Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 99 Intensifying Efforts_1

Chapter 99: Chapter 99 Intensifying Efforts_1

Zhou Shuren couldn’t be accused of eavesdropping; he hummed in acknowledgement. In his memory, the original body did indeed cherish his eldest daughter. And it wasn’t just about her looks—she was also the first daughter after two sons, which certainly made her special.

As a result, he had completely forgotten and was riddled with guilt. His eldest daughter had been aggrieved, and he had seen the sullen look on his son-in-law’s face. He had intended to discuss it with Zhulan after their daughter returned on the second day of the Lunar New Year and have a thorough talk. But now, hearing his child cry, he couldn’t hold back, "Tell Daddy, Daddy will make it right for you."

Zhulan saw that her eldest daughter was stunned and said, "Talk to us. You still have your father, your mother, and your brothers here. We’ll make it right for you."

Xue Mei’s tears fell like rain. She felt sorrow for her husband and children; if it hadn’t been so cold today, she would have wanted to bring her two children over for a good meal. Choking with emotion, she recounted how the sisters-in-law of the Jiang family caused trouble, how her brothers remained silent, and how her in-laws made compromises, ending despondently, "Originally, it was my in-laws who insisted on schooling, and my brothers agreed. Now that the family is out of money because of education, all the anger is vented on us, as if we are unforgivable. Dad, my heart aches for your grandson and granddaughter. This year I am out of money, and the two children have never been full."

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren darkened their faces. They had never imagined that their daughter and grandchildren would suffer such hardships. Both were astute and understood human nature well. Their hopes were dashed; their eldest daughter’s family had become a scapegoat, and the more her daughter and son-in-law retreated, the more justified the Jiang family’s other branches felt in their behavior, becoming increasingly relentless.

Zhulan, with a grim expression, said, "In the past, we thought your in-laws were sensible. Now we realize, these two are confused. Knowing that there is great resentment among the family, they are unable to suppress it and are afraid. They foolishly hope that by letting you and your husband suffer, the resentment will be appeased, and they hope for harmony in the family—how unrealistic."

Zhulan was truly angry. Her second son only saw that his eldest sister and her husband had lost weight but did not know what had happened. She and Zhou Shuren knew that the couple would face hardship, but they did not expect them to suffer to such an extent. The inaction of the Jiang family’s elderly couple was just as much to blame as Jiang Sheng’s lack of success.

When Zhou Shuren heard that his three-year-old grandson barely got enough to eat and that his one-year-old granddaughter had never been fed an egg since birth, despair flooded over him. Now that his eldest daughter couldn’t breastfeed anymore, the little girl was only being fed coarse cornmeal soup. He worried about the time, considering how his eldest daughter and her family’s visit was going, and how the two children might be faring back at the Jiang family home!

Furrowing his brows, Zhou Shuren said as he stepped out the door, "You and Jiang Sheng don’t go back today. Later, your mother and I will go to the Jiang family to fetch the two children. This year, you’ll celebrate the New Year with us."

Zhulan’s heart started pounding, concerned for the two children, "The cold wind outside is too harsh for the children. Go borrow the cow cart with a canopy from the Clan Leader’s house. I’ll prepare some quilts, and we’ll leave as soon as you’re back."

Zhou Shuren, "Right, prepare some food. The children must not have eaten."

Zhulan nodded as she took out two old quilts and retrieved some old cotton-padded jackets. Then she slipped on her shoes and went to the grain storage to get some easily digestible snacks and called out to Lady Li to boil hot water to take for the children to drink, as she did not expect the Jiang family to prepare warm water for them.

Xue Mei never had the chance to speak. By the time everything was ready, she finally got a chance, "Mom, we can’t celebrate the New Year here."

She knew her parents were acting out of love for her and her children, but this was too much of a slap in the face for the Jiang family. How would she and her husband get along with her in-laws in the future? Moreover, her husband was studying for the Scholar exams, and the stain of being unfilial would greatly affect him.

From the moment Zhou Shuren opened his mouth, Zhulan knew he had a plan. Understanding her daughter’s concern, she comforted her, "Don’t worry, your father knows what he’s doing, it’s not a spur of the moment decision. We will go personally to fetch you, and I promise we will explain everything clearly. Don’t fret about it now. Jiang Sheng has drunk quite a bit—go take care of him!"

Xue Mei felt a little dazed; in her memory, her mother was the impulsive one while her father was strategic but stubborn. After hearing her mother’s words, though, she felt confused—had she been away from home too long? Her parents seemed to have changed; her mother became less impulsive, her father more considerate, but inside she felt a warm glow. Her parents were doing everything for her.

Chang Lian and Chang Zhi were the first to return. Jiang Sheng was resting in Chang Lian’s room.

Zhulan spoke to Chang Zhi, "Your elder sister’s family will spend the New Year here. Rongchuan will move over and stay with you for a while. Once your sister and her family go back, Rongchuan can move back. As her brother, please take good care of them."

She had no choice; Chang Lian really didn’t like Rongchuan, and she didn’t feel comfortable with the two of them living together.

Chang Zhi frowned slightly. He disliked being disturbed while studying, but seeing his elder sister’s frail appearance, he knew she must have been aggrieved, "Okay, I’ll help Rongchuan move over."

Zhulan’s face lit up with a smile, "Good son, you’re so well-behaved."

Chang Zhi’s face turned red, "Mom, I’m an adult now."

"Yes, yes, you’re an adult now. Good son."

Chang Zhi, "...."

Though embarrassed, he was pleased deep down.

Rongchuan was thoughtful, "Auntie, I’ll add some firewood to warm up the room."

Zhulan chuckled, "Good, all of you are well-behaved children."

Chang Lian felt conflicted inside, but he too received his mother’s praise, "Mom, I have some unused quilts in my room—I’ll move them over for Big Sister later."

Zhulan’s lips curved in a smile, "Good, Chang Lian, you’re so considerate. All of you are good children."

Chang Lian’s ears reddened. The feeling wasn’t bad.

Zhou Shuren returned and called for his second son to come along, as the eldest had drunk a lot and had not yet sobered up. On the contrary, the second son had taken care of his wife, Zhao Shi, who had not drunk much, and was already sober.

Zhulan lined the cart with quilts to cushion the bumpy ride. She blocked up the drafty parts of the cart and wrapped the container of hot water tightly to keep it from cooling. Only when everything was ready did they set off.

From Zhou family’s village to Wang family’s village, a round trip in winter took approximately an hour and a half. Sharp set on saving time and fearing that it would be dark on their way back, Zhulan and her family hurried. Wild animals descended from the mountains during the short days of winter, and Zhulan had heard more than once of wolves appearing near nearby villages. Darkness in winter was the most dangerous.

Zhou Shuren’s younger brother kept whipping the oxen incessantly; the cart belonged to the Clan Leader. Zhou family’s cow was more than two hundred days pregnant with a belly growing larger by the day, fit only to haul small loads around the village, not for traveling distance. For their recent journeys, the Zhou family always borrowed oxen from the Clan Leader.

Because they picked up the pace, it took only half an hour to reach Wang family’s village. The Jiang family was among the more recent settlers, located on the outskirts of the village. They reached their home after just a few steps into the village.

The gate of the Jiang house was open. Zhou Shuren got off the cart first and carefully helped Zhulan down, instructing his second son to look after the oxen before they entered the courtyard. As soon as they did, they heard the sound of crying.