I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 66

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I’m a Mother-in-Law, But I Don’t Want Family Conflicts Episode 66

Richt, who had been quietly examining the documents, carefully raised his hand. It was a respectful posture filled with genuine sincerity.

“First… would it be alright if I ask a few questions?”

“Go ahead. What about you, Mikhail?”

“I’ll ask after the administrator finishes his questions. What I’m curious about is something different.”

Looking at Mikhail’s gentle eyes, I could predict what he was planning to ask.

‘He’s going to ask about the reason for doing business.’

He must have been curious about why I, who had been living quietly in the Annex Building all this time, suddenly appeared.

It was so like Mikhail to be more curious about that than the basis for the products.

I gestured with my chin to Richt, indicating he should ask his questions. Then, as if he had prepared for this, he began firing off questions at rapid speed.

“You’re using corn starch. Corn isn’t a crop that grows well in the Western Region. The distance is too far to import from the Eastern Region.”

“We can just import it already processed into starch from the Eastern Region. The preservation period will be much longer, so there’s no problem. Moreover, the Eastern Region is the best at Grain Processing, isn’t it?”

“This method of making something called glycerin is new to me. Did you think of this yourself, Grand Duchess?”

“I learned it at the Academy.”

“…I see. Then who taught you this effective Oil Pressing Method? And this method of removing residue too…”

“I learned that at the Academy too. If you’re curious, you can search through the Academy Library.”

“What’s the name of the Book?”

“I can’t remember that.”

“…Fine. Then how did you obtain this thing called Kaolin?”

“By coincidence, an Alchemist in the Commercial District was experimenting with it. I tried using it and found its properties good, so I adopted it.”

“Phew… Alright. Then lastly, how will you certify the safety of these products?”

Finally, it came.

I had been waiting for this question.

Richt had an expression that said ‘you can’t escape from this question,’ but I smiled inwardly.

The Business Plan only contained information about the products’ efficacy and cost, with no mention of experimental results. In other words, I had deliberately guided him to this question.

I took out the separately prepared Experimental Results Report and held it out to them… extending my arm. Then I removed the Gloves I was wearing on my hands, one by one.

“…Gasp!”

Richt’s eyes widened when he saw my left hand. Then he looked at my right hand and let out a sigh.

I had been doing laundry using harsh Detergent for the past month.

Because my skin was already sensitive, eczema appeared on my hands and wounds developed.

I applied Ointment so the wounds healed, but when the Detergent touched them again, my skin became even rougher.

My left hand was in that condition, but my right hand was normal.

After the Hand Cream was developed, I had been applying the cream only to my right hand. The condition of my right hand was actually better than before.

I held out both hands to Richt and Mikhail.

“The left hand is without Hand Cream applied, the right hand is with it applied. I experimented for a month and confirmed there were no side effects. Please refer to the report.”

“…Good heavens, the Grand Duchess did laundry?”

It felt strange that he was more surprised by that than by the Hand Cream’s performance. I kept repeating the word “historical context” to myself.

“Would you like to touch them?”

“…It’s fine. I couldn’t commit such rudeness to the Grand Duchess.”

“The experimental results of the dehumidifying deodorizer are….”

“I won’t look at them. This report is sufficient.”

“Really?”

I could see Mikhail looking restless, as if wondering whether I was planning to show them right here and now.

Of course, I had no such intention.

The alchemist had already conducted experiments and had results regarding the stability of the baby powder ingredients.

Richt’s demeanor became somewhat softer.

He let out an awkward chuckle that didn’t suit him and spoke.

“Really, one last thing, there’s something more I’d like to ask. …Why did you conduct such experiments yourself? There must have been many servants with chapped hands.”

“Because I thought such experiments should be conducted personally to be trustworthy. I couldn’t just have servants do the laundry, and there would be too many variables.”

“Is that really your answer?”

“Then is there another reason?”

“….”

Richt quietly looked at me.

In his wrinkled face, I could glimpse an intelligence that seemed to see right through people.

“…Now I understand why the servants who entered the annex building don’t want to come out.”

“What?”

He muttered in such a small voice that I couldn’t hear him well.

When I asked again, he said it was nothing and burst into laughter again.

Then Mikhail, who was beside him, spoke in a pleased voice.

“Inspector, are your questions finished now?”

“Yes, this old man’s questions are finished.”

Then Richt suddenly picked up the documents and stood up from his seat.

“Your Excellency, then should I consider the Grand Duchess’s business to be proceeding?”

“If the supervisor thinks it’s appropriate, I’m always in favor.”

“Well now, that’s more than I could hope for.”

It was as if he had known Mikhail would agree.

While bombarding me with questions, they had been exchanging strange glances, and it seemed their conversation was already finished.

Richt left the office in that state.

“Where are you going?”

“There’s much to prepare. You two enjoy your conversation. I’ll see you again next time, Grand Duchess.”

With that, he politely bowed to me and went outside. At his sudden exit, I blinked and looked at Mikhail.

Click-

The door closed, creating the strange situation where Mikhail and I were left alone in Richt’s office.

“…Let’s order tea and refreshments as planned. Please sit, Mother.”

“But soon the time will….”

“I’ll delay the schedule. It seems conversation with Mother is more important.”

He, who would normally prioritize his schedule, guided me to the sofa.

Since my legs were already aching from standing the whole time, I didn’t argue and leaned back deeply into the sofa.

As if he had been waiting, the butler who was outside brought tea and refreshments.

After taking a sip of warm tea, Mikhail slowly began to speak.

“I was surprised. I didn’t expect Mother to persuade the administrator like that.”

“It’s thanks to the considerate administrator understanding well.”

“That can’t be. There’s no one more cold-hearted than the administrator in this castle. He was impressed by you, Mother. It’s been a really long time since I’ve seen him like that.”

He was flattering me, but it all felt so sincere that it was burdensome. Mikhail’s compliments had never been false.

I awkwardly averted my gaze and put a refreshment in my mouth.

“Indeed, if I had known Mother was such a brilliant person, I should have invited you to the castle instead of the annex building.”

“….”

I didn’t answer.

I didn’t want to explain how uncomfortable that would be for Helene. It would be unnecessary meddling.

‘…No, is he saying this knowing full well?’

Mikhail’s true intentions were hard to guess. It might be his scheme thinking ‘since she’s smart, I need to keep her close for surveillance.’

“That makes me even more curious. The reason Mother went this far, is it because of Jane Goldreail?”

“…You knew.”

“Of course I know the identity of guests who come and go from the annex building. Mother is precious family, after all.”

Don’t they usually call that surveillance?

Well, they would investigate guests coming and going from the castle too, so the annex building wouldn’t be any different.

“Of course, this business looks promising so I’ll adopt it, but I don’t quite understand the connection between this and Jane Goldreail.”

“It’s simple. I want to give Jane Goldreail an opportunity.”

“Are you thinking of entrusting this business to her?”

“Of course not, that’s your authority. My request is sufficient with just arranging a position.”

“A position, you mean….”

There would be countless trading companies wanting to handle the raw materials for this business.

Merchants from a wide range of areas would try to get involved, from grains, ores, glass products to distribution.

I wanted to have the authority to select among them.

“Call 20 trading companies and hold a banquet. At that event, you choose which trading company to contract with.”

It wouldn’t be familiar to Mikhail, but it was essentially a bidding method. Of course, the detailed contents would be different.

“Should I choose Jane Goldreail at that time?”

“I said that’s your authority. Abandon personal feelings.”

There was no need for him to step forward to help me.

If things went according to plan, he would end up in a position where he had no choice but to select Jane anyway.

“What I want is three things. Leave the recommendation of 20 trading companies to me, hold an evaluation meeting for them in two months, and… you objectively evaluate and select the target at that event.”

In some ways, it was an extraordinary request.

A duke holding a banquet with mere merchants was already something that would draw attention, but calling 20 trading companies to hold an evaluation meeting – this clearly showed the intention to select ‘whoever offered the most bribes.’

Those selected would attend with enormous bribes to gain Mikhail’s favor.

No matter how customary money and goods solicitation was, doing it this blatantly was considered improper behavior in noble society.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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