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

53: Chapter 53: Sending You Up the Rankings_1 53: Chapter 53: Sending You Up the Rankings_1 Lady Li’s volume combined with the chicken’s last struggling sounds meant that Lady Zheng, trying to eavesdrop by climbing over the wall, couldn’t catch the details.

She only saw the sight of Lady Li with red-rimmed eyes looking aggrieved, “Lady Li, what’s the matter with you?”

Her curiosity for gossip was brimming.

Lady Li dabbed her tears, “Aunt, it’s nothing much.

I just hope my mother-in-law lives a long and healthy life; I will make sure to take care of her meticulously morning and night in the future.

I even brought a hen from my parents’ home to nourish her!”

Zhulan felt a sting in her heart and silently prayed, “Lady Li, please stop speaking.

Enough with the scrupulous dedication, can’t you stop slandering me for a moment?”

Lady Zheng’s eyes were as bright as 800-watt bulbs, “Sister-in-law, no offense, but daughters-in-law who go as far as taking hens from their parents’ home to show filial piety to their mothers-in-law are rare.

Be content with what you have, don’t mistreat people all the time.

Our humble family has no use for such formal respect; a person should be content with their lot.”

Zhulan maintained a smile but glared fiercely at Lady Li, who was about to explain.

“Please, don’t explain.

If you aren’t cultured, don’t spout refined nonsense.

The more you explain, the worse it gets.

Deep breaths…

in a few days, I’ll have to raise the wall to two meters high,” she said.

Lady Li shivered, her intuition frightfully accurate.

She knew she had angered her mother-in-law and was confused about how her supposedly pleasing words had taken an unpleasant turn.

“Mother.”

Zhulan couldn’t be bothered with Lady Li anymore and didn’t want to salvage the image of a wicked mother-in-law either.

People only want to hear what they wish to and see what they choose to, their minds filled with selective filters and assumptions; she was too exhausted to explain it all, her smile strained, “Little sister-in-law, I can’t compare to you.

You’re the best in the village, cooking yourself because you don’t want to bother your daughter-in-law, washing clothes yourself, not only allowing everyone to have their secret stash of money but also giving pocket money to your daughters-in-law every now and then, as much as five coins per person a month!”

Lady Zheng was confused, with a face full of ‘what are you talking about?

I can’t understand a word?’

Zhulan didn’t keep her voice down; the neighbors weren’t far, and some were already gathered at the gate, watching the drama unfold, eager for a scene.

“I can’t quite reach your level of generosity, little sister-in-law, but don’t worry, I’ll make sure to spread the word.

I know you’re too modest to brag, but we’re neighbors, and I’m well aware of your kindness.

Rest assured, I’ll relay this to your in-laws so they can properly thank you,” she said.

Finally, Lady Zheng caught on, her face filled with disbelief.

“Is this really Zhulan?”

Zhulan scoffed, tired of being underestimated.

She had long wanted to deal with Lady Zheng but hadn’t found the time, “Look how surprised you are.

I know everything.

Your dearest wish is for all the village mothers-in-law to learn from you, and you can be sure we all will.”

With that, Zhulan took out ten coins from her purse, counted five, and gave them to Lady Li, “Lady Zheng, you truly are the best mother-in-law.

As for me, I wouldn’t presume to surpass you.

From today, I will learn from you, Lady Zheng, and give you and Lady Zhao five coins each month.

However, since I’m not in good health and my cooking isn’t up to standard, I won’t be spoiling our stomachs with my food.

You, being our family’s top chef, will still be responsible for our meals.”

Lady Li was confused, not understanding her mother-in-law.

However, knowing better than to refuse free money, she happily clutched the coins, “Mother, you’re truly good-hearted.”

Zhulan smiled, “Yes, you can take these five coins to your little sister-in-law.”

Lady Li left cheerfully, and Zhulan was pleased to see her ‘pig teammate’ gone!

Lady Zheng’s hands trembled as she pointed at Zhulan, “You, you…”

Feeling rather satisfied with her retort and seeing the pit she had dug, Zhulan knew she would no longer be the most hated woman in the village.

Lady Zheng would firmly hold that title from now on.

The village mothers-in-law would despise her.

Zhulan was delighted, “Little sister-in-law, you seem terribly happy.

Be careful not to shake so much you fall.”

Whoops, Lady Zheng had fallen off the wall.

Zhulan, “….”

As the onlookers dispersed, Zhulan realized that Zhou Lao Er and the others were leading cattle in, having been previously blocked by the crowd at the gate.

Zhulan was overjoyed, “Lao Er has come back, and as soon as Da Qian wakes up, we’re just waiting for the doctor!”

Zhou Lao Er looked at his mother with warmth in his eyes.

He had always wondered who to take after, his father or his mother, and finally realized that following his mother made him every bit as shrewd.

He felt a particular kinship with her and said, “Alright, Mother, don’t you overwork yourself.

You should take a rest too.”

Zhulan was a bit puzzled.

What happened to Lao Er’s reserved nature?

What happened to keeping emotions in check?