Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 936

Chapter 936: 936

The Zhou family had added a new member, and as per tradition, all the servants received their happy money. That morning, Zhou Shuren had also named the child, Yu Jiao.

Zhou Shuren personally choosing the name was also reassuring for Lady Dong.

After breakfast, Zhulan went to see her little granddaughter, who had just been fed and was sleeping with her eyes closed.

It was only after Lady Dong had eaten her millet porridge that Zhulan asked, "How do you feel after a night’s rest, any better?"

With a smile at the corner of her mouth, Lady Dong replied, "Mother, I really am fine now."

She was telling the truth. Last night, after mother had left, my husband secretly entered the room, saw that I wasn’t sleeping with my eyes open, and reminded me of the oath he had sworn, which I also remembered. Before my husband and I had consummated our marriage, he mentioned it once, but afterwards, I forgot, and more so, I didn’t pay much attention to it.

Now that my husband brought it up again, he also insisted that the child was still a daughter and that everything was his fault, asking me not to feel burdened.

Lady Dong repeated her husband’s words. Zhulan remained silent; she and Zhou Shuren didn’t believe in such things, but the ancients did. However, it’s good as Chang Lian took all the blame.

Zhulan took out the birth gift for the child, which she had prepared well in advance. It was a zodiac-themed item suitable for both boys and girls.

Upon leaving the third residence, Lady Li and Lady Zhao came together. Zhulan gestured them to go inside, but she was not in a hurry to return to her own courtyard. Instead, she walked about the garden with Nanny Song. The water in the garden’s lake was already beginning to thaw. The mansion’s lake was quite deep, so the fish would not die even in winter.

Around the lake, Zhulan had erected barriers, as there were many children in the family and it was better to be cautious around dangerous places. Even the rockery had been fenced off, all for the sake of safety, and naturally, to prevent accidents during banquets.

Upon returning to the main courtyard, Wu Ning arrived. Zhulan said with a smile, "Your timing is quite fortuitous, I haven’t even announced the happy news yet."

Wu Ning was momentarily stunned before realizing, "Did the third sister-in-law give birth?"

"She did, to a seven-pound baby girl," Zhulan replied.

Upon hearing this, Wu Ning knew that the third sister-in-law must be disappointed and couldn’t help but touch her own belly, which was now showing her pregnancy. This child had given her a hard time, causing her to vomit, and instead of gaining weight, she had actually lost some, with only her belly growing noticeably.

Seeing Wu Ning’s gesture, Zhulan advised, "Don’t put pressure on yourself either. You’re still so young, and besides, He Shu is not an only son; he has a brother."

After a pause, Zhulan continued, "Don’t rush to have another child after this one. You should take care of yourself for at least three years, which will be good for both you and the baby."

Wu Ning knew that her aunt was looking out for her and cared, which is why she said this, "I’ll keep that in mind."

She was not in a hurry to have children. First, her husband was preparing for the civil service exams, and secondly, she had confidence. Her eldest brother had become a capital official, and she had the support of Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhulan. She was not an orphan alone in the world.

Zhulan mentioned Wu Yong’s marriage, chatted a few more sentences, and then Wu Ning went to visit Lady Dong.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren had a smile on his face all day. Mr. Qiu asked about it, and soon everyone in the ministry knew that Elder Zhou’s family had welcomed a granddaughter.

By noon, Wong Ju was extremely envious, "The Zhou family really is blessed with many children, five grandsons, and now six granddaughters."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "Still not enough."

The Zhou family was still fragile, and they could only rely on themselves. Legacy required people, and for the Zhou family, people were the most valuable asset.

Wong Ju’s face twisted with jealousy. He didn’t understand why the descendants of the Wong family had such slender chances; he considered himself formidable with two legitimate sons and a daughter. His own son, however, had only one grandson, a sole seedling. After so many years, none of his son’s wives or concubines had conceived—at all. The old man had even secretly consulted the Imperial Physician; his son was not to blame. They were simply not fated to have children.

Wong Ju had asked his father more than once if their ancestors had committed any misdeeds that would damage their moral integrity. His father’s mustache bristled at the question—the old man would like to know himself!

"The dowry and betrothal gifts are no small sum of Silver Coin, Mr. Zhou has taken quite the effort," interjected Qiu Yan.

Zhou Shuren was scrupulously fair, contributing his share to both dowries and betrothal gifts and then allowing each household to add to it. "A sweet burden indeed!"

Wong Ju thought to himself that their Wong family did not fear burdens. Give them ten or eight children, and they would uphold the responsibility. That was the foundation of a great clan.

Qiu Yan had been doing the math in his head, "Your little girl is to marry into the Ning Duke Residence by the end of the year, a hefty dowry is to be prepared, is everything ready?"

Zhou Shuren nodded, "It was prepared last year."

Wong Ju had heard plenty of rumors, "I hear you’ve prepared two estates in the capital for your daughter?"

There was no point in being secretive; everyone would find out anyway. "Mhm."

Qiu Yan inhaled sharply, looking at Wong Ju. Zhou’s granddaughter was to marry into the Wong family, and the dowry couldn’t be small. Thinking about Zhou Shuren’s other granddaughters, yes, all legitimate granddaughters. As long as Zhou Shuren didn’t stumble, his granddaughters would have no worries about marrying well, especially the daughter of Zhou’s third son, who had a legitimate career having graduated from Hanlin Academy. Along with Zhou Shuren, the third son’s daughter was in high demand.

Zhou Shuren was unaware of the accounts Qiu Yan had tallied up for him. All he knew was that before Qiu Yan spoke up, he hadn’t felt the pressure of having additional granddaughters. Now, however, the pressure seemed a bit much. So should he seek an extra gift of reward?

Zhou Shuren was undecided, to reveal or not to reveal? No, one must not reveal. He was just the steward of the finances, nothing more!

Hanlin Academy, Zhou Changlian arrived with wedding candies to announce the happy news of becoming a father again. Everyone congratulated him, and some mentioned they would surely attend the full-moon celebration for the baby.

That afternoon, Zhou Changlian and Rongchuan returned to the Hanlin Academy together as they had both entered the palace that day.

Upon reaching the Academy, Rongchuan and Zhou Changlian parted ways. Changlian usually walked softly, and now without the snow, his footsteps were even quieter. As he approached the door, he heard his name mentioned and didn’t rush in.

Lv Liang was chatting with someone, "With two daughters now, I’ll never know if Zhou Changlian is truly happy or just pretending."

Somebody took the bait, eager for gossip, "He must be genuinely happy."

"I think so too. The whole capital knows how precious the daughters of the Zhou family are."

This was because details of the additional dowries Zhou Shuren provided for his daughters were well known throughout the capital.

Lv Liang was just venting. He dare not say much else. He laughed awkwardly, "Anyway, Zhou Changlian is still young."

Feeling nothing worth eavesdropping on, Changlian stepped into the room. The door usually stayed ajar save for typical winter days. Upon entering, everyone inside tensed, uncertain exactly when Changlian had returned.

Lv Liang guiltily lowered his head while the others greeted Changlian and busied themselves with their work.

Back at his own seat, Changlian reflected on how, ever since his father began frequenting the palace, no one in Hanlin Academy dared to cross him. Even before, no one really bothered him, but he could still sense the envious glares. Who could blame them, having such a formidable father?

In the evening, Xue Mei and her husband came home for dinner. After eating, Jiang Sheng spoke to his father-in-law: "Father, I have something to discuss with you."