Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!

56: Chapter 56 Disrupting the Plan_1 56: Chapter 56 Disrupting the Plan_1 Zhulan and Zhou Shuren took the opportunity while dinner was not yet ready, letting the eldest carry Da Qian, and a group of people went to the Clan Leader Zhou’s house first.

Clan Leader Zhou was a clever man.

Seeing the group and not asking what they were there for, he knew they were headed to Zhang Datie’s house and promptly followed without a word.

He also sent his son to invite the Clan Leader of the Zhangs and the Zhang elders.

Zhulan had memories of interacting with the Clan Leader’s family.

In reality, the Zhou family and the Zhou Clan were familiar strangers, which explained why, in the novels when trouble befell the Zhou family, no one from the Zhou Clan came forward to help.

Zhang Datie lived at the edge of the village.

Zhulan’s group and the Clan Leader Zhang’s group arrived at Zhang’s house together.

The news had already spread throughout the village, but Clan Leader Zhang hadn’t expected Zhou Shuren to bring along Clan Leader Zhou.

They met quietly at the entrance and went straight into the courtyard without exchanging words.

Zhang Datie and his wife had fully intended to deny responsibility, but upon seeing the money that the Zhou eldest was carrying, panic set in.

The Clan Leader was here; they were certainly expected to compensate!

The Zhou Clan Leader found a place to sit down first and silently glanced at Zhou Shuren.

His presence was merely symbolic, and he gave the opportunity to speak to Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren, with a cold expression, had Scholar Zhou put down Da Qian.

Da Qian, his fever somewhat abated, had no strength, his face devoid of color, and his eyes tightly closed, looking ready to collapse at any moment.

Mrs.

Zhang shrieked, “We have no money.

Whoever caused the trouble should be the one to pay.”

Zhulan pointed at Da Qian, “Da Qian is just a kid and has not a penny.

We’re holding you two accountable.

The doctor has seen him; having injured his tendons and bones, he will need careful tending for a hundred days.

Less talk, hand over twenty taels of silver.”

If not for the fear that exaggerating the severity of the injuries might tarnish her daughter’s reputation, Zhulan would have been harsher and demanded more silver.

Although they were surely going to move away, they feared enemies might come in the future to take their daughter as a bondmaid, so it was better to be cautious.

Mrs.

Zhang clutched her chest, so pained she couldn’t breathe, “Twenty taels?

Why don’t you just rob us?”

Zhou Shuren’s eardrums ached, unwilling to waste time on Mrs.

Zhang’s babbling.

He stared at Zhang Datie coldly, “You too, don’t think of writing off your debt with the child.

Da Qian, being burned like this, was just seen by the doctor lately.

Getting him healed will cost five taels of silver, and he won’t be able to do heavy work afterward, or it will affect his lifespan.

Today, out of consideration that we live in the same village, I’ve brought both family clan leaders here to mediate.

If you refuse, tomorrow my wife’s family will come to have a slow talk with you.”

Zhang Datie, “….”

He was not afraid of the Zhou family, for it was no secret that the Zhou family was not close to the Zhou Clan in the village, but he did fear the Yang family.

He had once been a slave and knew how little the lives of the lower classes were valued, and was also well aware of the various underhanded means that existed.

The Yang family had too many discreet friends, which frightened him!

The Zhou Clan Leader looked at Zhou Shuren in surprise.

Ah, the once straightforward Zhou Shuren had learned to threaten others?

He had gone astray!

Stroking his beard, he thought, being straightforward is not as scary as having a scheming mind.

Looking away, he realized that he should not be so indifferent in the future.

After giving it some thought, Clan Leader Zhou said to Clan Leader Zhang, “Our two clans have had marriage ties for a long time, with most members related to one another.

None of us want to fall out over this, but the Zhang family must give Zhou Shuren an explanation.

How about this: the Zhang family gives five taels of silver to get the child’s illness treated, and after the child recovers, they can slowly repay the remainder of the debt to Zhou Shuren’s family.

With this arrangement, the matter would be considered settled.

What do you think?”

Zhulan privately thought that the man was cunning; Zhou Shuren had not even made a move, but the Clan Leader had already guessed his intentions.

Indeed, no ordinary person becomes a Clan Leader.

Clan Leader Zhang took a moment to regain his composure, his mouth twitching in confirmation that this request came from Clan Leader Zhou.

What was happening today?

Yet, he pondered whether the Zhou family and Zhou Clan had reconciled.

If that was true, then they could no longer be bullied.

The Zhou Clan had produced two Scholars in recent years while the Zhang family had only produced one student.

He envied the Zhou Clan’s numbers and began to consider his options.

Zhang Datie rolled his eyes around.

He was clever; if not, he wouldn’t have just broken a leg back then but would have lost his life instead.

Upon hearing Clan Leader Zhou’s words, he instantly understood Zhou Shuren’s primary objective was to take the child.

Zhou Shuren had planned for all contingencies, but didn’t anticipate that Clan Leader Zhou would stop being merely a token presence and start helping.

Considering the Zhou Clan’s stronger position, the Clan Leader spoke straight to the point.

Watching Zhang Datie’s restless gaze, Zhou Shuren sneered inwardly.

With the change in dynamics, he no longer needed to scheme; Zhang Datie, no matter how shrewd, would have to hold back now.

Zhang Datie thought in circles but couldn’t understand what was so good about Da Qian.

The only thing he could come up with was that maybe the Zhou family’s girl was severely injured, so they intended to make Da Qian take full responsibility as a boy raised for the matrimonial home.

Believing he had grasped the crux of the matter, he declared, “I disagree.

I have raised my child with hard labor; why should I give him away to the Zhou family for free?”

Zhou Shuren ignored Zhang Datie and looked at Clan Leader Zhou, signaling that it was now his move.

Clan Leader Zhou got the message.

He did not feel that his brash intervention had disrupted Zhou Shuren’s plans.

Believing in his own instincts, he felt that Zhou Shuren had changed.

If he did not take action now, he might completely miss the chance to benefit from Zhou Shuren’s success.

Conversely, this could also be an opportunity to improve relations.

He indicated that Zhou Shuren should leave it to him.