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

Chapter 633: Chapter 633 Habit of Relying on Oneself_1

In the evening, Zhulan had her maid hastily pack her luggage for the night. She needed to take quite a few things with her, as Zhulan didn’t know when she would return.

Zhou Shuren, sitting to one side, said, ”You don’t need to bring so much, the capital lacks nothing.”

Zhulan put down the clothes in her hands, ”I really didn’t bring much; these are all the things I’m used to using.”

As she spoke, she noticed that two chests had been packed just for her belongings.

Zhou Shuren looked at his son running around on the floor, the little fellow was quite excited, ”Son, why don’t you stay here and keep Dad company.”

Chang Zhong looked at his father in disbelief, ”Dad, that’s not what you said just now.”

He may be young, but he’s not foolish. He remembered what his dad just said; Dad had told Mom to take him with her.

Zhou Shuren teased his younger son, ”Dad regrets it now.”

”No, adults must keep their word. Fourth Uncle said that adults need to set an example for the children, and Fourth Uncle always sets an example for his nephews.”

Zhulan, ”....”

Chang Zhi really caused trouble. After Zhou Shuren reeducated Chang Zhi, Chang Zhi took up the education of Ming Teng and Ming Rui once more!

Zhou Shuren also turned speechless. As the enlightened Chang Zhi, his grandsons would run away at the sight of him from afar, like he was some big calamity!

Zhou Shuren looked at his son who continued playing. With his wife and son leaving, he felt unexpectedly despondent. The house wasn’t small, but he would be alone in it from now on, ”Son, you might as well stay and keep Dad company.”

Chang Zhong was torn. His father looked so pitiful. He glanced at Mom and then at Dad, ”Dad is older than Mom, Dad is the most pitiful, Mom, I’ll stay and keep Dad company!”

For a moment, Zhou Shuren had mixed feelings; he was delighted that his son sided with him, but was stifled by the realization of his own age. During his last rest day, taking his son out to the street, the clerks in the shops had greeted them, saying that the grandfather was taking his grandson out. When Zhulan returned, she even mockingly said, at least they didn’t say he was out with his great-grandson.

Zhulan couldn’t help but laugh out, ”Don’t bully your dad.”

The little fellow stuck out his tongue and shook his head, ”I wasn’t the first to say it.”

Zhulan pinched her son’s face, ”You sure have a good memory. Go to sleep now; we need to get up early tomorrow to continue our journey.”

The little guy happily ran off.

Zhou Shuren shook his head, ”This kid is turning into a little fox.”

”Indeed he’s smart. By the way, I plan to buy some shops in the capital to invest in some properties. Also, I’m thinking of rebuilding the estate we bought earlier at the Northwest border.”

Zhou Shuren asked, ”Are you planning to keep it as a dowry for Xue Han?”

Zhulan took out a box of silver notes, ”Hmm, previously, I had thought of acquiring more estates to divide among our sons when splitting up the family property, but plans don’t always keep up with changes. Now we only have that one house left in the capital. Considering the current circumstances, it’s highly unlikely that the Zhou family will divide up the family property anytime soon. It’s better to prepare it as a dowry for Xue Han. Now that Rongchuan is headed to the capital to take the exams, and Xue Han is also nearing marriageable age, it’d be good to rebuild it this year to avoid any rush in case of unexpected events that don’t leave us enough time to rebuild.”

Zhou Shuren glanced at the silver notes inside the box, ”It looks like you’re preparing for some major moves this year.”

Zhulan secured the silver notes she had taken out, ”Hmm, our sons are grown now, and with Eldest and Second at home to take care of things, I thought it’d be good to put out some more silver.”

She wanted to do so while she still had the energy, rather than waiting many years when she might no longer have the strength.

Zhou Shuren fell silent. Prosperity in the Zhou family meant there were many places to spend silver, ”You’ve worked hard.”

”It’s not hard.”

The next morning, the whole family gathered for breakfast. Zhulan discussed her trip to the capital and specifically informed Su Xuan of her arrangements, ”If I can return as soon as possible, I will.”

Su Xuan had a good grasp of the big picture and wouldn’t overthink things just because her mother-in-law wasn’t around. She preferred to rely on herself, ”Mother, don’t worry, I have everything arranged on this end. There won’t be any issues.”

Zhulan knew of Su Xuan’s capabilities, yet she still felt somewhat embarrassed, having accompanied several daughters-in-law through childbirth, ”Take good care of yourself.”

Touching her belly, Su Xuan nodded, ”Mhm.”

Zhulan then gave a few more instructions, hoping that in her absence, each household would be careful and cautious.

After the meal, the carriage was ready, and Zhulan, holding her youngest son, got into the carriage. Pulling back the curtain, she felt an odd tinge of regret in her heart—she hadn’t let Zhou Shuren see her off!

With tearful eyes, Lady Li lamented, ”Mother, Mother, let me go with you.”

Without her mother-in-law at home, she felt anxious. Although her mother-in-law didn’t meddle in household affairs, her presence was calming!

Zhulan, touched in her heart, said, ”Stop crying. When Mother comes back, I’ll bring you a gift. You must be a good girl at home.”

Lady Li sniffling, ”Mother, I’ll definitely be good.”

Zhou Eldest, ”....”

Shouldn’t he be jealous of his own mother? The first time he left home, his wife wasn’t nearly this reluctant to part. Eventually, she had gotten used to his departures and didn’t even bother to see him off!

Zhao’s heart was tangled as the words she had been nursing for so long were startled out of her by her sister-in-law; by the time she thought to speak again, the carriage had already moved far away, with the curtains of her mother-in-law’s carriage drawn.

Xue Han initially felt reluctant to part, but after witnessing the commotion caused by her elder sister-in-law, she couldn’t help but want to laugh, coughing once, ”Sisters-in-law, let’s all go back too!”

Yearningly, Lady Li watched the carriage, ”I’ll wait a bit longer, until I can’t see it anymore, then I’ll go back.”

Xue Han, ”.... Alright, just don’t catch a chill, Elder Sister.”

Zhao held her chest, not having seen her sister this way in a long time, and found herself rather unaccustomed, she said to her eldest daughter, ”Let’s go back too.”

Yushuang gathered her cloak tighter—indeed, it was quite cold, ”Mother, you go ahead. I’m going to Fourth Aunt’s yard.”

Zhao gave her daughter a look, understanding the changes in her better than anyone. Her daughter used to embody the quintessential gentlewoman, but now, her style of dress and her presence had changed, the fiery red cloak dazzling to the eye, her smile also more radiant, ”Ah, alright.”

Yushuang skipped back with light steps. Ever since she began learning from Fourth Aunt, she had truly gained much and grown fond of her.

At the gate, Lady Li was shivering severely, her lips quivering, ”Why is today’s wind so bone-chilling?”

Zhou Eldest rolled his eyes without decorum, ”I thought you had enough fat not to feel it!”

Teeth chattering, Lady Li said, ”Head of the family, I’m cold.”

Zhou Eldest reached out a hand that had grown much fatter, grasping her icy hand, ”Let’s go.”

Lady Li smiled foolishly, her husband might resent her a bit, but he was still there to accompany her.

As Zhulan’s carriage left Prefecture City, Chang Zhong became restless, occasionally pulling back the curtain, ”Mother, Mother, we’ve left the city, Mother, there are so many carriages.”

Zhulan pulled out her thickest cloak and wrapped it around her son, ”Can’t you sit still for a moment? You keep pulling the curtain back, the carriage is getting cold inside.”

Chang Zhong’s face was still full of excitement, ”Mother, so many carriages.”

Zhulan laughed, boys will be boys; in modern times, they like cars, all sorts of cars, and in ancient times, they liked horses and carriages, ”This is the only main road to the capital, of course, there are many carriages.”

Chang Zhong wanted to pull the curtain back again, ”Mother, just a little longer.”

Zhulan stopped him, ”No way, you’ll catch a cold at this rate. Behave yourself, or next time, I won’t take you with me.”

That finally made Chang Zhong settle down properly. Going out was too much fun; he didn’t want to stay at home, having explored all over the Zhou estate until it held no more novelty for him.