Quick Transmigration: Survive to the End

Chapter 152 World 324

Living with those two in Qixia Garden? I'd have to be tired of living to even consider that.

Yinyin didn't reply, but looked at Yu Miaoqi timidly and said, "Mother, I want to live with you."

“Alright,” Yu Miaoqi knew what kind of people the second and third wives’ daughters were when they were little, but she couldn’t bear to let Yinyin go with them, so she immediately agreed, “You’ve lived with your mother since you were little. Where can you go if you’re not by your mother’s side now?”

The second wife feigned surprise and said, "My niece is so old, and she still lives with my sister-in-law. This... Sister-in-law, actually, Father had good intentions in letting my niece live in Qixia Garden. Firstly, so that the girls could be together and have a playmate, and secondly, so that it would be easier to teach her. Moreover, girls will be in charge of the household in the future, and at my niece's age, she should learn to manage a room by herself."

Yu Miaoqi glanced at her indifferently: "So the rules of the manor have changed so much over the years. My main house is so small that there isn't even enough room for a young lady. I have to squeeze in with the other sisters."

"Alright," the old lady interrupted the second wife who was about to continue, "the eldest daughter-in-law and Yinyin have a good relationship, so they can live wherever they want."

The old man didn't object, and the matter was settled.

Yu Miaoqi then bowed and said, "Your daughter-in-law has had a long journey and hasn't had time to freshen up before heading back."

The old man nodded in agreement, and after mentioning the family gathering in the main courtyard that evening, he turned to the second wife: "Second wife, please tidy up the account books and hand them over to the eldest wife tomorrow."

The second wife nearly ground her teeth to powder before she respectfully agreed.

After witnessing this scene, Yu Miaoqi turned and left with her children. Without even thinking, she took a step and set off on the road to Dongchang Hall, the former residence of the eldest son's family.

Upon entering Dongchang Hall, Yu Miaoqi was momentarily dazed.

An old servant stepped forward and said, “After the lady and the young master left, the master ordered that Dongchang Hall be kept as it was and not moved. He also often came to remember the master. The second master asked for Dongchang Hall several times on the grounds that there were too many people in his family, but he was not able to do so.”

Yinyin glanced at the old servant: "What's your name? Have you been staying here ever since Mother and Brother left the capital?"

The old servant bowed and replied, "I am Zhong Ziliang, and I have been in Dongchang Hall for more than ten years."

Yin Yin's eyes flashed with understanding. No wonder Yu Miaoqi treated Old Master Zhan with extra care after returning to the capital in the plot. It turned out that besides Old Master Zhan being eloquent, he also had this trick up his sleeve.

Yu Miaoqi always took some of what the old servant who had been serving in Dongchang Hall said to heart.

“More than ten years, it’s truly admirable how loyal you have been,” Yin Yin gestured to Dong Xin, “Take him down to receive his reward.”

Dong Xin responded and went out with several other servants, leaving the main room of Dongchang Hall for the master to talk to.

At this moment, Yin Yin interrupted the nostalgic expressions on Yu Miaoqi and her son's faces, saying, "Mother's performance in the main hall just now was truly impressive. After this incident, they will have to think twice before trying to trip you up again. After all, Mother is the eldest sister-in-law, and an eldest sister-in-law is like a mother. This was all said by the old master himself."

“I knew those things Mother said had something to do with you,” Zhan Zheng quietly gave her a thumbs up. “Well done!”

Yu Miaoqi watched the siblings' behavior and a smile appeared in her eyes.

Upon seeing this, Yin Yin immediately asked, "Mother, elder brother, is that Zhong Ziliang from earlier trustworthy?"

Just as Yu Miaoqi hesitated, Zhan Zheng understood Yin Yin's meaning: "Whether it's credible or not doesn't matter. What matters is what others want us to see and know."

Yin Yin's eyes flashed: "Brother, you're right. I was just asking a pointless question. If he were reliable enough, you've been in the capital for several years now, and you've been here all this time. Why didn't he tell you this before, but only now that he's seen Mother?"

Yu Miaoqi wasn't stupid, and she quickly realized what was going on: "You siblings were saying these things to me on purpose."

“My brother and I were just afraid that Mother would be fooled by them,” Yin Yin said, taking her hand. “But Mother, you’re so smart. We only exchanged a few words and you saw through us.”

“Being caught up in the situation, you can’t see things as clearly as I do,” Yu Miaoqi had to admit that Zhong Ziliang’s words had indeed influenced her somewhat. After all, she had witnessed firsthand how well Old Master Zhan treated Liangren, so recalling it now was naturally easier for her than for others.

“Mother, you said it yourself, we’re all caught up in this,” Yin Yin comforted her. “I’ve never been around Grandpa and Zhong Ziliang before, so my first reaction to hearing this was naturally that they have some ulterior motive, some scheme they’re plotting. As for my older brother…”

“I’ve just seen too much,” Zhan Zheng explained. “There are all sorts of tricks in officialdom, and there are even more elaborate ones. Besides, who knows whether the old man is scheming against us or just trying to find some peace of mind for himself?”

“You two,” Yu Miaoqi really wanted to sigh this time, “other people’s children are all innocent and naive, but how come you siblings are so smart and insightful, one after another.”

Zhan Zheng didn't reply. Yin Yin helped her sit on the couch: "Isn't this good? Being worldly-wise but not cynical, so that when we go out in the future, no one can fool me and my brother!"

Yu Miaoqi tapped Yin Yin's forehead with her finger: "You're a young lady, yet you see things so clearly. The next few decades will be tough for you."

Seeing the melancholy on Yu Miaoqi's face, Yinyin suddenly understood her worries.

This is not a society suitable for intelligent women.

Yinyin hugged her and said playfully, "Mother, I forgot to tell you before, my eldest brother once asked me what kind of husband I wanted. I told him that I wanted a handsome live-in son-in-law who would never leave the house and would be protected by you and my eldest brother."

Zhan Zheng cleared his throat: "Mother, actually, I have looked at a few for my sister over the past few years, but there are always some things that I am not satisfied with. Let me pick some more, and I will tell you when I have chosen one."

Yu Miaoqi looked at her son, then at her daughter, and slapped each of them in anger.

"You two siblings are really bold, daring to do whatever you want on your own!"

Seeing the embarrassed looks on her two children's faces, Yu Miaoqi couldn't bring herself to beat them up. She just said, "You two need to think this through. There aren't many good men willing to become live-in sons-in-law. The gap between you and your girlfriends will be too big. Yinyin, don't regret it."

"And Zheng'er, do you think you can support your sister for the rest of your life? But you're about to get married, have a wife, and have children. Can you guarantee you'll stay the same forever?"

“Go back and think about this carefully. Whether it takes a year or two, or two or three years, you need to think it over carefully before you know whether you can bear the consequences.”