powerful, they were worthless and could be wiped out at any moment. In fact, to put it bluntly, the Xu family was caught in an undeserved disaster. It had nothing to do with the Xu family originally, but due to their acquaintance with the Zhou family, they were dragged in. The Xu family had always been quietly doing business, very diligent people indeed.

Of course, if it were not the Xu family, it would have been some other merchant. In the end, it all came back to the fact that merchants in ancient times held such low status.

Having reflected on this, Zhou Shuren felt even more determined to climb higher, for the higher one stood, the less likely one would be slaughtered. "In three days, at the finished clothing store, I’ll have to trouble you, my lady."

Zhulan smiled and nodded, "Mhm."

Zhou Shuren put away the handkerchief, "I’m going to the study first, and I’ll be back for dinner."

"Alright."

Zhou Shuren returned to the study, took out the handkerchief, and decided it was still best to put it away. After storing it, he gazed out of the window wistfully, then curled his lips, rose from his seat, and left the study. On his way back, Zhou Shuren, observing the sweeping servant, couldn’t help but stroke his beard. After a long observation, he hadn’t noticed anything amiss, which was a bit of a blow to his observational skills.

He had wanted to place more of the Emperor’s people in the mansion, but the Emperor was too stingy.

Fortunately, the Emperor was unaware of Zhou Shuren’s thoughts, or he would have exploded with rage. Did he think able spies were plentiful? Each one was a treasure, and here Zhou wanted more—such greed!

At dinner time, Zhulan recalled that the fourth child and his wife were back from their return visit, and she had yet to meet them. Ah, she had been so preoccupied with the handkerchief. At a glance, she could see that Chang Zhi was unhappy, while Su Xuan’s face was full of smiles, her eyes on Chang Zhi as if she wanted to melt him.

Zhulan was very curious on the inside, but unfortunately, she had to maintain her mother-in-law demeanor and couldn’t ask, which made her a bit sad. She could only communicate with her daughter through eye contact, hoping she would understand why tomorrow.

Su Xuan, "...."

Mother-in-law, your signals are too obvious, she was mentally exhausted!

Su Xuan also thought of how Chang Zhi had defended her at the Wong’s, and her heart leapt for joy. Just thinking of Wong Li’s ugly expression made her able to eat an extra bowl of rice.

Lady Li saw that the fourth brother and sister-in-law had eaten three and a half bowls of rice—such appetites! She was no longer the woman in the family who ate the most.

The next morning, Zhou Shuren checked the study and, knowing someone had tampered with it, he went to the government office with peace of mind.

Upon arriving at the government office, Zhou Shuren was surprised to see Magistrate Wong already there, "Why are you here so early today?"

Magistrate Wong looked utterly defeated, "Magistrate Zhou."

Zhou Shuren had been preoccupied with the affairs of the Xu family the day before. He held a lot of respect for the Xu family, who had waited so long to seek help, clearly having obtained something worthwhile to use as a bargaining chip. He was focusing on the Xu family as a breakthrough and hadn’t paid much attention to Chang Zhi. Seeing Magistrate Wong’s listless appearance, he felt an inexplicable urge to laugh, "Ah, Magistrate Wong."

Magistrate Wong clenched his teeth, "Please, manage the Fourth Master’s tongue in the future, or if that’s not possible, try not to let him out at all."

The Illigetimate Daughter was foolish yesterday, and really, she had never been smart. His relationship with Lady Li was getting better, and the more it improved, the less she could tolerate the Illigetimate Daughter. Lady Li had been decent, at least not mistreating her. Compared to his own miserable half-sister, his illegitimate daughter was much better off. The match he carefully chose for her, Wong Li screwed up herself. Even if they kept it hidden, some rumors would eventually slip through, and now, the marriage prospects would have to be lowered.

Yesterday, after the Magistrate’s daughter returned for her visit, she first envied the Magistrate’s wedding trousseau and then her good marriage. Acting foolishly, she couldn’t keep her mouth shut, and before the Magistrate’s daughter could respond, Fourth Master Zhou exploded. He was utterly convinced; Fourth Master Zhou’s tongue was indeed toxic. In just a few words, the Illigetimate Daughter was branded disloyal, unfilial, heartless, and unrighteous!

Magistrate Wong felt a headache whenever he thought about it. He was a clever man, his son too was sharp as a tack, his youngest daughter maybe not too cunning, but not bad either. Magistrate Wong thought to himself that she must have taken after her mother, being superficial.

Zhou Shuren’s eyes gleamed with mirth at the sight of Magistrate Wong’s miserable state, "Please, bear with it."

Moreover, it’s rare that he has a conscience; he doesn’t speak insincere words, and he’s deeply anguished, too. For the sake of his youngest son’s prospects in the officialdom, he must make an effort to ensure he doesn’t end up ensnared and sacked!

Magistrate Wang clutched at his chest, feeling that it would be best if Zhou Shuren’s fourth son did not come to visit in the future. He had been foolish. Zhou, despite sometimes showing disdain for his own sons, was at heart a man who would protect his own. "I have other matters to attend to."

Zhou Shuren waved his thin hand, "Do visit often for a chat when you have the time."

Magistrate Wang, "...."

No, he had no desire to see anyone from the Zhou family, especially Zhou himself.

Zhulan was also aware of what had happened. She felt that aside from Magistrate Wang’s worries about his illegitimate daughter, Lady Tao was actually quite welcoming to Chang Zhi. Chang Zhi had spoken what Lady Tao could not!

Xue Han sighed, "Mother, although Fourth Brother is not participating in the rural examinations next year, he will eventually, and once he enters officialdom..."

She didn’t need to finish her sentence; her mother would understand. She truly feared that one day her fourth brother might be knocked unconscious and abandoned in the wilderness.

Zhulan’s expression turned serious, "Your concerns are valid, so call your fourth brother over."

Xue Han let out a sound of acknowledgement, "I’ll go right away."

Xue Han reached the courtyard of the fourth branch and stood at the gate, unsure whether to enter or leave. She saw something, her fourth brother was actually painting, and he was painting his fourth sister-in-law, who was sitting on a chair.

Su Xuan was startled when she saw Xue Han, satisfying her curiosity. Why had she come back again? Her cheeks flushed red, this was not something she had asked to be painted, Chang Zhi just thought she looked good in red, so he painted her.

As soon as Su Xuan moved, Chang Zhi stopped his brush and turned to see his sister had come again, "Why have you come again?"

His tone was thick with annoyance!

Xue Han looked to the skies, speechless. In the past, although Fourth Brother had not exactly welcomed her, he had never shown such strong disdain. After marriage, Fourth Brother had changed. With a stern face, she said, "Mother sent me to call you."

Do you think I want to be here!

Chang Zhi paused, realizing it was Mother’s call, so he had to dutifully go, "I’ll be right there."

Xue Han had initially intended to return to her own courtyard. The tutor had taken leave these days, and she wanted to go back to self-study with Sister Wu Ning. But because of Fourth Brother’s tone, she decided she would rather go watch a play.

When Zhulan saw Chang Zhi and Xue Han come in, Chang Zhi spoke before she could, "Mother, did you want to see me for something?"

Zhulan pointed to Shen Xing, "He’s the best in martial arts in our house. Starting from tomorrow, you’ll be training with Shen Xing."

Chang Zhi looked as if he had been struck by lightning. He could manage studying, but martial arts training was out of the question, shaking his head vehemently like a rattle-drum, "No, Mother, you can’t do this to your own son."

It would be the death of him. If it weren’t necessary to travel, his favorite thing to do would be to lie down and read.

Zhulan sighed, "It’s precisely because you are my son that I must insist you learn. My child, your mother is unable to control your tongue, so to prevent the possibility of the white-haired sending off the black-haired, I must be harsh."

Chang Zhi pursed his lips; he knew it was because of yesterday’s incident. Last night, Su Xuan was happy, but when they were by themselves, she still told him that he shouldn’t have spoken like that.

Zhulan clutched at her chest, "Do you wish to make your mother sad?"

Chang Zhi’s mouth twitched, Mother, please stop acting; you’re not even shedding a tear, "Your son understands."