Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 514: No Need to Worry Anymore_1

Chapter 514: Chapter 514: No Need to Worry Anymore_1

Zhulan put down her handkerchief, "Very well, Shen Xing, Fourth Master is in your hands now. Don’t hold back, train him rigorously. Even if it’s not for saving his life, it’s so he’ll have a strong physique for the imperial examination in the future, lest he be carried out of the examination hall."

Shen Xing bowed his head, "Yes."

Zhulan gestured for Chang Zhi to leave. Once her son and daughter had gone, Zhulan sighed. Among the children in the family, her eldest grandson, Mingyun, had requested to learn martial arts himself, while Ming Teng and Ming Rui were purely interested in it. Ming Teng was the earliest to learn, and his staff technique was already showing some promise!

Among her sons, the eldest and the second were too old for this, but Chang Lian did follow along and learned a bit, mainly for physical exercise.

The laziest at home was Chang Zhi. In the past, he was elusive, but now that he was at home, Zhulan was not planning to let him go anymore.

Two days later, Zhulan took her younger daughter to the ready-made clothing shop. The shop in Jinzhou was a branch of the capital’s stores, carrying the most recent styles. After the Zhulan family had their own sewing, they hadn’t browsed the ready-made clothing stores because they were too expensive.

Of course, there was a reason why they were expensive.

Xue Han stood at the doorway. When she attended banquets, many young ladies would buy one or two pieces from the ready-made clothing shop. She truly didn’t envy them. She thought that Xing Hua’s skills back at their mansion were quite good, "Mother, let’s go back."

Zhulan touched her daughter’s hand, they had to come today for a reason, "Aren’t you invited to Miss Lin’s birthday celebration? It’s the day after tomorrow, and my daughter cannot be looked down upon. Let’s go."

Xue Han, "...."

But, Mother, she genuinely disliked Miss Lin, a particularly arrogant young miss who relied on her maternal family’s power and looked down on everyone, constantly being judgmental. She had attended once and never went again. As for the birthday invitation, they had clearly said they wouldn’t go just a few days ago.

Zhulan pinched her daughter’s hand, and Xue Han obediently followed her in. Wuu, she really didn’t want to go to the Lin family’s house. Just thinking about the arrogant Miss Lin made her stomach ache.

When Zhulan entered, the shop wasn’t very busy as it had just opened. The shopkeepers in Jinzhou City were capable people. Even if they hadn’t seen Zhulan before, they could recognize her based on the carriage and the information they knew. After greeting her, the shopkeeper was very perceptive, "Are you selecting clothes for Miss Zhou? Here are two new pieces that just arrived, the most recent styles. Each one is unique and very suitable for Miss Zhou."

Zhulan thought indeed they were suitable. Her daughter would look like a little fairy when wearing them. However, looking at the little pearls at the edge of the dress, she felt a pang of pain for the cost. They were indeed good, but the price was frightening.

Xue Han kept a smile on her face but knew in her heart that her mother would definitely buy a set to take home today. She couldn’t help wondering, what was different about the Lin family? She didn’t feel like there was anything particularly noteworthy about them in the information she had.

Zhulan pointed to a pink set, "Take this set down."

The shopkeeper responded with a smile, "Yes."

By then, more people had started coming into the store. Because of the dress being taken out for viewing, other customers also came to look. Zhulan glanced at the woman beside her from the corner of her eye, whom she remembered seeing at the jewelry store, and noticed something being stuffed into her sleeve. Zhulan discreetly got a hold of it.

The dress had already been taken down, and Zhulan held it up for comparison. Her daughter was as tall as her for her age, and the dress was a bit too long. After the comparison, Zhulan had to admit that the ready-made clothes were better made than those they produced at home.

The shopkeeper said, "If any part doesn’t fit, we can have it altered within a day."

Zhulan liked shopkeepers who didn’t waste words, "Good, then this set it is. Have it delivered to the mansion tomorrow, and I will make the payment."

The shopkeeper smiled, "Yes."

Xue Han didn’t claim to have learned five parts in ten of her mother’s abilities, but she had certainly picked up three. She had been attentively observing her mother and naturally witnessed the scene where something was tucked away. Understanding what transpired, she followed her mother back to the carriage with a smile.

Once inside the carriage, Xue Han gestured toward her mother’s sleeve and lowered her voice, "Mother, was it for this today?"

Zhulan nodded with satisfaction. She had never intended to tell her daughter, but since her daughter had discovered it on her own, Zhulan felt a burst of pride. The girl had honed her powers of observation well. "Mhm," she affirmed.

Maid Song, who was sitting at the entrance of the carriage, couldn’t help but take several glances at the young lady. She and Water Maid came from the same place and knew better than anyone how proud an old companion could be. It hadn’t been long since they arrived at the Zhou family, yet the old companion had already praised the young lady several times—truly insightful.

Maid Song felt a pang of regret in her heart. How wonderful it would have been if the betrothal had not been set. The young lady was sure to have a prosperous future. However, on second thought, simplicity was also a blessing. As long as Lord Zhou was around, life for the young lady and Young Master Rongchuan was quite good in its simplicity.

Zhulan had finished reading the content and was shocked. One truly must not underestimate anyone. This was the result of underestimating the Xu family, allowing them to gain leverage. If she remembered correctly, Zhou Shuren mentioned that the Xu family had just purchased fishing boats, and now they had acquired maps. It seemed the Xu family had long infiltrated their ranks.

Zhulan warned herself again through the Xu family’s actions—never to underestimate anyone. It was all too easy for a ship to capsize in a small river, and indeed, a large ship had capsized this time.

Zhulan sighed again, reflecting on the Xu family’s trust in the Zhou family, giving them leverage without any hesitation. It was always better to be trustworthy and sincere to gain others’ trust.

As for whether the information provided was false, Zhulan didn’t believe it to be so. The Xu family had given two items in total: one was a map and the other was a letter, the content of which was crucial and could be verified upon inspection.

Zhulan tried to remain calm, but her heart was turning over and over. She was someone who had weathered great storms, yet she was still taken aback.

Upon returning home, Zhulan kept the items inside her pouch, which she carried on her person. She couldn’t be at peace placing it anywhere else. She even refrained from coddling her son, fearing the little one might wet her.

The little fellow was several months old now and had become adept at turning over. He could also sit for a short while with support. Blinking his eyes in an accusing manner, he seemed to be asking why his mother wasn’t holding him.

Zhulan tapped her son’s nose, "My child, your mother has something life-threatening with her. Once I hand it over to your father, I will hold you."

The little one clung to Zhulan’s finger and wouldn’t let go. Zhulan laughed out loud, her child was one to seek affection, and she marveled at how big her heart had become to be able to laugh at this moment.

That evening, when Zhou Shuren returned, Zhulan immediately pulled off her pouch and handed it over, "I’ve carried this for the better part of the day. I can finally pass it to you. I should warn you, be prepared."

Zhou Shuren hummed in acknowledgment, opened the pouch, and took out two handkerchiefs. He looked at the map first, squinting his eyes. There were more detailed maps of the bays in the Government Office. Zhou Shuren recalled carefully, how had he not thought of this!

After putting down the map, Zhou Shuren picked up the other handkerchief, his expression turning serious, "Should I say that the power behind this is overwhelming, or should I say that the Xu family is formidable?"

Zhulan pointed to the handkerchief, "I think you should report this."

This was not a case Zhou Shuren could investigate on his own. There was no need for covert coordination this time; the implications were a bit too large.

Zhou Shuren laughed softly, "Truly deserving of the Xu family I’ve had on my mind. Capable indeed."

What a pity. After this incident concludes, there would be no need to pay them any mind. The Xu family would surely catch the Emperor’s eye, what a long time spent in vain fascination.