Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 494: Smiling Like a Flower_1

Chapter 494: Chapter 494: Smiling Like a Flower_1

Zhulan sat beside Lady Tao, who covered her mouth with a fan and whispered, "The Princely Heir really is outstanding, isn’t he?"

Zhulan expressed agreement. Setting aside any prejudice, the Princely Heir was outstanding in both looks and family background. Look, the moment he made his appearance, all the eyes of the unmarried young ladies fell upon him.

Zhulan and the others had only stayed in the garden for a while. Although it was called a flower-viewing banquet, to speak plainly, it was just a disguised matchmaking event, and all of these eligible men and women were aware of one another.

Both Xue Han and the Magistrate were already betrothed and stayed inside a pavilion to avoid the commotion, but no sooner had they sat down to chat than someone came over.

When the Magistrate looked up, she saw it was her cousin, "Cousin, what brings you here?"

Wong Lei smiled helplessly and said, "The same reason you’re here."

He was married already, okay? If it weren’t for him being the host, he would have run off long ago. Alas, this flower-viewing banquet was mainly prepared for his illegitimate sister. However, it seemed likely to spoil his mother’s intentions. He really disliked his petty illegitimate sister.

The Magistrate’s gaze turned towards Yao Zheyu. She felt sympathetic towards this poor Princely Heir. Despite having no parents, she lived a genuinely carefree life with property, silver, and a title in her own hands. Even the elders of her clan didn’t dare to utter a word. The only trouble for her was her marriage.

In contrast, the Princely Heir had it truly rough. His mother had died early, his father remarried right away, and it was said that the concubines in the Hou Residence were formidable. Even the illegitimate sons were not simple, look at them dressed in black, which made them look all the more miserable.

Yao Zheyu kept a straight face, he really did not want to understand the Magistrate’s thoughts. They were all in similar situations; why did she feel sympathy for him? "Magistrate."

The Magistrate chuckled awkwardly, "Prince Yao, you came over here too."

Her tone was full of surprise. Shouldn’t he be surrounded by people at this time?

Xue Han lifted her fan to cover the corners of her mouth. The future sister-in-law was really direct. Looking at Prince Yao’s clothes, it was clear he was tricked into coming here but definitely not by Wong Lei. It must have been someone else, and the purpose was obviously clear.

Embarrassment crossed Yao Zheyu’s face; he had been deceived and naturally wanted to escape. The wife he was looking for had to be someone who could help him, whether it was her family background or her personal abilities. The young ladies of Jinzhou Province were not even in his consideration since the social gap was too wide, and marrying one of them would only bring him trouble.

As for those who threw themselves at his doorstep to become his concubine, what did they take him for? A lecher? They were being too courteous. He had been in Jinzhou Province for only a short time, yet there had been no shortage of women sent his way. He really wanted to follow Magistrate Zhou’s example, but tragically, he wasn’t married!

Wong Lei didn’t want to offend Prince Yao. Although there was no association between them and he wasn’t afraid of Prince Yao, he still had to show some consideration. He glanced at his cousin and said with a smile, "Since you two have taken the pavilion, we will find another place."

Su Xuan composed herself and replied with a smile, "Alright."

Wong Lei turned to Yao Zheyu and said, "This way, please."

Yao Zheyu nodded and smiled, "Alright."

Xue Han lowered her fan once the others had left and in a hushed voice said, "Magistrate sister, your schadenfreude is too obvious. Be careful not to make enemies."

Su Xuan had gained a deep understanding of this future sister-in-law as she tried to keep from twitching at the corner of her mouth. "Is it that obvious?"

Xue Han, smiling amiably, said, "Mhm, especially obvious."

Su Xuan touched her face then couldn’t help but pinch the cheek of her future sister-in-law, "You have the nerve to talk, weren’t you laughing too just now?"

Xue Han was taken aback as her face was pinched, and staring with wide eyes, she said, "At least I had it covered!"

The tone was particularly brazen.

Su Xuan burst into laughter, she found her future sister-in-law to be especially amusing!

Yao Zheyu practiced martial arts and was keen of hearing and sight. Even if the two behind him lowered their voices further, he could still catch some of their conversation—not to mention that the Magistrate’s last words weren’t even slightly concealed. Unable to resist, Yao Zheyu turned around, stunned, with only one thought in his mind: her smile was as beautiful as blooming flowers, and for a moment, his steps halted.

Wong Lei noticed the lack of footsteps following him, so he turned around and saw Yao Zheyu looking at the pavilion. Following his gaze, Wong Lei saw his cousin bullying her future sister-in-law inside. Wong Lei rolled his eyes skyward, thinking to himself that she wasn’t even married yet and she was already causing trouble for others. However, Wong Lei let out a light chuckle, thinking that the Zhou family members were indeed very nice!

Wong Lei said, "Princely Heir."

After calling out a second time, Wong Lei finally saw the Princely Heir catch up. Wong Lei narrowed his eyes. The Princely Heir wasn’t just curiously looking back; he was watching a person? If it wasn’t his own cousin, then it must be Miss Zhou.

Wong Lei shook the folding fan in his hand, and couldn’t help but feel it was a pity. The engagement was set so early, and Miss Zhou’s betrothal was a regrettable matter for many forces!

However, after witnessing how the Zhou family countered the schemes against their fourth son and witnessing Mr. Zhou’s reaction, nobody dared to think about disrupting the engagement anymore!

Zhulan left first with her daughter, boarding the carriage. As she looked at her daughter, Xue Han smiled and said, "Mother, it’s a pity the daughter of the Wong family born from a concubine has high standards. She wasn’t interested in the match her father chose for her, and has taken a fancy to the Yao Princely Heir instead!"

Xue Han truly enjoyed the drama; her relationship with the legitimate daughter of the Wong family was also not bad. Having become relatives by marriage, and since they were both engaged, their relationship had grown even better. Therefore, she was upset about today’s scheming against Wong Lei, the illegitimate daughter of the Wong family.

Zhulan said, "That explains it. I was wondering why Mrs. Tao suddenly looked unhappy. The Wong family has lost face today, and Mrs. Tao lost face as well."

Mrs. Tao’s people were not bad—at least they were not heartless. Even though Mrs. Tao did not favor her illegitimate daughter, she never withheld anything from her. Given Mrs. Tao’s cleverness, she would definitely not play any tricks with marriage arrangements. After today’s incident, Mrs. Tao would surely be furious.

Zhulan asked again, "What gift did your fourth brother send?"

Xue Han laughed out loud, "Mother, you’ll never guess—it was actually a calligraphy sample of the most difficult kind to write. Although the Magistrate can read, she prefers practicing martial arts, and her writing is not good. Isn’t fourth brother hitting her where it hurts?"

Zhulan laughed along, "Indeed, that’s a blunder only Chang Zhi would make."

Xue Han barely contained her laughter, "I bet the Magistrate will definitely work hard on her calligraphy."

Zhulan, "..."

Poor Magistrate, it was a good thing that it was a birthday gift given after the engagement! Otherwise, she was really worried that Chang Zhi might ruin the marriage arrangements himself.

When they got home, Zhulan hadn’t rested long before her daughter came to share the news. Chang Zhi actually had the audacity to ask Xue Han if the Magistrate liked it or not!

Time flew by, and before long, Lady Donglin arrived at the Zhou residence.

Lady Donglin was nearly upon them, having sent someone ahead to notify them. Zhulan, aware of the exact arrival time, personally went out to greet her at the door.

Lady Donglin did not come alone but brought her eldest grandson with her. Zhulan welcomed Lady Donglin into the main courtyard and smiled, "My dear relative, you must be tired from your journey. Please, have a seat and rest."

Lady Donglin had aged quite a bit compared to a few years before; she was already not young, and the fatigue of travel showed on her waxen face. Lady Donglin was also feigning her vigor, but she was very pleased that her relative had come out to the gate to receive her. It showed great consideration for her and also signified the value placed on her daughter. "I’m old; I can’t deny it anymore."