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

Chapter 359: Chapter 359: Living Up to the Ancestors_1

Zhou Shuren remembered bitterly the debt to the broker and put on a flattering smile, ”Even if I lose my head, I won’t change my wife.”

Zhulan, ”....You’d still drag me with you even if you became a ghost!”

Zhou Shuren laughed heartily, ”Right, even as a ghost I won’t let you go.”

Zhulan, ”.....”

Those who didn’t know any better would think she owed Zhou Shuren a huge debt!

Zhou Shuren patted Zhulan’s shoulder, ”Don’t get angry over insignificant people; it’s not worth it. I’ll take care of them after I’m done with my work.”

Zhulan sighed, ”I’m not really angry, just frustrated. Oh, and I’ve told Lady Li that there will be no taking of concubines in our family. Tell your sons, too, and don’t bring up anything about being of a certain age without sons and being allowed to take concubines. I can’t stand it.”

She didn’t care about other families, but in hers, what she said went. She truly had never seen two women live together in peace; she didn’t want a chaotic future filled with disputes to settle.

Zhulan thought for a moment and then continued, ”Just don’t bring this up while I’m alive. Once I’m dead, the Zhou family can do whatever they want.”

Children and grandchildren have their own luck. As in-laws who benefited from their marriage, she and Zhou Shuren had done enough for the Zhou family while alive. After their passing, it would be up to the Zhou descendants to fend for themselves. At most, they would leave behind a safety net for the Zhou family, and they would have done right by both their own original souls and the Zhou family’s frugal ancestors.

Zhou Shuren smiled, ”Alright, as you wish.”

If Zhulan hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have really thought about this. In order to keep the house peaceful, and to spare Zhulan any worries, establishing rules was indeed necessary.

In the main room, Lady Li was happily grooming herself and sitting on the kang bed, playing with Silver Coin. Her mother had recently given her quite a lot of money, and all the leftovers were now hers, significantly increasing her savings.

Zhou eldest son was feeling down. Lady Li was anxious this morning, but why was she ignoring him now in the evening, ”Is there nothing you wish to say to me?”

Lady Li, contentedly counting her Silver Coin, ”Say what?”

Zhou eldest son, ”....About the maid.”

Lady Li looked at the master of the house, ”Are you in the mood for this?”

After that, Lady Li glanced at the legs of the master of the house. Even the strongest legs would break when it was time to break them.

Zhou eldest son felt a chill in his legs and quickly shook his head, ”Not at all, I swear.”

Lady Li responded with an ”Oh,” ”I don’t believe your oaths, but I do believe Mother’s words. Mother said our family doesn’t indulge in taking concubines. If anyone dares, Mother will have Father break their legs, and yes, kick them out of the house.”

Zhou eldest son, ”.....”

Mother was indeed the most ruthless person. It seemed she was really upset tonight. Zhou eldest son felt a sense of relief; the broker better wait for Father to settle accounts!

The next morning, there were more servants in the house. Although Zhulan hadn’t made arrangements for the Ding and Wan families, Steward Ding had arranged for people from both families to work. Liu Ya, the wife of Steward Ding, was standing at the door of the main room from early on.

Liu Ya’s daughter-in-law brought in hot water, and Zhulan finally felt like a lady. Now, she didn’t even have to comb her own hair; Liu Ya’s hairdressing skills were truly impressive.

Zhulan looked at her blurry reflection in the Bronze Mirror, very pleased with the hairstyle. It was precisely the hairstyle she liked. Having only met a few times yesterday, Liu Ya had already committed her preferences to memory. One really couldn’t underestimate any servant.

However, Zhou Shuren’s hair was still combed by Zhulan, not allowing anyone else to touch it.

Previously, the courtyard was cleaned by the Ma family’s second child, Yu Shui, but today Er Yue had three new young servants clean it.

In the kitchen, Steward Ding had the eldest daughter-in-law, Li Xia, make breakfast, while Xing Hua, together with three little maids, helped out, so Lady Li didn’t need to lift a finger this morning.

At the gatehouse, Steward Ding had arranged for his second son to watch over it, while his eldest son followed him around.

For breakfast, there were steamed buns with cabbage and sausage, boiled rice porridge, fried bacon, and some pickles made by Lady Li.

The Zhou family preferred not to be waited on, so Zhulan had Liu Ya take the second daughter-in-law, Mang Zhong, downstairs with her.

Zhulan took a bite of the bun, and her eyes lit up, ”Steward Ding said the eldest daughter-in-law, Li Xia, was skilled in cooking without exaggeration, and indeed she’s quite good.”

Zhou Shuren nodded in agreement, ”Indeed she’s good.”

Lady Li, who wasn’t used to having ready-made meals, was somewhat uncomfortable, ”Mother, what will I do from now on?”

Without the cooking duties, what else could she excel at? Lady Li felt a strong sense of crisis.

Zhulan hadn’t made arrangements for the Ding and Wan families yesterday; firstly, because there was no rush, and secondly, she wanted to test Steward Ding, who did not disappoint her.

By the morning, Zhulan had a clear understanding of everyone, ”Wait until after breakfast, and then I’ll arrange everything. Let’s eat first.”

Everyone in the family got up early today, adjusting to the time Zhou Shuren left for the government office. Zhou Shuren hadn’t had breakfast yesterday, and Zhulan didn’t say a word about it. The anxiety alone was enough to get the eldest couple up before dawn today.

When Zhou Shuren headed to the government office, Er Yue was still the one to drive the carriage. Steward Ding dared not arrange otherwise, as he was worried about mishandling it since the Ma family servants were among the first.

When Er Yue returned, Zhulan had Steward Ding call all the servants together to make arrangements, ”From now on, Ding family’s eldest son, Goo Yu, will be responsible for running errands outside. The two Ding daughters-in-law, Li Xia and Mang Zhong, will be in charge of the kitchen.”

Zhulan paused then continued calling names, ”Xing Hua will be in charge of needlework from now on, and you’ll start by teaching the three little maids. Er Yue, together with the three young servants, will be responsible for cleaning the courtyard and taking care of the horses initially. Er Yue’s eldest, Li Chun, will follow the young master from now on. The Wan family’s Wan Jiu will be driving the carriage for the master, and his wife, Juan Hua, will serve alongside Mrs. Li as a maid.”

While speaking, Zhulan observed the servants’ reactions. Ma Eryue and Xing Hua were elated; both had people to manage and some power in their hands. The Wan family felt disappointed. Zhulan thought to herself that she had given them a chance and if they didn’t perform, they had only themselves to blame.

Zhulan continued with the arrangements, ”The eldest daughter of the Wan family, Da Shu, will serve the young mistress from now on, and Xiao Shu will serve the young master Ming Teng. The Ding family’s youngest son, Xia Zhi, will start by running errands by Steward Ding’s side. Is that clear?”

The servants chorused, ”It’s clear.”

Zhulan said to Lady Li reassuringly, ”All kitchen matters are managed by the eldest lady, needlework is under the young mistress’s control, and the Accounting Room is managed by the Ma family’s second child, Yu Shui.”

Chang Lian had also done some good deeds by teaching Yu Shui to read. Zhulan had specially tested him, and this lad was the brightest of the Ma family people, also having a talent for numbers. Zhulan had explicitly had the eldest teach him mathematics for future use in the Accounting Room. Relatively speaking, Zhulan still trusted the Ma family people more.

Whenever Zhulan thought about the Accounting Room, her head started to ache. She still had to separate the family assets from those registered in her name, allocate some of the silver coins, and there were a heap of things waiting for her to deal with.

Ma Eryue and Xing Hua, as a couple, were genuinely thrilled, knowing control over the funds sufficiently demonstrated the master’s trust. Although they had their suspicions, they couldn’t relax until the mistress confirmed it.

Zhulan, having assigned tasks to everyone, signaled them to disperse. Once the servants had left, Zhulan said to Xue Han, ”Tomorrow clean up the courtyard next door for you to live in. You’ll move there with Jing Zhe and Da Shu.”

Xue Han asked, ”Mother, why would you arrange for Da Shu to be my maid?”