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

Chapter 1698: Chapter 1698: Last Year’s Events

Zhulan looked over, and it was clear at a glance. Empress Dowager Chen’s carriage was in the distance, along with several other carriages, indicating that the Chen family clan had sent quite a few girls to enroll.

The Empress Dowager didn’t rush to get off the carriage and sighed, “If she hadn’t married into the palace, she could have lived a happy life.”

Zhulan thought to herself, she felt that other than being somewhat regretful for not having a daughter, Empress Dowager Chen had no other concerns. “Shall we get out?”

“Okay.”

Zhulan got off the carriage first and then helped the Empress Dowager down. The two of them walked to the table for enrollment procedures.

On the table, there were booklets with detailed registrations of names and other information, with family situations clearly written.

The person responsible for writing was a child Zhulan had promoted from among the female orphans. She was already sixteen and would stay at the academy to handle records and other chores in the future.

Speaking of it, there were already matches among the orphans. The one she kept had gotten engaged to another orphan, and there was more than one such pair, with a steward back then acting as a matchmaker.

Because there were paired couples, the repayment of Silver was more lenient, with half repaid each month.

The wages at the Girls College weren’t low, aiming to subtly elevate the status of women.

Zhulan introduced to the Empress Dowager, “Excluding the women who clean and cook, there are fifteen people in total, five invited teachers, and ten responsible for finances and other positions, including six female orphans.”

The Empress Dowager had just stood at the entrance watching the enrollment process for a while, “These girls are being well nurtured.”

Zhulan said, “This is also due to their own hard work.”

Children in ancient times matured early yet knew gratitude. Apart from a few with poor conduct, most of the children were doing well.

Zhulan took the Empress Dowager to the classrooms and then to the teachers’ quarters. The Empress Dowager toured the academy thoroughly and said with a smile, “Very comprehensive.”

Zhulan felt a sense of pride as she had devoted much effort, “I hope the girls can all learn some skills.”

The Empress Dowager smiled, “They will cherish it.”

The Empress Dowager, not young and not in the best health, left after a short stay. The academy was open today, and once the Empress Dowager left, others gradually entered the academy.

Zhulan, having walked for a while, also felt tired. Chang Xhong squeezed past his elder brother, “Mother, let me help you rest.”

“Alright, let’s go to the pavilion at the front.”

Chang Xhong said, “Mother, you’re truly amazing.”

“Mother is not amazing.”

Chang Xhong widened his eyes, “To your son, you’re the most amazing.”

Zhulan smiled, “Aren’t you going to have a look around?”

“I want to stay with Mother.”

Zhulan smiled, “Okay, then let’s sit for a while.”

Several granddaughters and daughters-in-law had already gone to tour the academy. Since there were many women in the courtyard, the elder brothers sat together chatting.

Zhulan took a rest, and once the enrollment was almost complete, a Female Officer approached, “All enrollment procedures are completed.”

Zhulan took the booklet, “How many students are there?”

The Female Officer was somewhat excited, “More than fifty students.”

This far exceeded her expectations. She thought even a dozen would be good, yet there were over fifty!

Zhulan noticed the oldest was ten, and the youngest was six, feeling a bit disappointed, but then revived her spirits, “Divide them into classes according to their preferences. Currently, the focus is on literacy and numeracy; we can group by talent later.”

The Female Officer felt enthusiastic, “Alright.”

In the academy, Zhulan had someone paint pictures. Ji Rong stood in front of them, motionless, and then heard, “Mother, these were painted by Grandma.”

Ji Rong turned back and quickly bowed, “I have seen the Princess Consort and the Commandery Princess.”

Xue Han recognized Ji Rong, “Rise.”

Lin Xi remained silent. It seemed Ji Rong came secretly, as when Grandma became the dean, Luo the elder’s remarks were the most intense, and the Luo family wouldn’t come over.

Ji Rong knew her actions were unwelcome and quickly retreated.

After the others left, Xue Han spoke, “You’re not hiding your displeasure anymore.”

“No, I’m just expressionless.”

Xue Han wouldn’t scold her daughter for outsiders, as her daughter disliked Ji Rong, and she shared the sentiment. Although Ji Rong’s actions weren’t wrong for her, some habits are hard to change once they begin. The trouble at the Qin Prince Residence last time had Ji Rong’s boundaries gradually lowering.

Zhulan met the enrolled students, exchanged a few words with their parents, and managed some affairs. Nearly an hour had passed, knowing Zhou Shuren had come to pick her up, she got ready to go home.

She had worn the decree robe all morning, and the hair ornaments on her head were heavy; she wanted to go home to rest.

Zhou Shuren entered, “All done?”

“Yes, it’s over. Did the Emperor return to the capital?”

“He returned long ago. Rongchuan and I chatted for a while. By the way, Rongchuan already brought his daughter back to the capital.”

Zhulan stood up, “Let’s head back too.”

Zhou Shuren watched his wife walk over from the desk, feeling somewhat absent-minded. He couldn’t help but wonder if his wife was like this in the modern world too?

Outside, the elder Zhou sons were already waiting. Zhulan didn’t see her youngest son, “Where are Chang Xhong and Yu Jiao?”

The eldest Zhou son said, “Weren’t they with Mother?”

“No.”

Zhou Shuren tilted his chin up, “They’re back now.”

Zhulan turned her head, seeing her son helplessly following a little girl, who ran over, “Grandpa, Grandma.”

Zhulan said, “Where did you go? There are still leaves in your hair.”

Chang Xhong said, “She’s the naughtiest.”

Yu Jiao chuckled, “Grandma, this place is fun.”

Zhulan tapped her granddaughter’s nose, “Your sister is angry.”

Yu Jiao went on tiptoe, “I want to ride in Grandma’s carriage. I have a secret to tell Grandma.”

“Alright, we’ll ride together.”

Yu Yi thought to herself, she could outrun a monk but not the temple, planning to deal with her sister back at the residence.

On the carriage, Zhou Shuren asked, “Ready to tell the secret now?”

Yu Jiao shook her head, “Grandpa, Uncle helped a young lady, and she blushed.”

Zhulan was stunned as Chang Xhong had always avoided girls, and this was the first time he actively helped someone, “A student of the academy?”

“No, a young lady visiting today, Miss Wei.”

Zhulan laughed, “Really surnamed Wei?”

Yu Jiao nodded, “But, Miss Wei had a pretty sister with her that Uncle knows.”

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, “Do you recognize her?”

Yu Jiao said, “Miss Ji, I’ve heard my sister mention her.”

Zhulan made a sound but had no intention to inquire further, “You better not worry about your uncle but think about how to evade punishment.”

Yu Jiao wilted, losing all her energy, “It’s over.”

Zhou Shuren also laughed, as this little granddaughter was quite spirited, being a lively little girl.

The opening of the academy became a major talking point in the capital. After the Girls College commenced, it enrolled a few more students, all of whom Zhulan had some connection with, being from families she had visited.

After the official start, Zhulan would go every day and teach a lesson to the children, with no fixed curriculum, sometimes just chatting. When the students settled into routine, Zhulan didn’t go daily anymore.

The Zhou family had another major event as Ming Rui’s new curriculum passed through editing, with his name on the books. Although he was just one of the editors, it was still impressive.

Chang Yi walked with a buoyant step, and Madam Zhao smiled daily, filling the second wife’s household with happiness.

One day, Zhulan planned to write an article, just having a rough idea in mind, when her granddaughter rushed in, startling her, “Child, why are you so rash today?”

Lin Xi said, “Grandma, do you remember last year’s sea voyage?”

“I remember, why?”