Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1078: In a Tight Spot

Chapter 1078: Chapter 1078: In a Tight Spot

Zhulan struggled to breathe as Zhou Shuren embraced her too tightly; she couldn’t even lift her arms. She coughed, "If you keep holding me like this, I think I might really be in trouble."

Zhou Shuren hastily loosened his grip, the little old man was in such a panic that he was sweating profusely. Having felt reassured by the embrace, his legs then gave way and he plopped down onto the ground.

This frightened Zhulan as well, and she forgot about her sore foot, hurriedly reaching out to help him up, "What’s wrong with you?"

Zhou Shuren caught his breath and smiled, "I was scared. In my lifetime, you’re the only one who can scare me like this. I have no strength in my limbs now. I was truly scared to death just now. As I ran in here, I kept thinking, if anything were to happen to you, I’d take my own life afterward. Thank goodness you’re alright, thank goodness."

Zhulan’s eyes turned red. Zhou Shuren had a smile on his face, but his words were sincere. If anything serious happened to her, Zhou Shuren would definitely not want to live, "Don’t talk nonsense; our son is still young, and we have to watch him grow up and start his own family, don’t we?"

Zhou Shuren held his wife’s hand. He doted on their son, but what mattered most to him was his wife. It wasn’t just about living and dying together; he wanted to take the gamble of dying together in the hopes of finding each other again. He feared dying late, after his wife had gone, and being left to weep alone.

Lady Li and Zhao’s glance at each other before slowly backing away with their children. The parents only had eyes for each other now.

Chang Zhong came out and sat on the stone steps at the entrance. Still young, he didn’t understand the love of being together in life and death. He only knew that if something happened to his mother, his father would abandon him to join her. This realization made Chang Zhong’s eyes redden.

Chang Zhong stared at the servants tied up in the courtyard, his face stern. His parents were the most important in his heart, and no one could come between them. Previously, he never felt his parents were old, but today, he realized they truly were. He clenched his fists; he, too, must protect his parents.

Lady Li and Zhao’s didn’t dare to go back to their respective courtyards with the servants still bound. Maids and old women brought chairs, and the two women sat together without speaking. Although silent, they were both deeply moved by their in-laws’ affection.

Lady Li didn’t understand love. She and the head of the family had their quarrels, but life was generally smooth. She had always known the in-laws were close, but now she was struck by the strength of their relationship. The old man truly could give up wealth and status to be with his wife—what kind of affection was that!

Zhao’s absent-mindedly twirled her handkerchief. Her husband treated her well, and she was important to him, but she knew too well that both their hearts held too much. With so much baggage, the purity of their affinity was diluted. She envied her in-laws. The old man and old lady’s affection was pure and had never changed from beginning to end.

Yushuang looked down, hiding her eyes. She was happy for her grandparents’ love and yet was fearful. She feared she might not obtain such sincere affection, worried about her own greed.

Yu Lu was the most detached of all. She understood what her grandfather had struggled for and hadn’t been kept in the dark. Knowing well the kind of family the Wangs were, she had braced herself when she got engaged. She felt fortunate to have witnessed the beauty of her grandparents’ love; genuine affection still existed in the world. Yet, she didn’t yearn for it, content with what she had.

Eldest brother Zhou wasn’t home. He managed the family’s properties and fields both inside and out, always returning late in the day.

Inside the house, Zhulan had learned of the incident at the Ministry of Revenue that almost stopped her heart in fear, "Compared to you, my issues seem trivial indeed!"

Zhou Shuren felt the fear after the fact. The calculations of the Ministry of Revenue really amounted to nothing beside his own worries. Aware that he drew hatred, he was always cautious, and such tricks couldn’t reach him. He was now more concerned about his home; poisoning attempts had failed, and now there had been an attempt at assault.

If it hadn’t been for the Emperor’s maid in the main house and the competence of Nanny Song, his wife would have been hurt more than just a twisted ankle.

Zhou Shuren firmly held his wife’s hand, "As long as you’re alright, that’s all that matters."

Zhulan sighed, "I’ve always been vigilant, but I never expected it would be a maid from our own household. All the maids of the main house had been with us for many years. If it hadn’t been for a determined effort to kill me, they wouldn’t have exposed themselves."

Zhou Shuren’s fists were tightly clenched, "I feel that in investigating the Zhang family clan, I can lend some assistance."

Zhulan knew that if she didn’t let Zhou Shuren vent his anger, he would certainly make himself sick, "Hmm, just make sure to keep it in measure."

A chill flashed in Zhou Shuren’s eyes, "Hmm."

Zhulan winced, having forgotten the pain in their earlier conversation, only now did she remember the repeated injuries her foot was suffering, "My foot truly is plagued with misfortune. It seems to get hurt every time."

Zhou Shuren grew anxious, quickly bowing his head to look, his gaze settling on the swelling that was like a steamed bun. He got up to call for Old Mother Song to come in and arranged for someone to summon the doctor.

Old Mother Song, looking at her mistress’s foot, pain evident in her eyes, said, "Your foot will need a hundred days to recover."

Zhulan knew it was serious. The first time she sprained it wasn’t so dire. When the maid made her move, she had been quite agile, but unfortunately, having been pampered over the years, she had long since returned her martial art skills to the heavens. Coupled with gaining weight, cough, she had become a bit clumsier and sprained her foot.

The doctor arrived promptly. Lady Li and a few others also entered the room, but the area near Zhou Shuren was eerily void of people; even Chang Xhong dared not get too close. It was too cold.

The doctor left some medicine behind, implying that rest and recuperation for a hundred days was needed.

Zhulan felt downhearted. Zhou Shuren, watching his wife’s foot intently, said, "Tomorrow, I’ll ask for a few more days off. In a moment, after I deal with the maid outside, no, we won’t deal with this maid. I want to bring her into the palace. I need to go to the palace."

Lady Li and Lady Zhao’s eyes widened. Seeing that their mother-in-law remained silent, which meant agreement, they both shut their mouths as well.

Zhou Shuren didn’t bother changing his clothes, which were a bit shabby, especially his official hat, which was askew. He didn’t fix it, nor did he dust off his official robe. In an instant, his posture slumped, and as someone already lacking in looks, he seemed even more haggard.

Yushuang stared blankly at the transformation in her grandfather’s expressions, feeling that he was truly formidable. She thought her own father paled in comparison to her grandfather.

Chang Xhong’s eyes sparkled brilliantly. A child who loved to learn, he felt he had made a realization.

Without avoiding anyone, Zhou Shuren rushed onto the carriage. The bound maid was pressed down by Jin Yan, and together they exited the residence heading for the palace.

Meanwhile, after medicating Zhulan’s foot, she felt somewhat better. Then, looking at the standing maid, one of her senior maids, Qing Xue, a name the maid had chosen for herself which Zhulan never changed.

Well, now all the masters were keeping an eye on Qing Xue. Zhulan knew what was up – Lady Li and Lady Zhao were clueless.

Lady Li circled Qing Xue twice, "My goodness, Qing Xue, have you become an expert?"

Lady Zhao thought more deeply; her gaze fixed on Old Mother Song. Seeing the composed manner of Old Mother Song, she realized there was more to her identity.

Zhulan cleared her throat, "Do you still wish to remain in the residence?"

Qing Xue hadn’t expected to expose herself so easily, but her orders were to protect her mistress; of course, gathering information was part of her duties. Knowing that once exposed she couldn’t return, she would, like Old Mother Song and the others, stay in the residence, "Yes."