Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 310: Getting Older_1

Chapter 310: Chapter 310: Getting Older_1

Early the next morning, the large family got up early, had breakfast, and Zhulan checked that none of the offerings for the ancestral worship were missing. The whole family then returned to Zhou Family Village.

The Zhou clan had an ancestral hall, and Zhou Shuren, having passed the imperial examination, first went to the ancestral hall to worship, then took the eldest Zhou sons and Mingyun and Ming Teng to the mountain to worship at the graves of his original parents.

Zhulan, meanwhile, took a few daughters-in-law to meet the women in the clan at the old residence. With Zhou Shuren having become a Graduate and purchasing land for the clan, the Zhou family’s status within the clan was challenging that of the Clan Leader’s family.

If it were not for the Clan Leader’s continuous and laborious work for the clan, Zhou Shuren would have overtaken the Clan Leader by now.

Mrs. Zhou only realized how cunning and calculating Zhou Shuren was after listening to her husband. Zhou Shuren had been strategizing over the entire Zhou clan since he actively returned, from offering books to win the clan’s favor to now buying land to win people’s hearts—Zhou Shuren’s every step was carefully planned with deep schemes.

After hearing this, Mrs. Zhou was angry because it threatened their family’s status. Her husband felt uneasy, yet he was also pleased, happy that someone capable had emerged from the Zhou clan and that they might become a great family in the future, perhaps even surpassing the Dong family!

Mrs. Zhou’s feelings were incredibly complex; she was angry, but she couldn’t show it. Her grandson still needed Zhou Shuren’s support in the future!

Zhulan kept an eye on Mrs. Zhou, noticing her silence. Understanding the gap in Mrs. Zhou’s heart and seeing her still smiling at her, Zhulan realized how strong Mrs. Zhou was; not everyone could adjust their mindset overnight.

Zhulan personally poured tea for Mrs. Zhou, "Auntie, have some tea."

Mrs. Zhou snapped back to reality, suppressed the complexity in her heart, and accepted the tea with both hands, a sign of continued respect. She smiled and took it, "It’s kind of you to still pour tea for me."

Zhulan heard the underlying message and responded with a curve of her lips, "Don’t say now that I am a Graduate’s wife; even if I truly became the wife of an official, you would still be my auntie, and I would still pour tea for you."

Mrs. Zhou looked seriously at Zhulan, seeing she wasn’t just being polite. She sipped the tea, "This tea is delicious. Auntie, I look forward to you pouring tea for me again."

Zhulan, "Naturally."

Mrs. Zhou was completely relieved. She had feared that Zhulan’s changed status would affect her attitude towards the clan’s elders. Thankfully, she hadn’t misjudged Zhulan.

Zhulan thought to herself, she wasn’t foolish. Zhou Shuren was in the process of winning people over, and she wasn’t someone who forgot who she was after coming into power.

Moreover, despite their flaws, Mrs. Zhou and the Clan Leader were mostly respectable. Zhulan admired their devotion to the clan’s wellbeing.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren had discussed it and decided not to make a big fuss back home for passing the examination. They only invited the clan’s elders for a meal, just three tables.

Zhulan didn’t let Lady Li cook. After the return of the elder and second Zhou brothers, Zhulan had them book three tables of banquet at the county restaurant.

The old residence didn’t have enough tables and chairs, so they borrowed from neighbors to the left and right. Each table featured twelve dishes of signature restaurant cuisine, and the banquet was delivered with ready plates. After the meal, they washed the plates and returned them to the restaurant, of course with a security deposit. They could have chosen not to return them, but then the deposit would be forfeited, and the deposit far exceeded the cost of the plates!

With good wine and good dishes, the meal lasted until three in the afternoon by modern time. Lady Li and the others finished cleaning up by nearly four o’clock, and they didn’t return to Li Family Village until then.

Accustomed to three meals a day, the Zhou family would surely be hungry if they missed dinner, so after resting for two hours, Lady Li made fried sauce noodles, preparing a separate crucian carp soup with noodles especially for Xue Mei.

Early the next morning, Zhou Shuren took the oldest son back to the village to purchase land, and it was the perfect opportunity to visit the County Magistrate for the property transfer.

Lady Dong and Chang Lian also packed up the things they brought back from Pingzhou, and the second Zhou brother rushed to drive the carriage, taking the young couple to the county office.

Only Zhulan and Mrs. Zhao were left in the house, as Lady Li had returned to her parental home. She wouldn’t be back even after the New Year, for Lady Li wanted to spend more time with her parents.

Zhulan and Mrs. Zhao sat together sewing clothes, Zhulan planning to make more garments for the two children before her departure, especially since winter was approaching and cotton-padded jackets and pants were a must.

Mrs. Zhao stole glances at her mother-in-law several times, thinking about what her husband had said, that being straightforward with one’s thoughts was good, as it could draw the mother-in-law’s attention more onto herself, "Mother, rest assured, I will definitely take good care of my elder sister."

Zhulan bit off the thread and picked up another, "Among the daughters-in-law, you’re the most meticulous. I believe you."

Mrs. Zhao couldn’t help but smile when she received her mother-in-law’s affirmation, "Be sure to take care of yourself when you go to the capital, Mother."

It was then that Zhulan remembered what she had been neglecting. A graduate could employ maids, and actually, this rule was quite a trap targeting the poor scholars. Even if the offspring of officials weren’t graduates, they still had slaves to serve them. Alright, this was indeed about competing based on one’s father. Those without a great ancestry or father had to struggle on their own.

The ancient times really took the concept of ’winning at birth’ to an extreme, where having a good father could set someone for life!

Take the Zhou family, for example, that unwittingly got a new father. In just two years, the destinies of the Zhou sons all changed, and the futures of the Zhou grandsons were all planned out!

Seeing that her mother was becoming distracted and was about to prick herself, Mrs. Zhao hurriedly reached out to hold the needle, "Mother."

Zhulan snapped out of her reverie and looked down just in time to avoid pricking her hand, "Look at me, getting sidetracked."

Mrs. Zhao didn’t think much of it, simply assuming it was normal for her mother-in-law to become absent-minded with age.

Luckily, Zhulan didn’t know what Mrs. Zhao was thinking, otherwise, she would have been infuriated. She wasn’t even forty yet, only thirty-eight this year, thirty-eight by the traditional counting, and actually only thirty-seven by modern reckoning!

Xue Han asked, "Mother, are you worried about life in the capital?"

Zhulan shook her head, "No, Mother is considering buying some slaves for our family. I’m thinking about whether to buy a whole family of slaves."

Xue Han was taken aback. She had never thought that their family could afford to have slaves. With slaves, would she become a real young lady?

Mrs. Zhao almost pricked her own hand and quickly looked down. She thought of her own mother, who had been a slave. She marveled at how miraculous fate was, from being anxious about her own future to now having a loving husband and a complete family. It hadn’t been long, yet their family was already considering employing slaves.

Xue Han didn’t understand, "Mother, why buy an entire family of slaves?"

Zhulan explained, "Because it’s easier to control. If I hold the deeds for the whole family of slaves, they wouldn’t dare have any crooked thoughts, or else their entire family would suffer. Let me tell you, when choosing slaves in the future, first, don’t choose those who are on their own, and second, don’t choose slaves from large households, especially those who have been resold."

Xue Han was puzzled, "Why not?"

Zhulan answered, "Single slaves have unclear backgrounds with too many unknown factors, so we cannot consider them. Those sold off by large households are usually ones who’ve caused trouble, either thieves and liars or those with deep schemes. You have to realize that loyal servants are seldom sold off."

Of course, there were those loyal servants who were framed, but unfortunately, the chances were too slim. The masters of large households were not fools; they all favored loyal servants.

Xue Han was surprised, "There’s so much to consider when buying a servant!"

Zhulan smiled, "There’s a lot to learn. Let me tell you, in the future, when choosing maids, don’t pick those who always want to be the best, even if they are loyal. And don’t choose those who only know how to work; even if they work well, they’re not the best choice."