Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 1164: Chapter 1074: The Female Prime Minister 12

While waiting for the food, the three people listened to the folks in the tavern chatting about everything under the sun. Shuangshuang, feeling bored, just eavesdropped on others’ conversations.

If this were the information-explosive modern society, Shuangshuang wouldn’t have the interest in listening to others gossip.

Unfortunately, in this era of closed-off information, there’s no telling what useful tidbits might be hidden within others’ gossip.

Of course, not everything is discussed. Definitely, sensitive topics are avoided; it’s usually just trivial domestic talk.

Initially, the conversations were normal, but as the drinks flowed, these men’s topics started going downhill.

At one table, a few men, possibly quite drunk, with reddened faces and swollen necks, started talking about taking concubines and brothel Oirans.

They talked about which wealthy merchant spent a fortune to win over a high-class escort, and which businessman took an Oiran home as a concubine. Truly undeserving of their status, taking a prostitute as a concubine is simply scandalous.

Then there was talk about a wife who was so jealous she sold off her husband’s favorite concubine, now causing havoc between the couple at home.

Another man complained that his ”dragon lady” wife sold his childhood sweetheart, a personal maid, to a secret brothel, making it impossible for him to redeem her and take her back, especially now that he’s already been cuckolded.

Shuangshuang just listened to gossip about this family’s concubine, that family’s Oiran, and his own family’s tough wife, until she felt dizzy.

It’s hard to believe that these grown men, when gathered, engage in the same gossip that they criticize women for.

The dishes were served quickly; Shuangshuang hadn’t listened to much gossip before the waiter brought the food.

The braised duck, with its crispy, golden exterior and stuffing of various ingredients, was tender and delicious. The steamed fish was so fresh, subtle in flavor with no fishiness. These signature dishes were absolutely as good as their reputation suggested.

While Shuangshuang was absorbed in eating, the drunk man at the nearby table, who complained about his ”dragon lady,” finally said something that caught her attention.

Lowering his voice, the man said to the man trying to console him, ”Brother Li, don’t try to dissuade me. I’ve already decided not to endure that shrew for much longer. In half a year, at most a year, I’ll definitely divorce her.”

”Brother Wang, don’t act impulsively. Think about your father-in-law. Your current business relies entirely on his support. If you impulsively upset him, you won’t be able to run your business anymore.”

Brother Li, knowing Brother Wang well, hurriedly urged him not to act rashly.

The man known as Brother Wang poured another drink and downed it in one gulp, ”Brother Li, don’t worry about me. I recently got word from a friend who runs a business in the Capital City that the current Emperor plans to build a temple for the Empress.”

Lowering his voice even further, Wang tapped his fingers discreetly on the table, ”Right in this very place, the local officials will oversee the construction.

I plan to stockpile some raw timber and bricks ahead of time. Once the Holy Decree is issued to start building the Empress’s temple, I can sell them for a huge profit.

With money, I won’t be under my father-in-law’s thumb anymore, and I’ll surely get rid of that shrew of a wife.”

He said this last sentence so quietly that, besides Brother Li, none of the other drunken men at the table heard it.

But Shuangshuang, with her spiritually nurtured sensitivity, though frail, had keen hearing and caught every word Brother Wang said.

After hearing this news, Shuangshuang was a bit distracted, nibbling on her chopstick, deep in thought, slowly formulating an idea.

Because she was preoccupied, she barely enjoyed the rest of her rare good meal. After eating, she couldn’t even recall its taste.

On the way home, Shuangshuang lay on Yin Zheng’s back as he carried her.

With a fortune of silver notes in his pocket, a devoted wife beside him, a beloved daughter on his back, and a stomach full of food, Yin Zheng wore a satisfied smile all the way.

On the way back, Yin Zheng rare purchased a pack of candy, putting it in plain sight. But of course, he didn’t plan to let those ungrateful people have any of it. He intended to flaunt it to spite them.

After all, since his daughter was in poor health, it was only natural to not let other kids snatch her candy, and no one could criticize him for valuing his daughter like treasure.

Mrs. Wang was also in high spirits today, so much so that she even put aside thoughts of dealing with Old Master Yin and Mrs. Zhao’s wrath at home.

Anyway, if neither scolded the couple for a day, their tongues itched. Mrs. Wang had gotten used to it. If they dared to hit her, she’d run, and if they scolded her, she’d ignore it. Nothing mattered as long as she was happy with her life.

On the road back to the village, Shuangshuang finally couldn’t hold back, poking Yin Zheng’s back.

”Dad, have you ever thought about splitting from the family? You see, even when we have money, we have to sneak around just to have a decent meal.

And Fourth Uncle, he’s helped us a lot over the years. Now that we’re well-off, we still can’t help him out.

Fourth Uncle isn’t getting any younger, and it’s about time to marry. I don’t see Grandpa and Grandma helping to arrange anything.

If they don’t intend to have him work for Uncle for life without marrying, they plan to marry him to someone unsuitable who brings a substantial dowry.”

Initially joyful, Yin Zheng sighed with helplessness upon hearing his daughter’s words.

”Do you think your father doesn’t want to split from the family? Your father and mother are both strong workers and you’re our only child.

But you’re a sickly one with a small appetite, consuming little medicine and food. How could your grandparents ever let us split off?”

”Today, though, I thought of a good idea. Grandpa and Grandma only refuse to let us go because they profit from it.

If staying doesn’t benefit them, but instead brings disaster, they might initiate the split themselves, and we wouldn’t need to worry at all.”

”Oh, Shuangshuang, what’s your idea? Tell me,” Yin Zheng perked up hearing his daughter’s words.

Even Mrs. Wang, who had been silent, listened carefully. Honestly, over the years, Mrs. Wang may have ignored daily scoldings, but that was her strong mentality, cultivated to avoid being aggravated to death.

Truthfully, no one likes being scolded, and if given the chance, Mrs. Wang would love to live separately, even if life became more challenging, rather than endure the daily abuse from that old hag.