Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 287: Deputy Lieutenant_1

Chapter 287: Chapter 287: Deputy Lieutenant_1

The Clan Leader’s family prepared ten dishes to welcome Zhulan and Zhou Shuren, as they both arrived in the afternoon, and there wasn’t much good pork available, so the table was filled with either chicken or wild rabbit.

Zhulan enjoyed the meal thoroughly, as most of the days on the road involved makeshift meals outdoors, and she truly lacked nourishment.

After dinner, they chatted for a while until it turned dark. Ever since the village was plagued by wolves last year, more families had started to keep dogs. Zhulan and Zhou Shuren walked home accompanied by the sound of barking.

Once back in the yard, Zhou Shuren closed the gate, and Jiang Sheng, hearing the noise, came out in his clothes, "Dad, Mom, you’re back. I’ve warmed some water in the pot; I’ll bring it inside for you right now."

Zhou Shuren, who had enjoyed his son’s care but not his son-in-law’s, felt a bit uncomfortable and waved him off, "No need to fuss over us, we can manage the hot water ourselves. It’s late, you should rest early too!"

Jiang Sheng did not dare to go against his father-in-law’s wishes, "Then you both should rest early as well."

After a simple wipe-down and wash, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren lay on the heated brick bed in the pitch-dark room. Zhulan felt a bit sentimental, "This reminds me of when I first came here, revisiting the place really makes me nostalgic!"

Zhou Shuren hadn’t slept on a warm bed for some time and stretched comfortably, "There’s nothing quite as cozy as a warm bed."

As for nostalgia, Zhou Shuren didn’t feel it as intensely as Zhulan did.

Zhulan also found the warm bed comfortable. Now that she was home and felt at ease, she could finally sleep soundly. She hugged Zhou Shuren’s waist, "Let’s sleep."

Zhou Shuren, in a drowsy state, grunted in agreement, "Hmm."

The next morning, Xue Mei prepared breakfast, cooking rice porridge and frying a plate of eggs, also boiling six eggs. Xue Mei said, "Mom, my steamed buns aren’t as tasty as Big Sister’s. I didn’t make any, so breakfast is simple. We’ll have a good meal in the evening."

Zhulan knew that Xue Mei was going to the county to buy alcohol and dishes. As she and Zhou Shuren had finally visited their daughter’s home, it wouldn’t sit well with Xue Mei and her husband if they didn’t prepare a good meal. Zhulan didn’t refuse, "Alright, your dad and I will look forward to a good meal."

Xue Mei beamed, eager to show her filial piety, "Okay."

After breakfast, Zhou Shuren drove the horse cart. Zhulan didn’t sit inside the carriage but joined Zhou Shuren outside. She leaned against him, "Your skill in driving a horse cart has improved."

Zhou Shuren replied, "I’ve been wanting to learn how to ride a horse, but unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance."

Zhulan said, "My dad can ride horses. Let him teach you once we’re home, and when you’ve learned, you can teach me."

The original body didn’t know how to ride a horse, mainly because there were no horses in the Yang family for her to learn with. After she got married, the opportunity to learn was even less likely.

Zhou Shuren indeed coveted horses; learning to ride a horse was as exciting to him as learning to drive. In ancient times, a horse equaled a modern-day car, and a top-quality horse was equivalent to a luxurious vehicle. Once he had more Silver Coin in the future, he planned to buy a few more good horses.

The horse cart was faster than an ox cart; they reached the Yang family in less than half an hour.

Mrs. Sun thought she was seeing things, but on closer inspection, it really was her daughter returning, "Oh, I was wondering why the magpies were chirping today; it turns out you’ve come back?"

Zhulan, supporting her mother, said, "We went on a long trip and just happened to be passing by, so we came to see how you and dad are doing. Where is dad, Mom?"

Mrs. Sun held her daughter’s hand, "Your dad can’t sit still. Despite his age, he’s always busy; he’s gone up the mountain again. Wait, did you just say you have just come back from a long trip?"

Zhulan nodded, "Yes, we went to the capital and just arrived at Zhou Family Village yesterday. What’s wrong, Mom?"

Mrs. Sun clapped her hands, "Oh dear, your elder brother just sent a letter to you. He thought you were in Pingzhou City!"

Zhulan asked, "Mom, has something happened at home?"

Mrs. Sun smiled, "No bad news, only good. Wu Chun, that child, made a merit last winter by capturing an enemy battalion commander and killing many enemy soldiers. With his skills and the protection of the Zheng family, he’s now an Eighth-rank Deputy Lieutenant under Zheng Household’s Colonel."

"That’s great news! How about my two nephews?"

Mrs. Sun beamed with joy, "They’re both under Wu Chun. The three brothers are together, all safe and sound."

Zhulan helped her mother sit down, "It’s good that everyone is safe. Peace is the best news of all."

Mrs. Sun, who had been anxious for months, finally let out a sigh of relief, "I can sleep peacefully now. Your dad was worried you’d be concerned, so he made a special effort to write to you. Telling you in person is just as good."

Zhou Shuren asked, "Mother, did Wu Chun only say these things and nothing else?"

Lady Sun replied, "Mother doesn’t know many characters. Everything I know was told to me by your father. If you want to know something else, wait until your father comes back and ask him."

Lady Sun knew in her heart that the old man would only tell her the good news, and that if her grandson had said anything else, he would not tell her. However, she could also deduce some things from changes in the old man’s mood. If the old man was happy, she stopped worrying about it.

Zhulan chatted with her mother for a while about the events in Pingzhou and the sights of the capital. Concerning her parental home, Zhulan only mentioned that they had bought a residence, but she didn’t clarify how many they had bought.

Lady Sun felt touched by her son-in-law’s capability and was happy that her daughter would have a great fortune in the future. As long as the children in the family were doing well, she, as a mother, would be happy.

It was almost noon when Zhulan’s father, Yang Dayong, finally returned home. Despite his age, he was still very robust.

Seeing Zhulan and Zhou Shuren, Yang Dayong was genuinely happy. He didn’t worry about his sons when they were nearby, but the younger daughter always concerned him. Although life in Pingzhou City might be good, it wouldn’t necessarily be more comfortable than in Zhou’s village. Seeing his daughter and son-in-law doing well, he could rest assured.

Zhou Shuren recounted the recent events, including what he had seen and heard in the capital, especially the matter of military deployment.

Yang Dayong gave his son-in-law several thoughtful glances. Since his son-in-law was so sensitive to the political situation, if he ever became an official, Yang would be able to rest easy. He whispered, "Although Wu Chun’s letter of good news didn’t reveal any military deployment, I also deduced from Wu Chun’s long absence from battle that the use of troops was likely. It’s time to stop skirmishing."

Zhou Shuren admired his father-in-law, "You mean the use of troops in the Northwest?"

Yang Dayong nodded, "Although the situation in the Northwest is not the most tense, it is the hardest nut to crack. Our Emperor doesn’t like killing chickens to scare the monkeys; he prefers to awe by beating tigers. If we win in the Northwest, Dongbei would also quiet down a bit."

Zhou Shuren stroked his chin, contemplating. The foreign clans in the Northwest were the most brave, and the dynasty had been probing them and training its own soldiers for over a decade; even if they didn’t fight this year, a great battle would come in a few years.

At the same time, Zhou Shuren felt more at ease. He was still worried about warfare breaking out in Dongbei. Although Pingzhou City was far from the frontier, he was concerned that if the defense failed, the enemy might break through.

In about half an hour, Zhulan’s two older brothers and their wives arrived. Zhulan distributed the gifts she had brought, and her sisters-in-law put on the hairpins immediately, clearly very pleased with them.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren didn’t return to Zhou’s village until it was nearly dark.

Xue Mei and her husband had prepared the meal. The stir-fried vegetables were cooked by Xue Mei herself, while the other dishes like pig’s trotters and sauce meat were bought from a restaurant. Jiang Sheng also bought a pot of good wine.

Zhou Shuren and his son-in-law chatted while drinking, and Zhou gave his son-in-law several tips on how to get along with the County Magistrate. Father and son-in-law talked for a long time before leaving the table.

Zhulan helped her daughter clean the table and looked at Xue Mei’s belly. Xue Mei was probably going to give birth in October, but since she had fallen out with Lady Jiangwang, it was unlikely that her mother-in-law would come to take care of her postpartum.

Zhulan counted the days on her fingers. After Zhou Shuren’s village examination, he would stay in Pingzhou for a while, and they wanted to go to the capital earlier, naturally not waiting to set out in the winter; traveling in winter would be even more miserable, so they must leave in November.

What about Xue Mei’s postpartum care?

Seeing her mother staring at her belly, Xue Mei asked, "Mother, why are you looking at me like that?"

Zhulan touched her daughter’s belly, "Mother is wondering who will take care of you during your confinement."

Xue Mei was also stunned. Indeed, she had fallen out with her mother-in-law, who wouldn’t be looking after her, and as for her own mother, she lived in Pingzhou. Her parents had already helped her so much she couldn’t trouble her mother further, "It’s okay, Mother. Jiang Sheng can take care of me as well. Didn’t my second brother also take care of my sister-in-law? Jiang Sheng won’t have any problem."

Zhulan thought about it. She indeed couldn’t help much. But perhaps she could ask Lady Zhouwang and Lady Zheng for help.

The next day, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren were preparing to return to Pingzhou. Zhou Shuren went to the county to find a coachman while Zhulan visited Lady Zheng.

Zhulan said to Lady Zheng, "I was in a rush coming back the afternoon before and then returned to my parental home yesterday. I only had the chance to come see my sister-in-law today. I’m really sorry. This is a small gift for sister-in-law, don’t scorn it."

Lady Zheng had seen her fair share of fine things, so there was no need for Zhulan to mention they were brought back from the capital.

Lady Zheng guessed that Lady Yang would come today, "You shouldn’t be so formal and bring gifts when you come visit."

Zhulan smiled and chatted with Lady Zheng for a while, asking her to take extra care of her daughter, and then continued the conversation until Zhou Shuren came back. With that, Zhulan took her leave.

Zhulan boarded the carriage, bid farewell to her daughter, and the coachman set the horses in motion. Upon reaching the edge of the village, the carriage came to a sudden halt. Zhou Shuren lifted the curtain, "What’s wrong?"