Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1403 My Sister

Chapter 1403: Chapter 1403 My Sister

Lin Xi clutched Yu Jiao’s hand and whispered, "You’re so young, Cousin; if you sleep in such a large bed alone, someone will surely come to seek you out. I think it’s just right for you and the young Miss of the Shangguan family to live together."

Yu Jiao was thinking the same thing. She didn’t want to live with the girls from the Wong family. Since entering the Palace, she had been observing the Wong girls and didn’t like the look in Wong Yun’s eyes. It would be better to choose someone of a similar age, and not only would the living space be comfortable, but they could also use their similar ages as an excuse to silence everyone else.

Yu Jiao, holding her cousin’s hand, stepped forward, "My bed is quite big; it’s too spacious just for me alone. Would you like to stay with me, Miss Shangguan? It would be just right for the two of us."

Shangguan Li agreed promptly, worried that Miss Zhou might change her mind: "Alright."

Her mother had said that she could live with Miss Zhou upon entering the Palace. She had been wanting to talk to Miss Zhou from the start, but Miss Zhou was always with Commandery Princess Lin Xi, and it was inconvenient for her to approach. Now that Miss Zhou has invited her, she must seize the opportunity.

Wong Yun pursed her lips. She was assigned to the worst room, but she didn’t take it to heart since she had planned to live with Zhou Yu Jiao.

She had been complacent inside, thinking so what if she got the worst assignment? She would still end up in a nice room. But now her plans were dashed.

Yu Jiao extended her hand and held onto Shangguan Miss’s plump hand, "Let’s go back to our room to tidy up our luggage."

Shangguan’s maid looked on with gratitude. Her young mistress was the youngest, pampered and raised humbly, and unable to quarrel. She was almost bullied to tears a moment ago.

Yu Jiao looked at Wong Yun and said apologetically, "I’m sorry, Sister Wong, but my bed is just right for two children to sleep in. Since Miss Shangguan won’t be needing her room now, how about we let Sister Wong have it?"

Shangguan Li also felt embarrassed, "Alright, we’ll give my room to Miss Wong."

Wong Yun regretted not speaking up first but consoled herself thinking that at least she managed to get a different room.

Wen Ling scoffed, "The good deeds are all being done by Miss Zhou."

Yu Jiao said bashfully, "I will feel embarrassed."

Wen Ling, "..."

That wasn’t it, her words were meant to be sarcastic, not praise!

That night, Zhou Shuren came back very late and laid down on the kang without moving, "It hurts, it hurts so much."

Zhulan was startled, "What happened?"

"I rubbed the insides of my thighs raw while riding a horse."

Zhulan frowned, "Why were you riding a horse? Can you apply ointment to your thigh? Have you seen a doctor?"

Zhou Shuren lay there and muttered, "The Imperial Physician has seen it and I’ve already had ointment applied."

Zhulan carefully helped Zhou Shuren change his clothes, "Will you go to the Ministry of Revenue tomorrow?"

"No, I will rest for the next few days. This is somewhat of a blessing in disguise."

The Emperor didn’t believe his injuries were that serious until the Imperial Physician checked and then the Emperor fell silent. This time he proactively granted him leave.

Zhulan asked, "Where did you follow the Emperor to? Why did you even need to ride a horse?"

"We went to see the new cannons."

Speaking of this, Zhou Shuren’s tone became excited. All men like weapons, and today he truly broadened his horizons in ancient times.

Zhulan listened quietly, and she also saw the insides of her husband’s thighs, bound with just a small piece of gauze. It must be so painful. Her nose tingled as she could picture Zhou Shuren enduring the pain while riding. The tears fell.

Zhou Shuren felt alarmed, "Why are you crying now?"

"Look at your leg."

"It’s nothing, just some broken skin. It will heal with some care. This doesn’t count as an injury."

Zhulan wiped away her tears, pouting, "If this doesn’t count as an injury, then what does?"

Zhou Shuren stubbornly insisted, "I really don’t feel pain anymore."

"Mhm."

"I just pretended to make you worry."

As Zhulan reached out and touched the bandage, Zhou Shuren, "!!"

It hurts, it really hurts, his face slightly twisted in pain!

The next day, Zhou Shuren rested comfortably, enjoying the rare days without morning court. The only downside was he had to avoid spicy foods.

Zhulan returned from seeing Wen Yue and Zhixuan, only to find Zhou Shuren sneaking some dried shrimp.

Zhou Shuren gave a dry laugh, "I was just taking in the aroma."

"Hmm, you’re quite something, making half a plate of shrimp disappear just by sniffing."

Zhou Shuren shifted his guilty gaze away, "Why did you come back so soon?"

"Didn’t give you the chance to dispose of the evidence?"

"Cough cough."

Zhulan sat down and said, "I came back because I was worried about you. I also don’t know how Yu Jiao is faring in the Palace, and Ming Rui has followed the Crown Prince out of the capital, without sending a single letter back yet."

"You always worry too much, the children are grown, they can take care of themselves."

"Ha, I wonder who it is that’s been asking the Emperor for information."

Zhou Shuren touched his nose, "How are the preparations for Zhixuan’s full moon celebration?"

"Almost done."

Inside the Palace, the young ladies from various families did not see the Empress yesterday. The Empress has been weak, but she is in better spirits today and has summoned the few who came to the Palace.

Lin Xi, concerned about her cousin Yu Jiao, came early in the morning.

After Yu Jiao changed her clothes, "Will cousin also go?"

Lin Xi shook her head, "I won’t go. I’m just here to see what clothes cousin is wearing."

It would seem like she doesn’t trust the Empress to accompany her, but she won’t go. However, ever since the Empress’s mother-in-law got pregnant, her preferences changed, and some colors of clothes make her feel agitated just by looking at them.

Seeing her cousin’s blue dress, Lin Xi blinked, "That outfit isn’t very nice, let’s change into something else."

The Empress’s mother-in-law doesn’t like pink, doesn’t like purple, blue doesn’t elicit much reaction, but to play it safe, green would be a better choice.

Shangguan Li took advantage and changed into a new outfit too, both girls dressed in light green dresses, looking like sisters.

Wen Ling, in a light blue dress, saw someone in purple and waited to see the drama unfold. What a pity she couldn’t see the excitement from the Zhou family’s young miss; having some connections in the Palace is truly advantageous.

Upon reaching the Emperor’s residence, a Female Officer came out to greet them, "The young ladies, please come in."

Yu Jiao and Shangguan Li were younger and walked at the back, only lining up to greet after entering the room.

The Empress had gained a fair bit of weight and her complexion wasn’t too good, leaning back as she sat. She was well aware of the previous day’s events. Her gaze swept over the young ladies, keeping her emotions hidden in her eyes, "Please rise, take a seat."

The Empress wasn’t very energetic. She asked everyone a few questions before resting.

Yu Jiao and Shangguan Li walked out hand in hand, having shared a little secret the night before, and their relationship had grown closer.

Shangguan Li patted her chest, "If it were my sister meeting the Empress, she definitely wouldn’t be as scared as I am."

Yu Jiao replied, "My sister wouldn’t be afraid either."

Shangguan Li shook her head, "My sister is fierce, and she’s very sharp-tongued. She even hits me; in our family, only my sister hits me."

Yu Jiao extended her hand, "Hits your palm?"

"How did you know?"

Yu Jiao spoke solemnly, "My sister is also one to lay her hands down."

Shangguan Li gripped Yu Jiao’s hand, "You have it tough too."

"So do you."

Shangguan Li added, "When my sister is angry, she’s terrifying. Even my brothers dare not utter a word."

Yu Jiao, "My sister is also terrifying when she’s angry, and all my sisters are scared of her."

The two young girls looked at each other and sighed. Why couldn’t their sisters be gentler?

The maidservants trailing behind the two young girls exchanged a glance and felt awkward, then pondered whether to snitch or not. Better not to snitch; their own young mistresses already have it hard enough.