Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 807: Master of Confrontation

Chapter 807: Chapter 807: Master of Confrontation

Chang Lian had been listening with his ears perked up, his heart in his throat, "Second Brother, who is plotting against you?"

Chang Yi shook his head, "I don’t know. Along the way, someone attempted to abduct a common girl. I’m naturally cautious by nature, and having been schemed against before, I’ve become even more suspicious. So, on my way back, I left some men to investigate, and sure enough, it turned out to be a trap."

Chang Lian knew that this was all the information Second Brother had. Frowning, he said, "Since the Zhou family arrived in the capital, they’ve been very high-profile, and with Rongchuan’s background, they’ve attracted a lot of attention. Being the target of jealousy and plots seems inevitable, but we do not know who is behind it. We must be more careful in the future."

Mrs. Zhao clenched her chopsticks upon hearing this. She couldn’t understand—why did it always seem that women were involved whenever her husband was schemed against? Just thinking about it made her blood boil.

Zhulan harbored suspicions. It could be several princes, the Yao Hou Residence could be possible, but it was unclear exactly who. Strong-arming a common girl was akin to planting a spy in the Zhou family.

Zhulan’s gaze shifted to the maids at the door, then to Granny Song. Why did she feel that sending a spy into the Zhou family was more like sending a lamb into a tiger’s den?

After breakfast, Chang Yi saw Chang Lian out of the residence. He then stayed in the main courtyard, feeling somewhat emotional, "Mother, Third Brother looks so spirited in his official robes."

Zhulan asked, "Envious?"

Chang Yi smiled, "To say I’m not envious would be lying, but I’m well aware of my own limitations."

He had entertained the idea of pursuing studies, even tried in secret, but alas, he had no talent for it. Rote memorization was manageable, but understanding was truly beyond him, so he gave up on the idea.

Zhulan was concerned about the Yang family, "How is everything with your eldest uncle and second uncle’s families? Are they well?"

"Eldest Uncle’s and Second Uncle’s families are doing quite well, living decently. Eldest Uncle misses you a lot. I invited him to the capital, but he said he hadn’t arranged for it this year; if there’s a chance next year, he will bring your aunt to visit you."

Zhulan’s heart lightened, "I should write a few more letters to urge them."

Chang Yi continued, "I’ve purchased quite a few items in Lizhou Province, which would be perfect for sister’s dowry. Mother, although Sister’s marriage status won’t change, when will the Ning Residence come to discuss the wedding date?"

It was only last night, while bathing, that his wife informed him of the many events that had transpired at home, especially regarding his sister, the future Mrs. Hou. The Zhou family was truly on their way to prosperity.

Thinking of Rongchuan’s attitude when he left, Zhulan said with a smile, "It should be soon."

Zhulan and her second son chatted a bit more, and then the shopkeeper from the fabric store arrived to deliver the cloth Zhulan had ordered some days earlier.

After the shopkeeper left, Chang Yi asked, "Mother, why did you order so much cloth?"

As she fiddled with the cloth, Zhulan replied, "I’ve received a lot of invitations recently. I plan to make more clothes."

Seeing that his mother was busy, Chang Yi said, "Mother, I’ll go rest then."

"Alright."

Time flew quickly, and soon it was the Third Prince’s Consort’s birthday feast. The Third Prince, Zhang Jingshi, had been assigned a good job, and with the Qi family clan being prominent, the Third Prince’s Consort’s birthday celebration was very lively.

Outside the Prince Residence, carriages arrived one after another, bringing guests. Zhulan arrived not too early nor too late, timing her entry just right.

Arriving too early would draw attention, as would arriving too late. It’s better to keep a low profile at these princely banquets.

Zhulan didn’t bring Xue Han; the princes would only be too pleased if the Zhou family failed to finalize the marriage with the Ning Residence. She wasn’t foolish enough to bring her daughter into danger, nor did she bring any of her granddaughters.

Zhulan alone was keen enough to survey the Prince Residence. Each prince’s residence covered a vast area, and it took a while to walk to the garden where the feast was being held.

Zhulan caught sight of Lady Gao at a glance. Lady Gao was quite popular, with many people gathered around her. Zhulan paused in her steps; where there were many people, there was much gossip, especially since the Zhou family had been too ostentatious lately. It was better not to head into the thick of the crowd, so she found a less conspicuous place to sit down.

They say that the official world is full of variety, and the women in the backyards are no exception. Standing in groups of threes and twos, one could discern the nature of their relationships just by observing the distances between them.

Zhulan watched the Third Prince’s Consort, Lady Zhang, and thought of the Emperor’s maneuvers in the past, which disgusted not just several Princes but also their consorts.

Standing beside the Third Prince’s Consort were two women who must be the Second Prince’s Consort and the Fourth Prince’s Consort. Surprisingly, the Fifth Prince’s Consort was nowhere to be seen.

As the guests arrived one after another, the Crown Princess Consort made the last entrance. Zhulan saw Miss Ran Yan. The Crown Princess Consort really brought a concubine along with her.

The people from the Ning Residence didn’t come. Considering how the Ning Residence conducted itself, they probably seldom attended such banquets, especially those related to the other Princes.

Miss Ran Yan seemed to be living well; with a promising belly, her child was being raised by the Empress, and the Crown Princess Consort had given her some respect.

After seeing Miss Ran Yan handling social pleasantries and walking over, Zhulan smiled and said, "I’ve seen the concubine."

Miss Ran Yan sat down beside her, "I knew long ago that the Zhou family was coming to the capital, but I wasn’t allowed to leave my residence. Congratulations to you here."

Zhulan replied, "It’s only by the Emperor’s boundless grace that the Zhou family could enter the capital."

Ran Yan, with a sly smile, lowered her voice and said, "I’m also here on a mission. The Crown Princess Consort knows that our two families are on good terms, that’s why she brought me along."

Zhulan understood. She had been wondering why Ran Yan, as a concubine, wasn’t by the Crown Princess Consort’s side but was looking for her instead, "Is everything going well for the concubine?"

Ran Yan’s demeanor was light and carefree. The Crown Prince didn’t have much affection for her, but he did visit her from time to time to maintain her dignity, and the Crown Princess Consort wasn’t a difficult person, treating her quite well, "I’m doing quite well. How come I didn’t see Miss Xue Han today?"

Zhulan hinted, "I don’t trust her."

Ran Yan had married into the Crown Prince’s residence, and if the Crown Prince fell from grace, she wouldn’t be spared either. She quickly understood that too many people didn’t want the Zhou family and the Ning Residence to form an alliance, "It seems I’ll only be able to meet Miss Xue Han later on."

Zhulan thought to herself that there would be too many opportunities for them to meet in the future. Just as she was about to reply, she saw the Third Prince’s Consort looking over and swallowed her words back down.

The Third Prince’s Consort, Lady Zhang, with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, said, "The Crown Prince’s residence is really attentive to the Zhou family. Even attending my birthday banquet, we have to trouble the concubine from the Crown Prince’s residence as a hostess."

The Crown Princess Consort looked around and said, "My sister-in-law’s birthday banquet is more lively than my own birthday celebration. There are too many people today. I’m only worried that my sister-in-law might be too overwhelmed."

The Crown Princess Consort’s eyes held a mocking light as she observed the ladies present today, noting the large number of fair-weather friends.

The Third Prince’s Consort said, "Indeed, there are many guests today. It’s all thanks to my husband being favored by the Emperor. Speaking of which, next month is my sister-in-law’s birthday. I wonder what sort of event it will be."

The Crown Princess Consort rolled her eyes inwardly, ’Fortune favors the petty,’ "What? Is my sister-in-law interested in helping to plan? If so, I won’t refuse. My only requirement is that the food and expenses be a notch above my sister-in-law’s standards, since I am the Crown Princess Consort, after all!"

The Third Prince’s Consort felt a burning anger inside. The Crown Prince and the other Princes were similar in age, so their consorts were naturally selected at the same time. In the end, she married the Third Prince, while Wen Shi became the Crown Princess Consort, suppressing her for so many years and now wanting her help planning a birthday banquet. Biting her teeth, she said, "My sister-in-law’s make-up is quite thick today."

Zhulan was all ears, listening intently. That was a jab at the Crown Princess Consort for being shameless!

The Crown Princess Consort looked at Lady Zhang sharply, "Such eye trouble is a serious illness; you should take it seriously, sister-in-law."

Zhulan held back a laugh. This Crown Princess Consort was quite formidable. Thinking of Zhou Shuren saying that the Crown Prince also enjoyed teasing the Princes, this couple were truly masters at throwing shade.