Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 347: Can’t Bear to Part_1

Chapter 347: Chapter 347: Can’t Bear to Part_1

Zhulan waited for Chang Lian to return and asked, "Have all the people in the front yard left?"

Chang Lian stood beside the table, seeing that his mother had stopped writing after only a few words, he withdrew his gaze, "They’ve already left."

Zhulan said, "Go call your father back and tell him that I have something to discuss with him."

"Mother, what about the letter?"

Zhulan waved her hand dismissively, "The matter of the letter is not urgent."

Chang Lian felt a chill down his spine, he had a bad feeling!

Zhou Shuren came back with silver notes in hand, "What do you need me for?"

Zhulan gestured for Zhou Shuren to close the door, and once it was closed, Zhulan said, "Chang Lian can’t go back to the capital, we’ve all forgotten about his matter of going to the capital to apprentice. Considering Jiang Ming’s master is such a capable person, do you think you could persuade him to go to Lizhou City with you? It would also be good for him to become your aide."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and pondered for a moment. Lizhou City was a mess and he indeed needed an aide. Zhulan’s suggestion was a great help to him, so he kissed Zhulan, "I’ll go write a note to Jiang Ming."

Zhulan watched Zhou Shuren depart with vigor, it was the first time she’d seen him so energetic. Being overly cautious and repressed in the past was too stifling, but now things were better; she felt alive too. Lizhou City, ah, precisely because it was a mess, houses, shops, and lands were cheap!

She thought about the house in Wu Chun that was only two hundred silvers. Hmm, she also had many things to do in Lizhou City. Turning a dilapidated city into a prosperous one was quite the challenge.

Zhulan stopped writing the letter, as long as Zhou Shuren convinced Jiang Ming’s master, it meant that her intentions for Chang Lian to return to his hometown were fine, and this time back to the house in Li Family Village. Chang Lian was still somewhat impetuous; it was better for him to go home to calm his mind and focus on his studies.

Zhulan put down the pen, stood up, and called for Xue Han and Lady Li, instructing them, "Pack your luggage properly in the next few days, take everything that we can bring. We’ll depart for Lizhou City in six days, not seven."

Lady Li and Xue Han were stunned. They thought they should first return to their ancestral home to offer sacrifices, but Lady Li, being more obedient and without questioning why, thought as long as their parents were with them, the main house was fine, "Mother, I’ll go and pack right away."

Zhulan called out to Lady Li, "Don’t rush off yet, listen to me finish speaking. This house has been sold, and in the next few days, take anything you pack that can’t be brought along to the new house we bought in West City."

The two newly bought houses had never been a secret from the family, everyone knew about them. It was just that with so many houses being bought and sold, Lady Li was no longer excited about it.

Lady Li, being impatient, hurriedly left, but Xue Han stayed behind, "Mother, is there anything I can help you with?"

Zhulan smiled, "Just help me take good care of Ming Teng and Yu Lu. Your sister-in-law is quite careless, and she won’t have time for the two children these days."

Xue Han thought she was still too young, if she were older, she could be more help to her mother. She saw the list her mother had written on the table and bit her lip, "Mhm."

Zhulan stroked Xue Han’s hair, "Mother trusts you to be of help, but the situation in Lizhou City is special, so it’s best for me to make arrangements personally."

Xue Han threw herself into her mother’s arms, "Mother, you and father have worked hard."

Zhulan thought to herself, daughters really are the best. She and Zhou Shuren had been busy for the welfare of the Zhou family, although their main intention was to make their own lives better in ancient times. However, all the children benefited, and among the several children, only the two daughters were considerate enough to acknowledge their hard work; indeed, daughters are like the intimate little padded jackets.

Zhulan patted Xue Han’s back, "Go and pack your luggage."

That girl’s belongings were indeed not few. Ever since they came to the capital, cough, she had silver in her hands, she never controlled herself, constantly buying clothes and jewelry, not just for herself but for the whole family as well.

Xue Han left, and the eldest son of the Zhou family returned. Yang Zhumu said, "I heard from Chang Li that my brother-in-law has become the prefect of Lizhou City? Is that true?"

He had dinner last night and then returned to the West City residence. He was supposed to come over this morning, but he was waiting at the residence because the trunks he ordered were delivered today. Unexpectedly, his elder nephew told him that his brother-in-law had become the prefect of Lizhou City!

This is absolutely wonderful, not only as a testament to the brother-in-law’s capabilities, but also because the Yang family will now take root in Lizhou City. With the brother-in-law as the prefect, it’s not only good for Wu Chun but also for the Yang family.

Zhulan said, "It is indeed the prefect of Lizhou City. Big brother, we are short on time. You have experience with shopping, so I’ll need your help these next few days to prepare for the move to Lizhou City."

Yang Zhumu clapped his hands, "Don’t worry, I’ll make sure everything is prepared properly."

Zhulan breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that her elder brother was there to help her out.

In the afternoon, Zhulan took Xue Han to the ready-made clothing shop to buy a few outfits suitable for their status for both herself and Zhou Shuren. They would both need to attend many social gatherings in the days to come, and a good appearance could prevent a lot of trouble.

As for the other members of the household, she was embarrassed to say that she had just lost three houses and really couldn’t afford to buy ready-made clothes for everyone. Xing Hua’s sewing skills were quite good; buying fabric and letting Xing Hua make the clothes would be fine. After all, there was no rush to wear them; they could take their time.

She also visited the jewelry shop later. She truly liked forehead pendants, but as a grandmother, she couldn’t wear the pretty ones herself. She could only buy them for Xue Han, which pained her heart.

All day long, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren were busy, while Wu Ming was preparing for the journey.

At rest time in the evening, Zhulan asked, "Did you write to Wu Chun?"

Zhou Shuren sat up, "I did. I asked him to help prepare the house in Lizhou City. The letter has already been sent."

"That’s good."

However, most of Wu Chun’s reward money had been spent, and now they would have to borrow silver again.

Zhou Shuren said, "Tomorrow we will go to the Jiang Residence together. Have the gifts been prepared?"

"Everything is ready."

Zhou Shuren went over the day’s activities in his mind to make sure nothing was missed, then lay down with peace of mind, "Let’s sleep, we have to get up early tomorrow."

Zhulan hummed in agreement, she was tired today as well.

The next morning, after breakfast, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren, accompanied by Xue Han and Chang Lian, went to the Jiang Residence.

With a change in status, Xue Han was now the daughter of an official, and Zhulan was no longer worried about her daughter facing trouble.

The Jiang Residence was not located in West City but at the boundary of the northwest section. The residence was a three-section compound with an impressive facade. Lady Jiangdong had returned to the capital last year. Since the master of the house was not present, Lady Jiangdong declined visitors, so Zhulan sent the gifts without visiting in person.

This was her first time at the Jiang Residence.

Zhou Shuren took Chang Lian to meet Jiang Ming, while Zhulan and her daughter followed a maid to the back courtyard.

Lady Jiangdong was waiting in the hall, her feelings incredibly mixed. During their second meeting, her sister-in-law’s mother-in-law was just as respectable as she was. Thinking of her husband’s words about fortunes changing in thirty years, she noted how quickly the Zhou family had risen. She wondered what the Emperor was thinking, bestowing a five-rank official position right from the start!

As for whether Lizhou City was not a good place, her husband didn’t think so; he was very optimistic about Mr. Zhou’s prospects. Now he was Mr. Zhou indeed.

No matter how complex Lady Jiangdong’s thoughts were, she could not afford to sit and wait for Lady Yang to pay her respects; they were both on the same level now. As soon as she saw Lady Yang enter, she hurriedly got up to greet her, "Auntie, you’ve arrived, please come inside."