Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 452 - Marriage Alliance_1

Chapter 452: 452 Chapter Marriage Alliance_1

Zhulan had difficulty getting up; with Zhou Shuren’s support, she was able to sit up. "An invitation from the official in charge of Maritime Affairs."

Zhou Shuren pursed his lips, displeased. "You’re over nine months pregnant. Don’t they know that?"

This was a fine time to fray his nerves indeed.

Zhulan smiled, "They do know, which is why it’s not an invitation. It’s a visiting card."

Zhou Shuren scoffed, "A weasel paying a New Year’s visit is up to no good. They must be anxious after hearing the news from the capital."

The deputy minister was not only the Emperor’s internal informant, but also someone who wished he would quickly clear up the tax matters. According to his understanding of the Emperor, these people were not ones the Emperor wished to deal with at the moment.

Zhulan was puzzled, "What news from the capital?"

Zhou Shuren, "The deputy minister’s house was raided."

Zhulan, "...."

Thus, she shouldn’t expect peace in the future either. Zhulan couldn’t help but rub her belly. Thankfully she was about to give birth, and during her confinement, she wouldn’t have to entertain guests. She might be able to avoid it, right?

Zhou Shuren suggested, "Maybe you should think of an excuse to decline."

Zhulan, "I’ve already agreed; it would be bad to go back on my word now. Don’t worry, it’s just a meeting tomorrow; there won’t be any issues. It’s also a good chance for me to see what they’re up to."

Zhou Shuren no longer voiced any objections. Zhulan would have to meet them sooner or later; these people wouldn’t rest until they achieved their goals. Moreover, it would be harder to refuse the second time if she refused the first, so it might be better to meet them right away. "If you’re not feeling well, just send the guests away."

"Understood."

The meal was served, and Zhou Shuren helped Zhulan move to the table to eat.

Now, meals in the Zhou household were eaten separately. Zhou’s family hadn’t purchased any more servants, as the Government Office residence already had some. Zhulan picked those with good cooking skills to send to the kitchen. With separated dining, the kitchen could manage more efficiently.

Each household’s daily meal expenses were accounted for; one could order what they wanted based on the amount of Silver allocated, and if they went over, they needed to add their own Silver.

Zhou Shuren was most satisfied with eating separately, finally able to share a table with Zhulan.

After finishing their meal, Granny Song arrived, as was the daily routine. Zhulan asked about the child, "How is the Babe doing today?"

Granny Song reported, "Miss has drunk one more time than yesterday, and her limbs are also gaining some strength."

Zhulan smiled, "That’s good."

She hadn’t let Zhou Shuren name the child, believing it was better to hope the child would grow up safe and sound, whether others called it superstition or not.

Zhulan asked further, "How about the second wife?"

Granny Song spoke without any concealment, "The second wife has come to terms with it and tended to the Miss today without much help from servants; the second wife did everything by herself."

Zhulan breathed a sigh of relief, that was good. She was worried Lady Fang would resent the child. "You may go back; come again in a few days."

Granny Song, "Yes."

Zhulan, after asking about the Zhao family, thought of Lady Fang. Lady Fang had believed the Zhou family would stay in Lizhou Prefecture City for many years, and upon learning of their departure, she had the intention to follow. However, she abandoned the thought because of Qian Keqi’s disapproval.

Qian Keqi was performing well at the Academy, where he liked the environment and the teachers were praiseworthy. Before the Zhou family left, Lady Fang only muttered a few words to Mrs. Zhao and didn’t dare to propose it to her directly.

Early the next morning, before leaving, Zhou Shuren, not at ease, once again earnestly reminded Zhulan.

Not long after Zhou Shuren left, the wife of the official in charge of Maritime Affairs, Lady Liu, arrived, not alone but with her two daughters.

Sitting down, Lady Liu said, "I heard that sister is forty this year, but you don’t look it at all. How is that possible?"

Zhulan smiled, "What age does Lady Liu think I am?"

Lady Liu paused with the teacup in hand. She was deliberately trying to be affectionate, but was it met with a cold response from Mrs. Zhao? So was it also Mr. Zhou’s intention? She came fully prepared, knowing Mrs. Zhao was a tough nut to crack. Lady Liu didn’t expect to get closer with just a few words, "I think sister looks around thirty-five. I can’t compare to you. I’m only four years older than you, and no matter how much I maintain myself, I still can’t match your youth!"

Zhulan’s skin had indeed improved quite a bit, and the wrinkles around her eyes had lessened, all because she had gained weight from pregnancy, which filled out her face, "Lady Liu is too kind. In my opinion, the lady looks younger, almost the same age as me!"

Lady Liu laughed heartily, "Sister, I enjoy your compliments."

Zhulan thought to herself that she was also adept at giving flattery. Back in the day, she had been quite good at praising others. She looked at Lady Liu, whose hairpin trembled from laughter, and felt a pang of admiration; the family of the official in charge of Maritime Affairs really did have Silver. Not to mention the ornaments on Lady Liu’s head, just the Jade Bracelet on her hand was rare and exquisite. And looking at the quality of her clothes, they must have raked in a lot of Silver in the past two years.

Zhulan turned her gaze to the two young ladies, who were both quite lovely, but their jewelry was startlingly lavish.

Seeing Mrs. Zhao observing her daughters, Lady Liu was pleased and said with a laugh, "Look at me, so delighted to be close to you that I forgot to introduce them. This is my third daughter, Min Ying, who is sixteen this year, and this is my youngest daughter, Min Yu, who is ten."

Zhulan was also aware of the Maritime family’s situation, having been briefed by Zhou Shuren. She would recite the information when idle, and just the thought made the corners of Zhulan’s mouth twitch; each household had no shortage of members, concubines, illigetimate sons, and daughters, not to mention grandchildren. It took her a while to remember them all.

The matron of the official Min’s family was formidable. Lady Liu was a capable woman. Unlike some matrons who disregarded illigitimate children, she had them all brought up under her care, even recording the daughters under her name. Lady Liu didn’t formally acknowledge the illigetimate sons, but she had indeed been meticulous in their education.

Lady Liu had given birth to only one daughter, Min Yu, but had three registered under her name; two were already married off in alliances, leaving only Min Ying unmarried.

All of a sudden, Zhulan realized why Lady Liu had come—it wasn’t to probe for information; she had come for matchmaking. Zhulan didn’t believe Lady Liu intended to marry her youngest daughter to Chang Zhi. Chang Zhi, the Min family didn’t value highly; they probably intended her for a Prince, betting on securing a position as a future consort. So it must be Min Ying, who was sixteen years old.

Leaving aside family background, just on account of Min Ying’s personality, Zhulan disliked her; she seemed brainwashed from a young age.

Zhulan smiled and said, "The daughters of Lady Liu indeed live up to their reputation."

Lady Liu was pleased as she had nurtured her daughters to be ladies of distinction. She wasn’t foolish; providing a decent dowry was enough. She hadn’t brought them up to go astray but had carefully groomed them to strengthen the Min family through marital alliances, which would benefit her son. Her lips curled into a smile, "Does sister also like her?"

Zhulan thought to herself, not fond at all, thank you. She would rather Chang Zhi find a domineering woman. Smiling, she replied, "Lady Liu jests."

Lady Liu’s smile stiffened, understanding the meaning behind the words instantly. It was just a probe, and Mrs. Zhao had given a clear response. Lady Liu glanced at the two young ladies standing behind Mrs. Zhao. She knew of the Zhou family’s daughters, who would suit her second son, but it was regrettable that they had been betrothed early on, their bonds from childhood friendship turning into deep affection. Even if she wished for a marital alliance, she wouldn’t exploit her son, feeling quite melancholic over the missed opportunity.

As for the other lady, Lady Liu wouldn’t have given her a second glance if it hadn’t been for her visit to the Zhou residence—an ill-reputed woman from a significantly lesser family background.

Zhulan disliked how Lady Liu appraised her daughter and Wu Ning as if they were goods. Lady Liu was courteous to her because of Zhou Shuren but wouldn’t extend the same courtesy to Wu Ning. The scrutinizing gaze, the contemptuous look, Zhulan noticed Wu Ning’s face turning pale.

With a sudden exclamation, Zhulan startled Xue Han, who anxiously asked, "Madam, what’s wrong?"

Clutching her belly, Zhulan was genuinely not pretending—true, she wanted to send Lady Liu away, but she hadn’t thought of feigning belly pain, "I, I think I’m going into labor."