Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1172: Too Precious

Zhou Shuren came home in the evening and mentioned the bribery incident to his wife, "Lau Jing was terrified today."

Zhulan said, "With that said, whether it’s the Zhang family or the Yao clan, their pawns in the capital aren’t many anymore."

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have wagered with a silver note, which was completely a gamble this time.

Zhou Shuren, "In recent years, various departments have been continually purged, and every year during the assessments, the Ministry of Personnel had been directed, and some problematic ones were basically transferred out of the capital."

Zhulan felt the Emperor’s planning was truly brilliant, "These problematic officials, nurtured with big appetites and accustomed to receiving silver, won’t restrain themselves even when deployed elsewhere, likely set to serve as an example when the Crown Prince succeeds to the throne."

Zhou Shuren laughed, "That’s why I say my wife is smart!"

From this incident, Zhulan thought of Lau Jing’s family situation, "Ever since the Lau family had marital ties with our family and the Duke Residence, they have been very frugal."

Zhou Shuren also knew something about it, "Their daughter marrying well, the burden of the dowry is too great."

Zhulan, "The eldest daughter is destined to inherit a title, so Lau family’s dowry must be more generous. On the other hand, if Ming Teng truly gets adopted, he will also hold a title in the future. That means Lau family’s dowry will not just be generous but significantly so."

Zhou Shuren sighed, "Raising a daughter is hard."

Their own granddaughters had been quite a handful when they got married; despite being proficient at saving silver, it was still a huge pressure!

Zhulan was counting on her fingers, "Even though each branch handles its own finances and I don’t intervene, they all consume from the collective fund, but the gifts they send are from their own accounts. Each branch also makes purchases during festivals and shows us filial piety at year-end, effectively returning their consumption to us. We’ve not spent much these past few years, but have actually saved a considerable amount of Silver Coin."

This year they had also amassed considerable wealth. Even if she didn’t continue her efforts, the annual income was not trivial, and their family wealth was growing more substantial.

Zhou Shuren asked, "Has our son’s money been separately stored?"

Zhulan, "It has been stored since he was born, in a separate treasury."

Their youngest son was the most fortunate; each year, he received quite a few birthday gifts from his older brothers, and many well-connected ones. There was no shortage of fine things.

Zhou Shuren looked at the residence, he had plans for this house, and as the couple chatted more about the children, they talked till late before going to sleep.

The next day, Rong Enqing received an invitation from Zhang Yang. Yao Yao could feel her husband had something on his mind. Before, her husband lacked confidence, but now he had it, "Isn’t it really okay not to go?"

Rong Enqing tossed aside the invitation, hurt by the loss of his progeny and harboring hatred meant deep-seated fear of royal authority, not daring to resent the Emperor but able to hate Zhang Yang, "No going."

He no longer needed to waste his energy on Zhang Yang; he needed to follow Gu Ren.

Yao Yao fanning herself, "If not going then don’t, look at your face."

Rong Enqing, "I didn’t have the standing to refuse before, and now I do, so my heart feels somewhat uncomfortable."

Yao Yao understood; it was also the long-suppressed emotions bursting out, "Alright, today we have invited the Fourth Elder and Zhou family for dinner, take a look at the menu I’ve drafted."

Rong Enqing’s face brightened. He took over and carefully revised two dishes, "These are the lady’s favorites."

Yao Yao was startled, then smiled, "You’ve only eaten there a few times and you remembered?"

"You forgot; I used to eat often at the Zhou family’s place, and I remembered from then."

Yao Yao smiled, "Look at my memory."

Zhulan, with her daughter-in-law, came to Marquis Rong’s Residence in the morning, arriving early for the meal. Zhou Shuren was off today and immediately began chatting with Rong Enqing upon arrival.

Zhulan looked at Yao Yao. Now that the families had become relatives, Yao Yao became more reserved, "You’re still pregnant, don’t bother with us personally, sit down and don’t bus yourself."

Yao Yao was assisted by the old midwife as she settled into a seat, having just put down the teapot. "The Imperial Physician has checked, and it’s been three months. The fetal energy is stable; I’m not that delicate."

Zhulan smiled, "It’s good that the fetal energy is stable."

Today, her visit to Marquis Rong’s Residence was personally requested by En Qing, and Zhou Shuren had agreed after some thought. After all, they were relatives, and visiting more often was beneficial. Moreover, En Qing was clever and proved to be a good ally.

Lady Zhao watched Yao Yao’s belly, "Your waist is almost as big as mine now."

Yao Yao was not big-boned to begin with, and she had lost quite a bit of weight lately, making her waist even more pronounced.

Yao Yao touched her belly, looking at Xue Mei, "Sister Xue Mei had twins; I want to ask her what it was like to be pregnant with twins."

With that, Xue Mei understood, "You have twins?"

Yao Yao, "I’m not entirely sure yet; we have to wait and see, but you can tell from my belly. The Rong family has had twins before, and Mr. Hou and I think it’s very likely."

Xue Mei stood up, "Let me feel your belly."

Yao Yao smiled, "Okay."

Xue Mei felt it, and indeed, it wasn’t like a normal three-month pregnancy, "Feels about the same as mine was. It should be twins. Let’s have the Imperial Physician take a closer look in a few days."

Yao Yao was relieved; reassured by someone who had been through it, joy evident in her eyes, "We hope for more children in our residence."

Outside, Yu Dang also heard about the possible twins, "She is indeed blessed."

Zhou Shuren felt it was normal; En Qing’s grandfather had been a twin, "Then you need to be extra careful."

He refrained from saying anything inauspicious—he didn’t want to jinx anything!

En Qing also knew the difficulties of childbirth for women. He was happy yet anxious; happy about potentially having twins but anxious because if something went wrong, three lives could be at risk, "I’ve already secured an Imperial Physician."

Previously, he couldn’t afford to hire one without paying a hefty sum; now, others readily came when called.

The next day, Zhou Laoda and his wife arrived in the capital, finally returning home, with Ming Shan also reaching Zhou’s Residence beforehand.

Upon hearing the news, Zhulan prepared the courtyard. Ming Shan’s parents were much older than her; the elderly couple was genuinely exhausted from their journey and called her ’aunt,’ which surprised Zhulan momentarily.

Then came Ming Shan’s wife and children. Zhulan had gifts prepared for them and soon sent them to rest.

With no outsiders in the main courtyard, Zhou Laoda brought out the ginseng they had acquired. Zhulan was delighted; it was truly a life-saving treasure, "This Silver should not come out of your account. Mother knows you are filial, but you also need to save Silver. I will provide the Silver."

Zhou Laoda responded, "Mother, this is my way of showing filial piety to you and father; I do have some Silver."

Lady Li added quickly, "Mother, we really do have some Silver."

But Zhulan decided firmly, "I’ve made up my mind, no need to discuss it further."

Zhou Laoda and his wife were silenced. Could they really object? The decisions mother and father made over the years were truly irrevocable.

After chatting, Lady Li reported on their hometown. After a while, Zhulan suggested they also rest.

After dinner, Zhou Laoda formally greeted Yu Dang. Having already met all the other children in the family, Yu Dang was generous, providing a greeting gift much more substantial than what Chang Yi and others had received.

Zhou Laoda stared at the items on the tray, his eyes widening, "This is too valuable."