Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 899: Red Looks Good

Chapter 899: Chapter 899: Red Looks Good

A new year, a new beginning; early in the morning, Zhulan bled a considerable amount of money, handing out red envelopes to all the branches of the family and to the children.

On the first day of the lunar new year, Zhou Shuren engaged his sons in a card game, with the too obvious aim of winning silver. In the end, Mingyun and the others found it too painful to watch.

Zhulan was speechless, but Zhou Shuren was quite happy. He didn’t care whether his sons were deliberately losing; he was more concerned with the increasing amount of silver he won.

Chang Zhi was the first to bow out, for a very simple reason: he had lost all the pocket money he had saved up and the red envelopes he just received. Mingyun was then pushed to take his place.

Zhou the elder breathed a sigh of relief. They had all been bullying him just now!

Then Chang Lian had a rough time. After his eldest nephew joined the game, he hadn’t won a single hand; Zhou the elder finally had a win. Indeed, only his own son was reliable.

As Mingyun shuffled the cards, he glanced at his grandfather, paying more attention to his second and third uncles. Just now, he had clearly seen that the two uncles were in cahoots, first picking on the fourth uncle who was terrible at cards, and then targeting his father!

On the second day of the new year, the daughters-in-law of the Zhou family could not return to their own families, either because they were too far away or because they had no family to return to. Rongchuan came back to the Zhou family on the second day.

Zhou Shuren sent Rongchuan, who had come to pay his New Year’s visit, away and then spoke in a low voice, "It’s as if our own daughter has come back to her parental home. Rongchuan is just like a girl of our family."

Zhulan chuckled, "The Ning Residence should be thinking the same way."

Zhou Shuren stood up, smiling, "I’m heading out to play a couple of hands. This kid Rongchuan is so rich now it makes me envious. If I don’t take a few cuts at him, I’ll end up resenting the wealthy."

"Look at how petty you are. Didn’t you show any mercy yesterday? Haven’t you won enough yet?"

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "Today I’ll only win from Rongchuan."

Who let the kid be so wealthy? This is the first year Rongchuan is spending the New Year with the Ning family; who knows how many red envelopes he has received!

At the Duke Residence, Marquis Ning was so frustrated, "The New Year’s gifts were all prepared by Rongchuan, and on the second day he’s already at the Zhou house. Father, are we truly the groom’s side of the family?"

The Duke Ning couldn’t even be bothered to roll his eyes, as his son had been complaining a lot, "The one who is the sourest isn’t you."

Marquis Ning laughed, right, the sourest one is the Emperor, and moreover, the Emperor has to face a fake one every day. With this comparison, Marquis Ning felt extremely relieved in his heart.

The Duke Ning spoke to his second son Ning Hui, "Your mother-in-law is overreaching by talking to your mother about Ning Ting’s marriage before the New Year, aiming to add more familial ties. I’ll lay it out here: when it comes to the marriage of my great-grandchildren, your mother and I will have the final say."

Ning Hui was unaware of this. His eldest granddaughter Ning Ting would later be a Miss of the Duke, and not many in the capital could compare with his granddaughter. His face darkened immediately, "Your son truly didn’t know."

Over the years, he had gotten quite worn out cleaning up after his wife’s family; if not for the strong bond with his wife, he truly wouldn’t bother.

Ning Xu sneered, "I don’t mean to overstep, second brother, but you’ve been too lenient with the Du family over the years."

The second brother was good in all respects, but sometimes he lacked decisiveness; if it were him, the Du family would never dare to be so arrogant in the Duke Residence.

In a deep voice, the Duke Ning said, "I haven’t meddled with the Du family over the years, and having a family that drags us down had its advantages, but now things are different. Our family can tolerate in-laws of lower status, but not those who overstep their bounds. When choosing your bride, there were others more suitable than Lady Du. It was you who took a fancy to Lady Du at first glance, and your mother and I agreed to please you, as they were all families of lower status anyway."

The Duke Ning paused then continued, "With the current transition of imperial power in the capital and the lurking dangers, the Duke Residence must be more cautious. We can’t let the Du family continue as they are, you handle it."

Ning Hui’s heart skipped a beat. His father was not suggesting a mere reprimand, but actual action. Glancing at his relaxed younger brother, his heart felt constricted, "Your son understands."

At the Zhou residence, Rongchuan always liked to carry a lot of silver with him when going out, and after returning to the Ning family, he brought even more. Yesterday’s New Year’s money pouch was exceptionally bulky. Now, he wanted to cry as he looked forlornly at his second and third brothers; as for his uncle, well, it wasn’t about winning his silver - he’d willingly give it away.

Chang Yi’s hand was still playfully touching the silver note in front of him, "Rongchuan, it’s time to reveal the cards."

Chang Lian always remembered how much he had won, good, all the losses to father yesterday had been recouped, looking at Rongchuan as if he were looking at gold!

Rongchuan felt his purse, realizing today that without filling it, he couldn’t think of leaving the house!

On the third day of the new year, the Zhou family received many visitors to extend New Year’s greetings, including officials from the Ministry of Revenue and other esteemed guests like Liufeng and Wong Wei.

The engagement was settled, and the two lads came over for a New Year visit.

Wong Wei was a boy Zhulan seldom saw: the eldest great-grandson of the Wong family, who carried an inherent dignity in his bones. As a son of a grand family, even standing silently, he captured all the attention.

Zhou Shuren was familiar with Liufeng, but today he mainly chatted with Wong Wei, inquiring about his studies. They occasionally touched on state affairs, focusing on the well-being of the people.

Zhulan listened from the side, nodding once in a while. Despite Wong Wei’s young age, thanks to Elder Mr. Wong, he already possessed commendable insights.

Zhou Shuren didn’t chat for long; he had his eldest grandson take Wong Wei and Liufeng out.

Once the two lads had left, Zhulan mused, "Being born into a great family gives one too many advantages."

"That’s why in ancient times, it was difficult for peasant families to rise to prominence; the children of noble families already won at the starting line with the education they received from a young age."

Zhulan added, "Did you notice, the Jade Pendant Liufeng wears is not the one you gifted him. It’s also a rare piece of fine jade."

Zhou Shuren drank a couple sips of tea, "I saw it. It looks like he and his cousin uncle have already met."

Mingyun took the two guests of the same generation to the garden, where a few sisters were playing. He wanted Yu Lu to have a look at Wong Wei.

Wong Wei maintained his composure, although his somewhat red ears would have been more convincing otherwise. He had a vague recollection of the appearance of the Zhou family’s daughters, but he remembered their names very well; his grandmother mentioned them daily, and his great-grandmother often spoke of them.

In the garden, Yu Lu and her eldest sister were watching Yu Die and Yu Yi build snowmen. Hearing the voices, Yu Lu turned around, her red cloak framing her already fair complexion, making her appear even more radiant.

Wong Wei was greeted by such a scene and momentarily froze. Red attire was seldom seen in his household, mainly because his great-grandmother favored plain colors; consequently, the clothes of the female members were quite unadorned. His ears turned even redder. This time, he memorized the face of his betrothed, thinking silently to himself that red was truly beautiful.

Mingyun coughed, and by the time Wong Wei snapped out of it, there was no sign of the Zhou family’s daughters; they had already walked away.

Regret filled Wong Wei’s eyes—he hadn’t even spoken a single word yet!

Liufeng felt the imperial satin in his sleeve, a fabric he had chosen with care, intended as a New Year’s gift for Yushuang.

Mingyun regretted bringing these two future brothers-in-law to the garden.

The following day, Mingyun and Ming Teng also left the house.

Hu Xia, bringing his son, came to pay a New Year’s visit. It was Zhulan’s first time meeting the son of the Hu family. Hu Xia’s daughter was poorly raised, but he kept a tight leash on his son.

With the eldest grandson and Ming Teng not at home that day, it was Ming Rui who entertained Master Hu Xia’s son.

Hu Xia had a bellyful of words he wanted to say to Mr. Zhou, "Sir, on the second day of the New Year, I met Liufeng’s cousin uncle."

Zhou Shuren, "The Jade Pendant that Liufeng wore yesterday, it was a gift from his cousin uncle, wasn’t it?"

Hu Xia shook his head, "No, it wasn’t."

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, "It wasn’t?"