CHAPTER 1547: CHAPTER 1547 REASSURED

Zhulan did not comfort Lau Jia. She stood up slowly and patted her eldest daughter-in-law’s shoulder, "You’ve been managing the household accounts well. I believe you can handle today’s matters."

Since she decided to let her eldest son and daughter-in-law handle things, she was quick to let go. Although the Zhou family was not involved in any sordid affairs, Lady Li had seen plenty in other households. She trusted Lady Li.

Lady Li was no longer the same as before. Her mind had been on her daughter-in-law earlier, and now she could understand clearly, feeling a burning anger inside, "Mother, should I really let the daughter-in-law handle it?"

Zhulan, "Yes."

"Can she handle it however she wants?"

Zhulan already had her cloak on, "Yes."

Lady Li’s confidence surged instantly, "Mother, let me accompany you out."

"No need, it’s quite cold outside. I can manage by myself."

"Mother, then take it slow."

"Mm."

After leaving the courtyard, Qing Xue asked quietly, "Madam, are you really not going to intervene anymore?"

Zhulan, "The eldest couple are the future Marquis Zhou and Mrs. Hou. Only by completely letting go can they quickly grow, not to mention, what could possibly happen within the residence? Even if something happens, I will handle it."

Over the years, Lady Li, the eldest daughter-in-law, hadn’t commanded much presence among the servants, but that changed when she became the Princely Heir’s wife. With increasing power in her hands, the servants in the residence began to respect Lady Li, though it wasn’t enough. Lady Li had to establish her authority and let all the servants know that she was the future Mrs. Hou.

Lady Li returned to the room and remained silent. After the medicine was brewed and she watched Lau Jia drink it, she waited a while until Lau Jia’s breathing calmed before sitting by the bed.

Lau Jia couldn’t sleep at all, and today’s mother-in-law felt strange to her, "Mother."

Lady Li, "You are careful and meticulous, which is not bad, but being overly meticulous is not good."

The second sister-in-law was also meticulous, which she found tiring back then. Now with her own daughter-in-law being the same, it felt exhausting.

Lau Jia bit her lip, "Mother, I."

Lady Li raised her hand, "I know you’re under a lot of pressure. When you got engaged, you should have realized that from engagement to marriage, you needed to be prepared for the issues you’d face. The issue of offspring is the biggest one."

Lau Jia remained silent. Indeed, before she got married, she considered the issues she might face, and after marriage, the issue of offspring did weigh on her. Finally, she became pregnant, but she liked spicy food even though she wanted to eat sour things, as sour things made her want to vomit.

Ming Teng needed a son to reassure his great-grandfather. She really hoped she was carrying a boy. She was afraid; if Ming Teng was adopted out, the Zhou family’s rules could be disregarded, and she had enjoyed a marriage with no third party, if only without fear.

Lady Li, "I know my son well, and your grandfather and grandmother will also persuade."

The uncle wouldn’t discuss with the younger generation, but if he made a move, he would definitely inform the father-in-law and mother-in-law first. The Rong family needed support from the father-in-law, and since Ming Teng carried the Zhou family’s blood, the uncle wouldn’t dare bypass the father-in-law, even if he had other intentions.

Lau Jia listened to this and said, "Mother, I have been foolish."

"You’re just under a lot of pressure. I know there have been talks lately about you giving birth to a daughter."

After saying that, Lady Li looked at the maids in the room, especially the more presentable ones. Those who could speak into Lau Jia’s ears must be the maids in the courtyard.

At this point, Lady Li’s servant brought the registry, and Lady Li took it and flipped through it. This was the advantage of detailed registration. The relationships of the lineage within the household were very clear, and from the registry, there was nothing Lady Li couldn’t understand. For loyalty’s sake, the Rong family had sent only native-born children to Ming Teng.

Now daughters were being sent as maids, while the fathers served by the uncle’s side. The servants, gauging the master’s intentions, inevitably had thoughts.

Lady Li read the names and told her servant, "Take them down for punishment. Since they’re so loose-lipped, let them learn to control their tongues."

She paused and added, "Make them kneel outside and receive their punishment in front of all the maids of the courtyard."

Lau Jia was shocked, "Mother."

It was the first time she had seen her mother bear like this.

Lady Li reassured her by patting the back of her hand. The mother-in-law also hoped she would establish authority. She didn’t send the maids back to the Rong family because she was of a younger generation; today’s punishment would let the uncle know she took action. As for displeasing the uncle, Lady Li wasn’t afraid. If Lau Jia’s miscarriage was involved, the uncle would be more furious than anyone.

In the main courtyard, Zhulan knew the result of Lady Li’s handling and smiled, not exposing the maids’ thoughts, preserving everyone’s dignity, "I can rest assured entrusting Hou Residence to your sister-in-law."

Zhao Shi didn’t envy the management rights of Hou Residence. She knew they would eventually be on their own, "Mother can enjoy life leisurely."

Zhulan, "Yes, I can enjoy life through you all."

Rong Yushang had been concerned since Lau Jia got upset over the fetal movement. He was unsuitable to go and had people watching. The maid being punished was naturally clear, especially since Lady Li had sent the servant’s registry booklet. How could Rong Yushang not understand?

When Zhou Shuren returned, Rong Yushang had already dispatched the steward beside him, along with the maids from Ming Teng’s courtyard. He also sent gifts to Lau Jia, saying they’d be liked by both boys and girls. In the future, the maids in Ming Teng’s courtyard would be chosen by Lau Jia.

Zhou Shuren, "If it weren’t for the uncle, it wouldn’t have spread around. I even thought Lau Jia did it deliberately."

"Lau Jia was also lucky; this time it was someone by Fourth Uncle’s side. Fourth Uncle was at fault."

Zhou Shuren, "The old master must be holding a grudge."

"Alas, the pressure on the offspring of noble families is too great. Yu Lu is fortunate."

"Yes, Yu Lu is fortunate."

The next day, Zhulan did not know how Ming Teng had talked to Lau Jia, but she saw Lau Jia had a face full of sweetness.

Lady Li accompanied her mother-in-law, saying as they walked, "Once Lau Jia has a son to rely on, it’ll be fine."

"Mm."

After just a few steps, Su Xuan appeared, fuming. Lady Li asked, "Who made you angry?"

Su Xuan came over with her face still filled with anger, "Mother, I just can’t manage Yu Wen anymore."

Zhulan also felt helpless with Yu Wen, who was determined to be a slacker, "Alright, don’t be mad anymore."

Su Xuan, "Your daughter-in-law is anxious."

After the unsuccessful marital arrangements for her daughter, she’d been preoccupied with the thought. Even though it wasn’t urgent to get engaged, she wanted to show her daughter around the capital so people would know Hou Residence still had a Fifth Lady, but each time Yu Wen eluded her.

Zhulan, "Yu Wen is still young."

Su Xuan looked at her mother-in-law with grievance, "Mother, you can’t spoil her."

Zhulan, "??"

She didn’t acknowledge it. She truly had not spoiled Yu Wen, just felt helpless about her!

Lady Li chuckled, "Sister-in-law, in this winter weather, you trying to get Yu Wen to go out is tough. Just wait until it warms up."

Su Xuan sighed, "She has reasons to be lazy all year round."

Despite her daughter’s laziness, her quick wit often left her mother too exasperated, wishing she could send her back to be reborn.

In the palace, Zhou Shuren was the latest to arrive, "This subject greets the Emperor."

The Emperor signaled him to rise, and now that everyone was present, he handed over the Zhezi, his tone heavy, "Take a look at this."

When it was Zhou Shuren’s turn, the others’ faces were already grave. Zhou Shuren, upon finishing the Zhezi, had a feeling as if a dreaded guess had come true.