Chapter 300: Chapter 261: Turning Their Own Scheme Against Them

Zhou Wangshu first dismounted, then helped Su Yaoguang out of the carriage.

Standing at the door were Marquis Cheng’an and his wife, along with the mansion’s stewards.

"Jing’er is back," Marquis Cheng’an greeted warmly.

"Marquis, call me Wangshu, it’s what I’m used to. Maybe I’ve lost my memory, and Jing’er doesn’t ring a bell," Zhou Wangshu said.

Marquis Cheng’an nodded: "Alright, Wangshu, let’s go inside!"

Marchioness Cheng’an said with a smile, "When I first met my daughter-in-law, I didn’t know she was one of our own. I felt a connection then, a hidden bond it seems."

"The Marchioness is so kind; I feel some closeness as well. I’m new here, may be unfamiliar with many things, so please bear with me."

"We are family, no need for formality."

Su Yaoguang observed the woman who seemed like a snake in a beautiful guise. If it weren’t for Zhou Wangshu telling her what had been done, she could hardly believe the rot beneath such a lovely veneer.

"Ma’am..." a maid ran over to Marchioness Cheng’an, "The Young Master, he..."

"The Cheng’an Hou Mansion has no Young Master," the Marquis said coldly. "The Emperor has stripped him of his title as Heir of the Marquis."

"Marquis, the Second Young Master has gone mad, he’s killed an entire courtyard of servants."

"That damn wretch! What’s he up to now?" Furious, Marquis Cheng’an rushed to the backyard.

Marchioness Cheng’an nearly fainted, keeping herself steady while chasing after the Marquis. She was truly beset by difficulties, having to manage the mess left by Xia Zhen internally, and facing the threats from their rivals externally.

"Should we take a look?" Su Yaoguang asked.

"Too bloody, don’t go. I fear it might scare you," Zhou Wangshu replied. "But as the elder brother, I should take a look and perhaps add fuel to the fire."

"If you go, I go. What haven’t I seen?" Su Yaoguang signaled a servant to lead the way to Xia Zhen’s courtyard.

Approaching the courtyard gate, the overwhelming stench of blood almost made Su Yaoguang retch.

How many were killed?

Su Yaoguang looked up but hadn’t seen much before Zhou Wangshu covered her eyes.

"What?" Su Yaoguang tried to remove his hand to see, but Zhou Wangshu stopped her.

"Don’t look," Zhou Wangshu said heavily, "It’s truly insane."

Su Yaoguang didn’t persist.

"Let’s go," Zhou Wangshu led Su Yaoguang away.

Though she saw nothing, Su Yaoguang heard angry curses and manic laughing from inside.

Originally, Xia Zhen was a vicious hedonist, and now he’s acting insane, as if pushed to irrationality.

The real danger isn’t a strong rival; it’s one who plays unpredictably. It’s hard for sane people to fathom a lunatic’s mind, hence predicting their next move is difficult.

"Didn’t you say you’d add fuel to the fire?"

"In this situation, no need to add any; they’ll burn heavily on their own."

Zhou Wangshu’s attendant entered and said to him, "Master, there’s the latest news."

Su Yaoguang, with servants from the General Mansion, moved into the largest courtyard — Hui Courtyard — in Cheng’an Hou Mansion.

She sat drinking tea while the servants bustled in and out.

An old matron approached Su Yaoguang and said, "We did a thorough check and found the entire courtyard thoughtfully arranged. The curtains, various utensils, were all soaked in Purple Orchid. Purple Orchid is colorless, odorless, mildly toxic, but over time becomes a lingering poison. Frequent contact weakens the body, eventually resembling chronic illness symptoms."

"Quite a grand gesture, well thought out," Su Yaoguang glanced at Zhou Wangshu not far away, "Dear husband, did you hear? Your deceptive stepmother is very hospitable and looks up to us, using such covert methods right away. What grand gift should we return?"

"No rush, dear. In three days, they’ll host a recognition banquet for us, where others will give grand gifts, and we’ll return in kind then."

"We haven’t been in the Capital City long. First, I was recognized, then you, but the concept and the circumstances differ."

"When I’m absent, don’t stay at Cheng’an Hou Mansion; I don’t trust them with you."

"No worries, I’m not foolish. Besides, when you’re not here, she won’t dare harm me; after all, I have a father with the status of National Guardian General."

A strong backing changes everything.

Look at her; before, faced with trouble, she’d strategize, now she faces it head-on. Why not, with such confidence, knowing this way is the simplest and most straightforward?

The next day, Su Yaoguang specially returned to the General Mansion to dine with Su Rende and his wife, reporting that all was well in Cheng’an Hou Mansion, only sharing good news to prevent them from worrying daily about Zhou Wangshu avenging his family.

Afterward, she went to Taoyao Square to manage the business.

"Today, several matrons from Cheng’an Hou Mansion came, claiming they wanted to purchase for the Marchioness, but didn’t pay, saying we’re family and shouldn’t make things clear." Jia Chunni said angrily, "Who is family with them? This is Yaoguang’s shop, not Cheng’an Hou Mansion’s, why not pay?"

"Why rush? Collecting debts, this I’m familiar with; I’ll retrieve it with interest," Su Yaoguang said. "Next time Cheng’an Hou Mansion buys and doesn’t pay, just record it well; I’ll make sure they return it."

"Alright," Zhang Pandi said with a smile, "You don’t know how obsessed Chunni is now; seeing such a loss, she was heartbroken. I said to wait for Yaoguang to discuss a strategy, but she insisted that it happened under her management, claiming she’s useless to handle those cunning slaves."

"We now lean on a big tree enjoying the shade; ordinary officials seek friendship with us rather than risking offense. Only the most prestigious nobles are tough, but if we can’t handle it, my father can. He’ll demand their debt before the Emperor, so let’s see if they have any pride left. No need to rush."

"Yaoguang, is it really okay for you to return to Cheng’an Hou Mansion?" Zhang Yingdi asked, "Early today, there was news of your return yesterday and the Second Young Master’s tantrum, killing servants and blood flooding Cheng’an Hou Mansion. People say it’s a show of dominance against you and your husband, and the Second Young Master’s known for his savage ways."

"However fiercely the Second Young Master acts, he’s a paper tiger, can’t harm us. Meanwhile, rumors can spread further, the wider, the better."

As long as Cheng’an Hou Mansion’s reputation is tarnished, Zhou Wangshu’s takeover will be smoother in the future. After all, having an opponent akin to a pig is quite relieving.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.