Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 418 Relief_1

Chapter 418: Chapter 418 Relief_1

Steward Ding didn’t want to worry the mistress, but it was difficult to broach the topic given it pertained to Miss Wu’s reputation. "Mistress, you should come see for yourself!" he said.

Upon hearing this, Zhulan grew even more anxious and, taking Zhou Shuren by the arm, said, "Let’s go have a look."

The two quickly made their way to the front courtyard through the garden gate. Zhulan was genuinely curious why Wu Ning had climbed a tree, and especially why she did so in the front courtyard.

By the time Zhulan arrived, Xue Han and Wu Ning were standing there dumbfounded. Zhulan’s gaze fell upon the tree; it was quite tall but seemed easy to climb. Puckering her lips, she noted that Xue Han and Wu Ning were well-disciplined. The front courtyard was where Zhou Shuren received guests—why then had these two maids ventured here to climb a tree?

Shifting her gaze from the tree, she turned to Shi Qing who stood to the side. His clothes were somewhat disheveled, and since it had rained the day before, not all of the courtyard was paved with stone bricks. The mud had soiled Shi Qing’s light-colored clothes, and Zhulan also noticed a girl’s shoe prints.

With a furrowed brow, she instructed Steward Ding, "The needlework room has just finished making new clothes that haven’t been distributed to the rooms yet. Take Young Master Shi to change into Third Master’s clothes, and have the ones he’s wearing now washed."

Shi Qing’s face showed no excess of emotion, but he was inwardly despondent. He wasn’t the type to play hero; however, at the Zhou residence without a young servant by his side, he couldn’t just stand by and let a guest of the Zhou family fall, especially since he hadn’t yet been accepted as a disciple.

He really had no ulterior motives. He was unmarried, and naturally, no one wished to marry their daughter to him, but he wouldn’t scheme against the Zhou family’s guest before having been accepted as a disciple.

There was no denying she was a guest; he had a good memory, and even though he hadn’t seen the young Miss Zhou in years, he still recognized her.

Shi Qing adjusted his attitude and said, "This student will take his leave."

Zhou Shuren watched Shi Qing and then said, "Once you’ve changed, Steward Ding will bring Young Master Shi to my study."

Steward Ding surreptitiously gave Shi Qing an extra glance. The first time Young Master Shi was turned away at the door, but this time he was able to enter smoothly, a visit early instructed by the master himself. And now he could even enter the master’s study—they had to be even more polite toward him now. "Understood," the steward replied.

Shi Qing felt his heart tighten. He had wandered Lizhou Province for seven days, unsure of what Prefect Zhou would test him on later, his confidence waning by the minute.

After Zhou Shuren left for the study, Zhulan pressed on her temples and said, "The two of you, come back with me."

Xue Han hung her head low; the events of the day were all her fault, and her eyes reddened.

Wu Ning had by now regained her composure, clutching her handkerchief and gently pulling Xue Han’s hand. "It’s not your fault, I’m fine," she whispered.

Xue Han shook her head. "It is my fault. I shouldn’t have brought you to the front courtyard without thinking it through."

Wu Ning lowered her voice. "You were trying to help me."

She had been living and eating with Xue Han, who had noticed she was troubled. Xue Han simply wanted her to break free from her emotional shackles, which was why she’d had the servants lure her to climb the tree. Xue Han had hoped it would help her overcome her fears, not expecting there would be someone else there today.

Xue Han, head lowered, inwardly cursed Shi Qing. Her father was off duty today, so no one would normally visit the house—ahem, there might have been visitors in the past, but when off duty, father never met with anyone, and gradually everyone knew not to expect an audience with Prefect Zhou on his days off.

It was precisely because she knew they wouldn’t be disturbed that she dared to bring Miss Wu to the front courtyard; who would have thought it would be such a coincidence, and to encounter a guest who didn’t need to be announced? Frustration seeped into her. Xue Han sneakily glanced at her mother walking ahead, her face turning red. She had always been very proper over the past few years, never making a mistake in the circles of young ladies in Prefecture City—today was truly a disaster, and it happened in front of outsiders in the front courtyard.

Back in the main courtyard, Xue Han was frantic. "Mother, however you want to punish me is fine, but please, you must tell father not to let Young Master Shi spread rumors."

The reputation of Miss Wu was already poor; if word spread that she was rescued by a man, what would happen to her? Xue Han truly felt like crying.

Wu Ning pursed her lips, relieved that at least this was Lizhou Province, not her own household. She hadn’t caused trouble for her brothers. Wiping away Xue Han’s tears, she said, "Auntie, this is all my fault and has nothing to do with Sister Xue Han. I shouldn’t have encouraged her to go to the front courtyard. It was I who wanted to climb the tree."

Xue Han was stunned for a moment then hastily objected, "Mother, it’s me. Miss Wu is our guest. I was the one who had the servants leave. It’s all on me; I urged her to climb the tree."

Wu Ning tried to cover Xue Han’s mouth; she would rather bear the burden alone, at least sparing Xue Han from any impact. Why was this girl so stubborn? She wasn’t from Lizhou Province; the gentleman from before didn’t even know who she was. She feared he might target Xue Han, and if he claimed to have saved her, that would be terrible. Ever since realizing the maliciousness of people’s hearts, she had become truly afraid of men.

Even though the gentleman had saved her, she couldn’t bring herself to trust him.

Zhulan listened as the two sisters took turns shouldering the blame, and a hint of a smile appeared on her otherwise stern face. She wasn’t worried about Shi Qing talking, because he dared not and would not do so. On the contrary, Shi Qing would keep his mouth even tighter shut, fearing the Zhou family might misunderstand that it was he who had spoken about the incident.

Now, with both Xue Han and Wu Ning considering each other’s well-being, Zhulan felt reassured. "Enough, stop putting the blame on yourselves. Now tell me, why did you want to climb the tree?"

There were also trees in the garden, so why go to the front courtyard? Right, the trees in the garden were too short, and climbing them held no thrill.

Wu Ning rushed to recount the events. This time, she didn’t hold anything back. Despite her short stay, she knew she couldn’t hide anything from her aunt, and today’s events required her aunt’s intervention to resolve.

After hearing the whole story, Zhulan understood that Xue Han had good intentions and Wu Ning had climbed up in an attempt to break through her mental barriers. Looking at Wu Ning, Zhulan saw that although she had gained weight, she was still very thin, her clothes for the incoming autumn merely giving the appearance of bulk. In truth, Wu Ning’s frame was still lacking in flesh. Unless her inner turmoil was resolved, Wu Ning’s health stood little chance of improvement.