Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 291 Moved to Tears_1

Chapter 291: Chapter 291 Moved to Tears_1

Zhou Eldest passed through the rain with an umbrella and returned to the back courtyard, unable to find his father in the kitchen; instead, he saw his mother, who was wrapped in clothing, her hair bound up as she tended the fire.

After closing his umbrella, Zhou Eldest stepped inside. "Mother, Chang Lian and Lady Dong are outside the front gate. Chang Lian says it’s his fault that Lady Dong is young; he hopes Mother will allow Lady Dong to come in."

Zhulan regarded Eldest with amusement. "I helped Lady Li and you to vent your anger, are you pleased?"

Zhou Eldest was startled and shook his head emphatically. "Mother, I’m the eldest brother, and Lady Li is the eldest sister-in-law. We’re a family, and it’s normal to bump heads from time to time. Neither Lady Li nor I are smart, but we bear no grudges in our hearts."

Zhulan did like this about Eldest and Lady Li, how no matter how aggrieved they felt inside, they never held a grudge. Her locking the door wasn’t done carelessly; having Lady Dong, a daughter-in-law, locked out was bad for her reputation—Zhulan knew that. But now that it was dark and raining, with no one on the streets, standing outside for a while wasn’t a big deal.

Zhou Eldest, noticing that his mother remained silent as the fire’s glow illuminated her face, blinked his eyes. He then realized that she seemed much younger; not at all like someone nearing forty. Withdrawing his gaze, he felt uneasy in his heart—his mother’s expressionless face was even more intimidating than his father’s!

When Zhulan saw that the water in the pot had boiled, she scooped the hot water into a bucket and directed Eldest, "Take this to your father’s room."

"Yes, Mother," replied Zhou Eldest.

Waiting for Zhou Eldest’s return, Zhulan looked out at the rain, which seemed to be getting heavier. "Open the front gate in a quarter of an hour, provided they are still outside."

Zhou Eldest’s heart skipped a beat. "Mother, what if Chang Lian and Lady Dong aren’t outside the front gate?"

Zhulan dusted off her hands. "Then they need not come back."

Zhou Eldest shivered internally—his mother meant what she said; she wasn’t just placating him.

"What are you looking at me for? Get going," Zhulan chided.

"I’m going out front now," he said.

Zhulan was genuinely angry with Chang Lian and Lady Dong. Zhou Shuren had personally mentored Chang Lian, who showed ambition and promise; however, he should not have increasingly dismissed his elder brother’s authority with his change in status or assumed control over the Zhou family. When she and Zhou Shuren could no longer keep him in check, trouble would inevitably arise!

She had anticipated some ill-treatment of Eldest and Lady Li by Chang Lian and Lady Dong, but their audacity was beyond her expectations—they had barely spread their wings and already believed the Zhou family depended on him. Without a severe reprimand, letting Chang Lian realize his place, well, she had been too lenient with them. They all needed to understand that in this family, she and Zhou Shuren had the final say; those unwilling to accept this could leave without any farewells.

Outside the front gate, Chang Lian and Lady Dong continued to stand, waiting for Eldest to return with a response. But as time passed without any sign of him, their hearts sank further.

Chang Lian thought of the ultimatum his father once gave, realizing he had crossed his mother’s line. He was more lucid than ever before.

Ever since he became a Scholar, still young and guided by his brother-in-law, his rise seemed assured. In his brother-in-law’s absence, his advisors tutored him. Everyone in Pingzhou City knew he was related to Mr. Jiang of Jiang University, resulting in a slew of flattering and fawning people around him. While he bore his father’s lessons in mind, pride had nonetheless taken hold—his future seemed unblemished.

Bowing his head, Chang Lian was too accustomed to hearing that the Zhou family’s future rested on him. This mindset had affected him; he also believed that the Zhou family’s fate would surely depend on him. No matter how formidable his father was, his advantage lay in youth, especially after his brother-in-law outlined Chang Zhi’s prospects, solidifying his belief that the Zhou family rested on his shoulders.

Gradually, his attitude toward his elder brothers changed, and Lady Dong was significantly influenced by him, leading to the later events.

Gazing at the Zhou family gate, Chang Lian finally realized that the Zhou family would be the same without him. Even without him, the family would prosper, and it might take years before they needed his support. In contrast, he still needed the family’s.

He understood more profoundly that his resolve was weak, easily swayed by external influences; with such a state of mind, his future might not stretch far.

Lady Dong trembled with cold, biting her lower lip. "Husband, let’s go to an inn. Your parents aren’t going to open the door tonight."

Lady Dong felt some resentment. Their actions might have been excessive, but Chang Lian was bound to be the most accomplished in the future—was it necessary for the parents to reprimand them so harshly?

Chang Lian’s eyelids hung low; based on his understanding of his parents, he dared not leave since returning home would then be out of the question, "Don’t talk nonsense, just wait."

Lady Dong was taken aback; she felt her husband’s hand trembling as he held hers. Her husband was afraid; he shut his mouth and silently waited.

Indeed, Chang Lian was afraid, afraid that his parents no longer wanted him. He had never thought of leaving his family. Over the past two years, his parents had become very important in his heart. He feared returning to the days when his parents were indifferent to him. He had grown accustomed to his father’s teachings and his mother’s care; he regretted his own arrogance.

Big Brother Zhou stood inside the gate, estimating the time and listening carefully. Fortunately, Chang Lian did not leave. When the time came, Big Brother Zhou opened the door and said to the thoroughly drenched Chang Lian, "Come in."

Chang Lian wiped the rain from his face and asked happily, "Did Mother allow the door to be opened?"

Big Brother Zhou saw that only Lady Dong’s skirt was wet. He thought that Chang Lian’s concern for his wife was one thing, but he was also attempting to garner sympathy. This time, he truly had become more enlightened and could see beyond surface appearances, "Yes, let me remind you, had you left just now, Mother said you needn’t come back."

Chang Lian’s smile faded, "Thank you, Big Brother."

Big Brother Zhou closed the main gate, "Head to the back courtyard, I’m going to rest too."

Chang Lian, "Yes."

Lady Dong’s eyes widened in disbelief at what she had heard, but thinking of the mother-in-law she had never truly understood and considering her husband’s reaction, her heart leapt into her throat. She felt doomed and became frightened.

Zhulan saw Chang Lian and Lady Dong walking towards the main house from the kitchen door and said, "Whatever you have to say, tell me. Your father is taking a bath."

Only then did Chang Lian notice his mother in the kitchen. He hastened to the door and knelt down immediately, "Mother, your son was wrong."

Zhulan did not particularly like the ancient practice where children, regardless of the severity of their mistakes, would hurriedly kneel, "Alright, there’s hot water in the pot. Go and wash up, then rest."

After saying that, Zhulan took an umbrella and returned to the main house, no longer looking at Chang Lian and Lady Dong.

Lady Dong waited for her mother-in-law to leave; her heart pounded fiercely. She was used to seeing her mother-in-law’s kindly smiling face, but this was the first time she had seen her with a cold expression, and the aura from before made her nervous, "Husband, has Mother forgiven us?"

Chang Lian didn’t know either. His understanding of his mother was not extensive, mostly of her teasing and instructing his sister-in-law and generally being cheerful. He stood up, "Let’s wash up first."

Lady Dong rose and followed him into the kitchen, where she was struck by the strong scent of ginger and paused, "Mother made ginger soup."

Chang Lian’s eyes reddened. Even in anger, his mother was concerned about his health and had also heated water for them. His voice hoarse, Chang Lian answered, "Yes."

Zhulan was unaware that Chang Lian was so moved he was nearly in tears. She had made the ginger soup simply because she did not want Chang Lian and Lady Dong to get sick. In ancient times, a minor illness could turn serious, and if one person fell ill, the whole family would suffer, especially since the young child, Ming Rui, was not very old. It was better to be cautious.

As for the hot water, that she had specially prepared.

Zhulan returned to her room; Zhou Shuren had finished bathing and was drying his hair, "Did you let them in?"

"Yes, and don’t go out to empty the bathwater. Let Big Brother and the others do it tomorrow."

Zhou Shuren’s hand, which was drying his hair, paused for a moment, "Continue tomorrow?"

Zhulan nodded, "Yes."

Their resolve had slackened; it was good to tighten it up again!