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

Chapter 179: Chapter 179 Having a Plan in Mind_1

Lady Li felt jubilant inside, and had it not been for her mother’s instructions, she would have already lost her composure in delight. She repeatedly told herself inside, ”I can hold steady, hold steady.” ”Auntie.”

Acting as the shadow of the eldest sister, Mrs. Zhao hurriedly followed suit. ”Auntie.”

Lady Lin observed Mrs. Zhao carefully and, based on her experience, knew that the people with the lowest profiles often harbored the deepest thoughts. With a sidelong glance, she looked at Mrs. Yang and realized that one must not believe the information gleaned from others. The information had suggested that Lady Li was simple-minded and Mrs. Zhao was timid and weak. Now, after seeing them in person, she knew just how far from the truth these rumors were!

Zhulan had been paying attention to Lady Lin all along. From Lady Lin’s reaction, she knew that Lady Lin realized the information she had heard was incorrect.

Zhulan understood clearly that, despite Lady Li and Mrs. Zhao having changed a lot over the past year, the better Lady Li and Mrs. Zhao were doing, the more jealous the village wives became. With Zhulan having become the wife of a Scholar and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law racking up the hate-value among the village women, the gossip that spread was naturally only of the worst kind. It was not Lady Lin’s fault for receiving the wrong information; she had merely underestimated the dark side of people’s hearts.

What followed was Lady Lin’s grand gift-giving spree: Xue Han received a silver bracelet, Yushuang’s granddaughters received silver locks, the grandsons got writing brushes and ink, and there were unopened gifts as well, all prepared by the County Magistrate for Zhulan’s sons.

Zhulan had also prepared a gift for Chu Chu, a pair of hollowed-out silver bracelets highlighted by the embedded green gemstones—the color Dong Chuchu adored. Although the bracelets were not particularly expensive, they were full of sentiment.

Lady Lin was very satisfied, and Dong Chuchu liked it very much.

Since Lady Lin was a female visitor, Zhou’s eldest and second sons had met her briefly and then went out.

As for Zhou Shuren, he had gone to the county early in the morning. These days, the County Magistrate had been giving him personal guidance in his studies, practically on a daily basis, so it wasn’t appropriate for Zhou Shuren to stay since he, too, was visiting ladies.

A carriage stood parked at the Zhou family’s gate, and many gifts were being moved. All morning, there was a constant stream of people around the gate. If they hadn’t found out that it was the County Magistrate’s wife visiting, someone would have surely come in by now.

Commoners fear officials, especially in ancient times; even the curious dared not come knocking.

Zhulan and Lady Lin chatted while Xue Han took Chu Chu back to the room. Although it was only their second meeting, they didn’t feel like strangers.

Once the children had left, Lady Lin, wearing a smile, said, ”I heard that my sister-in-law has been learning to paint?”

Zhulan hesitated, knowing that this piece of information could only have come from Zhou Shuren. Smiling, she replied, ”I’ve just been figuring it out on my own, so it’s not quite ’learning.’ I just think that learning more is always good.”

Lady Lin, still smiling, said, ”May I have a look?”

Zhulan was delighted by the request as she had been seeking guidance, ”Of course.”

With that, Zhulan brought out her paintings. She had discovered that she indeed had a talent for painting and had developed a new skill. Zhulan had painted for several days in a row until household duties forced her to stop.

Zhulan brought out a painting of a fish, feeling a bit embarrassed, ”It’s not very good.”

Lady Lin took it and looked it over. Though it was an amateur’s attempt and lacked spirit, the fish was quite lifelike, ”It’s actually quite good. If I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t believe my sister-in-law is a beginner.”

Zhulan felt a little guilty inside; as a beginner, she had seen many of her grandfather’s paintings. Even if she hadn’t learned, she had memorized a bit about how to paint, ”If it pleases my sister-in-law, it seems I do have some talent.”

Lady Lin nodded with a smile, ”Indeed you do.”

This was good news; Mrs. Yang had many talents, which meant she wouldn’t embarrass herself when she went out. If the two families truly became related by marriage in the future, Lady Lin would not have to fear being humiliated by association.

She was all too aware of how much Mrs. Guan, a lady born into a notable family, enjoyed making comparisons, particularly at her tea-tasting and painting parties where she loved to invite ladies of humble origin to contrast with her own refined cultural pursuits. Lady Lin herself had suffered many slights before finally resolving to learn.

Thinking to herself, Lady Lin dared not speculate whether Zhou Shuren could achieve the degree, but for the next county examination, Zhou Shuren would surely pass the Graduate level if his luck held. With this thought, her smile grew even more genuine. Marrying her daughter into a Graduate’s family wouldn’t be considered suffering; even if Zhou Shuren failed to secure the degree, his father could still secure him a position. The Zhou family would thus grow ever more reliant on the old master, and her daughter’s life would be smoother.

Lady Lin grew even more fond of Zhulan and offered her guidance with greater zeal, from which Zhulan benefited immensely.

By noon, the meal was ready, and the boys who had gone to the school came back for lunch. Lady Lin also met the boys. Chang Lian, fifteen, had shot up and was nearly as tall as Zhou Shuren, estimated by modern standards to be over 1.7 meters tall. With his features now more defined and dressed cleanly, he was undoubtedly the type girls would favor.

Chang Zhi, twelve, had grown a bit too, but his baby fat and still forming features made him appear younger.

Rongchuan was clearer-skinned, yet still frail. Due to severe malnutrition, all the nutrition he had regained over the past six months had only made up for his deficiencies, and he didn’t grow much. Although he was eleven, he looked like he was only eight or nine.

Compared to the three boys, Chang Lian stood out the most.

After individually speaking to each boy, Zhulan allowed the three to go out for their meal.

Lunch was served at two tables, and although Zhulan’s intent was for separate dining, Lady Lin, with a plan in mind to let her daughter observe, stopped Zhulan and placed everyone in the main hall.

Since Chu Chu had inquired about her two brothers, Xue Han clearly understood the purpose of the Dong family’s sudden visit. While she was surprised, she was also curious. Between the two brothers, she favored the younger; the third brother, she felt, wasn’t right for Chu Chu, as Chu Chu was direct and forthright while Chang Lian was too cunning.

Zhulan, with a sidelong glance at Dong Chuchu, saw that the young girl maintained a balance nicely. She had taken the time to look several times before eating, without showing anything on her face. Zhulan couldn’t see anything amiss; she was very satisfied with the girl’s straightforward but calculating nature, which adhered to her own standards for a daughter-in-law.

Chang Lian and Chang Zhi were even less aware, oblivious to Mrs. Dong’s purpose for visiting. They simply thought that their father was very impressive, and that their family had a good relationship with the County Magistrate’s family!

Mainly, the disparity between the families was too great; even a perceptive person like Chang Lian didn’t dare to think too much.

This was also the reason why Lady Lin dared to bring her daughter; the Zhou family would not dare to gossip, outsiders saw a significant difference, and since they had never made their intentions clear, who could guess their purpose?

In the afternoon, Zhulan saw off Lady Lin and Chu Chu, thinking to herself that once Zhou Shuren returned in the evening, she would know whether there was any follow-up.