Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1121: A New Beginning

Chapter 1121: Chapter 1121: A New Beginning

Winter arrived swiftly, yet this year was less cold than the last, though it saw more snowfall. Snow fell every few days, but thankfully, there were no heavy snowstorms, only light flurries that at first didn’t stick, but gradually accumulated.

Zhulan and her daughter received an invitation from the Crown Princess Consort to enjoy the flowers at the Crown Prince Residence, which boasted a heated glasshouse that Zhulan had heard much about. This was an unprecedented move by the Crown Princess Consort, who had never before extended such a generous invitation to the officials’ families.

Xue Han took a detour to visit her mother so they could go together. Zhulan asked, "Who’s looking after Lin Xi?"

Xue Han, smiling broadly, replied, "Mother, have you forgotten? Today is a rest day for the Hanlin Academy, and Rongchuan is at home taking care of our daughter!"

Zhulan slapped her forehead, "Look at my memory, it’s getting worse with age."

Listening to the sound of snow falling on the carriage roof, Xue Han muttered, "I really don’t feel like going out in this snow."

Zhulan felt the same; winter was best spent indoors. "It’s astonishing how quickly a year passes. The Crown Prince has been handling state affairs for quite a while now. The preparations by the Crown Princess Consort for flower viewing, though secondary, primarily aim to meet with the officials’ families."

Xue Han widened her eyes, leaned closer and whispered, "Is this groundwork for his succession?"

Zhulan nodded slightly, that was indeed the implication. Without the Empress or the Crown Prince’s instructions, the cautious Crown Princess Consort wouldn’t take such a high-profile step.

They soon arrived at the Crown Prince Residence. Disembarking from the carriage, Xue Han saw many familiar faces—all from high-ranking officials’ families, along with many others she did not recognize.

A maid led the way to a tent set up in the garden, and from a distance, they could see the glasshouse. Zhulan’s eyes filled with admiration at the sight of so much glass.

Xue Han saw it too and liked it, as did all the ladies present.

The Crown Princess Consort appeared, clearly enjoying the jealous looks directed at her, especially from Princess Liang.

Princess Liang commented, "The Crown Prince Residence really does have abundant resources to build such a large pavilion. Only the Crown Princess Consort could afford it."

Her tone then shifted, "But Liu Li is expensive and not easy to obtain in such large quantities. It’s very typical of the Crown Prince Residence."

Zhulan turned to look at Princess Liang, whose expression was sour. Indeed, the Prince Liang Residence was going through difficult times, with daily exposures of their misdeeds. The Crown Prince needed Prince Liang, so he remained untroubled, but as his accomplice, Princess Liang’s family was not so fortunate.

Princess Qi too was envious, admiring the Crown Prince’s affection for the Crown Princess Consort, but now she remarked, "Little sister, I heard yesterday that your brother was dismissed from his position?"

Princess Chu, having often been wronged by Princess Liang, couldn’t resist stepping in, "Older sister-in-law, your news is outdated. My little sister-in-law’s family no longer holds any official positions to be dismissed from; her whole clan is under investigation. I really thought we wouldn’t see you here today!"

Peeling an orange and thoroughly enjoying it, Zhulan occasionally handed some slices to her daughter. The juicy sweetness was delightful.

Princess Liang’s face turned ashen, and she angrily glared at Zhulan, who almost choked but slowly turned away, marking the tragic start for their family.

At that moment, the Crown Princess Consort stated, "The glass for this heated pavilion was a gift from our Emperor. It also reflects the filial piety of the Crown Prince. With few green vegetables available in winter, the Crown Prince personally grew them to ensure the Emperor and Empress could have more to eat. They were deeply touched and rewarded him with the glass."

Zhulan didn’t believe it when she heard this. If the Crown Prince was the only one gardening, they wouldn’t have built such a large greenhouse for the Crown Princess Consort. It was clear that the Crown Princess Consort was also getting her hands dirty, and when the Crown Prince was busy, it was always the Crown Princess Consort who took care of everything.

The Crown Princess Consort, with such a status, still took a hands-on approach, which showed the Empress’s wisdom in choosing a daughter-in-law. It was only right for the Crown Prince to deeply love the Crown Princess Consort.

Princess Liang shut her mouth. They all knew that the Crown Prince’s Residence had been busy growing winter vegetables, but they hadn’t expected them to be sent into the palace.

Princess Qi couldn’t help but reach out her hand, which was soft and tender from various secrets of maintenance. She seldom touched a needle and thread, let alone gardening. It was obvious she also thought that the Crown Princess Consort had taken part, who had always been a clever woman.

The Crown Princess Consort explained and was very satisfied with the expression of the officials’ wives. She smiled at Xue Han, saying, "I thought I would see Lin Xi today, and now I am disappointed."

The Crown Princess Consort genuinely liked Lin Xi, the Crown Prince’s brother’s legitimate niece, a child blessed with good fortune. Since both the Emperor and Empress liked her, she naturally liked her too. As for Lin Xi’s presence meaning that Zhenyue no longer received as much favor as before, that was Consort Ran’s issue, not hers.

Moreover, between an illegitimate daughter and a legitimate niece, she preferred the latter.

Xue Han stood up to pay her respects and replied, "I had intended to bring her to let you see her, but since it started snowing when we left, we didn’t bring her."

The Crown Princess Consort smiled. "Then you must come and talk to me more often in the future."

Xue Han, clever indeed, was interacting with the future Empress and graciously agreed, "Of course, I will definitely bring Lin Xi to the Crown Prince’s Residence more often in the future."

The Crown Princess Consort had only seen the little girl during the full moon. Since the little girl had entered the palace, the Crown Prince often mentioned how well Lin Xi was growing up.

At the Shi family residence, Old Master Shi could now move around the estate freely, even able to visit his legitimate wife’s quarters, although leaving the estate was still out of the question. Having come out from his legitimate wife’s quarters, he walked slowly. His son was a ruthless man, just keeping his wife’s life hanging by a thread. Years ago, he had feared his family line would end if he became seriously ill. His legitimate wife had poisoned him, but their son was saved from being poisoned, and instead, it was the wife who ended up paralyzed.

Old Master Shi walked towards his son’s courtyard, and hearing his grandson’s laughter brought a smile to his face. Shi Qing was ruthless, but he had carved out his path. The son was getting better and better. It’s not that his son didn’t want him dead, nor did he want to die, so he had always been proactive in recovering his health. Initially, he couldn’t even get out of bed, and his winters were confined to indoor spaces, but now he dared to go out even in the snow.

Old Master Shi didn’t go in, as today was a day off at the Hanlin Academy, and his son was at home.

When Shi Qing received the news, he told the steward, "If he wants to go, let him go."

Yao Yao draped a cloak over her son, saying, "We can go now."

Shi Qing smiled as he picked up his son, "Let’s go, let’s go shopping."

At the Crown Prince’s Residence, Zhulan had already come together with the Crown Princess Consort. The Crown Princess Consort spoke, "I heard from the Crown Prince that the diplomatic fleet has already started its return journey and will soon reach Pinggang."

Zhulan knew this was the Crown Princess Consort’s goodwill towards Zhou’s house. She could have received no news at all, even Zhou Shuren was not aware, "This concubine thanks Your Highness."

The Crown Princess Consort smiled. She was quite willing to look out for Zhou’s family. For her son’s sake, the various branches of Zhou’s family had been gradually prospering. By the time her son grew up, Zhou’s family would have already flourished, but it was still not time to rush things—slow and steady was the way to go.

The Crown Princess Consort left first, and then Xue Han walked up to her mother. Zhulan patted her daughter, realizing that the Crown Princess Consort was an influencer in subtle ways, showing goodwill without going overboard. She sighed inwardly, the struggle had already begun even though the Crown Prince had not yet ascended the throne.

Xue Han, following her mother’s gaze towards the Crown Prince’s concubine with a son, quietly asked, "Mother, what are you looking at?"