Zhulan, who was being nagged, actually wrote a letter to Zhou Shuren, but due to heavy snow, the letter couldn’t be delivered and remained undelivered.

Days passed, and on the twelfth day, Zhou Shuren finally received several letters from Zhulan.

Zhulan’s first letter recounted her journey, ending with a question about whether Zhou Shuren had eaten on time and taken care of himself.

The second letter explained that the heavy snow had blocked roads, and communication hadn’t been possible.

The subsequent letters detailed her stay in Xizhou City and subtly expressed her longing for Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren’s gloomy face finally brightened; after twelve days of eating alone, he could finally have dinner in the main hall.

Chang Lian felt a little relieved; these past few days, he had truly felt like dying. His father was terrifying; in his heart, his father was no longer just a stepfather, but even more frightening than a stepfather.

Several daughters-in-law also breathed a sigh of relief. They had already felt that their mother-in-law was very good, but now they felt that this family could not do without her. These past days, their father-in-law had truly scared them to death.

Even Mingyun, who had the best relationship with Yéye, did not dare to go close. Mingyun sighed in her heart—there was only Nǎinai in Yéye’s heart!

When Zhulan went to Jiangnan, everyone who kept an eye on the Zhou family came to know about it. Zhulan was no longer at home. Previously, after Zhou Shuren had dealt with the yahang, some people had thought he was afraid of the tigress at home. Now that Madam Zhou had left, those who were already restless began to stir with new intentions.

Some merchants had connections with the court. Although Zhou Shuren wasn’t in the capital, his deeds were known throughout the capital. Zhou Shuren was capable and favored by the Emperor, so he was naturally a worthy target for courtship.

Since ancient times, although everyone was aware of the beauty trap, it had indeed been effective.

It was just a pity that Zhou Shuren came home on time every day. Even though they finally managed to invite him personally, they didn’t dare to speak when faced with Zhou Shuren’s gloomy face.

Today, Zhou Shuren finally went to the yamen with a smile on his face. Chen Daren and He Daren felt that the dark cloud hanging over their heads had finally dispersed. They truly had not expected that Zhou Daren was so inseparable from his niangzi; others might not have known why Zhou Daren’s expression had been so unpleasant. 

These colleagues of his knew it well—after all, from time to time they would hear Zhou Shuren asking whether any letters from home had been delivered. If there were any letters, they were to be sent to the yamen immediately!

Chen Daren smiled. “Sister-in-law wrote back?”

Zhou Shuren had never hidden his feelings for Zhulan. He wanted everyone to know how much he cared for her. As for his supposed weakness, he wasn’t afraid. He was happy to reveal his weakness, as it reassured the Emperor. A minister being too capable wasn’t good; he didn’t want to be discarded after his usefulness was over.

Zhou Shuren chuckled, “I’m relieved to have received a reply. Otherwise, I’d be constantly worried.”

Chen Daren thought to himself, who would have thought that the capable Zhou Daren was also such a romantic? He felt he was good enough to his wife, but he also had two concubines and a mistress!

Before long, an invitation arrived. Zhou Shuren picked it up and flipped through it. These people were really persistent. He smiled and said, “I’ll definitely be there tonight.”

Chen Daren and He Daren exchanged a glance. Tomorrow was sure to be a good show.

At dinnertime in the evening, Zhou Shuren had not returned home. Chang Lian sent a servant to the yamen and only then learned that his father had gone to a restaurant. Especially after finding out who had invited him, he knew what it meant—he had encountered situations where women were sent before. Ahem, he had never gone himself, not even once. He did not believe his father could not see through it, but then why would his father go?

Chang Lian’s scalp tingled. He knew in his heart that his father wasn’t that kind of person; his father only had eyes for his mother. But his legs were more honest than his brain. He wouldn’t feel at ease unless he saw his father with his own eyes. He got into the carriage and said, “To the restaurant.”

On the way, Chang Lian had imagined all sorts of possibilities. But when he reached the entrance of the restaurant, he did not need to guess anymore—his father was standing at the staircase on the second floor with a dark expression, scolding them: “You said you would donate twenty thousand taels of silver to dig ice cellars for Lizhou City. That was why this official personally hosted a banquet with his own salary to thank you. I never expected that you would fool this official—these two women are your twenty thousand taels? Can they dig more than a dozen ice cellars? Can they help Lizhou prevent drought?”

Zhou Shuren had paid the bill as soon as he entered the restaurant to dig this pit!

The two merchants in the private room were dumbfounded. They hadn’t said a single word. Lord Zhou had overturned the table as soon as he entered, then opened the door and berated them. Wait a minute, when did they say they were donating silver? And 20,000 taels of silver?

Zhou Shuren’s face flushed with anger. “I come from a family of farmers and scholars. My wife and I have weathered wars and famines together. She bore me children and supported my studies in the imperial examinations. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I swear I only love her. You’re using the pretense of donating silver to frame me for breaking my promise and oath! You…you’ve gone too far!”

Zhou Shuren had already enjoyed a very high reputation among the common people; whenever people in the city mentioned him, they would give a thumbs-up. At this hour, there were quite a few people dining in the restaurant, and when Zhou Shuren brought up digging ice cellars to store ice for drought prevention, the diners grew even more excited.

Inside the private room, the merchants were startled by the angry voice. They had thought that Zhou Daren would refuse the women, but they had not expected that he would not even give them a chance to speak and would set them up right away.

They wanted to explain, but what use was there in explaining? The people of Lizhou City would sooner believe that Chen Daren was lying than believe that Zhou Daren would lie!

Zhou Shuren was fuming. With his back to the common people, he spoke in a low voice, “Twenty thousand taels—come to the yamen tomorrow. Otherwise, the imperial reward convoy bestowed by the Emperor will be arriving soon.”

The two merchants were stunned—this was openly setting them up!

Zhou Shuren narrowed his eyes. “If you dare to send women again next time…”

As for the rest, they could figure it out themselves.

The rest was left for them to figure out.

The two merchants fell silent. He had already ripped them off before they even opened their mouths; he was really going all out. They knew it wouldn’t just be a matter of losing money.

Zhou Shuren was very sensible. He was different now than when he first arrived in Lizhou City. His abilities had been proven, the Emperor would protect him, and besides, the powerful figures behind the two men wouldn’t turn against him for the sake of two merchants.

The two men in the private room exchanged a glance. They knew that the silver had to be donated, and this time, they hadn’t even fulfilled their orders from above.

Seeing the two men nod, Zhou Shuren turned around and said, “Everyone, please be quiet. I misheard you. Those two women were their maids. It’s all my fault for not hearing clearly. Everyone, please disperse. The donations will be delivered to the yamen tomorrow.”

Zhou Shuren’s eyes crinkled with excitement. He had achieved multiple goals at once. No one would send women to him anymore; he had revealed his weakness to the Emperor, and he had even gotten free money. This time, Lord Chen wouldn’t have to worry about money. Zhou Shuren felt this trip was well worth it.

Zhou Shuren went downstairs and saw Chang Lian. He squinted, startling Chang Lian so much that he almost knelt down. He knew his father well; this was clearly a performance orchestrated by his grandfather. With his grandfather’s intervention, he was filled with nothing but admiration. “Father, the food at home is ready.”

Zhou Shuren rarely smiled at Chang Lian. Zhulan hadn’t spoiled this boy for nothing; he even knew to come and check on him for Zhulan. “Hmm.”

Chang Lian said to Fenmo beside him, “Did the Old Master just smile at me?”

Wuwu, he really wanted to cry!

(End of Chapter)

---