Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 211 Bottom Line_1

Chapter 211: Chapter 211 Bottom Line_1

Zhulan’s eyes carried a smile; she knew Lady Li would come over, "Yes."

Lady Li entered, clutching her clothes, wanting to speak but feeling timid, awkwardly currying favor, "Mother, you must be tired from sewing clothes today; let me rub your shoulders."

Zhulan fell silent. If Lady Li had chosen another way to please her, Zhulan might have teased her, but she couldn’t enjoy Lady Li’s massages. Her skills were honed on the eldest son, whose tough skin and thick flesh still ached terribly, and Zhulan, with her delicate frame, could bear it even less. She tapped her fingertips against the edge of the heated brick bed, "Take it."

Only then did Lady Li notice the purse by her mother-in-law’s hand, and she was instantly moved, realizing her mother-in-law had seen through her desires and was merely waiting for her to come over. She clutched the purse with delight, "Mother, you are so good to me; thank you, Mother."

Moved, she was—the mother-in-law had only given her a purse, clearly showing she was the one her mother-in-law cared about the most.

Zhulan chuckled lightly; Lady Li was so easily satisfied. The purse was merely a reward embroidered by the little maid and couldn’t even compare to what Zhao’s family made. Yet Lady Li treasured it cautiously. "It’s getting late. Your father should be back soon. We have two extra people tonight; roll out some more noodles so we have enough for dinner."

Elated by the purse, Lady Li readily agreed, "I’ll go now."

Zhou Shuren returned home on time, changed his clothes, and came out. Zhulan had already helped Zhao to set up the hot pot and was waiting for Zhou Shuren to take his seat and start the meal.

Zhou Shuren first exchanged pleasantries with Dr. Lv and his son and would have continued if Mr. Lv Senior hadn’t shown such impatience, prompting Zhou Shuren to finally start eating.

Zhulan suppressed a smile at the corner of her mouth; Zhou Shuren was undoubtedly doing it on purpose. Mr. Lv Senior often teased Zhou Shuren, and now that Zhou Shuren had found his chance, he naturally returned the favor, much to the elder’s eager anticipation.

For the evening’s hot pot, ten pounds of pork belly had been sliced. What seemed like a large chunk of meat when bought disappeared into the pot and was only a plateful after a few swishes with the chopsticks. Unexpectedly, Mr. Lv Senior, despite his age, was one of the main eaters, consuming about as much as the eldest Zhou son. Fortunately, Lady Li had rolled enough noodles, or there wouldn’t have been enough food.

Mr. Lv Senior was satisfied with the meal. He was glad he came to stay at the Zhou family’s house, otherwise, he would have missed out on the hot pot. Patting his beard, he had a feeling he would gain a few pounds staying with the Zhous.

As head of the family, Zhou Shuren kept Mr. Lv Senior company for a while and took the opportunity to inquire about their neighbors. Mr. Lv Senior didn’t think much of it; it was natural to be curious about the neighbors.

Zhulan sat inside the house, listening to the noises outside. Before long, Zhou Shuren returned, "Has Mr. Lv Senior gone to rest?"

Zhou Shuren, mentally exhausted from using his brain all day, replied while taking off his shoes, "No, the elder went next door to watch. He said he would keep vigil for a while at the neighbor’s and told us not to lock the main door."

Zhulan noticed Zhou Shuren rubbing his forehead wearily and gestured for him to lie down. She began massaging him and asked, "Do you think Wang Ru will pull through?"

Zhou Shuren, with his eyes closed, replied, "Whether she pulls through or not, she’s not much of our concern anymore. Alive, she can’t escape being controlled; in death, she might actually find release. Her death would be better for everyone."

Zhulan’s hand paused as she looked down at Zhou Shuren; she couldn’t quite match him. Men’s hearts were indeed colder and harder than women’s. Zhou Shuren had been indifferent even before his crossing, and after arriving in ancient times, he adapted to it swiftly and exceedingly well. Now, he spoke of death so casually. It could only mean that Zhou Shuren had witnessed the worthlessness of human life more than she knew.

Zhou Shuren felt Zhulan’s fingers caressing his eyebrows and grabbed her hand, "What’s wrong? Why the furrowed brow?"

Zhulan stared into Zhou Shuren’s eyes, but eventually, she didn’t voice her question. Zhou Shuren, being a Scholar, was mingling outside, and he had suddenly gained favor from Mr. Hou’s son. Already the target of envy, he must have faced even more difficulties these days. The County magistrate couldn’t always protect him, and as long as Zhou Shuren wasn’t dead or severely wronged, the County magistrate wouldn’t intervene. Her eyes were filled with an inconsolable sorrow, "It’s nothing, I just wanted to see you."

Zhou Shuren’s heart fluttered, and he softly hummed in response, then closed his eyes. He had indeed encountered quite a few troubles lately. He scoffed inwardly when people deliberately took him on a "tour" of the prison, just today. He saw a young servant whose leg was broken for misspeaking, left to suffer in the rain. As he quietly watched the young man struggle, even when he was later taken to the medical clinic, he probably wouldn’t survive if his luck was poor. This deeply impressed upon him the cheapness of life for those on the lower rungs of society.

If the Zhou family wanted to live well, he had to climb higher with even greater effort. Only with power could he avoid being crushed by fate. Though still controlled by imperial power once on top, at least it was the imperial power that determined the Zhou family’s destiny, not any person with a bit of power who could cause their destruction.

He had never thought to tell Zhulan these things, yet her keen intuition allowed her to detect the changes in his mindset just from his words. He gripped Zhulan’s hand tighter. Without her, he thought he would stoop very low in his efforts to live better, potentially without scruples. It was precisely because Zhulan was there that he had something to cherish, a vulnerability, and thus a bottom line.

Although they had not spoken, their hearts were in tune.

That night, before they slept, the two did not talk; Zhulan settled in Zhou Shuren’s embrace, and Zhou Shuren held Zhulan in his arms. Heart to heart, face to face, their heartbeats seemed to synchronize, as if they couldn’t be parted from each other anymore.

In the morning, Zhou Shuren didn’t rise but watched Zhulan get up, "I forgot to say yesterday, from today on I won’t be going to the county anymore. I will devote myself entirely to studying."

Zhulan was glad Zhou Shuren wouldn’t have to go out and face difficulties and injustices. "Was that Mr. Dong’s idea?"

Zhou Shuren nodded, "Assuming the identity of Mr. Hou’s son brings trouble. Yao Zheyu is using our situation to target Wang Ru, but outsiders don’t know that. I’m too conspicuous. I was already the target of enough envy in the county. After discussing with Mr. Dong, it’s better I stay at home and study. If there’s anything I don’t understand, I can ask him when he’s resting."

Zhulan said, "That’s good. I estimate that once Wang Ru gets through this, Shi Qing will definitely take her away. By then Mr. Hou will leave too, and our house will finally be at peace."

Zhou Shuren felt the same. This time, with Wang Ru, the cash cow, in trouble, Shi Qing won’t let her roam free anymore. This big problem was finally going to leave.

Zhulan, getting dressed, paused and said with a hint of worry, "You say Wang Ru is so obsessively fixated on Xue Han, she’s making her own life more and more miserable. In the end, could she drag Xue Han down with her in a lose-lose situation?"

Zhou Shuren didn’t discount that possibility. When resentment reaches its limit, it becomes an obsession, turning one almost demonic. He was more concerned that it might implicate the entire Zhou family, "If Wang Ru survives, she’ll only value life more, and won’t opt for mutual destruction unless absolutely necessary. At least that gives me time to grow."

As long as he became a Graduate and earned his degree, became an official, he would no longer be at the mercy of others.

For breakfast, Lady Li prepared millet porridge and steamed vegetable buns. Only Dr. Lv’s son was there; the old doctor was still asleep.

Lv Lingzhi explained, "My father stood watch for most of the night; he just returned to rest a little while ago. Please save some food for when my father wakes up to eat."

Zhulan replied, "Of course."

Zhou Shuren casually asked, "Has the fever next door subsided?"