Chapter 1489: Chapter 1489: Schemes
Zhulan was unaware of the matters at court in the morning; she was incredibly busy. Upon leaving the palace, she immediately dispatched people out of the capital to inspect three estates, while also preparing the materials for her family’s donations.
As soon as she returned home, she received quite a few donation lists. The Ning family, being the maternal clan of the Empress Dowager, naturally took the lead in following her example. The Ran family, as the maternal clan of Consort Ran, was quick to donate as well.
However, the Ran family’s foundation was comparatively weaker, so their donation wasn’t particularly remarkable among the lists.
This round of donations was conducted by family groups. The Ning family kept a low profile but had profound resources. Looking at their donation list, Zhulan was deeply moved; they donated nothing less than twenty thousand taels of silver alone.
The donation lists needed to be compiled, so Zhulan entrusted this task to her daughter-in-law and granddaughter, both of whom she had personally trained. They were indeed a great help to her.
Lau Jia returned to her family and came back accompanying Lady Ma.
Lau Jia handed over her family’s donation list. "Grandmother, these are the materials donated by the Lau family."
Zhulan glanced over it briefly. The Lau family deserved credit; Lau Jia’s marriage nearly drained the Lau family’s resources. Last year, the Wen family led a donation drive, during which the Lau family contributed as well. They also donated some during her art exhibition, and now, once again. The Lau family had it tough.
Zhulan picked up a pen and crossed out certain items. Seeing this, Lady Ma was surprised. "This much is sufficient," Zhulan remarked.
This donation list clearly exceeded what the Lau family could bear.
Lady Ma’s ears turned red. Alas, it’s all about matching social standing. Among Marquis Zhou’s matrimonial ties, the Lau family was relatively weaker. To ensure her daughter looked good on both sides, Lady Ma had wracked her brains for this list. If not for the second daughter-in-law, the list would have been even less presentable.
Lau Jia breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t agree with her mother’s decision to push for appearances, but her mother simply wouldn’t listen.
Lady Zhao glanced at the records and then continued jotting things down, but her mind wandered to her son-in-law. Alas, even though he wasn’t in the capital, he must donate, or else others would talk.
Zhulan worked late into the night. Her neck was so stiff it felt like it might lock up. Looking at the thick stack of lists, the workload was immense.
Zhou Shuren returned and picked up the compiled register. After flipping through it, he was unsurprised. "Today, just the silver donations alone amounted to twelve thousand taels?"
Zhulan rubbed her neck. "Is it a lot?"
"It certainly is."
Zhulan let out a cold laugh. "Right now, the most urgent need is supplies, especially grain among the materials. Some people really know how to play games—they donate only silver and no essential supplies like grain."
Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow. "As expected, they won’t let things be."
"Thankfully, our years of effort have established a solid network of allies. Coupled with your status, the donated supplies are still reasonably sufficient."
Zhou Shuren set down the register. "They certainly didn’t anticipate that you’re short on startup funds."
Zhulan’s face softened, and she smiled broadly. "That’s right, they miscalculated. With startup funds, I can buy estates, purchase land, and even build greenhouses. In reality, silver is what I lack the most."
Zhou Shuren smirked. "Tomorrow, I’ll provoke Elder Wen further; more silver will come."
Zhulan replied, "Hmm, I trust your theatrics."
Zhou Shuren massaged his wife’s neck. "Don’t tire yourself out too much."
"Too many are waiting to see me fail, to turn your name into mud. The first civilian orphanage— I must ensure it’s flawlessly established."
Zhou Shuren’s gaze grew tender. "Alright."
The next day, Zhou Shuren entered court with a grim expression. Elder Wen squinted; his face revealed no excess emotion, but his relaxed demeanor clearly indicated his good mood.
The Wen faction, along with several others who hadn’t yet donated, assumed their strategy had succeeded upon seeing Marquis Zhou’s gloomy appearance.
The Crown Prince shot his grandfather a sympathetic glance. After suffering losses so many times, how does he not learn his lesson?
After court adjourned, Elder Wen nodded towards Zhou Shuren before departing with his entourage. His steps were light and brisk.
Zhou Shuren remained motionless. Wong Ju approached him. "What happened?"
Zhou Shuren replied indifferently, "Some people never learn their lesson."
Wong Ju was momentarily puzzled. "Hmm?"
Zhou Shuren spoke too softly for others to hear and signaled Wong Ju to follow him. Once they left the palace, Zhou Shuren explained the donation situation.
Wong Ju responded, "They’re waiting to watch the Zhou family’s disgrace!"
Yang served at court, and with the speed of dissemination, the matter would inevitably spread across various provinces. If the civilian orphanage succeeded, it would be a great merit; if it failed, it would significantly damage the Zhou family’s reputation. Everything is a double-edged sword, especially with a woman in charge; there’s already been constant turmoil. If the project truly fell through, he was genuinely worried for the Zhou family.
Zhou Shuren noticed Wong Ju’s grave expression. "Are you scared?"
Wong Ju rubbed his temples. "I’ll send more supplies back home."
Zhou Shuren’s smile deepened. "No need. In fact, the orphanage profoundly lacks silver for startup funds. The Wen family’s scheming inadvertently benefits my wife. However, Wong family assistance is indeed necessary; my wife has already dispatched people to various provinces to purchase estates. Wong family contacts in certain provinces would help smooth things over."
Wong Ju regained his composure. "Are you worried the Wen family will realize and secretly obstruct the process?"
"Hmm. Let them indulge in temporary satisfaction for now. We’ll seize the timing advantage and purchase the estates first."
Last night, he and his wife had written numerous letters. Alas, the Zhou clan’s rise was still too slow. If they had clan members in official posts across the provinces, these tasks would be far easier.
Wong Ju lacked much confidence in Yang. It was difficult to change the lifelong ingrained mindset. The Wong family trusted Zhou Shuren and believed Zhou Shuren pulled the strings from behind. No matter how much Zhou Shuren praised Yang, Wong Ju attributed it to Zhou Shuren’s deep affection and high regard for his wife.
Now, hearing Zhou Shuren say all this was Yang’s idea, he was stunned. "Are you not deceiving me?"
Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes. "My wife is absolutely no less capable than I am."
Using her abilities, his wife earned the trust of the entire royal family. The royal family trusted him, but that didn’t necessarily translate to trust in his wife. His wife proved herself through strength.
Wong Ju felt dazed, particularly after hearing the later parts of the plan; his mind was tumultuous.
Zhou Shuren snorted softly. This is just the beginning. His wife’s compiled works hadn’t even been publicly released yet.
Back at the Zhou family’s residence, Lady Li frowned. "Mother, today’s silver donations increased even further. Take a look at the silver notes."
Zhulan raised an eyebrow and instructed Su Xuan, "Send someone to purchase glass and find craftsmen for building greenhouses."
Su Xuan replied, "I’ll make the arrangements immediately."
Zhulan then addressed the Female Officer. "You’ll need to oversee the collection of supplies from the estates."
The Female Officer acted under the Empress Dowager’s orders and obeyed the instructions of Marquis Zhou’s wife. Representing the Empress Dowager, her oversight ensured that no one dared tamper with the supplies. "Understood."
Lady Li helped her mother sit down. "Mother-in-law, I thought organizing an orphanage would be simple!"
It’s only been two days, and already she felt overwhelmed.
Zhulan replied, "The beginning is always the hardest. It’ll get easier with time."
After a pause, she added to Lady Zhao, "Record all the accounts meticulously. Be sure to detail the origin of every single tael."
Lady Zhao, with her keen attention to detail, was best suited for bookkeeping.
At the restaurant, Chang Li hadn’t slept all night. The boy they rescued had a fever, and his own son had also fallen ill. He’d given the child herbal medicine but didn’t dare rest as he sat vigil, stroking his son’s reddened face with immense heartache.