Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1404: The Most Useful Card

Chapter 1404: Chapter 1404: The Most Useful Card

Time flew, and the day of Zhou Zhixuan’s full moon celebration arrived. As Mingyun’s eldest grandson, his first son’s significance was unique, and many guests attended the full moon feast.

Zhulan sat beside Lady Tao and the Shang family’s elderly wife, who smiled broadly, "I just saw your great-grandson; he’s indeed a strong and blessed child."

Lady Tao couldn’t agree more, "Yes, the child has been raised very well."

Zhulan smiled, "This is all thanks to the child’s mother. Ran Wan is meticulous in child-rearing; Wen Yue has rarely been sick since birth!"

Ran Wan’s grandmother, a lady from the Qi Clan, joined in, "Wanwan has been careful since she was little; she was a great help to me even before her marriage."

Everyone around lavished praise on Ran Wan, and it was evident to all that she led a comfortable life in the Zhou family and was favored by the elders.

The Shang family’s elderly wife changed the subject, inviting Zhulan, "My granddaughter will be getting married soon; I hope you can grace us with your presence."

Zhulan understood that the elderly wife’s invitation was for the sake of her granddaughter, fearing that once she left, her granddaughter would be looked down upon, "Of course, I’ll come to share in the joy."

Meanwhile, Ran Wan had recovered very well from her confinement, putting on some weight from childbirth but looking radiant, and anyone who saw her could feel her happiness.

Ran Wan’s happiness pained many who were not as fortunate in their marriages. Among those of similar age to Ran Wan who were married, few had husbands without concubines, and many had already had maidservants as companions before marriage.

Wang, daughter-in-law of the Chang family, had been sitting quietly since her arrival, but suddenly said to Lau Jia, "Your husband was adopted out, and you were married next door. I really didn’t expect that you would live in the Zhou estate after your wedding."

Lau Jia had not interjected until now, and startled by Wang’s comment, she replied with a smile, "Even though we were adopted out, we’re still Zhou family children. Living here allows us to better honor our parents."

Wang didn’t believe anyone wanted to live with their mother-in-law; after all, living independently was within reach, "Technically, you’re the Rong family’s eldest daughter-in-law, but now you have a senior sister-in-law to deal with. Look at me, speaking out of turn."

Lau Jia realized this was a ploy to sow discord between herself and her sister-in-law. Envying today’s happiness of the senior sister-in-law, she pondered her own future, anticipating the envious remarks to come.

Lau Jia, with mocking eyes, but smiling face, responded after surveying those with pricked ears, "You mentioned my senior sister-in-law, and I’d like to add my thoughts."

The attention of everyone in the room was piqued, turning towards Lau Jia.

With a deeper smile, Lau Jia said, "One’s happiness can be seen from their appearance. My senior sister-in-law is genuinely happy; she now has both a son and a daughter, her mother-in-law treats her like her own, and my brother is very good to her. You all can see how radiant she is, she doesn’t even need makeup!"

Lau Jia glanced around at the several heavily made-up faces concealing pallor, especially that of the Chang family’s eldest daughter-in-law—notwithstanding her reputation for virtue, she was clearly unhappy.

Ran Wan entered, "What are you all talking about? I could hear the buzz from afar."

Lau Jia laughed, "We were discussing how very happy our senior sister-in-law is."

Ran Wan didn’t believe these people were sincere in their good wishes; seeing her younger sister-in-law’s eyes, she understood and said with a smile, "My sister-in-law is the truly fortunate one, with Ming Teng’s eyes filled only with her!"

The people in the room, "..."

Even more sour, yet they had to endure it.

In the front yard, Lau Song sat beside Mingyun, lowering his voice, "I really didn’t expect Wen Rong to come. Did you invite him?"

Mingyun, "He came with his grandfather; it wasn’t me who invited him."

Lau Song realized the situation, having thought Wen Rong came because he joined the Hanlin Academy, wrong again, "Sir Wen actually showed up."

Mingyun wasn’t surprised; the Wen family and the Zhou family hadn’t broken ties, after all.

However, the atmosphere around Zhou Shuren was less pleasant. Ever since Sir Wen arrived, everyone had to be more cautious with their words.

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes; Sir Wen was truly a conversation killer. As soon as Sir Wen took up any matter, the topic would soon become unsustainable.

Suddenly, Sir Wen said, "Master Zhou’s convalescence doesn’t appear to be due to illness at all."

Zhou Shuren, "I recall the leave request I wrote was for injury leave."

Sir Wen had a grudge in his heart. When Zhou Shuren was injured, the Emperor not only sent an Imperial Physician to the Zhou residence daily but also provided precious medicinal materials. However, when he himself was ill, the Emperor didn’t so much as inquire, let alone have the Imperial Physician visit him.

If Zhou Shuren were aware of the old man’s thoughts, he would definitely scoff at him. Don’t you know what mess you have created yourself? And still, expect concern? Pah, who knows where you might be drifting off to by that time.

Moreover, the more the Emperor shows preferential treatment, the greater the conflict between the Zhou and Wen families becomes. Previously, it was just Zhou Shuren and old man Wen at odds; now, it has escalated to their offspring.

The Wen family is discontent, and the Zhou family is no pushover; each carries its own pride.

This is precisely the outcome the Emperor desires. Currently, the Wen family is making many noble families steer clear. The Ning family’s younger generation doesn’t qualify, Ning Xu has long stopped managing affairs, and Ning Zhiqi’s generation doesn’t match up with old Sir Wen’s. The Ning family lives a tranquil life, while the once flourishing Rong family is now in decline. Rong Enqing, born an illegitimate son, naturally lacks confidence. Well then, the Zhou family, with its ties to the imperial family, has become the most valuable tool in the Emperor’s hands.

In the rainy weather of Zhangzhou Province, the carriage arrived at the County Magistrate Government Office. That’s right, Liufeng is a County Magistrate of Zhangzhou, governing a poverty-stricken county no less. While the main roads in Zhangzhou have been repaired, some connecting routes, especially those in remote impoverished counties, have not.

Even in the county city, the roads were not cemented, and the carriage entered directly into the backyard of the government office. Liufeng was the first to get out of the carriage, and a young servant held an umbrella for him as he carefully took his sleeping son.

Yushuang got out afterwards and, looking at the government office, said, "This is where we will live from now on."

Liufeng held his son tightly, who had been soundly asleep throughout the carriage ride and had yet to awaken. "Yes, we will live here for the next few years."

Yushuang walked toward the courtyard, sizing up their future home. "It seems not bad. We will need a few days to clean up."

Liufeng gazed at his wife’s weary face, "You’re also tired. Rest for a while first."

Yushuang was indeed exhausted, having to hold the child, especially over the rougher stretches of the road. "Alright, let’s have someone clean up first, and we’ll make do for tonight. Tomorrow we’ll clean up thoroughly."

"Mhm, I’ll go check out the front of the government office and come back soon."

"Okay."

Carriages these days are equipped with glass if possible. Throughout her journey, Yushuang observed the state of Zhangzhou which was indeed as poor as grandfather described, especially in stark contrast with the trip from the capital.

Yushuang instructed the steward to purchase some vegetables and meat. They brought rice and flour from the capital, as grandmother and mother feared there wouldn’t be good supplies in Zhangzhou, sending them with an abundance of dried seafood. Yushuang was getting a craving; finally in town, she could enjoy a properly good meal.

The next day, Lady Zhao took Yu Die to visit the Liu family. "Mother, when did you become so close with Sir Liu’s wife?"

Lady Zhao, "It has been a while. Why, do you not like Sir Liu’s wife?"

Yu Die shook her head, "I quite like her, actually."

How should she put it? She found herself getting along exceptionally well with Sir Liu’s wife, especially when it came to shopping.

Lady Zhao laughed softly, "As long as you like her. Just yesterday, after the one-month celebration, Lau Jia mentioned the Chang family’s eldest daughter-in-law, and I felt relieved once again!"

At the Liu residence, Liu Yuanbo was at a loss. "Mother, why did you ask for leave on my behalf today?"

Lady Gu pointed towards the door, "I’m not stopping you. If you don’t want to stay, you can leave."

Liu Yuanbo genuinely started to walk out, but halted before his foot crossed the threshold. His mother never meddled with his studies, and her behavior today was far too out of the ordinary. Truly, his own mother was setting her son up.

Lady Gu, "Well then, why don’t you go?"