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

Chapter 1131: Chapter 1131: Something’s Not Right

Prince Qi tilted his head, a frown creasing his brow—he truly didn’t know what he had done to upset the Princess Consort this time. He touched his nose; could it be that she had sensed his intention to bring someone else into the residence?

In Xuzhou, Lady Dong silently told herself not to get angry, not to get upset with a bastard, yet she still couldn’t help but feel the urge to explode in rage. She could only think about her mother-in-law’s reply, which was the first time in years that her mother-in-law had used such blunt language to curse someone, saying that one should just listen to a dog’s barking and not take it too seriously.

At this thought, Dong Chuchu couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

The persuasion from Zhao Jiniang was still ongoing, and her face had turned sour. Accustomed to having her way with her daughters-in-law at home and seeing no elders from the Zhou family accompany her this week, she had grown hopeful. Her own daughter had not yet been promised to anyone.

Moreover, since arriving at her son’s, her daughter-in-law had mentioned how Lady Dong, after many years of marriage, had only given birth to two daughters, which reignited her hope even more.

Zhao Jiniang said, ”I’m just looking out for you. A woman needs a son to rely on. If you can’t bear a son, it’s better to plan ahead.”

Dong Chuchu had had enough. If it wasn’t for the fact that Zhao Ji and her husband had both graduated from the Hanlin Academy and served as officials together in Xuzhou, she would have sent Zhao Jiniang away long ago. And now here she was, speaking with the attitude of a mother-in-law. Bah! Her own mother-in-law had never spoken to her like this. ”Madam, this is the Zhou residence, not the Zhao family. It’s better to think before you speak and not to be presumptious. And who are you, anyway? It’s good for a person to be aware of their own status.”

Zhao Jiniang was dumbfounded, her eyes wide open. For the first time in many years, someone had spoken to her this way. ”You—how can you speak to your elder like this!”

Dong Chuchu sneered, finding the situation ridiculous. ”You’re only an elder if I respect you as one. If I don’t, who are you to claim to be my elder? Go back and ask if Zhao Ji dares to do so. Moreover, whether I bear sons or daughters, my mother-in-law has never said a word, so it’s better for you to keep shut. Otherwise, wait until I write to my mother-in-law and have her speak to you.”

Zhao Jiniang, dumbstruck and at a loss for words, was pulled away by the scared maidservant behind the old lady. They had nearly forgotten that Zhou’s wife was kind and gentle because, after all, Zhou’s father was the Vice Minister of Revenue.

After the others had left, Dong Chuchu let out a breath of relief.

In the capital, at the Shi family, old Master Shi looked at his daughter-in-law. ”I’m just going out to buy some things.”

Although his son had confined him, his son hadn’t taken away his silver. He had plenty of silver, and he felt compelled to spend it, especially with the new year approaching and his desire to buy gifts for his grandson.

With his son’s generation, the Shi family had turned over a new leaf, and the grandson’s future looked more promising than his father’s. Old Master Shi felt a fire in his heart, one that made it hard for him to sit still.

Yao Yao pressed her temples; her husband had just completed the three-year performance appraisal, receiving top marks, and was taking over duties at the Ministry of Commerce, simply waiting to officially join next year. That morning, he had gone with Prince Liang to Pinggang on official business.

The old master had intentionally waited for when her husband was not at home to visit her.

Yao Yao furrowed her brows. ”Father, as you can see, it’s heavily snowing outside. Your health isn’t great, and if you catch a cold, I won’t be able to explain it to my husband.”

She genuinely didn’t wish for her father-in-law to fall ill. The longer her stepmother and his father lived, the better, as she wouldn’t have to care for them herself. She was relieved to have maids and young ladies to help, as long as they didn’t interfere with her husband’s career.

Old Master Shi didn’t expect to succeed on the first try, and he said with a smile, ”Indeed, I cannot go out in such heavy snow. Then I’ll head back home.”

Yao Yao felt something was off about her father-in-law’s words, but she was busy with many things. ”Mm.”

At the Zhou family, Zhulan watched as Ming Jung tried to get Lin Xi’s attention. Looking at her small grandson, she always felt a special joy whenever she saw him. ”Eldest daughter-in-law, has Ming Jung gotten fatter again?”

Lady Li spoke reservedly, ”This boy is like his mother; he gains weight even from drinking water.”

Ming Jung, still quite small, was crying out, but unfortunately, Lin Xi was too young and soon lost energy, cutely yawning and growing sleepy.

The wet nurse, forever anxious by their side out of fear that the young master would harm the young lady, breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the young lady getting drowsy. ”My lady, it’s time for the young lady to sleep.”

Zhulan remarked, ”Take her downstairs.”

Seeing his sister being carried away, Ming Jung became unhappy and started crawling rapidly, crying out.

Lady Li picked up her chubby son. ”Stop crying. Your sister is going to sleep. You tell me, why do you have so much energy?”

Speaking of which, Lady Li was somewhat downcast, for aside from Mingyun and Yu Lu, her other sons were exceptionally energetic.

Lady Zhao said, ”Mother, I have heard something.”

Zhulan, puzzled, asked, ”What have you heard?”

Lady Zhao whispered, ”I heard that the Crown Prince is planning to take a concubine?”

Zhulan’s eyes widened, ”Who said that?”

Surely not, the Crown Prince wouldn’t take a concubine, especially not now when his attention should be singularly focused on ascending the throne. Wouldn’t it be better to wait and take wives as the Emperor?

Lady Zhao added, ”I too just heard about it, heard that Master Wu’s daughter is adept at all four arts and is also a well-known beauty in the capital; in any case, it’s been going around that the Crown Prince plans to take a concubine.”

Zhulan tugged at the corner of her mouth, now Mistress Wu has come into the picture, and it’s her the Crown Prince will take? Master Wu... Zhulan carefully recalled, there were several Master Wus in the capital, ”Which Master Wu are you referring to?”

Lady Zhao said, ”The one from the Maritime Affairs Administration.”

Zhulan knew who she meant now, the Master Wu from the Maritime Affairs General Administration, ”Nonsense.”

How could Master Wu’s legitimate daughter possibly become a concubine? A concubine at most, and just as she thought, the Wu family wasn’t foolish; it would be much better for them if she married the Crown Prince after he took the throne.

Lady Zhao was shocked, ”Then why does the rumor seem so credible?”

Zhulan scoffed, ”Because they want to eliminate a future enemy first.”

Mistress Wu indeed excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and was also a great beauty. At this time, the women in the Crown Prince’s residence were naturally on guard. With this rumor out there, Mistress Wu would either enter the Crown Prince’s household or suffer damage to her reputation.

Lady Zhao’s eyes went wide, ”No way, wasn’t it peaceful before?”

Zhulan replied, ”That was the past.”

Now, anyone with clear sight can see that the Crown Prince will ascend the throne. There you go, the women of the Crown Prince’s household are already on alert.

That night, in Xuzhou Province, Dong Chuchu recounted the day’s events, ”In the future, I too should keep my distance from the Zhao family.”

Chang Lian stated, ”There’s no need to be polite with their entire family in the future.”

He was also getting agitated. Ever since Zhao Ji mentioned at the government office that he only had two daughters, many people had been getting ideas. If it weren’t for his father’s strict rules, he would have even more to worry about.

Chu Chu just wanted her husband’s consent, ”I understand.”

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day of the Duchess’ funeral. The weather was exceptionally good, but no sooner than the duchess had been buried, Ning Hui fell ill.

Xue Han visited her family home, having lost a lot of weight, ”Ah, I just came to see Lin Xi.”

Zhulan inquired, ”Will you go back to the Duke Residence?”

Xue Han nodded, ”Grandfather isn’t well, and uncle is ill; my sister-in-law has to manage the household and prepare for the New Year, so I need to help her out.”

Xue Han paused, then continued, ”I’m concerned that there’s something wrong with my uncle.”

”What’s wrong with him?”