Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 264 Sour_1

Chapter 264: Chapter 264 Sour_1

The next day, after lunch, Zhou Shuren took the calligraphy and paintings and headed for the antique shop, not returning until the afternoon.

Zhulan was altering a cloak, having received a better one from the Qian family. She found her own and Zhou Shuren’s old cloaks and started to alter them for the children to use; Zhou Shuren’s, once altered, fit Chang Lian and Chang Zhi perfectly.

As for why not give them to the eldest and second eldest, they couldn’t fit into Zhou Shuren’s size!

Zhulan’s were altered for Xue Han and Xue Mei. As for the daughters-in-law, well, there were three in the house, and she could only alter two cloaks—there weren’t enough to go around, so it was better to give them to her own daughters.

She had barely worn her own cloak; ahem, mainly because she was such a homebody. In the winter, she stayed cozily indoors and scarcely went out, so her cloak was almost like new.

Zhulan finished altering Xue Mei’s cloak. Xue Mei was about her height, so it was easy to alter. She was about to start on Xue Han’s when Zhou Shuren arrived, "Why are you back so late? Didn’t you grab a bite outside? I’ll get you some food."

Zhou Shuren, not feeling hungry at all and rubbing his hands, grabbed Zhulan’s clothes, "I’m not hungry, no need to fuss. Guess how much that calligraphy and painting are worth in silver?"

Zhulan took Zhou Shuren’s hand to warm it, "Judging by your happy tone, it must be worth a lot. Let me think... two hundred taels?"

Zhou Shuren, whose hands had warmed a bit, was not inclined to pull away and let Zhulan continue to hold them, "Guess again."

"Did I guess too low? It’s just a piece of calligraphy and painting, and from the previous dynasty at that. Didn’t Chang Zhi say that not many people liked them? How can it still be worth so much silver?"

Zhou Shuren hadn’t expected it to be so valuable either, "It’s precisely because few people appreciate it that there are fewer genuine pieces left. Rarity is what makes something precious. Mr. Xi Heng’s characters are flamboyant, not to the liking of scholars, but some nobles still fancy them."

Zhulan understood, "Different consumer groups, huh? What the nobles like is naturally pricey. So, should I guess five hundred taels?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head, "Now you’ve guessed too high. Although there are not a few who like it, Mr. Xi Heng only died a hundred years ago and was just a calligrapher from the previous dynasty. It’s not worth five hundred taels."

Zhulan felt exasperated, almost wanting to twist Zhou Shuren, "I won’t guess anymore. You can tell me or not."

Zhou Shuren kissed Zhulan on the face, "Alright, alright, I’ll tell you. The real piece is worth four hundred taels, and even the fake one is valued at a hundred taels. Today, I ran around all the best antique shops in Pingzhou City. Except for one old store with a highly respected master who spotted the fake, the others didn’t see through it. Using this calligraphy in the competition will be even more secure."

Zhulan thought it was a pity she couldn’t be part of such an exciting event and would have to wait for Zhou Shuren to come back and recount the process.

Zhulan let go of Zhou Shuren’s hand and picked up the cloak, instructing him, "Help me hold one side."

Zhou Shuren didn’t understand, "Why are you cutting a perfectly good cloak?"

Zhulan started cutting along the charcoal-marked lines with scissors. After finishing, she explained, "I’ve received a better one, and keeping these two would be a waste. They’re being altered for Xue Mei and Xue Han. Xue Han hasn’t grown much; the cloak is too big for her. I cut off a part, which can be used to make cushions for Yu Lu and Ming Rui."

Zhou Shuren hummed, "Xue Han is better at sewing than you, and Xue Mei is not bad either. Why bother doing it yourself? Give them the cloaks and let them alter it."

Zhulan said, a bit speechless, "Are you jealous?"

"Didn’t you say I’m like old vinegar? I’ll just be sour for you to see."

He now found the Zhou family members more irksome than ever, very irksome!

Zhulan snatched the cut-off piece from Zhou Shuren’s hand, "Stop being sour. You’ve been preoccupied with antique affairs recently. Chang Lian and Chang Zhi are about to take the prefectural exam; you should spend some time over there, too."

Zhou Shuren snorted, "I see it clear now. In your heart, my position has been gradually edged out by the Zhou family members."

Zhulan picked up a needle, "Your heart is as small as the eye of this needle. See, it’s this tiny!"

Zhou Shuren whispered in Zhulan’s ear, "Even if it’s this small, it’s all yours. I’m off to deal with the Zhou family boys, to relieve some of the sourness in my heart."

Zhulan, "For goodness’ sake."

Zhou Shuren walked away with his hands behind his back, strutting with a swagger, "Well, this is my nature, irritated at heart!"

Zhulan watched Zhou Shuren stride out and shook her head with a smile. People really transformed over time. Zhou Shuren used to be quite cold, but now he was willing to blend into the Zhou family’s atmosphere. He didn’t realize that when he mentioned his stepsons, his tone was cheerful and his eyes carried a smile.

As for the way Zhou Shuren chastised Chang Lian and the others, Zhulan’s heart was obviously biased towards Zhou Shuren. It was fine to scold them, after all, scolding wouldn’t hurt them. The more Zhou Shuren scolded, the less pressure he felt, and there were no downsides!

Fortunately, the four sons of the Zhou family didn’t know what Zhulan was thinking; otherwise, they would realize that they weren’t just there for their father to relieve stress—they really were his children, indeed.

It wasn’t even an hour before Zhulan not only fixed the cloak but also finished two cushions. Practice made perfect, and her sewing skills were getting better and better.

After wrapping up the package for Xue Mei, she took the gift for Xue Han and the two cushions and went out. She first went to Xue Han’s room. Xue Han was sitting on the kang making knots, Yushuang was drawing characters in red, and the little Yu Lu was quiet, which was why Xue Han was willing to have her around. The little girl wasn’t big, but she was playing with a copper coin by herself!

When Xue Han saw her mother enter with a cloak, she asked, "Mom, isn’t that your cloak? Why have you brought it here?"

Zhulan shook out the cloak, "Mom has altered it to be smaller—it’s yours now, come and try it on to see if it fits."

Xue Han, not much older herself, loved dressing up like any young girl, and was no exception. She slipped on her shoes and got off the bed. She loved this cloak of her mother’s. "Mom, is it really for me?"

"I’ve already altered it smaller, what do you think?"

Xue Han put on the cloak and twirled around twice, "Thank you, Mom."

Zhulan sighed to herself. Time really flew by. In the blink of an eye, it had been nearly two years. The country girl from before had completely changed. Her skin was fair, she wore jewelry, and even her baby fat was fading. Where was the shadow of the countryside on this young girl now? Zhulan felt proud—she raised her well.

Zhulan handed the cushion to Yu Lu, "Grandma made this cushion for you, do you like it?"

Yu Lu clutched her copper coin and said in her baby voice, "Like."

Zhulan looked at the copper coin a few more times and asked Xue Han, "Did you give this to her?"

Xue Han’s mouth twitched, "My eldest sister-in-law gave it, saying it would help Yu Lu recognize copper coins."

Zhulan, "...."

Only Lady Li could come up with such a foolish move. Thankfully, Yu Lu hadn’t liked to put just anything in her mouth since she was little; otherwise, it would have indeed been dangerous.

Zhulan advised her daughter, "When your eldest sister-in-law comes to pick up Yu Lu, tell her not to give Yu Lu copper coins anymore. What if she chokes?"

Xue Han also felt a bit scared and ashamed, lowering her head, "Mom, I didn’t realize the danger either."

"It’s not your fault. You’re still young; it’s normal not to notice. Your eldest sister-in-law has been a mother three times over; she ought to know such things. Blame your eldest sister-in-law."

Xue Han, "....Mom, even if my eldest sister-in-law ends up having five children, she’ll probably still be just as clueless."

Zhulan, "...."

There was no refutation. Lady Li was always carefree!

Zhulan handed the other cushion to Yushuang, "This is for Ming Rui. Don’t forget to take it back to him later. Grandma won’t go over."

At this hour, Ming Rui was sleeping, and she didn’t want to disturb his rest.

Yushuang was always the obedient one, "Yes."

"Such a good girl."

Zhulan went back to her room, and Zhou Shuren had already returned. With no sense of decorum, he had taken his shoes off and lay down on the kang.

The next day, Zhou Shuren hadn’t yet left the house when a visitor arrived. The elderly Mr. Qian and Lady Fang, Zhao’s mother, came calling!