The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 237: Inquiry

As soon as County Magistrate Liu took action, Tong Huaqiong knew that Xu Zaohua would be in trouble this time.

But she deserved it, for mixing fake medicine to harm the common people with her evil intentions.

"Xu Yong, you’re not human. Even though you are Zaohua’s uncle, what good does it do you to drag her down with you?"

Yu Shi cursed Xu Yong furiously.

Not satisfied with scolding Xu Yong, Yu Shi ran to Mrs. Tian and spat in her face: "You still think your son can live the high life with Zaohua? Dream on! Your whole family can just wait to eat prison food."

Yu Shi was pulled away by the government official and sat on the ground crying.

She wondered what would happen if her daughter ended up in prison while Xu Yong and Mrs. Tian’s family were imprisoned.

The Zheng Family had little regard for Zaohua, only treating her as the young mistress because of her pregnancy. It was uncertain if they would protect her when the counterfeit medicine issue came to light.

...

"Manager Tong, your righteous act not only stays in my heart, but if this medicine indeed brings a bountiful corn harvest to Pingchuan County, I will definitely recommend you for an official award."

After Tong Huaqiong presented the prescription to County Magistrate Liu, he promised Tong Huaqiong.

Being recommended for an award was important to Tong Huaqiong, as she aimed to expand her business empire in the future, and even a plaque from the court would be a talisman for her.

Thus, offering a prescription in exchange for a shiny talisman was worth it!

What pleased Tong Huaqiong even more was that County Magistrate Liu agreed to her request to sell the pesticide.

After all, it wouldn’t do to have villagers mixing the pesticide themselves. If it turned out to be like the harmful concoction made by Xu Zaohua, it would ruin the crops.

Someone needs to sell the pesticide.

Who else should hold the commercial rights but the one who "invented" the formula?

She never intended to endlessly distribute the prescription for free; offering it to County Magistrate Liu was merely a means to secure an official sales permit.

This way, it would be difficult for anyone to plagiarize her prescription in the future.

With official promotion, everyone knew that the pesticide formula to cure cob rot was created by Tong Huaqiong, making her product a living trademark, while others were seen as selling or concocting "fake medicine." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Tong Huaqiong was about to venture into improving agricultural planting techniques.

...

After Xu Zaohua had her pulse checked, she was immersed in the joy of "it should be a male baby."

Not only she was happy, but the entire Zheng Family revelled in joy from top to bottom, especially Zheng Junren and Mrs. Zheng, who were so overjoyed they shed tears.

This ensured continuity for the Zheng family’s eldest son’s line.

One nourishing food after another was sent to Xu Zaohua’s room, and she enjoyed a bowl of bird’s nest delightfully.

The pesticide for corn cob rot was ready; she had it sold first in Yan Guan Town by her uncle, and it reportedly showed good results immediately after application. She informed the elders of the Zheng Family, and they agreed to give her a shop to manage.

Now that it’s diagnosed as a male fetus in her belly.

It was indeed a double blessing.

Heaven was not stingy towards her, Xu Zaohua.

However, Xu Zaohua was cautious, holding tightly onto the pesticide formula regardless of how much the elders of the Zheng Family hinted at her.

She wouldn’t part with the formula, for if she did, how would she gain more benefits from the Zheng Family?

Xu Zaohua planned to find an opportunity to take the formula to the provincial city and present it to the magistrate.

After finishing her nourishing bird’s nest, Xu Zaohua contentedly felt her son’s heartbeat, contemplating how to persuade the elders of the Zheng Family to let her go to the provincial city, how to rely on her father-in-law Zheng Junren’s connections to find an audience with the magistrate, when Nanny Cai arrived unannounced to her room.

"What brings you here, Nanny Cai?" Xu Zaohua was quite displeased, but she spoke more confidently now that she was carrying a male heir.

"The master and madam sent me to call the young mistress; as for the matter, you’ll know once you reach the front hall," Nanny Cai replied with an even tone.

Xu Zaohua speculated the purpose for which her in-laws called her to the front hall.

She couldn’t think of anything other than the matter of the formula.

However, she was not afraid because the formula was in her hands, and the Zheng Family would not force her to give it up, especially when she bore their lineage in her womb.

They wouldn’t risk losing a direct descendant, would they?

Xu Zaohua was sure that she now had the bargaining chips to contend with her in-laws.

She planned to leverage the formula and the lineage she carried to secure greater benefits from her in-laws.

"Please wait a moment, Nanny Cai; I’ll change my clothes and then head over," Xu Zaohua said.

Nanny Cai waved her hand, saying, "No need, the master and madam are waiting."

Xu Zaohua had no choice but to follow Nanny Cai to the front hall.

Upon reaching the front hall, the first people who caught Xu Zaohua’s eye were two individuals who appeared to be government officials.

Xu Zaohua was overjoyed, thinking perhaps it was about her insecticide formulation which was reported to the government.

County Magistrate Liu, being a person concerned with agriculture, must have heard about the pesticide from her own father to preempt Spring Grandfather’s limelight.

No wonder Nanny Cai’s attitude towards her was even worse than before—it seems she didn’t want to see her being commended by the government.

Xu Zaohua raised her eyes to her in-laws, noticing their expressions were not too pleasant.

Understandably so; the news of her pesticide reaching the government was not from within the Zheng Family, but through her own family. It was natural for her in-laws to be displeased.

Still, their displeasure was their concern.

She had accomplished something significant with her pesticide, gaining government commendation and having the backing of officials, her in-laws would have to respect her despite their displeasure.

"Is this the Eldest Young Madam of your esteemed house?" one of the officials asked.

Zheng Junren, being a well-known person in Pingchuan County, did not have to kneel when meeting officials, and as such, the officials spoke quite politely to the Zheng Family.

"I am. May I ask what brings you to my home seeking me?" Xu Zaohua asked with a smile.

The official did not answer and instead glanced at Zheng Junren.

Zheng Junren’s expression was not favorable, instructing the officials, "Just ask your questions directly."

He then told Xu Zaohua, "Oldest daughter-in-law, think carefully before you answer."

Xu Zaohua did not perceive the depth of her father-in-law’s words, thinking he plainly didn’t want her to steal the show, causing a feeling of displeasure to grow within her.

The official nodded respectfully towards Zheng Junren.

"Eldest Young Madam, we have been sent by Lord Liu to your esteemed house to initially ask you a few questions. What is your relationship with Xu Yong of Qinghe Bay?"

If it were anyone else, the officials would have already detained the person.

However, since Xu Zaohua was the Eldest Young Madam of the Zheng Family, they couldn’t arbitrarily detain someone in the Zheng household.

Therefore, the officials patiently inquired about the matter from Xu Zaohua, hoping she had nothing to do with the pesticide issue and that it was all a setup by Xu Yong.

This way, they would neither need to take her to the county government nor disappoint Lord Liu.

Xu Zaohua was a bit puzzled as to why they would mention her uncle, Xu Yong.

Could it be that her uncle reported the formula to the government claiming credit for himself?

Knowing her uncle’s nature, it would be unusual for him to share any credit with her.

If her uncle took all the credit, she certainly wouldn’t let it slide.

Fortunately, Lord Liu was wise enough to send people to inquire firsthand from her.

"Xu Yong is my uncle," Xu Zaohua replied.

The officials exchanged a knowing glance; that cleared things up.

"May I ask why you’re asking about this?" Xu Zaohua inquired.

"There’s one more thing we want to ask of you, Eldest Young Madam," the official continued without directly answering, "Was it you or Xu Yong who formulated the pesticide that drives off corn cob rot?"

Xu Zaohua couldn’t contain her excitement.

She had guessed correctly—the government had indeed learned of her pesticide invention.

And even if her uncle sought to claim all the credit himself, it was in vain. Undoubtedly, County Magistrate Liu’s discerning eye didn’t accept her uncle’s one-sided story.