Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 970 Hundred Flowers

Chapter 970: Chapter 970 Hundred Flowers

The next day, Zhou Shuren attended the morning court session with a headache. Even though he had pretended to be drunk the day before, he still drank quite a bit. Waking up early in the morning, his head was pounding fiercely. He stared at several princes in front of him, who hadn’t drunk much yesterday.

The Crown Prince, standing above, glanced at Zhou Shuren, who looked unwell, then withdrew his gaze and turned towards Zhang Yang. Zhang Yang actually hinted that he was helping him out. Being born of the same mother, he indeed had a persuasive power.

After the morning court session, Zhou Shuren left quickly, wanting to go back to the Ministry of Revenue to rest.

Unfortunately, several princes caught up with him. Prince Qi voiced his concern, "Yesterday, I thought Officer Zhou was feigning drunkenness. Only today, seeing Officer Zhou’s pallor, did I realize that he truly was drunk. If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have toasted Officer Zhou."

Prince Chu said, "In the end, it was Second Brother who toasted the most forcefully. Someone who didn’t know better might think Officer Zhou had offended Second Brother."

Prince Qi snorted, "How come I remember it was Prince Chu holding the wine jug yesterday?"

Prince Liang’s mouth curled into a smirk, "I bear witness to that."

Zhou Shuren felt like a swarm of bees was buzzing in his ears; he really wanted to slap them to death, but he couldn’t. The princes were truly slow walkers and were even blocking his path.

These debts accumulated from social mingling surely had to be repaid at some point. When the opportunity arose, they didn’t spare him at all!

In his heart, Zhou Shuren cursed Li Zhao over and over, blaming him for trapping him in this miserable situation.

Li Zhao had already slipped away, sneezing continuously and touching his nose, knowing full well what was happening—it must be Zhou Shuren cursing him. Every man for himself, cough cough. Alright, he had only wanted Zhou Shuren to attract attention. Who could have foreseen Zhou Shuren becoming so despised by the princes?

Zhou Shuren finally boarded the carriage of the Ministry of Revenue and let out a long breath of relief. At last, he could have some peace and quiet. Thinking of Prince Liang, who forced drink on him the day before, he remembered it clearly. It seemed that after Prince Liang’s move on Chang Lian, he had no intention of winning Zhou Shuren over. No wonder Prince Chu mentioned not encountering Prince Liang.

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan was preparing to take her daughter to Officer Phang’s house. Xue Han was concerned about her father. "Mother, I heard everything you said to Granny Song. Was Father really not drunk?"

Zhulan also felt sorry for Shuren, "Most of it was an act, but indeed, he didn’t rest well last night and only had a headache this morning."

Xue Han pursed her lips, "The princes did it on purpose."

Zhulan whispered, "Even if we know it’s deliberate, we can only endure it and pretend to be unaware. Endurance is also a form of wisdom, and you must learn it too."

Xue Han nodded, "Daughter will remember."

Zhulan said, "Your father has always been dealing with the princes, and they are so proud and haughty. Over time, grudges have deepened. This retaliation gives them a chance to release some of that resentment, and they won’t trouble your father for a while."

Xue Han twisted her handkerchief, "Father really has it tough."

Zhulan patted her daughter’s hand, "Alright, don’t think too much about it."

The carriage quickly arrived at the Phang house. Zhulan was one of the last to arrive. She immediately spotted Song Lan. Wu Ming was in the Ministry of Rites, and Song Lan, who was pregnant, had personally made her way there.

Zhulan sat down beside Song Lan, "When did you get here?"

Song Lan sat uncomfortably, "I came quite early and have been sitting for a while."

Being of the Sixth Rank, she dared not arrive late. After experiencing reactions to her pregnancy, she had been feeling unwell. Having arrived so early, she had become restless.

Zhulan noticed this, "Not everyone has arrived yet; let’s go out for a walk."

Song Lan lowered her voice, "Godmother, is this alright?"

Everyone was seated, and they would have noticed any movement.

Zhulan patted Song Lan’s hand, "It’s alright, there are a lot of people today, let’s just stroll around nearby and come back in a while."

Song Lan really couldn’t sit still any longer, with her godmother by her side, she got up as well.

Xue Han walked on the other side, reaching out to support her sister-in-law.

Today was Officer Phang’s wife’s birthday, and many people were in attendance. Zhulan didn’t take Song Lan far, just strolling around near the area where the feast was set up.

Song Lan felt much better and said, "Godmother, let’s go back."

Zhulan was still very concerned. Apart from Song Lan being Wu Ming’s wife, just as her and Song Lan’s mother were friends, she felt obligated to take extra care. "Are you really feeling much better?"

Song Lan nodded, "Much better."

Zhulan frowned, "If you can’t hold up later, just let me know, and I’ll take you back."

It wouldn’t be good for Song Lan to leave early, but as long as she had a reason, no one would say anything if she left beforehand.

Song Lan nodded, "Mmm."

When they returned to their seats, Officer Phang’s wife had already come out. Zhulan couldn’t sit next to Song Lan because the seating was prearranged based on the status of the officials present. Song Lan was surrounded by the spouses of officials of similar rank. Zhulan, being a Third Rank lady, was seated at the front.

Zhulan followed the maid to her seat and was just about to sit down when Princess Liang spoke up, "Lady Yang, please sit over here."

Zhulan glanced at the table where she was seated, which included mothers who had brought their daughters. She recognized one of them—a member of the Phang family clan, covertly squeezing her daughter’s hand.

Xue Han squeezed back. Her mother could have chosen not to bring her along, but she did, training her. After marriage, without a mother-in-law to protect her, she could only rely on herself.

As an unmarried daughter of the Zhou family, even if she was betrothed, the targeting wouldn’t be too overt. But after marriage, it would be different; she would belong to the Ning family, and they wouldn’t be courteous.

Zhulan greeted everyone before sitting down. This was a seat at the main table.

Princess Liang had just visited the palace the day before to see her mother and learned that Lady Yang had been there. The Empress had been embarrassed, and the Prince had beaten up the third son of the Zhou family without intending to continue courting the Zhou family.

Prince Liang knew he came after the Crown Prince, Prince Qi, and Prince Chu, ranking fourth, and without being ruthless, he had no hope at all.

Princess Liang sipped her tea. She was the kind of person who held grudges and was filled with envy towards the Crown Princess Consort and Princess Qi, among others, who had always suppressed her with their status. She remembered the embarrassment she suffered last time, but it wasn’t the right moment to create a scene now. Smiling, Princess Liang said, "Last time at the temple, I wanted to speak a few words to the lady, but never had the chance. Oh yes, and to Miss Zhou, the Empress greatly admires Miss Zhou. In the eyes of the Empress, no other lady in the capital compares to Miss Zhou."

Zhulan thought, here it comes. With those words, her daughter’s animosity meter was full. "The ladies of the capital are like a garden of a hundred flowers, each excelling in their own way. Xue Han is but one flower that has caught the eye of the Empress."

Princess Liang paused in her fanning and her gaze deepened, "Lady Yang, you’ve always had a good reputation in the capital. I never believed in your fluency of words until today."

Zhulan’s smile did not change on her face, today was a birthday celebration, and Princess Liang didn’t want to cause too much of a scene; this would reflect poorly on the entire Phang family clan. "I only enjoy making friends."

Princess Liang didn’t continue the conversation, but she was thinking that Zhou Shuren was an old fox, and Lady Yang was quite shrewd. No wonder the Zhou family was flourishing. She pondered on how several attempts to plant someone in the Zhou house had failed and was curious about how Lady Yang managed to wield such capability.

Although Officer Phang’s wife did not like Lady Yang, she also didn’t want her birthday to be unpleasant. She laughed and chatted with Princess Liang, and the tense atmosphere from before vanished.

The atmosphere at the main table was decent, whereas Xue Han’s table saw several exchanges, especially led by the Phang family’s daughter. They were ladies from prominent families, proud and arrogant. Xue Han, being elevated by the Empress, made them all unwilling to accept her superiority.