Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 447 My Own Mess_1

Chapter 447: Chapter 447 My Own Mess_1

Zhou Shuren had completed the handover in Jinzhou Residence, and the news spread quickly. Upon receiving the message, they all oh-ed in acknowledgment, indicating they were aware.

In the capital, the Emperor was speechless for quite a while after hearing the news. He had started to pay attention, but later couldn’t be bothered anymore; the journey was so slow that those who were waiting for news had lost their interest long ago.

The Crown Prince couldn’t help but laugh internally. Minister Zhou was really too amusing, having exhausted everyone’s patience.

The Emperor suddenly spoke up, "Minister Zhou is truly deeply devoted to the Yang family."

The Crown Prince continued the conversation, "Minister Zhou is a man of sentiment."

The Emperor nodded in agreement, indeed quite a character, and gestured for the Crown Prince to leave. As the Emperor watched him turn around, the usual sharpness in his eyes softened considerably.

As the Crown Prince stepped out of the palace gates, he had barely walked a few steps when he said, "Fifth brother, are you waiting for me?"

Zhang Jinghong fiddled with his Jade Pendant, "Big brother, I haven’t seen you in ages."

The Crown Prince, "Ah, I’ve been somewhat busy recently."

Zhang Jinghong casually asked, "Busy with what? I couldn’t even find big brother in mother’s harem."

The Crown Prince frowned, "Business assigned by father Emperor."

He was indeed busy, busy with accounting. This accounting was a meticulous, step-by-step process, utterly exhausting. These days, he would even dream of calculations; he never expected that the Emperor would task him with accounting!

Zhang Jinghong felt somewhat displeased, "Big brother is guarded even against me, but I am your own blood brother."

The Crown Prince glanced at his blood brother from the corner of his eye. He never expected his own brother would pry into his whereabouts. Children really do grow up. He felt he was the protective older brother, from the same mother, guarding his younger brother. But what was the result? He was too idealistic; his brother had big plans of his own!

With a slight curl of his lips, the Crown Prince said, "I have matters to attend to, I’ll be leaving first."

Zhang Jinghong put down the Jade Pendant in his hand and turned to leave.

In the backyard of the Jinzhou Residence Government Office, after the first meal in Jinzhou, Zhulan called Lady Dong, who was about to go back and tidy up. Zhou Shuren went to organize his study, leaving only Zhulan and Lady Dong in the room.

Lady Dong was nervous, "Mother, do you have any instructions for your daughter-in-law?"

Zhulan inwardly cursed ancient times, but she couldn’t delay consummating the marriage any longer. Otherwise, people might think something wrong with Lady Dong, which would be bad for both her and the Dong family’s reputation, "Silly girl, have you forgotten? It’s time to consummate this year."

Lady Dong’s face flushed red. Of course, she knew; it had been on her mind constantly. Blushing, she said, "I will follow Mother’s lead in all things."

Zhulan adjusted her state of mind, knowing Lady Dong was thin-skinned, and directly stated her decision, "I have chosen the date. The day you two get married will be a good day. Your wedding dress is too small, we’ll have to make a new one in a few days."

Lady Dong’s heart leapt with joy, "Thank you, Mother."

After Lady Dong left, Zhulan picked up a pen to write letters. Zhou Shuren had been promoted, and Zhulan had not yet told her relatives. Now that they had arrived in Jinzhou City, it was time to write to inform them.

The last letter was addressed to Chang Zhi, who had become the son of a Magistrate.

Zhulan thought of Chang Zhi; the lad was sixteen now, but she still hadn’t found a suitable girl for him. She hoped to settle this before Chang Zhi took the imperial examination, to secure a match before others set their sights on him. It would be better to confirm it sooner rather than later.

Only, it was troubling her; at present, there was no suitable girl. She didn’t even consider looking in Jinzhou, as things were too complex here.

The following day, before Zhulan’s family had finished unpacking, she received a visiting card. They couldn’t even wait for her to settle in before sending the card.

Zhou Shuren flipped through it, "No need to meet."

Zhulan caressed her belly, "Until I understand Jinzhou better, I don’t intend to meet anyone. There are plenty of excuses—travel fatigue, poor health due to my pregnancy, who would blame me given my advanced age!

Zhou Shuren was anxious, "You mustn’t always mention it."

Zhulan, "...."

Alright, if the child isn’t born, Zhou Shuren can forget about relaxing.

Word of Zhulan’s response got out and, combined with Zhou Shuren’s daily scowls, somehow rumors spread that the child in Zhulan’s womb was in danger. When Zhou Shuren heard the rumors, his face turned utterly dark, as if confirming the whispers.

Zhulan, speechless, looked to the heavens. Gossip was wildly out of hand, and it was all Zhou Shuren’s fault.

Several days later, the Zhou family’s luggage was finally sorted, and Zhulan had gathered almost all the information she needed. She had experience with hosting banquets.

This time the Zhou family’s reputation was on the line, with too many people eager to see them make a fool of themselves.

Zhulan was acutely aware of this, knowing that quite a few were seeking trouble. She scrutinized everything from the menu to the utensils and, after confirming there were no issues, Zhulan then wrote invitation cards.

While Zhulan had yet to meet the officials’ families, Zhou Shuren’s situation was different. On his first day in office, he had met everyone he should have. Jinzhou City was complex; none respected him, despite his abilities, as he had risen too quickly.

As Magistrate, Zhou Shuren’s only support was the Emperor. But Deputy Magistrate, prefect, and others either had backers or came from prestigious families themselves.

Previous magistrates could hold their own because of their high status, but Zhou Shuren, a scholar of humble origins, still faced difficulties despite the Emperor’s support. The challenges these people posed were subtle, never overt.

For this outsider Zhou Shuren, the initial stint of his work was indeed challenging.

After Zhulan wrote out the invitations, Zhou Shuren said gloomily, "I said we shouldn’t hold it. You could have just rested and taken care of yourself as if the rumors were true. Why go through this trouble?"

Zhulan, "Now that they are making things difficult for you, I naturally want to gather more accurate information from the mouths of the various officials’ families. Not everyone intends to trouble you; some are just helpless."

Zhou Shuren felt pained for Zhulan, "I’m afraid it’s too exhausting for you."

Zhulan smiled, "I’m just moving my lips; it’s not tiring at all."

Zhou Shuren would have been surprised if he believed Zhulan. Hosting a successful banquet required attention to every detail, and Zhulan expended a great deal of effort.

Zhou Shuren, "I never took their difficulties to heart. They may not accept me, but Jinzhou isn’t as urgent as Lizhou City. I have time to play their game slowly."

Zhulan, "But I want to help you, too."

The higher one climbs, the more crucial the social networking of the lady of the house becomes. Do not underestimate the officials’ wives; their information is the most well-informed.

Zhou Shuren held Zhulan’s hand, knowing she empathized with him.

On the day of the Zhou family’s banquet, everyone who received an invitation came; nobody declined. The reason was simple: just like Lady Hua and Lady Miao, they came to witness Zhulan’s embarrassment.

Zhulan’s background, as well as her husband’s, were no secret. In the eyes of some, Zhulan was considered vulgar. Their curiosity was piqued by Zhou Shuren’s high profile and antagonism; they were eager to see what kind of peasant woman Zhulan was.

Therefore, no one made things difficult for Zhulan; they all came. The motive was the same: not only to witness Zhulan’s humiliation but also to see Xue Han’s.

Each family brought their daughters, all of whom were around the same age as Xue Han.

Zhulan admired the officials’ wives’ astonishment as she sipped on fruit juice, waiting for everyone to regain their composure.

The Deputy Magistrate’s wife, Madam Tao, "I have seen Madam."

Zhulan smiled and said, "Yiren, please rise."

Madam Tao stiffly got to her feet, genuinely surprised; she couldn’t see how the Magistrate’s wife resembled a peasant woman at all. Looking at her posture and attire, she could pass for a lady of noble birth.

Upon observing the young Miss of the Zhou family, she fell silent. She had devoted great care to her own daughters but the young Miss of the Zhou family was not much inferior. This realization was hard for Madam Tao to accept.