Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 519 Yao Yao_1

Zhou Shuren felt a rare pang of guilt, "The capable are burdened with more tasks, the capable are burdened with more tasks. Mr. Wang’s abilities have always been top-notch, I am truly ashamed in comparison."

Mr. Wang felt pleased hearing this, "That goes without saying."

Heaven knows how many schemes he had to employ to find the lost documents. You don’t know the extent until you investigate, and it was quite shocking to discover that records go missing regularly every year, consistently every month. Indeed, they had underestimated him.

Mr. Wang then looked at Zhou with a touch of resentment. He had been so busy recently that he didn’t even have time to speak with his youngest son, although the boy was still in his mother’s womb, "My lord, if you have something to say, just say it."

Please, no more flattery; it made him exceedingly nervous.

Zhou Shuren set aside the documents he had been perusing and his gaze deepened. This was Mr. Wang’s true skill, in such a short amount of time he had already clearly organized a portion, "It’s not about official business, but just to give you a heads up, Shi Qing’s engagement is no simple matter. My lord should shift your attention elsewhere."

Mr. Wang had always wondered why Zhou, as a son of a merchant, took Shi Qing under his wing for guidance. Now, combining the information from the investigation with what Zhou just told him, he understood. Today Zhou had indeed solved a puzzle for him, "My lord is very considerate."

The Wang family certainly did not want to get involved in the Emperor’s schemes. His father had said that the Emperor’s mind was as deep as the ocean, and the best course for the Wang family, who had no ambitions, was to keep to themselves and remain obedient; that was their path to survival.

Zhou Shuren nodded at the documents, "Then, Mr. Wang, please continue with your work."

Mr. Wang sighed heavily. It was truly exhausting. There was still much to investigate, and the deeper he went, the less he could involve others. It was arduous, "Take care, my lord."

In the Zhou Residence, Zhulan uncertainly asked the steward, "Who did you say is coming to visit?"

Steward Ding bowed his head, "The second young lady from the Yao Residence is here to visit the Magistrate and the young miss."

Zhulan, piecing together what Su Xuan had told her, reasoned that the second young lady of the Yao family had the pride that came with having the capital to back it. Apart from her ordinary looks, she wasn’t stupid. Interesting. Why would she visit the Zhou Residence? Zhulan did not believe it was just a simple visit.

Zhulan said, "Please invite her in and have someone inform the Magistrate and the young miss."

Steward Ding respectfully responded, "Yes."

As Steward Ding turned to go, he mused that the greatest fortune of his life was ending up in the Zhou family. Those who came to visit were all of distinguished status!

Meanwhile, Granny Song had already gone downstairs to prepare tea and fruits. Pinggang was truly a wonderful place; with silver, one could find many rare items. At least Zhulan could get everything she craved.

The second young lady of the Yao Residence entered, followed by quite a few attendants. Zhulan counted them: two matrons and four maids, each maid carrying a gift.

As the second young lady of the Yao family had no title, she needed to show proper respect, "Greetings to Madam."

"Please rise, second young lady," she said.

As she spoke, Zhulan personally helped the second young lady to her feet.

The second young lady had a smile on her lips, "I apologize for the intrusion today. These are gifts for the proprietor and Madam Zhou. Please accept them."

Zhulan looked at the lavish gift box, silent for a moment, then smilingly said, "Second young lady, you are too kind. Please, take a seat."

The second young lady sighed in relief. Her visit today indeed was presumptuous, and her elder brother did not approve of it, but she insisted on coming, allowing herself this rare whimsy.

Just then, Su Xuan and Xue Han arrived together. As Su Xuan was a Magistrate, the second young lady of the Yao family rose to greet her, "Magistrate."

Su Xuan said with a smile, "Second young lady, you are too courteous."

Xue Han greeted, "Good day, second young lady Yao."

"Greetings Miss Zhou."

Miss Yao, the second daughter, liked to look people in the eyes when she spoke. Noticing that Miss Zhou did not look down upon her appearance and had clear eyes with an increased smile at her lips, Miss Yao actually had a favorable impression of Magistrate Anhe, despite their few encounters. She admired Magistrate Anhe’s forthrightness.

"I’ve brought gifts for both of you," Miss Yao continued. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

As she spoke, Miss Yao opened the box her maid was holding. She first opened the smaller box, which contained rouge and face powder, "This is a new product from the capital. Thinking the Magistrate would like it, I brought it along."

Su Xuan picked it up and opened it for a look. She indeed liked it and the scent as well, "Thank you."

Miss Yao then opened the largest box, "This zither is for Miss Zhou, and I hope she will like it."

When preparing the gift, the zither was actually given to her by her elder brother, and she did not ask too much about it, even if it felt strange. She bore no hostility towards her elder brother; in fact, their private relationship was quite good. At least, he would send her jewelry and other gifts for her birthday.

The truth is, her mother was not in the wrong. In the life of a powerful family’s inner court, her mother was also looking out for her and her brother. Not competing would lead to a worse outcome. Fighting was the way to get what you wanted.

Xue Han looked at the zither curiously; this was the very zither she had taken a liking to, "Did Miss Yao order this zither?"

That wasn’t right, Miss Yao was in the capital at that time!

Miss Yao narrowed her eyes amusedly. Miss Zhou recognized this zither; how interesting, "Ah, I asked my elder brother to order it for me. Originally, I wanted to exchange it for another zither but since I was coming to visit and didn’t have a suitable gift, I brought it instead. I hope Miss Zhou doesn’t mind."

With the explanation clear, Xue Han naturally didn’t mind. She was just worried that it might have been Princely Heir who ordered it, "Thank you, Miss Yao."

Zhulan could spot a lie in front of her in an instant; the zither definitely was not Miss Yao’s. Sipping her floral tea, her mind wandered a bit. The Princely Heir couldn’t possibly have different feelings for Xue Han, could he? But then again, they hadn’t really interacted. In the end, she chalked it up to a coincidence, guessing that Miss Yao probably didn’t know what else to prepare, so she settled for the zither.

Seeing the three of them quiet again, Zhulan, as the elder, felt it was better to give them some space, "The scenery inside the residence is quite good. Su Xuan, you and Xue Han should show Miss Yao around."

Su Xuan replied, "Yes."

After the three left, Zhulan looked at the gifts brought by Miss Yao. They were indeed generous: a pair of top-quality jade bracelets and an inkstone. As for the inkstone, she wasn’t very knowledgeable, but given the Yao family’s extravagance, it was surely precious.

Zhulan caressed the bracelets, musing on their rarity. She instructed the old lady Song, "Put the bracelets away in Xue Han’s dowry, and store the inkstone as well."

Indeed, there were quite a few inkstones at home, probably because there were many scholars in the Zhou family. All the Zhou men, except for the eldest and the second, were studious. Plus, Zhou Shuren believed that books were the most valuable and was continuously increasing the Zhou Residence’s collection, so those who came bearing gifts often chose to give scholarly items.

Old lady Song closed the box and touched the jade bracelets, secretly thinking that they were rare treasures not often seen even in the palace; the Yao family’s wealth was indeed exceedingly deep. She felt this was something to report.

Zhulan took her little son from Liu Ya’s arms, "Awake now, looking for mommy?"

The little guy waved his hands, "Ah."

Zhulan kissed her son’s chubby cheeks, "You, all you do is eat and sleep. You’re getting chubby like a little pig. You must have been born under the wrong zodiac, not supposed to be a horse, are you?"

The little one didn’t understand, assuming his mother was just playing with him, waving his hands, "Ah, oh."

Zhulan laughed lightheartedly. Only when she was with her son could she put her myriad thoughts aside!

In Xue Han’s courtyard, she took the pastries from Liu Li’s hands, "Try these, Miss Yao. These are special pastries from the Zhou Residence."

Miss Yao, who indeed had never seen them, tried a piece. Her eyes lit up. She wasn’t a fan of sweets, as she feared gaining weight. Already not very attractive, she did not want to look even less appealing if she were overweight, "They aren’t very sweet, but they taste good and have a soft and chewy texture."

Xue Han smiled, "It’s my elder sister-in-law’s specialty; our whole family likes them. Help yourself to more if you like them."

Miss Yao was familiar with the Zhou Residence, of course, all from what she had heard from her elder brother. She thought to herself how the Zhou family’s eldest lady truly had exceptional culinary skills. As she ate, she surveyed the room; it was not lavish, but it was arranged warmly and simply. There were green plants throughout, as well as a faint fruity scent, lacking the incense that officials’ daughters usually favored.