Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 167 Adoption_1

Chapter 167: Chapter 167 Adoption_1

Zhulan waited for Zhou Shuren to bait the worm again, "If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as your agreement?"

Zhou Shuren narrowed his eyes; he would not lose, "A bet it is, then. If you lose, how about you cook a meal for me with your own hands?"

Zhulan was initially surprised by Zhou Shuren’s request, well aware that her cooking wasn’t tasty. Then she realized something was amiss and carefully recalled that her original self’s birthday was on the second day of August, and hers was the same. She caught on, "Is your birthday on June 20th? The same as the original Zhou Shuren?"

Zhou Shuren looked at Zhulan with approval; quick reaction, "Yes, born on the same day. That’s why my request is for a meal."

As for gifts, he truly didn’t care for them; he just wanted to eat a meal made by Zhulan.

Zhulan fell silent; she had thought that Zhou Shuren, that old fox, would ask for some other benefit. She hadn’t expected this, but she certainly wouldn’t suggest changing the bet. If she did, Zhou Shuren might think she was hoping for something else to happen!

Zhou Shuren saw Zhulan nod, his smile deepening. He really did want to benefit from the situation, but the timing wasn’t right. Although Zhulan’s health seemed to have improved, it actually had not. Zhulan needed to build her strength, at least for a year or two; otherwise, even if they wanted a child of their own, Zhulan’s body couldn’t withstand it, especially since she was already of a high age for childbirth and there were no adequate medical facilities in ancient times. He would not gamble on this.

Moreover, with the provincial examinations next year, followed by going to the capital, he didn’t know whether he would stay there or be assigned elsewhere. All these factors combined, it just wasn’t the right time to seek happiness.

He had also considered the dangers of having a child in two years; while it would be risky for Zhulan, not having a child now was more dangerous—it was akin to a slow suicide. He thought if it really came down to it, he would be prepared to let the idea go. Although it would be a pity not to have their own child, he just wanted to grow old with Zhulan.

Zhulan saw Zhou Shuren zoning out and quickly tugged at him, "Your fishing rod is moving; hurry up and pull it before the fish gets away!"

Zhou Shuren snapped back to reality, quickly grabbing the fishing rod. The fish put up a considerable fight; it must be said that both of them were lucky, as the fish Zhou Shuren caught was also not small—weighing more than two pounds.

Zhulan had just been thinking about not letting the fish get away, but now seeing that they were tied, she felt relieved. She wouldn’t lose, and she was also willing to cook for Zhou Shuren. If she won, she would finally get the blanket all to herself. Either way, it was a win for her. She returned her focus to her fishing rod.

Soon, there was no fish biting for a while. They both stared at their fishing rods so intently, the silence around them was profound. So, any slight sound stood out sharply to Zhulan. She turned her head toward the bushes behind them and saw Zhou Shuren also turned his head. Zhulan gestured to him, signaling for silence.

Both of them heard the voice clearly; it was Wang Ru’s voice, "If the matter is settled, I’ll give you ten more taels of silver."

The other person’s voice was hushed, but it was still distinguishable as a woman’s, "Ten taels of silver is too little."

Wang Ru’s voice turned slightly irritated, "If you don’t do it, someone else will. There are others in your family who can."

After a standstill, the woman didn’t yield but threatened instead, "If you don’t increase the silver, I’ll make sure the whole village knows, and you can forget about getting anything done."

Wang Ru’s voice carried anger, "Fifteen taels; don’t be too greedy. I’ve already given you twenty taels upfront, plus another fifteen, that’s thirty-five taels in total."

"Give me thirty taels upfront, and then ten more when the job is done."

There was another pause before the two reached an agreement and quickly left.

Zhulan turned her head, somewhat speechless as she looked at the river surface. Bored at home, she had come out to fish with Zhou Shuren and still managed to encounter Wang Ru. She didn’t know if it was Wang Ru’s back luck or if their fates with Wang Ru were truly deep!

Zhou Shuren asked, "Can you tell whose voice it is?"

Zhulan spread her hands, "Don’t count on me, there are many women in the village, and since I have arrived, I’ve been staying at home. I really can’t tell."

Zhou Shuren became vigilant, "These days, keep a close watch on the children, lest it’s targeting us."

Zhulan nodded, "Alright."

Because Wang Ru had disrupted their mood, they fished for a while longer before returning. In the end, Zhulan had lost by two fish. Zhou Shuren walked with a spring in his step. How naïve Zhulan was! There is always a way to cheat everywhere. It wasn’t in vain that he occasionally cracked jokes to amuse Zhulan, taking advantage of her distraction to finagle the fishing rod.

Zhulan watched Zhou Shuren’s smugness and pursed her lips. Did he really think she hadn’t noticed? Once or twice might have gone unseen, but after several times, with her body’s honed sensitivity from martial practice, she had become aware. She just found it amusing to watch Zhou Shuren thinking he had successfully cheated and had kept quiet. She definitely wouldn’t admit that she also felt a bit reluctant to leave Zhou Shuren’s embrace!

The next afternoon, before Zhulan could become highly alert, she already knew what Wang Ru was up to. Doubting her ears, she asked Wang Ru’s mother, "Wang Ru is going to be adopted?"

Wang Ru’s mother is the Lizheng’s mother, who had witnessed the commotion at their home. She confirmed with a nod, "Yes."

Zhulan felt that Wang Ru’s adoption wouldn’t be a simple matter and quickly inquired, "Adopted by which family?"

Wang Ru’s mother held a pause for effect, "There are two outsider families in the village, one surnamed Wang and the other Qian. Both families arrived together. The Wang family’s lineage is not strong; their only son had just married a girl from the Qian family but died before a child could be born. The grief was too much for the Qian girl, and she died in a difficult labour. You remember this, don’t you?"

Zhulan searched her memory, this incident indeed occurred, "It was a big commotion back then. The Qian family took action, the elderly Wang couple were already in poor health, and the blow was too much for them to bear. They both passed away last summer. Auntie, are you saying that Wang Ru is being adopted into the extinct Wang family?"

Wang Ru’s mother nodded, "Correct. It was the Qian family who initiated it. Old Madam Qian, crying, said her daughter came to her in dreams every night, distraught, wishing for a daughter and had left her Birthday. It matched with Wang Ru, and the old lady believed it more. Then they went to Wang Laosi’s house, and this has caused a scene in front of my son. Wang Laosi refused flat out, while Old Madam Qian was crying and causing a scene."

She developed a headache just listening to this, and after finally sending them away, she didn’t want to stay at home for fear of the Qian family visiting again, so she went out for a stroll and came to visit Mrs. Yang for a chat.

Zhulan’s heart settled, Wang Ru’s scheme was to be adopted. She thought with relief, "Of course Wang Laosi wouldn’t agree. Wang Ru is a cash cow, and Wang Laosi can live the life he does today all thanks to Wang Ru. Wang Laosi couldn’t bear to part with her."

She truly despised Wang Laosi. In the past, he used to make sausages to sell, but unfortunately, it didn’t last long, and soon Wang Laosi started living a gentleman’s life. Now, the whole Wang family does nothing, relying entirely on Wang Ru bringing home Silver Coin. Every time she saw how pleased Wang Laosi looked, it was eye-sore.

Wang Ru’s mother said sarcastically, "You didn’t see it, Wang Laosi’s eyes were red with rage, always so timid, but he dared to strike someone, even claiming he would chop whoever tried to take his daughter."

Her conversation took a turn, "I’m only telling you this, I think behind this mess is Wang Ru’s scheming. There’s something eerie about that girl. I’ve been watching her; it seems Wang Ru anticipated they wouldn’t agree and was leisurely enjoying the show the whole time!"

Zhulan internally acknowledged Wang Ru’s mother’s acumen, "It seems the adoption will happen sooner or later."

Wang Ru’s mother had guessed right, which made her even less willing to stay at home. She had also told her daughters-in-law to go out and not stay home, "You say Wang Ru and Young Master Shi are suspiciously close, if Young Master Shi really fancied her, why wouldn’t he just take her away?"