Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 311 Cautious_1

Chapter 311: Chapter 311 Cautious_1

Xue Han found it very interesting. "Mother, what’s the significance behind this?"

Zhulan smiled with her eyes, "Because a maid who is too eager to prove herself can’t see her own status. Not only does she want to show off her abilities, but she’s also willing to boss around her masters, which can easily cause trouble for them. As for maids who only know how to work, they can only see what’s right in front of them, unable to protect their masters, and instead may become a burden."

Xue Han pondered carefully for a while, her eyes exceptionally bright. "Mother, you make so much sense."

Zhulan let out a light laugh. "Look how excited you are. It’s not that what mother says is always right; it’s just that mother is naturally cautious and tries to avoid trouble that’s all."

In her modern experiences, she didn’t need employees who were too smart, nor those who were full of themselves. She liked those who were modest, who could adapt to the environment quickly, and those who eagerly absorbed the necessary knowledge to improve themselves. She also liked those who were hardworking, always striving to compensate for their shortcomings and continuously broaden their horizons, making slow but steady progress.

Although her subordinates wouldn’t achieve immediate results, through constant effort, they all had a solid foundation. From making mistakes occasionally to rarely making any, and then to the point where they hardly ever made mistakes before she traversed through time, each person grew to be very competent overall.

Of course, everyone has different opinions and their own criteria for judgment, but she was a cautious person who didn’t like trouble; these were merely her standards.

Zhulan let out a long sigh. It hadn’t been easy to cultivate such a team, and she had planned for the team to be self-sufficient so she could get more rest eventually—only to find herself transported to ancient times and beginning a life full of worries and frustrations. What a letdown!

Zhulan felt frustrated and didn’t want to continue the conversation. She said to her daughter, "We’ll talk more about this another day, Mother will teach you then."

Zhao’s listened very attentively. These are things her own mother had never taught her, for their perspectives were different—her mother couldn’t have taught her. All she could impart was how to protect oneself, to endure, and to compromise. But her mother-in-law’s teachings made so much sense; she wanted to hear more!

Zhao’s really envied her sister-in-law. In her eyes, the sister-in-law was the most fortunate one in the family. Ever since she understood things, the Zhou family had been advancing steadily. The sister-in-law’s clothes and accessories were no less fine than those of any young lady, and once she would have her own maids, she would be a real young lady. When her father became an official, the sister-in-law would be Mr. Guan’s daughter.

Although she was betrothed early, she didn’t feel it was a pity. Her vision wasn’t high, but from watching Lady Dong, she learned the conflicts that arise from mismatches in social standing. It could be disadvantageous for a lady of higher rank to marry into a lower one. It was better to have a betrothal now. Rongchuan was good at his studies, and since he was raised by his in-laws, the emotional tie meant the sister-in-law would never be at a loss in her life!

Zhao’s thought about her own daughter, who wasn’t as fortunate as her sister-in-law due to their different statuses. Even if her father-in-law became an official, there would be a significant gap between her daughter and her sister-in-law. Her daughter couldn’t rely on her brother, nor on her husband who held no official rank. Even with respect for her father-in-law, a granddaughter was still very different.

Zhulan had no clue that Zhao’s had such a train of thought in just a short time. Zhou Shuren returned after escorting guests, not only coming to the main courtyard himself but also bringing Jiang Sheng’s parents and his elder brother.

With Zhou Shuren not at home, Zhulan greeted Jiang Sheng’s parents alongside Second Zhou. The tea at home was readily available. Zhulan could hardly recognize Jiang Sheng’s mother—it had been a brief encounter last time, and Lady Jiangwang wasn’t this thin. She looked much thinner now within just a few months.

Lady Jiangwang felt the scrutinizing gaze from her in-law’s mother and stiffened, full of resentment. Ever since she learned that her in-law’s mother had become a Graduate’s wife, she had lost her appetite.

Zhulan’s eyes fell on the basket they had brought; it was filled with eggs, and the only valuable item was a strip of pork. There were no clothes for the children—Zhulan’s disdain for the Jiang family grew. Were they here to plead poverty?

Jiang Sheng had long lost hope in his own parents, so their bringing these items to see their grandsons didn’t surprise him.

The hall fell into an awkward silence; no one spoke, and it was truly embarrassing.

Jiang Sheng’s father, holding back again and again, still had his grandsons on his mind. "In-law’s mother, we would like to see the children."

Zhulan turned to Jiang Sheng, who said, "Father, the children are in the room. I will take you and Mother to see them."

Zhulan did not follow; the room was too crowded, the air was bad, and it was better to sit and wait.

Zhou Shuren had opinions about the Jiang family, "Mother, Sister has given birth for three days, and the Jiang family has just sent someone."

Zhulan truly didn’t mind, "She gave birth late on the first day, someone was sent to notify on the second, and their arrival today is not an issue. That’s enough; you prepare the carriage, Jiang Sheng’s parents won’t stay long, you will take them back later."

The Jiang family did not have a bullock cart, and judging by appearances, it was likely they walked here. Their status was different now, their class was different. Before, one wouldn’t bother with the Jiang family, and even less so now, not to mention considering Jiang Sheng’s face.

As for Lady Jiangwang fixating on her troubles, she would have to get out of them herself. However, Zhulan couldn’t help thinking that the more one pretends, the more they care about other people’s opinions, the more they tend to fixate on their troubles.

Zhou Shuren saw his mother’s indifferent tone, not to mention anger, there was no reaction, and he fell silent. He still had to practice. Look how detached Mother was.

Zhulan got up and packed some pastries, took some fabric left over from making children’s clothes. This fabric was best for little children’s use, she heard from Xue Mei that the Jiang family’s eldest son had a new baby boy.

Jiang Sheng’s father came back in high spirits, having another grandson signifying prosperity, especially for his youngest son’s family. He understood there was a rift between his youngest son and the Jiang family, and he had indeed gone too far, but bone is connected to its sinew; his youngest son was still of the Jiang blood. If his youngest son was doing well, he could face his ancestors with dignity when he died. As for those who scoffed that his son was being raised by his in-laws, he didn’t care as long as he benefited.

He once hoped to glean some benefits, but he dared not think about it anymore. His in-laws had become Graduates; he had better be honest.

Lady Jiangwang also had a smile on her face. Both children were well cared for, and she had thought it difficult to raise twins. Seeing them in person, other than being smaller than full-term babies they were not much different. Thinking about the clothes and possessions for her grandson, she sighed deeply and felt her seriousness was somewhat ridiculous.

Lady Jiangwang finally spoke, "Both the child and Xue Mei have caused much trouble for the in-law mother."

Zhulan raised an eyebrow. Had Lady Jiangwang come out of her predicament? "One is my own daughter, and the other two are my grandchildren. It’s right to take care of them."

Lady Jiangwang did not want to stay at the Zhou’s. The jewelry on Zhou Yang’s body was dazzling, something she had pursued all her life. Thinking that she herself didn’t have a single decent piece of jewelry while Zhou Yang’s one bracelet was worth who knows how many Silver Coins, she felt choked up and stood up to take her leave, "We walked here. Having seen that the child is fine and under the care of the in-law mother, we will head back now."

Zhulan passed the prepared return gift to Zhou Shuren, "We don’t have much at home, but hearing that the in-laws have welcomed a new grandson, it’s a small token of our thoughts."

Zhulan then said to Zhou Shuren, "You see your uncle and aunt home."

Zhou Shuren said with a smile, "Uncle and Aunt, we have a carriage at home, I will take you back."

Jiang Sheng looked gratefully at his mother-in-law and admired her. This was vision indeed!

Zhou Shuren saw clearly and understood, it wasn’t just that Mother didn’t regard the Jiang family highly, but Mother was also giving face to his brother-in-law. No matter what, the Jiangs were his brother-in-law’s own parents. Not giving face to the Jiang family was indirectly losing face for his brother-in-law, so Mother giving his brother-in-law face meant his brother-in-law would naturally be grateful and treat his sister even better.

Zhou Shuren thought he was like his mother but now realized he was not at all like her. Mother saw people’s hearts too clearly; he had much to learn.

Zhou Shuren had an epiphany and became even more amiable toward his brother-in-law’s parents, "Uncle, Aunt, I also brought a water bag, so you two can drink if you get thirsty on the way."

Zhulan let out a light laugh; Zhou Shuren indeed had good understanding.