Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 397 Knife Hanging Overhead_1

Chapter 397: Chapter 397 Knife Hanging Overhead_1

Zhou Shuren looked at Zhou Changyi, who was kneeling on the ground, with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, "What are you kneeling for? Get up."

Zhou Changyi didn’t dare to get up. He truly didn’t know what his mother-in-law had done; his defense of her was only to avoid being looked down upon by his brothers. So even though he knew there were certain issues, he never inquired. But now, not only had his father spoken bluntly, but he also seemed very disappointed in him.

His father’s gaze was cold now, a coldness that should not be directed at one’s son, as if he was looking at a stranger. He couldn’t feel a trace of familial affection. At least when his mother was disappointed in him, she would warn him, and he had an understanding—because he knew that as children, no matter the mistake, parents would certainly forgive.

Just like in Pingzhou, Chang Lian too had made mistakes. Father and mother had disciplined him sternly, yet they still treated Chang Lian well. He had thought that as long as he didn’t cross the line, everything would be fine.

But today, his father’s attitude had left him feeling like he had fallen into an ice cellar, "Father, I was wrong."

Zhou Shuren looked at Zhou Changyi indifferently. He and Zhulan had always given much more to the Zhou family than they received in return. Zhulan had taken on the role of a mother, and he had slowly started to feel like a father. He thought that since he was a father, parents shouldn’t be too nitpicky with their children, but not being nitpicky didn’t mean tolerating everything.

Zhulan stood up; she didn’t want to see how Zhou Shuren would discipline Chang Yi. Her disappointment in Chang Yi and Chang Lian was different. Chang Lian at least had some conscience, but with Chang Yi, she only saw indifference. She had almost forgotten the plot of the novel, but she still remembered when Chang Yi left the Zhou family with his wife and child.

She had previously refused to make malicious assumptions, because the novel was just that—a novel, and this was reality. A few lines of text didn’t represent everything, and besides, none of it had happened.

Unfortunately, she had been too presumptuous, thinking she could properly educate the Zhou children. Add to that Zhou Changyi’s ability to feign sincerity—if it hadn’t been for the incident in Pingzhou, she would have been completely fooled.

Zhou Changyi, hearing the footsteps, lifted his head and saw only his mother’s receding figure, which left him panicking. His body reacted faster than his mind and he quickly grabbed her wrist, "Mother, I was wrong, I’ll change. Please don’t ignore me."

Zhulan turned her head to look at Zhou Changyi, who was sweating profusely in his anxiety. His reaction was instinctual, the desperation on his face was genuine, but Zhulan was unyielding when she needed to be. She pressed down on Zhou Changyi’s hand, forcibly pulling it away before quickly turning around and leaving.

Zhulan could see clearly: Chang Lian was like a young tree whose branches had grown crooked, and she could simply cut them off to fix the issue. Chang Yi, on the other hand, was nearly fully grown. She and Zhou Shuren had only pruned the branches for a few years; the main trunk remained as it had always been.

Moreover, what Zhou Changyi had learned from her and Zhou Shuren was mostly how to scheme. Her knife really couldn’t cut it; only Zhou Shuren’s could. And even if they were to cut it from the root, it still ended up growing crooked.

As Zhulan thought, she and Zhou Shuren had done right by their original selves. Their children were each different, and she and Zhou Shuren had lived up to their responsibilities. Even if they were to meet the original couple one day, they could stand tall.

Zhou Changyi stared blankly as his mother, without saying a word to him, walked away. He didn’t understand what he had done wrong. He didn’t feel that he was any different from Chang Lian, yet why didn’t his parents treat him the same way they treated Chang Lian? Zhou Changyi turned his head, "Father?"

Having seen Zhulan leave, Zhou Shuren no longer felt the need to pretend to be the original persona. Without that facade, Zhou Changyi was little more than a somewhat familiar stranger to him, "Look at the expression in your eyes. You’re discontent, aren’t you? Do you think that just because Chang Lian has made mistakes as well, why haven’t I done anything, but my attitude towards you two is different?"

Zhou Changyi’s rising indignation deflated in an instant, "Father, I don’t."

Zhou Shuren set down his teacup, stood up, and circled Zhou Changyi twice, scoffing, "Then let me tell you where you differ from Chang Lian. Chang Lian isn’t as cold-hearted as you are. For starters, you concealed the appearance of Madame Zhao, never considering the impact on the entire Zhou family should trouble arise. This shows how selfish you are. Secondly, you took advantage of the Qian family’s goodwill without a single thought of returning the favor. You must feel relieved, don’t you, with a family that has never stooped to serve as merchants’ servants. Your initial reaction was one of delight, which reveals your lack of empathy."

Although Zhou Shuren did not involve himself in Zhou Changyi’s and Chang Lian’s affairs, he knew all he needed to know from talking with Zhulan. Zhou Changyi claimed to have refused the supplementary dowry for Madame Zhao from the Qian family, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t accepted other forms of silver from them. Otherwise, how could he afford to buy two shops and an orchard?

Zhou Changyi felt as though he stood naked before his father, his most secretive thoughts laid bare, articulated by his father with pinpoint accuracy. He dared not meet his father’s eyes.

Zhou Shuren narrowed his eyes, "Lift your head."

Zhou Changyi slowly and stiffly lifted his head; his father seemed like a stranger today, and he felt nothing but coldness in his heart.

Zhou Shuren spoke icily, "The only thing you’ve learned from us is how to scheme. Do you think that one day, the whole Zhou family will become the target of your schemes?"

Zhou Changyi was terrified, "Father, I haven’t done anything. You’ve said that scheming against outsiders is acceptable, but never against our own family. I haven’t done it."

Zhou Shuren said sarcastically, "You may not have schemed openly, but you’ve always been exploiting the situation. Didn’t you just take advantage of Chang Zhi and Xue Mei? Do you believe that among the entire family, only you and your wife possess intelligence?"

Zhou Changyi swallowed hard, wondering why Chang Lian and Xue Mei were brought up. He wanted to curry favor and also to conceal his true thoughts.

Zhou Shuren stood up, "You and Madame Zhao bought an orchard in Chuanzhou Province, didn’t you? I think you must still have enough silver to purchase a mansion. Once you return from Pingzhou, you and your wife should move there. Without my permission, do not come back. The children will stay behind; if they are left in your care, I won’t be at ease."

Zhou Changyi was stunned, thinking he must have misheard, "Father, are you driving me away?"

Zhou Shuren, "You can take it that way if you wish. Changyi, you should be pleased. Amidst my difficulties, for the safety and fortune of the entire Zhou family, I will not divide the family holdings. Not yet, at least. Otherwise, your second wife’s branch would have to split off today."

Zhou Changyi broke out in a cold sweat. His father’s blunt words made it clear that not dividing the family was purely to prevent his brothers from dragging down the entire Zhou clan. Indeed, he should be grateful, at least that he wasn’t being sent away just yet.

Zhou Shuren sat down and said, "Your mother and I are different. Today, it was she who was willing to give you a chance—remember, this is your only chance. Right, considering you two have been out and about, manage yourselves well. Just because there’s no division now doesn’t mean you’re safe. There’s also the matter of adoption; there are those in the clan lacking sons."

After all, he certainly didn’t lack for unwilling sons—he even had too many for his liking!

Zhou Changyi wasn’t just stunned this time; he was completely flabbergasted. The word ’adoption’ hung over him like a guillotine. Today he had seen his father’s ruthlessness, undisguised. Looking into his father’s calm eyes, he knew everything he said was true.

He was certain that the only person his father cared about was his mother. Thinking of her, Zhou Changyi cried. It was said that a child with a mother is a treasure. How true that was—if he hadn’t had her, today would not only involve leaving, but he feared his father would find it bothersome and adopt him out instead. He always felt that adoption was what his father truly wanted to do.