Chapter 131: Lady Zhou, Congratulations on Your Wedding

Jiang Zao listened attentively. She understood that Shen Xiaonan was engaging in a process akin to the delegation of a hereditary responsibility.

Shen Xiaonan, clearly satisfied with Jiang Zao’s docile demeanor, continued, "There was originally a Taoist temple on the hilltop. During the war against the Japanese, only a young Taoist remained to guard it. Later, as people came to pay their respects, the lineage was preserved. The current successor should be a young man around your age. The temple is the root of their lineage; you must not obstruct them if they come to offer incense or pay respects. If you have the energy, having your people occasionally clean and maintain the grounds is also a form of merit."

Jiang Zao nodded.

She had heard about this from Zhou Lichuan. The temple had stood alongside the Zhou family estate on Tingshan Mountain for years, coexisting in mutual harmony without interference. Years ago, during land development, the temple’s successor faced financial hardship, and it was the Zhou family that purchased all the land, thereby preserving the temple’s foundation.

Shen Xiaonan gestured for Jiang Zao to open the two boxes.

Jiang Zao opened them. One contained a magnificent necklace dripping with blue gemstones, arranged in a vibrant, classic design that glittered brilliantly in the sunlight. The other held an archaic white jade seal, covered in fine, age-old cracks.

Shen Xiaonan explained, "The necklace has been passed down through my mother’s maternal line; it was a family heirloom acquired by our ancestors through trade with European nobility during their maritime expeditions. The seal is the signet of the head of the Zhou family. It holds no legal weight and has little market value, but as long as this seal exists, any descendant of the Zhou family must obey its commands."

Jiang Zao was deeply shaken. "Something so precious... I..."

Shen Xiaonan raised a hand to silence her. "Rest assured, I have my reasons for giving these to you."

Jiang Zao sat up straight, listening intently.

Shen Xiaonan looked at Jiang Zao’s abdomen and said, "You... are an orphan with no family to rely on, which means you don’t have to worry about messy, inescapable familial entanglements. While you may not bring direct benefits to the Zhou family, you are obedient, kind, principled, and intelligent. These items will help you better support Lichuan and the Zhou family. Though it may sound harsh, Jiang Zao, you are easier to manage than others. I have no ill intent, and you understand what I mean, don't you?"

Jiang Zao looked into Shen Xiaonan’s eyes and nodded. "I understand. Mother is considering the entire family and the rest of Zhou Lichuan’s life. The Zhou family does not lack a daughter-in-law with an illustrious background, but they do lack someone who can stabilize the household and manage the family with single-minded devotion. Without a powerful family of my own, I will have no reason to be biased. To be blunt, my capabilities and character are of more value to the Zhou family than any short-term gains."

Shen Xiaonan smiled. "Exactly."

Jiang Zao looked at the two priceless treasures on the table and said, word for word, "At the same time, Mother is also using these to cut off my retreat."

Shen Xiaonan’s expression remained unchanged, and she said quite candidly, "Even if I hadn’t given these to you, you would have no retreat anyway. Lichuan is my son; I know him well. Once you’ve provoked his interest, you can never escape him. For the sake of his lifelong happiness, I am willing to offer my greatest sincerity to unconditionally support you in securing your position as the mistress of the Zhou family. Jiang Zao, you have no choice."

Jiang Zao offered a subtle smile and gently closed the two boxes. "Then... thank you, Mother. I accept this gift from an elder with gratitude. I will live well with Lichuan."

Shen Xiaonan nodded in satisfaction.

Jiang Zao had dared to register her marriage to Zhou Lichuan without any preparations, partly because of the confidence she drew from his love, and partly because she knew that even without any agreements, the Zhou family would never fear that she might scheme for anything through marriage.

Was this overconfidence, or pure disdain?

As an orphan in the vast landscape of Tingshan, she was merely a target for the Zhou family—a tool that would never betray them and would work diligently for their benefit.

There were no fairy tales about princes marrying Cinderella, overcoming social prejudices. There were only the calculated maneuvers of powerful families to secure their foundations.

Sitting in the back of the luxurious car, Jiang Zao watched the old mansion recede, unable to collect her thoughts for a long time.

"What did Mother say to you? You’ve been down since you came out."

Facing Zhou Lichuan’s worried gaze, Jiang Zao smiled faintly and said four words: "Entrusted with the household."

Zhou Lichuan suddenly squeezed Jiang Zao’s hand. "Zaozao, if you don't want to..."

Jiang Zao shushed him. "Zhou Lichuan, do you think I don't have the courage to break out and carve my own path? You can’t keep me pampered forever. With the Zhou family as my backing, I can reach higher, go further, and achieve more. Standing on the shoulders of giants is nothing to be ashamed of; doing nothing and remaining stubbornly passive is what’s truly worthless. Since I cannot escape fate, I will follow its arrangement and earn my own future."

Zhou Lichuan smiled gently, his eyes filled with deep affection. "My Zaozao is the best in the world. Who could compare to this spirit?"

Jiang Zao playfully tapped him and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Three days later, the news exploded.

[Zhou Group CEO Announces Marriage, Commoner Wife Lives Out Cinderella Fairy Tale].

The red headline, followed by a massive "Breaking" tag, burst into the chaotic world of the internet.

The Zhou Group’s official website released the news first, followed by all official platforms.

Since taking over the management of the Zhou Group, Zhou Lichuan had frequently appeared in the public eye. With a face that could have launched a career in entertainment instantly, he had left an indelible impression on countless people.

The Zhou Group’s official statement was extremely formal, using a standard red-headed document format published as an image on the webpage, with no additional explanation.

It did not mention the new wife's name, nor was there any photo that netizens could use to speculate.

The Zhou family kept news about Jiang Zao under tight lock and key; even the paparazzi, who claimed there was nothing they couldn't photograph, could not capture a single clear image of the new Mrs. Zhou.

Zhou Lichuan’s popularity was immense, and his marriage had garnered significant attention. The sudden announcement inevitably caused some volatility in the stock market.

The next day, Zhou Lichuan’s personal account posted an image. In the gentle spring sunlight, a long-haired woman in a white gown stood in a courtyard with her back to the camera, watering flowers. Her hair, reaching down to her thighs, was braided loosely. Water droplets clung to the delicate, blooming petals. As sunlight bathed her, she emitted a soft, white glow, appearing as ethereal and serene as a goddess from the nine heavens. Just her silhouette was breathtakingly beautiful.

The caption read: "Mrs. Zhou, happy wedding."

That afternoon, Zhou Group stocks soared.