Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 406: Overcoming Relative Ties_1

Chapter 406: Chapter 406: Overcoming Relative Ties_1

Zhulan waited until Zhou Shuren left, then carefully looked over the list of gifts from the Qian family: not only ginseng, but other valuable medicinal herbs as well. Zhulan fell silent; the heavier the Qian family’s gifts, the more silver Lady Fang had taken. Fortunately, it was sorted out before any enmity had set in.

She and Zhou Shuren never underestimated anyone. While Silver Coin was alive, he had always emphasized his descendants’ education. With many children and a strong foundation in the Qian family, if any adult sought to motivate them by viewing the Zhou family as enemies, any one of them who managed to stand out would spell trouble for the Zhou family in the future.

Zhulan, having witnessed Lady Fang’s greed this time, was not afraid of her scheming, because everyone harbors their little schemes—she herself initially strove to be fair, but later found that unattainable.

However, she detested greed. Greed inflates desires without limit, and she thought it would be better if Lady Fang stayed in Lizhou Province, and for good.

Early the next day, Zhou Shuren, who had just returned, sat in a carriage loaded with already packed luggage, bound for Chuanzhou Province.

Ming Rui had always lived with Ming Teng; Ming Teng was loud, and Ming Rui restless. The two brothers got along as if they were one person. After Zhou Shuren and his wife departed, young Ming Rui cried, consoled by Ming Teng, but was better by the following day.

It was Yushuang who, though aware of the situation, hadn’t recovered for a spell and appeared quite wilted the day after.

Zhulan called Yushuang over, "With your uncle gone, and spring plowing over, your grandmother has quite a bit to deal with. I was hoping you could help out."

Blinking her beautiful eyes, Yushuang had long wished to assist her grandmother, just like her aunt, "Grandmother, how can I help you?"

Zhulan smiled, "Grandmother would like Yushuang to help your aunt manage the kitchen’s procurement and accounting."

Yushuang nodded excitedly, "Grandmother, I can do arithmetic. I’ll help aunt manage the accounts well."

Zhulan pinched Yushuang’s cheek, "Grandmother trusts you."

Over two months had passed since Zhou Shuren and his wife left, and when Zhou the Elder returned to Lizhou Province, the peak of the August heat had already subsided.

Zhou the Elder sent a message ahead of his arrival, and by nearly noon, Zhulan, accompanied by Xue Han, was waiting at the entrance for Wu Ning.

Not long after Zhulan had been waiting at the entrance, a caravan arrived—six horse-drawn carriages, with Zhou the Elder in the lead.

After Zhou the Elder dismounted, "Mother, your son has returned."

Zhulan noticed that Zhou the Elder had lost a considerable amount of weight after two months in the summer, "You’ve worked hard."

Zhou the Elder, now much tanner, grinned, "Mother, your son is fine."

At that moment, Wu Ning, supported by her Maid, stepped down from the carriage. Emotional at seeing her aunt waiting to receive her at the entrance, Wu Ning hurried forward to greet her, "Auntie, as the junior, I am embarrassed that you have had to wait for me at the entrance."

Zhulan took Wu Ning’s hand, her once plump figure now just skin and bones, thoughts of Lady Li flooding her mind as she walked with Wu Ning into the courtyard, "Auntie couldn’t wait to see you and came out to wait. Look how thin you’ve become; you must have suffered on the journey."

Wiping her eyes with a handkerchief, Wu Ning had been unable to eat ever since her grandmother’s passing, having been raised by her from a young age. Her grandmother’s passing meant the loss of the person who cherished her most, and she was in pain, "Auntie, I’m not suffering."

Zhulan gave her daughter a look, and Xue Han quickly moved to take Wu Ning’s other hand, "I knew you were coming and had my room tidied for you, but now I’ve changed my mind. I want to live with you. Wu Ning, can we stay together?"

Wu Ning paused, her eyes reddening further. Xue Han had noticed her introspection and wanted to keep her company, gripping Xue Han’s hand tightly, "Okay."

Zhulan instructed Liu Ya, "Send the luggage Miss Wu brought with her to my daughter’s room. The sisters haven’t seen each other for a long time; let them stay together."

Liu Ya complied, "Yes."

Zhulan led Wu Ning to the main courtyard, followed by two maids and an elderly maid that came with Wu Ning.

After she had Wu Ning seated, Wu Ning suddenly remembered the letter from her brother and frantically gestured to the elderly maid accompanying her, "Bring the letter from my brother."

The elderly maid hastily presented the letter, "Miss, here’s the letter."

Wu Ning took the letter and handed it over, "Auntie, this is a letter from my brother for you."

Zhulan opened the letter to find a list and a silver note enclosed. In Wu Ming’s letter, he detailed that the items on the list were partly to make up for the Dragon Boat Festival gifts and partly for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival. The silver note was for one hundred taels, intended for the Zhou family to use for Wu Ning’s expenses. Other than that, he didn’t elaborate much. Zhulan put away the letter; Wu Ming truly trusted her and Zhou Shuren.

Zhulan kept the silver note, planning to give New Year gift money in return to Wu Ning. She accepted it now to reassure Wu Ning, for she was particularly sensitive at this time. Had she refused, Wu Ning might have felt unsettled in her new residence.

Sure enough, after Zhulan accepted the Silver Coin, Wu Ning let out a sigh of relief. Zhulan said, smiling, "We’ll have lunch soon. Xue Han, why don’t you take Wu Ning to wash up and change clothes? After lunch, you should rest, and after resting, we can have a chat."

Worry had consumed Wu Ning throughout the journey, even though her brother assured her to consider the Zhou’s as her own family. Having anticipated this for so long, the tension finally broke. She indeed lacked the energy to talk, "Auntie, I’ll go freshen up now."

Zhulan patted Wu Ning’s hand, "Go with Xue Han."

Xue Han stood up, holding Wu Ning’s hand, "Wu Ning, come with me."

After Wu Ning left, Lady Li couldn’t help but express her feelings, "Mother, that girl has grown so thin she looks transformed."

Zhulan responded, "Then you should be kinder to her; the child is indeed pitiable."

Lady Li murmured, "Mother, finding a match for this child won’t be easy."

Zhulan, "..."

Indeed, it would be difficult. She was orphaned at a young age, and now before growing up, both her grandparents had passed away. The Wu family’s children had a reputation for cursing their kin, and now that rumor would grow even louder.