Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 180 Zhang Sanni_1

Chapter 180: 180 Zhang Sanni_1

In the evening, when Zhou Shuren returned, Zhulan waited until the whole family had retired for the night before she and Zhou Shuren returned to their room and asked, "When Lin’s mother returned home, did the county magistrate say anything?"

"The county magistrate will have time the day after tomorrow; he mentioned that he hasn’t met our two sons, who are scholars, and hopes he can meet them."

Zhulan understood, "Dong Chuchu has taken a liking to one of our sons; it’s just unclear whether it is Chang Zhi or Chang Lian."

Zhou Shuren was a bit tired, "We’ll find out when the time comes. Give me a shoulder rub, will you? I’ve been writing all day, and my shoulders are sore."

A baby who cries gets fed, and he thoroughly understood Zhulan’s tender heart. He wasn’t foolish enough to shoulder everything himself. If he was tired, he admitted it, and besides, Zhulan’s massage techniques were genuinely good. He wouldn’t miss this benefit.

Zhulan gestured for Zhou Shuren to lie down. She had learned her massage techniques from her grandmother. There wasn’t much to learn; she used to give massages to the elders when she was a child, but as she grew up and had no time, she stopped. She never thought that she would have massaged her own elders so few times, but Zhou Shuren got to enjoy them instead.

Zhou Shuren’s shoulders were very stiff, a true sign of exhaustion. Zhulan felt for him. Zhou Shuren always had to perform his best to show his value and was even more cautious when outside. She, who had flattered others, knew the taste of being trifled with while flattering. Among the two of them, it was Zhou Shuren who had contributed the most to their family. She hadn’t massaged him for long before Zhou Shuren dozed off.

Zhulan lightened her grips and then loosened Zhou Shuren’s hair. His hair had been tied up all day, making his scalp ache. As her fingertips brushed through Zhou Shuren’s hair, she couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile. Since coming here, Zhou Shuren took particular care to maintain his hair, fearing that, like some modern men, he might face a midlife crisis of going bald!

The Zhulan household was warm, but several homes in Zhou Village had not a wink of sleep. The Clan Leader Zhou was not just looking at the surface; he felt that the visit wasn’t as simple and tossed and turned, wondering why the visit to Zhou Shuren’s house had happened.

In the neighboring Wang Ru’s home, she couldn’t sleep. Her silver coins and jewelry were gone, leaving only two taels of silver behind. She knew that Shi Qing was warning her of her helplessness. She seethed with anger all day, especially when next door, the county magistrate’s wife had come to visit, feeling as consumed by rage as if she were on fire. She hated why she wasn’t the one who was transported into Zhou Xuehan’s body!

The next morning, just as the Zhulan family finished breakfast, Zhou Wangshi came over, "I wanted to come over yesterday, but my husband stopped me, fearing we’d disturb the county magistrate’s wife. It’s just the two of us in the house now; tell me, did the county magistrate’s wife really just come to visit?"

Zhulan knew Zhou Wangshi would come today and guessed that she would pry; she didn’t expect her to ask so directly. It was difficult to deal with, "I won’t lie to you; there indeed is a matter, but I can’t say what it is. You’ll find out after some time. It’s not related to our clan."

Zhou Wangshi was pleased Zhulan didn’t brush her off. If Zhulan had done so today, Zhou Wangshi would have certainly held a grudge. She smiled and said, "I can rest assured with your word. Blame my husband for overthinking things. He kept tossing and turning all night, making me anxious too. That’s why I came to ask, even if brazenly."

Zhulan kept her smile, "If Shuren doesn’t go to the county office today, he will definitely visit the Clan Leader. But telling you is the same; I just didn’t want you to make the trip for nothing."

Yet in her heart, she pondered over how the smarter people were, the more they tended to overthink. She wondered what the Clan Leader had thought of!

Zhou Wangshi got her answer and didn’t stay long, for her old man was waiting home. She stood up and said, "I should head back now. Don’t worry, I’m not one to gossip. I won’t talk about what you’ve told me to anyone else."

Zhulan trusted Zhou Wangshi, which is why she told her directly. Zhou Wangshi knew what could and couldn’t be said, "Let me see you out."

As they reached the front door, Zhou Wangshi exclaimed, "Isn’t that Zhang Datie’s daughter?"

Zhulan had never seen Zhang Datie’s daughter; she hadn’t met the children the last time she visited his home, and when Zhang’s children came to see Rongchuan, Zhulan was in her room and didn’t see them. Without Zhou Wangshi’s prompt, she genuinely wouldn’t have recognized her. Zhulan looked puzzledly at the girl standing at her doorway, "Are you looking for Rongchuan?"

Zhou Wangshi decided not to leave immediately, pursing her lips. She knew very well the ploy of Zhang Datie’s couple in sending their child to find Rongchuan hadn’t brought them any benefits, but they still couldn’t let go and sent the child over again.

Zhou Wangshi felt emotional; who would have thought the most pitiable child in the village, whom she was afraid might die at any moment, would have this fortune? Rongchuan had been through ten years of hardship, but his life turned around. Now he was well-fed and clothed, didn’t have to work, and could read and write. His countenance had also grown somewhat, looking quite like a young master. Each time she saw him, it became harder for her to remember the suffering youth, but instead, she retained only the image of the courteous Zhang Rongchuan.

Zhang Sanni nervously clutched at her clothes, too scared to speak in front of the Lizheng’s wife, head bowed and silent.

Zhulan saw this was not someone looking for Rongchuan, "You’ve come to find me?"