Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 253: Experience_1

Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Experience_1

Lady Li couldn’t help but look towards Lady Zhao, thinking their relationship was the best. However, Lady Zhao, hugging Ming Rui, said, "Mother, Ming Rui is sleepy, I’ll take him back to the room first. Sister-in-law, leave the dishes to me, today I’ll do the washing."

With that, Lady Zhao slipped away. She had her own matters to attend to. Since arriving in Pingzhou, she was eager to embroider screens, as her handkerchiefs sold for a high price in the county, and with more wealthy people in Pingzhou, screens were even more valuable. She needed to save up more silver.

She must at least catch up to her older sister-in-law’s savings, so she really couldn’t offer much help!

Lady Li, feeling gloomy, glanced at Lady Dong and quickly looked away. The daughter of Mr. Guan’s family was out of the question.

Lady Dong, "....."

She had been disliked by her sister-in-law! This realization struck her hard!

However, it seemed she really couldn’t garden. Right, she couldn’t even grow flowers properly. It wasn’t so much that she couldn’t grow them but rather that everything she tended died. Before she was married, her mother never allowed her to come within two meters of her father’s flowers, he was that wary of her!

Lady Dong looked guiltily at her husband, not even sure if he liked flowers. However, she was skilled at keeping fish, having taken good care of the koi at home!

Zhulan tiredly stood up, "You all clean up the kitchen and rest early too. We’ve all been tired from the day’s travel."

After finishing, Zhulan returned to the bedroom. Zhou Shuren had already changed and was lying on the kang. As Zhulan was changing, she said, "We’re in Pingzhou now, Lady Dong’s sister has received the news. Tomorrow, Chang Lian and Lady Dong will visit her. Although we’ve prepared wolf pelts, we still need to get some other gifts. That’s another expense in silver."

Zhou Shuren waited for Zhulan to get on the kang and naturally reached out to help her unbind her hair. He asked while doing so, "How much silver do we have left at home?"

Zhulan calculated and said, "We bought four wolf pelts in the neighboring village for forty taels as parting gifts before we left. Including the payment for the horse carriage and some other expenses, we have a little over one hundred thirty taels left."

There was a large family waiting to be provided for, and Zhou Shuren had social obligations to fulfill. There truly wasn’t enough silver to go around.

Zhou Shuren thought for a moment, "I want to sell our two shops a year in advance. It’s a good time right after the New Year, so let’s do it."

Zhulan frowned, "A year’s rent isn’t a small sum of silver. Would it be too wasteful to sell now? One hundred thirty taels of silver, if saved carefully, should be enough."

She was still considering doing it next year to earn an extra year’s rent.

Zhou Shuren pinched Zhulan’s nose, "I can’t bear to see you skimp on silver, and I’m planning to try my luck at bargain hunting. It would be a pity if I missed out due to lack of funds."

Zhulan understood that bargains were hard to come by. If they were easy, Zhou Shuren would have done so earlier. It wasn’t just about skill but also about luck. The last time they got lucky with the bracelet, and finding such a bargain again wouldn’t be easy. She knew Zhou Shuren’s last words were meant to reassure her.

Zhulan snuggled into Zhou Shuren’s arms, "You’ve worked hard."

"Taking care of you is not hard at all."

Zhulan chuckled softly. This man, he never missed a chance to express his love!

The two lay for a while, then got up to wash and bathe their feet. By the time they finished, it was late, and they soon went to sleep.

The next day, they began their life in Pingzhou. Zhou Shuren left home early after breakfast.

Chang Lian came to collect the visiting gifts. Zhulan had them ready, handing over silver and two wolf pelts to Chang Lian, "We don’t have many valuable things at home, but we can’t afford to be impolite on our first visit. Go buy some more gifts later, so as not to be looked down upon."

Chang Lian took the silver, thinking to himself that it’s no wonder high-born girls marry into lower families with difficulty: if the wife’s family is too prestigious, it strains the husband’s household just to match in terms of gifts. He kept a mental tally, aware of how much silver he had already spent.

Clutching the silver, Chang Lian said, "Mother."

Zhulan was puzzled. "What’s the matter?" she asked.

Chang Lian replied, "I’ve added to your and father’s burden."

Zhulan had thought it was something serious. It turned out that the boy had shouldered all the expenses himself. "Your marriage to Lady Dong should not only be about spending silver, but about the benefits it brings for the future and the present, which are priceless. Even though the expenses have increased, they were necessary. Not to mention the long term, just consider right after your father passes the Graduate exam. If he goes on to earn his degree, having relatives who are officials will make his journey through officialdom somewhat easier than having no connections at all. And even if he stops at the level of a Graduate, in the future he could still enjoy the protection of these marital connections. Not to mention the advantages they could bring to you. My son, don’t just look at the present, think long-term," she explained.

Zhulan paused for a moment, then decided to continue, "We are at a disadvantage now, and I know there is still some unease in your heart. But who knows what the future holds? They say not to despise the youth for their poverty; fortunes can shift from east to west in thirty years. Dynasties rise and fall continually throughout the world, let alone people. The future is not set in stone. If you truly feel aggrieved, then strive to prove yourself. There will come a day when the tables are turned. There’s no need to be troubled by the immediate obstacles," she advised.

Chang Lian was somewhat taken aback. It was the first time he had heard such words from his mother’s mouth. Although he knew his mother was formidable without showing off, he had not imagined that not only was she adept at household management, but she also had a clear understanding of external benefits and an exceptional attitude. His mother’s mindset made him feel ashamed. She hadn’t even stepped outside the house, "Mother, I have learned my lesson," he said.

In his heart, he thought more highly of her. If she were born a man, she would certainly be formidable.

Zhulan felt frustrated inside. She had spoken her piece satisfyingly, but still needed to explain, for when the original Zhulan married Zhou Shuren, she truly knew very little. Even though it was her own insight, she had to credit it to Zhou Shuren, "I also learned quite a bit from listening to your father over the years. If it’s useful to you, that’s good."

Chang Lian thought it was no wonder his mother had such insight and admired her high comprehension even more. His father must have been particularly satisfied teaching her. Who wouldn’t like someone with great comprehension? Why didn’t he inherit his mother’s perceptiveness!

Zhulan could tell from Chang Lian’s expression what he was thinking and felt a stab of irritation. It wasn’t Zhou Shuren who taught her; she had her own capabilities. It was just unfortunate that it was in ancient times. If it were modern times, she would have let him know in a minute that his mother was not one bit inferior to his father.

Feeling dejected, Zhulan waved her hand and said, "It’s getting late. Lady Dong must be anxious. You should go to her now."

Chang Lian said, "Mother, I’m leaving now."

"Mhm."

After Chang Lian and Lady Dong left, Zhulan took out the gifts she had prepared in the county—boar meat and cakes—and, along with Lady Li and Xue Han, went to visit the Wu family.

Zhou Er guided them there, and upon arrival, he returned home.

Following Wu Lady Li inside, Zhulan looked around and remarked, "Auntie’s courtyard is really nice, with its own separate well too."

Wu Lady Li replied happily, "It’s all thanks to my eldest grandson. I never dreamed I’d be enjoying the fruits of his labor so soon. Look at me, I’ve gained quite a bit of weight this year!"

Zhulan had noticed already. A relaxed mind leads to a robust body, and Wu Lady Li had indeed become plumper. "Auntie, your good fortune is growing by the day!"

Wu Lady Li was delighted to hear those words. "We are indeed fortunate people!"

Once inside the house, Zhulan presented the gifts. "On my way here, I came across boars coming down from the mountains and bought some boar meat. It’s nothing special, but this year I’ve troubled you with looking after our house."

Wu Lady Li was taken aback, "Look at you talking like an outsider; what’s our relationship? If you say things like that again, Auntie will be upset."

Zhulan smiled and replied, "All right, from now on, I won’t be a stranger."

Wu Lady Li looked at Lady Li, "This must be the daughter-in-law you mentioned!"

Zhulan nodded, "Yes, my eldest daughter-in-law is also surnamed Li. Come and greet Grandma Wu."

Lady Li hurried forward, "Greetings, Grandma Wu."

Wu Lady Li, who liked plump and auspicious-looking people, smiled repeatedly, "Good, good."

Wu Lady Li hesitated for a moment, "Auntie, there’s something I want to ask you."