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

Chapter 268: Chapter 268 Beautiful Words Are Not as Good as Results_1

Zhulan had been keeping Lady Li company for a while now, and Lady Li was still crying, deeply saddened. Having finally calmed down a bit, Zhulan asked with concern, ”Auntie, do you feel better?”

With her tears wiped dry and a choked, hoarse voice, Lady Li said, ”I’m much better now, today I made a fool of myself in front of you.”

She really had no one to vent to, and didn’t dare cry in front of the old man. Thinking of Yang’s discreet nature, she came here instead.

Zhulan understood that everyone has their moments of weakness, and as Lady Li was getting older, being more emotional was normal, ”Auntie, you shouldn’t say that.”

With a sigh, Lady Li confided, ”Auntie doesn’t mind if you laugh at me; I am truly heartbroken. Wu Ming became a Scholar and even took a famous master. My eldest son and his family came to make amends, and as much as I was still angry, he is my own flesh and blood, after all. Getting older makes one softer-hearted, plus your uncle and I are too old now to have the energy to fuss with Wu Ming about his affairs anymore, so we forgave my eldest son and his wife. But then, they started scheming over Wu Ming’s marriage.”

When Lady Li mentioned marriage, she seemed a bit embarrassed, for she had once taken a fancy to Xue Han herself.

Zhulan realized why Lady Li was so sad, nothing wounds parents quite like their children, and seeing that Lady Li had no intention to continue, she seamlessly changed the subject, ”Auntie, try some of the pastries made by Lady Li.”

Picking up a piece of rice cake, Lady Li tasted it, ”Your eldest daughter-in-law really is an excellent cook, you are a fortunate person.”

She truly envied her, having only two daughters-in-law – one passed away, and the other was full of schemes, only giving her things if she could get back something more valuable in return. Unlike Yang’s daughters-in-law, who were obedient and sensible, not to mention good to Yang.

Zhulan retained her smile. Apart from Lady Dong, the other two daughters-in-law were personally trained by her. Indeed, Lady Li’s culinary skills were exceptional, and she did have good fortune in that respect.

Seeing Lady Li’s despondence, knowing that she was sensitive and could associate anything to her own family, Zhulan thought it best not to follow that line of conversation, and instead diverted it, ”I think Wu Ning’s basics are well laid out. When do you think she should formally become an apprentice?”

This was joyful news, lifting Lady Li’s spirits. She asked with some excitement, ”Become an apprentice?”

Nowadays, those with any ability seldom passed their skills on to outsiders, and she had only hoped for a bit of guidance with a thick skin. To think that she could find a master for her granddaughter, who would have a valuable embroidery skill for her future in-laws to admire.

Zhulan smiled, ”Yes, to become an apprentice. Zhao’s is quite fond of Wu Ning, feeling that they have a good rapport, so she brought it up to me. If you hadn’t come today, I was going to discuss it with you.”

Lady Li was happy, not all recent events were disheartening, and here was good news, ”Auntie, I thank you for this.”

She knew well that without Yang’s speaking up, Zhao’s would not have accepted an apprentice so readily.

Zhulan replied, ”Auntie, you’re too polite.”

Lady Li rose to her feet, ”Then auntie will head back now. As for the apprenticeship ceremony, what do you think about tomorrow?”

”Tomorrow is an auspicious day, so let’s set it for then.”

Lady Li’s face lit up with a smile, ”No need for you to see me out.”

Zhulan knew Lady Li wasn’t just being courteous but still insisted on seeing her out, as it was proper etiquette. After escorting Lady Li away, Zhulan informed Zhao’s about it.

Zhao’s also liked Wu Ning, finding the girl to be perceptive, ”Mother, do I need to prepare anything for tomorrow?”

It was her first time taking on an apprentice.

Zhulan instructed, ”Since you are formally taking on an apprentice, you should prepare a gift. Just see to it yourself!”

Now that Zhao’s had silver coins and plenty of jewelry, she no longer envied her elder sister and knew what to give, ”Understood.”

The next day, Lady Li arrived with the gifts for the apprenticeship ceremony: six varieties, including food and fabrics, a generous offering by the Wu family.

Lady Zhao accepted the gifts, and after the apprenticeship ceremony, she gave Wu Ning a pair of silver earrings as a meeting gift.

Wu Ning received them with both hands, ”Thank you, Master.”

Lady Zhao smiled, ”You might as well call me ’sister-in-law’.”

Wu Ning glanced at her grandmother, and seeing her nod, she smiled and said, ”Sister-in-law.”

Lady Zhao was quite fond of the little girl; even when she had had a poor relationship with her own sister-in-law, she had been willing to help take care of Yu Lu for a few months, all because she liked girls, ”Good child, come over to learn tomorrow.”

Wu Ning felt happy inside, ”Yes.”

She not only liked embroidery but also knew that mastering it could help support the family so that her elder brother would not have to work so hard.

After becoming an apprentice, Wu Ning came to Zhou’s house daily. Zhulan already liked Wu Ning, and having the little girl constantly around, Zhulan paid more attention to her and suddenly realized that Wu Ning had grown considerably. A grown Wu Ning became quite attractive. When comparing the looks of Wu Ning and Xue Han, each of them had their own merits; as for their temperaments,

Xue Han was composed, coming from a happy family; her eyes sparkled with animation, and her smile seemed always to carry a touch of sweetness.

Wu Ning was different, having lost her parents at a young age; she tried not to bother others and was very sensible and mature for her age. The girl seldom laughed, and when she did, it was a restrained smile that made her seem too obedient.

Zhulan sighed; Wu Ning had much potential but was too quiet. She wondered what kind of husband Wu Ning would find in the future; she genuinely liked the girl.

Add to that Wu Ning’s early loss of her parents, in ancient times, people might think Wu Ning had a ’hard birthday.’ For the sons of the Wu family, it was less of an issue, but for the daughters, it was more difficult—few cared little for a ’hard birthday.’ In ancient times, when seeking a bride, everyone hoped she would have living parents and a ’good birthday.’

Lady Zhao was a perceptive person; she had noticed her mother-in-law scrutinizing Wu Ning multiple times, and understood the pity in her eyes. She too felt sorry for Wu Ning. If only the child’s parents were alive, with such a good brother, her prospects for marriage would not be bad. But now, it was hard to say.

In the blink of an eye, it was time for Zhou Shuren to participate in the contest. Zhou’s sons only knew their father had been very busy recently but what he was busy with, they did not know.

Zhou Shuren was taking one real and one fake antique to the contest, and he had taken Zhulan’s Jade Bracelet as well.

Zhou Shuren left at noon, and after his departure, Zhulan became distracted, her mind preoccupied with the outcome, occasionally stepping outside to gauge the time by the sky.

Elsewhere, Zhou Shuren and Jiang Ming sat upstairs; it wasn’t yet time for his competition. Currently, another type of contest was taking place.

Jiang Ming sipped his tea with a playful demeanor. When he first met Zhou Shuren, he hadn’t thought much of it. After getting home and reflecting, he realized that Zhou Shuren had intentionally staked him out. He wasn’t angry; instead, he found it interesting. Later, he had deliberately inquired at the antique shop and discovered that Zhou Shuren got it right the first time he staked out, proving that Zhou Shuren was genuinely skilled.

Truthfully, Jiang Ming had never taken his father-in-law’s repeated mentions of Zhou Shuren seriously. He had seen many capable Scholars before, but it wasn’t just about skill; one needed good fortune—essentially, the luck of officialdom. Before Zhou Shuren had passed the imperial examination, Jiang Ming had not considered meeting him.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Shuren wanted to use his influence and had gone to such lengths, which was actually the smartest move, because Zhou Shuren knew well that he held no weight in Jiang Ming’s heart.

Finding it amusing, he indeed wanted to see Zhou Shuren’s talent in appraisal, and since it had been a long time since he’d had some fun, he gave face and came.

Two hours later, the first contest ended, and Zhou Shuren stood up, ”It’s my turn now, Mr. Jiang; I’ll go down first.”

Jiang Ming held his teacup, ”I’ll toast you with tea; I hope you win the contest.”

If Zhou Shuren lost after all this effort, he would be disappointed, and Zhou Shuren’s standing in his eyes would be greatly reduced.

Zhou Shuren understood well, drank the tea, and did not say much else. No amount of talking would matter; in the end, only the results would speak louder than any beautiful words.