Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 286 Engagement_1

Chapter 286: Chapter 286 Engagement_1

Zhulan naturally remembered; she was puzzled why she had only seen Wang Xin on the way to the capital and not Wang Rong, "Did she go back to the village?"

Xue Mei nodded, "Not only did she return by herself, but she also got engaged."

Zhulan was surprised, "Wang Rong got engaged? If I remember correctly, Wang Rong is only twelve years old this year."

Xue Mei, who had been surprised before, said, "We returned to the village just after Wang Rong. The groom’s side brought a matchmaker with them to escort Wang Rong back. That girl Wang Rong is really impressive; she got engaged to the youngest son of a Shi Bai Hu from the sixth rank. There were even attendants accompanying them when they returned to the village. It made Wang Laosi extremely proud."

Zhulan knew that Wang Rong was a rare person of shrewd intellect and uncommon clarity, but she hadn’t expected the girl to be so formidable, taking such a big leap. Wang Laosi had not turned into a merchant, and Wang Rong was just a village girl after all. How did she manage to get engaged to a military officer’s family? And even within the Shi family at that, she managed to find herself a good match. This girl was extraordinary.

Zhulan asked, "Did you meet the person Wang Rong is engaged to?"

Xue Mei nodded, "I did. He’s five years older than Wang Rong, a bit plump, but with a decent appearance."

Zhulan became curious about Wang Rong, "Have they set a date? Is Wang Rong at home?"

Xue Mei replied, "They’ve set the date for three years from now. Wang Rong is at home. Now that she’s engaged, and to a family from the Shi Bai Hu no less, no one dares gossip about her reputation anymore. Wang Rong is at home embroidering her dowry!"

She had run into Wang Rong several times before, and Wang Rong had even taken the initiative to speak with her. She didn’t dislike Wang Rong; the young girl seemed quite perceptive.

Jiang Sheng came in carrying bundles; Zhulan and Xue Mei stopped chatting. Zhulan gestured for Jiang Sheng to put down the two bundles.

These two bundles had been specially prepared by Zhulan, guessing that they would soon be home. She took the time to pack them. Zhulan opened the blue bundle and took out a jewelry box, "Your father and I were in such a hurry coming and going that we didn’t get to properly browse around the capital. This is a pearl hairpin I bought for you, and there is also a pair of pearl earrings here. This pair of pearl studs is for Miumiu."

Zhulan set aside the jewelry and took out fabric, "This fabric can be bought in Pingzhou, but it’s different when it comes from the capital. This fabric was bought in the capital. It’s just in time for the change of season, so you can make two outfits."

Last were two boxes of pastries, "These pastries are from Huaizhou City, quite famous. I’ve brought two boxes for you and the children."

As for the jade bracelet and the gold-inlaid jade hairpin, Zhulan didn’t give them to Xue Mei ahead of time. What she had taken out were all gifts; the jade bracelet and hairpin were part of the prepared dowry.

Xue Mei didn’t stand on ceremony with her mother anymore. She had refused before because she had wanted her mother to take more care of the children. Now there was no need. Her mother had brought these back especially for her. She would happily accept them, "Thank you, Mother."

Jiang Sheng was increasingly embarrassed; every time he benefited from his wife’s family. The greatest kindness his parents had bestowed upon him in this life was marrying him to Xue Mei.

Jiang Miu wanted to eat pastries. During their time in Pingzhou, pastries had never been scarce, but back home, it would be a long time before she got to eat them again, "Mother."

Xue Mei also had some Silver Coin on hand but hesitated to spend it. Her son was going to school soon, and her husband also needed pens, ink, and paper. All these things cost Silver Coin. Moreover, she was pregnant again and naturally needed to budget more carefully. She patted her daughter’s head and opened the pastry box, "Thank you, Grandfather and Grandmother."

Jiang Miu, holding pastries, said, "Thank you, Grandfather and Grandmother. Miumiu loves Grandfather and Grandmother the most."

Zhulan affectionately kissed Jiang Miu, "Grandmother loves Miumiu too."

Jiang Sheng interjected, "My in-laws, you’ve had a tiring journey, rest first. I’ll go to the county to buy some wine and dishes."

Zhou Shuren waved his hand, "No need for that, we’re going to the Clan Leader’s house. The Clan Leader’s house will surely have prepared food. You just go and cut some grass to feed the horses."

Zhulan opened the gray bundle, took out fabric and pastries, then tied up the bundle again, turned to Xue Mei and said, "The rest is for your grandparents at your grandmother’s house tomorrow; you keep them for now."

Xue Mei took it over, "Okay."

Zhou Shuren picked up the fabric and the treats, and Zhulan stood up as well, "You should rest. Don’t wait up for your father and me tonight, just leave the door unlocked for us."

Xue Mei said, "Mother, when you return, just come straight to the main house. Jiang Sheng and I will take the children to the room my younger sister used to stay in."

Zhulan replied, "Alright, I got it."

Actually, Zhulan wanted to say there was no need to go to such trouble, but she and Zhou Shuren were the elders after all, and this was the Zhou family’s home. If she said there was no need, her daughter and Jiang Sheng would be anxious.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren arrived at the Clan Leader’s house, where Wang Rong’s eldest daughter-in-law, the Lizheng’s wife, was killing chickens. Seeing Zhulan, she smiled and said, "Mother said you two would surely come by, so she told me to kill two hens to treat you. Her prediction was spot-on."

Zhulan looked at the two hens, "These two hens are quite plump, Shuren and I are in for a treat."

Clan Leader Wang Shi heard the noise and came out to greet them, "What treat? They’re just our own raised poultry, nothing unusual. Come in quickly."

Zhulan handed over the fabric and the treats to Clan Leader Wang Shi, "We were in a hurry when we came back and didn’t bring anything special. The fabric was bought in the capital, and the treats in Huaizhou City, not much, just a little gesture."

Clan Leader Wang Shi thought to herself what a pair they were, having actually gone to the capital. She said out loud, "Fabric from the capital is certainly no mere gesture. Auntie, this is the first time in my life I’m touching fabric from the capital!"

Clan Leader Wang Shi cherished the fabric. She seldom visited even the cloth shops in the county, let alone dare to think about those in the capital. Today, she basked in the reflected glory of Zhou Shuren and his wife. Just looking at the material, she knew it was meant for her and her old man, and she wouldn’t give this fabric to anyone else; she would keep it to make clothes for herself.

Zhulan asked, "How have you been lately, sister-in-law?"

Clan Leader Wang Shi’s gaze shifted from the fabric and she smiled, saying, "I’ve been well, thank you for your concern."

Clan Leader Wang Shi then curiously asked, "Living in Pingzhou City, have you seen Wang Ru? Wang Rong came back to arrange a marriage and even specifically paid me a visit. But every time I ask about Wang Ru, he says he doesn’t know. They’re sisters, and Wang Ru even took Wang Rong with her. How could he not know?"

Zhulan did not conceal the matter about Wang Ru. Thinking of Wang Ru reminded her of Zhang Sanni and Wang Xin, "Auntie, may I ask you something first? Have Wang Xin and Zhang Sanni returned to the village?"

Clan Leader Wang Shi frowned, "Didn’t they sign an indenture? How could they be back?"

Zhulan recounted what they saw and heard in the capital, feeling that Wang Xin would return sooner or later since she lacked the skills to survive, while Zhang Sanni’s return was not so certain. The matter of Wang Ru’s disappearance was bound to come to light sooner or later, and since she and Zhou Shuren were members of the Zhou family, it was better to inform the Clan Leader’s family in advance to be prepared for the day someone might come investigating the village.

Clan Leader Wang Shi covered her mouth, "My heavens!"

After exclaiming in shock, Clan Leader Wang Shi wasn’t foolish; anyone bold enough to abduct someone must have a significant background, and she had no interest in prying too deeply.

Afterward, Clan Leader Wang Shi changed the subject and steered clear of Wang Lao Si’s family, only talking about the recent changes in the village.

Clan Leader Wang Shi said with a smile, "Last year, the Zheng family acquired a lot of dried vegetables. This year, as soon as wild vegetables were available, every household in the village began digging and drying them. It’s just uncertain whether the Zheng family will come to buy them this year."

Zhulan couldn’t be sure either, as there was a possibility of military conscription this year, "Even if they don’t come to buy them, it’s still good to have for eating in winter."

"You’re right, it will add some green to our meals during the winter days."

Clan Leader Wang Shi then inquired about their experiences in the capital. Zhulan told all she could, and Clan Leader Wang Shi didn’t ask why Zhou Shuren and his wife went to the capital. She understood they were only related by clan ties.