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

Chapter 445: Chapter 445 The Difference Between Stepfather and Real Father_1

The most frustrating thing for him was that the Crown Prince was unaffected. His wisdom teeth hurt so much, and yet the Crown Prince insisted that mediocrity wasn’t at all mediocre. He either kept silent or when he spoke, he struck decisively. Speaking of the Crown Prince guarding against them, even though he knew that his brothers were rallying forces, the Crown Prince remained unshakably calm!

The Third Prince Residence had already overlooked Mr. Zhou, but after all, it was his second brother who issued the warning. He hadn’t done anything; his thoughts were on his elder brother. Did he already know about the envy? When their father rebelled and took their mothers and others, the forces behind them were nearly equal. Just because of the order of arrival, the Crown Prince’s mother became the Empress, and their mothers were just consorts?

Who would be convinced by this arrangement? Thinking about their father always taking the Crown Prince with him wherever he went, he was exasperated!

In Lizhou Province City, Zhou Shuren didn’t bother guessing the capital’s reaction. It had nothing to do with him; he just needed to ensure that no one dared make a move.

Five days went by quickly; Zhulan sold the land to her maternal family, the shops, residences, orchards were all entrusted to them. The Zhou family didn’t need to come back every year to collect; Yang residence would handle everything and send it to Jinzhou Province annually.

As for the orchard of the second Zhou, it too was entrusted to her grandmother’s family.

The luggage was all packed, with more than twenty carriages, most of them filled with valuable items and luggage, and one of the carriages was loaded with wood and other materials.

When the Zhou family left for their promotion, Zhulan received many farewell gifts, filled another entire carriage. Mr. Chen’s gift was extremely valuable; just the fine tea leaves weighed several pounds, and he even presented an original sole edition.

Zhulan was still dazed by the excessively valuable gift, but it was Zhou Shuren who enlightened her – Mr. Chen had scared himself.

The day before departure, Zhulan took the prepared items to the Yang residence. She was filled with emotion, knowing that aside from her parents’ passing, it would be very difficult for her to return.

Madam Sun was also deeply touched. She knew her son-in-law was capable, and separation was inevitable, but she hadn’t expected it to come so soon. Wiping her tears, she said, ”You must take good care of yourself.”

She had thought about being present for her daughter’s childbirth; that was no longer possible. She only hoped that Buddha would bless her daughter with a safe delivery.

Zhulan’s eyes reddened. Her parents-in-law had been genuinely kind to her, exactly the kind of parents she had wanted. ”Mother, you and father must also take care of yourselves. I have paid Doctor Zhang to come and check your pulses every half month.”

Zhulan paused before continuing, ”If anything happens at home, you must write and inform me. You can’t keep it from me.”

Madam Sun didn’t want to cry; her son-in-law’s promotion was a happy event. ”Okay, okay, mother will remember.”

Zhulan took the box her daughter was holding, ”Mother, I won’t be by your side. This is to honor you and father.”

Madam Sun opened the box with curiosity and saw wild ginseng, ”Old man, how many years do you think this is from?”

Yang Yong was an expert in ginseng; ”You’re acting rashly, girl. You’re about to give birth, and you should take this hundred-year-old ginseng back with you.”

Madam Sun was shocked, ”A hundred years?”

Zhulan smiled through her tears, ”Father, I have reserved some for myself. This ginseng was a gift from Wu Ming, and Shuren has also found me some ginseng, which is even better than this according to his letter.”

Master Lü indeed had a stock, a hundred and fifty-year-old wild ginseng that had to be taken. With Master Lü’s ginseng, Zhulan could give this ginseng to her parents.

Madam Sun shook her head, ”Even so, we can’t accept it; it’s too precious.”

Zhulan held her mother’s hand, ”In your daughter’s eyes, you are priceless. These are merely material things, and besides, your daughter has plenty!”

Yang Yong closed the box. Indeed, this was a life-saving treasure. As a military general, the Yang family had meager resources and indeed needed good medicinal herbs. He had heard some rumors that his son-in-law sold all the gifts he received, knowing his daughter wasn’t short on silver. For the sake of the Yang family, Yang Yong selfishly accepted, ”Father will accept it, consider it a debt I owe you.”

Zhulan pursed her lips, ”Father, if you talk like that, I will be unhappy. What debt? You gave me life, I am the one who owes you.”

Yang Yong laughed heartily, his daughter’s affection was not in vain, ”Alright, let’s not talk about it anymore.”

The last box contained Silver Notes, totaling two hundred taels. Madam Sun refused to accept it, and this time Yang Yong insisted on not taking it, so Zhulan had to take it back.

They had a reunion meal at the Yang residence, and today Zhou Shuren also came. After the meal, they returned home.

On the way back, Zhulan sighed. Zhou Shuren asked, ”What’s wrong?”

Zhulan sighed, ”I’m just feeling sentimental because our status has changed, and so has the attitude of Eldest Brother and Second Brother towards us. It became more apparent this year, with Eldest Brother and Second Brother being more respectful towards you, and the two sisters-in-law trying to please me more. There’s no going back now.”

Zhou Shuren held Zhulan’s hand, knowing that Zhulan cared deeply about the Yang family, and the changes within the Yang family left a bitter taste in her heart. Now, the only thing that hadn’t changed was her father-in-law and mother-in-law, who truly adored their daughter.

Returning home, the house was empty and deserted. After a brief rest, they would set off tomorrow.

This time leaving, Shi Qing was also coming along. Shi Qing’s small courtyard had been sold, and tonight, he stayed at the Zhou household.

In the guest room where Shi Qing stayed, seeing his own young servant so happy, he couldn’t help but laugh, ”Even Mr. Zhou isn’t as happy as you are.”

This was also something Shi Qing admired. Continuous promotions, Mr. Zhou had actually calmed down quickly.

The young servant smiled, ”I am happy for the young master. The higher Mr. Zhou’s position, the less likely anyone will dare to bully the young master in the future.”

Shi Qing pursed his lips. Not really, silly boy. Mr. Zhou is not his mentor; he’s just his teacher. The protection is only temporary. When he takes the imperial examinations, Mr. Zhou will no longer care for him.

The young servant, unsure of what he had said wrong, saw his master’s smile fade and closed his mouth.

Shi Qing said, ”You should rest early too. We’re setting off at dawn tomorrow.”

The young servant, ”Yes.”

Early the next day, the Zhou family left Lizhou Prefecture City. The Zhou family’s caravan, along with the guards escorting them, made an impressive departure from the city.

Zhulan drew back the curtain, ”There are people at the city gate seeing you off. Your hard work over the past two years has been seen.”

Zhou Shuren pulled down the curtain without much interest, ”It’s just a pity there was no ’umbrella of the masses’.”

”That’s because you ruined it yourself.”

Zhou Shuren, ”Indeed.”

Zhulan leaned on Zhou Shuren, ”I think, once there’s something to compare with, people will realize how good you were. Maybe you’ll get it back.”

Zhou Shuren laughed, ”That’s impossible.”

Zhulan thought so too. If they had really given it to Zhou Shuren, that would have utterly offended the sitting prefect. She just didn’t know who would be able to take the prefect’s position after Zhou Shuren left.

Lizhou Province, such a piece of fat meat! Zhou Shuren had truly left behind so much for this city.

Zhulan suddenly cried out, startling Zhou Shuren, ”What’s wrong? What’s happened?”

Frantically helping Zhulan sit up, Zhou Shuren’s voice changed with fright.

Zhulan touched her belly, ”The baby is especially happy today, kicking me several times in a row.”

Zhou Shuren’s face darkened, ”Wait till he comes out, I’ll teach him a lesson.”

Zhulan snickered, ”Don’t fail to do so by then.”

Zhou Shuren, ”....”

He might indeed fail to do so. This was his and Zhulan’s child, after all. How could he bear to discipline their baby?

Zhulan couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Once the baby was born, the children of the Zhou household would more acutely feel the difference between a stepfather and a biological father.