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

Chapter 609: Chapter 609 Fortuitous Encounter_1

Chang Lian pulled aside the curtain of his carriage and saw two horse-drawn carriages up ahead that looked like those of merchants on their way from the border. ”Go ahead.”

The occupants of the carriage quickly came forward to give thanks. Chang Lian did not dismount but merely drew back the curtain, received their respectful thanks, and said politely, ”Everyone encounters difficulties from time to time. It is only right that we help each other, no need to mind.”

The man standing outside the carriage had a long beard that covered most of his face. Rongchuan glanced at him and then lowered his head to continue reading; his third brother had the situation under control without his assistance.

The man outside the carriage was very tall and well-built. ”Since the young master has put it that way, I’ll be sure to thank you. If fate allows, we shall meet again.”

Chang Lian certainly did not wish for a future encounter. His maternal grandfather was skilled in martial arts, and there were many in his own household who practiced as well. Furthermore, with years of teaching from his father on how to observe even the smallest details, Chang Lian was certain that the man’s identity was not that of a merchant. He smiled.

Rongchuan looked up when he heard this, and the man outside took notice, wanting to take a longer glance inside the carriage. Unfortunately for him, the curtain had already been lowered. The man did not stop his stride; he could not afford any complications. He quickly climbed onto his carriage and departed, yet the brief glimpse he caught caused him to press at his brow, weary from days of travel.

Rongchuan saw his third brother frown. ”Is there a problem with their identities?”

Chang Lian was fiddling with the jade pendant at his waist. ”More than a problem, it’s a big one. The identities of this group of people are far from simple.”

Shen Xing was outside the carriage. Once the convoy ahead had moved off into the distance, he said, ”There are quite a few skilled individuals among that group.”

Chang Lian understood. Shen Xing had spotted this early on, yet they had to help nonetheless, fearing that any perception of this by the other party could be detrimental to them. ”Be even more cautious on the journey.”

Shen Xing acknowledged with a sound, faithfully guarding the carriage without straying.

Rongchuan put aside his book. ”A few years ago, our dynasty had a great victory over the foreign clans. The clans from the northeast border had been somewhat subdued for a while, but these past two years, they’ve been showing signs of unrest again.”

Chang Lian nodded, ”Indeed, another conflict is inevitable.”

Rongchuan leaned against the carriage, ”Just when things were going smoothly for a few years, it looks like war is about to erupt again. Who knows how many lives will be lost.”

Chang Lian fell silent—the war was merciless. His cousin was lost to it.

In Jinzhou Province, Zhulan arrived with her two granddaughters, and as soon as they appeared, the attention of the officials’ families already present was drawn to the two girls. Zhulan did not shield them from the gazes, while Yuguang watched the girls from the periphery.

Yushuang’s expression stiffened for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure, albeit with slightly unnatural movements. After all, she was young, and with most of the gazes focused on her and an innate sensitivity to attention, she was already performing admirably.

Yu Lu, despite her young age, was the most composed of all; her complexion did not change, and a faint smile always played at the corners of her mouth, exuding a sense of calm.

The wife of the Princely Heir, Lady Zhu, said with a smile, ”Madam Yang has two lovely granddaughters, what a blessing. No wonder you’ve kept them hidden; I would hide them too if I were you.”

Zhulan smiled lightly, ”They were too young before, and didn’t know all the rules properly. Originally, this year I wanted to introduce the two girls during my birthday but plans got disrupted because of an illness. It’s not too late now.”

Her words revealed a clear intention; she simply wanted a more formal introduction for her granddaughters.

Lady Zhu smiled, ”It certainly isn’t too late now.”

Su Xuan, who was pregnant, spoke to Lady Zhu for a moment before sitting down.

Zhulan and Su Xuan each accompanied one girl; Zhulan with Yu Lu, and relatively speaking, Yushuang stuck with Su Xuan was best since Su Xuan’s status could ward off much of the officials’ wives’ inquiries.

Mrs. Tao reached out and took Yu Lu’s hand, ”Oh, this young lady looks like she has good fortune.”

Madam Qi also came over and couldn’t help but show her fondness for the young girl, ”Indeed, she is blessed.”

Zhulan knew in her heart that Yu Lu would be more popular, not only because the main branch had more sons, and Mingyun, the eldest grandson of the Zhou family, was partly the reason, but also because Yu Lu’s visage carried the aura of good fortune, which ancient people put great faith in when choosing a daughter-in-law.

Yushuang had few officials in her entourage; looking good was useless. In reality, when choosing a daughter-in-law, very rarely was a beauty picked for a son or grandson. After the initial curiosity about Yushuang faded, she attracted little further attention.

Su Xuan looked at Yushuang while sipping tea, thinking that the girl was still so young and had much to learn. Her beauty was destined to face more gossip. Considering Yushuang’s attire and grooming, had it not been for their stay in the main courtyard, where she and her mother-in-law changed Yushuang’s headdress, her reputation might have suffered after today!

Being young, she did not need elaborate adornment, not only because of status but also the need to keep a low profile. The lower the profile, the more reputation one could accumulate. Being too high-profile only attracted gossip, and even false rumors could turn true.

Despite everything, Su Xuan still preferred Yu Lu. Watching the young girl converse with grace among the officials’ wives, she smiled inwardly; the girl really resembled Mingyun!

On the way back home, the two granddaughters sat in one carriage. Seeing Su Xuan looking tired, Zhulan said, ”It was hard work today.”

Suppressing a yawn, Su Xuan replied, ”Mother, I’ll be fine after resting a bit when I get back.”

Zhulan worried about Yushuang, ”Seeing the official families’ different treatment of Yushuang and Yu Lu at today’s banquet, I don’t know if Yushuang can endure it.”

Yushuang’s beauty had given her a lot of confidence. Being the eldest granddaughter of the Zhou family, she wanted to be exemplary in all things. She had some pride in her, and today, she suddenly realized that her looks did not bring her a good reputation, but instead envy and gossip, which was a significant blow to her.

Looking at her mother-in-law, Su Xuan thought this was just the Zhou family’s reluctance to use Yushuang to climb the social ladder. The mother-in-law had taken great pains to ensure that Yushuang could withstand hardships, teaching her a lot at home, ”Mother, Yushuang is fortunate to be born into the Zhou family, and you must believe in her, she is the child you have raised.”

Zhulan smiled, ”Mhm.”

Averting her eyes, Su Xuan spoke the truth; had Yushuang been born into another family, she’d merely have been a tool for exploitation, and not necessarily the principal wife. That would have been the real tragedy.

Upon arriving home, both Zhulan and Su Xuan were tired and rested upon entering the courtyard.

In the main house, Lady Li eagerly asked her daughter upon her return, ”Were you bullied at all?”

Yu Lu’s eyes curved into smiles, ”Mother, how could I be bullied while staying by grandmother’s side? Don’t worry about me. Look, I’m fine.”

Lady Li carefully checked her over, ”As long as you weren’t bullied, it’s all good.”

She then inquired, ”How was the banquet today? Tell me about it.”

In the second wife’s house, Zhao Shi had been on tenterhooks ever since she received the headdress sent back from the main residence. Seeing her daughter finally return without a smile on her face, she asked anxiously, ”Did something happen?”

Looking at her mother, Yushuang felt weary. She had gone to the banquet confidently, but returned disheartened, ”It’s nothing, Mother. I’m tired. I’m going to rest.”

Zhao Shi choked back the words she was about to say, ”Ah, alright.”

After resting for a while, Zhulan woke up to find an invitation. She flipped through it and said to the old madam Song, ”This is aimed at Shuren.”

Tomorrow was Zhou Shuren’s day off for rest and bathing.

Madam Song commented, ”The Family Head won’t want to meet them.”

Holding the invitation, Zhulan replied, ”Now that the status has changed, having passed the Graduate examination, it’s not just one person coming. Shuren can’t refuse all of them; he should see them. Let the steward reply!”

Madam Song agreed, ”Yes.”