Zhulan and Zhou Shuren looked at each other. They were talking privately and thought that the Qian family would come yesterday, but they didn't. Then they thought that the Qian family would have to wait for some time to investigate the Zhou family, so they came today.
He must have found out everything by visiting today. It seems that Manager Qian has his own ability to find out information. He found out everything in just one day!
The managers of merchants' families have many friends of all kinds and ranks, which is even more diverse than the managers of government departments!
The eldest Zhou came back from the front yard to report the news first, and the second Zhou was welcoming people in.
The Zhou family’s house is not big, and there are only a few steps from the front yard to the back yard. As soon as Boss Zhou finished speaking, Zhulan heard the sound of conversation, and they had arrived at the back yard.
Boss Zhou hurriedly turned around and opened the curtain. It was not yet March and the weather was still very cold, so the Zhou family's curtains were always hung.
When the curtain was opened, the person walking in front of Zhou Laoer was Butler Qian, who looked to be in his fifties. The woman next to Butler Qian had white hair. She was obviously about the same age as Zhulan, but she looked much older than Zhulan. This was Fang.
At the end were two people carrying gifts. The one in his thirties should be the eldest son of Manager Qian, and the other one was a boy about ten years old, who should be his grandson.
Zhulan thought that the boy she brought should be a student, otherwise he should be the eldest grandson.
Zhou Shuren stood up and said, "Mr. Qian, please take a seat."
Old Master Qian was not surprised that he did not hear the title of in-laws. He found out that the Zhou family was a farming and reading family. Two of the Zhou family's sons were scholars and had passed the county examination. Another one was a child husband who was also supported by the Zhou family. Together with his grandson, there were quite a few scholars in the family. If Mr. Zhou passed the imperial examination, the Zhou family would become a family of scholars.
Scholars have their own arrogance. Scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans are divided into four categories: scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans. Although he had never been a businessman, he had been a slave, and a slave to a merchant. Even if he became a farmer, he was still looked down upon. Mr. Zhou was polite to him. At least he did not show contempt on his face.
What's more, the Zhou family and the official family are related by marriage, and Mr. Zhou has contacts with the Zhao family. It is natural for him to be arrogant. After investigating the Qian family, he asked his son to take Zhao to recognize his relatives and took out a generous gift to recognize them. The Zhou family is a kind family. Being kind is good, but it is also good to be calculating.
Just looking at Mr. Zhou sitting in the main seat, he was over fifty years old and had met all kinds of people as a merchant, from officials to ruffians. He knew at a glance that the Zhou family was not easy to fool and that honest people were not easy to calculate.
Looking at the cheap son-in-law who had always looked silly at the Qian family, he became polite and his expression never changed. Well, he knew what was going on. What a silly son-in-law. He just deliberately said what he asked. How could he shock the Qian family if he didn't say it out loud
It seems that the purpose of coming here today has failed!
I have been scheming all day, but today all failed. Well, if I were just honest and incompetent, how could I have any relationship with the Zhao family and send my future son-in-law and grandson to the academy!
Zhulan welcomed Fang into the inner room. Compared to the quietness of the hall, she was much more affectionate to Fang. She personally held Fang's hand and sat down, "Mother-in-law, I have wanted to meet you for a long time, but I never had the chance. Today I finally meet you."
Fang saw that her daughter's mother-in-law's eyes were sincere and not malicious, so she felt relieved. Her daughter did not lie, her mother-in-law was really good to her. "I wanted to come yesterday, but something delayed me. I came here specially today not only to recognize her, but also to personally thank my mother-in-law for her love and care for Zhao. I am grateful to my mother-in-law for all these years."
Fang was about to bow, but Zhulan pulled her back and made her sit down. "Since Zhao has entered my Zhou family, she is a member of my Zhou family. It is my duty to protect her. You don't need to thank me, mother-in-law."
Fang was really grateful. At first, when she saw her daughter was disfigured, she was happy that her daughter protected herself, but she was also sad that every woman loves beauty. Fortunately, she was told privately that it was painted. She also learned from her daughter that her daughter's in-laws were all good people, especially her daughter's mother-in-law, who made her extremely grateful for everything they did.
She was happy that her daughter had a better life and was more fortunate than her, but she still wanted to visit her in person to feel at ease.
Zhulan sat next to Fang and picked up the teapot on the kang table. "The tea has just been brewed. Mother-in-law must be thirsty after all the way here. Have a cup of hot tea and warm yourself up."
Fang took the teacup with both hands, and felt more at ease. Her mother-in-law did not despise her for selling herself and remarrying. Her tone was full of gratitude: "Thank you."
Zhulan knew that this thank you meant too much. Thank you for so much, thank you for taking care of Zhao, and thank you for acknowledging that she poured the tea with her own hands.
She had already guessed why Fang didn't come yesterday. The Qian family's inquiries were one reason, and Fang didn't have any clothes to wear when she went out. The clothes didn't look like they were made-to-order, so they must have been bought from a ready-made clothing shop in the city.
Looking at Fang's jewelry, which was low-key but valuable, Zhulan thought that the Qian family was really rich. Not to mention the cash, even if all the jewelry, antiques, and calligraphy and paintings were sold, it would be a large sum of money. The Yun family really fattened up the big rat, Manager Qian. Hmm, it seemed that the housekeepers of wealthy families all had money.
Fang felt a little uncomfortable being stared at, "Mother-in-law, do you think there's something wrong with me?"
No, she knows what she can bring and what she can wear, and she won't make any mistakes.
Zhulan smiled and said, "From what I've seen, Zhao doesn't look much like my mother-in-law."
Fang's lips were bitter, "She looks more like her father. This girl is so good at growing up, she only grows the good ones."
She was good-looking to begin with, and her husband was a handsome man well-known in the surrounding villages. She also chose good looks, so she ended up looking harmful to herself. Fortunately, she was lucky.
Zhulan saw that Fang had not yet moved on, and she felt sad. Women are particularly willing to reminisce, no matter how painful or sweet it is, they will never forget it. Just then, Zhao came into the room.
Zhao came so slowly because she wanted to draw up the wound. When she saw her mother, she said excitedly, "Mother."
Fang's eyes were red. She had never thought that she would have the chance to see her daughter again. Her eyes fell on the child in Zhao's arms, "Is this Mingrui?"
Zhao handed the son to his mother and said, "He is three years old now. Look how strong he is."
My son’s birthday is late, so he is at a disadvantage in terms of age.
Zhulan didn't see Yushuang. This was because the Zhao family didn't intend to let anyone see Yushuang, at least not before Zhou Shuren passed the imperial examination. The Qian family would only inquire about the men in the Zhou family, and the women would not pay too much attention. This was a common problem among men in ancient times, who subconsciously ignored women.
There is nothing wrong with Zhao introducing Mingrui as the eldest son, as he is indeed the eldest son of the second wife.
Fang hugged the child tightly, "Okay, okay."
When Fang saw the child, she remembered that she had brought gifts for the child. She took out a gold lock and a pair of gold bracelets from her purse and said, "You said you didn't want to mention Yushuang, so I brought a set over. The gold lock is for Mingrui, and the bracelets are for Yushuang."
She is no longer the Mrs. Qian who was only in name. After his daughter recognized her relatives, the old man explained why he didn't help her and the child, and he didn't lie to her. It was because she was worthless. She was soft-hearted but always understood that because the old man told the truth, she knew that the old man would really treat her well in the future. He also gave her silver notes for her to spend. Thinking of this.
Fang took out two silver bills from her purse and said, "This is the dowry that mother gave you."
Zhao was a little confused. Two hundred-liang silver notes. "Mother, where did the money come from?"
Fang stuffed the money into her daughter's pocket and said, "Don't worry, take it. Qian Shengbao gave it to me and let me use it myself. He gave me three hundred taels in one go to support me in giving it to you secretly. Take it quickly. This money is really nothing to the Qian family. The Qian family may not seem to have much wealth on the surface, but they are actually very wealthy."
Fang paused and continued, "Although mother doesn't know the exact amount, she has been married to your uncle for several years. She knows the amount in her heart. Antiques and paintings are not counted, but silver bills are worth tens of thousands of taels. Your uncle knows how to hide things, so he must have hidden a lot. This is why the sons and daughters-in-law of the Qian family are torturing me and your brother. They are afraid that your brother, as the eldest son, will get most of the family property."
Zhulan, "... ..."
Did Fang trust her too much? She actually said that in front of her!