Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 109 The Smartest _1

Chapter 109: Chapter 109 The Smartest _1

As the head matriarch, Zhulan wasn’t to be disturbed during her rest; by the time she and Zhou Shuren got up, dinner was almost ready. Without heading out, Zhulan spoke to the rising Zhou Shuren, "In previous years, the children’s red packets were two coins each; how much do you think we should give this year?"

While speaking, Zhulan took out the Money Box filled with numerous copper coins.

After pondering, Zhou Shuren replied, "This year is our first New Year together as a family. Everyone will have red packets; ten coins for each adult and five for every child. You should prepare some extra one-coin red packets, as we’ll have many kids coming to ask for them tomorrow. I’m of the ’Zhou’ generation in the family tree, and my status is quite high."

Zhulan looked at the neatly stacked red packets. "I’ll fold some more in a while."

Looking down at the copper coins in the Money Box, which totaled just over two hundred, she realized she’d have to bring out two strings of Copper Coins to cover it. There was no helping it, since Zhou Shuren’s generation ranked high, there were even those nearly his age who called him grandfather!

The children within the family would mostly visit homes in good condition, and now that Zhulan’s household was reintegrating, its financial foundation, thanks to the books, was well known. Thus, there would be no shortage of kids asking for red packets tomorrow.

Zhou Shuren put on his cotton-padded jacket. "No need for you to busy yourself in the kitchen, I’ll join you in folding the red packets."

"Alright."

Zhulan first took out red packets for the household and placed the copper coins separately, then continued folding red packets.

Only then did the two of them go out to dinner, serving ten dishes symbolizing perfection: braised fish, braised pork, stewed spare ribs, chicken stew with mushrooms, sausages, ham soup, cold dishes, braised pig’s trotters, pork knuckle, and braised dried shrimps.

Reluctantly, they consumed half of the dried shrimp they had saved in one meal.

The children cheered, and the adults never stopped smiling, all knowing that life would only get better. The only dish left over was the fish, deliberately spared to symbolize abundance year after year.

Come bedtime, the children couldn’t stay awake and went to bed early.

Zhulan, with her daughters and daughters-in-law, folded red packets until they filled a whole basket. Once everything was packed away, they woke up the children to eat dumplings, and then they went to wash up and sleep.

On the first day of the new year, Zhulan got up exceptionally early, fearing early red packet seekers might arrive and cause embarrassment by catching them unprepared.

Breakfast was also dumplings, the filling already prepared, and they ate them early in the morning.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren sat in the main hall, receiving New Year’s greetings from each family. Starting with Zhou the eldest, he and Lady Li said, "Father, Mother, wishing you a happy new year, may you be healthy and everything go as you wish."

Zhulan took out some red packets, "Good, good, may all be smooth and safe, take it!"

Lady Li didn’t expect to receive a red packet too and quickly pinched a significant amount, blurting auspicious words that cost nothing, "Thank you, Father and Mother, may you be blessed with health and longevity, peace year after year, and may all things go well and be auspicious. Um, what else is there?"

Mingyun was about to cry; his mother was saying all the words he and his brother were supposed to say. Sobbing, his mother didn’t know these auspicious idioms at all; she was just mimicking what she heard from them, "Mother."

Please don’t say any more.

Zhou the second also wore an expression as green as vegetables, clutching at his chest. Not being the first to offer New Year’s greetings was already a disadvantage. Being the second son was bearable, as at least the eldest wouldn’t say too much. But looking at what his sister-in-law had done, he quickly glanced at his younger siblings and felt instantly reconciled; there were more distressing situations!

Mingyun, afraid his mother would speak again, hastily pulled his brother to their knees to offer New Year’s greetings, "We wish Grandfather and Grandmother live younger as they age, may you live to a ripe old age, always smile happily, and may all your wishes come true."

Ming Teng cleverly repeated his brother’s words. The frown that had creased his little bun face turned into smiles. His brother was amazing!

Zhou the second silently recited the Three Character Classic, then whispered a few words to his daughter before getting the red packet from his parents and quickly leading his wife forward to offer New Year’s greetings, "Wishing Father and Mother great fortune and success, and continuous good luck."

Zhao, his wife, hurriedly repeated it before letting out a breath; they had passed the test.

From the moment Lady Li spoke, Zhulan had watched the faces of the family members, barely suppressing her laughter, wickedly anticipating the last to offer greetings, her youngest daughter. She briskly gave the red packets to Zhou the second and his wife.

Yushuang stepped forward, the best-looking in the family, dressed in new clothes with her girlish voice, "Wishing grandpa and grandma happiness upon opening the door, overflowing with joy, perfect in every way, and family happiness."

Zhulan laughed out, that second brother is really mean, making his daughter say four auspicious phrases, Chang Lian’s eyes are throwing daggers!

Zhou Shuren was also amused, handing over the red envelope to his granddaughter, "Good, good, take the red envelope."

Zhou’s second son was grinning, looking at his eldest sister and brother-in-law, feeling good indeed. In previous years, he didn’t realize how unlucky it was to visit afterwards; only this year did he discover that the younger you are, the worse it is!

Jiang Sheng’s steps were somewhat stiff. There were plenty of auspicious phrases like ’may wealth flood in’ and ’may treasures gather,’ but they weren’t quite apt. They weren’t merchants—they were a family of scholars. Sighing, he had thought of everything that had been said, looking down he whispered something to his son before bringing his wife forward to pay respects, "Wishing my father-in-law and mother-in-law a house full of children and grandchildren, obedient sons and daughters, and ever-increasing prosperity for the Zhou family."

Xue Mei took the red envelope and exhaled. Her husband didn’t have it easy.

Jiang Zhu’s chubby little face sported dimples when she smiled, "Wishing my maternal grandparents happiness and contentment, and a door brimming with joy."

Zhou Changlian silently thought to himself, ’Thank goodness, there’s still more,’ and hurriedly came forward, "Paying respects to dad and mom, wishing you everlasting health and fortunate blessings at your door."

Zhulan saw her daughter’s pallid face and then glanced at her third son who appeared to have survived the ordeal, smiling as she handed out the red envelope.

Zhou Changlian stood to the side, enjoying the misfortune of his younger brother and sister-in-law, his mood exceptionally good.

Chang Zhi ignored his unscrupulous brothers, not phased in the slightest, and strode forward to give his respects, "Your son pays respects to you, dad and mom. Wishing father success in his official examinations, and mom eternal youth and beauty."

Zhou’s second son Chang Yi, "....."

Zhou Changlian, "....."

Why hadn’t they thought of that? They had only been focusing on auspicious phrases for New Year’s greetings.

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow; he had only mentioned it to the eldest, but somehow his sons seemed to know it in their hearts—a good omen for the New Year. Smiling, he said, "Good, take the red envelope."

Zhulan also loved to hear it. What woman doesn’t love beauty? She had already been looking ten years younger and cared even more about her appearance.

Rongchuan offered his New Year’s greetings, "Wishing my uncle prosperity in his official career, and hoping that aunty will be endowed with an imperial commendation."

That really made it hard on him, he had just started learning, so he had exhausted all the auspicious words he could think of. It was the hint about ’success in his examinations’ that had given him the idea, but it was also a genuine wish in his heart.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren exchanged glances, appreciating the thoughtful blessing. However, Zhou Shuren said, "Uncle thanks you for your blessing, Rongchuan. But, this should not be mentioned outside."

Rongchuan’s face turned red, aware that it wasn’t something to be mentioned in public, "Yes."

Finally, it was Xue Han’s turn. She saw that all of the brothers’ gazes were concentrated on her. They claimed to dote on their little sister, didn’t they? Was this how they showed their love for their sister?

Zhulan coughed. Xue Han quickly came forward, "Paying respects to dad and mom, wishing you a love firmer than gold, a lasting union, and maybe adding another brother or sister."

Zhulan choked on her own saliva, cough cough, they weren’t getting married, what was this girl talking about?

Zhou Shuren, however, felt that his little daughter struck right to the point and was very pleased. He took out a silver taels coin from his pouch and added it to the red envelope he was about to give, "Good, good, take the red envelope."

Xue Han smiled mischievously, she wasn’t foolish at all. Her father only had eyes for her mother, so saying this was definitely correct!

The other Zhou brothers, "....."

The little sister was the sharpest one, just look at how happy the old man was, giving her the biggest red envelope of the year!