Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 448 About to Give Birth_1

Chapter 448: Chapter 448 About to Give Birth_1

After greeting everyone, Zhulan took her seat; this year’s gathering was exclusively for the ladies. With a smile, Zhulan said, "I didn’t know what everyone liked, so I prepared a bit of everything—please have a laugh at my expense."

Lady Tao looked at the table before her, well-prepared indeed, "Madam Yang truly doesn’t seem to be born of a military general."

Zhulan knew that what Lady Tao wanted to say was that she was of scholarly origin; it was a pity that the Yang family had become associated with military generals, but in some people’s eyes, military generals were also considered uncouth, "I used to be ignorant too, but my greatest strength is my love for learning."

Lady Tao realized that Madam Yang was tough to deal with. Madam Yang’s straightforwardness, without pretense, was likely to make her more endearing to people. Lady Tao pursed her lips, knowing clearly that she would not be able to enjoy the drama today, nor did she need to pressure her daughter to outdo others anymore.

The banquet ended quite quickly, as the guests felt there was no spectacle to behold. After sitting for a while, someone took the lead to leave, and gradually many followed.

The departing guests belonged to influential families.

Zhulan had not come away entirely empty-handed, even though many had left; the attitudes and reasons given as they departed indicated that some were not content to do so.

Zhulan had an excellent memory and had noted down almost everything accurately.

One gathering wouldn’t reveal much; she needed to attend more. Today, they hadn’t seen her performance, and she hadn’t conversed much with others; the useful information she had obtained was still too scant.

Perhaps because they saw Zhulan wasn’t crude, no one had invited her at present. Touching her stomach regretfully, Zhulan thought that soon she wouldn’t even be able to accept invitations if she wanted to.

Fortunately, Zhou Shuren didn’t want Zhulan to tire herself out. He preferred not to play the long game but to make quick retorts and then prepare to break them down one by one.

Time passed rapidly, and before long, the day arrived for Lady Dong and Chang Lian to consummate their marriage; the third courtyard was newly decorated.

During dinner with the whole family that evening, Chang Lian and Lady Dong were quite embarrassed. After a dinner filled with kindly laughter, Chang Lian and Lady Dong left with blushing faces.

The next morning at breakfast, Zhulan looked at Lady Dong and could instantly tell there had been a change. Lady Dong dared not meet Chang Lian’s eyes and kept her head down throughout the meal.

Zhulan sighed, reflecting that youth was truly wonderful.

Lady Dong’s mouth was curved in a happy smile while Lady Li chuckled, "Mother, my younger sister-in-law seems to be laughing foolishly."

Lady Dong, "...."

Zhulan, "...."

Lady Li quickly tried to clarify, "Younger sister-in-law, I didn’t mean anything by it; it’s just that..."

That’s enough; Lady Li didn’t need to continue. With a flushed face, Lady Dong got up and excused herself from the table, clearly shy.

Madam Zhao said with a smile, "The affection between the young couple of the third household is truly great."

She was an experienced person and understood well.

Lady Li was lost in reminiscence. Her marriage to the head of the family had never been sweet, and initially, he even complained about her being overweight!

Lady Li’s face soured, and she ground her teeth; she would have to settle the score with the head of the family later.

Madam Zhao looked at her sister-in-law, puzzled as to why she was angry. Had she offended her?

Zhulan understood Lady Li; Lady Li was probably lost in her thoughts again. She was tired, "You should all go back as well."

In the Zhou family village, Xue Mei took a long while to return to her senses after reading the letter from her maiden family. She called out to her daughter, "Daughter, watch your brothers at home; Mom is going to find your father at the clan school."

Jiang Miu asked worriedly, "Mom, what did Grandma write in her letter?"

Xue Mei replied joyfully, "Good news, great news—your grandfather has been promoted to Magistrate."

She had never imagined that one day she would become the daughter of a Magistrate’s household.

Saying so, Xue Mei took the letter and went out.

At the same time, the Zhou clan leader’s household received Zhulan’s letter. The clan leader fainted from the shock, startling Lady Wang, who called for the village’s elderly doctor. Only then did the clan leader regain consciousness.

Lady Wang said, "You really scared me to death. If something had happened to you, what would I have done?"

The clan leader, lacking much strength in his hands, said, "These past few years, my health has declined. I’ve gotten old."

The extreme joy had been too much to bear, but fortunately, he had not passed away. He hoped to live a few more years; he still wished to see his grandson reap the benefits of Zhou Shuren’s success.

The clan leader smiled, "Truly, this is a joyous occasion."

Lady Wang, having already learned from her grandson what the letter said, agreed that it was indeed a joyous occasion. She felt emotional, "It’s only been a few years; it’s like a dream."

The clan leader looked at his grandson, Ming Qing, who was preparing for the imperial examination, aware of the wide gap between his current self and his potential. Coughing softly, he instructed, "Your uncle has become a Magistrate. Go and congratulate him on my behalf."

He did not wish for Zhou Shuren to retain Ming Qing, but hoped that he would at least give some guidance.

Ming Qing responded eagerly, "Yes."

Lady Wang’s face also bore a smile, "Look at how excited you are."

Ming Qing laughed foolishly, full of admiration for his uncle and regretting not seeking his advice earlier. This opportunity was too precious.

At Xue Mei’s home, Jiang Sheng walked in circles, "My lady, let’s all go congratulate your father. By the time we arrive, it should be almost time for you to give birth."

Xue Mei said, "I’ve been worried about her, but before it was too far away and all I could do was worry. Now that we’re closer, I won’t feel at ease until I see for myself."

Jiang Sheng added, "The clan leader’s family will surely send someone too. We can travel together; it’s better to have company on the road."

Jiang Miu couldn’t help but interject, "Mother, what about us?"

She did not want to return to her grandmother’s home. Her grandmother was frightening—not because she was unkind, but because she was too kind. Moreover, she did not like her cousins. Formerly naive, they had tricked her out of her jewelry. Now that she was no longer fooled, they accused her of being stingy.

But her jewelry had all been gifts from her maternal grandmother, and they were all complete sets. She hadn’t even cried about it yet!

Xue Mei looked at her daughter and son, knowing their grandparents must also miss them. With the children’s worried gaze upon her, she said, "We’ll all go together."

In Jiang Zhu’s heart, his grandfather was the most powerful. His schoolmates at the clan school all admired his grandfather. Thrilled at the prospect of meeting him, Jiang Zhu ran off.

Xue Mei was puzzled, "Where is he off to now?"

Jiang Sheng, who understood his son’s eagerness to impress his maternal grandfather, smiled, "He’s off to select his best piece of writing to show his grandfather."

Xue Mei laughed, "That boy is too anxious; we haven’t even left yet."

In Jinzhou City, the atmosphere at the Zhou residence was far from joyous. Lady Zhao’s pregnancy had been fraught with difficulties. Today, she had hit her waist against a finely embroidered screen and had another scare.

The doctor, having prepared fetus-protecting medicine, said, "The pregnant woman’s condition is not very good. The baby could be born prematurely at any time. We should have the midwife ready as well."

As Zhulan counted the days on her fingers, it was evident that Lady Zhao was more than half a month ahead of her. With nearly eight months into her own pregnancy, Zhulan was anxious that Lady Zhao, who had already been frightened and exhausted from travel and now had suffered an injury, and her child might both be in danger.

Late at night during sleep, Zhulan had a dream, but this time the roles were reversed; it was she who was at risk of premature birth, struggling to deliver. No matter what she did, she couldn’t give birth, until everything went black and she knew no more.

Zhulan awoke from the nightmare in the middle of the night, startling Zhou Shuren, who asked, "What’s wrong?"

It took Zhulan a while to recover, "Nothing. I just had a bad dream."

Zhou Shuren let out a sigh of relief, "As long as you’re okay. These days, it’s not just you having nightmares; I’ve had them too. Counting the days, thankfully it won’t be long now until the baby is born."

Just as Zhulan had settled down, Nanny Song spoke from outside the door, "Madam, the second wife is about to give birth."

Zhulan said, "...."