Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 295 Where did it go_1

Chapter 295: Chapter 295 Where did it go_1

At night, Lady Li prepared a big table of dishes, all Zhulan and Zhou Shuren’s favorites. Her efforts to please were particularly evident, and while Zhulan and Zhou Shuren ate happily, Zhao and Lady Dong suffered, having been busy all day with hands that were now barely functional.

As it turned out, when it was time to tighten the reins, you really had to do so. In less than seven days since Zhulan’s return, Zhao and Lady Dong became good daughters-in-law once again, not daring to scheme anything small and showing Lady Li extra respect.

But Lady Li was not happy at all because a generous heart had led to a gain in weight. In less than seven days, she had gained at least eight or nine pounds and could no longer wear her Jade Bracelet.

Zhulan watched with her own eyes as Lady Li got fatter, and even controlling her portions was futile as Lady Li’s weight skyrocketed like it was inflated.

Lady Li, tearless yet wanting to cry, put away the Jade Bracelet, "Mother, you promised to find me a bracelet that would fit. You’re all I’m counting on in this lifetime."

Zhulan couldn’t be happier, "Mother always keeps her word, don’t worry."

Finally, Lady Li perked up, "Mother, we have a carriage. Let’s go out of the city to pick wild vegetables!"

Zhulan, "..... No."

She wouldn’t dream of going. Although the terrain of Pingzhou was fairly flat and some distance from the mountains, there were still plenty of snakes nearby. People in the city would occasionally talk about catching snakes; she wanted no part of that!

Lady Li was very disappointed; if her mother wouldn’t go, she couldn’t ride in the carriage. Nobody had ridden in their own carriage since it was purchased, except for Chang Lian and the two who went to the Academy. Unable to ride in her own carriage, she couldn’t sleep at night.

Zhulan counted the days, "We’ve been in Pingzhou for a while now, haven’t we?"

Lady Li nodded, "Yes, it’s almost been five months."

Zhulan said, "It’s almost time for Father-in-law’s birthday."

Last year, Zhulan’s parents had grand birthdays, but this year they wouldn’t celebrate. Of course, even if Zhulan and Zhou Shuren wanted to, they were still on the road back to the city!

It took a moment for Lady Li to remember, "Ah, right, right, it’s going to be my father’s birthday soon."

Zhulan, "...."

In her memory, she had an impression, and yet Lady Li, her own daughter, had forgotten. Very Lady Li indeed.

With a twitching corner of her mouth, Zhulan said, "There isn’t much happening at home recently, so you and eldest brother should go back and celebrate Father-in-law’s birthday. I remember Father-in-law is turning fifty this year, which deserves a celebration."

In ancient times, reaching fifty was considerable, as not everyone could live to seventy or eighty, especially laboring peasants.

Lady Li had truly forgotten, mainly because her family was poor, and there was no spare money for birthday celebrations. Before she was married, her father didn’t celebrate his birthday. During the first year of her marriage, she went back with a piece of meat for his birthday, which was considered a celebration by eating a dish with meat in it; not even long-life noodles made with white flour were on the table.

Lady Dong didn’t allow her to bring things back after that, saying they wouldn’t celebrate, and so she stopped going back. Over time, she almost forgot her father’s birthday herself.

Lady Li, with tears welling up, looked at Zhulan, "Mother, you are so kind to me."

At the same time, she was amazed at how good her mother’s memory was, remembering something from so many years ago!

Zhulan held out her hand to block Lady Li, who was about to throw herself into a hug, "Just stand and talk, with your size, if you throw yourself at me, I won’t be able to take it!"

Lady Li, "....."

The moment of emotion was gone!

Zhulan let out a sigh; she really couldn’t bear Lady Li’s substantial frame, and Lady Li was also incredibly energetic. Being hugged by her made it hard even to breathe!

Zhulan waved her hand, "Alright, go pack up as well. You and eldest brother should leave sooner rather than later."

Lady Li dried her tears and joyfully responded, "Okay!"

She was not only riding in her own carriage, but she could also go back to her maiden home to show off, yes, and she would take some things she didn’t need back with her, gifts for her sisters-in-law and nieces. This time she would celebrate her father’s birthday with great pomp, bring honor to her parents. The more she thought about it, the more excited she became!

Leaning against the pillow, Zhulan’s thoughts drifted slightly. She and Zhou Shuren had never mentioned the children’s birthdays. After thinking carefully, she recalled that the eldest was born in October, the second in October as well, and the eldest daughter in the winter month of December. The original body’s owner was truly formidable, giving birth to a child each year with such ease, and also being fertile at that!

Fortunately, she rested a bit when giving birth to Chang Lian; Chang Lian was born in September, Chang Zhi in August, and Xue Han in May.

Of the six children, Xue Han’s birthday was the biggest, the others’ were not so significant!

Zhulan only thought about it and had no intention of celebrating birthdays. The memory of her original body held that other than the first birthday, a girl’s coming of age, they never celebrated the children’s birthdays. Even the sons’ coming of age ceremony, well, for the eldest and second, it was merely a meal.

Zhulan decided not to think about grandsons and granddaughters anymore; too much thinking gave her a headache.

Two days later, Lady Li and the eldest left with Yu Lu and Ming Teng, heading back to Li Family Village. Zhulan also took some fabric and a pair of vase ornaments as gifts for the birthday celebration.

With Lady Li gone from the house, Lady Dong took over the kitchen. Ever since Zhulan returned, the Jiang Residence had not invited Lady Dong over, nor had she mentioned going for a visit.

Yet Zhulan’s unspoken influence remained; Zhao’s wife and Lady Dong did not dare to get too close to Zhulan anymore. Zhulan was quite happy with the peace, taking the opportunity to recuperate and rest well.

Zhou Shuren, on the other hand, stayed within his study. Now that it was July, there was just over a month until the township examination, so he focused intently on his studies.

Two days later, the eldest son and his family returned, bringing back a fair amount of game. Zhulan asked, "Why have you brought back so much stuff?"

Zhou Eldest replied, "Mother, these were gifts from my father-in-law’s family and a few uncles. They said that since our family lives in Pingzhou, everything costs silver coin, and this meat will last us a long time to eat. If the vegetables at home had been harvested, they even wanted to pick some for us to bring back."

Zhulan looked at the dry rabbit meat and pheasant; Lady Li’s family was indeed very appreciative of them, "You just accepted it when they gave it to you?"

Zhou Eldest, "Mother, I really couldn’t refuse them by myself!"

The Li family were all big and strong; if he truly had tried to stop them, he would have been set aside in a single round.

Zhulan laughed, "Alright, put it all away!"

Lady Li received a warm welcome when she visited her maiden home and felt quite smug about it. Seeing her mother in good spirits, she quickly said, "Mother, my mom said that when the vegetables at home are ready, they’ll send some over. I told them not to, but my mom said they’re not for me and that my refusal means nothing."

Zhulan, "....Right."

Lady Li was truly growing up, learning to say nice things about her maiden home in a roundabout way!

Lady Li rarely played such clever tricks, but seeing her mother respond, she smiled widely, her mouth agape. Although she liked to show off when visiting her maiden home, she also hoped for their well-being. This visit, because they didn’t know they would be coming back, was the only time she saw her family’s meals, which had no oiliness at all—purely wild vegetables. The game that was caught was all left for the in-laws, and this time, her father had not even planned on celebrating his birthday. Even with her typically carefree heart, she felt pained.

Zhulan gestured to Lady Li, "Go change your clothes, and then come eat."

Lady Li, "Alright."

The dinner was made by Lady Dong, consisting of three dishes and a soup: crucian carp soup, potato stewed chicken, scrambled eggs, and braised fish. The Zhou family’s meals were truly lavish.

Lady Li looked at the dishes on the table and realized she was indeed the most fortunate one in the Li family!

The next morning, after breakfast, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren finally saw Chang Zhi. When they had returned, the degree holder, Xu, had taken Chang Zhi out and he was not in Pingzhou at all.

Zhulan observed Chang Zhi’s appearance and was silent for a while, "You’ve lost weight."

Zhou Shuren asked, "Where have you been with your master?"

Why did he look so haggard? Chang Zhi was a person who cared about his appearance, his clothes hadn’t been changed in a long time, and his hair looked greasy!