Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 394: Taking the Father’s Place_1

Chapter 394: Chapter 394: Taking the Father’s Place_1

Zhulan was thrilled, and what pleased her most was Lady Li’s trust. As for Lady Dong, Lady Dong only wanted to please her.

Each household discussed the matter upon returning; Zhou eldest brother was dumbfounded. Lady Li had indeed not consulted him, but, Lady Li did a good job!

Zhou second brother fell silent for a while. He trusted his mother, but like his wife, Zhao, he preferred to keep a reserve and liked to test his own abilities, so Zhou second brother had no reason to complain about Zhao.

Chang Lian praised Lady Dong, "Well done. Mother truly has a knack for seizing silver coins. With the household’s silver coins in Mother’s hands, our annual income will surely increase."

Lady Dong was happy to have made the right move, "What you said is right, Husband. From now on, I will surely listen more to Mother."

Chang Lian looked at Lady Dong. He knew the uneasiness in her heart. Recalling what his father had said in the study, the more the Emperor favored him, the more likely it was for people to try to take them down by framing his father. Thus, his father made it clear: the Zhou family had no tradition of taking concubines, and if someone, for their own profit, disregarded the whole Zhou family, his father would be merciless.

Chang Lian held Lady Dong’s hand, "Let me assure you, our old Zhou family does not take concubines, not now, nor in the future. Rest easy, I will stay true only to you for my whole life."

Lady Dong’s heart pounded fiercely. Had she attained what her mother never could in her lifetime? Lady Dong bit her lip, "What if I cannot bear a son?"

Chang Lian grew silent, pondering his father’s words, "I have many brothers, and there will be plenty of nephews. If they are all girls, then I will adopt."

Lady Dong, clutching her husband’s hand, blinked and said, "If we truly have no son and must adopt, then let us adopt from eldest brother’s family."

She dismissed the consideration of the second brother’s family; Ming Rui was indeed very smart, but thinking of the second brother and his wife, she just couldn’t warm up to them. Despite Ming Teng’s rowdiness, she quite liked him. Although she was jealous of the eldest sister-in-law, deep down she did recognize the character of both the eldest sister-in-law and eldest brother.

Chang Lian said with a smile, "That’s exactly what I was thinking."

Forget about the second brother, he thought. Despite being brothers for so many years, he had never truly understood the second brother’s deep and inscrutable thoughts. Today’s performance of the second sister-in-law further cemented his resolve. As for Chang Zhi, he didn’t want to worry about it.

That evening, the Zhou family prepared a table full of dishes, this year amounting to sixteen different dishes. With so much variety, they actually ate less. Over the years, the Zhou family’s bellies had become well-fed, and their tastes had grown choosy!

The whole family was lively and bustling, and because they were staying up to bring in the new year, none had gone to rest. With many scholars in the house, they played a game guessing word riddles to win silver coins.

Each person posed a riddle, designating someone to answer. If the answer was not forthcoming, the guesser would pay a hundred copper coins; if answered correctly, the riddler would pay a hundred copper coins.

Zhou Shuren decided not to participate and sat on the kang watching with Zhulan.

After a few rounds, the Zhou eldest brother stopped playing, scowling, "You’re taking it too far, you know. When shearing wool, you all come straight for me, specifically targeting me is just bullying."

In a short while, he had parted with two silver taels. The household silver had been turned over to Lady Li by mother, and now he only had this year’s New Year silver left. The eldest household was indeed poor!

Zhou second brother chuckled, "Eldest brother, we agreed earlier that no one is allowed to quit."

Chang Lian joined in, "Yes, eldest brother, we are brothers after all. We come to you only to give you a chance to earn some silver, right?"

Chang Zhi laughed heartily, "Eldest brother, we’re all on your side."

Zhou eldest brother spat out, "Thanks a lot."

All these annoying younger brothers, he really preferred the quiet, hassle-free New Year’s he spent with father and mother last year!

Zhulan saw Lady Li so anxious she nearly wanted to join the game herself. Zhulan was, after all, biased. She pulled Ming Teng, who was enjoying the spectacle, "Go and relieve your father."

Ming Teng had been anxious for a while, as he received a monthly allowance, but when compared with his elder brother’s, his allowance was nothing but a distant concept he never got to touch. Aware of how his home’s silver went straight to grandma, he stood up, "In ancient times, sons went to war in place of their fathers; today, a son solves riddles in place of his father. Father, let me do this for you."

Zhou Shuren was touched by the boy’s enthusiasm, "Good, good."

Chang Lian and Chang Yi were unaware of Ming Teng’s capability.

But Chang Zhi knew very well since he had taught the boy himself. Though Ming Teng’s talent was not remarkable, he was clever and agile-minded, and he adored solving riddles and playing word games. Chang Zhi had often used riddles to encourage the boy to memorize poetry and study!

Zhulan enjoyed the lively scene, watching Zhou Shuren and Chang Lian picking on Ming Teng only to end up losing their silver to him. The two brothers couldn’t believe it.

Mingyun might have been a different story since Zhou Shuren and Chang Lian knew him to be talented, but they truly couldn’t believe that Ming Teng could be so formidable.

After a few rounds, a pile of copper coins had accumulated in front of Ming Teng.

Only then did Zhou Shuren and Chang Lian realize that ever since Ming Teng had started, Chang Zhi hadn’t once challenged him. They exchanged glances, grinding their teeth in frustration. They thought about getting back at Chang Zhi, but seeing his smug grin, they held back.

Zhulan watched the excitement, and Zhou Shuren smiled contentedly. Zhulan thought to herself how wonderful it would be if every New Year could be this lively and harmonious. Alas, it was just a fleeting thought.

After the dumpling feast in the evening, each household returned to their own courtyards. Having triumphed mightily today, Ming Teng had earned a good sum of silver. Right after his meal, he dashed off with his silver, afraid Lady Li might take it from him again.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren lay down to rest. "It’s the fourth year already," Zhulan remarked, "time really flies."

"Indeed, four years," Zhou Shuren replied.

Zhulan, feeling drowsy from her habit of sleeping early and the exhaustion of staying awake for the New Year’s Eve, mumbled a response and soon fell asleep.

Zhou Shuren kissed Zhulan’s forehead and also drifted off to sleep.

Back in Li Family Village, Lady Li’s mother was struggling to sleep, "As we age, we reap the benefits bestowed by our daughter. Yet, I don’t know if she’s living well. Our daughter has no particular skills; if she were wronged, she would only cry by herself."

Lady Li’s father reassured her, "You always overthink. If our daughter were not doing well, would she be able to send us so much silver and food? Look at the New Year gifts from our in-laws, you can tell they treat our daughter well!"

Recalling the respectful attitude of the servants, Lady Li’s mother smiled, "It seems I really was overthinking."

She hadn’t expected her simple daughter to be blessed with such fortune, bringing benefits to her own family as well. Now within ten miles, who didn’t treat the Li family with respect?

The next morning, the first day of the New Year, no children from neighboring families came to pay New Year’s respects. However, Zhulan did receive greetings from the servants. She had prepared red envelopes for everyone, not much for each person; the steward and the maids received five taels of silver, while the young servants and maidservants received two taels of silver each.

These were specially made upon Zhulan’s request, a custom she had learned from Mr. Chen’s family, for their attractive appearance and auspicious symbolism.

On the second day of the New Year, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren visited her parents’ home. The whole family went to the Yang family, who were celebrating their first year of settlement in Prefecture City, naturally hoping for as lively a time as possible.

Zhulan’s second brother’s family had also returned. Zhulan met Wu He, who had scars on his face, though not too deep, leaving some visible marks.

Seeing Wu He’s scars, Zhulan thought of Wu Dong and couldn’t help her eyes from reddening, "Let Auntie have a good look at you."

Wu He grinned and called out, "Auntie."

Zhulan quickly managed to compose herself. On this day of the New Year, one should smile, and that’s what Wu Dong would have wanted to see.