After Transmigration, I Snag a Stunning Bigwig as My Husband

After Steward Zhou left the military camp, he first went to Linzhou, stayed there for two days, and then set off for Su State.

On the way, he heard from a servant from the Zhou Family’s shop that something had happened at the Wei Family’s shop in Yu State, and the shop was sealed, with the Fourth Son-in-law of the Zhou Family imprisoned.

Upon hearing this, Steward Zhou was alarmed and immediately rushed to Yu State.

The Wei Family’s Rouge shop in Yu State had been sealed, and Steward Zhou went to see Steward Li to ask what had happened to the Wei Family.

Steward Li sighed and said, "I don’t know what happened. The Prefect’s wife and many noblewomen in Yu State used the beauty cream from the Beauty Pavilion sold at the Wei Family’s shop. They developed numerous red rashes on their faces that didn’t hurt or itch but wouldn’t fade. The doctor examined and said the beauty cream was toxic. The Prefect asked the Fourth Son-in-law for an antidote, but he insisted the cream couldn’t be at fault. The Prefect, in a rage, sealed the Wei Family’s shop."

The sealing of the Wei Family’s shop left Steward Li puzzled.

The Prefect’s wife celebrated her birthday, and the Fourth Son-in-law of the Zhou Family had presented generous gifts and maintained good relations with the Prefect.

Moreover, poisoning the beauty cream and ruining the shop’s reputation was such a foolish act that no businessman would do it.

In business, reputation is crucial.

Steward Li looked at Steward Zhou and said, "I was just about to visit the prison; why don’t you come with me?"

Although Steward Zhou didn’t like the Fourth Son-in-law, he was still the Fourth Son-in-law of the Zhou Family. How could he bear to see him imprisoned, and how could he let the Fourth Mistress worry and be sad? Reluctantly, he accompanied Steward Li on the trip.

They managed to enter the prison only after using Silver, and the Fourth Son-in-law appeared disheveled.

Steward Zhou asked him what had happened, but the Fourth Son-in-law remained tight-lipped, refusing to say a word.

If he wouldn’t speak, even those who wanted to help him couldn’t do so.

Steward Zhou and Steward Li could only do their duties. Not to mention, as servants, they couldn’t disrespect the son-in-law; even if they could, the prison bars were between them.

Unable to get any answers, Steward Zhou and Steward Li left.

Two days later, the Fourth Son-in-law, who refused to speak during their earlier visit, spent money to have a prison guard send a message to Steward Zhou.

The red rashes on the Prefect’s wife’s face hadn’t disappeared, though not painful or itchy, they were unsightly.

The Prefect’s wife pressured the Prefect to treat her face. The Prefect, under pressure from the doctor, was told to find the person responsible for the poison to get the antidote.

The Prefect, at a loss, resorted to torturing the Fourth Son-in-law.

After thirty lashes, he couldn’t keep up appearances. What mattered was the inside, not the outside.

What could Steward Zhou do but return to the prison?

Seeing the Fourth Son-in-law sprawled there with his flesh battered and bruised, Steward Zhou actually felt satisfaction. How dare he compete with the Zhou Family in business? Weren’t they supposed to have clear and honest deals even among brothers? And now, did he want the Zhou Family’s help?

Steward Zhou asked as he looked at him, "Did the Fourth Son-in-law call me here to give instructions?"

The Fourth Son-in-law turned his head to look at him.

He moved.

The movement pulled at his wounds, causing him to grimace in pain.

He looked at Steward Zhou and said, "It was the Second Steward of the Beauty Pavilion who set me up!"

Steward Zhou furrowed his brows.

Could Princess Consort Zhenbei have set him up?

Steward Zhou thought it was possible, but someone of her status wouldn’t scheme against him for no reason, especially knowing he was the Fourth Son-in-law of the Zhou Family.

Unless he himself walked into her trap.

Steward Zhou replied coldly, "I know the Second Steward of the Beauty Pavilion; he wouldn’t set up the Fourth Son-in-law. Why do you say this?"

The Fourth Son-in-law didn’t want to admit that he had secretly bought the Beauty Pavilion’s secret formula and had someone make the beauty cream to sell; he just insisted it was Su Jin who harmed him.

Since he wouldn’t tell the truth, Steward Zhou said, "To catch adultery, you need to catch them together; to catch a thief, you need to catch him with the stolen goods. That’s the Second Steward of the Beauty Pavilion, and you suspect him based on a mere suspicion from the Fourth Son-in-law, expecting me to confront him?"

"If you’re unwilling to speak, then I’ll leave first."

"I have urgent business in Su State."

Implying that once he left, there would be no help for this matter from him.

Steward Zhou turned and left, but the Fourth Son-in-law couldn’t let him leave. Old Master Zhou’s whereabouts were unknown, and only Steward Zhou could communicate with the Second Steward of the Beauty Pavilion.

The Fourth Son-in-law accepted his bad luck, but he would eventually settle the score with the Second Steward of the Beauty Pavilion!

Steward Zhou’s expression demanded honesty; the Fourth Son-in-law could only grit his teeth and confess the truth, "The Second Steward of the Beauty Pavilion asked for a payment of fifteen thousand taels, promising to sell me the Beauty Pavilion’s secret formula. For a moment, I was blinded by greed and fell for the scheme."

Steward Zhou, "...."

Anger surged in Steward Zhou’s heart.

Would someone like Princess Consort Zhenbei ever need his fifteen thousand taels?!

"The Fourth Son-in-law hopes for my help but refuses to be honest. Find your own way out!" Steward Zhou turned and left.

The Fourth Son-in-law’s servant hurriedly stopped Steward Zhou, saying, "Yes, yes, our eldest young master bought the secret formula from the Second Steward of the Beauty Pavilion...."

Steward Zhou was so angry that he felt dizzy.

Steward Li supported him, saying, "Calm down, don’t let your anger harm your health."

They both knew what kind of person the Fourth Son-in-law was.

It seemed the old master had misjudged and picked the wrong son-in-law.

When Steward Zhou wanted to leave, Steward Li stopped him. After all, they were just servants. Quarrelling with the son-in-law would only bring trouble for themselves.

Steward Zhou looked at Steward Li and said, "I can’t help him with this."

"How could that be? Aren’t you on good terms with the Second Steward of the Beauty Pavilion?" Steward Li said.

Steward Zhou looked at the Fourth Son-in-law in the cell and said, "Do you know who the Second Steward of the Beauty Pavilion is?!"

"Isn’t he just a little steward?" The Fourth Son-in-law was dismissive.

Steward Zhou smiled coldly, "A little steward?"

"She is the Princess Consort Zhenbei!"

The Fourth Son-in-law was stunned, a chill running down his spine.

How is this possible?!

Steward Zhou looked at Steward Li and said, "Even if you haven’t seen the temper of the Princess Consort Zhenbei, you should have heard of it."

"The Fourth Son-in-law was blinded by greed and tried to dig beneath her nose. Would she easily forgive him?"

"The fact that she didn’t cut off his head on the spot is already a testament to her generosity, giving face to the Seventh Madam!"

Steward Zhou was burning with rage.

The Fourth Son-in-law disregarded family ties and grabbed business from the Zhou Family, but daring to scheme against the Princess Consort Zhenbei was too much.

Even Steward Zhou was amazed at his own Fourth Son-in-law’s audacity.

He wouldn’t touch it if it wasn’t fat meat, and now he broke his own teeth, serves him right!

With these words, Steward Zhou walked away.

This time Steward Li didn’t stop him and followed Steward Zhou out.

The Fourth Son-in-law lay sprawled on the bed board, face ashen.

The prison guard heard their conversation clearly and hurried to report to Lord Prefect.

Lord Prefect was also drenched in a cold sweat.

He did not expect Princess Jin Ning to visit Yuzhou Prefecture, and he, as the Magistrate of Yuzhou, was completely unaware.

The Fourth Son-in-law targeted the Beauty Pavilion of the Princess Consort Zhenbei right in front of her, and not only was he cheated out of fifteen hundred taels, but those who bought the beauty cream were also unlucky.

Lord Prefect wished he could give the Fourth Son-in-law several dozen strokes.

But he couldn’t, because he still needed the Fourth Son-in-law to appease the Princess Consort Zhenbei, obtain the antidote, and restore his wife’s appearance.

The Wei Family’s Shop was sealed off, and Old Master Wei, upon hearing the news, hurried to Yuzhou.

Old Master Zhou also came along.

After hearing Steward Zhou explain the situation, Old Master Wei could barely stand, "You scoundrel! You scoundrel!"

Was he out of his mind to dare target the Beauty Pavilion of the Princess Consort Zhenbei, wanting to bring down the entire Wei Family?!

Old Master Zhou was also disappointed with his Fourth Son-in-law.

Initially, he was blind, thinking Old Master Wei was a good man and that his son would not be bad either. Who would have thought Mr. Wei was upright, but his son would take crooked paths.

Old Master Wei knew Old Master Zhou had a good relationship with Marquis Dongxiang, so he pleaded with him to save his son.

Old Master Zhou was furious but knew he had to save his son-in-law, couldn’t watch his daughter become a widow.

"Marquis Dongxiang loves the Princess Consort Zhenbei, his daughter, very much. It’s easier to offend Marquis Dongxiang than the Princess Consort Zhenbei."

"The Wei Family will have to break a few ribs to appease the Princess Consort Zhenbei."

Steward Zhou stood aside, unsure how to express what he wanted to say.

They only thought of Marquis Dongxiang, but let’s not forget the Emperor.

As much as Marquis Dongxiang loves the Princess Consort Zhenbei, the Emperor loves her the same.

Even Princess Shouning couldn’t stand against the Princess Consort Zhenbei, and the Fourth Son-in-law dared to challenge her.

Old Master Zhou didn’t know Su Jin very well, so he asked Steward Zhou, "Do we know what the Princess Consort Zhenbei likes?"

Steward Zhou understood that his master intended to cater to her preferences to appease her. This method worked on others but might not work on the Princess Consort Zhenbei.

"Master, the Princess Consort Zhenbei is the Emperor’s most beloved princess. What doesn’t she have that it’s so easy to appease her?" Steward Zhou said.

"So whatever she likes, as long as the Wei Family has it, we’ll gladly offer it," Old Master Wei said hurriedly.

Steward Zhou shook his head, "Even though I accompanied the Princess Consort Zhenbei, I don’t know what she likes; I only know she cares much about the border wars and personally spent forty thousand taels on grain for the border."

"If the father-in-law were to send something, send grain to the border; perhaps the Princess Consort will see the Wei Family’s loyalty to the court and calm down."

Even Steward Zhou spoke the last words with little conviction.

Daring to target the Beauty Pavilion of the Emperor’s most favored Princess Jin Ning, talking about loyalty to the court is nonsense.

Hopefully, this time the Fourth Son-in-law will learn a lesson.

Since learning his son provoked the Princess Consort Zhenbei, Old Master Wei had been overwhelmed, and Old Master Zhou also thought sending grain and grass was the safest bet.

If they couldn’t please the Princess Consort Zhenbei, they could at least win the favor of Marquis Dongxiang and the Emperor.

He had a longstanding friendship with Marquis Dongxiang. A few soft words and when Marquis Dongxiang cools down, he might persuade the Princess Consort Zhenbei to give them the antidote.

Old Master Wei hurriedly sent people to gather grain and grass.

To appease the Princess Consort Zhenbei, the amount of grain and grass must not be small.

The Wei Family Grain Store’s supply was inadequate, necessitating shipments from everywhere and borrowing.

Old Master Wei had been in business for many years and never stooped to beg like this, feeling like he could strangle his own son.

A real blunderer!