Zhou Jiayang couldn't help but clench his fist. To think the Princess would say such a thing, not knowing who was responsible for making it public knowledge.
"Princess, don't be foolish. We are family. We can't let others make a spectacle of us." Although Zhou Jiayang deeply disliked the Princess, he knew that all his honor and disgrace were tied to her.
He wasn't good at studies, and his hand was crippled. Without the Princess, he was nothing. He could only cling to her. As long as she was part of the Zhou family, he was the Emperor's son-in-law, and people would look up to him wherever he went. Otherwise, he would be just another face in the crowd.
"You can only lie to yourself with these words. After all, from the very beginning, you deliberately deceived me. Since you like my status so much, don't bring these people to annoy me. We've reached this point all thanks to you. Before our marriage, I told you we weren't suited and asked you to break off the engagement with my father, but you refused, saying you were deeply in love with me. I originally thought we could live our own lives, but you've ruined my life. I've decided to come and cause trouble for you every day from now on." With that, the Eldest Princess happily left.
She felt she had indeed been quite foolish. Since Zhou Jiayang made her unhappy, she would make him unhappy too. Now, her reputation was so tarnished, it was a loss rather than a gain.
Zhou Jiayang watched the Eldest Princess's retreating figure, a headache creeping up. The Eldest Princess was highly favored by the Emperor, which had cultivated her domineering personality. Whatever she wanted, she would get, without a doubt. He didn't doubt that the Princess would arrive as promised tomorrow, turning the manor upside down.
Wu Caiwei, as if eager to stir up trouble, gathered a group of beggars to spread rumors, claiming that the wealth accumulated by the Liu family over generations, amounting to two million taels of silver, had all entered the Zhou family's treasury.
It was at this time that everyone learned that General Ouyang's wife was indeed a Miss Liu. The rumors of her elopement had spread within a small circle, drawing disdain.
In official circles, who wasn't shrewd? The wives of various families quickly pieced together a story. After all, two million taels of silver before anyone, who wouldn't be tempted? How could they willingly give it up?
At first, the Zhou family was unaware of these rumors. When members of the Zhou clan came visiting, subtly asking to borrow money, Old Master Zhou was astonished. "Didn't I just bring back a few hundred taels of silver not long ago? Has it been spent that quickly?"
"There are many people in the clan, and expenses are high. You're the only one doing well. It's not right. See if there are any suitable opportunities to bring them along. If the Zhou family's descendants do well, it will bring you honor, won't it?" The clan elder began his usual sermon.
"A single tree cannot make a forest; I understand this principle. But they also have to be capable. At the very least, they should pass the provincial examination. Recommending them to me as commoners is beyond my ability," said Master Zhou with a hint of helplessness. He genuinely wanted to promote the younger generation of the Zhou family, but there was no one to elevate.
"We've come this time to discuss with you. Look, the environment of our private school is so poor. How can the children study properly? The tutor should be replaced, and a renowned scholar should be hired with great expense. Also, if the children's living conditions are poor, it affects their studies. So, can you make another contribution to the clan and ensure they eat well and live comfortably?" As soon as the clan elder finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement, their gazes fixed on Master Zhou.
By this point, Master Zhou understood. They had come today to ask him for money, but he truly didn't have much.
"Have you considered how much this would cost? Don't be fooled by the Zhou family's apparent wealth. In reality, so many of us need to make a living. There isn't much money in the accounts, and we have the will but not the means." Although the Zhou family wasn't as destitute as he claimed, it was close. For years, his son had been extravagant abroad, and the驸马's salary was barely enough to sustain them. They were genuinely out of money, with monthly expenses exceeding income.
"Nephew, this is rather unfair. Who doesn't know you're holding onto the Liu family's two million taels of silver? My goodness, that's two million taels! If Madam Ouyang hadn't said anything, we wouldn't have known. You've kept us in the dark for so many years. Even a little bit trickling from your fingers would be enough for us to live on for a lifetime," before the clan elder could speak, the second branch, whom he had expelled from the Zhou family, couldn't wait to jump out.
In the past, Master Zhou would have certainly retorted fiercely. However, the information revealed by them stunned him. After a moment, he reacted, "Who told you all this? If I had two million taels of silver to live on, would I be living so frugally?"
"What? It's fake? But it's spread all over the streets and alleys. Madam Ouyang also came forward to confirm that the incident was true. The common people said that when Madam Ouyang returned to the capital years ago, they saw you loading several boats of the Liu family's property. The carriages ran back and forth for an entire day to move it all. It was described so vividly that it's hard not to be suspicious," the clan elder quickly explained the situation briefly. Seeing their expressions, it seemed they were completely unaware.
Seeing the disbelieving looks on everyone's faces, to be honest, if it were him, he wouldn't believe that so much silver had entered the Zhou family, yet they always claimed poverty. But the reality was that there was no money.
He knew he couldn't send them away without an explanation. He quickly pulled the clan elder into a back room and reluctantly recounted the events of that year.
Only then did the clan elder believe that he truly had no money. After all, he had heard about the events of that year and thought they had encountered a benefactor and overcome misfortune. He hadn't expected that all of the Liu family's wealth had been used to secure their protection.
"What should we do now? We only came because we heard those rumors, intending to ask for something. Even if the other party has no real power, she's a first-rank madam. Regardless, you have to give them an explanation. Otherwise, the Zhou family's reputation will be ruined." The clan elder also began to worry. Master Zhou was their great tree in the Zhou family. It was because of his existence that the Zhou family had prospered over the years. If he fell, could those hiding under the tree live well?
"I'm thinking of a solution. The clan members will be left to the clan elder." Before he finished speaking, the clan elder patted his chest and promised, "Don't worry, I'll take them away shortly."
The clan elder held considerable authority within the clan. Although the clan members didn't understand why he gave up their plan after a brief discussion, none dared to ask. Only his second uncle sat there, unwilling to move. It was the clan elder who ordered two young men to carry him away. Despite his repeated struggles and curses, he was still dragged onto an ox cart.
The room finally fell silent. As Master Zhou breathed a sigh of relief, his heart couldn't help but tighten. He knew Liu Yanyu would cause trouble, but he hadn't expected such a direct blow. The non-existent silver would undoubtedly bring him immense trouble.