Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 375: Expose Oneself_1

Chapter 375: Chapter 375: Expose Oneself_1

Chang Lian didn’t have any mind to argue; he was not only fearful of his father but even more fearful of his mother, who had a heavy hand. Anyway, the room was warm, so standing it would be!

Lady Zhao and Lady Dong bowed their heads even lower. If this had happened before, Lady Dong would have felt some dissatisfaction in her heart, but now there was none at all. All she wanted was to ingratiate herself with her mother-in-law, hoping that the old lady would look after her during the time before her marriage was consummated. The thought of the possibility that Chang Lian might have concubines in the future, as her own mother had mentioned, tied her stomach in knots. At such a time, all she wanted was to please her mother-in-law, and she wouldn’t just stand, she would kneel if necessary.

Time ticked by slowly, and Steward Ding came in without glancing around: "My lady, the luggage of the second young master and the third young master has been delivered to their respective courtyards, and the mountain goods they brought have also been placed in the storeroom. The rooms are now warmed up, and hot water is prepared."

Zhulan asked, "Are the pots ready?"

"They are ready and have been brought up."

Zhulan stood up and said, "Let’s go and have a meal first. After eating, Chang Lian, you and the second brother stay behind. Lady Zhao, take the two children back to bathe and change clothes. Lady Dong, you go back to organize your luggage. Chang Zhi, take Rongchuan and Mingyun back with you; you three share one courtyard."

Zhulan led the way to the main hall for the meal, where the pots on the table were already boiling. Vegetables were scarce in winter, only radishes and cabbages were available, and there was an abundance of meat on the table, with freshly rolled noodles from the kitchen.

Zhulan noticed that everyone was seated but not eating; they were waiting for her to begin. "Don’t just sit there watching; eat up quickly. After eating, you can all rest. We’ll talk in the evening."

With her words, the others, including Chang Lian, finally dared to start their meal.

Zhulan had eaten at noon, so she sat aside serving food for her grandchildren. Ming Rui, the little fellow, despite feeling a bit cold, had a good appetite and particularly picked out the meat, "Slow down, no one’s competing with you."

Ming Rui swallowed the meat in his mouth, "Grandma, it’s been a long time since I ate this much meat."

Zhulan looked towards Chang Lian, who replied, "...Mother, don’t listen to his nonsense. He had meat buns just this morning!"

Ming Rui retorted, "I meant it’s been a long time since I’ve eaten meat to my heart’s content."

Zhulan, "...."

Alright, Chang Lian didn’t need to poke fun at his elder brother for having a headstrong son; he had one too.

Chang Lian ground his teeth; this kid was quite the scoundrel, always expressing things quite differently from what he intended to say. He eventually figured out that the boy did it on purpose, especially when he was displeased.

The boy was upset for not being fed at noon and saw how formidable his grandmother was; he was definitely doing it on purpose. Just look at those excited little eyes!

Steward Ding brought the doctor in, and Zhulan had the doctor take the pulse of each person in Chang Lian’s party.

Only Ming Rui was a little chilled; the others were fine. After prescribing medicine, the doctor left.

Lady Zhao waited until the doctor had left to explain, "This little guy is stubborn. He doesn’t want to wear the thicker cotton clothes, and that’s why he’s caught a chill."

Zhulan, holding her teacup, stared at Lady Zhao, causing her to feel uneasy, "Mother."

Zhulan realized that Ming Rui wasn’t just stubborn; for more than a year, Lady Zhao hadn’t spoiled the child lightly. Ming Rui was not only picky about food but also pushed the food he didn’t like into Lady Zhao’s bowl, and earlier he had even provoked his own father. A good child could be ruined in such a way.

Chang Lian also struggled with his appetite, as he hadn’t noticed that his son’s spoilt behavior was becoming a bit too much. He had actually enjoyed matching wits with his son, but now that they were home and the kids were numerous, his son’s stubborn and disobedient nature became immediately evident.

Chang Lian couldn’t help but gaze at Ming Teng, who was causing the most trouble. Ming Teng sat quietly, with his back straight, not even casting his eyes about disorderly while they ate, and he hadn’t made a sound the entire time.

Chang Lian pursed his lips, "Mother."

Zhulan set down her teacup, "Ming Rui is young, but we can’t neglect his education. Young as he is, he should be properly taught. Move Ming Rui’s things into Ming Teng’s room; the two brothers will live together. From now on, Chang Zhi will start his younger brother’s education."

Chang Zhi stood there dumbfounded. How could this matter involve him as well? Teaching Ming Teng alone was enough. He almost addressed her as "mother," but upon meeting his mother’s gaze, he promptly corrected himself, "I will listen to Mother."

He had a profound understanding of his mother’s decisiveness. Thinking of the books he yearned for so much, he had agreed to many conditions from her!

Zhulan hummed in acknowledgment and stood up, "I’m going back to my room first. Second brother and Chang Lian, come over after you’ve finished eating. The rest of you may leave."

After Zhulan left, Zhou’s second elder brother hurriedly said, "Eldest brother, please tell me about the situation in Lizhou Province."

Zhou’s eldest brother internally scoffed. Now, at this time, he affectionately called him ’Eldest Brother,’ not as standoffish as he was at the doorway. What an exasperating brother. Smiling, he said, "Sure, I’ll tell you all about it."

Zhou’s eldest brother recounted everything that had happened, how much Silver Coin was invested and earned by the family, leaving no detail out. Zhou’s eldest brother felt exhilarated by his narrative; he too could take charge and assist Mother.

Second Elder Brother Zhou felt a sinking in his heart. He had been thinking of taking over for his elder brother, but now he realized that his elder brother was handling things very well. The competition was only against his elder brother now, as there was no need to compare with the third and fourth brothers. The two youngest brothers intended to pursue the civil service examinations, which he couldn’t compete with. Now that even his eldest brother had risen, what advantage did he have left?

Chang Lian, unconcerned with his contemplative second brother, really admired his elder brother and knew he must give what was due once they were home. Pulling out a silver note from his pouch, he said, "Eldest brother, this is the money Sister-in-law earned from selling the property. It’s all here."

Zhou’s eldest brother didn’t understand at first, but after Chang Lian explained it again, he finally grasped the situation. One thousand taels! Although it was his wife’s money, it still belonged to the main branch of the family. He was elated but then recalled that his mother hadn’t mentioned a word about it. This could only mean that his two younger brothers had never written about it. Zhou’s eldest brother couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of their jealousy.

He felt uplifted, thinking there were times when his younger brothers envied him. Truly, it was a comforting sentiment!

Lady Li was close to fainting with happiness, "Is this One thousand taels?"

Zhou’s eldest brother affirmed with a smile, "Yes, One thousand taels."

Lady Li quickly stowed it away, "This is the greatest joy since I became pregnant."

With One thousand taels, she could now save up a dowry for her daughter!

Lady Zhao and Lady Dong exchanged a glance. Their attention had all been on the mother-in-law, and only now did they notice that their eldest sister-in-law was pregnant again. They observed her jewelry—all matching sets, and even her cloak appeared newly made. Comparing this with how their youngest sister-in-law dressed, their eldest sister-in-law’s attire was not lacking in the slightest.

Both felt a sourness in their hearts. Was it possible that the mother-in-law was treating their sister-in-law as though she were her own daughter?

A quarter hour later, Zhulan was joined by her second brother and Chang Lian. Upon seeing the second brother holding an account book, she felt a sense of appreciation for his meticulousness. "Let me have a look."

Zhou’s second brother handed over the account book and also presented some Silver Notes, "Mother, this is the Silver from selling the house, and over the past two years, the Silver from selling our grains has been spent on hiring the caravan and escort guards, as well as on purchasing goods from the Mushroom Mountain. After all the expenses on the road, there wasn’t much left."

Without raising her head, Zhulan acknowledged with a sound and signaled for Zhou’s second brother and Chang Lian to sit, "Have some apples, they are from our own orchard."

After the second brother and his sibling responded, they eagerly grabbed an apple each. It was a true delicacy, and they both relished it slowly. As they exchanged looks, they both agreed that there was nothing quite like the comfort of being home.

Zhulan trusted that Zhou’s second brother wouldn’t dare to falsify the accounts. Precisely because he was shrewd, he wouldn’t settle for such trifling gains. With that assurance, she quickly skimmed past the expenditure and focused more on the list of gifts received back home. Zhou’s second brother recorded every gift with meticulous detail—the number of vases, the quantity of paintings and calligraphy, the identities of the givers, and even the estimated values noted beside them.

Zhulan raised an eyebrow; Second Brother Zhou was quite astute, seemingly taking this opportunity to demonstrate his abilities through the account book.

Zhulan calculated the Silver, placing emphasis on the books and the artworks. During the times of war, those who were brave were not short of wealth; and to those who didn’t recognize paintings and calligraphy, they seemed worthless. But in the hands of scholars, they became treasures.

Zhulan inquired, "Have they all been brought over?"

Zhou’s second brother lowered the apple he was holding, "I’ve packed everything in boxes and brought them here. I also arranged everything at our old house just as Mother instructed."

Zhulan closed the account book, "I know you are meticulous, and I feel reassured with you managing things. Tell me now about how your eldest sister’s family is."