Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 159 Gift_1

Chapter 159: Chapter 159 Gift_1

Zhao Shi only wished she could die when her sister-in-law insisted there was nothing wrong with her arithmetic, though mastering bookkeeping might not be so certain—moving her lips, she dared not retort, "Mother, I will try my best to teach my sister-in-law."

She hadn’t finished speaking, thinking that if she truly couldn’t teach her, then it would be her sister-in-law’s own problem.

Lady Li felt that Zhao Shi was scheming, always seizing the chance to put her down, "Mother, I will make sure to keep track of every entry in the accounts."

She absolutely wouldn’t let her younger siblings outdo her!

Zhulan watched Lady Li quietly, suddenly realizing there were advantages to her sister-in-law’s paranoia. Imagining Zhao Shi was against her every day, Lady Li would be especially motivated to improve. The way Zhulan saw it, no wonder those in power liked to play the balance game—lifting someone’s spirits could often be more motivating than suppressing them!

Zhulan asked, "Have all the gifts I brought back been accounted for?"

Lady Li might not have been able to keep books, but she had an exceptional memory for food and other items, "Two bolts of summer cloth, eight portions of pastries, six jars of wine, ten jins of sauce meat, five pairs of women’s embroidered shoes, five pairs of men’s shoes, and two cloaks."

Lady Li made sure to check, and seeing that there were no gifts for her own family, she remembered that each time Mother went out she would bring back gifts for every household. There were none this time, and she couldn’t help wondering if Mother was dissatisfied with her. Yet, that didn’t feel right. If her mother were unhappy with her, she would’ve been pleased with her siblings, but neither did her siblings get anything.

Zhulan certainly hadn’t forgotten, but having just given Lady Li and Zhao Shi hairpins, she couldn’t bring gifts too often, as overindulging them wouldn’t be good either.

As for the gifts she brought back, most were for Zhulan’s own parents; both their birthdays fell in the same month, and this year they would celebrate together. Zhulan, having taken over her real daughter’s role, was always grateful for her parents’ financial support. Now, with her parents’ birthday approaching in early June, and Zhou Shuren having become a Scholar, and with their family’s substantial resources, she naturally wanted to make her parents proud.

Zhulan had prepared six gifts: the cloth she brought back to make clothes for the elderly couple, cloaks for winter wear, shoes, a smoking pipe, a set of gold jewelry, and a longevity envelope.

The pastries she brought back this time were bought from Wang Ru’s shop, the soft and sticky sweets better suited for the elderly, and the wine was a medicinal liquor that Zhao Bo had procured, specially bought for her father.

The more expensive jewelry and the smoking pipe, Zhulan had taken to her bedroom upon her return.

Zhulan called for her eldest, handing him three portions of pastries and five jins of beef, as well as six jars of medicinal liquor to load onto the ox cart, "Take these to your grandfather’s house, and tell him that the wine is specifically for treating his legs, and to drink only one cup after dinner, no more than that."

The eldest carefully tucked the wine into the straw padding, "Mother, I’ll remember."

Zhulan handed another portion of pastries and a jin of sauce meat to Lady Li, "Take these back to your family’s home, and tell your grandmother to expect me when I have the time to visit."

Lady Li was joyful, feeling that it did not matter if Mother did not give anything upon returning home; when she did, it was for her face, "Thank you, Mother."

She felt reassured that her mother-in-law still thought of her; besides, her younger sister-in-law didn’t even have her own family to speak of, which allowed Lady Li to stand even taller.

Zhao Shi blatantly ignored her sister-in-law’s showing off. Had she chosen to argue over every little thing, she would have been exhausted to death a long time ago. Only a fool would entertain her sister-in-law’s boasting.

Zhulan took out four portions of pastries, two of which she set aside along with two jins of sauce meat. Once her eldest returned, she would have him deliver them to her daughter’s house, primarily to signal her daughter that Zhulan and Zhou Shuren were back, and they could start preparing to rent a house and move.

Zhulan cradled the fabric, leaving the rest for Zhao Shi to put away. With just over a month left, Zhulan needed to make two sets of clothes, and also sew some embroidery, quite a rush for time.

At noon, Ming Qing came to Zhulan’s home, "Auntie grandmother, we have prepared a meal at our house, and I’ve come to invite you over to eat."

Zhulan responded, "All right, you go back first, and I’ll be over in a while."

"Auntie grandmother, then I will take my leave."

"Hmm."

The Clan Leader had heard from Ming Qing of Zhou Shuren’s care for his grandson, which was why he had specially invited her for a meal—to express gratitude and to deepen the bond between the two families.

Zhulan put the cut fabric away neatly, changed her clothes, donned her hairpins, and headed to the Clan Leader’s home.

Now that Zhou Shuren had become a Scholar, she knew from what she had heard from Lady Li that everyone in the village was completely stunned by the news.

As Zhulan walked through the village streets, she could feel the envy and jealousy practically palpable. People complemented her, their tone so sour it could kill, but still, they had to smile at Zhulan. Zhulan found it truly satisfying; don’t think she was so magnanimous—she too was tired of their barbed comments.

Zhulan passed by the Wang Zhang family’s house, and upon seeing Zhulan, Wang Zhang’s face twisted into a forced smile. She seemed on the verge of speaking but ended up feeling too stifled, and quickly retreated back into the house.

Looking at the Wang family home, Zhulan thought about how Wang Zhang had not spared any effort in skimming silver from Wang Laosi, enough so that the family had even managed to buy a cow. Zhulan pondered over the store in Wang Ru’s name, suspecting that Wang Ru probably didn’t even know she owned any property.

Arriving at the Clan Leader’s home, Zhulan was warmly welcomed into the yard. Zhou Wang’s wife took Zhulan’s hand, "I’ve heard everything from Ming Qing, he has depended entirely on you and Shuren’s care. I want to thank you both on behalf of my family—we all remember this kindness."

Zhou Wang’s eldest daughter-in-law, Ming Qing’s mother, could hardly keep her mouth closed, "Aunt, if you ever need anything, just say the word. I will definitely help without any hesitation."

Zhulan wasn’t in the least insincere, "Good, I will remember your words. When the time comes, don’t try to wriggle out of it."

Zhou Wang’s smile deepened, "We’re real kin, broken bones still knit, we’ll never go back on our word."

Zhou Wang had heard from her husband that Zhou Shuren not only took care of Ming Qing’s dietary needs but also introduced him to his connections, helping Ming Qing meet plenty of people. After several years of laying low, it was quite possible that Ming Qing could pass the Graduate exam and then they’d have a Graduate in the family, which would change the fate of their descendants.