Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 729: People Should Have Ideas_1

Chapter 729: Chapter 729: People Should Have Ideas_1

Master Wang had not arrived, but his voice preceded him, "From afar, I have heard Magistrate Wong’s joyful tone, could there be a happy event?"

Wong Ju’s face was beaming with joy, "Deputy Minister Zhou has been promoted to third-rank official and will temporarily act as the Vice Minister of Revenue. The government officer bringing the decree should be arriving soon."

Master Wang paused to collect his thoughts, feeling somewhat disappointed that it was not the Ministry of Personnel. Deputy Minister Zhou’s presence in the Ministry of Personnel had been a great help to him, but the Ministry of Revenue was also a fine place, "Congratulations, Your Excellency."

Zhou Shuren internally criticized the Ministry of Revenue but was still filled with joy. This promotion was not a small leap, "Congratulations to us both."

As Master Wang listened to Wong Ju recounting the events at court, his eyes dimmed with envy. Such was the advantage of having connections; Wong Ju, with his prestigious family background, was always well-informed, whether of good or bad news, unlike him who was groping in the dark.

Master Wang asked, "Now that Your Excellency is going to the capital, who will take over as Prefect of Jinzhou?"

Wong Ju felt there was a nine in ten chance it would be himself. Zhou Shuren had made arrangements for him; otherwise, his father would not have been so proactive in helping. These past days, the Government Office officials were not only currying favor with Deputy Minister Zhou but also with him. However, without receiving the imperial edict, he could not be certain, "It all depends on the Emperor’s will."

Master Wang smiled, realizing his question was unnecessary. After all, it wasn’t going to be him, and that was all that mattered.

By noon, Zhulan had seen off the officer who had delivered the decree. This time, receiving the decree was not chaotic at all, as Zhou Shuren had sent word back as soon as he got the news. Holding the decree edict, Zhulan was confident that the Emperor had also awarded her, and the reason was simple — who else had raised Rongchuan!

Zhulan, seeing the servants all beaming with joy, announced, "This month’s stipend will be tripled; everyone should share in the joy."

Steward Ding’s voice was filled with excitement, "Thank you, Lady."

With the head of the family promoted, the servants too would be held in higher regard wherever they went.

Steward Ding felt that his fortune was good. Despite some setbacks in his middle age, his latter years were blessed with good fortune; in a blink of an eye, he had become the steward of a third-rank official.

Zhulan’s decree robe had also changed, becoming that of the lady of a third-rank official, with gemstones on the headpiece now even more luxurious.

Xue Han whispered, "Mother, father said he might even be able to win you the title of decree wife!"

Her father was truly impressive; who knew how many years it would take Rongchuan to achieve her father’s feats!

Zhulan touched the decree robe, also believing firmly in this, "Mm."

Lady Li wanted to reach out and touch the robe but did not dare, even though her hands were no longer rough, she still did not venture to touch it. She could only look on with great yearning, unable to take her eyes off, "Mother, this decree robe is truly magnificent."

Zhulan smiled, "You will wear one too."

Lady Li grinned, "Ah, I can only pin my hopes on my son."

Eldest son Zhou felt sour. Lady Li could still hope for her son to request a decree; what about him? Now his wife scorned him, not thinking he hadn’t seen that disdainful look in her eyes!

Lady Zhao spoke up, "Mother, now that the decree has arrived, should we not hasten to pack our luggage?"

Although they had privately packed some things, they dared not make big moves, packing only the unimportant and easily dispensable items. Over the years in Jinzhou, they had accumulated quite a few possessions!

Zhulan instructed, "You all should also hurry with packing your luggage. Send what’s already packed to the capital, no need to wait and go together."

Going together, the convoy would certainly be very long; those unaware might think the Zhou family had endless silver coins. It was better to go separately.

Lady Li became somewhat anxious; the first wife’s belongings were especially numerous, but it was the day of great joy for her mother-in-law, and that day’s delay did not matter.

The group returned to the main courtyard, and Zhulan sat down, "You don’t need to surround me; go about your business."

Xue Han took up the conversation, "I’ll stay here and keep mother company; brothers and sisters-in-law should also hurry to pack your luggage so you won’t be in a flurry later."

Su Xuan, seeing her eldest sister-in-law and the second one silent, laughed and said, "Mother, we will head back first then."

Zhulan nodded, "Go ahead."

Lady Li blinked, the confidence of her fourth brother and sister-in-law was indeed solid, "Mother, I’ll head back too."

"Everyone can go now, let’s just have fun together tonight."

Soon, everyone left, and Zhulan picked up the paper, "Daughter, come write a letter to your sister."

Xue Han took the paper, "Mother, should we write one to the Clan Leader’s family as well?"

"Your father will write the letter to the Clan Leader when he comes back."

Xue Han, "Mother, we should also inform First Uncle and Second Uncle."

"Right, write a few more letters."

Zhulan arranged for her daughter to write letters while she went to the storeroom with Granny Song. Everything in the storeroom was neatly organized, with valuables and non-valuables marked. Zhulan said, "Have Steward Ding come over later; these things will be sent to the capital tomorrow."

Granny Song, "This trip to the capital is going to attract a lot of attention."

"We’ll divide it into three trips, send off the saved timber in three batches, and mix in some timber in each shipment."

Granny Song, "Understood."

Zhulan exited the storeroom, "Once we move to the capital this time, we won’t have to move again in the future."

Packing up was indeed an exhausting task. Some of the valuables were personally packed by Zhulan and Granny Song. Now, the only person who knew the full extent of the family’s assets was Granny Song.

In the main house, Lady Li may look chubby, but she was surprisingly agile. The floor and tables in the room were covered with items, yet as she moved back and forth, she didn’t knock over a single thing.

Zhou Shuren at first kept reminding her to be careful, but now, sitting in his chair, he watched his wife dash about the room.

Zhou Shuren listened to Lady Li’s murmuring and felt a headache coming on. "After all these years, you still haven’t learned to organize. You put things away and can’t even find them yourself."

Lady Li glared, "I’ve been worried about the children and you all day, my mind is consumed by you lot, where would I find the brains to worry about things?"

Zhou Shuren, "....no matter what, you’re always right."

Lady Li straightened her back, "Because I am always right."

Zhou Shuren, "...."

In the second wife’s chamber, Madame Zhao was also sweating profusely, "How did we accumulate so much stuff? How had I not noticed before?"

Yushuang wiped the sweat from her forehead, she was tired too from handling the valuables, "Mother, the furniture in the capital must all be there. We should dispose of some large pieces we don’t need."

Madame Zhao drank two sips of water to quench her thirst, "You’re right, it’s indeed time to get rid of some things we don’t use."

Yushuang rested briefly before continuing to pack. She still needed to go back to her room later to sort through her own possessions, and she had quite a few!

In the fourth chamber, Chang Zhi was tidying his study by himself. Su Xuan watched, tired just by looking, "You really don’t need a maid to help?"

Chang Zhi shook his head, "I need to pack my own things, so I can find them easily once we arrive in the capital. If a maid packs them, it will be a hassle to organize later."

Su Xuan sat in a chair, "Husband, you should also push yourself a bit more. When was the last time you earned a higher decree than the Magistrate?"

On hearing this, Chang Zhi almost dropped the book in his hand, "The Magistrate is second rank, my wife, your expectations for me are really high!"

Su Xuan smiled mischievously, "One must have aspirations in life, for it is with aspiration that one strives!"

Chang Zhi decided not to engage with his wife, a first-rank official’s wife, indeed, he didn’t dare to dream of it. His father might have a chance to secure a title for his mother, but he himself didn’t dare to think about it, not at all.

Su Xuan was just teasing her husband to give him a little pressure. She knew very well in her heart that their father had been very fortunate to have the right opportunity at the right time, making it hard to replicate his success.