Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 198 Who_1

Chapter 198: Chapter 198 Who_1

Lady Li’s gaze was somewhat evasive, not daring to look at her mother-in-law, "Yes, with the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, Mother gave me some Silver Coin, and I thought of going to the county to see if I can buy some things to bring back."

Zhulan didn’t make a sound, but it was obvious Lady Li was hiding something. It wasn’t until Lady Li could no longer bear it that Zhulan spoke up, "Just as well. When you go, see if there’s any honey, and if there is, buy a couple of pounds for Mother. Also, remember to come back early."

Lady Li, whose heart had been in her throat, felt a sense of relief, yet also a bit guilty for betraying her mother-in-law’s trust. She wanted to speak up several times but held back. It wasn’t the right time. She bowed her head and accepted the Silver that her mother-in-law handed her, "I will come back as soon as possible without delay."

Two hours later, Lady Li returned with a bag in tow, "Mother, here’s the honey you wanted, and these are the mooncakes I respectfully offer you."

Zhulan was surprised by the mention of mooncakes, which did not come from Wang Ru but were an existing tradition. In past years, the original owner always bought them. Eventually, Zhulan attributed the irregularity to a form of self-aggrandizement. She took a bite of the mooncake, "The bakery made mooncakes so early this year? There’s still a month until the Mid-Autumn Festival."

The guilt Lady Li felt in the morning had long since vanished as she explained, "It’s all because the Ruyi Bakery opened up in town. They want to launch ice skin mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival, forcing the other bakeries to start making mooncakes early. Mother, how do they make ice skin mooncakes?"

Zhulan swallowed the mooncake in her mouth, hmm, ancient mooncakes are tasty. Happy from the eating, she did know about ice skin, as the mooncakes they ate at home in modern times were made by her grandmother. She didn’t know how to make them but had seen enough to know what went into them, "The glutinous rice cake from the bakery is made from what, that’s what they use for the ice skin mooncakes too. But to prevent it from being too sticky, it seems they have to add some rice flour. I am not too clear on the details. However, the glutinous rice cake tends to crack if kept too long, so it’s better to eat the ice skin mooncakes fresh."

It would be best to eat them chilled, if only the conditions in ancient times allowed for it. Nonetheless, the Ruyi Bakery belonged to the Dong family, who likely had their own built ice cellar.

Lady Li clapped her hands, "Ah, why didn’t I think of that."

Zhulan raised an eyebrow, noting that Lady Li seemed to have bought only mooncakes, "Are you planning to make mooncakes yourself?"

Lady Li’s heart thumped wildly, "I have free time on my hands, and I was thinking that buying mooncakes every year is expensive. It might be cheaper to make them myself."

Zhulan wiped her fingertips with a cloth, knowing that Lady Li’s intentions weren’t just about saving money. She watched speechlessly as Lady Li, afraid of revealing something, almost bowed her head to her chest, "Alright, go and start cooking!"

Lady Li exhaled in relief, thankful that her mother-in-law didn’t ask further questions; otherwise, she might not have been able to hold out. She swiftly grabbed her bundle and scurried off.

In the afternoon, after finishing his studies and returning home, Zhulan squatted in the vegetable garden munching on a cucumber. Just as she was about to stand up, Lady Li and the third brother came to the backyard. Zhulan squatted back down.

In a low voice, Lady Li said, "Third brother, you really put your sister-in-law in a difficult position. I am not a clever person, and Mother definitely noticed something off today, but she didn’t attend to it. Third brother, I cannot keep this secret for long; don’t blame your sister-in-law when the time comes."

Chang Lian twitched the corner of his mouth, "Eldest sister-in-law, you’re just helping me make mooncakes, is this matter really necessary to hide?"

Lady Li’s eyes widened, "Didn’t you tell me to make mooncakes with dedication, to create ones not available in the market, and to hopefully win the Dong family’s favor? Plan to use the connection of the future sister-in-law to broker a deal, and sell the recipe to a distant relative’s bakery, right?"

Chang Lian nodded, "Yes, that’s right, but the premise is to win favor. If we don’t win favor, then, elder sister-in-law, it’s merely that you helped me with the mooncakes."

So, there really wasn’t much to hide. He refrained from telling his parents the purpose because he feared the embarrassment if he failed. He hoped that once successful, he could show his father that he too had abilities. But all that was contingent on success; otherwise, it was merely a Mid-Autumn Festival gift for Chu Chu.

Lady Li considered this and said, "Then why did I feel so guilty? You should have made it clear earlier."

Chang Lian, "...."

He had made himself perfectly clear; it was the elder sister-in-law who chose to overthink things.

After everyone left, Zhulan let her legs dangle, her limbs numb from squatting. Chang Lian’s plans were quite lively. From their conversation, it was clear Chang Lian had done his research on the entire Dong family, down to their distant relatives. She did not know as much as Chang Lian did. On closer thought, among the four sons at home, it was Chang Lian who was increasingly resembling Zhou Shuren.

It was past dinner time when Zhou Shuren had not returned home. As dusk fell, Zhou Shuren finally arrived. He must have stayed at the Dong family’s for dinner. Zhulan presented Zhou Shuren with the clothes he wanted to change into, "Were there any guests at the County magistrate’s house today?"

Zhou Shuren wiped his face, "Yes, and the guest is someone you know."

Zhulan blinked, "You must be joking."

She knew so few people in this ancient era; how could any be a guest of the County magistrate!

Zhou Shuren’s eyes twinkled with mirth, not in a hurry to resolve her confusion, "Think carefully. You may not have met them, but you definitely know today’s guest."

Zhulan racked her brains and then it struck her, "Is it him?"