Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 878: Gentle Miss Song

Chapter 878: Chapter 878: Gentle Miss Song

The Song family had many relatives. Although none held high official positions of significant power, on average, there were many more family members associated with government officials. Zhulan had researched the Song family and naturally could distinguish among them Miss Song, Lady Bai’s cousin, in the hall.

Next to Miss Song was her mother, surnamed Liu. Madam Liu was a mother who deeply loved her daughter and had fretted endlessly over her daughter’s marriage prospects, which also earned Zhulan’s favorable impression.

Madam Liu was somewhat full-figured, but one could tell that in her youth she was a beauty. A beautiful mother meant that naturally, her daughter was also blessed with high attractiveness, and seated motionless, Miss Song resembled a painting.

Xue Han was stunned for a moment. Miss Song’s beauty was not the kind that struck one immediately upon viewing her face, but rather a temperament that was like that of an orchid.

Zhulan followed Lady Bai to sit down, and they were seated well, with Madam Liu beside her. With so many people around, Lady Bai couldn’t attend to everyone, and she soon had to leave to greet others.

Madam Liu was the first to greet, "Lady."

Zhulan, not having had dealings with the Song family and considering their low profile, had not encountered Madam Liu at banquets in the capital before, "Madam Liu."

Madam Liu patted her daughter’s hand, "This is my daughter, Song Lan."

Zhulan also pulled Xue Han over, "This is my youngest daughter, Zhou Xuehan."

Madam Liu observed the young lady from the Zhou family. Over half a year in the capital, Miss Zhou had received positive acclaim, and of course, her marriage prospect was the envy and subject of much talk, "Miss Zhou looks like the lady."

Zhulan too was pleased that her daughter resembled her; if she had looked like Zhou Shuren, she would have had reason to cry, "Miss Song also resembles you."

Madam Liu quickly assessed Miss Zhou’s attire, and there was no need to talk about the fabric of her clothes—it was the best one could procure from capital’s cloth shops. What was most impressive was her jewelry, from bracelets to headdresses. Madam Liu thought to herself that the Zhou family truly had Silver Coin, "Miss Zhou’s gemstone bracelet is quite rare."

Zhulan noticed the astonishment in Madam Liu’s eyes, but this truly had nothing to do with the Zhou family; it was a gift to Xue Han from Rongchuan. She didn’t know when Rongchuan had developed a liking for shopping, and obviously it wasn’t just for Xue Han; many of her jewelries were also gifts from him. Zhou Shuren had been quite envious for a while. Zhou Shuren had wanted to purchase them as well but lacked Rongchuan’s lavish spending power. Rongchuan was now extravagantly wealthy to an inhumane degree.

Zhulan smiled, she couldn’t tell that it was a gift from Rongchuan, "Miss Song’s hairpin is also quite exceptional."

This was true; looking at the carved hairpin, with the orchid on it appearing almost real, she had taken an instant liking to it.

Madam Liu smiled with pursed lips, all thanks to her dowry. Back then, it had been an extensive bridal procession, and indeed, the Song family, too, was not short on silver. "This was carved from a single block of jade selected from my dowry by a master craftsman. I only have two daughters; the elder is already married for many years, and this younger one is our baby. Whatever the elder had in her dowry, the younger definitely won’t lack," she said.

Zhulan felt a wave of dowry show-off. She wasn’t clear about Madam Liu’s dowry, but she had inquired about the dowry of Madam Liu’s elder daughter. The Song family was inherently affluent, with wealth accumulated in their branches over many years, and the dowry back then was the talk of the town. Moreover, there were the additional gifts from each branch.

Zhulan thought to herself, Wu Ming had overcome his hardships, and now a good marriage prospect had arrived, "You are known throughout the capital as someone who dotes on her daughters."

Madam Liu loved to hear this; she truly cherished her daughters because her parents had cherished her in the same way. So when her younger daughter’s engagement was broken, she was absolutely furious and determined to find a better match, "You, too, are someone who dotes on her daughter. I’ve heard about the additional dowry you provided."

It was real gold and silver given to the son-in-law, and then she thought, who doesn’t do that? Everyone sends a large dowry when marrying off a daughter.

Zhulan laughed, "We are all experienced in this matter. Daughters are less easy to care for than sons, so naturally, we favor them a bit more."

Lady Liu especially approved, for although ladies from prominent families were honoured, their situation often involved more helplessness. Those lucky enough were resplendent with unlimited glory, and those who were not just had to accept their bad luck. It was precisely because Lady Liu admired Madam Yang that she straightforwardly agreed to the marital arrangement for her daughter.

Lady Liu hoped her daughter would have a good relationship with Madam Yang. Since Madam Yang and Wu Ming were sworn siblings, even though she wouldn’t meddle in Wu’s family affairs, her information told him that the Zhou family had helped the Wu family immensely. In the heart of this future son-in-law, the Zhou family was both a benefactor and kin.

Especially because the future son-in-law’s opportunity to enter the capital was orchestrated by Mister Zhou, the debt of gratitude was even greater.

Zhulan chatted with Lady Liu about other matters, while the young girls behind them and the ladies from prominent families were also talking. Zhulan didn’t listen in much; she was focused on speaking with Lady Liu.

The guests at the banquet were puzzled as to why Zhulan and Lady Liu had such a good conversation, but considering that the Song family’s lady had just come of age and the Zhou family had no suitable fiancé candidate, they didn’t think too much about it.

The banquet ended quickly, and Zhulan left together with Lady Liu.

Initially, Lady Liu engaged more with Madam Yang for her daughter’s sake. After chatting, she grew very fond of Madam Yang and warmly said, "I’m someone who doesn’t like to go out, but if it’s to visit the Zhou residence, I’m indeed willing to go. I must call on you soon."

Zhulan also liked Lady Liu very much because parts of her thoughts were in sync with her own. "Great, I will definitely be prepared with tea and refreshments waiting for you."

Out of respect for Madam Yang’s higher rank, Lady Liu gestured for Madam Yang to leave in the carriage first. Zhulan didn’t decline and boarded the carriage ahead of Lady Liu.

Lady Liu waited until the carriage departed before getting into the carriage with her daughter. Song Lan very rarely saw her mother so happy, "Mother, do you really like Madam Yang?"

Lady Liu candidly admitted, "I do like her. You know sometimes your mother has some radical ideas, and surprisingly, Madam Yang was able to converse with me on the same wavelength."

In her heart, Song Lan thought her mother’s words were too modest. Since she was pampered from childhood, her temperament didn’t resemble that of other ladies from prominent families—she was truly bold. It was only after marrying her father that she became more restrained.

Inside the Zhou family’s carriage, Xue Han said, "Mother, Miss Song is truly gentle. Talking with her is so comfortable. She is kind, considerate, and of course, well-educated. That such a wonderful person was once rejected in a marriage is so unfair."

Despite receiving positive assessments since arriving in the capital, she recognized her own shortcomings. Even with the teaching of her fourth sister-in-law, there were still deficiencies. Miss Song didn’t miss an opportunity to give her advice during their conversation, and she was also mindful of her feelings, truly a very gentle person.

Zhulan chuckled, "You should be thanking those who canceled the engagement. If it weren’t for that, we wouldn’t have had any involvement."

Xue Han was confused, "Mother, what do you mean?"

There was surely no suitable match for Miss Song in their family. Jiang Zhu was also of marriageable age, but it wasn’t that she looked down on her elder sister and brother-in-law—it was just that they were too dissimilar in status. Even as grandchildren of the Zhou family, in all honesty, Miss Song’s lineage wouldn’t take an interest in a grandnephew.

Moreover, Miss Song had already come of age, a few years older than the grandnephew!

Zhulan took her daughter’s hand and whispered the name "Wu Ming" in her daughter’s ear. How could she not know what was on her daughter’s mind? Even Wu Ming was considered marrying above his station, even if Miss Song had been rejected once in marriage, but who could argue when it was the Crown Prince who had arranged it?

Xue Han covered her mouth in shock; this was indeed big news. She thought to herself that her mother had been too enthusiastic toward Madam Liu today—it was the first time she’d seen her mother so animated.