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

Chapter 266: Chapter 266: Reminder_1

Zhulan lowered her eyelids, her fingertips grazing the bottom of the teacup, reflecting on how Lady Fang managed to protect Lady Zhao and teach her to defend herself. Clearly, Lady Fang possessed her own wisdom. From Lady Fang’s words earlier, it was apparent that she had a keen understanding of every matter; surely Lady Zhao’s temperament took after Lady Fang’s!

So, it was meaningful that Lady Fang had disclosed the Qian family’s wealth in her presence. There was trust, but even more so, it was an indirect way of telling the Zhou family that the Qian family was affluent, very affluent indeed.

Lady Zhao was dumbfounded, wondering why her mother would say such things in front of her mother-in-law, ”Mother.”

Lady Fang reassured her daughter to continue listening and then said, ”Your Uncle Shengbao has grand ambitions. The possibility of our own sons becoming scholars is slim; now our hopes lie with the grandchildren. There are not a few among them, and we hope that some of them will become scholars. By doing so, they would one day clear the Qian family’s name of having been merchants and slaves. For the sake of a future with accomplished scholars, your uncle is willing to spend the silver.”

Zhulan’s smile deepened as Lady Fang indirectly informed her: don’t be fooled by the Qian family’s small favors, for the gifts they give are but a trifle to them. She also reminded Zhulan that today was not merely a visit to acknowledge relatives; there was a purpose behind it.

Lady Zhao also came to the realization, feeling a sour pinch in her heart. Her mother’s plentiful words were all for her sake, worried that the Zhou family couldn’t outwit the Qian family and would be exploited by them in the future, ”Mother.”

Lady Fang had said all she could. Her daughter claimed her mother-in-law was formidable, and indeed, she was. Her smile never wavered from start to finish, and Lady Fang couldn’t fathom Lady Yang’s thoughts. Lady Fang had a knack for discerning people’s hearts. Back when she was in the Yun family, she had to navigate through numerous schemes. Even as the steward’s wife, she did not always command respect; there were too many who wished to bring down Qian Shengbao. She had won Madame’s favor precisely by understanding people’s hearts!

Zhulan set down her teacup. Even without Lady Fang’s reminder, she wasn’t concerned that the Zhou family would be played. Zhou Shuren would thank his lucky stars if he didn’t plot against the Qian family. If the Qian family dared to scheme upon visiting, for Zhou Shuren, who was in urgent need of silver, it would be like a mouth-watering delicacy delivered to his door—he wouldn’t miss the chance to tear off a few pieces; that would be an injustice to the feast presented to him.

Zhulan, with a smile, said, ”Mother-in-law, don’t just talk—try some of the pastries. These were made by my eldest daughter-in-law. The taste is quite good.”

Lady Li, having arrived in Pingzhou, spent time either fussing over vegetables or nesting in the kitchen to make pastries. She felt that living expenses in Pingzhou were too high and decided to save some silver by making pastries. With her experience in making mooncakes and even without an oven at home, the steamed pastries turned out well. Zhulan was particularly fond of the steamed rice cakes.

Lady Fang smiled as she picked up a piece to try, ”This is indeed good.”

As she took another bite, she looked at the unremarkable rice cake. The taste was truly delightful—not overly sweet, with a fragrant sesame center. It was delicious.

Zhulan nudged the plate forward. There weren’t many rice cakes left on it; most of them had been steamed by Lady Li in the morning and taken by Rongchuan and Mingyun. Some were sent to the yard where others were reading, and a few were kept for each household, with the rest staying in the main house.

Lady Fang had risen early and must have eaten nothing; Zhulan had already had her breakfast. The rice cakes originally saved for later would be perfect for Lady Fang to have a few more, ”If you like it, Mother-in-law, please help yourself. It’s homemade, so it’s not costly.”

Lady Fang was indeed hungry, ”Then, I won’t stand on ceremony.”

”Don’t be formal; we’re all family here.”

After Zhulan finished speaking, she turned to Lady Zhao, ”Go tell your elder sister-in-law to prepare two tables of dishes.”

Lady Zhao stood up, ”I’ll go find my sister-in-law right away.”

”Off you go!”

Lady Fang suddenly remembered, her daughter was in charge of the Zhou family’s household expenses. Searching her heart, she had to admit that if she had a daughter-in-law, she couldn’t be as generous as Lady Yang. She wouldn’t belittle her daughter-in-law, but neither would she relinquish control. She still had to guard against the daughter-in-law winning over her son’s heart and eventually becoming unfilial. This made her admire Lady Yang all the more; a regular person truly couldn’t be so kind to a daughter-in-law!

Zhulan sensed the admiration and after pondering Lady Fang’s thoughts, she surmised a bit of her motive and chuckled to herself. The reason she treated her daughter-in-law well and relinquished power so openly was because she and Zhou Shuren weren’t the child’s birth parents. Their motive from beginning to end was for their own betterment.

As for worries of filial piety, she and Zhou Shuren truly weren’t concerned. If the Zhou family’s children dared to harbor ill intentions, she would remind them in an instant what step-parents could be like. When she and Zhou Shuren needed to be ruthless, they would not hesitate!

Lady Li quickly returned with Lady Dong by her side. They didn’t come immediately, knowing Lady Zhao’s mother and mother-in-law had private matters to discuss. Now that Lady Zhao had gone out, they knew the conversation was over, and it was naturally time to make their acquaintance. It was not just a matter of etiquette, but also a way to give face to Lady Zhao.

Upon hearing the term ”auntie” twice, Lady Fang was all smiles. Having been a stewardess, she understood the importance of first meeting gifts the most. ”Auntie doesn’t have much to offer. Please don’t disdain this bracelet.”

Lady Fang slid off the bracelet she had been wearing, a Jade Bracelet that she’d specially brought for this visit, considering that gold would be too vulgar for a scholar’s family—a pair of bracelets, one for each person.

Lady Dong recognized quality when she saw it. These Jade Bracelets were of good color and quality. ”Thank you, Auntie.”

Zhulan looked up at the roof of the canopy, afraid she’d laugh out loud. Lady Fang had encountered the same problem she had faced initially—Lady Li couldn’t wear them!

Lady Fang felt awkward. Lady Zhao stifled her laughter, took the bracelet, and handed it to her eldest sister-in-law. Lady Fang’s embarrassment was alleviated as she dryly remarked, ”This bracelet is good to keep as well.”

Lady Li, ”.....”

Could she mention she had earnestly tried to lose weight? Yet, touching her belly’s three layers of fat, she realized she couldn’t slim down. Her mother had told her she had inherited the Li family’s physique; this was it for life. The more she strained herself, the more weight she seemed to gain!

Lady Li silently accepted the Jade Bracelet, internally panicking. Why did it have to be a bracelet? Even gold or silver would have been better, as she could at least have those melted down and custom-made to fit her at the silversmith’s.

Thinking how her daughters might end up with the bracelets and she’d only be able to watch, unable to wear them, she felt heartbroken!

Zhulan coughed once. Lady Li was truly upset. Trying to console her, she said, ”In the future, we’ll find you a Jade Bracelet that you can wear.”

If there’s enough silver coin later on, they could simply buy the raw material to carve a bracelet that would fit Lady Li!

Lady Li’s eyes sparkled. Her mother-in-law was the best. ”Mother.”

Zhulan wanted to pat Lady Li’s head, finding her simplicity too heart-wrenching to tease any further. ”Alright, hurry and go buy the groceries!”

Lady Li responded crisply, ”Yes!”

Zhulan’s lips curved into a smile, sensing her delight.

Lady Fang was taken aback. Was this how the Zhou family’s mother-in-law and daughter-in-law got along? Did Lady Li not realize she was being coddled? And yet, Lady Li believed it wholeheartedly, even looking overjoyed!

She herself couldn’t believe Lady Dong could find such a bracelet. If the Zhou family were extremely wealthy, she might believe it, but they were merely a somewhat well-off scholar family. Seeing her daughter looked convinced too, she chuckled inwardly. Why should she worry about these things? The better her daughter’s marital family was, the happier she would be!

Afterwards, Lady Zhao brought in several children. Lady Fang gave each a meeting gift of one or two silver angles.

Zhulan’s mouth twitched. She felt that the Zhou family’s wealth was always flourishing!

For lunch, Lady Li wanted to give the Zhou family face, so she pulled out all the stops—twelve dishes, all prepared by her. Although they were made with lamb provided by the Qian family, Lady Li’s cooking skills were excellent, leaving the Qian family quite satisfied.

After the meal, when the Qian family had left, Zhulan commented, ”Did Qian Shengbao come for his grandson? Does he also want to enter the Academy?”