Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 867: Attitude

Chapter 867: Chapter 867: Attitude

In the afternoon, Zhang Yang almost tore up the ledger several times. The more he calculated, the more chaotic his mind became, and the more he looked, the more annoyed he got, finally finishing just as he left the office.

Zhou Shuren didn’t look at the books but gestured to put them away, and then said, "Your Highness can leave now."

Zhang Yang turned to leave, not wanting to see Zhou Shuren, but just as he reached the door, he heard, "Zhang Jinghong’s arithmetic is good, but I wonder who is better compared to Your Highness."

Zhang Yang turned his head, Zhou Shuren was still looking down, as if the words hadn’t come from him, but Zhang Yang heard them clearly and pursed his lips, "Naturally, I am better."

Zhou Shuren looked up, "Is Your Highness not leaving yet?"

Zhang Yang’s frustration had no outlet, and he repeated, "I will do better than Zhang Jinghong."

Zhou Shuren’s smile deepened, "This humble one awaits Your Highness’s proof."

Zhang Yang clenched his fists; he would prove himself, he was stronger than Zhang Jinghong, "Fine."

After Zhang Yang left, Zhou Shuren thought that a proper amount of stimulation was necessary to avoid a defeatist attitude, using Zhang Jinghong as a particularly useful card.

At the residence of Zhang Jinghong, he was curled up on the small heated brick bed, wrapped in a blanket and watching Yao Xin eat spiced meat, dried fruits, and such, sneakily stretching out his hand towards the table to grab a handful but got smacked for it, rubbing the back of his hand, "You really hit me!"

Yao Xin continued eating dried fruits without even lifting her eyelids, "The things sent by the legitimate sister are always selected carefully, they’re quite rare."

Zhang Jinghong fell silent, "Fine, I won’t eat. Aside from medicinal soups and normal meals, I won’t eat anything else."

He found that Yao Xin had become increasingly petty.

Yao Xin snorted, "I’m just looking out for your health, to prevent you from getting heaty."

She had not figured out why Yao Yao would send things over, but she knew that if Yao Yao was doing this, her husband must have agreed. Yao Yao was such a shrewd woman; she would never compromise her marriage.

So she had long since stopped being petty, just still a bit stubborn.

Zhang Jinghong certainly didn’t believe women’s words, lying down honestly and reading a book, then suddenly laughed to himself again.

Yao Xin asked, "Why are you laughing?"

Zhang Jinghong beamed, "I think the life I’m living now is quite interesting. This is what life should be like."

Yao Xin couldn’t help but smile, and finally laughed quietly, pushing the dish of dried fruits towards him, "Eat, they’re quite fragrant."

Zhang Jinghong, "You peel them for me."

"Hah, you want me to serve you? Don’t even think about it, peel them yourself."

Zhang Jinghong pulled the dish of dried fruits closer, "If you won’t peel them for me, I’ll peel them for you."

Yao Xin watched as Zhang Jinghong earnestly peeled the dried fruits, his expression becoming even more gentle. Indeed, this was what living a life should be, but the more they lived like this, the more greedy she became, wanting even more.

The next day, Zhulan visited the Du family, which was located at the edge of West City. Without Lady Du’s support, the Du family would have long since left West City, as their expenditures were far too great.

When Zhulan arrived, she was considered late. Today’s birthday feast was quite lively, mostly attended by Lady Du’s clan and relatives, with not many officials’ families present.

Over the years, the Du family had worn out the honor of Lady Du, the Princely Heir’s wife.

Zhulan was the highest-ranking among all the officials’ families present, and because of her arrival, Lady Du regained some honor and was especially enthusiastic toward Zhulan.

Zhulan understood everything after observing the day’s proceedings. The invitation sent to Zhou’s residence must have been at Lady Du’s behest, and she glanced at Lady Du’s two daughters-in-law’s family members; these were people who had to attend.

The Du family’s elderly matriarch was celebrating her birthday feast, and it was a grand affair, especially with the daughter of the Heir’s Wife of the Duke family present, carrying herself with great poise.

The elderly lady lifted her eyes, "This must be Lady Yang, I often hear about you, you are indeed an esteemed guest at banquets in the capital, I’ve heard that even invitations to your events can be lined up until after the New Year."

Zhulan sensed that the old lady did not like her, responding with a faint smile, "Esteemed is an overstatement, but as husband and wife are one, all the glory is brought to me by my husband, don’t you think I’m right, Madam?"

She wouldn’t indulge the old lady, pushing back with a firm retort on her first try, just wait—soon enough, the Du family would dare to visit Zhou Shuren’s home, and assuredly not in a beggar’s manner; the Du family, now in decline, still clung to a laughable pride, never seeing itself clearly, which she found particularly disagreeable.

The old lady was also a veteran of household intrigues, the Du family’s backyard was a lively drama, and even though she was old, her heart was still battle-ready; Lady Yang’s implication was clear, the women of the Du family were not receiving invitations, which was surely a sign of the Du men’s lack of competence!

For a moment, the room fell quiet.

Lady Du’s face changed briefly, from the moment her mother spoke, she feared something bad would happen, having learned from her young daughter-in-law that Lady Yang was not to be provoked. Though Lady Yang’s words weren’t directed at her, she felt a stinging in her face.

Lady Du felt deeply troubled inside, "Mother, look what gift I brought you?"

The topic changed somewhat abruptly, but to prevent an awkward silence, others quickly followed suit and kept the conversation going.

Zhulan didn’t say anything; she was only making her position clear, not intending to disrupt the birthday feast. She sat quietly, watching.

The old lady finally showed a smile upon seeing the jewellery her daughter had given her, "Good, good, my daughter is the most dutiful."

Zhulan covered her mouth with a handkerchief, Lady Du had shown filial piety and had given the old lady face, but the faces of the Du family’s daughters-in-law turned sour; they probably felt that their gifts were inadequate. Observing the attire and accessories of the Du family womenfolk, she became even more knowledgeable about jewelry, discerning that the gold ornaments were refurbished; it matched what she had heard about the Du family’s financial struggles.

Seated beside Zhulan was Lady Du’s eldest daughter-in-law’s maternal relative, Lady Bai of the Song family, who returned Zhulan’s gaze with a gentle smile, and Zhulan nodded in acknowledgment.

She had met Lady Bai of the Song family a few times, she was genuinely gentle in speech and demeanor, but when firmness was necessary, she didn’t hold back, embodying softness on the outside and steadfastness within.

The Song and Yu families, daughters-in-law to Lady Du, also brought excellent gifts.

Zhulan’s presents from her guests would not be brought inside; upon entering the Duke Residence, they had all been handed over to the steward.

Lady Bai whispered softly, "Lady, might you be leaving early?"

Zhulan spoke in a hushed tone, "Indeed, that’s my plan."

Lady Bai softly proposed, "Would Lady wait for me? I know of a teahouse that’s quite nice, and I would like to invite Lady to have tea."

Zhulan understood; clearly, something was afoot, "Alright."

Lady Song glanced their way, and Lady Bai gave an almost imperceptible nod; Lady Song smiled.

The birthday banquet would commence shortly, but Zhulan wasn’t particularly hungry; the food was not unappetizing, but her mind was preoccupied with why Lady Bai had approached her, contemplating the appropriate moment to slip away.

After a while, Zhulan saw that the old lady’s face was marked with fatigue; at her age in ancient times, sixty-seven was considered a long life, and even with few words that morning, she was tired.

When the old lady got up, Zhulan also took her leave, with Lady Bai following suit.

As Zhulan and Lady Bai departed together, Lady Du watched them closely, asking her eldest daughter-in-law, "Is your elder sister close with Lady Yang?"

Lady Song’s relation with her natal family was very close, and she maintained a warm rapport with her sisters-in-law, not hiding anything from her mother-in-law, "My elder sister has encountered Lady at several feasts."

Lady Du felt a bit awkward, her daughter-in-law’s family might not hold high positions, but each had reputable jobs all the same, and coupled with their deep roots, the Song family’s womenfolk were commonly seen at various household banquets.

Lady Song kept her head down, avoiding looking at her mother-in-law, to spare her further discomfort.

Upon leaving, Zhulan quickly arrived at the teahouse, which was quite elegant, and the room had already been reserved. Jokingly, Zhulan said, "If I hadn’t come today, wouldn’t it have been a waste to book the room?"