Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 942: Lost Face

Chapter 942: Chapter 942: Lost Face

In the afternoon, Zhulan met with Scholar Deng. Before the year ended, she had inadvertently won a sum of silver. After the new year, Zhulan sent people to Jiangnan to purchase a large estate—literally a large one—and also bought shops in a Prefecture City by the coast where a port might be built in the future, reasoning that coastal real estate prices, especially rents for shops, would rise.

In ancient times, as long as there was no war, with a stable population increase, property remained the most reliable investment.

Having just acquired twenty thousand taels, keeping it would not make it multiply, so it had to be spent. With ample silver in hand, she summoned Scholar Deng to buy residences. This time, she only purchased in the capital, preparing for the future distribution of the family assets.

Scholar Deng was stunned, "Buy residences?"

Zhulan nodded, "Yes, I have a requirement, the three-section residences must be large."

In the future, when dividing the family property, as long as nothing grave befell the Zhou family, the residences would be for her sons to live in for their whole lives, so it was better for the places to be larger. Three-section residences were not easy to come by, but she was not in a rush.

Scholar Deng inwardly took a deep breath. A big spender indeed, intending to buy five residences! He had always known that Officer Zhou’s family was wealthy, but he had not expected such opulence, especially considering that Miss Zhou was to be married off this year!

Scholar Deng noted this in his heart and was happy to see the Zhou family prosper. The better off the Zhou family was, the better for him.

In the afternoon at the Hanlin Academy, Rongchuan and Chang Lian left the academy together. Rongchuan had met the Du family and was frowning, "Were you waiting for me?"

Although he was an elder, unfortunately, he did nothing to inspire respect.

The eldest son of the Du family, Du Qiang, was already of age. Relying on his seniority and high rank, he said, "I personally came to invite you for a drink."

Rongchuan did not want to go, even less did he want to interact with the Du family, since Duke Ning’s household had essentially ceased all interactions with the Du family, "Today, my grandfather has matters he needs me for."

Although Du Qiang was a scoundrel, he wasn’t foolish. He realized immediately that Rongchuan did not want to go. If Rongchuan didn’t show up, his efforts would have been in vain. With a pained expression, he said, "I know I’m a scoundrel, but I’ve also been quite honest recently. Can’t I get even a little bit of face?"

Rongchuan did not care about the Du family. He wasn’t aware whether Du Qiang was truly being honest, and even if he were, it had nothing to do with him. Just as he was about to speak up, Chang Lian tugged at his clothing.

Chang Lian sneered inwardly, Honest my foot, "Since it’s about drinking, Rongchuan, you might as well be generous and invite him to the Duke Residence for a drink. I think uncle will certainly be pleased."

Du Qiang’s face darkened. He disliked anyone from the Zhou family, "No, that’s not necessary. The Duke would not want to see me. It’s better to have drinks outside; I have already booked a tavern."

Rongchuan, having no desire to deal with Du Qiang, said, "If that’s the case, then forget it. I have other matters to attend to, I will take my leave first."

With that, Rongchuan pulled Chang Lian along and they left together.

Du Qiang wanted to stop them, but sadly his age and years of indulgence had taken their toll and he could not do much more than watch as Rongchuan got into the carriage.

In the carriage, Chang Lian asked speechlessly, "Why did you drag me up here?"

He also needed to return home.

Rongchuan smiled slyly, "Today, I will treat you to drinks. Let’s eat out."

Chang Lian understood, "You want to see what Du Qiang is up to?"

"Yes, diligent offers for no reason suggest either a traitor or a thief. It seems the Du family has yet to learn its lesson."

In the evening, back at the Zhou household after dinner, Chang Lian returned, and Zhulan was discussing with Zhou Shuren the future division of the family. Chang Lian’s face was so dark it seemed ink could drip from it.

Zhulan raised an eyebrow, "You sent a young servant back to say you were going out with Rongchuan for drinks. What, did you have a fight?"

A fight wouldn’t account for such a dark expression.

Chang Lian gritted his teeth, "The Du family truly dares to dream big; they don’t see our family in their eyes at all."

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, oh, it was the first time he had seen Chang Lian so angry, "What did the Du family do?"

Chang Lian recounted the events that had unfolded at the entrance of the Hanlin Academy and what they later found out. Du Qiang actually wanted his daughter to become Rongchuan’s concubine. He dared not only to think it but also to attempt it. He and Rongchuan found out at the tavern that Miss Du had already arrived there.

Zhulan’s eyes widened in shock upon hearing this. To challenge Lady Du’s reputation like this was something Lady Du had never contemplated, not even if the Du family became utterly destitute.

In Rongchuan’s presence from then on, Lady Du would find it impossible to hold her head up high.

Chang Lian’s face darkened, "Thankfully, Rongchuan didn’t go."

Zhou Shuren said, "Even if you hadn’t stopped him, Rongchuan wouldn’t have gone. He has more wits about him than you."

Ever since Rongchuan returned to the Ning family, his education was in the hands of Duke Ning and Mr. Hou, and Rongchuan’s progress had been rapid.

He continued to tutor Chang Lian as well, but he was too busy, which meant his guidance for Chang Lian was somewhat lacking. Chang Lian’s progress wasn’t as fast as Rongchuan’s.

Chang Lian, in his heart, wouldn’t admit that Rongchuan performed better than him in the imperial examinations. He accepted that begrudgingly; but in terms of cunning, he was not willing to concede, "Father, for the Du family to dare such an act, they clearly don’t regard our family with any respect."

It was a slap in the face of the Zhou family and hurt his sister as well.

Zhou Shuren wanted to say that he had wanted to teach the Du family a lesson but hadn’t gotten the chance, and today’s events would surely reach the Emperor, spelling a grim fate for the Du family.

Zhulan said, "Don’t be angry now. Your father and I are aware of it. Go back and rest for now!"

Chang Lian’s anger subsided a bit, knowing his father wouldn’t let the Du family off the hook, "Father, Mother, you should rest early too."

Zhulan replied, "Mm."

Once Chang Lian had left, Zhou Shuren stood up, "The Du family is done for good."

Zhulan let out a melancholic sigh, "That’s why educating children is so important."

After the Du family’s decline, the marriage prospects for the daughters of the Du family had vanished. Now, with this incident, Du Qiang had really blundered, ah, how difficult it is for women!

At the Ning Duke Residence, Rongchuan was upset, but he had no intention of discussing it with his father. After all, it was his aunt’s maternal home, and he still wanted to leave some dignity for her.

Rongchuan might not have spoken about it, but there were always those around him who did not lack information. Both Mr. Hou and the Emperor were aware of the situation before Rongchuan even returned.

Mr. Hou thought about sending a message to his second brother, but after some consideration, he decided against it, choosing to act ignorant since Rongchuan hadn’t mentioned it.

The next day, Zhulan kept a close watch on the Du family. The eldest son of the Du family had been taken away; Zhulan thought to herself that the Emperor must have been holding back his fury, and the Du family had now collided with it.

The Du family had long been in decline, and nobody paid them much heed; Zhulan was only paying extra attention due to her family’s involvement.

Mrs. Du went to the Duke Ning Residence only to be turned away at the gate, then returned to her parental home, and not long after returned to the Duke Residence, never leaving again.

Zhulan thought to herself that Lady Du must’ve realized why by now, having lost all face.

In Duke Ning’s Residence, Lady Du’s face burned with shame. How dared her elder brother do such a thing? How was she to face her daughter-in-law, her mother-in-law, and her younger brother-in-law in the future?

Lady Du was frantic with anger at her paternal family and irked by her younger brother-in-law for not showing any familial consideration. Yet she breathed a sigh of relief; if her brother-in-law chastised her elder brother, he would not speak of this matter further, and the reputation of the Du family daughters was preserved.

Upon receiving the news, Marquis Ning knew he would be scapegoated, but he didn’t care at all. It was better for the Du family, a source of continual trouble even in their decline, to leave the capital.

At the Zhou Residence, Zhulan didn’t hide the situation from Xue Han, "In the future, such scheming will become more frequent. After you are married, you cannot just focus on the positives. Mother knows that Rongchuan is deeply affectionate towards you, but I still wish for you to remain strong no matter what happens in the future."

The current Rongchuan was sought-after, and would be even more so in the future. Whether for personal gain or for power, Rongchuan would always be coveted.

Xue Han was angry about the Du family’s plotting and fell silent after hearing her mother’s words, "Mother, I’ve taken it to heart."

Just as Zhulan was about to say something else, Nanny Song entered. Zhulan looked at her, concerned, "Has something happened?"