CHAPTER 1529: CHAPTER 1529: SCHEMING

The next day at the Zhou Residence, the Zhao family did not arrive early. Zhao Bo’s wife, Lady He, was well-informed about the Zhou family’s rise to prominence. Following the steward, Lady He led her children to the main courtyard. She didn’t dare to look around, estimating the distance to the main courtyard in her mind.

As Lady He walked, she grew increasingly pensive. Who would have thought that Zhou Shuren of so many years ago would become today’s Marquis Zhou? The estate was enormous, and at this season when flowers were in full bloom, she passed by numerous blossoms, many of them rare varieties. She couldn’t help but glance at her daughter beside her, steadying her emotions and no longer allowing herself to dwell further.

In the main courtyard, Zhulan and Lady Li were chatting when Steward Ding entered to report, prompting Zhulan to sit upright and signal for the visitors to be brought in.

Lady He took a deep breath before stepping inside the room. "Greetings, Madam. I hope you are well."

The two children followed suit, with the daughter greeting crisply and the son, who seemed weak, speaking in a faint voice.

Zhulan smiled gently. "You’ve had a tiring journey to the capital. Please, sit."

She then signaled Qing Xue to present the prepared gifts for the children. Though the gifts were valuable, they held no particular symbolic significance.

Lady He expressed her gratitude with her children before seating them. Internally, though, she felt disappointment; Madam Zhulan seemed too indifferent, and the sentiment between the two families that once existed was now gone.

Lady Li’s gaze fell on the young girl, and she said with a smile, "You’re blessed. Your children are all so good-looking."

Lady He’s mood lifted slightly. Her proudest achievement was bearing attractive children, particularly her daughter, a budding beauty who had caught many people’s attention. If not for the complications with Marquis Zhou’s household, her husband would not have been able to keep their daughter unmarried; her betrothal would have been arranged long ago.

Lady He replied, "Their looks are merely decent."

Lady Li’s smile became more subdued; she had little fondness for excessive modesty, perceiving it as disingenuous. She’d seen many young ladies in the capital, as well as numerous beauties. While the Zhao family’s daughter’s looks might earn a ranking, they couldn’t rival some of the capital’s beauties. Nonetheless, the girl had an appealing charm that made her easily likable.

Lady He spoke again, "Madam, my husband has always been concerned for Mr. Hou and asked that I personally visit and inquire after his wellbeing."

"Everything is fine. Please thank Zhao Daren for his concern."

Lady He twitched her mouth slightly. The term "Zhao Daren" widened the emotional gap between them. It felt as though her thoughts had been exposed. She had often heard her husband lament and mention that Marquis Zhou was a deeply sentimental man. Years ago, the idea of marriage alliances had been brought up but ultimately fell through. She had specifically brought her daughter to the capital; she couldn’t resign herself to leaving without trying.

Her daughter was beautiful and naturally deserved to marry well, ideally into a family beneficial to the Zhao family. Thankfully, she had two strategies in mind: if the Zhou family didn’t work out, entering the capital opened other possibilities.

Subsequent conversations became more typical; Zhulan inquired about the boy’s condition, learning that it was due to complications during pregnancy. She had an understanding of the situation.

The Zhao family, under the pretext of seeking medical attention, was primarily visiting to secure a marriage alliance for Zhao Tian. They didn’t want to arrange a match in their appointed region, essentially aiming to climb the social ladder.

After Lady He departed, Lady Li remarked, "The capital isn’t lacking in beauties. High branches aren’t so easily climbed."

Zhulan chuckled, "You’ve seen through it clearly."

"I’ve been by your side for so many years; I’ve learned what I need to know. At a glance, I could tell Lady He’s intentions. Alas, when a daughter’s marriage becomes a ploy, the one to suffer in the future will be Zhao Tian."

Zhulan responded, "Let’s not rush to conclusions about future suffering. Some people are fortunate."

The girl Zhao Tian was easy on the eyes, not strikingly beautiful but with a subdued charm. If she were clever, she could plan well for herself.

Zhulan thought for a moment and decided to have someone keep an eye on Lady He.

A few days later, Qing Xue reported, "Lady He has verbally finalized a betrothal with Wang Hui Fei’s family."

"Is the information reliable?"

"We’ve had someone tracking them. The Wang family extended goodwill first, and Lady He seized the chance to climb higher. They’re now waiting for an urgent message to be sent to Zhao Daren and his reply."

Zhulan snorted, "The Wang family has been eyeing our household all along!"

The Wang clan’s interest in the Zhao family stemmed from learning that Lady He had visited the Marquis’s residence. Upon investigating further and noting Zhao Bo’s considerable talent, they made their move.

Su Xuan commented, "Mother, don’t let this upset you. Save your energy; they’re not worth it."

"I’m not upset. The Wang clan has grown arrogant after producing two princes."

Su Xuan motioned for the maids to leave, saying, "The Wang family has suffered quite a bit recently. The Qie family has pinned their frustrations entirely on the Wang clan."

Zhulan’s eyes glittered with amusement. Zhou Shuren had planned well. "Enough. In the future, if Lady He visits again, don’t let her in."

Su Xuan replied, "I’ll inform Steward Ding shortly."

"Mm."

Zhulan dropped the matter, while Su Xuan monitored things for a few more days. She later returned to report that Wang family’s young master saw Zhao Tian and immediately took a liking to her. Zhulan thought to herself that it was no surprise.

The Zhou family didn’t obstruct the Zhao family’s ambitions. Zhou Shuren, pragmatic as ever, refrained from making unnecessary comments. Eventually, the Zhao family and the Wang clan entered into a marriage alliance.

Upon learning of the official engagement, Zhou Shuren remarked, "I’ll write a letter to Zhao Bo, signaling that our families will sever ties from now on."

"Delays lead to chaos. I want no lingering connections to this matter."

Zhulan added, "Earlier today, Lady He tried visiting, but I didn’t let her enter the estate. I asked the steward to send a reply indicating that future visits are unnecessary."

"Good," Zhou Shuren replied.

He then discussed further with Wang Yi, both of them shrewd individuals. As long as the Wang family maintained their senses, they wouldn’t cling to the Zhou family too tightly.

Zhou Shuren added, "Is it true that the eldest bought an estate in the capital?"

Such was the privilege of status. The eldest son was the future Marquis Zhou, and aside from him, the other brothers weren’t people to take lightly. The eldest wanted to buy an estate, and property deeds were sent directly for him to choose from.

Zhulan nodded. "He’s taken in some clan children in the capital. The clan pooled together silver to help the eldest purchase an estate, establishing a foundation for the Zhou clan in the capital for the future."

Zhou Shuren replied, "That’s excellent."

He had no intention of gifting an estate to the clan but was glad to see them collectively take responsibility and invest in their future.

Zhulan smiled. "Ming Qing has been a capable clan leader."

"Indeed."

A clan leader must bear the weight of familial responsibility, and Ming Qing was commendably up to the task.

The next day, Zhulan received an urgent letter from Zhangzhou Province. Upon reading it, she immediately went to find Lady Li. Lady Li quickly arrived, asking, "Mother, has something happened?"

Zhulan’s face lit up with a smile. "Lau Jia might be pregnant. But it’s too early to confirm—they’ve said they need to wait another half month."

Lady Li calculated mentally. "They’re awfully quick to send word without certainty. That boy doesn’t consider the possibility of false hopes, leaving everyone excited for nothing."

Zhulan replied, "They’ve experienced midwives, so most likely it’s true."

Lady Li, having previously noted Lau Jia’s cycle, smiled and said, "Her cycle has always been very punctual. Now, by my count, it’s been seven days late. Another half month will settle it."

"You even keep track of your daughter-in-law’s cycle?"

It was out of character for the usually indifferent Lady Li!