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

Chapter 900: Chapter 900 Smart People

Zhou Shuren reacted quickly. Before Hu Xia could speak, he took up the conversation, ”Since it wasn’t given, then it must belong to Liufeng’s possessions?”

After hearing this, what else could Hu Xia not understand? Lord Zhou must have already investigated the Gu family. He nodded, ”Yes, it belongs to Liufeng’s family property.”

Zhou Shuren, peeling pine nuts, said nothing but gestured for Hu Xia to continue.

Hu Xia straightened his posture and cleared his throat—habitually—before the top superior of the Ministry of Revenue, ”Liufeng’s paternal cousin didn’t say anything superfluous upon arrival, he directly handed over the document dividing the Gu family’s inheritance from back when old Master Gu decided before his death. The intention was, after his passing, for Liufeng’s uncles to deliver it to the capital. Unexpectedly, Liufeng’s uncles didn’t bring it.”

Zhou Shuren nodded to show his understanding. He wasn’t concerned about how much property the Gu family had allocated to Gu Liufeng; he was more interested in the fact that, ”Liufeng’s paternal cousin is indeed a clever man.”

This was about using Liufeng’s rightful inheritance as a stepping stone to take root in the capital—seeking protection.

Hu Xia dared not speak. Gu Liufeng’s paternal cousin had just arrived in the capital, which was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites, controlled by the Phang family. Because Liufeng was betrothed to the Zhou family, they got involved with Liufeng’s property. In the end, it was for the Zhou family that they came.

Zhou Shuren liked clever people and admired the actions of Liufeng’s paternal cousin. It wasn’t easy to claim Liufeng’s property; swallowing gold and then having to spit it out again would be too uncomfortable. The fact that they forcibly interfered meant that a lot must have happened in between.

Hu Xia couldn’t tell what Lord Zhou was thinking. He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and calmed his somewhat flustered heart. He feared that the Gu family’s actions had offended Lord Zhou. His ever-smoother career at the Ministry of Revenue was all due to Lord Zhou’s protection, and he knew too well what the Hu family would face if the Zhou family renounced the marriage.

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, ”Liufeng is a good child.”

Hu Xia’s heart settled. After thinking it over, he still decided to come clean, ”The Gu family’s property has been accumulated over several generations, so their family wealth is indeed significant. When the old Master Gu allocated the inheritance to Liufeng, it wasn’t out of forgiveness but because the Gu family’s wealth was so substantial that it couldn’t be defended without backing, which is why they thought of me. At that time, my official rank wasn’t high, but I was still a Capital Official.”

Zhou Shuren understood. If it had truly been forgiveness, the old master would have brought Liufeng back before dying, not waited to send the property posthumously. The old master still wanted to take advantage of the Hu family.

Hu Xia continued, ”Just not expecting that Liufeng’s uncles would swallow the property. If Liufeng’s paternal cousin hadn’t been promoted just at the right moment, the Gu family’s wealth would have been divided up long ago. Even so, over the years, the Gu family had sold off quite a lot of the property and had declined greatly.”

In the end, what was preserved was all thanks to Liufeng’s paternal cousin.

Zhou Shuren asked, ”Our Yushuang and Liufeng are engaged, so Liufeng’s uncles must already know. But they haven’t come to the capital?”

Hu Xia’s eyes showed contempt, ”They are scared. They have been bullied for years, swallowing Liufeng’s inheritance, afraid of Liufeng’s resentment. How could they dare to enter the capital? Now, the Gu family would rather shrink back in their hometown and not move. Liufeng’s paternal cousin became a concubine for someone—that was the County Magistrate of Xinxian County, who is already over thirty.”

Zhou Shuren hadn’t heard such detailed information. His main concern at the time was the overall situation of the Gu family. He sighed inwardly—such a good girl, used as a bargaining chip and given away, her life ruined.

Hu Xia, seeing Lord Zhou let go of the pine nut, his heart tensed again, ”My Lord?”

Zhou Shuren looked away, ”It is getting late.”

Hu Xia never thought he could stay for a meal in the Zhou residence. Let alone him, a Division Chief—many officials who came to pay New Year’s visits weren’t kept for a meal either. It was indeed getting late. He stood up and at the same time placed the document from his bosom onto the table, ”These are Liufeng’s properties.”

Zhou Shuren hummed in acknowledgment, watching Hu Xia stand up to take his leave.

Zhulan waited for Hu Xia to leave before she came out from the inner room and picked up the list on the table. There was silver amounting to one thousand taels, not many antiques, but there was plenty of land, including an estate in Xinxian County, two shops in Xinxian County, and some jewelry, etc.

Zhulan put down the list, ”There isn’t much, the valuable things are the land, the estate, and the shops, all in Xinxian County. This shows that Liufeng’s grandfather had already anticipated the situation of the Gu family today and had planned for the future. It’s a shame that Liufeng’s uncles didn’t hold on to it.”

Zhou Shuren also took a glance, ”At that time, it was less for Liufeng and more for Hu Xia. After all the scheming, it still ended up in Liufeng’s hands.”

Zhulan gestured for the old servant Madam Song to leave before sitting down and saying, ”Liufeng’s granduncle is quite sensible. If he has no issues, it is actually good for Wu Ming. Even if you managed to take care of the Tao family clan, they wouldn’t be wholeheartedly supportive, and the Tao family clan still harbors grand ambitions. This newcomer, on the other hand, could be of great help to Wu Ming.”

It’s hard to clap with one hand, and since the Tao family wouldn’t play along, another collaborator would have to be found.

Zhou Shuren laughed, ”It’s a pity that women in this dynasty can’t hold office. If given the chance, you’d do just as well.”

Zhulan chuckled softly, ”I think being your behind-the-scenes strategist is quite nice.”

Zhou Shuren grabbed his wife’s hand, and gently pinched it, lamenting that the bit of weight she had managed to lose over the New Year had all come back, ”I won’t be meeting Liufeng’s granduncle.”

Zhulan curled up the corners of her mouth, ”You want to see how this man will act?”

”Isn’t that what makes it interesting?”

Zhulan was originally quite happy, but she became unhappy when she saw Zhou Shuren pressing down on her slightly swollen stomach, ”Why pierce my heart like this during the New Year?”

Zhou Shuren did not withdraw his hand, ”I have to say, it does feel quite good.”

Zhulan hummed, being fat had its advantages, the wrinkles that were there before had disappeared, and her skin had improved as well. It was true that overweight people didn’t show their age as easily!

In the Gu family, Gu Zhuomin heard the news reported by the young servant and gestured for the young servant to leave. His wife, Lady Ding, asked, ”Do you think Hu Xia will speak in your favor?”

Gu Zhuomin was uncertain, ”I’m not sure.”

Lady Ding had accompanied her husband through thick and thin to this day. The Gu family was in decline, and her husband’s journey had been very difficult. It was common for others to usurp his achievements, let alone take the blame for them. Her husband was not getting any younger and had finally made it to the capital, but the capital was a real den of dragons and tigers, a minor official with no backing entering the capital could only expect a path filled with thorns.

Gu Zhuomin pressed his brow, ”Lord Zhou is not an easy man to please; only those who catch his eye will receive more attention. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter how much you do, it’s useless. However, I think the move I made was correct.”

He might not be in the capital, but he knew some people. Although they were lower-rank officials, he could glean some news. He was truly happy when he learned that the child Liufeng was betrothed to the eldest granddaughter of the Zhou family. It was an opportunity for the Gu family.

But he did not anticipate that in the end, it would be ruined by a few cousins. Liufeng had no extra affection for the Gu family, and he had to create that affection himself.

Now looking back, all the pains he took to manage his assets were worth it.

On the fourth day of the New Year, the Zhou residence was still far from quiet. Today, Zhang Jinghong also made a visit, along with his wife.