Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 508: Why Come Back_1

Chapter 508: Chapter 508: Why Come Back_1

Chang Zhi’s wedding meant Zhou Shuren and Zhulan had experience with their son getting married. Zhulan was over the moon that someone would finally be able to control Chang Zhi; in the future, she could hand things over to the Magistrate with peace of mind.

Chang Zhi rode a majestic horse, dressed in wedding attire, looking truly dashing. He set out from the Zhou residence to fetch his bride from the Magistrate’s estate in Jinzhou City.

Today, the streets were crowded with onlookers eager to witness the appearance of the fourth son of the Zhou family.

Zhulan was busy entertaining guests with Zhou Shuren, this being the first time she had met Lady Min since the calculation against Chang Zhi.

Lady Min had aged significantly; in just a few months, her white hair could no longer be hidden, and her crow’s feet deepened. Even the most glamorous clothes couldn’t conceal Lady Min’s haggardness.

Zhulan had also heard some news: Lady Min’s biological daughter, Miss Min Four, was not faring well. She fell ill soon after entering the Fifth Prince’s residence and never recovered. Now with the Fifth Prince away from the capital, Miss Min Four’s days were even more difficult.

As for the situation of Miss Min Three from the Third Prince’s residence, it was said to be even more tragic.

Looking at Lady Ranqi beside her, Zhulan thought that by comparison, Miss Ran Three from the Crown Prince’s residence seemed to be doing quite well—at least the Crown Princess Consort hadn’t mistreated her, and the Crown Prince hadn’t neglected her. Without making a splash, she managed to stay safe.

Lady Ranqi, with a touch of irony, glanced at Lady Min, no longer interested in quarreling. All she hoped for now was that her daughter could be safe and sound. Turning to Lady Yang, she said, "Today is a great day for the Zhou family, congratulations."

Zhulan was quite polite to Lady Ranqi; after all, Lady Ranqi had never schemed against the Zhou family. "Thank you," she replied.

Lady Min held a handkerchief to her chest, her heart aching. The Min family’s days were tough; recently, they had to give a substantial amount of silver to the Second Prince and curry favor, which considerably reduced their lavish wealth. Then there was her daughter, who was still in the flower of her youth, her life now ruined. Lady Min hated the Fifth Prince; the seemingly harmless prince had applied a slow-acting poison, which was a threat to her daughter’s life.

Zhulan felt the piercing intensity of Lady Min’s gaze upon her. But today was a day for celebration, so she let it go without any confrontation.

Time flew, and soon the sound of firecrackers at the door indicated that Chang Zhi had returned with his bride. Zhulan, beaming with joy, got up to head to the front courtyard where the newlyweds had already entered.

Zhulan could tell that Chang Zhi was nervous; the boy was stiff as he walked forward, whereas the Magistrate seemed quite at ease.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren sat down and witnessed the newlyweds complete their wedding ceremony without mistake and then sent them off to the bridal chamber.

In the bridal room, the wedding attendants chanted auspicious phrases. Chang Zhi was not clueless—his brothers had coached him these past days, fearing he might make a fool of himself. When he heard Su Xuan mention child-bearing, his face turned so red he seemed about to produce smoke from his head.

Lady Li laughed heartily, "Chang Zhi, it’s time for you to go to the front courtyard; we’re here to take care of things."

Chang Zhi stood up and took a couple of steps before stopping. He turned to Su Xuan, sitting on the wedding bed, and said, "I know you have an appetite, and a whole morning of festivities must have made you hungry. I’ve had Qi Mo prepare two plates of dumplings for you. If that’s not enough, just tell my sisters-in-law what you’d like to eat."

Su Xuan, "...."

Mentally reminding herself not to get angry, definitely not to get angry—getting mad at a fool meant losing. Yet, she couldn’t help but feel irritated. Had he just disparaged her on their wedding day? What did he mean by implying two plates of dumplings wouldn’t suffice for her?

Lady Li grew awkward, sensing the Magistrate’s suppressed anger, and worried that her brother-in-law might be attacked if he didn’t leave soon. "Well, everyone in the front courtyard is waiting for you, so you better hurry."

Reassured, Chang Zhi finally strode away confidently.

After Chang Zhi left, Zhao’s laughter couldn’t be contained any longer, followed by Lady Dong joining in as well.

Su Xuan’s face grew red, not from shyness, but from anger.

Recalling past memories of copying Buddhist scriptures, Lady Li shuddered with sympathy. She patted her new sister-in-law’s shoulder, her myriad thoughts condensed into two words, "Hard luck."

Xue Han was on the verge of bursting into laughter, if it weren’t for the maidservant beside her watching, she would have laughed herself to the ground. She truly found it hilarious and whispered to Wu Ning with a suppressed voice, "I think, Fourth Brother is definitely going to get a beating."

Wu Ning’s face flushed red with laughter as she nodded in agreement, "Mhm."

Xue Han pulled Wu Ning forward, "Greetings, Fourth Sister-in-law."

Wu Ning followed suit, "Greetings, Fourth Sister-in-law."

Su Xuan smiled at the two girls and nodded to the old nanny, who took out two purses from the ones she had prepared. Su Xuan took them and handed them to the girls, "Here, take these."

These were red envelopes given openly.

Xue Han and Wu Ning joyfully accepted them, and Yushuang and Yu Lu who were behind them also stepped forward, "Greetings, Fourth Aunt."

Su Xuan sized up the two granddaughters of the Zhou family with a smile. The older one was Yushuang, whose hair covered her face but could not escape Su Xuan’s eyes. This girl was the best the Zhou family had brought up. However, comparatively speaking, she really liked Yu Lu with her baby fat and her simple, endearing appearance.

Su Xuan handed them the purses, though they were significantly lighter than those given to Xue Han and Wu Ning.

Xue Han, pulling Wu Ning, said, "Fourth Sister-in-law, we will head out first."

After all, they were unmarried girls, and it was not proper for them to stay too long.

Xue Han and Wu Ning handed over the purses they received to the maidservant by their side, and the two of them held hands and went to the backyard feast.

Zhulan sat for a while and saw her daughter and Wu Ning return, then turned around to talk to Lady Ranqi again.

Lady Ranqi glanced at Miss Zhou and Miss Wu beside her. The Zhou family was indeed kind. She thought Miss Wu had gone home, but didn’t expect her to return.

Xue Han was used to being scrutinized; she calmly continued eating, knowing it wouldn’t cost her any flesh. Wu Ning, however, did not have Xue Han’s composure, and after eating a few bites, she was full and left first, lowering her head.

The Zhou family’s garden was very quiet, as most were enjoying the feast at this time. Wu Ning loved the tranquility and quickly walked to the grape arbor. The grapes had already fruited, and in just one or two more months, they would be ripe.

Wu Ning entered the grape arbor and was stunned, staring blankly at Shi Qing who was sitting on the chair resting with his eyes closed, momentarily forgetting to react. It was the maidservant who reacted quickly, "Miss."

A call of "Miss" woke Wu Ning and also Shi Qing. They looked at each other, and Wu Ning, in a fluster, paid her respects, "My apologies for disturbing you, Master Shi."

Saying so, Wu Ning, in a panic, turned on her heel and left, and after a few steps, she ran off swiftly.

Shi Qing’s eyelids drooped, hiding his emotion; his slender fingers pressed against his forehead. He was among the first to block the wine for Chang Zhi, and those officials’ sons were not gentle with him—they came up with strong liquor, and he had to down more than a dozen glasses to avoid shame. He had come out for some fresh air, thinking the garden would be empty, never expecting to run into Miss Wu.

Shi Qing leaned back and closed his eyes once more but found that he was no longer able to rest peacefully, his mind preoccupied with why she had come back after leaving.

Wu Ning returned to her room and locked herself in. The maidservant stood at the door, very anxious. With a young girl’s heart beginning to fancy, the problem was that the object of her affection was not suitable.

Wu Ning sat on the chair, gripping the purses tightly in her hands. She thought she could face him calmly, overestimating herself. She should not have come back; she should have persuaded her brother to choose a decent match to propose to from the start.

By the afternoon, the feast had cleared, and Zhulan and Zhou Shuren had seen off batch after batch of guests. When they were finally all gone, the couple was too exhausted to feel much joy despite the number of gifts they had received.

Zhulan changed her clothes, "I’m going to rest for a while, do you want to take a break too?"