Zhou Wang Shi came in the afternoon. She thanked Zhulan when she entered the door, “It’s lucky that Shuren came to the house to talk, otherwise we wouldn’t have realized the trouble. I know you like to eat honey. This, My daughter-in-law, got it from her parents’ family, and I brought you a pound.”
Seeing how generous Zhou Wang Shi was, Zhulan knew in her heart that Zhou Wang Shi must have gotten another benefit from Fourth Wang’s family, so she took advantage of the situation. She came over and said, “Shuren is just chatting, and if you feel that it’s related to us and want to thank us, we won’t refuse. Moreover, when it comes to honey, I won’t be polite. I need honey for my health!”
Zhou Wang Shi handed over the basket and said “My daughter-in-law’s Mother probably still has some. If you want to buy it, I’ll ask her to go back and ask.”
Zhulan has been out of honey for a month, and she really needs to buy more. Unfortunately, honey was rare in the county. It was a rare occasion that she would buy it, “That’s good, I will give you a fair price.”
Zhou Wang Shi smiled, “Okay, I will tell her when I get back in a while.”
Zhulan was happy and asked Zhao Shi to go out with the basket, make tea and get snacks. Entertaining Zhou Wang Shi, she waited for her to sit down and then asked: “Has the matter of the Fourth Wang’s family been resolved?”
Zhou Wang Shi looked at the baby and teased the baby, “It has been solved. I went to remind him. Sun Shi was so generous that she gave me half a piece of cloth and five taels of silver in one breath. I didn’t want it, but they forced it on me.”
Zhou Wang Shi didn’t think there was anything to hide, so she said it openly. Zhou Shuren’s family had a strong foundation and didn’t care about these things.
She took it with peace of mind. Her reminder not only saved the two girls but also saved the reputation of Fourth Wang’s family. Fourth Wang had a son, and if something happened to the two girls, his son could not hold his head up ever in the village.
She could clearly see that Fourth Wang’s family had been doing the sausage business for less than a month. Now that Wang Ru had adopted herself, Fourth Wang was blaming Wang Ru. In fact, it was indeed Wang Ru who had been doing the business and was now separated. Fourth Wang had land and was still a farmer. He hoped that his son would study and be literate. His ambition was not small!
Zhulan waited for Zhao Shi to bring tea and poured a cup for Zhou Wang Shi herself, “Drink tea.”
Thinking about it in her mind, Wang Ru first gave forty taels to the Qian family and fifteen taels to the patriarch’s family in order to adopt. In addition, she gave two hundred taels to her father. According to her analysis of Shi Qing, he would not give Wang Ru too much money. Wang Ru probably didn’t have much money in hand!
Zhulan guessed correctly. In Wang Ru’s room, she was indeed counting her money. Her expenses were already substantial, and this time, she had spent a considerable amount to establish her own female household. She had about five taels of gold, a little over twenty taels of silver, and some small broken silver. Fortunately, her jewelry was quite valuable, so she could start building the house, and she would be fine once Shi Qing’s money arrived.
Wang Ru put away the money and suddenly smiled. She didn’t ask for Shi Qing’s help in establishing a female household because she knew that Shi Qing didn’t want her to gain complete freedom. She intentionally took action while Shi Qing’s people weren’t around and was eager to see his reaction when he found out.
With her own female household now, Wang Ru thought Shi Qing couldn’t control her. She regretted not considering adoption earlier, but it wasn’t too late now. Unfortunately, she was too young to travel and had her mind on the male lead. She could only stay in Zhoujia Village!
In the Zhou family, Zhulan and Zhou Wang Shi chatted for a while, and then she said goodbye and went home. As Zhulan walked out the door in person, she happened to see two girls from the Wang family walking over with two bundles.
Zhou Wang Shi squinted her eyes and said, “Where are you two going?”
Wang Erya and Wang Rong looked at Zhou Wang Shi gratefully, “We are going to find my sister and plan to stay at Qian’s house for a few days.”
Zhou Wang Shi thought that after Fourth Wang got her advice, he would hire someone to watch the yard but she was mistaken. She replied, “It’s getting late; you should leave soon!”
Wang Daya and Wang Xin said, “We’re leaving first.”
Zhulan saw off Zhou Wang Shi and then stood still, watching the two girls. It must have been the second girl’s idea. This young girl was indeed clever. Not only had she managed to avoid exploitation by Fourth Wang and his wife, seeking refuge, but she also wanted to extract some silver coins from Wang Ru. This girl was aware of her tarnished reputation and was trying to use Wang Ru as a stepping stone to secure her own way out!
Zhulan was in a particularly good mood, and Wang Ru was cruel, so don’t blame others for plotting against her. The cause must return the result.
Early the next morning, after having breakfast, Zhulan and her daughter dressed up. Today, they were going to pay a visit to the new County Magistrate. This was not only due to Zhou Shuren’s influence as a scholar but also because of Zhou Shuren’s capabilities. With someone else, the County Magistrate wouldn’t have waited specifically at home for the visit.
This time she only brought her daughter, because the County Magistrate had an unmarried daughter in his family. As for his granddaughter, as her granddaughter grew better and better, Zhulan no longer allowed Yushuang to go out to play. Every day, she would either learn female skills at home or play and learn with Xuehan. Zhulan decided not to bring Yushuang with her when she goes out in the future. It was not a blessing to be too good-looking.
Fortunately, even though Yu Shuang was not old enough, she knew a lot. Zhao Shi had always taught Yu Shuang the dangers. Before she came, the child had been shrinking and lowering her head. This was all the result of Zhao Shi’s intimidation. She had to praise Zhao Shi as a wise woman who knew how to protect herself.
The carriage hired by Zhou Shuren came to pick up people at home. When they arrived at the gate of the county government, it was the first time Zhulan saw the ancient county government. It was not as spectacular as the county government mansions seen in TV series. A housekeeper was waiting at the door.
This was to take Zhulan and Xuehan to the backyard, and Zhou Shuren went to see the county magistrate in person.
In the backyard of the county government office, where the county magistrate’s family lived, the house with two entrances was not as small as Zhulan’s house. The yard was very large, with a rockery and a small pond. Even though it was a two-entry courtyard, it was very exquisite.
Zhulan kept looking around with her peripheral vision. There were not many girls. Indeed, as Zhou Shuren said, the County Magistrate was a low-key person.
When they arrived at the main hall of the back house, Dong Lin Shi, Madam of County Magistrate, was already waiting for them. Next to Lin Shi stood a girl. She looked good and looked at her age. She was Dong Chuchu, the daughter of County Magistrate Dong.
Zhulan stepped forward and saluted, “Yang Shi has met Lin Ruren.”
In the imperial edict of this dynasty, officials from first to fifth rank were granted the title “Guānyuán1,” while those from sixth to ninth rank were granted the title “Lài mìng2.” The official’s wife corresponded to her husband’s rank. The wife of a first-rank official was called “Yīpǐn fūrén3,” second rank as “Fūrén4,” third rank as “Shūrén5,” fourth rank as “Gōngrén6,” fifth rank as “Yírén7,” sixth rank as “Ānrén8,” seventh rank as “Rúrén9,”. Since the post of County official was of the seventh rank, Lin Shi had the title of “Rúrén.”
Upon entering, Lin Shi took a good look around. She was curious about Zhou Shuren, whom the master favored, and even more curious about his wife. Today, after seeing them in person, she understood why the master valued Zhou Shuren. His wife was not simple either. Looking at her appearance and demeanor, she didn’t resemble an old lady from the countryside at all. By the looks of it, she was around thirty. If Lin Shi didn’t know that she had given birth to six children, and even had grandsons who were not so young, she wouldn’t believe that Yang Shi was almost forty.
Lin Shi’s smile became more genuine, “Dìmèi looks really young. If I hadn’t seen you in person, I wouldn’t have dared to recognize you!”
With that said, Lin Shi stood up and pulled Zhulan to sit down.
Zhulan thought to herself, “People rely on clothes, horses rely on saddles.”10 There were times when appearances mattered, as they directly impacted your first impression.
(End of chapter)
Footnote
- Commander
- subordinate
- First Rank Madam
- Madam
- Virtuous Lady
- Respectful Lady
- Appropriate Lady
- Stable Lady
- Young Lady
- The idiom “Clothes make the man.”
Translating one chapter one day at a time 
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