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

Chapter 1722: Chapter 1722: Who Wants to Die If They Can Live

At the Hou Residence, Zhulan personally went to see Miss Jiang. Thanks to the residence not lacking in silver coin, many embroiderers were kept in the house, and Miss Jiang’s clothes were soon ready.

When she arrived, Miss Jiang was tidying her luggage with a little maid helping her.

Miss Jiang stood up, “Greetings, Madam.”

“Stand up quickly. Do the clothes fit?”

Miss Jiang nodded graciously, “The young lady likes them very much. Thank you, Madam, for your concern.”

Zhulan gestured for Miss Jiang to sit, “As long as you like them. When you arrive at the academy, if you have any needs, just talk to the female officer. The academy has maids for cleaning and eunuchs for procurement. Find them if you need anything.”

Miss Jiang yearned for the Girls College, smiled, and said, “Okay.”

She had stayed in the capital for a long time and knew about the Girls College. If it weren’t for the registry, she would have wanted to enroll there, not just for safety but because the academy was different.

As for the scar on her eye and face, she had suffered, yet persevered out of hatred. Now that vengeance had been served, she wanted to pursue what she liked.

This time, Zhulan was standing closer, regretting it. Miss Jiang was beautiful. Perhaps Zhulan’s gaze lingered a bit too long, so Miss Jiang touched her own face.

Zhulan smiled apologetically, and Miss Jiang smiled, “The young lady got it from rolling down a hillside, I don’t mind it now.”

Zhulan remained silent. The dense forest was full of branches; falling down without protecting the head could easily lead to accidents. “It’s all in the past now.”

Miss Jiang nodded. At that time, to protect the registry in her arms from being lost, she could only hold it tightly. She anticipated the facial injury, but the eye was just bad luck.

Miss Jiang said, “The young lady is bold enough to ask Madam for help. Could you help me buy some land and shops?”

Zhulan looked at the box pushed over, “Okay.”

Opening the box, it was full of silver notes, totaling over ten thousand taels, a considerable amount.

Miss Jiang curled her fingertips, “This was the Emperor’s reward to me.”

Additionally, there were another ten thousand taels as compensation for her family’s assets, but unfortunately her parents only had her as a child.

In the evening, Zhou Shuren returned on time, “I learned a lot today.”

Zhulan already knew of the Duke of Yongan’s actions, “Have you met the person from the Rong family treasury?”

Zhou Shuren, “It’s still educational. Did you think half the industry really means half? A crafty rabbit has three burrows, there must be hidden avenues.”

“The Duke of Yongan is truly scared.”

“He’s guessing the Emperor wants to take the Duke Residence title, using half the assets to buy time.”

With no errands for the Princely Heir of Yongan, the entire Duke Residence currently relied on Zhuo Guyu. With no rising offspring, without the Duke Residence title, it would be a disaster for the wealthy Zhuo family.

Zhulan said quietly, “Indeed, who doesn’t know of the wealth of the Duke Residence.”

Many covet it. Without the title, it’s like a child holding a gold ingot, waiting for schemes and those who throw stones while you’re down.

“I reckon the Duke must regret the luxurious lifestyle of past days.”

Zhulan chuckled, “Today’s situation is due in part to their own doing.”

The next day, Zhulan received an invitation from the Duke Residence, and said to Qing Xue: “Reply with a refusal.”

Su Xuan was also there, recalling the Duke Residence’s schemes for her daughter, with a cold face she said: “What about the Duke’s in-laws?”

Two decent in-law families, and at this time they’re like quails!

Zhulan sneered, “Their in-law relationship was pure interest exchange. Besides, the Duke Residence’s luck isn’t good; caught in a major corruption case, who dares to speak on their behalf?”

Su Xuan said, “Mother, do you think the Luo family will annul the marriage?”

Zhulan’s expression was a bit odd, “They won’t.”

Su Xuan thought so too, “The Luo family has never broken off an engagement, and the Duke of Yongan Residence has silver. People have seen carts full of silver!”

Zhulan, “The Old Madam of the Luo family doesn’t manage the Luo family anymore; she refused to return to the capital when invited.”

Su Xuan snorted, “Now they understand how good the Old Madam was, but what were they doing earlier?”

Zhulan didn’t know how the Old Madam of the Luo family was doing, nor did she inquire much. She believed someone as perceptive must be doing well.

The next day, Lady Li came home and went straight to the main courtyard, “Mother, guess who I ran into today?”

“The Princely Heir’s wife of the Duke Residence?”

Lady Li gave a thumbs up, “Mother, you guessed it precisely.”

“It’s not me guessing accurately, but I refused the invitation yesterday, and I knew your itinerary today, so the encounter was inevitable.”

Last night, after hearing from Shuren that the industry was donated, but the Emperor hadn’t given any confirmation, they hoped the Zhou Hou Residence could put in a good word.

Lady Li, “If I’d known, I would have gone on a different day.”

“If they’re determined to follow you, they will meet you no matter which day you go out.”

Lady Li whispered, “Mother, the Princely Heir’s wife’s complexion was pale. Is the Duke Residence really going to be in trouble?”

Zhulan, “No.”

The Emperor, having seen the silver, would only want to squeeze out the remaining value. Such creatures like the Emperor hold grudges, trust is hard to build, though reincarnation might be easy.

Lady Li, “Mother, could our family’s assets compare to the Duke Residence’s?”

Zhulan wore a look that seemed to ask if that was a joke. Lady Li knew she had asked something silly; the family’s wealth didn’t compare.

Zhulan heard Shuren saw the list of half the assets, and her mind was filled with the greed of the Duke of Yongan. Many made fortunes during wartime, some with morals, and some without!

In the Palace, Zhuo Guyu and Gu Sheng recorded together, with noticeable changes: Zhuo Guyu became more cautious, Gu Sheng more composed.

Eunuch Zhang said: “Emperor, Young Master Wu has arrived.”

The Emperor said: “Let him in.”

Wu Shangheng was bewildered. He hadn’t wanted to enter the palace recently, fearing he might displease the Emperor, yet the eunuch summoned him in.

Wu Shangheng entered and paid respects, “Long live the Emperor.”

The Emperor motioned for him to rise, “I’ve heard you’ve been well-behaved lately?”

Wu Shangheng swallowed, “I have.”

The Emperor signaled Eunuch Zhang to bring it in. Opening the box, he said: “Do you find this familiar?”

Wu Shangheng looked puzzled, but once the little eunuch opened the scroll, his eyes widened. It was familiar indeed. He had been pondering how to retrieve it.

The Emperor said: “I requested these from the Duke of Yongan, and he sent them to the palace.”

Wu Shangheng was excited, “Thank you, Emperor.”

“Don’t thank me yet. These will become Zhenyue’s dowry.”

Just don’t think you’d get them back for free, so don’t rush to express gratitude.

Wu Shangheng, “…”

Alright, at least I’ll have them back after marriage!

Zhuo Guyu listened to Wu Shangheng recite the scroll names, his face flushed. The scrolls were sent to the palace yesterday; his grandfather had told him where the words came from. No wonder Wu Shangheng had been picking quarrels more since the banquet.

A few days later, the Zhou Hou Residence received many invitations. Everyone knew Zhou Hou was the Emperor’s most trusted person. As officials listed in the registry were arrested, implicated families grew anxious, seeking ways for Zhou Hou to help plead their cases.

A single word could change fate; Zhulan rejected them all.

Yu Wen asked, “Grandmother, if our family rejects them all, will anyone hold a grudge against the Hou Residence in the future?”

Who wants to die when they can live?

Zhulan, “Not rejecting them all would cause more trouble in the future.”

Rejecting them now means fewer grudges. If you help one, haha, more grudges arise, along with speculations and slander. Human hearts are the most complex.