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

Chapter 908: Chapter 908: It’s Not Envy, It’s Jealousy and Resentment

Zhulan’s letter had just been sent off when Zhao and Chang Yi returned. Zhulan asked, ”How come you’ve returned so quickly?”

Zhao glanced at her husband several times, which Zhulan noticed. Zhao’s whole being exuded a sense of dejection, and with a thought, Zhulan understood, ”Has the Xu family set the date for the sea voyage?”

Chang Yi nodded. ”We set sail the day after tomorrow and leave the capital.”

As a mother, Zhulan also felt uneasy. Although she had facilitated the sea voyage, now that it was actually happening, she found herself reluctant to part with her son. The room fell very quiet, and the joy from Wu Ning’s pregnancy news had vanished in an instant.

Chang Yi didn’t know where to put his hands. Torn between the reluctance to leave his wife and his deep respect for his beloved mother, both of whom were in distress, his heart was also heavy.

Unable to bear the silent atmosphere, Chang Yi said dryly, ”Mother, I will take good care of myself, I promise not to fall ill, and when I return, you’ll see a plump son, don’t worry.”

Zhulan, holding back her reluctance, said, ”The Xu family manages things well, Mother is not worried. Take advantage of these few days at home, whatever you want to eat, just tell the kitchen. Once you’re at sea, it won’t be so convenient.”

Chang Yi’s eyes reddened, ”Mmm, Mother, could you give me a few of the sachets you’ve made recently?”

Zhulan gestured for Song’s old lady to bring over the box, which contained not only sachets but also several belts. ”They were made for you in the first place, and I thought to make some extra. Now I don’t know if these will be enough.”

Chang Yi reached out to take them, and because he was about to leave home, he had been frequently chatting with his mother, watching her sew the sachets, never expecting they were all for him. The sachets and belts had his favorite patterns and also symbols of safety. Clutching the box tightly, he said, ”Mother, I will cherish and use these well.”

Zhulan looked at Zhao, who had been hanging her head low all along, and said to her son, ”You and your wife should go back now, I need to rest too.”

Chang Yi glanced at his wife, understanding that his mother wanted him to have a good talk with his wife. With his departure, it would be at least six months before his return, ”Mother, you rest first.”

That evening, Wu Ning received a letter delivered by fast horse from the capital. After reading it, the worry that had been weighing on her mind lifted, and she said with a smile to her husband, ”Look, Auntie has instructed me to take good care of myself.”

He Shu quickly read through the letter, which listed cautionary advice for a pregnant woman. He, too, smiled, ”Now you can rest easy, and you’ll have a good night’s sleep tonight.”

Wu Ning touched her belly; she and her husband had known about the pregnancy for a few days, but she had delayed writing the letter. She remembered her aunt advising her to delay the pregnancy, but it had happened anyway, and these past few days, she had not rested well.

He Shu was the one truly relieved, blushing at the news of his wife’s pregnancy, ”I will find the best doctor, and I will take good care of you.”

Wu Ning smiled sweetly. Her life was comfortable; her husband was considerate, her relatives were also caring, and with her direct elder brother becoming a Capital Official, her days were even more content, ”Mmm.”

Time flew, and the day of Chang Yi’s departure from the capital arrived. Yushuang and Yu Die, being girls, were more expressive with their emotions, their eyes red with tears. Ming Rui, now a little man, declared, ”Father, while you are not at home, I will take good care of Mother and my sisters.”

Chang Yi patted his eldest son’s head. The boy wasn’t big, but he gave his father a reassuring sense of tranquility, ”Good.”

Yu Die, who had initially wanted to cry, now glared with wide eyes, ”What about me, Brother?”

Ming Rui picked up his little sister, a master at breaking the somber mood, ”Brother will take good care of you too.”

Yu Die brightened, but once she turned her head and saw that their father had already boarded the carriage, her lip quivered, and tears streamed down her face, clinging tightly to her brother’s neck, ”I don’t want Daddy to go.”

Looking back at his mother and elder sister, Ming Rui realized he was the only one not crying. Crying was considered an ill omen, so he held onto his little sister all the more tightly, ”Mother, Sister, let’s go back inside.”

Because they wanted to leave some time for the second wife to spend alone, Grandma and Uncle had already returned to the yard earlier.

Mrs. Zhao quickly wiped away her tears and embraced her little daughter, ”You mustn’t cry.”

Yu Die bit her lip; the tears were brimming in her eyes, threatening to fall. Yushuang, too, wiped away her tears, her voice slightly hoarse, ”Mother, let’s go back.”

In the main courtyard, Zhulan looked helplessly at several of her daughters-in-law—and yes, a few of her sons as well. Chang Yi’s departure was a significant event, and Chang Lian had taken special leave for it.

She just wanted some quiet, truly. When Chang Yi hadn’t left home yet, her heart had felt all sorts of discomfort, which was clearly expressed in her emotions. But now that Chang Yi had really left, she, on the other hand, became very calm.

Unfortunately, neither her sons nor her daughters-in-law believed her, and no one would leave, constantly surrounding her and chatting.

When they finally left at noon, Zhulan rubbed her ears and said to Mammy Song, ”I think the voice of the eldest son’s wife was particularly loud today—right, the eldest son as well. It’s like I’ve been dealing with hundreds of ducks this morning; my ears are quite uncomfortable now.”

Mammy Song was not having an easy time either. The mistress liked quiet, and even when the granddaughters came to visit, it wouldn’t get too noisy. This sudden liveliness was indeed unusual for her, ”It’ll be better in a few days.”

Zhulan couldn’t help but cry and laugh, ”Does no one believe what I say now?”

Mammy Song was left speechless. How could she speak, when the mistress had shown such reluctance these past two days? The second master was so moved and befuddled that the daily calls of ’Mother’ sounded to her as sweet as honey.

Zhulan, not receiving an answer, fell silent. She had dug her own grave but also felt like laughing at the same time; as she grew older, and now that she could be a bit more unrestrained, she was no longer as reserved as before. She had become quite willful indeed.

At this moment, Steward Ding entered, ”Mrs. Du will soon be at the second gate.”

Zhulan nearly spat out her tea, ”Isn’t it almost time for lunch now?”

Steward Ding spoke with a troubled look, ”Yes, the kitchen is almost ready; we can start eating in half an hour.”

Zhulan stood up; given Mrs. Du’s seniority, she needed to greet her in person. Visitors usually came in the morning, and it was rare for them to come at this hour.

The last time she saw Mrs. Du was before the New Year, when the old lady was quite plump. Now, she had lost so much weight that her clothes hung loosely on her frame.

Zhulan greeted Mrs. Du, ”What brings you here, especially at this time?”

Mrs. Du’s face was full of embarrassment. Could she admit that she’d just been to Duke Ning’s residence and had thought of visiting the Zhou family on a whim? Of course, that was something she couldn’t say out loud, ”After our last meeting, I felt we got along quite well, and with age, I act on impulse. So here I am.”

Zhulan could only admire Mrs. Du’s skill; their last meeting had been anything but friendly. By looking at her expression and tone now, one would think they were close relatives!

Mrs. Du saw that Yang’s reaction was only a slight smile without engaging in the conversation, which left her at a loss for words. Being impromptu, she could only wait awkwardly for the tea to be served before saying, ”The Zhou residence is flourishing more and more, and it’s truly enviable to see.”

Zhulan thought to herself that there were plenty of people who were envious. Mrs. Du had not held back from speaking ill of the Zhou family behind their backs. She wasn’t just envious but also filled with spite and hatred!

!