Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1171: 50,000 taels

In the blink of an eye, Ning Yang became the disciple of Zhou Shuren, the fourth son of the Zhou family. Even though the event was kept low-key, many still knew about it, which led to an increased number of people wanting to send their children there.

Zhou Shuren was adamant and wouldn’t budge, and among the Zhou family’s sons, it was still the Changyi family’s daughter who attracted the least attention.

People were setting their sights on the daughters of Chang Lian and Chang Zhi families, as Chang Lian and Chang Zhi would have smoother futures compared to Chang Yi, who was still considered weaker.

Of course, there were also those who had their minds on Yu Die, but they were all colleagues of Chang Yi from noble families, with low-ranking official positions. These people who were interested in forming marital ties with the Zhou family had spoken privately with Chang Yi.

Was Chang Yi angry? No, he wasn’t angry, but he was certainly uncomfortable, which drove him to study even harder. Chang Yi wanted to prove himself—he might have a difficult path in his official career, but it wouldn’t be a failure.

Ming Rui, from the second wife’s room, felt the pressure from his father and became even more diligent in his studies, settling down a heart that had become somewhat restless due to Chang Yi’s official position.

Mrs. Zhao was distressed, "Mother, father and son are working too hard; they’ve lost a lot of weight these past few days."

Zhulan, "At this time, whatever anyone says is useless. The more you try to persuade them, the harder they will work. You shouldn’t worry too much either; take care of yourself."

Mrs. Zhao felt an uncomfortable tug in her heart but knew that her husband and son were doing this for their small family. She changed the subject, "Mother, you know my maternal family is on our farm."

"I know, they also sent New Year’s gifts to our residence this year."

Mrs. Zhao continued, "A few of my male cousins are doing well on the farm. After evaluating a few boys, my husband thought it was a waste if they didn’t study, so he talked to me about sponsoring them to go to school."

She needed to speak up about this issue to avoid her in-laws thinking that she was favoring her maternal family.

Zhulan wasn’t surprised, as Chang Yi was also looking to cultivate helpers for Ming Rui, "That’s very good."

Blood relations meant they would be more reliable than outsiders. Raising them from a young age and molding their minds would certainly provide more peace of mind.

Seeing that her mother-in-law genuinely didn’t mind, Mrs. Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. Being pregnant made her emotions more fluctuating, and she had forgotten that her mother-in-law had an exceptionally large heart—people say that a Prime Minister’s belly can carry a boat, and she felt that hers could too. She laughed, "Thank you, Mother."

"No need to thank me, I haven’t done anything."

Mrs. Zhao chuckled and shook her head, realizing that her mother-in-law’s non-interference was most valuable. She then thought of Yu Die, "Mother, Yu Die is a sturdy child, quite like a boy. With her personality, I don’t know what kind of marital family she will find in the future."

The little girl had been spoiled enough to become bold. Among the girls in the family, Yu Die was the most eloquent and capable of arguing the most convoluted points into coherence—a very assertive character who didn’t easily concede.

Zhulan liked her granddaughter Yu Die. Fingers have different lengths after all, and it might be because of her age, among the younger granddaughters, she particularly liked the lively Yu Die with all her little theories, "Yu Die’s marital family, your father and I will find one that’s a good match."

She and Zhou Shuren had truly discussed this—they hoped that Yu Die could be happy for a lifetime, able to maintain her temperament, so they were seriously selecting.

Mrs. Zhao smiled. With her parents watching out for her, she felt at ease, "Thinking about it, my eldest brother and sister-in-law should be home by now."

"Yes, if the journey goes quickly, they’ll arrive the day after tomorrow."

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren received a letter from Lau Jing and put aside his work to go to the teahouse. As he entered the private room, Lau Jing was nervously pacing.

Zhou Shuren closed the door, "What’s the matter, Lau Jing? You seem quite anxious?"

Lau Jing was startled, so immersed in his thoughts that he hadn’t noticed Zhou Shuren’s arrival, "Of course it’s important. I have no other choice but to seek your help, Your Excellency."

He had two favorable marriage prospects on hand, the Duke Ning’s Residence and the Zhou Residence, but the only person he could turn to was Minister Zhou, as the Duke Ning’s Residence lacked officials with clout in the court.

Zhou Shuren gestured for Lau Jing to sit, "Sit down and speak."

After sitting, Lau Jing took out a stack of silver notes and a letter from his bosom, "I found these on my desk at the Ministry of Justice today. I haven’t dared to hand them over to Minister Yang of the Ministry of Justice."

Upon seeing the thick stack of silver notes, Zhou Shuren knew Lau Jing was cautious. Lau Jing was now on pins and needles and had been careful all his life. Currently, he trusted no one, "I think you should hand them over to Minister Yang."

Minister Yang, he was aware, could always be encountered in the palace these days due to the case involving Yao Wenqi. It was a case that truly dragged on. The fact that Minister Yang could enter the palace at any time showed the Emperor’s trust in him.

Lau Jing hesitated a bit, "Minister Yang, you know how cautious I am. With so much silver, I am the only one in my family who can keep our household afloat."

He could not afford any trouble.

Zhou Shuren understood that despite the Lau family having made two decent marriages, they were still foundationless, "If you trust me, give them to Minister Yang. He will handle it well."

Listening to Mr. Zhou’s assertive tone and knowing that Zhou’s status had changed, all the officials in the capital were aware that Zhou Shuren was the most trusted by the Emperor and the Crown Prince. He himself had been so excited that he had not slept the entire night, looking at the letter in his hands, "Do you want to take a look?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head, "That’s a matter for your Ministry of Justice. I’d better not look."

He didn’t feel bothered by Lau Jing coming to him; on the contrary, he was pleased with this trust.

Lau Jing patted his own head, "Look at me, I got so nervous I muddled my thoughts. I’m useless. You also know my situation. Although I hold a respectable position, I am careful, and truly, not many people bring me gifts. Today, not only did I receive a generous gift, but it even involves the current case. I was bewildered at the time."

Zhou Shuren, "I understand. Your Ministry of Justice is also under great pressure."

With the Emperor pressing from above and involving Marquis Rong’s Residence and Marquis Rong’s Residence, the Ministry of Justice truly dared not make the slightest mistake.

With a mainstay to rely on, Lau Jing’s mind became calm. Then he said, "This person is really bold, daring to send it directly to my desk."

The Ministry of Justice was not without strict regulations. There must be a mole within.

Zhou Shuren smiled slightly, hence the Emperor’s strategy of procrastination had disoriented the Zhang and Yao families, "Be careful yourself, then."

Of course, Lau Jing would be cautious. He decided he would no longer drink tea at the government office, daring not even eat anything, "It’s getting late, I should head back as well."

"Alright, be careful on your way back."

Lau Jing grunted in acknowledgment and then expressed his thanks once more.

Zhou Shuren did not leave with him, having finally come out for a breath of fresh air, not in a rush to return.

In the afternoon, Minister Yang of the Ministry of Justice entered the palace, submitting the silver and the letter. The Crown Prince exclaimed, "There really is silver. A first installment of fifty thousand taels, and that’s just the deposit. There’s more upon the completion of the deal."

The Emperor gestured for a eunuch to take the letter. Having read the letter, he was in a good mood. Yao Wenqi had been confined to his residence by the Emperor, essentially cutting off contact with the Zhang family. After years of investigation, Yao Wenqi would never be able to send messages outside under his watch – the Zhang family was desperate.

Thus, they sought to bribe someone to destroy all evidence found by the Ministry of Justice.

The Crown Prince, "They did not choose their pawn wisely."

The Emperor laughed, "Indeed, they did not."

The Lau family might not have a thick foundation; they were clean officials. Precisely because they were not wealthy, the Lau family needed silver even more for their daughter’s dowry and their younger son’s wedding expenses, and so on. However, what they miscalculated was Lau Jing’s cautiousness.

Minister Yang, head bowed, was somewhat lost in thought. He now witnessed the cautiousness of the Emperor and the Crown Prince. Neither of them touched the letter or the silver notes with their hands, making him wonder if they suspected poison on them, leaving his own hands feeling somewhat uneasy.