Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 257 Solitude_1

Chapter 257: Chapter 257 Solitude_1

After dinner, today it was Zhao’s turn to wash the dishes. Ever since Lady Dong joined the family, Zhao and Lady Dong have been taking turns washing dishes while Xue Han helps wash the vegetables. Lady Li is in charge of just cooking now.

If Lady Dong hadn’t come, Lady Li, Zhao, and Xue Han would have always worked together. Now that there’s an additional person, Zhulan arranged their chores well to avoid the buildup of petty conflicts.

Sometimes Zhulan would also help in the kitchen, usually either with starting the fire or washing vegetables.

On his way back, Zhou Shuren had already instructed Rongchuan and Mingyun with everything necessary, and they went to the Academy together. There was nothing to worry about. After eating, Zhou Shuren went back to his room and waited for Zhulan to come back and said, "Bring out the deeds for the shop. I’ll deal with selling the shop tomorrow."

Zhulan took off her shoes, climbed onto the Kang bed, took out a box from the cabinet, and handed Zhou Shuren two deeds, "They are all here."

Zhou Shuren folded them neatly and put them away, "I went to the shop this afternoon. When they heard we wanted to sell, the tenants wanted to buy it. So we won’t need to go through a broker after all. I’ll sell it and transfer ownership directly tomorrow."

Zhulan asked, "I thought you had stayed at the Academy all day!"

Zhou Shuren chuckled, "After I had lunch with Rongchuan and Mingyun, I sent them back to the Academy and left. I only went to pick them up after they finished classes."

"You certainly did more than just visit the shop. Let me guess what you were up to."

"Alright, take a guess."

Zhulan thought for a moment, "You didn’t really go bargain hunting, did you!"

Zhou Shuren lay down and sighed, "Wife is so clever. It’s related to antiques, but it wasn’t bargain hunting."

Zhulan’s eyes sparkled with amusement, "Don’t tell me you went to just look at antiques."

Zhou Shuren lifted his head and rested it on Zhulan’s legs, "Indeed, I went to look at antiques. Only today did I learn that in Pingzhou there’s a place that holds competitions for appraising antiques. I went to have a look."

Zhulan frowned slightly, "Who did you hear about this from?"

Zhou Shuren, "The owner who rents our shop. During our chat, he mentioned there was an antique appraisal competition this afternoon. Out of curiosity, I went with the owner to see."

Zhulan, always cautious, "You weren’t set up, were you?"

She certainly hadn’t forgotten about the reborn Wang Ru. With such a major variable affecting their family, Zhulan couldn’t believe that Wang Ru wouldn’t investigate. It had been quite some time since Wang Ru had come to Pingzhou, and Zhulan wondered if she’d found ways to overcome her predicament. It was just a pity that getting any news about Wang Ru was no easy task now.

Zhou Shuren stroked his chin, "Regardless of whether it’s a setup, it indeed presents an opportunity to make a big score."

Zhulan, looking into Zhou Shuren’s determined eyes, gave up—the man must have mulled over this all afternoon and already had a foolproof strategy in mind. She spoke faintly, "You’re thinking of leveraging somebody else’s power, and this time it really has to be Dong’s brother-in-law."

Zhou Shuren laughed softly, gradually laughing louder, "Indeed, my wife knows me best."

This was a case of great minds thinking alike. He and Zhulan were in perfect harmony. Finding someone whose thoughts aligned with yours was rare in life, and unexpectedly, he found it after crossing over.

Zhulan covered Zhou Shuren’s mouth, "Keep it down, will you? We’re all in the same courtyard. With the way you were laughing just now, they must have heard you. How am I to face anyone tomorrow?"

Zhou Shuren signaled that he wouldn’t laugh anymore, so she could remove her hand, then coughed, "I got a little too excited and happy. Don’t worry, they dares not show anything."

He just needed to take care of a few youngsters today—they certainly wouldn’t dare to say a word!

Zhulan ground her teeth. Her sons indeed wouldn’t show anything, but she was the mother-in-law! Without knowing the situation, people might think something was wrong between the parents-in-law, and she still had to face her daughters-in-law!

In the first wife’s room, Elder Zhou and Lady Li heard the father’s laughter. Lady Li asked, "What’s father laughing at?"

Elder Zhou thought probably father had amused himself by getting mother angry again, enjoying his own joke, but that couldn’t be shared, "I don’t know."

Lady Li, counting copper coins on the Kang, murmured, "I must be stupid to ask you. We’re both clueless. Let’s not guess anymore."

Elder Zhou, "....."

Sometimes, the words of a daughter-in-law can sting more than a father’s!

As for the second wife, Zhou Lao Er and his spouse belonged to those who were prone to overthink. Overthinking everything, Zhou Lao Er wondered, "What could be the happy occasion?"

Lady Zhao thought the same. The eunuch was such a serious person, yet he was so elated. It must be something truly joyous, "Should I ask him tomorrow?"

Zhou Lao Er shook his head, "You still don’t understand father. If he wants to tell us, he will. If he doesn’t, asking is pointless."

He would never admit that he lacked the courage to ask; he might coax his elder brother to do it instead. He needed to ponder this.

Chang Lian and Lady Dong slept in separate quarters and couldn’t communicate with each other. Chang Lian mused by himself; since father had shown his emotions for the first time, it had to be a significant matter. Now, who should he ask to inquire about it? Um, it would have to be his elder brother, since the elder brother is always in charge!

Chang Zhi and Rongchuan were in the front courtyard, not catching everything clearly. Even if they did hear something, both were not the type to overthink it.

Zhulan really didn’t know how cunning her own child was; they had all thought too much about it.

For breakfast, Lady Li had prepared red date and millet porridge. The main dish was steamed buns. In the past, people only ate two meals a day, and the Academy did not serve lunch. However, there was a break at noon, and if one were hungry, one could bring some dry food. The children from well-off families would bring pastries, and there were servants specially assigned to deliver snacks for the noon break.

In winter, the Academy classrooms had stoves, but heating up food was not allowed, as it would cause the scent to spread everywhere.

Zhulan had brought pastries for the two boys going to the Academy, which she had bought the day before.

After breakfast, Zhou Shuren was going to take Rongchuan and Mingyun to the Academy. Today, they were to pay the tuition, as the opening ceremony had been bypassed since school had already started.

Zhou Lao Er sidled up to his elder brother, "Elder brother, look how much father values you, personally teaching you again."

Zhou Lao Da, ".....If you hope for father’s personal instruction, I can speak to him. There’s no need for envy."

Zhou Lao Er fell silent, "....."

No, he didn’t wish for father’s instruction. His elder brother had gotten smart; in the past he would have been elated, but now he had started to retort.

Zhou Lao Da snorted. He truly believed Zhou Lao Er had an ulterior motive, probably due to father’s laughter. He alone seemed sober amidst the drunken crowd, a pity he could not—and did not dare—express his loneliness!

Seeing his second brother defeated, Chang Lian was contemplative. Every simpleton in the family had become shrewd. He cast a reproachful eye at his elder brother, "Elder brother, you have lost all your responsibility as the eldest!"

Zhou Lao Da, ".....Oh, you’ve noticed a bit late."

Whoever loved being the elder brother could take that role; he certainly didn’t wish for it. These younger brothers were bothersome, only wanting him at the forefront when there was trouble, and not showing much care for him otherwise. The thought was disheartening!

Chang Lian, "....."

Chang Zhi couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing all his brothers looking his way, he said, "Don’t mind me; I’m just here for the entertainment."

Chang Lian clutched at his chest; he too was a brother with a bothersome sibling.

Mingyun watched silently, then turned to glance at his brother who was laughing naively. The education of a brother must start from a young age, or it would be too late when they grew up.

Zhulan, seeing Lady Dong with her mouth agape, said indifferently, "You’ll get used to it."

Well, there was no need for her concern. Reflecting upon it, it was just her own guilt. The children at home had made too many roundabout guesses, all directed elsewhere.

Lady Dong, "....."

Was this truly the considerate eldest cousin she knew? The most upright and honest of all? And where was the promised fraternal reverence? All she saw was them setting traps for each other, each seemingly eager to step on the others’ feet.

Zhou Shuren left with Rongchuan and Mingyun. Zhulan went back to her room, leaving the four brothers staring blankly at each other in the courtyard.

Zhou Shuren came back at noon. Waiting until the afternoon when no one was around, Zhulan asked, "Is the property transfer complete?"