Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 446 Too Luxurious_1

Chapter 446: Chapter 446 Too Luxurious_1

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren were the only two people in their carriage, with the old Lady Song and others sitting in the carriage behind, and only Song Xing, the coachman, driving the carriage.

Because Song Xing was there, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren didn’t chat much. Instead, they played chess all the way or Zhou Shuren read books to Zhulan.

Song Xing sat outside the carriage with a stern face—he had never seen a couple with a better relationship than Magistrate Zhou and his wife!

There were two pregnant women in the Zhou family, so the carriage did not travel fast. With the snow from the first month not yet melted and the roads flattened, the journey wasn’t bumpy at all, and Zhulan really didn’t suffer.

That evening, they arrived at the post station. With plenty of maids and young servants from home, everything was quickly settled.

Changing the entire room to their own usage, Zhulan felt sentimental, "What I imagined in the past has now all come true."

Zhou Shuren said, "My efforts are all for us to have a better life. What would you like to eat tonight?"

Zhulan replied, "Noodles, and also an egg pancake."

Zhou Shuren gestured for Old Lady Song to go and make arrangements while he stayed with Zhulan.

After dinner, Zhulan felt sleepy and started to yawn, falling asleep not long after.

The convoy was truly vast, and by the time everyone had rested, it was already late, but fortunately, they did not need to rise early the next day.

After Zhulan woke up and everything was packed, they continued on their journey after breakfast. As they moved forward, there were no more post stations, so Zhou Shuren would find villages at night and take Zhulan to stay there.

Zhulan was treated well on the road, with good food and sufficient rest. Despite taking great care of her, Zhou Shuren was still on edge.

Within less than ten days, the entire convoy deeply realized just how much Magistrate Zhou cared about his wife.

Zhulan’s baby in her belly caused no trouble, unlike Zhao’s child who was restless and continuously taking fetus-protecting medicine. Zhulan had not expected that her constitution was actually stronger than Zhao’s.

Indeed, Zhao spent her time indoors embroidering, seldom going out for exercise—how could her constitution be strong?

By comparison, Zhulan grew more confident about childbirth, and with Zhao as a reference, Zhou Shuren’s tense nerves eased somewhat. God knows how tightly wound he had been as Zhulan’s belly grew larger by the day.

Zhulan, who experienced this most deeply, knew Zhou Shuren was anxious, so she tried her best to maintain a good mood, using her heartbeat to tell Zhou Shuren that she and the child were fine.

Anyway, Zhou Shuren was like a ticking bomb at that time—if anyone dared to threaten Zhulan, heh, he would surely explode.

The journey was slow and leisurely, and it took more than a month to reach Jinzhou City, just a few days before the deadline set by the Emperor.

This caused the incumbent Prefect of Jinzhou to continuously send people to inquire about their whereabouts.

Upon arriving in Jinzhou City, Zhou Shuren’s tension significantly relaxed. They had reached their destination, and Zhulan and the child were still in good condition.

The residence behind the Government Office was empty, and Zhulan thought, not without pride, that the top-tier Prefecture with silver surely had more expansive dwellings than Lizhou City, with several small courtyards and pavilions.

Zhou Shuren went to hand over duties. The former Prefect of Jinzhou had been promoted and was in a hurry to return to the capital, so he was eager to complete the handover!

In the back courtyard, there were only two old women who looked after the place. Zhulan called them over and asked, "There are quite a few pavilions and courtyards in the residence; were they all originally here?"

The menial worker replied, "The former Prefect’s concubines were numerous, and there were also many sons and daughters in the family. Because there wasn’t enough space, the Prefect himself had them built."

Zhulan, "..."

Having taken a brief glance at the former Prefect, he didn’t strike her as a lascivious man; appearances can be deceiving.

After asking the menial worker, Zhulan sent her away. Sitting on a chair, she said, "You two, go inside and inspect the place."

The previous Magistrate’s harem was full of strife and competition. She hasn’t watched TV dramas for nothing; it’s always better to be cautious, since you never know what’s inside.

Matron Song is an expert, Zhulan felt reassured, and with Liu Ya accompanying her, she could gain some experience.

Zhulan, with her daughter and daughters-in-law waiting, saw Matron Song come out soon after. Matron Song shook her head, which meant there was nothing to worry about. Zhulan thought about it carefully; the former Magistrate had just left, and if something happened to the newcomers, it would cause quite a stir. It seemed someone had already cleaned up the place.

Zhulan’s gaze lingered on Matron Song and quickly shifted away. The former Magistrate’s wife was truly considerate; she had even left behind a map.

Zhulan allocated the courtyards, "The eldest son’s room will be near the garden, the second son in the courtyard closest to the front, the third in the northeast corner, Xue Han and Wu Ning in the courtyard next to the main house..."

Before long, Zhulan had finished assigning the courtyards; this time, Yushuang and Yu Lu would share one, as both girls were young and needed a smaller courtyard.

After assigning the courtyards, everyone went back to pack their belongings. Thinking of the more than twenty carriages of luggage outside, Zhulan felt a headache coming on; it had taken several days to pack, and it would take several more to organize.

Zhulan waited until the bed was made and the room was warm before lying down to rest.

When she woke up, Zhou Shuren had returned, "Are you done with the handover?"

Zhou Shuren, "It’s done. You haven’t had a careful look at the courtyards, have you? Shall we go out for a walk?"

"I was just thinking the same."

Zhou Shuren got Zhulan a thick cloak, wrapping her up tightly.

Zhulan squirmed uncomfortably, "It’s too thick."

"You’ve just woken up, and you’re sweating; don’t catch cold."

Zhulan, "...."

She felt that she might be more likely to catch a cold when she returned, but seeing Zhou Shuren’s haggard face, she let it be and wore the cloak.

The Government Office residence was really large, with artificial lakes in the gardens, covered walkways, and pleasant scenery, not to mention the numerous winter plums planted throughout. Zhulan whispered, "The former Magistrate really had quite the fortune."

Zhou Shuren said, "Of course, he was the second son of the Anping Marquis Residence."

Zhulan was somewhat familiar with the powers in the capital. The Anping Marquis, unlike the untitled Marquis Yao, was a staunch supporter of the Emperor, earning a fortune from rebellion and indulgence. No wonder they lived so lavishly; now the benefits were theirs, and in a few years, they might benefit someone else.

Having toured the place, Zhulan was overwhelmed with emotion at the extravagance.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren returned to the main house, where they had already placed the valuables into the storeroom and completed the inventory. Zhulan, with Zhou Shuren, went to check again before coming out and locking the door.

Zhou Shuren smiled, "We’ve also accumulated quite a bit for our family."

Zhulan’s mouth twitched, "Wait until our daughter gets married, then you’ll feel that it’s not much at all."

The little she had saved wouldn’t be enough for one girl’s dowry, and considering the number of her own daughters, it seemed quite insufficient. She spat to rid the thought; she remembered the vows Chang Lian had taken.

Zhou Shuren fell silent for a while, "I think your decision to establish properties for each household is good."

"So?"

"Don’t let them waste silver frivolously; invest the silver in property."

Zhulan nodded in agreement. She had calculated thoroughly: the higher Zhou Shuren climbed, the better the marriages for their granddaughters, and the dowries would have to be upgraded. Ha, the speed at which she and Zhou Shuren were accumulating money wasn’t enough for the dowries of a few girls.

Therefore, she would firmly support property investment in the future, to save up more silver.