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

Chapter 1294: Chapter 1294: Peace Charm

Zhulan had already flipped through the local products. The Retired Emperor traveled by water, directly heading to Jiangnan first. The local products included fans, handicrafts, some liquor, and calligraphy paintings, none of which were expensive, clearly just for show.

Zhulan chuckled lightly, ”To be able to purchase such a comprehensive array of local products, it shows he took a careful tour.”

As she spoke, Zhulan took out the only brocade box. Upon opening it, she found a peace charm and a letter beneath it. Unfolding it, she read, ”The Retired Emperor obtained a peace charm for you. You really do have significant clout. The Retired Emperor hopes you live a long, peaceful life.”

Zhou Shuren’s eyes widened, ”There’s even a letter?”

Zhulan passed the small sheet of paper in her hand, ”It’s not really a letter, take a look.”

Zhou Shuren glanced at it, then covered his forehead with a handkerchief, ”Ow, my head hurts, I need to rest.”

Zhulan reached out and touched her husband’s forehead, still a bit warm, ”Alright, you go rest first. I’ll sort out these local products.”

Zhou Shuren got up, really wanting to sleep, ”Okay.”

Zhulan distributed the local products among the children, some items being particularly appealing to kids.

After a while, Chang Zhong came back. Zhulan looked at her son’s pale face, reaching out to touch his forehead, ”Heatstroke?”

Chang Zhong shook his head, ”Mom, my heart hurts.”

This scared Zhulan, her first thought being heart disease, but then again, that couldn’t be right considering how healthy her son was, ”Explain clearly.”

Chang Zhong pulled out a light purse, ”Yang Qing and the others eat too much, twenty taels, a full twenty taels.”

He regretted having suggested trying the signature dish, which turned out to be expensive.

Zhulan stunned, ”They indeed ate quite a lot.”

Chang Zhong sniffled, ”And that’s without any fine tea or drinks!”

Zhulan couldn’t help but laugh, pinching her son’s cheek, ”Alright, you’re the elder, don’t be stingy.”

Chang Zhong still felt heartbroken, ”Saving up silver is truly hard for your son.”

Zhulan smiled teasingly, ”I’ll give you a chance, repeat that.”

Zhou Shuren had given half of his silver to his son, she definitely knew about it!

Chang Zhong chuckled, then noticed a medicinal scent in the room, quickly showing concern, ”Mom, are you feeling unwell?”

Zhulan pointed inside the room, ”Your father is feeling a bit unwell, he took some medicine and is resting!”

Chang Zhong jumped off the chair, ”I’ll go see dad.”

Zhulan was a step slow to stop him, but then thought it might be better for him to see his father to avoid worrying more. Upon seeing his son changing his father’s handkerchief, she smiled slightly. After changing the handkerchief, she led her son out of the room.

The next day, Zhou Shuren felt somewhat better, though still a bit weak. After eating breakfast, lying on a rocking chair, he spoke to his daughter-in-law sewing beside him, ”This is the life I’ve wanted.”

Why strive in ancient times? Naturally, it was for a better life, which, once achieved, he had no chance to enjoy!

Yesterday, Zhou Shuren slept until dinner before waking up, ate some porridge, and went back to sleep. Zhulan forgot to ask, ”How many days did you request off?”

Thinking of his holiday, Zhou Shuren smiled, ”Seven days. If I’m not fully recovered, I can rest a few more days.”

Zhulan responded, ”It’s rare for a vacation to be approved so readily. You should really take this time to rest well.”

Zhou Shuren hummed in agreement, closing his eyes, ”I’ll sleep for a bit.”

”Okay.”

Not long after Zhou Shuren had fallen asleep, his granddaughters Yushuang and Yu Lu came over. Zhulan looked at how the two girls were dressed, asking softly, ”Are you going out?”

Yushuang nodded, ”We have arranged to meet Lau Jia at the qin shop. Lau Jia wants to choose a new qin, and Yu Lu and I are going to help out as consultants.”

Zhulan said, ”You all go ahead, just be more cautious when you go out.”

Yushuang replied, ”Grandma, I’ve brought two extra young servants with us.”

”You know what you’re doing, so grandma feels relieved.”

It is said that ever since Zhulan had spoken to Lady Li, the Li family and the Lau family have been communicating more. Since the main family has a daughter, it was convenient for Yu Lu to invite Lau Jia. After spending more time together, Yu Lu and Lau Jia indeed grew closer. As for why Ran Wan was not invited,

It’s all because Ran Wan is currently embroidering her bridal gown at home, having entered the state of waiting to be married, and she seldom goes out.

By the time Yushuang and Yu Lu arrived, Lau Jia was already there. Lau Jia was the youngest and had grown up over the years, losing her baby fat and growing taller rapidly, almost catching up to Yu Lu in height and becoming more and more attractive.

Lau Jia took two steps forward, ”Sister Yushuang, Sister Yu Lu.”

Yushuang could see some light sweat on Lau Jia’s face, ”Have you been waiting long?”

Lau Jia shook her head, ”I just arrived not long ago, but it’s just a bit hot today.”

Yu Lu shifted the umbrella she held towards Lau Jia, blocking some sunlight, ”It’s indeed a bit stuffy today, I think it might rain.”

Lau Jia, looking at the street with few pedestrians, ”Shall we go inside the shop?”

Yushuang took the lead, ”Alright.”

The qin shop wasn’t crowded; they had placed ice basins inside, not many, but there was still a hint of coolness, which made it much more comfortable after the mugginess.

Yu Lu glanced at the ice in the ice basin, there wasn’t much left, and the Shopkeeper didn’t seem to intend to add more, indicating that ice was quite expensive this year.

Lau Jia also saw and muttered, ”The price of ice has gone up again, it’s not even half a month and it has increased twice.”

Yushuang exclaimed, ”Ah?”

Her family has an ice cellar and since grandma is accustomed to stocking a lot of ice every year, they really haven’t needed to purchase ice.

Lau Jia, who had started managing household duties, was very clear about the accounts for buying ice. Her family could not afford to use too much ice, only her father and brother’s studies would have an extra basin, and she herself only used some at night.

Meanwhile, Yushuang and Yu Lu had already helped Lau Jia choose a suitable qin.

After buying the qin, it was still early, so the three went to a nearby teahouse, got a private room, and ordered tea. Yushuang and Yu Lu weren’t ones to shortchange themselves, always remembering grandma’s words, ”Girls should also treat themselves well,” hoping they live more freely.

This made it a habit; they would never treat themselves poorly—an ice basin was a must.

Drinking cold tea, enjoying the ice basin, alleviating the heat and irritability.

Lau Jia clicked her tongue, the more she hung out with the Zhou sisters, the more it challenged her upbringing. She grew up watching her mother’s sacrifices, dedicating to her father and brothers; from childhood, her mother told her, ”A woman must follow her husband.”

But the Zhou sisters were not like that; they lived for themselves, unrestrained.

When the Zhou sisters returned, coincidentally, Ming Teng, who had been away on business for several days, had returned to the capital. Yu Lu looked at Ming Teng, ”Look how tanned you are, I almost couldn’t recognize you.”

Ming Teng hummed, ”You don’t pity me, yet you tease me.”

Yu Lu smiled, ”Second brother, you’ve worked hard.”

Ming Teng smiled, ”I brought back gifts for you all, already delivered to each courtyard. Did you go out?”

Yu Lu nodded, ”We went with your future wife to buy a qin.”

Yushuang saw Ming Teng blush and couldn’t help but let out a snicker.

Yu Lu, blinking her eyes, ”Second brother, your chance to show off has come.”

Ming Teng, ”?”