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

Chapter 1268: Chapter 1268: A Small Goal, To Sleep Until Naturally Awake

Zhulan saw that everyone was looking at her and smiled at Zhou Shuren. Great, such a big deal and he hadn’t even mentioned it to her—what a surprise! After a moment of silence, she said, ”My small goal for next year is to lose twenty pounds.”

Zhou Shuren had a death wish when he spoke, ”Wife, that’s a big goal.”

As soon as his words fell, the Zhou brothers took a sharp breath. Why did Dad have to pick on himself during the New Year’s celebration!

Zhulan’s smile stiffened, ”What did you say? I didn’t hear you clearly.”

Zhou Shuren, ”...Wife, your goal is too modest.”

The elder Zhou brothers, ”...”

So, Dad could obviously speak normally. Why did he insist on flirting with disaster!

Zhou Shuren was all smiles. Today was New Year’s after all, and it had been a long time since he had playfully tested the waters. He felt uneasy if he didn’t tease his wife during the New Year’s—there was an added layer of protection now.

Rong Yushang was enjoying himself. This was what made the New Year’s lively, and all he had to do as the highest-ranking elder was to watch.

Then it was Zhou Changyi’s turn to speak. Zhou Changyi had just been watching the show and now his mind was blank. Hmm, what was his goal?

The more anxious a person was, the harder it was to remember. Without anyone’s reminder, Zhou Changyi was hoping his second brother would give him a hint, but his second brother didn’t even glance at him.

Zhou Changyi finally understood, he really had no ambition. His sons were not a worry, and eventually, he blurted out dryly, ”I hope that next year the income of the first household can double.”

Zhou Shuren sipped his wine and grunted in acknowledgment, and Zhou Changyi breathed a sigh of relief that he had passed the test.

Then it moved to Zhou Changyi’s turn. Zhou Changyi had thought about it in advance, ”I hope to get a promotion next year.”

Zhou Changyi glanced at his second brother. Was this really a small goal?

Jiang Sheng’s goal was very simple. In the new year, he would write more articles. Since he had listened to his father-in-law’s advice, he had started planning his future.

Next was Zhou Changzhi. Zhou Changzhi looked at his two elder brothers speechlessly. Did they have a misunderstanding about what a ’small goal’ meant? Was this really a small goal? Did it really coincide with his understanding of what a small goal was?

Zhou Changzhi noted that everyone was looking at him, ”My small goal is to earn an excellent rating next year.”

After speaking, Changzhi looked towards his father. This goal was too easy; well, very easy for him, so it was a small goal.

Zhou Shuren remained silent, which meant it was accepted. Changzhi smiled; he hadn’t misunderstood the concept of a small goal.

Chang Xhong spoke, ”My small goal is to save an extra four hundred silver taels next year.”

Changzhi looked towards his younger brother. Hmm, that too was a small goal, four hundred taels were simple for his brother’s abilities.

Then it was Lady Li’s turn at this table. Lady Li was a bit dazed, ”Do we also need to have goals?”

Zhulan smiled, ”Yes, our family must be neat and complete; no one is to be left out.”

Lady Li, ”...”

She didn’t want this ’neat and complete’ at all!

Lady Li was a bit nervous, her voice trembling as she tentatively said, ”I hope to lose six, no, ten pounds next year.”

Seeing her mother nod and smile, she smiled back. It was right to follow her mother’s lead.

Zhao’s turn came, ”My goal for next year is to become proficient at playing the zither.”

Then it was Xue Mei’s turn, and her goal was simple too; next year she aimed to travel to one or two more states.

Su Xuan, ”My modest goal is to buy an additional two estates next year.”

Then it was the grandchildren’s turn, and their goals were simple: either to study or to learn painting, among other things.

The only two who stood out were Ming Teng, whose status was different, so his modest goal was also different, ”Next year my goal is to independently manage part of the businesses.”

The other was Yu Wen, ”My modest goal is to sleep until I wake up naturally.”

Zhou Shuren finally summarized, ”I’ll remember everyone’s modest goals and at the end of the year, you’ll all write a summary which I will check. For those who don’t achieve theirs, heh heh.”

A laugh conveyed a clear understanding of what a modest goal was. Those who got it right were relaxed and at ease, while one or two who misunderstood looked miserable.

However, the atmosphere soon disappeared as the reunion dinner was lively and bustling.

In the evening, a firework show began in front of the Palace. The booming sounds reverberated, and the brilliant fireworks blossomed in the sky; it was an absolute visual feast for the people of ancient times.

The Emperor had spent a considerable amount of Silver, demonstrating sheer generosity. The booming lasted for a long while, and for the sight of fireworks, some people even climbed onto rooftops.

After the Palace’s fireworks ended, it was as if a signal was given, and households that had bought fireworks began setting them off, making the capital exceptionally lively.

The next morning, it was Zhulan’s day to give out red envelopes, and the amount had increased this year, so all the children were thrilled.

In fact, New Year’s was a lucrative time for Zhulan, as each branch of the family would bring her and Zhou Shuren gifts. As the branches had more Silver Coin at their disposal, the gifts became increasingly valuable: the first wife brought tonics, the second wife brought gemstones, with no repetition.

The New Year passed just like that, and after the holidays, the important matter was Mingyun and Jiang Zhu returning to their hometown to participate in the child prodigy examination; both younger boys were aspiring to become Scholars.

Zhou Changyi, the eldest, was anxious and wanted to follow them, but Mingyun refused, ”Dad, I have a young servant with me; I won’t have any problems.”

Zhou Changyi looked at his eldest son, who had grown tall enough to match him, especially having shot up over the past year, ”Do you really not need Dad to accompany you?”

Mingyun shook his head, ”No need. There’s no danger now. Rest assured, and I also want to develop my independence. Dad, I am the eldest son.”

He had grown up.

Zhou Changyi felt both proud and a pang of sadness; his eldest son wasn’t raised by him. Indeed, he hadn’t raised any of his sons, who had quietly grown up without his realizing it.

Lady Li did not share her husband’s sentimentality; it wasn’t that she was carefree, but that she had trust in her eldest son, ”I prepared gifts for your grandmother and uncle, which you should distribute according to the list. Make sure to pack the list properly.”

Mingyun took the list and placed it in the box, ”Hmm, I will frequently visit Grandpa and Grandma.”

Lady Li sighed, ”Originally, your father and I planned to go back with you because we visited last year. I’m not as worried now.”

Her husband also asked if she wanted to go back together. After some thought, she declined; there was much to do after the New Year, and moving house was a big task. Their branch had many children, and with so many things to pack up, they could not manage without her.

At the Jiang family, Jiang Zhu left together with Mingyun. Jiang Sheng was very relieved. His eldest son was mature and reliable, and he was also comfortable letting his son take care of his parents on their return to the capital.

Jiang Sheng instructed, ”Don’t cause trouble for your cousin. Listen to him on the road.”

Jiang Zhu, ”Son has noted it.”

Jiang Sheng continued, ”When you go back, visit your several uncles. I heard from your grandfather’s letter that your two cousins are not bad at studying. I am skeptical of your grandfather’s words; observe them when you go back, and if there’s truth in what your grandfather said, give them some guidance without hindering your own studies.”

Jiang Zhu wasn’t very close to his cousins back home, having not grown up in the same village. Afterward, they had little in common due to their studies, and once he moved to the capital, he saw even less of them. Their relationship truly wasn’t deep, ”Okay.”

Xue Mei pulled her son aside and said softly, ”You must visit the Jiang family on behalf of your mother. I’ve prepared gifts for the Jiang family; make sure you deliver them personally.”

Jiang Zhu wasn’t embarrassed and smiled, ”Hmm.”

Since her husband had become a Graduate and they had bought young servants and maids, Xue Mei had only acquired two maids, both assigned to her daughter. Her son had none; he was surrounded purely by young servants.

This time, her son would be traveling back with two young servants.