Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 293 No Resentment_1

Chapter 293: Chapter 293 No Resentment_1

Chang Lian’s eyes brimmed with tears. At that moment, he didn’t think much, nor did he consider the impact of a separation on his reputation. He simply didn’t want to split the family, "Father, Mother, it’s my fault. Lady Dong is young and was influenced by me to act as she did. It’s all my fault."

Lady Dong also cried, "Mother, it’s not my husband’s fault. It’s all mine. I wasn’t sincere towards my two sisters-in-law because of my background. I looked down on them in my heart. It’s all my fault."

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, not expecting Chang Lian to be defending Lady Dong at this time, and not pushing the blame onto her. Considering the current situation, Chang Lian was reacting very directly—this young man did have some sense of responsibility.

Zhulan listened quietly as Lady Dong thoroughly analyzed herself, from her character flaws to her innermost thoughts. Zhulan thought to herself that these two kids were still young. Even if they grew five or six years older, she and Zhou Shuren together wouldn’t have been able to frighten them into such deep self-reflection. It’s true, they are still young.

Chang Lian sniffled, his voice hoarse from crying, "Father, Mother, I am truly sorry."

Lady Dong’s eyes were red and swollen, "Mother."

Zhou Shuren and Zhulan exchanged glances; Zhou Shuren put down his teacup, "We won’t separate the family today, but you must not regret it later."

Chang Lian raised his hand as if to swear an oath, "I will never regret it. If I do, may I be childless and my lineage come to an end."

Zhou Shuren, "...."

Chang Lian was prone to making oaths, even swearing that his lineage would end. If he scared away his future grandsons and great-grandsons twice, he would only have granddaughters if the boys were too frightened to be reincarnated.

Lady Dong wanted to take an oath as well, but Zhulan interjected, "Do you harbor any resentment in your hearts?"

Chang Lian and Lady Dong hastily shook their heads. After the scolding and beating from their parents, how could they harbor any resentment? They were only filled with dread now. Chang Lian quickly replied, "No, absolutely not. We were wrong. Everything Father and Mother said is correct. You are only thinking of our best interest."

Zhulan stood up, "Remember what was said today. Chang Lian, I only give people one chance. You’re out of chances."

Chang Lian swallowed hard, "I will remember, Father."

Zhou Shuren also stood up, "Alright, you may all get up. It’s time for you to go to the Jiang Residence, right? Oh, and remember to cut ties with certain people. Don’t rush into flying before your feathers have fully grown; I won’t let you off if you fall hard."

Chang Lian had knelt for quite a long time; his calves trembled, and he had to support Lady Dong, swaying slightly, "Father, I’ll remember."

Zhou Shuren, "Alright, go tidy yourself up and head out. I’m going to go horseback riding with Mingyun."

Chang Lian, "....."

He felt ridiculous, mocking himself for firmly believing that the Zhou family’s future depended on him. His eldest brother lacked ability, but Mingyun was personally trained by Father, and even he couldn’t match up. In his second brother’s home, there was Ming Rui, not to mention Rongchuan among the grandsons, and even Chang Zhi. While Chang Zhi’s future wasn’t suitable for scheming, as long as he maintained his reputation, he could protect the Zhou family. He scoffed at himself—the Zhou family truly didn’t need to rely on him!

Zhulan said to Lady Dong, "Later, go call your second sister-in-law. The clothes I brought back don’t need to be washed by you all. Open the quilts I brought back, wash the cotton, dry it, and then beat it before remaking the quilts. The quilt covers also need to be washed."

Lady Dong was a bit stunned; in all her time married into the family, Mother had always done her own washing. She understood in her heart that Mother was very unhappy with her and her second sister-in-law and was no longer treating them kindly, "Yes."

Zhulan waited until Lady Dong reached the doorway and, after a pause, spoke, "Being young is not an excuse to keep making mistakes over and over again."

Lady Dong understood. Mother was warning her, "Mother, I’ll remember."

"Hmm."

Xue Han had been waiting for quite a while. Seeing her third sister-in-law and third brother come out with red eyes, she knew Mother had finished dealing with her third sister-in-law. She then went to the main room, where she saw Mother cutting fabric, "Mother, are you making clothes?"

Zhulan was folding the cut fabric, "Mother bought clothes in the capital this year, so I won’t make any. Having just returned from the capital, I’d like to visit your Grandma Wu. These are gifts for her."

Xue Han pouted, "Mother, I still want to talk with you!"

She hadn’t seen her mother for a long time; she missed her terribly.

Zhulan felt that everything was properly arranged in her heart, "Mother will be back soon."

Xue Han turned her eyes, "Mother, I want to go with you."

"Alright."

Lady Zhao and Lady Dong came in to take apart the bedding. Lady Zhao wanted to speak several times but didn’t dare, while Lady Dong looked like she had been severely dealt with by Mother. Just now, she had heard Chang Lian and Lady Dong’s crying in the kitchen.

Zhulan pretended not to see and took Xue Han out the door.

Xue Han was very happy, "It’s so good to have Mother at home. I haven’t been out in a long time."

Zhulan held her daughter’s hand; the girl had lost weight. When she and Zhou Shuren were at home, every room would treat Xue Han well. When they weren’t home, each room had their own thoughts—aside from Lady Li, who naively took care of Xue Han, the other two rooms wouldn’t.

This experience, Xue Han being naturally intelligent, would in the future allow her to see people’s hearts more clearly. Even if one day, Rongchuan’s status becomes extraordinary and he acknowledges his ancestors, as long as Xue Han could see through people’s hearts, she wouldn’t be duped and harmed by them, bartering away her well-being.

Zhulan squeezed her daughter’s hand tightly, "Mother told your sister-in-law, we’re going to the capital in the winter. From now on, wherever Mother goes, I will take you with me."

She and Zhou Shuren had discussed it, and for this trip to the capital, they would only bring along the eldest son’s family and Xue Han. No, they would leave behind Mingyun and Ming Teng from the eldest son’s family since the two boys needed to study. This trip to the capital was for the imperial examination. It was uncertain where they would be in the future; taking the children who were studying would be too disruptive to their education.

Xue Han was overjoyed in her heart. She didn’t want to be separated from her parents. When her parents were not at home, she felt like an outsider. She was glad that her mother would take her along, "Mother is the best."

The Wu Residence still looked the same as always, and Zhulan had only learned about it through Xue Han’s words that these days, Lady Zhao had been making Wu Ning embroider at home.

Lady Li of the Wu family received the gifts that Zhulan had brought, "You still remember to bring gifts for me when you’ve been away. Thank you, Auntie, for keeping me in your thoughts."

Zhulan noticed that Lady Li of the Wu family had aged considerably, "Auntie, do you have any worries?"

Lady Li looked at Xue Han, who then stood up, "Grandma Wu, I’ll go find Wu Ning."

Lady Li smiled, "Go ahead."

Only after Xue Han had left did Lady Li speak, "I’m worried about my eldest grandson. This boy told me he doesn’t want to marry yet. It’s troubling me because I’m hoping to see my eldest grandson get married and have children. Only if my eldest grandson weds can I face my younger son down below. Lately, I’ve lost sleep over it and keep dreaming about my late son. Do you think he’s blaming me for not finding a wife for Wu Ming?"

Zhulan thought it was simply because of her recurring thoughts in the day that led to her dreams at night, "Auntie, you’re overthinking. If he really blamed you, he wouldn’t appear in your dreams. Your son is just worried about you, suffering at an old age with so many concerns, hoping that you can enjoy some peace."

Lady Li pondered for a while, then laughed, "You’re right. If he really blamed me, he wouldn’t come to see me."

Zhulan chatted with Lady Li of the Wu family for a while. Lady Li had to go buy offering paper, and Zhulan, taking Xue Han with her, took her leave.

When they arrived back at the entrance of their home, there was a carriage parked that Zhulan did not recognize, but Xue Han did, "Mother, the mother of my second sister-in-law has come."

Zhulan pulled Xue Han through the main gate, and the smile at the corner of her mouth faded, "It’s good timing; I was just thinking about having a chat with your second sister-in-law’s mother!"

Xue Han felt somewhat disappointed; she still wanted to talk to her mother. Once her father returned, she wouldn’t get the chance to chat with her mother!