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

Chapter 962: Chapter 962: A Different Kind of Mother

The Zhou family, after returning from outside the city, Zhou Eldest said, ”Mother, I’ve seen the Hot Spring Manor that Scholar Deng mentioned.”

Zhulan put down the brush in her hand and handed it to the maid, straightened her clothes, and sat on the chair to ask, ”What did you think after seeing it?”

Zhou Eldest was not very satisfied, ”The location is a bit far, and the buildings are somewhat rundown. The only good thing is that the land is larger, with two hundred and sixty mu.”

Zhulan was speechless, ”Do you really think all manors are like our family’s? Have you not considered that one of our manors originally belonged to the Crown Prince, and the other two were given as dowries for your sister. Can they be compared to ordinary manors? The maintenance of a manor every year requires a lot of Silver Coin, and not everyone is willing to spend it.”

This manor belonged to merchants, originally leased out, and the residents inside were all tenants—no wonder there wasn’t much silver available for maintaining the houses.

With the development of sea trade, many merchants in the capital follow suit, and this manor would not have been sold if it weren’t for raising Silver.

Zhou Eldest let out a dry laugh, their own manor was both elegant and luxurious, and every time he took his wife there, he wanted to stay for more days. Having become accustomed to luxury, he now felt uncomfortable with ordinary manors, ”Mother, then what do you suggest?”

Zhulan, ”Scholar Deng said there are a few small springs inside the manor, did you see them?”

Zhou Eldest replied, ”I have seen them, indeed, just as Scholar Deng described, but the springs are no match for the ones we have at home.”

Zhulan was tempted by the sizable land of the manor, and the hot springs were another draw. Her daughter’s manor was part of her dowry, which would soon be taken to the Ning Duke Residence. As for the manor given as a reward, Zhulan had never thought of dividing it in the future.

It was impossible to find a manor near the capital with hot springs, so they could only settle for one farther away. If they purchased this manor, Zhulan planned to divide it into five parts, giving each family fifty-two mu, building five small manors.

Zhulan looked at Zhou Eldest; there really were quite a few sons in the Zhou family, five in total. As Mingyun was growing up, she had already begun preparing for the future division of the family.

Zhou Eldest touched his nose, ”Mother, can the price be lowered a bit more?”

Zhulan had Silver in hand; though she had spent quite a lot in Jiangnan, she still had a good amount left, not including the Silver set aside for her daughter’s dowry, ”Then let’s buy it. For now, continue to rent it out to the tenants, and we will make plans after a few years.”

She paused and then continued, ”After the transfer, go and soothe the tenants.”

Zhou Eldest noted everything, ”Mother, then I’ll go send a message to Scholar Deng.”

”Hmm.”

Zhulan waited for the eldest to leave and didn’t continue with her painting, speaking to Nanny Song, ”Counting the days, Wu Ning’s child is about to be born.”

Wu Ming had gotten married, and Wu Ning’s pregnancy was evident soon after; the time had indeed passed quickly.

Nanny Song answered, ”The month will be full next month.”

”Have you prepared all the things I asked you to?”

”Everything has been prepared.”

”Then send them over tomorrow.”

She couldn’t leave the capital, especially at such a tumultuous time, and even if she wanted to leave, Zhou Shuren would not allow it. Everyone knew of her close relationship with Zhou Shuren, and with Zhou Shuren attracting so much hatred, she was also in danger.

The Ministry of Revenue, today, Zhou Shuren came home a little late. As soon as he stepped out, he saw Shi Qing, and glanced at the coachman in front. Zhang Yang was becoming more and more astute.

Shi Qing approached, ”Lord Zhou, this subordinate has a matter on which to seek your guidance.”

Zhou Shuren, his peripheral vision fixed on the coach, where someone was sitting, understood that Shi Qing now represented Zhang Yang, Zhang Yang’s most trusted person, especially since Shi Qing was also the Emperor’s man. He had to pretend, ”I am willing to speak with you only because of our past acquaintance. Everyone must be responsible for themselves. Since you’ve chosen your path, there’s nothing I can say. If you think that our past will make me treat you differently, you are mistaken.”

Shi Qing knew it would be like this, but he had no choice but to come, being Zhang Yang’s most trusted man, ”Lord, I am grateful for your teachings.”

Zhou Shuren paused, ”What do you wish to consult about?”

Shi Qing lowered his voice and whispered, ”Elder, do you have any clues about the assassin?”

Zhou Shuren looked at Shi Qing with a playful gaze, ”No.”

Shi Qing smiled, ”Elder, I have some here.”

With that, he gestured with two fingers.

Zhou Shuren remained motionless, watching Shi Qing. Then, without a word, he turned and left, got into the carriage, signaled the coachman to go, and as the carriage started moving, Zhou Shuren let out a sneer. Zhang Yang wanted to stir the waters even muddier by taking this opportunity.

Zhang Yang really underestimated him, thinking that a hint would make him believe. However, Zhang Yang’s actions had been increasing. Indeed, following the opening gambit, the forces behind Zhang Yang had also entered the fray.

Shi Qing returned to his carriage, where Zhang Yang asked anxiously, ”Did Zhou Shuren say anything?”

Shi Qing shook his head, ”I gave Elder Zhou a hint, but he didn’t say a word and just left.”

Zhang Yang, somewhat unsure, asked, ”How much do you think Zhou Shuren believed?”

In his heart, Shi Qing said nothing; Elder Zhou hadn’t believed a bit and must have despised Zhang Yang. Pretending, Shi Qing said, ”I don’t know either.”

Zhang Yang, however, felt that Zhou Shuren might believe some of it. Zhou Shuren was protective; he had dared to scheme against him before. ”As long as Zhou Shuren takes action, I can stir the waters even muddier.”

Shi Qing remained silent, thinking that daydreams come faster in the daytime.

Zhang Yang, thinking of the forces that were constantly moving closer to him, felt a fiery passion, clenching his hands together in excitement.

After dinner, Chang Lian stayed behind and asked his father, ”Father, I heard that pirates are hijacking merchant ships near the coast. With pirates so rampant, what should we do when Second Brother returns home?”

He feared the increasing number of pirates; what if they encountered Second Brother’s returning merchant ship? He had heard that pirates not only plunder ships but also kill.

Some even kill everyone on board.

Zhulan heard this, ”Pirates?”

Zhou Shuren explained, ”There have been two incidents this month where merchant ships near the coast were robbed, leaving a few survivors to tell the tale.”

Zhulan blurted out, ”Ha, those aren’t pirates at all, they’re entirely foreign soldiers in disguise, committing nearshore robberies as provocations, and leaving survivors to test the waters.”

Chang Lian looked a bit dumbfounded, staring at his mother with a look he had never seen before, let alone heard such words from her.

Zhou Shuren coughed once, and Zhulan came back to her senses, cleared her throat, picked up her teacup and started drinking as if she hadn’t just spoken those words.

Chang Lian came to his senses, looking left at his father and right at his mother. Father was not at all surprised by Mother’s words, and he suddenly realized that not only was his father formidable, but his mother was incredibly formidable too; at least, he had never expected such piercing words from her.

Zhulan felt uncomfortable under Chang Lian’s gaze and glared, ”You little brat, what are you looking at?”

Chang Lian silently redirected his gaze, ”Mother, I need to see you in a new light.”

Zhulan felt as if she had been exposed, expressionless, knowing that at times like this, the less said, the better.

Zhou Shuren scolded, ”Is that how you speak to your mother?”

Chang Lian indeed felt like he was seeing his mother in a new light and smiled ingratiatingly, ”Son thinks Mother is impressive.”

Zhou Shuren guessed the nursemaid would come back and told Chang Lian, ”Your Second Brother will not return until the end of the year; don’t worry about it for now. Go on, you should head back.”