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

Chapter 329: Chapter 329: Posting the List_1

Lady Li saw her mother-in-law’s face was no longer flushed, but her gaze was somewhat piercing. She put down her plump hand, realizing she had done something foolish again, and smiled ingratiatingly, ”Mother.”

Zhulan let out a cold snort, ”You say I haven’t seen Lady Zhao and Lady Dong for a long time, and suddenly I find myself missing them.”

Lady Li became anxious, ”Mother, what would you like to eat today?”

Zhulan maintained a smile, ”I want to eat you!”

Lady Li looked down at herself and, with a pained expression, stretched out her arm and rolled up her sleeve, ”Mother, would the meat on my arm do?”

Zhulan rolled her eyes inwardly. Lady Li had become clever now, able to follow along with her words. Feeling irritated, Zhulan flicked Lady Li’s forehead, ”Getting smart, are we?”

Lady Li smiled sheepishly, ”I am well taught by you, Mother.”

Zhulan glared at Lady Li, who had grown quite close with the wife of the merchant next door—Lady Li had certainly picked up a few tricks!

Lady Li covered her forehead and watched her mother-in-law leave, chuckling to herself. As long as she was in Mother’s good graces, Lady Zhao and Lady Dong could step aside!

Xing Hua had been keeping her head down all this time. She used to think the eldest lady was simple and naive, but now she saw that the eldest lady was the clever one. Even though the eldest lady could be easily confused in other matters, she knew how to ingratiate herself with her mother-in-law, which put her ahead of the other two ladies. No wonder the lady of the house had only brought the eldest lady to the capital!

In the blink of an eye, another two days passed, and in that time, Zhou Shuren, thanks to his strong constitution, had recovered from his cold; Wu Ming, on the other hand, had gotten worse. Thankfully, the exams had ended, giving Wu Ming plenty of time to recuperate. The results of the provincial exams wouldn’t be announced for another month!

As for the palace examination, the date was not fixed, but it was always in April, depending on whether the Emperor wanted it at the beginning or middle of the month.

Once Zhou Shuren had recovered, he had intended to visit Zhao Bo, but just as his visiting card was sent, he received news that Zhao Bo had fallen ill as well.

The heavy snowfall during the provincial exams had really put the examinees in a tough spot. Resigning himself to the situation, Zhou Shuren decided to just stay at home and not go anywhere.

After waiting another three days, Wu Ming’s illness had improved significantly, and another two doses of medicine should do the trick. He would need to take it slow and easy from now on.

Wu Chun’s second letter had also arrived, and this time it contained only a written message.

After reading it, Yang Zhumu’s eyes reddened. Zhulan, who was sitting beside him, watched anxiously. After wiping away a tear, Yang Zhumu handed the letter to his sister, ”Take a look.”

Zhulan took the letter, which didn’t say much. It mainly discussed the family matters settled in Lizhou City, and then it conveyed regards, with most of the message talking about Wu He, who, having recovered from his illness, had been promoted to an eighth-rank military officer, stationed not in Lizhou but in a county town.

Yang Zhumu sighed at his son’s hardships; all the silver awarded to him had been spent. ”When father and mother arrive, we should set out. By my calculations, it’s also time for me to start preparing.”

”The eldest brother indeed needs to prepare. Based on what Wu Chun said, Lizhou City lacks just about everything. You should buy more seeds, too, Brother. There’s no need for an excess of rice seeds; instead, buy more wheat and corn seeds. Oh, and purchase more sweet potatoes and potatoes as well!”

Lizhou City was short on food, and sweet potatoes and potatoes were valuable commodities.

Yang Zhumu’s mind wasn’t as detail-oriented as his sister’s. ”Help me think it through, I’m afraid I might miss something.”

Zhulan replied, ”Alright.”

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren both carefully reviewed the checklist and handed it over to Yang Zhumu to make the necessary arrangements.

From what Zhulan remembered, the original body didn’t know much about how substantial the Yang family fortune was, but based on the luggage the eldest brother had brought, it was clear the family assets were not negligible.

Zhulan, as a daughter, also prepared clothes and other items for her parents.

Zhulan prepared the clothes for her parents and noticed Lady Li was downcast, ”What’s wrong today? Did Eldest upset you?”

Lady Li shook her head, ”Mother, the Xu family next door is moving away.”

Zhulan really didn’t know; in February, she was first busy with Zhou Shuren and then helping her eldest brother prepare things. The Xu family’s lady hadn’t visited since, ”Their trade in the capital is doing so well, why are they moving?”

Lady Li looked around and whispered, ”Mother, Qi Clan’s eunuch got wind of something about expanding some port. Their entire family is moving there to stake a claim early. They also mentioned something about starting maritime trade in the future. Mother, what is maritime trade? Isn’t the sea just water?”

Zhulan’s heart soared, oh my, this really was big news. She quickly pinched Lady Li, ”You sort out the rest of the fabric!”

Lady Li touched her cheek, puzzled at her mother-in-law’s excitement.

Zhulan went back to her room to find Zhou Shuren; he was reading. She excitedly said, ”Pinggang is probably going to expand.”

Zhou Shuren put down the book, ”That’s big news. Where did you get this information?”

”The Xu family next door is moving. Their daughter-in-law gets along well with Lady Li, right? It was Qi Clan’s eunuch who told Lady Li in secret, also mentioning something about starting maritime trade.”

Zhou Shuren thought to himself that the Imperial court must be really short on silver, as the Northwest and other regions are all waiting for food relief, ”This is good news!”

Zhulan calculated rapidly in her mind, ”Of course, it’s good news; not only will property prices in Pinggang rise, but the land will too. We own eighty mu of land, after all!”

After this investment, she planned to buy estates; two or three of them, to stabilize her annual income. With the remaining silver, she would continue to invest. As for shops, Zhulan hadn’t thought about buying them yet. Investment was the fastest way to earn silver, especially during a period when the Imperial court was continually loosening policies on merchants. During such a time, as long as you seize the right opportunity, you could make a fortune.

Stroking his beard, Zhou Shuren said, ”Send Eryue and Li Chun to Pinggang first to gather information.”

”Right, and also have them keep an eye on the property and land prices in Pinggang.”

Zhulan wasn’t thinking of investing further in Pinggang; the merchants with insider information always had backgrounds. Their family’s footing in the capital was nothing, and it was fine to have invested early, but to rush in now would simply be asking for a quiet life to end—courting death!

Zhou Shuren had dispatched Eryue and Li Chun to take care of matters; with two young servants missing, many tasks became less convenient—even Eldest Zhou had grown accustomed to ordering Eryue around.

Zhou Shuren also felt out of sorts and, with Zhulan, lamented, ”Luxury is easy to get used to. Suddenly having no one to order around feels quite uncomfortable. After the examination results are released, let’s buy another household of servants.”

Zhulan also felt the shortage of staff. She was preparing to buy estates, which required stewards. Help was needed everywhere. Zhulan sighed, ”We need a steward, a good one is hard to find.”

She had observed Ma Eryue closely; his mind wasn’t the sharpest, and his abilities were limited—At best, he could manage an estate.

Zhou Shuren did not wish for Zhulan to worry about everything, yet a good steward was hard to find, ”Let’s take our time and see what comes our way.”

”Yes.”

Three days later, Eryue returned with Li Chun. Although they hadn’t obtained precise information, from the property prices and the gathering of merchants, the Xu family’s news seemed accurate.

Zhulan felt relieved; all she needed to do now was wait.

In the blink of an eye, it was late March, the day the examination results were to be announced. Zhulan and Zhou Shuren rode in a carriage before dawn to wait.

Many people had the same idea; Zhulan’s carriage arrived late. There were quite a few carriages already there and numerous guards surrounding them. No use getting any closer; they could only wait on the side.

Zhulan clenched Zhou Shuren’s hand, ”Do you think I should dare to hope?”