Wan Zheng heard the anger in his brother-in-law's tone and accusation.
He thought another headache would
come if he didn't speak up immediately.
Glancing at Mu Ruying's fearful expression, he knew this woman would cry again.
The strained look on his father-in-law's face already told him he had to speak.
"No. That's my money."
The original body owner was a scum of a man and a father, but he was slow to take action.
The idea of selling his children wasn't even his.
It came from a friend's suggestion.
The selling and buying transaction hadn't happened yet.
So how could the original body owner possibly have any money aside from the small fortune left to him despite his disownment?
"Your money… when did you become so generous toward my sister?"
Mu Yanying couldn't believe what Young Master Zheng was saying.
Not even a single copper coin had he ever given his family since marrying Mu Ruying.
What was this sudden change?
Wan Zheng walked over to Mu Yanying, understanding his suspicion at the sudden change in his character.
"I have decided to live well, brother-in-law."
"Live well…" Mu Yanying could not believe this bastard.
Mu Shufei interrupted the two men and smiled at his son-in-law, who seemed intent on turning over a new leaf.
"That's good, Young Master Zheng. I wish you and my daughter a good life. But may I ask… why the sudden change?"
That question was expected, and he had already anticipated it.
Wan Zheng looked back at his father-in-law, waiting for an explanation.
It was probably to see if he was truly sincere or if he was planning something behind their backs.
Such suspicion was valid.
"When Ruying hit me last night, I fell asleep, and my grandfather appeared in my dream and scolded me. I realized my mistake, and I promised my grandfather that I would change."
"Your grandfather… is Elder Wan?"
Mu Shufei asked, his tone filled with surprise.
Wan Zheng nodded.
He already knew how to explain this change in his character and personality.
He would use the dream angle, similar to the trends in his nephew's novels.
As for using the popular amnesia-transmigrator excuse, he didn't.
It would have created far more trouble for him in the future.
The dream route was much safer.
After all, Master Wan was the elder of the Wan Clan, the very clan from which Wan Zheng's father came.
Mu Shufei's father, Mu Zeng, was the most favored and loyal servant of Elder Wan.
The moment Mu Zeng saved Elder Wan's life from someone attempting to poison him, Elder Wan made a solemn, irrevocable promise.
His grandchildren would be able to wed Mu Zeng's granddaughter as their main wife.
In this world, mortals without talent for cultivation could only live according to the rules of mortal life.
Only nobles with good bloodlines and talent for cultivation could follow the path of cultivation.
Many sought to marry into cultivator families, not just for wealth, but also for the prospects of their future children.
Mu Shufei's family were simple commoners, working their lives in the fields, with no talent or skills for cultivation.
Only his father, Mu Zeng, had the opportunity to serve under the noble Wan Clan.
That earned the promise between the Wan Clan and the Mu family.
Seven years ago, Elder Wan was murdered, along with Mu Zeng, and the Wan Clan fell into decline.
Wan Zheng was disowned and forced to marry the peasant Mu Ruying.
It was a long memory left by the original body's owner.
Other details were distant, vague, since the original Wan Zheng had never paid much attention to what happened in his family clan.
Only a few fragments remained, now to be investigated by him.
"Father-in-law, rest assured. I will fulfill my promise to my elder."
"Ah, that's good, that's good. Now I can rest easy. Better to live well with your wife and kids than throw your money away on nonsense."
Mu Shufei nodded repeatedly, his eyes squinting as a gentle smile softened his wrinkled face.
He didn't fully believe his son-in-law's words, but chose to humor him to lighten the mood.
"Father-in-law, I would like to go to town. I'll leave you here with Ruying."
"Ah… okay."
Hesitation lingered in Mu Shufei's tone, aware that this young Master Zheng usually went to town to gamble or drink in brothels.
Wan Zheng sensed the others' worry just by looking at their faces.
To show he was willing to change and to support his excuse about the dream, he added.
"I'll have to look for a work."
"A work!? You're really looking for a work!"
Mu Yanying couldn't help exclaiming, squinting his eyes with suspicion this time.
How could this lazy and arrogant Young Master Zheng possibly find work!?
Though an honest farmer and sometimes a bit timid around his cultivator brother-in-law, Mu Yanying believed he wasn't foolish enough to think that an Elder from the Wan Clan had visited this Young Master Zheng's dream.
"Yes. The family needs to be supported. My sons… need to go to school soon."
Wan Zheng explained, watching the surprise on their faces.
Even Mu Ruying's dry lips parted slightly.
Her husband actually wanted their sons to study… she felt as if she were hearing the words of the deities.
Only rich people could afford to send their sons to read.
She had already accepted that her sons might never have that chance.
And yet, as a mother, she longed for them to learn to read and write.
Wan Zheng bowed respectfully to Mu Shufei, clasping a cup of his hands together, and then left the yard to go to town.
Today he had to go to the town and pawn the original body owner's jewelry to get enough money to start his life in this world.
According to the original body owner, it would take an hour's walk to reach the Weiwei town, which was not a problem.
Wan Zheng thought the body needed exercise.
He didn't like its belly fat and wanted to be fit as soon as possible, so he walked along the way.
Probably because the original body owner was used to walking back and forth, he felt no exhaustion.
Along the path, he met some villagers from both Cangwei village and neighboring ones.
As soon as they saw Wan Zheng's face, they immediately looked down, avoiding his eyes out of fear.
The original body owner's reputation was truly bad.
Wan Zheng thought so, but he would not care for now.
It would change soon enough.
When he reached the Weiwei town gate, he had to pay two copper coins for entry.
He took them from the string of coins he had brought and paid without hesitation.
The two gate guards always knew this person as stingy and unwilling to pay.
Now they were dumbfounded.