I’m a Mother-in-Law, but I Dislike Conflict with My Daughter-in-Law - Chapter 68

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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 68

After the evaluation meeting ended, a banquet was scheduled to begin.

I had promoted it to them as a gathering to enjoy simple drinks while discussing the development potential of the Western Market.

Mikhail probably knew it that way too.

‘…Though there won’t be any banquet.’

What awaited them wasn’t a banquet, but a much more sinister and unfortunate event.

When we took our seats, the merchants who had failed in their promotions clicked their tongues and returned to their places.

There were also several merchants who hadn’t approached us, and among them I could see Yulkes, the head of Goldrail trading company.

Except for having similar hair color to Jane, he didn’t resemble her in the slightest.

The way he surveyed his surroundings with greedy eyes reminded me more of a well-dressed bandit than a merchant.

‘Well, it’s enough to make anyone’s eyes spin.’

In the corner of the banquet hall, on tables where food would normally be placed, the bribes prepared by the merchants were displayed.

Gold thread wrapped boxes, large gems in glass cases, and golden swords that looked like they should be used for decoration.

They were luxurious treasures so extravagant that just looking at them was nauseating.

I called out to Mikhail in a small voice that the merchants couldn’t hear.

“…Do they usually send this much?”

“Hmm, this time is particularly excessive. Usually items come in that match their trading goods…”

Even considering that several large trading companies were among them, it was an excessive amount.

It also meant that they were serious about this evaluation meeting.

The 20 trading companies I had asked to be gathered were well-known not only in Layton, but throughout the Western Region.

Perhaps because of that, pride was visible on all their faces.

The saying “a thief’s feet burn” didn’t apply here.

When the scheduled time arrived, a host appeared on the stage.

“The winter queen has disappeared, and the spring sunshine…”

After boring greetings and praise for House Layton continued, the evaluation meeting finally began.

I glanced at the woman in the corner seat wearing a large hat.

The 21st merchant, Jane.

Disguised in brightly colored clothes she wouldn’t normally wear, she kept her gaze fixed on the stage, calmly waiting for her turn.

‘She’ll do well.’

The script was complete.

She had quickly realized what kind of presentation I expected and produced a script more perfect than I had anticipated.

Now all that remained was to pray that she would act well.

I was getting more nervous for no reason.

When I stroked the back of my neck while pretending to fix my hair, Mikhail beside me spoke in a bright voice.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what Mother’s plan is.”

From his tone, he seemed quite expectant. There was no hint of sarcasm.

“It’s out of my hands now. It depends on Jane.”

“I’ve never met her, but from what Mother has told me, she seems to be a very clever merchant.”

“Yes, she’s a much smarter child than I am.”

Not expecting me to praise her this much, Mikhail’s eyes widened in surprise.

But even without adding unnecessary exaggeration, the fact that Jane was a genius remained unchanged.

‘Until now, it was a fact only I knew, but not anymore.’

The merchants had come here to get a chance to turn their lives around. That applied to Jane as well.

“Now, I’ll call the first trading company. Milksy Merchant Group, please come forward.”

When the host called the first merchant, a middle-aged man with an expression mixing nervousness and confidence stepped onto the stage.

“I-I am honored to meet the beloved Duke Layton. I, Royk, as the leader of the Milksy Merchant Group…”

They called it an evaluation meeting, but it was a childish event where merchant leaders came forward to show off about themselves.

They announced how precious the treasures they brought were, and explained how much profit could be gained from contracting with them.

The explanations were monotonous enough that there was no need to listen carefully.

‘Well, managers don’t need to be good speakers.’

To put it nicely, they lacked pretense; to put it badly, they lacked persuasiveness.

They probably didn’t place much meaning on the presentation content either.

If they wanted to do well, they would have hired a separate orator instead of doing it themselves.

They probably thought this occasion was just a pretext to introduce bribes, and the real event was the banquet afterward where they could have conversations with Mikhail.

“Potato prices have dropped a lot recently due to the good harvest, are you prepared for that?”

“O-of course. Our Tona Merchant Group is developing more trading partners to reduce surplus inventory…”

Mikhail occasionally asked questions to the trading companies, but most of the responses he got back were hollow answers.

Perhaps quite disappointed, Mikhail spoke less and less as the turns progressed.

And at the last turn, the twentieth merchant leader Yulkes Goldrail appeared.

“…Then the twentieth trading company, Goldrail.”

“Nice to meet you, Duke Layton.”

Unlike the previous merchant leaders, he appeared very leisurely.

He offered a simple greeting as if letting the audience know that he was a noble.

‘How arrogant.’

Yulkes, who wouldn’t have been able to even speak to Mikhail at an ordinary banquet, slowly began his explanation.

“Our Goldrail is…”

But the content was similar to before.

Mikhail smiled bitterly and glanced at me, and I clicked my tongue briefly.

“And as a gift, I brought mushrooms that are considered precious in the Northwestern Region…”

‘He surely didn’t bring them for me.’

Finding it burdensome to make eye contact with Yulkes, I turned my gaze to Jane who was waiting behind the stage.

Finally, Yulkes’s turn was over.

“Ah, I apologize for not informing you in advance. There is one more evaluation meeting participant. Twenty-first participant, please enter.”

The host didn’t call out a name. Jane, wearing her hat pulled down low, slowly stepped onto the stage.

Finally, it was beginning.

Receiving the gazes of merchants who were confused about whether there were more turns, she walked confidently.

Bang-!

“Argh!”

…Because of the hat, she couldn’t see below her feet and ended up falling ungracefully.

“….”

Silence descended upon the banquet hall.

Everyone was left speechless at the sight of her sprawled out on the stage floor.

Moreover, the sound of her fall was so loud that it still echoed throughout the banquet hall.

“Pff, pffahaha!”

“What is this, a clown?”

“Miss! Get up!”

And then came the roaring laughter. Without realizing it, my cheeks turned red and I covered my face with my hands.

Naturally, this was an accident not in the script.

‘She must have been nervous. Why did she come wearing such a big hat….’

She pressed down on her hat and slowly got up from her position.

She must have been surprised too, as her ears and neck were visibly flushed red even from a distance.

She brushed off her clothes several times unnecessarily and walked toward the platform with awkward steps, looking around.

Then she bowed her head very politely.

“…I’m sorry, I was nervous.”

“Hahaha!”

“I should avoid such inconvenient attire from now on.”

Though she was clearly flustered, she changed the atmosphere by even mixing in jokes.

Mikhail chuckled and praised her.

“If that was acting, it’s excellent skill.”

‘I doubt it….’

But her handling skills deserved praise.

After experiencing such an accident, one would normally forget the script, but she naturally continued with her greeting.

“I am Jane, who runs a small trading company. Having been invited to such a precious occasion by chance, I offer my words of gratitude to the great Duke.”

Even with her serious greeting, the laughter in the banquet hall wouldn’t subside.

The merchants, hearing Jane’s voice, realized she was a much younger merchant than themselves.

As the laughter mixed with jeers and encouragement continued, Jane spoke in a playful voice.

“My mistake has dampened the mood. At this rate, I might make another mistake….”

“We’ll overlook it, so continue!”

“Hehe, young people these days lack preparation.”

Jane, as if troubled, swept her face with both hands and let out a sigh.

“I have no choice. Everyone, even if I make another mistake, would you forgive me just once? If I ask you to be quiet, please listen quietly.”

“We can overlook that much! Haha!”

“Shouldn’t you be asking the Duke, not us?”

“Your Grace as well….”

Mikhail raised his hand and nodded briefly.

At his sign of consent, Jane offered her thanks.

“I’m grateful for your grace. Then from now on, I, Jane Goldreail, will show you the gift I’ve prepared.”

“…What?”

Leaving behind Yulkes, who had finally recognized his daughter’s voice, Jane appeared carrying a large chart board that had been behind the stage.

It was a teaching material where a long pole was set up to hang large paper materials, flipping through them one by one for education.

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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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