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

Chapter 981: Chapter 981: The Moment to Compete in Acting Skills

The day of the feast at Prince Chu’s residence arrived, and Zhulan went without any maidservants, bringing only Nurse Shui and Nurse Song. She didn’t even wear any jewelry with pearls, opting not to bring bracelets but wore bangles instead, and all her headdresses were made of jade; the earrings need not even be mentioned.

After meticulously checking over the two nurses, Zhulan finally boarded the carriage with them.

Once her mother left, Xue Han sighed to her own maidservant, ”Mother is really too cautious.”

Liu Li made a mental note, ”In the future, when Miss goes out, also bring fewer pieces of jewelry with pearls.”

Xue Han nodded, ”Mhm.”

As Zhulan settled into the carriage, had it not been for a visit to Prince Chu’s residence, she wouldn’t have been so guarded, considering every possible issue such as pearls and spices, she didn’t bring anything that could be problematic.

Nurse Song was witnessing her mistress’s caution for the first time and was extremely surprised; this wasn’t something she had taught her mistress. At the same time, she felt emotional knowing her mistress had become a master at managing the inner court.

The guests at Prince Chu’s residence that day were few, with the lowest-ranking attendees being the wives of third-rank officials. Not only were several princess consorts present but the Crown Princess Consort as well.

Seeing the grand scale, Zhulan couldn’t help but be careful; it wasn’t paranoia but a necessity in these circumstances.

And why did it seem like everyone had brought their children today?

The Crown Princess Consort also frowned, having brought Zhenyue with her. She didn’t intend to bring a child, but when Princess Chu mentioned everyone was bringing their children, it wasn’t time yet to completely shed hypocritical pretenses. After some thought, she brought Zhenyue, a little girl raised inside the palace, who came out of the palace once a month. With Zhenyue enjoying the Emperor’s affection, Princess Chu would be cautious in her scheming.

Consort Ran was ill, and she had no choice but to bring the little girl herself, whereas the sons were all in the palace. As for the Crown Prince’s other children, even though her heart was broad, she internally resisted; she wouldn’t bring them out to be seen.

Zhenyue was different, being the only girl in the Crown Prince’s household and posing no threat to her son.

And since the little girl was favored by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, her presence was beneficial for the Crown Prince’s estate, and without a daughter of her own, she truly adored the little girl, especially since an old plot against her when bearing her youngest son had left her physically weakened.

On Zhulan’s side, she was the only one who didn’t bring a child, and she found none of the attending officials’ wives familiar; how interesting.

The Crown Princess Consort and the princess consorts sat in their high seats with their children close by. Looking at Zhenyue, Zhulan thought the girl truly looked lovely, much like the Crown Prince according to the Qi Clan.

The Crown Princess Consort also sensed the abnormality, holding Zhenyue close while seated.

This was Zhulan’s first time seeing so many grandsons. The wives of Prince Qi and Prince Liang had surely brought their own children; it was uncommon for illegitimate sons and daughters to be brought to banquets, and presenting them for marriage excursions was an exception. Real mothers generally did not favor illegitimate children over their legitimate offspring.

It was indeed rare for illegitimate daughters to venture out, even though women in the current dynasty had much more freedom, it was still seldom seen.

Princess Chu hinted provocatively, ”Why does the Crown Princess Consort only feed Zhenyue the pastries she brought herself? Are our treats from Prince Chu’s house not good enough for your taste?”

The Crown Princess Consort responded indifferently, ”These are brought from the palace; this child only likes the palace pastries.”

Princess Chu scrutinized the pastries, indeed palace fare, ”Truly, the Crown Prince’s estate is in a league of its own, even we prince residences find it difficult to enjoy palace delights.”

The Crown Princess Consort wiped the corner of Zhenyue’s mouth, ”Isn’t there a reason why there’s only one Crown Prince!”

Zhulan listened with pricked ears, silently giving the Crown Princess Consort a thumbs-up in her mind, a true regent who could vanquish Princess Chu with just one sentence. Such formidable strength made the firsthand experience of this drama so satisfying.

Princess Liang suddenly laughed, ”Third Sister-in-law, how come you never learn, is it because you’re getting on in years? Let me have a look, ah, you’ve even got crow’s feet.”

Princess Chu wished she could splash the tea on Princess Liang’s face; she was concerned about her own appearance.

Princess Qi also spoke up, ”Time spares no one, every year new flowers bloom in this back palace, and indeed, we have aged.”

Princess Chu’s face grew stern. Despite her control over the household of the Prince Chu Residence, there were always new faces every year. Now her husband was dissatisfied with her, having warned her more than once, her fingertips pinching her palm, ”Sister-in-law is truly generous. I can’t compare with such a broad mind. Speaking of buds, the Qi Prince Residence is quite the sight.”

Princess Qi was not angry; she had given up hope long ago, ”That’s fine.”

This mention of the inner palace made all the princess consorts pause in their squabbles, as personal attacks that hit close to home truly hurt.

Finally, Princess Chu remembered Lady Yang, ”Everyone brings their children, yet Lady Yang comes alone, is the Prince Chu Residence a place that devours people?”

Zhulan thought to herself, she never told her. Of course, even if she had been told, she would not have brought her, ”My little daughter has caught a cold, and has been unwell. My granddaughter is also sick and currently taking medicine. All the children at home are taking medicine to prevent illness. I thought since today’s banquet was full of grandsons and granddaughters, it would be best to be cautious.”

Aside from her daughter’s illness being feigned, dragging on without recovery, Yu Die was genuinely sick.

Princess Chu smiled, ”Since then—”

The Crown Princess Consort interjected, ”Lady Yang is right to be careful; it’s all about the children today. You’ve been considerate.”

Princess Chu glared at the Crown Princess Consort, the words on the tip of her tongue were forced back down. Still, it was fine; she only wanted to make someone uncomfortable verbally, and since she could not, she would not hold onto it.

Zhulan sat still and felt a chill on her back. If not for Granny Song and Granny Shui standing behind her, she would have felt even more uneasy.

Suddenly, someone cried out ”Snake!” which startled Zhulan, and she jumped up, gripping Granny Song’s hand tightly. She was most afraid of snakes.

Since they were all women and children, panic ensued immediately.

Zhulan suppressed her fear and looked around cautiously, staring intently at where the snake might be. She stood motionless, in reality because her legs had gone soft, and asked Granny Song with a trembling voice, ”Did you see the snake?”

Granny Song furrowed her brows, ”No, I haven’t seen a snake.”

By this time, some of the maids and elder servants had already started to escort people away. Zhulan looked up to see that several princess consorts and the Crown Princess Consort had all left.

Now there were not many people left in the courtyard.

A maid came over, ”Lady Yang, the guards will be coming to catch the snake soon, so please move over here.”

Zhulan’s heart sank; surely a big scene awaited her. But feeling Granny Song’s firm squeeze of her hand reassured her a lot. Right, both of the grannies at her side knew martial arts; even if there were snakes, there was no fear. More importantly, she really had not seen a snake.

Zhulan, hearing the maid urging her again, realized it was time to put her acting skills to the test, ”I grew up in the countryside; I’ve seen many snakes. I don’t need to hide. Step aside and watch me catch this pest.”

As she spoke, Zhulan pushed the maid aside, still muttering, ”During the war, when there was nothing to eat, I caught plenty of snakes. I’ve seen some snakes that like to gather together, several coiled in a bundle. I’ve been through training; catching snakes is my forte. Little maid, step back, the guards aren’t needed.”

The maid stood dumbfounded, picturing the scene in her mind, feeling a chill down her spine and a nauseating sensation, her lips quivering, ”How could we ask Lady Yang to take action? Lady Yang, let the guards handle this.”

Zhulan rolled up her sleeves and looked at the maid with a puzzled gaze, ”You, girl, have been stopping me from catching the snake the whole time, yet you are not afraid. Something’s not right here.”

As she said this, Zhulan looked all around her.