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

Chapter 145: Chapter 145 Unknown Fear_1 Ming Qing said, ”It’s not our family that had an accident, but Wu Ming’s family. His grandfather, who drives the carriage, knocked someone over, and they’re extorting Wu Ming. They demand Five taels of silver right off the bat and are currently blocking the Wu family’s door for money! Wu Ning, the young lass, came running to seek help. Uncle wasn’t at home, so Xue Han took out her own silver and borrowed the rest from me. We had just managed to pool together Five taels for Wu Ning, so she could take it back first. My aunty Xue Han asked me to wait at the door for you.”

Zhulan did not simply assume it was an accident. With just a few days left until the exam, it seemed too much of a coincidence. She said to Ming Qing, ”I’ll give you the silver coins in a bit.”

She also said to Zhou Shuren, ”Let’s go have a look too!”

What an opportunity to lend aid amidst disaster!

Zhou Shuren looked down at his clothes, ”With the Five taels of silver already taken over, even if they do not give up, they won’t lay hands on us. Let’s change our clothes before we head over.”

Turning to Ming Qing, he said, ”You’ve been to Zhao Bo’s place before. Go and see if Zhao Bo is at home. If he is, take him to the Wu family. You know their address.”

Ming Qing replied, ”I’ll go to Zhao Bo’s house right away.”

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren returned to their courtyard where Xue Han was waiting. ”Mother knows all about it; it’s alright, don’t worry,” Zhulan said. ”Lock the door when your mother is not home, and stay inside.”

Seeing her parents had returned, Xue Han felt relieved, ”Okay.”

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren took out their finest clothes and got dressed. Zhulan also wore the hairpins, bracelets, and earrings that she had never worn before.

Zhou Shuren sat by and watched, astounded by her beauty. Had the timing been different, he would have wanted to go forward and draw her eyebrows for her.

Together, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren also brought along twenty taels of silver.

The Wu family lived some distance from Zhulan’s home. By the time they arrived, the crowd that had gathered to watch the excitement was gone, but the extortionists had not left.

Upon reaching the entrance, Zhulan remarked, ”That carriage looks familiar.”

Zhou Shuren studied it carefully, ”Seen before, naturally familiar.”

Zhulan’s eyes widened, ”Isn’t that the carriage from Wang Laosiji’s family? Why is it parked here?”

Zhou Shuren found it intriguing, ”Interesting, let’s go in and take a look.”

The Wu family’s home was a small courtyard they rented for One hundred and fifty coins a month. Originally from East City, they didn’t get much from selling their two rooms. They relocated here for a better environment and the possibility of more odd jobs.

The courtyard was small, with just three rooms and a little kitchen. Everyone had congregated in the main room. Without counting carefully, Zhulan could see that the room was packed, and her gaze immediately found Wang Ru, who was dressed like a rich young lady, standing out conspicuously in the middle.

Lady Li saw Zhulan and Zhou Shuren and hurriedly came out to greet them, her voice somewhat hoarse, ”How did you all come?”

Upon seeing Lady Li, Zhulan could see she had been crying. She already looked older than her fifty-odd years from constant labor, and today’s events had aged her even more. ”Wu Ning came to our house earlier, but we were not at home. We heard about the situation when we returned and naturally, we had to come see. Didn’t she take the silver? Why haven’t they left?”

Lady Li was furious, it was a blatant case of bullying, ”They’ve raised the price now, demanding ten taels of silver.”

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren exchanged looks. It was as they had expected, this was not a simple case of fraud. ”Let’s go in and take a look.”

Lady Li was at her wit’s end. Their family’s roots were in East City, but East City was poor, and even if they had relatives, they could offer no help. That’s why she had the audacity to ask the Zhou family for money. The money was borrowed but still did not solve the problem. She clung to Mrs. Zhou like a drowning person grasping at a lifesaver, hoping it wouldn’t affect her grandson’s exam. Her eldest grandson was the family’s hope.

Zhulan helped Lady Li into the hall. Everyone in the hall turned their gaze towards Zhulan and her husband, particularly the ghostly stare from Wang Ru, which was exceptionally noticeable.

Wang Ru’s pupils constricted. How could Zhou Yang’s family be in Pingzhou, and dressed like wealthy people at that, exuding a demeanor that seemed more aristocratic than any Mrs. Guan she had seen. During the more than two months she had been confined at home, cut-off from news, what had happened to the Zhou family?

A sense of unknown fear caused her to panic completely. Although the plot of the novel was increasingly blurred, the old Zhou couple had never left their village. Why were they here in Pingzhou?

Zhulan ignored Wang Ru and helped Lady Li seat properly.

Zhou Shuren chatted with Wu Ming, learning about the incident in brief. Wu Ming had not spelled it out directly, but Zhou Shuren understood well enough—it matched his suspicions. Someone did not want Wu Ming to pass the Scholar exam, or even continue to partake in the civil service examination at all.

Wu Ming’s face was clouded with gloom. To kill someone over such a small matter was excessive. They went after his grandfather and pressured their family. If he didn’t know the Zhous, he would be helpless and oppressed.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren, dressed finely with Zhulan particularly resembling a Mrs. Guan, caused the extortionist family to feel intimidated.

Zhulan saw it all clearly and had her own understanding of the situation. If those behind this had strong connections, they wouldn’t have hesitated, nor would they have resorted to such a lowly scheme. With this knowledge, she had a base to resolve the matter.