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

Chapter 1486: Chapter 1486: Awesome, My Dear Mother

The Tao Clan left after sitting for only a short while; she merely wanted to hear the news firsthand. Before leaving, she also took the donation list from the Hou Residence.

The Zhou Family was bustling with activity; visitors came one after another to inquire about the matter, and the residence itself was even livelier.

Lady Li and the others thought that their mother-in-law was reaching for the heavens, letting her take charge of such a significant affair.

Su Xuan was excited, ”Mother, can I help you?”

She believed that if the public orphanage was successfully established, her mother-in-law would be remembered by history. She wanted to support her as well. After all, who said women were inferior to men? She had not even married, yet she was no less capable than any man.

Zhulan agreed, ”Alright, you may help your mother.”

Su Xuan was capable, and Zhulan wouldn’t waste such talent.

Su Xuan said, ”Mother, I promise I won’t drag you down.”

”I trust in your abilities.”

Among her daughters-in-law, Su Xuan was the most competent. With Su Xuan’s assistance, Zhulan would have a much easier time.

Zhulan looked at her daughters-in-law, ”Do any of you think your mother should not have taken on this responsibility?”

Lady Li shook her head, ”Mother is amazing; she can definitely handle it.”

Lady Li was devoted to her mother-in-law. In her eyes, the latter was the most capable person, always proper and never failing at anything.

Lady Zhao was more contemplative, ”Mother, I believe in your abilities. However, taking on this responsibility might cause dissatisfaction from others.”

Su Xuan immediately retorted, ”Heh, dissatisfaction? Let them stew over it. This was decreed by the Empress Dowager.”

Zhulan wasn’t afraid of any discontent. What pleased her was the unanimous support from her daughters-in-law.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Qiu Yan hesitated before speaking, causing Zhou Shuren to roll his eyes inwardly, ”Say what’s on your mind.”

Qiu Yan asked, ”You’ve heard of the Empress Dowager’s decree, haven’t you?”

”Yes, I’ve heard about it.”

”Don’t you have anything to say about it?”

Zhou Shuren seemed taken aback, ”What am I supposed to say?”

Qiu Yan deliberated before replying, ”The Madam has been charged with overseeing the public orphanage. This is essentially an official duty. Since the founding of the dynasty, it’s unprecedented for a woman to undertake such a role. Do you really have no thoughts on this matter?”

Zhou Shuren sneered inwardly, ”As you mentioned, it’s a public orphanage. I fully support it. The people are suffering, and orphans have even fewer chances for survival. These children are left alone with no future but death. Addressing this issue is a profound act of compassion. Stop fixating on the fact that it’s a woman taking on the responsibility. Ability transcends gender; as long as the task is done well, that’s what matters.”

Qiu Yan grasped the point. To Zhou Hou, women could also take on official duties. After some investigation, he learned that Madam Zhou visited the Palace yesterday. It might even be Zhou Hou himself who proposed this matter.

Still, Qiu Yan felt uneasy. Shouldn’t women remain in the inner chambers managing household affairs?

Even with a public orphanage, its scope extended deeply. With years of experience in officialdom, Qiu Yan saw this clearly.

Zhou Shuren ignored Qiu Yan’s internal struggles and looked up, ”Anything else?”

Qiu Yan stiffened his face, ”No, that’s all.”

Zhou Shuren waved him off, ”If there’s nothing else, get busy.”

After Qiu Yan left, Zhou Shuren felt elated for his wife. Thinking the matter had no hope, he was pleasantly surprised at its success. It was certainly the Retired Emperor’s decision. If it had been purely the Empress Dowager, she would’ve followed his wife’s cautious proposal of slowly gathering orphans from the capital first. Instead, the decree was boldly issued countrywide.

The entire capital was abuzz with discussions. In ancient times, men ruled the outside world while women managed the domestic sphere. This event struck a nerve with many. Even though it was decreed by the Empress Dowager, no one dared speak ill of her. Instead, Zhulan, who was taking on the role, had become the center of the storm.

The Ning Clan had been informed ahead of time by the Empress Dowager, leaving the Song Clan stunned. Nonetheless, they would support the decision.

As for the Ran family, Old Master Ran furrowed his brows tightly, while members of the Qi Clan were speechless upon hearing the news. Upon confirming it with the Hou Residence, they were left without words for a long time. ”Why would the Empress Dowager assign Lady Yang to oversee the public orphanage?”

Old Master Ran replied, ”I’m surprised as well. The decree was directly issued—this isn’t a minor matter.”

If the orphanage quietly began operations in the capital, it wouldn’t have caused such a stir. A decree, however, carried entirely different implications.

In the Palace, the Empress was gently patting her daughter to sleep but was also mulling over the decree. During dinner the previous night with her father and mother, her father had brought up the matter. She understood it was her father’s decision, not her mother’s. Today’s decree carried her mother’s name, but that was all.

A Female Officer entered, ”Your Highness, Lady Wen has sent a message requesting an audience.”

The Empress sighed in relief. Fortunately, the decree bore her mother’s name. If it had carried hers, she would’ve faced countless headaches. ”Reply to her. I’m feeling unwell and won’t see visitors.”

The Female Officer replied, ”Yes.”

Seeing her daughter pouting, the Empress couldn’t help but smile. She got up and left the chambers, her thoughts turning to Madam Zhou. She had known about Madam Zhou’s Palace visit yesterday.

The Empress admitted she underestimated Lady Yang. Their father had personally appointed her in charge. If the orphanage succeeded, Lady Yang would undoubtedly be remembered by history.

The Female Officer returned and whispered, ”Your Highness, is it wise to entrust the public orphanage to Madam Zhou?”

The Empress replied, ”I think it’s a good choice. Madam Zhou is no simple figure. You just wait and see.”

The Empress was looking forward to the future development of the public orphanage.

She added, ”Mother donated goods for this venture. I shouldn’t fall behind. Go calculate contributions from each Palace shortly.”

The Female Officer answered, ”Yes.”

Back in the Zhou home, Xue Han returned later than expected. ”The children wouldn’t let go of me.”

Zhulan responded, ”You should rest more. Now that Rongchuan has left, I see no one capable of managing you. Just look at your complexion.”

Xue Han scarcely had time to miss Rongchuan; her youngest son had consumed all her energy. ”Mother, you know I can’t relax when it comes to my children.”

Zhulan felt equally sorry for her grandson and her daughter. ”You still need to take care of yourself. Your health must be preserved. Don’t let Rongchuan worry while he’s away on duty.”

”Mother, I’ll take good care of myself. Don’t worry.”

”Alright.”

Xue Han turned to the main topic, ”Mother, I’ll help you too. With me standing by, the criticism might subside somewhat.”

As Princess Qin, a daughter-in-law of the Royal Family, her presence would deter undue remarks.

Zhulan waved her off, ”I can manage on my own. Your main task is to look after yourself.”

Xue Han replied, ”Mother, there will be many who refuse to yield.”

”I know, dear. Don’t worry. Your mother has a plan.”

She wouldn’t touch Imperial resources, rendering any attempts to trouble her futile.

Seeing that her mother was not merely trying to hold her ground but genuinely exuded confidence, Xue Han felt reassured. ”Mother, if you encounter difficulties, just come to me. As Princess Qin, I’ll take your side and settle things for you.”

Zhulan felt deeply touched. When children were young, parents shielded them from the world. Now, her daughter had grown capable enough to protect her instead.

That evening, Sir Yu returned home. Mrs. Liu asked, ”The decree from the Empress Dowager—have you heard about it?”

Sir Yu replied, ”The entire capital’s talking about it. How could I not hear?”

Mrs. Liu asked, ”What are your thoughts, then?”

”No matter how things unfold, our Yu family must establish a marital alliance with the Zhou family.”

Mrs. Liu paused before smiling, ”You’re absolutely right. I won’t worry about it anymore. With the Empress Dowager’s decree involved, Madam Zhou must be tremendously capable.”

Sir Yu nodded in agreement, trusting Zhou Hou’s abilities more than anyone. Though he still couldn’t fully align with the concept, he had even defended it briefly because of Zhou Hou.

Mrs. Liu fretted, ”Whom should we send to propose the alliance?”

After some thought, Sir Yu suggested, ”The Liu family has a bond with the Zhou family. You’ve met Lady Liu a few times yourself. What do you think of the Liu family?”

Mrs. Liu smiled, ”I think they’re excellent.”

That evening, after dinner, Chang Yi couldn’t take his eyes off his mother. She truly exemplified the saying, ’When she acts, she astonishes the world.’ Even as her son, he was floored.

Zhulan narrowed her eyes at him, ”You’ve been staring at your mother all evening. Have you not had enough yet?”