Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 400: Surprise_1

Chapter 400: Chapter 400: Surprise_1

Time flew swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, it was April once more, ushering in another annual provincial examination. Thankfully, due to Zhou Shuren’s scholarship policy, this year there were quite a few candidates from Lizhou Province sitting the exam for Scholar, not all of whom were originally from other regions coming back to take the test.

Of those who passed the preliminary examination, a hundred were selected, from which thirty were conferred the title of Scholar. Compared to Jiangnan, Lizhou Province had a relatively high success rate.

Zhulan wasn’t overly concerned with the examination; she was more attentive to Lady Li’s growing belly. Lady Li had been pregnant for over nine months now, and the birth was imminent.

Even though Lady Li had already given birth to three children, Zhulan remained worried.

Zhou Shuren returned home somewhat later than usual today, as it was the day the results of the provincial examination were announced, and he had encountered the government granary students.

Zhou Shuren’s face was full of joy, "It was not in vain that I devised a way to provide the subsidy. Guess how many of the thirty Scholars are from other regions."

Seeing the smile on Zhou Shuren’s face, Zhulan knew the proportion must be quite small, "Eight people?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head, "Only five, just five people from other regions passed as Scholars. Haha, excellent, the local students have not let me down with their performance."

Zhulan was genuinely surprised. Those who could return to their native place to sit for the child prodigy exam invariably came from families that were either official or well-off; she knew that if it weren’t for the subsidy originally proposed by Zhou Shuren, there wouldn’t have been many locals taking the exam this year.

This too was one of Zhou Shuren’s achievements, and Zhulan’s eyes sparkled, "Among these twenty-five locals, how many do you think will be able to participate in next year’s imperial examination?"

Zhou Shuren squinted his eyes, "Of these twenty-five individuals, the oldest is merely thirty-five years old, and the youngest twenty-two, all in their prime years. Provided they have a good mentor, they should all be able to take part in next year’s imperial examination."

Zhulan smiled. No wonder Zhou Shuren was so delighted. No one would scorn political achievements, and even Zhou Shuren was no exception to this.

Following the conclusion of the provincial examination, a heavy rain fell upon Lizhou City. Spring rain was as precious as oil, and after the downpour had ended, the apple trees blossomed.

This year in Lizhou City, the children no longer scoured the hillsides for wild vegetables; instead, they played in the fields. On his days off, Zhou Shuren enjoyed strolling around the vicinity with Zhulan, and she felt pride for his accomplishments.

It was during this time that Lady Li’s parents arrived at the Zhou residence.

Zhulan had written to Xue Mei, instructing her to speak with the Li family. Firstly, because Lady Li had not seen her parents for two years, and Zhulan wanted to surprise her; and secondly, because Zhulan wished to speak with the Li family herself, as they were the ones she trusted more.

Zhulan was greeting Lady Lixu at the doorway when she sent Liu Ya to notify Lady Li, whose eyes went wide with disbelief as she entered the main hall, rubbing her eyes, "Am I dreaming?"

Tears welled in Lady Lixu’s eyes as she saw her daughter, well-dressed and evidently well-treated. Upon receiving a slap from her daughter, Lady Lixu’s tears disappeared, and she laughed off the pain, "You’re really not afraid to hit hard, does it hurt?"

Lady Li’s eyes reddened, "It hurts, woo woo, you’re too kind, mother."

Lady Lixu extended her arm to stop her daughter, fearing she might bump her stomach, but all she managed was to stretch out her hand as her daughter rushed into her mother-in-law’s arms.

Lady Lixu, "...."

She felt strangely as though her daughter had become her mother-in-law’s daughter!

Zhulan was taken aback, but quickly regained composure and patted Lady Li on the back, reassuring Lady Lixu, "She’s just ecstatic."

Lady Lixu, "...."

Without an explanation, she wouldn’t have felt the sting, but now it stung her heart—staring at her vexing daughter. She and her husband had been worried about hurrying on the journey, and look, this girl had taken her mother-in-law for her own mother. Yet inside, she smiled again. It was good to be a mother; having her mother-in-law’s protection was how the silly lass could live well.

Lady Li straightened up; she really was momentarily moved. Her parents must have been invited by her mother-in-law; otherwise, given their nature, they certainly wouldn’t have come to see her just because she was giving birth. It wasn’t just about not wanting to spend the silver, but also about not wanting to be seen as the poor relatives of the Zhou family. Her parents were afraid that the Zhou family would disdain the Li family.

Lady Li took her mother’s hand, "Mother, you and father have had a hard time on the road."

Lady Lixu’s rough hands caressed her daughter’s delicate hand, "Traveling? That’s nothing compared to hard labor back home. Actually, I came to enjoy your blessings."

With the fifty taels of silver from her daughter, as well as the jewelry she sent back, she was confident. Even if she wasn’t at home to oversee things, the daughters-in-law would look after the house well to curry favor and get good things from her. Moreover, they had bought an ox, so her sons would have an easier time. There was nothing left at home for her to worry about.

Zhulan spoke, "Let’s not all stand around talking. Mother-in-law, please sit."

Zhou Shuren hastily helped his father-in-law to sit down first, then after his in-laws were seated, he helped Lady Li sit down before finally taking a seat himself.

Lady Lixu’s smile deepened, "Mother-in-law, I hardly dared recognize you at first. It’s been two years, and mother-in-law seems to be getting younger."

Zhulan coughed. Lately, she too was more willing to look in the mirror. Having aged another year, she feared more wrinkles, "I’m forty now, old already."

Lady Lixu spoke the truth; she looked older compared to her mother-in-law, who really hadn’t changed much in two years, "Mother-in-law is still very young. I’m the old one here, already fifty. It’s thanks to mother-in-law that I could come to Lizhou Prefecture City today; otherwise, I would have spent my life cooped up at home."

Zhulan smiled, "Inviting you here, first of all, Lady Li is about to give birth, and she suffered a lot during this pregnancy. Despite her careless facade, she worries about home. Secondly, there are matters I wanted to discuss with our families."

Lady Lixu had no expectations of her husband managing things at home; the Li family women took charge of external matters because the men of the Li family were simple and honest, "Xue Mei has told us everything, mother-in-law. You just say the word, and we’re here to help."

Zhulan pressed Lady Lixu’s hand, "Our two families are related by marriage."

Zhulan left her next words unsaid.

Lady Lixu understood. Mother-in-law meant that the Li family were not servants to the Zhou family; this time, it was a partnership.

Lady Lixu felt completely at ease; the status of the Zhou family had changed, but their attitude towards their in-laws had not. She admired her mother-in-law’s foresight once again.

Lady Lixu clapped her hands, "Look at my memory, I’ve brought a lot of pine nuts and other mountain goods. I remember mother-in-law loves them. We don’t have much to offer from home, so I hope mother-in-law won’t disdain them."

"Not at all, not at all. You can’t buy these in Lizhou City; these are precious goods indeed."

Zhou Shuren brought back quite a bit when he arrived; Mr. Chen indulged and took a lot with him. Every household took some, and by April, nothing was left at home. When Zhou Shuren went to Pingzhou, Zhulan specifically asked him to bring back more!

Zhao’s face reddened hearing this; her mother had brought nothing when coming, and not once during their move had she sent any gifts, despite knowing her mother had plenty of silver. Compared to her elder sister-in-law’s maternal home, Zhao felt utterly embarrassed.

Zhulan, seeing the fatigue on Lady Lixu’s face, said, "Mother-in-law, you must be tired from the journey; rest first. We can talk more later in the evening."

Lady Lixu indeed felt exhausted; at nearly fifty and anxious about her daughter’s childbirth, she had rushed all the way. Her strength was failing her, "Mother-in-law, then I will go rest first."

"All right, if there’s anything, just ask Shuren to do it. You should also enjoy the privilege of having a son-in-law."

Lady Lixu smiled, "Good."