Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 135: Given a Stick_1

Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Given a Stick_1

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was March. Even though spring was approaching, the snow in the north hadn’t melted. The temperatures during the day remained low. With March came stronger winds, and the piercing spring breeze wasn’t just an expression—going outside for a round left one chilled to the bone, as if their very skeleton ached with the cold.

Even entering April wouldn’t bring much warmth. On the contrary, as the earth thawed, it released a chill in its final moments. Zhulan’s heart ached even more for Zhou Shuren, whose hands, only recently recovered, were about to suffer again.

Time flew by, and before long, it was the latter part of March. The carriages and procession for the trip to Pingzhou had been arranged, and they were set to depart for Pingzhou tomorrow.

For this trip to Pingzhou, Zhulan took along Ming Teng, Yushuang, and Xue Han. Staying in Pingzhou for at least a month and a half, Zhulan would have been too lonely on her own.

This time, Zhou Shuren didn’t feel like the children were lightbulbs anymore.

The two grandchildren were just right, with the first and second wives each bringing one, fair and square.

Lady Li, after over a month of tutoring from Zhulan, could write legibly now. She recognized almost all the characters related to food names and had some thoughts of her own. She had learned to use her head, and with her daily focus on recognizing characters, she had curbed quite a bit of her gossiping habits.

The day before departure, Zhulan called Lady Li and Zhao Shi to her. Looking at Lady Li’s excited eyes, which could hardly wait for her to leave to soar with joy, Zhulan toyed with her fingers, anticipating the tears that would soon come—truly something to look forward to.

Ever since Lady Li learned that her mother would accompany her father to Pingzhou, she had been dreaming sweetly every night. Finally, she didn’t have to worry about what to cook for each meal and didn’t have to learn characters anymore. Her life was finally returning to bliss, her voice sweeter by several plusses, "Mother, did you call us here because you have something else to instruct?"

Zhao Shi wished she could cover her eyes. Her sister-in-law was being foolish again. Didn’t she see mother’s smiling face? That was a signal! Every time mother set a trap, she did it with a smile!

Zhulan hummed inwardly, Lady Li’s tail was raised too high, "Indeed, there are some things I haven’t instructed. Lady Li, for the more than a month I’ll be away, you must not stop writing the menu, nor can you muddle through it. Write it every day and hand it over to your younger sister-in-law. I will check upon my return."

Lady Li was struck as if by lightning. She felt her mother did it on purpose. These past few days, there had been no instruction to write the menu. She thought that once mother left, she wouldn’t have to write anymore, and she had been secretly rejoicing. But unexpectedly, just before leaving, mother had hit her with a blow, "Mother!"

You’re going to lose a daughter-in-law like this!

Zhulan handed the purse in front of her to Zhao Shi, "For the month and more I’m away, your sister-in-law will manage the food supplies. Here are two taels of silver. The expenses for meat, eggs, and other daily needs should all come from this. I know you’re smart and can read. You’ve continued your studies with my son since marrying here. Make sure you record the expenses clearly; I will want to see them when I return."

Zhao Shi’s fingertips twitched. She had never mentioned that she could read. When had her mother-in-law found out? Moreover, studying with her husband was something she kept secret too. She never expected her mother-in-law also knew about it, which made her feel that her mother-in-law was even more inscrutable. Respecting her, she bowed her head and accepted the purse, "Mother, I will record the accounts clearly."

Zhulan uttered a sound of approval. She knew of Zhao Shi’s literacy by coincidence. Zhao Shi, for the sake of Ming Rui, would come over with him whenever Zhou Shuren was away. Sometimes while Zhulan was writing, Zhao Shi would glance over. After enough observations, Zhulan noticed the impression of a pen on Zhao Shi’s fingers. Out of curiosity, she had chatted with her granddaughter and learned the truth.

Seeing that her mother-in-law had little more to say, Zhao Shi understood that she wasn’t upset. Joy filled her heart. The characters she recognized, she had learned from her mother-in-law, and not that many either. Unfortunately, her mother-in-law didn’t know many either. Later, after marrying into the family, her husband continued teaching her, and she hadn’t stopped learning in these years. The fact that her mother-in-law wasn’t angry about her wasting ink made her regard her mother-in-law more and more as her own.

Zhulan had no intention of admonishing Zhao Shi; she was quite supportive. A daughter-in-law who knew characters could understand the proper conduct and set an example for the next generation. The idea that an unskilled woman is virtuous was nonsense. How many daughters of noble families and officials’ families couldn’t read? Some officials’ daughters were no less educated than the men. To truly raise one’s daughter ignorant of characters and manners was not to form a good relationship with the other family—it was purely to squander one’s daughter and take revenge on the in-laws!