Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 947: Consequences of Actions

Chapter 947: Chapter 947: Consequences of Actions

Zhao’s wife felt relieved after hearing her mother-in-law’s words and said, "Mother, then I will also return to my courtyard."

"Hmm."

After Zhao’s wife left, Zhulan whispered to Granny Song, "Send someone to find out more."

She didn’t want to inquire initially, but the Zhou family’s situation was not easy; it was better to be careful.

When it was time to rest at night, Zhulan shared the news they had gathered, "Two days ago, on Gu Zhuomin’s birthday, Liufeng’s cousin brought gifts to the capital. Granny Song heard from a Servant of the Gu family that the young lady did not want to continue being a concubine any longer, so she took this opportunity to come to the capital seeking help."

Zhou Shuren said, "Gu Zhuomin helped out, and now the young lady has no place in the Gu family. Even if she was forced to be a concubine, she has been a concubine."

Zhulan sighed, "Granny Song didn’t find out anything else. The fact that this young lady took the opportunity to come to the capital for help shows that Uncle Liufeng disagrees."

She had been cautious in her investigation but felt stifled when she heard the news. One would not make such a desperate move to come to the capital for help unless pushed to the brink.

Upon waking the next morning, Zhulan’s head felt heavy, having had a night filled with unsettling dreams. Even after breakfast, she couldn’t shake off the feeling.

After resting a bit more, she felt somewhat better. It was only then that Zhulan changed her clothes. Today, she and her daughter were to visit the Duke Residence, as they had been invited by the Duchess and could not decline.

At the Duke Residence, Zhulan and her daughter went straight to the main courtyard. Upon entering, Zhulan immediately smelled the scent of medicinal soup. Maids and Servants were treading carefully, and a Servant close to the Duchess whispered, "The wife has had a headache for the last couple of days and hasn’t rested well."

Zhulan nodded to show she understood, and upon entering the room, she found the medicinal scent overpowering, even with the windows open. The elderly lady was reclining, nibbling on fruits.

Zhulan stepped forward to pay her respects, "I have seen the Duchess."

The elderly lady smiled and said, "Seeing you makes my headache feel much better. Please, sit down and try some fruit; they’re exceptionally sweet."

Zhulan smiled and sat down. She hadn’t expected the elderly lady to invite her to the Duke Residence. She truly didn’t want to come; Mrs. Du had not yet been buried, and she had no desire to encounter Lady Du.

The Duchess felt much better after speaking her mind, "These past few days, it’s been just me and the old Duke at home. I haven’t even had anyone to talk to. I was thinking of asking Xue Han to come keep me company after a few days, but I just couldn’t bear it; I feel so suffocated."

She knew that it wasn’t suitable for Xue Han to come to the Duke Residence at the moment, but she felt annoyed. Irritation had taken a toll on her body, and if she didn’t find someone to talk to, she might make herself sick with anger.

Upon hearing this, Zhulan realized that the elderly lady was angry with Lady Du. The elderly lady was of advanced age, and it was natural for her to be somewhat more capricious. It was already remarkable that she had endured for so many days, "I smelled the medicinal soup; you must take care of your health."

The Duchess put down the fruit in her hand, clearly having much on her mind, "It’s just my old ailment."

The elderly lady felt aggrieved inside. In front of outsiders, she couldn’t speak ill of Lady Du, but it was Lady Du who had upset her. With the mother-in-law’s passing, Lady Du seemed to want the whole capital to know she was a filial daughter. Both grandsons were at the Du family, along with the granddaughter-in-law, and even the great-granddaughter had gone; if not for the great-grandson needing to attend the Academy, Lady Du might have taken him along as well.

Zhi Xiang’s health was poor, and after several days of upheaval, he was back on medicinal soup. The eldest grandson’s wife was also feeling unwell. After the elderly lady had spoken a few words to Lady Du, Lady Du would cry, ending with the elderly lady adopting a policy of ’out of sight, out of mind’ just to avoid annoyance, yet she still ended up upsetting herself.

The Duchess inquired, "I heard that the Song family’s Miss Song Lan is pregnant?"

Zhulan was aware that the elderly lady had her secrets, and she replied accordingly, "Yes, Song Lan is indeed fortunate."

The Duchess was pleased, "All the girls from the Song family are good. I took a liking to a girl from the Song family at first sight."

The wife of the eldest grandson, whether regarding her vision or her behavior, had always satisfied her. Indeed, her own judgment had been good.

Zhulan saw that the old lady’s spirits had improved somewhat and relaxed a lot, "It’s all thanks to your discerning eye that I had the chance to bask in its glory."

The Duchess beamed with delight, "I just love listening to you talk; it’s so comfortable to the ear."

There were too many people flattering and currying favor, but she enjoyed chatting with Yang’s wife. It was just a pity that it wasn’t easy to meet with Yang’s wife frequently due to the special circumstances of the Duke Residence.

The Duchess gestured for Xue Han to come sit beside her; out of affection for the one she cared for, she grew genuinely fond of Xue Han. The young girl had high emotional intelligence, knew her place, and spoke sweetly; a gentle girl like her was simply endearing, "If you hadn’t come today, I would have had Rongchuan send some fruits over to you."

Rongchuan loved returning to Zhou’s house, and she, as his grandmother, naturally helped make up excuses for him.

Xue Han’s cheeks turned red, the Duchess often teased her, "Thank you, Madam."

The Duchess chuckled, "Counting the days, in just over four months, Rongchuan won’t have to think about going back to Zhou’s house every day."

Zhulan’s smile deepened, Rongchuan was truly like a son-in-law who couldn’t wait to live in Zhou’s house; she felt that even after marriage, Rongchuan would still want to return there, as he could obtain a different kind of familial affection at Zhou’s house.

Zhulan didn’t stay long, as the old lady needed rest. After sitting for two hours, she got up to take her leave.

As she was leaving the residence, it so happened that Zhulan ran into Song’s wife returning to the residence; her face was pale, being supported by a maid. Zhulan had a good relationship with Song’s wife and went forward to inquire, "What happened?"

Although Song’s wife harbored resentment towards her mother-in-law, she couldn’t speak ill of her, "I haven’t been feeling well today and got a bit dizzy earlier, so I came back. Are you on your way out, Auntie?"

Zhulan said, "Yes, I just visited the old lady and am preparing to head back. You should see a doctor."

"Thank you for your concern, Auntie. I won’t see you out then."

Zhulan nodded, watching Song’s wife leave. Once she and her daughter were on the carriage, Zhulan said, "Lady Du can only behave like this for a few more days. Once the Du family leaves the capital, she should calm down."

Xue Han patted her chest, still frightened, "Thank goodness Lady Du isn’t my daughter’s mother-in-law. Sister Song has had quite the ordeal."

Zhulan saw the situation clearly, "Lady Du doesn’t like Song’s wife. Song’s wife was chosen by the old lady, and in addition to the good relationship between Song’s wife and our residence, including the connection through Wu Ming’s wife, Lady Du dislikes her even more. Lady Du doesn’t dare to do anything to Rongchuan, so she takes out all her resentment on Song’s wife."

Xue Han pursed her lips, "Out of filial piety, Sister Song can only endure."

Zhulan sighed, "The Duchess calling us today already indicates she’s reaching her limit of patience."

Xue Han giggled, "Lady Du also has a mother-in-law."

Zhulan couldn’t help laughing, "Yes, once the Du family leaves the capital, everything Lady Du has done these days will come back to haunt her."

In the blink of an eye, five days passed, and Xue Han went to the Duke Residence again. She came back all smiles, "Mother, the Du family has left the capital. Lady Du set up a small Buddhist shrine and took a vow of pure filial piety in the residence. Now she’s copying scriptures every day and has gone vegetarian."

Zhulan twitched the corner of her mouth; the Duchess was truly a master manipulator. The better Lady Du’s reputation became, the more she needed to maintain it. Now with the reputation for pure filial piety, and with the Buddhist shrine established at the Duke Residence, Lady Du’s days of copying scriptures are endless. The old lady was truly furious this time, acting decisively and ruthlessly.

Xue Han, full of admiration, continued, "Mother, Sister Song is pregnant."

Zhulan understood, no wonder the old lady was so angry.