Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1036: Harvest

Chapter 1036: Chapter 1036: Harvest

In a blink of an eye, three days had passed, and Zhulan personally visited the Lau Residence. Since it was the Zhou family who had made the connection and the Lau family’s lineage was quite humble, Zhulan went to the Duke Residence upon receiving a reply from there, as the Duchess had asked her to personally visit the Lau Residence.

When Zhulan arrived at the Lau household and Madam Ma learned of the purpose, she was utterly stunned and asked cautiously, "I didn’t mishear just now, did the lady mention Duke Ning’s Residence?"

Zhulan quite liked Madam Ma, whose personality resembled Lady Li’s. She smiled and nodded, "You heard correctly, it is indeed Miss of the Duke’s Residence, who is a few years younger than Lau Kun, but perfectly suitable."

Madam Ma, holding her handkerchief, patted her chest, "My lady, please give me a moment to catch my breath."

After the master returned from the Zhou Residence and told her the proceedings, she had been anxiously waiting for news. She had not expected that the suitable young lady from the Zhou family’s mind would actually be the precious daughter from the Duke’s Residence!

Smiling in her eyes, Zhulan thought about how, after Ming Teng and Lau Jia’s engagement was set, Madam Ma and Lady Li saw each other especially often. Their personalities were similar, and they got along extremely well. Look at the action just taken; it was very alike!

Madam Ma finally regained her composure, "My lady, what should our family do?"

She was not a fool; such a good opportunity must be accepted, and they should hurry to finalize it.

Zhulan’s smile became even more pronounced, "I’m here just to communicate. If there’s no problem on your part, I can relay the message back to the Duke Residence. Then, your household should invite a matchmaker to make a formal visit."

Madam Ma’s smile couldn’t be concealed at that moment, "Our family agrees, agrees."

Zhulan, with a playful tone, said, "Won’t you ask what Sir Lau thinks?"

Madam Ma paused, "Right, right, I’ll go tell the master in the front courtyard. My lady, please wait a moment."

Zhulan nodded, indicating that she could just enjoy some tea and refreshments, and while waiting for Madam Ma to leave, she thought to herself that once Lau Kun’s marriage arrangement was settled, Sir Lau could also end his leave of absence.

Madam Ma returned very quickly, almost rushing, "Our master is just as excited as I am."

Zhulan nodded, "Then I shall take my leave now, I must also return to the Duke Residence to update the elderly lady."

Madam Ma hurriedly said, "Please wait a moment, my lady."

Zhulan had already stood up and inquired, "Is there anything else?"

Madam Ma seemed a bit embarrassed, "You know our family’s situation. It is difficult for our household to find a matchmaker suitable to approach the Duke Residence. Therefore, the master said he would like to request your assistance in matchmaking."

Zhulan smiled, "Very well, then you pick a suitable date, and I will come to visit."

Madam Ma unclenched her tightly held fists, deeply afraid that the lady would think their family too presumptuous, "Thank you, thank you, my lady."

Zhulan left the Lau Residence and went directly to the Duke Residence, where she informed the Duchess, "The Lau family has requested that I act as the go-between for the marriage."

The Duchess had guessed as much, "Then I shall wait for you to come."

Zhulan nodded, "Duchess, I must return home now."

Since the Duchess also had to inform her granddaughter, she did not detain her guest, "Alright, I will have the maidservant see you out."

After Zhulan departed, the elderly lady summoned Madame Song. She had already discussed the matter with her a few days prior, "The marriage is almost settled, just waiting to perform the formal rites."

Mrs. Song was not so shortsighted and, knowing that Lau Kun was truly a good catch, was satisfied, "Grandmother has taken great pains over Ning Ting’s marriage."

The Duchess had indeed lifted a weight off her mind, "The rest is now your concern."

Mrs. Song’s eyes widened, "Grandmother."

The Duchess raised her hand, "You’ve already recovered from childbirth, and your body is well-nourished. In the future, you shall take control of the Duke Residence; all the ledgers will be sent to your courtyard shortly."

Lady Song couldn’t hide her excitement; this was about holding familial power. After Xue Han married into the Hou Residence, she would be in charge, which filled Lady Song’s heart with deep envy.

The Duke Residence was governed by the mother-in-law, who kept making mistakes, and so the grandmother stepped in to take away some of that power, entrusting a portion to Lady Song, and now, it had all been passed to her—this was the grandmother’s trust. Thinking of her mother-in-law’s change in attitude, she felt thrilled.

The elder matriarch had grown a bit tired, "You may go back now."

Lady Song nodded, "Yes."

Lady Du soon heard the news, her face paling. As the future Duchess, she saw her control over household affairs utterly slip away. What was her mother-in-law implying?

Time passed quickly, and in the following days, Zhulan did a commendable job as the matchmaker. The betrothals went smoothly. The Liu and Duke Ning families had settled an engagement, leaving the Zhu family with no other option but to give up. The only surprise was that the Ning family had chosen someone as simple as the Liu family.

These marriage alliances stirred the capital for a few days. Ning Ting, being a young lady from the Duke Residence, represented it, and many kept an eye on her. The Duke Residence had always been tight-lipped, and now her marrying down was a mystery to many.

In Xuzhou Province, Lady Dong received goods from the capital, a delivery of two horse carts, most of it edible items.

Lady Dong first read the letter from her mother-in-law, then looked at the inventory that came with it, and smilingly said to her daughter, "The fruits you’ve been craving have arrived. Your grandmother dotes on you; she sent you quite a lot."

Yu Yi had adapted to life in Xuzhou Province but was still considerably thinner. Excited by the mention of fruits, the little girl begged, "Mother, let’s wash the fruits to eat."

Tenderly stroking her daughter’s hair, Lady Dong felt sorry for her; the girl missed her home in the capital and had fallen sick after arriving here, having endured much hardship. "Alright, I’ll wash the fruits for you."

No sooner had she washed the fruits than Zhao Ji’s wife came by with her young son. Lady Dong welcomed them, "What good timing. These are fruits sent by my mother-in-law, have some as well."

Zhao Ji’s wife expressed her envy, "Your mother-in-law is really kind to you."

She’d often heard Lady Dong mention Lady Phang, initially with disbelief, but over time, with sincerity that was discernible, she came to believe it. Now, seeing the rare fruits, she felt envious.

Lady Dong smiled gently, "Yes, my mother-in-law treats me as if I were her own daughter. I’ve given birth to two girls, and she has always been supportive of me."

As she spoke, Lady Dong watched Zhao Ji’s young son munching on the fruits, a pang of pain in her heart. Due to weather conditions, the ship to Xuzhou Province was delayed for several days, and many of the fruits had spoiled. There were not many good ones left.

The port in Xuzhou Province was newly built; the province wasn’t particularly prosperous. In their county town, having fresh fruits was a luxury.

In the capital, within the Palace, Zhou Shuren massaged his shoulders as he followed Sir Xiao out of the government hall. Ahead were the princes and the fifth son of the emperor, with several scholars trailing behind.

Zhou Shuren could overhear the princes’ conversation; he didn’t want to listen, but when he heard mention of the Rong family, he couldn’t help but eavesdrop.

Prince Qi’s tone was sarcastic, "Oh, fourth brother, I heard you’ve been searching for the descendants of the Rong family. You’ve been at it for a while now, any discoveries?"

Prince Liang, without even lifting his eyelid, retorted, "Second brother speaks without thinking nowadays. Our father emperor has been searching for many years without results, yet I’ve only started recently."

Prince Chu scoffed, "Fourth brother is modest indeed. You’ve raised quite a few capable people."

Prince Liang’s face darkened, "Third brother, choose your words wisely."

Prince Qi coolly said, "Why doesn’t fourth brother tell us where the Phang family’s fortune went?"

Prince Liang inwardly cursed his two-faced brothers, "Second and third brother really are in sync. Those unaware would think you’d joined hands. It seems I need to have a chat with the Crown Prince."

Prince Qi huffed and briskly walked away. He had made his probe; the fourth brother had no clue, which reassured him.

Zhang Yang, on the other hand, wanted to return home swiftly. His concubine fell unwell this morning, and he had been anxious to attend the morning court and did not stay for the outcomes. He was eager to find out if it was the news he longed for.

After overhearing this, Zhou Shuren surmised that the princes all valued the Rong family highly; otherwise, they would not be inquiring about it.

As he approached the palace gates, he encountered Rongchuan. Zhou Shuren clearly felt the princes’ gazes lingering for quite some time. The last time Rongchuan showed his strength took many by surprise.