The Heir

Chарtеr 29: Shеn Shi’s Сalculatiоns

Тhat verу day, Zhеng Sаnniаng wаs саrried into thе Li family’s home. After sеrving tеa tо the еldеrs, shе tоok сhаrgе оf Li Jingkui’s hоusehоld.

Regarding this marriаgе, thosе who knew the insidе story wеre haрру fоr Zhеng Sаnniаng, but those whо didn’t рointеd fingеrs аt the Li fаmily. Ноwever, likе drinking wаter, оnly the drinker knоws whether it’s warm оr соld. Thе Li family simplу сlоsed thеir dооrs аnd livеd thеir lives саlmly.

Аnd with Zheng Shi’s аrrival, the hаpрiеst рersоn turnеd оut tо be Zhenniang’s mоther, Zhao Shi.

Over thе years, Zhаo Shi had grоwn distant frоm hеr in-laws. Аlthough they now lived under the same roof, conversations often fell flat. Neither her daughter-in-law nor her daughter were suitable confidantes for certain matters. With Zheng Shi’s arrival, Zhao Shi finally found someone to chat with. Since rooms were tight in the house and Li Jingfu was often away—having sworn not to return home until he achieved success—it seemed he wouldn’t be back anytime soon. Thus, Zhao Shi invited Zheng Shi to share her bed.

The two old sisters would whisper and chat late into the night, though most of the time, Zhao Shi did the talking while Zheng Shi listened.

Occasionally, Zheng Shi would share some gossip she’d heard.

“You mean the marriage talks between the Tian family and Eunuch Yan’s family have broken off?” Zhao Shi’s voice, raised in the dead of night, was particularly jarring. Zhenniang, half-asleep, was startled awake.

“They’ve broken off. I heard it’s because a batch of ink from the Luo Family failed quality checks, and Eunuch Yan refused to approve it. Unexpectedly, Luo Longwen lodged a complaint with Lord Yan Shifan, and the court dispatched an Imperial Guards envoy. He’s now stationed at the Ink Supervisor’s office and has become Eunuch Yan’s superior. Rumor has it he’s secretly investigating Eunuch Yan’s accounts. When I delivered meals a few days ago, I overheard the staff saying Eunuch Yan has already been sidelined. If incriminating evidence is found, he might even end up in prison. In such a situation, why would the Tian family continue marriage talks with Eunuch Yan? Even the maids in Miss Yan’s room are furious,” Zheng Shi murmured.

“The Tian family always kicks people when they’re down. Let’s see what kind of daughter-in-law they’ll end up with!” Zhao Shi said indignantly, clearly still upset about the Tian family’s withdrawal from the marriage arrangement.

“I also heard that Miss Yan seems to have contracted some unspeakable illness,” Zheng Shi added.

“What kind of unspeakable illness?” Zhao Shi’s curiosity flared.

“I don’t know. The Yan family keeps their secrets tightly guarded,” Zheng Shi replied.

“True, if it’s truly unspeakable, they’d naturally keep it hidden,” Zhao Shi agreed.

…

So this was happening. Lying in bed, Zhenniang listened to her aunt and mother’s conversation, her mind racing. There was less than a month left before the Luo Family’s historical downfall. If Eunuch Yan could hold out until then, he might just survive this crisis.

At this thought, Zhenniang couldn’t help but look forward to seeing the Tian family’s reaction when Eunuch Yan regained power after the Luo Family’s collapse. What a delightful prospect.

No matter how shrewd one’s calculations, they can never withstand the tides of fate.

With this in mind, Zhenniang slept soundly through the night.

The next morning, the air was bitingly cold. She had no idea how late her mother and aunt had chatted, but both were still fast asleep.Zhen Niang carefully got out of bed. The courtyard was silent and still, but the gate creaked open. She turned to look at her elder brother and sister-in-law’s room—the door was also open. Her brother had been staying at the coal stove workshop lately, so it seemed her sister-in-law was already up.

Sister-in-law is up early today, Zhen Niang thought, rubbing her hands as she stepped outside. The courtyard walls were dusted with a thin layer of white—not snow, but frost, a heavy frost.

The weather had truly turned cold.

“What? Just this little money? Are you trying to send off a beggar?” Suddenly, murmuring voices came from the kitchen. The voice was unfamiliar—Zhen Niang couldn’t tell who it was—so she cautiously approached the kitchen window. It was half-open, allowing a clear view inside from outside.

In the kitchen, besides her sister-in-law, there was a middle-aged woman whose face closely resembled her sister-in-law’s. At that moment, the woman was rummaging through a pouch, one hand pointing accusingly at her sister-in-law.

“Mother, I’m not in charge of the household. Even this money was painstakingly saved up bit by bit,” Du Shi said with a hint of grievance. It hadn’t been easy for her to save this small sum.

“Five taels of silver? Only five taels? And you have the nerve to say you saved it up? The Li family’s coal stoves are selling like hotcakes now, and that little sister-in-law of yours—with her skill in Medicinal Ink—who in the county isn’t talking about it? That used piece of Medicinal Ink sold for several taels of silver that very day. So, are you the only pauper in the whole family? The Li family can’t treat people like this. I’ll go find Old Shopkeeper Li and demand an explanation,” the woman grumbled angrily.

Zhen Niang understood now—it was her sister-in-law’s mother who had come, and so early at that. Hmm, her sister-in-law’s mother seemed to be surnamed Shen.

“Demand an explanation? How can you have the face? When I married into this family, aside from the wedding dress I made myself, I didn’t bring a single bit of dowry. If you go demanding an explanation, you’ll only be asking for embarrassment,” Du Shi retorted sharply.

“Hah, still holding a grudge over the lack of a dowry, are you? Did you even look at what kind of betrothal gifts the Li family offered back then? And you still wanted a dowry? Pah! I raised you into such a fine, delicate young woman—doesn’t that count for anything? You even gave the Li family a plump, healthy son. Did our Du family shortchange the Li family in any way? Why should I feel embarrassed?” Shen Shi said with a dark expression.

Du Shi fell silent.

“How did I give birth to such a useless daughter?” Shen Shi fumed, then added, “Alright then, you have to find a way. The oil mill has shut down now, and the owner wants to sell it. Your two brothers are interested in taking it over, but they don’t have enough money. I came to ask you for a little to help them, but who knew you’d be so useless—your husband is rolling in money, yet you can’t even get a drop of the broth. Fine then, talk to your husband. Tell him to chip in and partner with your brothers to take over the oil mill. Later, find a way to keep the shares in your own hands, and have your brothers watch over it for you. That way, you’ll have some private money of your own. Understand?” Shen Shi spoke with an air of exasperation, as if disappointed her daughter hadn’t lived up to her expectations.

“Understood, Mother. I’ll talk to Dalang about it later,” Du Shi replied softly."Good that you understand. Remember, with men, a few more sweet words on the pillow, coax them a bit more, and the money will come." Shen Shi taught her, then waved her hand. "Alright, I'm leaving."

"Mother-in-law will be up soon. Won't you stay a little longer, Mother?" Du Shi asked.

"No, I have nothing to say to that mother-in-law of yours." Shen Shi curled her lip. She had never gotten along with Zhao Shi. With that thought, she headed out, only to run into Zhen Niang carrying a wooden basin just outside the door.

Shen Shi's mouth twitched involuntarily, wondering how much the girl had overheard. She said irritably, "Zhen Niang, eavesdropping isn't something a proper young lady should do."

"Oh, it's Auntie. What eavesdropping? I just got up and was coming over when I ran into you coming out. Making baseless accusations isn't something an elder should do either." Zhen Niang replied calmly. She had wanted to add, asking if Shen Shi had said something shameful to be so afraid of being overheard, but considering her sister-in-law, she decided to save her some face and swallowed the words.

Hearing this, Shen Shi breathed a sigh of relief. After thinking it over, she felt she hadn't said anything wrong and calmed down. "Fine, then. I'm off." With that, Shen Shi left, and Du Shi followed behind to see her out.

Zhen Niang, however, was now pondering Shen Shi's words. Back when she had first transmigrated here, she had overheard her sister-in-law mentioning the oil mill to her own mother. Combined with what Shen Shi had just said, it seemed her sister-in-law might have such intentions.

But it's not the wolf-like enemy you should fear, it's the pig-like teammate. Du Shi's two brothers were worse than pigs—they were pigs that bit the hand that fed them. There was no possibility of cooperation. Under such circumstances, it would be better to borrow money than to partner with them.