Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!

Chapter 1829: Chapter 1829: The Trump Card

The day of Gu Sheng’s marriage proposal arrived in the blink of an eye. He was exceptionally tense at home, despite the engagement being agreed upon. He remained nervous until the matchmaker returned.

Wu Shangheng, a very good friend, accompanied him, clicking his tongue twice, "Do you remember how you responded when I last asked if you were nervous?"

Of course, Gu Sheng remembered. He had firmly claimed, "I’m not nervous," like a dead duck with a stubborn mouth.

"If you’re not nervous, why are you staring at the door?"

Gu Sheng deflated, no longer stubborn, "I’m afraid something unexpected might happen."

Wu Shangheng chuckled and comforted him, "The Marquis Zhou’s Residence is known for keeping its word. They have never gone back on a marriage proposal they accepted."

Gu Sheng pressed his lips together, "Do you think my and the Magistrate’s birthdays will be compatible?"

Wu Shangheng, "..."

Thinking about compatible birthdays before the matchmaker has returned!

At Marquis Zhou’s Residence, Gu Sheng did his utmost to invite the old lady from the Deputy Minister of Justice’s family. Zhulan was quite surprised, having prepared for a lower-status matchmaker. She hadn’t expected to secure a decent one.

The old lady introduced herself in a few words, and Zhulan realized how close the future prince consort and Gu Sheng’s relationship was. The old lady was the future prince consort’s grandaunt!

If she weren’t helping Gu Sheng with the proposal, few would know of this connection, Zhulan estimated.

Su Xuan’s smile deepened. She didn’t care how much effort Gu Sheng put in behind the scenes; she only focused on the result.

The old lady, due to her age, found no difficulty with the already agreed marriage.

Gu Sheng’s proposal went smoothly, and the calculated birthdays also matched well. When the results were sent back to Marquis Zhou’s Residence, Zhulan carefully inspected them and handed them to Su Xuan.

Su Xuan beamed, "The birthdays are quite compatible."

Yu Wen wasn’t concerned about the birthdays, "It’s the couple that makes the day. A good life doesn’t depend on birthdays. In this capital, many marriages have compatible birthdays, but how many truly live well?"

Respectful relationships are notable, but true harmony is rare.

Su Xuan glared, "Do you understand good omens?"

Yu Wen, "I understand, I understand."

Su Xuan put away the matched birthdays, "I heard from my younger brother that Gu Sheng recently bought a house for nearly ten thousand taels, and there’s a small garden inside."

Zhulan chimed in, "Riding on Chang Xhong’s fortune is something many have done."

Yu Wen laughed, "Uncle brings wealth."

Su Xuan considered that Gu Sheng’s current house was small. She had prepared a dowry house for her daughter, spending over twenty thousand taels. But now, with Gu Sheng buying his house, the young couple would have enough to live on.

Zhulan looked at Yu Wen. The fraternal twins were born in April of the eighteenth year of Yongzhi. With the children at home growing up, she pondered when Chang Xhong, born in the sixteenth year of Yongzhi, would get married.

Yu Wen’s engagement process went very smoothly. Gu Sheng’s betrothal gifts were impressive, leaving the onlookers speechless.

Apart from the gold and silver betrothal gifts, the antiques and calligraphy alone were eye-opening.

After delivering the betrothal gifts, Gu Sheng was left with only the newly bought house and some farmland. Fortunately, Marquis Zhou’s Residence didn’t want Magistrate Anhe to marry early, allowing Gu Sheng to save more silver for future life.

At the Hanlin Academy, Chang Zhi had been in an excellent mood lately. Behind the scenes, people said Gu Sheng was living off a woman. But with this betrothal gift, without his assistance, Gu Sheng had proven himself and fiercely slapped a retort back.

Mr. Qi was very curious, "In three years, he has managed to save this much silver?"

Chang Zhi snorted, "He’s not afraid of being investigated."

He knew some people held malicious intentions because, in the eyes of certain individuals, Gu Sheng was too lucky—so lucky they wished to see him ruined.

Mr. Qi, "I didn’t say his silver had an improper origin."

"I know. I’m saying some people think that way."

Mr. Qi laughed, "My wife says Gu Sheng is adept at generating wealth, saying your daughter is fortunate."

Many sons from poor scholars’ families aren’t good at managing households; they often rely on their wife’s family. Some live off their wife’s dowry. Not many like Gu Sheng, who establishes his own estate. The betrothal gifts Gu Sheng offered were comparable to those my son-in-law provided!

Chang Zhi laughed, "I have good judgment."

In truth, it was his daughter’s keen eye. He couldn’t say she was the one who first took interest, as everyone now believed he was a good judge of character.

Mr. Qi thought about the dowry, "Now everyone is curious about how much the Magistrate Anhe’s dowry is."

Chang Zhi pondered his daughter’s thick dowry list in silence. Fortunately, his daughter was a magistrate; otherwise, it wouldn’t be easy to reveal such a dowry.

Gu Sheng floated on cloud nine for two days and returned to reality today, "I need to save silver for daily life."

Wu Shangheng spat out the tea from his mouth, "I can see now; you’re destined to worry."

Gu Sheng, "I’m willing."

He felt a great sense of achievement!

Wu Shangheng hmmed, "You’ve already entered the circle I’m in. Saving silver shouldn’t be difficult for you."

Gu Sheng smiled broadly, "Now things are good; I’m less restricted and don’t have to worry too much. I’m confident I can save a decent fortune before Yu Wen marries."

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhang Jinghong carried back a large box, "Everything has been tallied clearly."

Zhou Shuren gestured for the box to be opened. Inside were silver notes and thick account books, "Thank you for your hard work these past two days."

Zhang Jinghong responded, "It’s no trouble."

Zhou Shuren didn’t inquire about the process, as there was no need. He signaled Zhang Jinghong to rest, while he closely reviewed the accounts.

The Emperor had given three days’ time. A considerable amount was voluntarily handed over. These silver notes and account books represented voluntarily surrendered finances. The silver notes weren’t many; the account books recorded the current silver amounts, which couldn’t be converted into silver notes, only collected as raw silver.

Ninety percent of hereditary assets were voluntarily turned in, gaining the Emperor’s leniency once, and only once.

Zhou Shuren remained calm. He anticipated a large amount of embezzlement. This time, no antique furniture was handed over with the finances. Zhou Shuren felt noticeably better about that, having dealt with too much over the past two years. The capital’s antiques hadn’t increased in value recently.

What excited Zhou Shuren the most were the property deeds and land deeds. Especially the houses in the capital, which were in huge demand, as well as land that was processed extensively.

When the government office closed, Chang Zhi and Chang Xhong rode a carriage home together. As they stepped off, the steward Wang, waiting at the gate, said, "Fourth Master, the Qian family of Chuanzhou sent a card today."

Chang Xhong asked, "The Qian family?"

Chang Zhi nodded, "They’ve helped me a lot in Chuanzhou. Originally planning to enter the capital for the spring examinations this year, but their old matriarch suddenly passed; thus, they have to wait for the next exams."

Chang Xhong blinked, "Such unfortunate timing."

Chang Zhi thought of the examination reforms and smiled, "Indeed bad luck."

Chang Xhong asked, "Shouldn’t they be mourning at home? Why send a card?"

Chang Zhi was also curious and took the card from steward Wang, saying with a smile, "The Qian family’s steward is in the capital arranging the purchase of a house. Naturally, upon entering the capital, they must pay a visit."

Chang Xhong said, "I’m truly surprised Yang Xiu became the son-in-law of the Deputy Minister of Works."

Chang Zhi was also quite surprised, "It shows they’re optimistic about Yang Xiu."

Yang Xiu’s marriage had been frequently discussed at Hanlin Academy. Chang Zhi thought of the Duke of Yongan Residence. Zhuo Guyu was still at the Hanlin Academy. The Duke of Yongan Residence now held a deep grudge against the southern noble families. Having refrained from counterattacking for so long, the Duke’s Residence was surely planning a major move.

Indeed, it was a big move. At the next morning assembly, Zhou Shuren and a group of ministers were exceptionally spirited. Today, the Duke of Yongan was attending the assembly!