Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 559: Seeking Sympathy and Getting Lucky_1

Main courtyard, Zhulan sat on the chair awaiting Zhou Shuren. As Zhou Shuren entered the room, joy filled Zhulan’s heart, "You’re back."

Zhou Shuren hurried forward two steps, his eyes anxiously fixed on Zhulan’s foot. "I’ve heard all about it. Is it any better?"

Zhulan moved her foot slightly. "It’s alright. Why are you the only one here? Where are the kids?"

The smile dropped off Zhou Shuren’s face. "I’ve punished Chang Zhi, and the others all ran off."

Zhulan chuckled. "How did you punish Chang Zhi?"

Zhou Shuren huffed. "Chang Zhi likes studying, right? This time, I made sure he got enough writing and reading to do."

Zhulan fell silent. "You didn’t make him hate studying, did you?"

Zhou Shuren held Zhulan’s hand. "No, I was careful. I had someone oversee Chang Zhi’s writing."

Zhulan was clear in her mind that Zhou Shuren’s discipline of Chang Zhi this time was meant to leave a lasting impression. Indeed, Chang Zhi needed to be taught a lesson. However, "Actually, I am partly to blame for my sprained ankle. I never expected Su Xuan to be so agitated."

Zhou Shuren didn’t want to talk about this. Zhulan’s injury made his heart flutter, and he awkwardly changed the subject, "I brought back gifts for you and our son. Would you like to see them?"

Zhulan paused, her eyes curving into a smile. "Sure."

Zhou Shuren called Jin Yan in, unwrapped the gifts for Zhulan one by one, and then mentioned the matter of borrowing silver, "Right, we need to send someone to repay the silver."

Zhulan laughed softly. This was still ancient times, yet it was the first time Zhou Shuren had borrowed silver. "Mr. Wang must be dumbfounded."

Joy filled Zhou Shuren’s eyes. "Mm, that’s right. I brought back Scholar Deng’s son, Deng Yun. He’s six years old. Would you like to meet him?"

Zhulan’s gaze turned inquisitive. Zhou Shuren explained the situation, and Zhulan smiled, "Well, then I definitely want to get a good look at this child."

When Deng Yun entered the room, Zhulan smiled. It wasn’t just Zhou Shuren who liked him; she, too, was fond of the boy’s expression.

Deng Yun, who was initially nervous, relaxed upon seeing the kind smile of the ’Lady of the House’ and, mouth agape but uncertain how to address her, simply said, "Greetings, Lady of the House."

Zhulan thought about it and smiled, "From now on, you can call me Granny Zhou."

Deng Yun hesitated, looking at Mr. Zhou, "Is that okay?"

Zhou Shuren nodded, "Mm."

Wails filled Zhulan’s ears and she chuckled, "Our son is awake."

Zhou Shuren called for Jin Yan, "Take Deng Yun to Rongchuan’s courtyard and get him settled."

Jin Yan, "Yes."

As everyone left, Zhou Shuren entered the room, lifted his son who was crying with his eyes shut, and his heart warmed with amusement, "No dignity at all, what a disgrace."

The little one didn’t understand but recognized his father’s voice, his eyes opening to look at him. Forgetting to cry, he chuckled, "Daddy."

Zhou Shuren felt a tenderness in his heart, already cradling his son, "Good boy."

Zhulan sat, listening to the interaction within the room and fidgeting with the gift in her hands. Her lips curved upwards—Zhou Shuren was home, and her heart could finally be at ease.

Early the next day, Zhou Shuren went to the government office, and Zhulan waited for Dong Yiyi to come over. Recalling Zhou Shuren’s words and without waiting for Dong Yiyi to speak, she opened the conversation, "I heard the Master say that Mr. Jiang specifically took leave to visit him. After several years, the Master was quite moved."

Dong Yiyi’s smile froze. She knew her husband better than anyone did. She dared not look into Yang’s eyes, feeling a flutter of panic because she had heard her husband’s frustrations and complaints more than once, often aimed at Mr. Zhou.

It was clear to Dong Yiyi that the Zhou family didn’t harbor any fools, and Jiang Ming’s intentions were quite obvious. She should return to the capital too. "Speaking of which, I have been troubling you at the estate for some time. Aunt, I came to tell you that I will be returning home tomorrow. Thank you for your hospitality these days."

Zhulan achieved her aim, politely responding, "You are Lady Dong’s sister; it’s no trouble at all."

Dong Yiyi didn’t hear an invitation to visit again and felt her heart sink. It seems her husband might have displeased Mr. Zhou. The prospect of her ambitious husband filled her with distaste—she only hoped her tactful departure wouldn’t affect her son. "I won’t keep you from resting then, Aunt. I must return to pack my things."

Zhulan, "Alright."

Zhulan watched Dong Yiyi’s retreating figure and once the door closed, she said to Granny Song, "Actually, Lady Dong’s elder sister is not bad."

Granny Song had been closely observing these past days and also found her to be a sensible person, "Yes."

Before two hours had passed, Xue Han returned from the banquet. Zhulan asked, "Why are you back so early?"

Xue Han sat beside her mother, "Mother, the fourth Miss Min passed away yesterday. I heard the news, and feeling out of sorts, decided to come back earlier."

My heart is heavy. The fourth Miss Min has died, and many young ladies at the banquet were taking delight in the disaster!

Zhulan sat up straight, "Dead?"

Xue Han nodded, "Yes, they say she died yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Liu has already gone to the capital."

Zhulan fell silent. The fourth Miss Min died at such a time. She had heard from Zhou Shuren about the specific day for the diversion of disaster. Her eyes dimmed again. She was so young—an active life snuffed out in a game of power struggles. "Cruel."

Xue Han also reflected on the fate of women and lay her head on her mother’s lap, "Mother, I am fortunate."

Zhulan stroked her daughter’s hair, the darkness in her heart lessening, "Your father and I will protect you, don’t be afraid."

Xue Han, smelling the fragrance of her mother’s body, closed her eyes, "Mhm."

In the afternoon, Wu Qiu came to bid farewell, planning to return the next day. Zhulan had long prepared the New Year goods and, knowing Wu Qiu was in a hurry, did not keep him any longer.

That night, as they rested, Zhulan toyed with Zhou Shuren’s hand, "I heard that the fourth Miss Min died."

Zhou Shuren, with his well-connected sources, had known since the morning, "Mhm."

Zhulan asked, "Who do you think did it?"

Zhou Shuren lowered his voice, "Prince Zhang Jinghong."

Zhulan said, "I thought the same, playing the victim!"

Zhou Shuren sighed, "He still harbored hope of avoiding a marriage with Miss Lin to a side position, but once truly married, even if she’s not the main wife, it would be a stain on the Prince."

Zhulan, "Life is truly cheap."

Zhou Shuren gripped Zhulan’s hand tighter, "You have me."

Zhulan snuggled closer to Zhou Shuren, "Mhm."

The next day, Zhulan first saw off Wu Qiu, and then Dong Yiyi.

Dong Yiyi’s two children were reluctant to leave, departing with lingering affection.

Not long after sending them off, Zhulan received a visiting card: from Prince Yao, planning to visit the next day, on the day Zhou Shuren was off work.

Zhulan was puzzled, what did this Prince want?

Xue Han and Wu Ning came over together. Zhulan didn’t ponder why Prince Yao was coming, "Are you two going out?"

Wu Ning spoke first, "Auntie, with New Year approaching, I want to embroider a screen, so I’m thinking of going to the embroidery shop to buy some thread to take back."

Xue Han, wanting to browse around for a while, smiled and said, "I’ll go along for a look."

Zhulan instructed, "Go early and come back early."

Though it’s over now, it’s still best to remain vigilant.

Xue Han reassured, "Mother, don’t worry, we won’t stray far from people."

Zhulan had confidence in Xue Han; the child was very reliable, "Mhm."