Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 499 Strange_1

Chapter 499: Chapter 499 Strange_1

Zhulan sighed and said, "Your mother-in-law isn’t having an easy time either, you must not be disrespectful, nor should you redirect your anger towards Lady Dong."

Chang Lian was speechless, "Mother, I’m your son, I wouldn’t do something as tasteless as that."

He hadn’t even dared to mention it to Lady Dong. He only found out yesterday, and to his relief, Lady Dong had long been aware and was clear-headed about it.

He really didn’t have a good impression of Dong Liao. Right on the first day, he had tested Father—he sneered at that naive attempt. The embarrassment had not even registered with Dong Liao, but watching Father’s seemingly amused yet not-smiling expression made his own face burn with shame.

Zhulan took her son from Chang Lian’s arms, "As long as you are aware of what’s in your heart, that’s good."

Chang Lian was somewhat reluctant to let go of his little brother. At first, he held his younger brother to practice for when he himself would become a father. Afterward, he held him more and more—the little guy was truly endearing. Blood ties were indissoluble; this was his own little brother, and he was no longer jealous. Seeing the little brother babbling without sense, Chang Lian’s smile deepened, "By the way, Mother, isn’t it about time for Second Brother to return?"

Zhulan counted the days, "Indeed, he should be back soon. Do you need him for something?"

Chang Lian, "Indeed, I do. I’ve been discussing with Eldest Brother and thinking about partnering with Second Brother to buy a fishery."

He felt that following Mother was absolutely the right choice. Combined with Eldest Brother’s straight talk, he had discussed this with Eldest Brother.

Zhulan thought to herself that Eldest Brother had become a lot sharper over the years. This trip out, Eldest Brother had laid eyes on silver, "If you’re short on silver, Mother will lend it to you."

Chang Lian felt embarrassed, as if Mother had seen right through his thoughts, "Thank you, Mother."

Zhulan, "If you’re not too busy these days, spend more time with Lady Dong. It’s hardest on her heart."

Chang Lian’s heart tightened at the thought of his wife. Last night, Lady Dong had shed many tears. Ah, a pregnant person is indeed prone to overthinking. She even asked if he would come to disdain her, something he truly would not do—he was determined to learn from Father!

It wasn’t until the afternoon that Lady Li came back. She had left cheerfully in the morning but returned with a frown.

Zhulan noticed that Lady Li hadn’t even changed her clothes, "Did someone upset you? Or did you overhear some backbiting gossip?"

Lady Li shook her head, "Neither."

Zhulan thought it unlikely, considering Lady Li had changed a lot and became quite imposing. With her status as the wife of Zhou family’s eldest son, no merchant family would dare to upset her. Puzzled, she asked, "Then what’s wrong?"

Her brows had been furrowed all this time—a most uncharacteristic look for Lady Li.

Lady Li felt an odd sensation; her intuition was usually accurate, "Mother, I just feel strange, I can’t explain it. The Qi Clan should be ingratiating themselves with you, so why is the whole family fawning over me? I know my own worth better than anyone, yet the Qi Clan seems determined to praise me to the skies."

Zhulan asked, "Did Lady Qi praise you as well?"

Lady Li nodded, "Yes. Not only did they extol me, but they also kept saying that I should save more silver. The Qi Clan even calculated some figures for me. Even though every word was supposedly for my benefit, I couldn’t help feeling like there were ulterior motives."

Especially when they cajoled her as if she were a fool, it made her uncomfortable. She was no longer the impulsive and thoughtless person she used to be. Even though she wasn’t the sharpest, her experiences had taught her to be more reflective. If she couldn’t figure it out on the first try, she would think over it again and again.

On the way back, she pondered continuously, the only thing she couldn’t figure out being why they were so insistent on her saving money?

Zhulan asked, "Did they mention how you could save more silver?"

Lady Li shook her head, "No, but the Qi Clan has invited me to the jewelry store tomorrow."

Zhulan smiled, "Tomorrow Ming Hui will be with me, you go ahead."

After a moment, Lady Li caught on—Mother wanted her to draw them out, "Mother, do you suspect something?"

Zhulan raised an eyebrow. Indeed, the environment is the best teacher. No matter how hard she had tried to instruct her previously, Lady Li never took it to heart. But ever since she was surrounded by scheming, Lady Li had grown wiser, "There are some suspicions, but there’s too little information thus far. Ah, the wife of Eldest Brother..."

Lady Li swallowed her breath, and her words paused; she felt some fear, a sensation she hadn’t felt in quite a while, "Mother, please continue, don’t stop."

Her heart couldn’t take it; she had been living too comfortably recently to handle any disturbance!

Zhulan, "..."

You’ve changed, Lady Li! These were the words coming out of Lady Li’s mouth!

Lady Li shifted her plump body restlessly; she felt too unsettled just sitting and yearned to stand!

Zhulan, "What I mean is, if you have doubts, just ask directly; don’t pretend to be clever and try to test others."

Lady Li, "..."

Was her mother-in-law implying she wasn’t smart enough for such subterfuge? That was indeed a blow to her confidence. She had been excited to give it a try!

Lady Li was somewhat deflated, "Mother, I’ll head back first."

"Alright."

That evening, Zhulan spoke with Zhou Shuren about the Xu family; then she said, "The Xu family is abnormally strange, and I have a feeling it’s not simple."

Zhou Shuren squinted his eyes, "Indeed, it’s not simple. We’ll understand more once the Xu family offers Lady Li some advice."

Zhulan sighed, "Originally, I thought the Xu family wasn’t too bad and that we could associate with them in the future. Now it seems that’s not possible."

Zhou Shuren also felt it was a pity; he had been observing the Xu family for a long time, "Tomorrow, I’ll send someone to investigate the Xu family."

Zhulan, "A cautious approach ensures a long voyage, indeed a thorough investigation is necessary; the Xu family’s behavior is too abnormal."

Zhou Shuren considered in his mind those who might scheme against him; lately, everyone should be acting very honestly. Mr. Min would rather hide away in his residence, and everyone else is busy dealing with their own affairs!

Zhulan could only hope that Lady Li would be dependable.

The next day, Lady Li did indeed prove to be reliable, "Mother, the Xu family somehow knew the head of our household wants to buy the fishery. The Qi Clan said that earning silver through fisheries is slow and the risks are especially high; one could easily end up losing their capital. She suggested we invest some silver in fishing boats. We wouldn’t need to be involved directly, and no one would know about our investment."

Zhulan set down her needle and thread, "Did she tell you this directly?"

Lady Li nodded, "At first, she didn’t mention it. I got angry and said that if she wasn’t sincere, we need not associate with them anymore. Only then did she speak, mentioning that fishing at sea could be very profitable and the Xu family was thinking of buying a large ship for that purpose."

Zhulan pondered. If it was just about investing, it would have been straightforward to tell; if it hadn’t been for Lady Li’s direct inquiry today, the Xu family would probably have continued leading her on, hinting that she should find ways to earn more silver herself.

Seeing her mother silent, Lady Li’s heart tightened. She had directly voiced her suspicions today; the Qi Clan dismissed them as overthinking, and she got provoked. It was only when the Qi Clan started to panic that Lady Li felt saddened. This was her first friend, and she now saw clearly that the Qi Clan intended to take advantage of her.

Zhulan looked up, noticing that Lady Li’s emotions were clearly written on her face; she was heartbroken, "Don’t be sad; you’ll make new friends."

Lady Li lifted her head, "Mother, don’t comfort me. I won’t be able to find friends anymore."

It’s not that they look down on her; it’s that they’re jealous she has her husband all to herself. It’s too difficult to get along with these official clans.

Zhulan, "...It’s enough that you know this in your heart; don’t say it out loud."

Lady Li, "..."

So, her mother’s comforting words earlier were just to appease her!!