Chapter 1346: 1343: Paying the Money

Chapter 1346: Chapter 1343: Paying the Money

Ye Muyu blinked, doubting whether she had misheard.

Seeing her expression, Chu Heng reluctantly said, “Madam Tang seeks wealth, not literally to risk her life. Collaborating with her is also a way out.”

“You must be very careful when dealing with her,” Ye Muyu didn’t deny that there were no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.

Duke Zheng’s power was already formidable, and with Madam Tang involved, even if she only shared some information from her past life with Duke Zheng, even if the information wasn’t accurate, the details were enough. With Duke Zheng’s power, knowing which officials had vulnerabilities was sufficient to strategize against them.

It could be said, he was like a tiger growing wings.

Nanchang County.

The Chu family’s old residence was now inhabited by the third household. Since Chu Sheng and Chu Zhang had returned, both the third and second households had visitors daily.

“Ah Sheng, I heard your grandparents are coming back? Do you know when they will arrive?” Third Aunt and other relatives pulled Chu Sheng aside to inquire.

Chu Sheng maintained a smile on his face, “The letter mentioned this, but it’s a long journey, and we don’t know their exact arrival time yet.”

“What about your mother? Is she at home? I have something I want to discuss with her.”

“Mother is in the kitchen cooking. Third Aunt, you can go in and talk to her,” Chu Sheng sipped his tea, finally seeing off another visitor.

He felt his mouth was almost drying out from all the talking.

In the kitchen, several women had entered and were speaking with Madam Zhang.

Madam Zhang, dressed in a simple cotton dress with an apron tied around her waist, was swiftly frying sesame seeds.

The other ladies watched and commented, “Ah Yun, doesn’t your family have servants? Why are you still making sugar cakes yourself? It’s so exhausting.”

Wiping sweat from her forehead without interrupting her frying, Madam Zhang laughed, “Third Aunt, you are jesting. The servants we have are busy helping in the shop. The shop hasn’t closed, and when I come back, I can’t bring more people; otherwise, who would handle everything?”

“That’s true, but you could hire another servant,” the other old ladies chimed in, nodding in agreement.

As if she hadn’t understood their suggestion, Madam Zhang waved her hand dismissively, “That wouldn’t do. Our shop is just a small business. Education costs a lot. We can’t depend solely on Third Uncle’s family. Besides, when aunts and uncles visit my home, I must personally cook for you. It would be inappropriate otherwise.”

“How could that be? I see your shop doing well. Currently, it’s the most stable business in the county. The food tastes great. Last time I was in town, I went there specifically for a meal, and it was delicious,” they said.

“Second Aunt, you’re in good health. You should walk more often. I don’t know what dishes you like, but I’ve prepared some for you today,” said Madam Zhang.

Old Madam Zhao, hearing this, couldn’t stop smiling. The Chu family had become part of the officials’ families and still didn’t avoid their poor relatives, which naturally made them feel comfortable.

“I don’t have any special dish I want to eat. Anything made by you, Ah Yun, I like. It’s my good fortune. When I go back, I want my child to study hard, maybe even one day see him become a scholar,” she said.

“I remember your child studies in the family school, right?” Madam Zhang continued.

Since the family school was established three years ago, any clan members with even a slight connection to the Chu family could enroll.

Eventually, the village head approached the Chu family’s patriarch, seeking a place for his child in the school.

Being a family school, it was supposed, in theory, to only accept students with the Chu surname.