Chapter 1205: Strong Mother
Editor: Henyee Translations
Not Virtuous?
Would she have permitted Ms. Qin to bear two sons from a concubine’s position? Would she have gone so far as to arrange a celebratory banquet upon the return of these two sons to the Zhao Family if her character lacked virtuousness?
At the time when Ms. Qin conceived the elder son from the concubine, Ms. Zheng had been wed to the patriarch of the Zhao Family for a mere year.
Could it be denied that her moral compass was askew?
The culpability lay with Ms. Qin. And the blame extended to Old Master Zhao!
How could he impregnate a concubine right on the heels of formalizing his union with the lawful wife?
Ms. Zheng’s tactics had thwarted Ms. Qin’s scheme.
Yet, unsatisfied, Ms. Zheng confronted Zhao Mu, suggesting that the tittle-tattle might besmirch the children’s reputation if they were denied re-entry to the estate due to their less prestigious birth dates.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Mu set out to scrutinize Ms. Zheng.
Internally, Ms. Zheng wore a sneer, while outwardly, she remarked, “Dear Master, your concerns are needless. The past is the past, after all, isn’t it? Have you not often proclaimed that the past is behind us, and our present is auspicious? It is akin to a providential boon after surviving a catastrophe, a truly fortunate fate! How simpleminded one would have to be not to grasp this?”
Zhao Mu fell into pensive silence.
Evidently, Ms. Zheng perceived that Zhao Mu harbored no partiality toward her.
Ms. Qin excelled in the art of tears. Fragile and delicate in demeanor, her visage held an innate softness. She attended meticulously to her appearance and lacked neither gold nor silver fineries. Despite birthing two offspring, she retained an appearance redolent of her twenties—an age of allure and enchantment that endeared her to men.
Certain individuals are naturally favored by fortune.
Ms. Zheng could never aspire to such favor.
As the legitimate wife, she had no intention of striving for it either.
Amidst her husband’s partiality and the absence of her parents, Ms. Zheng resolved to forge a path for herself and her son.
Unconcerned with Ms. Qin’s greetings, Ms. Zheng instead arranged for someone to assist Ms. Qin in acquiring a residence only slightly smaller than her own.
From the storeroom, Ms. Qin was welcome to select whatever provisions she desired.
Ms. Qin received a monthly stipend of 80 liang, while Ms. Zheng herself enjoyed 100 liang.
It was within Ms. Qin’s purview to choose maids and servants from her own yard.
In essence, Ms. Zheng deliberately refrained from interfering in Ms. Qin’s affairs.
Such an approach precluded any grounds for complaint from Ms. Qin.
Financially unburdened, Ms. Zheng harbored no qualms about Ms. Qin exploiting her generosity.
Her foremost concern lay with her son’s welfare.
A comprehensive, long-term strategy was imperative for her son’s future.
Fortunately, the land deeds encompassing the expansive 100,000 mu of mulberry fields remained within her possession, meticulously concealed.
This substantial asset was earmarked for her son, and any involvement of Zhao Mu was categorically dismissed.
Over the preceding two years, Ms. Zheng systematically relocated the majority of her dowry from the Zhao Mansion.
Leveraging her role as the matriarch, she capitalized on the opportunity to extract significant funds from the intermediary account, augmenting her gains by selling items retrieved from the storeroom. This duo of endeavors alone amassed a valuation surpassing 200,000 liang.
Enlisting a trusted confidant, she orchestrated the purchase of an imposing residence valued at 80,000 liang, along with a sprawling 3,000 mu of prime fields in the Hu state. Subsequently, she assigned two loyal stewards to oversee operations there.
Subsequently, she acquired an expansive residence exceeding the value of 80,000 liang. Furthermore, she procured two sizeable restaurants and a pair of substantial satin emporiums nestled in Hangzhou. Entrusting her reliable kin, she delegated the management of these establishments.