Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 105 Lianleiren_1

Chapter 105: Chapter 105 Lianleiren_1

Xue Mei took a deep breath, silently reminding herself not to get angry with a fool, because in the end, she would be the one to die of rage. She lowered her head and continued feeding her daughter, ignoring Lady Li.

Seeing her sister-in-law in such a sorry state, Lady Li felt a surge of superiority. Now that she had money in her hands, she felt no less than her sister-in-law who could read and write. It was her moment to strut and show off. How could she possibly shut up just because she was being ignored?

Regrettably, before she could speak out, Zhulan interrupted her with a cough, "Ahem!"

The son-in-law still had to give face to Lady Li after all. Lady Li’s face was also the face of her eldest son; one could not chastise her in front of others.

Lady Li locked eyes with her mother-in-law’s lingering gaze, and the momentary braggart instantly cowered. She wasn’t afraid of her mother-in-law’s scolding, but she dreaded her expressionless face, now not daring to utter a single sound.

Xue Mei was stunned. In the past, her mother would only quiet down after scolding her sister-in-law. But not now? Moreover, she felt her sister-in-law tremble. Was she afraid? Why was her sister-in-law so afraid of their mother now? Was this really the family she knew?

Seeing that Lady Li had quieted down, Zhulan ate breakfast and took care of a few children by her side. She crafted the perfect image of a loving grandmother, with all the children enjoying her closeness. If her eldest grandson hadn’t been so pitiful today, he wouldn’t have been able to sit next to Zhulan at all. Even when he did, the younger grandson, Ming Teng, glared at Jiang Zhu with eyes as sharp as knives, taking a bite and throwing a look his way.

After breakfast, afraid of being cleaned up by her mother-in-law, Lady Li quickly apologized to Xue Mei in the kitchen while tidying up the bowls, "I’m just straightforward, sister-in-law, nothing malicious. Don’t take it to heart; let’s just say I was talking nonsense."

Xue Mei let out a sigh of relief. Lady Li hadn’t been kind to her behind their mother’s back. Knowing that her sister-in-law was very afraid of their mother gave her a sense of satisfaction, "You should think twice before you speak in the future, sister-in-law. It’s okay with family, but offending others outside would not be good."

Lady Li, whose mind had become brighter over the past half year, tasted the subtext. This wasn’t forgiveness; she was being warned. She used to think her sister-in-law, a peasant girl, carried herself like a lady and looked down on her. Whenever she saw her sister-in-law, she would search for something to nitpick. But now, realizing her tone resembled that of her mother-in-law, a chill ran down her spine. The arrogance and braggadocio she had felt before disappeared, and she dared not provoke her sister-in-law any longer!

Xue Mei watched as her sister-in-law quickly wiped her hands and ran off, "....."

Why did she feel like her sister-in-law was afraid of her? What had she said?

Zhulan was playing with the children. When her eldest daughter relayed Lady Li’s reaction, Zhulan, "...."

She guessed Lady Li was overthinking again and had frightened herself!

Zhulan sent the children to play with Zhou Xuehan while she couldn’t do needlework because of the discomfort in her arm. She was, however, able to help her eldest daughter tear fabric as they chatted, making time pass quickly.

Zhou Shuren came back with Jiang Sheng from the clan school. Jiang Sheng hurried back to his room with his papers to continue copying books.

Several sons knew the task of copying books, just as Xue Mei knew her brothers. Honestly, no one really cared.

Especially after knowing that the books their father brought back were valuable, their focus shifted to calculate how much those books were worth. Given that copying them didn’t include the provision of paper and pens, yet it cost five silver taels, it was clear how valuable the few books that were brought back must be.

Chang Lian no longer dwelled on the matter of the Jade Pendant; instead, he was starting to curry favor with his mother.

Zhulan, cracking pine nuts and addressing Xue Mei who was working on clothes, said, "Chang Lian has been here three times, hasn’t he?"

Xue Mei felt like covering her face. Chang Lian’s attempts to ingratiate himself with their mother were too obvious, "Yes."

Zhulan clapped her hands, "This boy knows the value of books now. He understands that showing filial piety here works faster than with your father. But, you know, he really isn’t as sharp as your second brother. Too superficial. He needs practice."

While speaking, Zhulan touched the stove; her second son had just added another pile of firewood!

Xue Mei was stunned, "Mother, did you misspeak? How can Second Brother be more astute than Chang Lian? You meant Chang Zhi, didn’t you?"

Zhulan said, "It seems you also haven’t seen through it. Let me tell you, the sharpest in this family is your Second Brother, Chang Yi. He has the clearest view of everything at home. The third one, he’s all petty tricks and cunning, too superficial, while your youngest brother, Chang Zhi, yes, he is clever in his studies, but he doesn’t worry too much about money, so Mother didn’t misspeak—it’s you who haven’t fully understood your own brothers."

Xue Mei nearly pricked her hand with a needle. She had always considered herself a clever person; her grandmother constantly praised her when she was alive. However, it seemed she had misjudged; the brother she thought was honest turned out to be the most clever. Watching her mother, who seemed so relaxed, she felt less intelligent, realizing she hadn’t understood her own mother at all. She had always thought her mother was straightforward without any schemes, but look at what she had overheard?

Knowing her eldest daughter had been struck by the revelation, Zhulan slowly savoured her tea, mmm, the taste was just right.

Before her daughter had time to recover, Zhulan heard the voices of her youngest daughter and Wang Ru. Wang Ru had come to visit. In the busyness of recent days, she really hadn’t paid much attention to Wang Ru.

Getting up and slipping on her shoes, Xue Mei came back to her senses, "Mother."

Zhulan gestured to Xue Mei to keep quiet and slowly made her way to the door. Her youngest daughter, Xue Han, didn’t invite Wang Ru inside; the two stood talking in front of the main room. Zhulan carefully cracked the door open and listened with her ear against the gap.

Xue Mei, "...."

Mother is eavesdropping, isn’t she! No, a mother is an elder; how could she be eavesdropping? Yet reality told her that her mother was indeed eavesdropping, right in front of her!

Wang Ru’s voice couldn’t be suppressed, "You’re engaged?"

She had just gone to Pingzhou with Shi Qing for a ten-day trip, only arriving home this morning, when she heard the shocking news: the Zhou family had been reintegrated into the clan, and Zhou Xuehan, the heroine, had gotten engaged, to a boy raised by his maternal grandparents no less!

Upon hearing the news, she rushed over to confirm. Her schemes must have been too formidable; how did the romance between the heroine and the hero flutter away without her making a move?

If Zhulan knew what Wang Ru was thinking, she would have chuckled. It was she and Zhou Shuren who had flapped their powerful wings to make it happen!

Xue Han furrowed her brow, "What does my engagement have to do with you? Why are you so worked up?"

Could it be Wang Ru had taken a fancy to Rongchuan? Mother did say sometimes close female friends covet an engaged man. Ah, no that’s wrong, she and Wang Ru were no longer close friends. With a cold look in her eyes, this was outright coveting Rongchuan. They were already engaged, and still peering with such frivolity!

Wang Ru opened her mouth, yes, why was she so excited? She should be happy instead. With Zhou Xuehan engaged, she wouldn’t have to worry about Zhou Xuehan meeting the hero, nor would she need to guard against her. She should be happy, "It was out of happiness for you that I got excited. I came in a rush and didn’t bring a congratulatory gift; I’ll make it up to you later."

Xue Han no longer believed a word Wang Ru said, nor did she want any gifts, "We’re not friends; there’s no need for gifts. Please leave!"

Wang Ru’s good mood didn’t last; she felt hollow inside. Her long-pondered schemes were now useless, and she felt oddly upset. Looking at Xue Han, who was growing more attractive and poised, she couldn’t bear to see Zhou Xuehan prosper and, unable to hold back, she touched her pearl bracelet, feeling hatred towards Zhou Xuehan every time she touched the bracelet.

Last time she came to show off, Zhou Xuehan didn’t even point out that her jade bracelet looked ugly, causing her great embarrassment in Pingzhou. Touching her bracelet again, she took it off, "This bracelet was a gift from Master Shi, you haven’t seen pearls like these, have you? Don’t be deceived by their small size; a single pearl is worth two silver taels. I’ll give you this bracelet as an engagement present."

By now, Xue Han’s brow was so furrowed it could form knots, confirming that Wang Ru was clueless about the implications and was simply showing off. The irritation in her heart subsided somewhat, and she spoke sharply, "Considering our past friendship, I’ll give you some advice: don’t randomly accept gifts from men, especially personal jewelry. If you don’t consider your own reputation, at least think of your two elder sisters. Don’t cause them trouble in getting married."