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

Chapter 1707: Chapter 1707: Visiting

Zhulan noticed Lady Li standing motionless at the door, “Come in!”

Lady Li snapped back to reality. She knew her mother-in-law had saved a lot of good things, but the sight before her far exceeded her expectations. Her gaze fell on the selected items, “Mother, what made you decide to organize the storeroom?”

Zhulan waved the betrothal gift list in her hand, “Chang Xhong is getting engaged, so I picked out the betrothal gifts.”

Lady Li’s eyes widened, “Little brother is getting engaged? The young lady from the Wei family?”

How come she hadn’t heard a peep about this?

It was only then that Zhulan remembered she hadn’t mentioned it to Lady Li yesterday. Originally, she had planned to subtly reveal it over time, but now she hit straight to the point and explained the reason for the engagement, concluding with, “Miss Wei is quite nice.”

Lady Li’s mind was filled with the thought of having a sister-in-law younger than her own daughter-in-law. Oh my, this feeling is certainly novel. She responded with unusual enthusiasm, “Mother, let me help you.”

Zhulan looked at Lady Li with curiosity. Lady Li seemed happier than even Zhulan herself was. Zhulan shook her head with a smile, feeling comforted that despite the abundance of fine things before her, Lady Li still managed to remain composed, not betraying Zhulan’s fondness for her.

Once the selection of betrothal gifts was complete, everyone at the Zhou residence knew about Chang Xhong’s engagement plans.

A few daughters-in-law gathered in the main courtyard, discussing nothing but Miss Wei, their future sister-in-law, whom they too were eager to meet.

At the Wei family, Lady Phang was taken aback by the sudden visit of Princess Qin and hurriedly went to welcome her, “Greetings, Princess.”

Xue Han smiled, “I hope my sudden visit hasn’t disturbed you.”

Lady Phang was too delighted to be disturbed, “Your presence is an honor to our humble abode. Please, Princess, come in.”

Xue Han was visiting the Wei family for the first time, and the Wei family’s residence was quite nice, with a courtyard that emphasized elegance and plenty of flowers and plants in the main courtyard.

Lady Phang noticed the Princess looking at the flowers and said, “I have a fondness for plants, so I planted many.”

“They’re very beautiful.”

Lady Phang was overjoyed by the compliment; she had nurtured these plants herself, “Please, Princess.”

Upon entering the house, Zhulan discreetly surveyed the room, then sat down and asked, “Why haven’t I seen Miss Wei?”

Lady Phang’s heart shifted, “She’s copying scriptures. Would you like to meet her, Princess? I can call her over.”

Xue Han wasn’t in a hurry to meet Miss Wei. Smiling, she said, “No need to call Miss Wei over. By the way, I’ve brought her a gift.”

The female officer stepped forward and placed a box on the table, gesturing for Lady Phang to open it.

Lady Phang looked at the small box, her mind speculating as her hands moved swiftly. Inside the box was a Jade Pendant, “This?”

Xue Han explained, “This piece of jade is from the same source as my younger brother’s Jade Pendant.”

When Father went to buy the Jade Pendants, Rongchuan accompanied him and bought the remaining pieces on a whim. Both his daughter and son got one, and this piece was left in the storeroom. Today, it serves the purpose of conveying a message through the jade.

Lady Phang couldn’t help but grip the Jade Pendant tightly, the corners of her mouth curling upward uncontrollably. After calming her excited heart, she said joyfully, “I will hand it over to Xingyi and have her take good care of it.”

Xue Han’s eyes sparkled with a smile, “There will be a time when it can be taken out.”

Lady Phang marveled at the decisiveness of the Marquis Zhou’s household. She had thought she would have to wait a little longer. She never worried about Ji Rong; with someone as formidable as the Marchioness of the Zhou residence, Ji Rong couldn’t leap anywhere. In the end, the Zhou residence decided on the engagement directly.

Lady Phang placed the Jade Pendant back in the box, “I wondered why there were magpies on the branches today; it indeed heralded great news.”

Xue Han appreciated Lady Phang’s quick wit. A wise mother’s teachings raise children who are no less wise, “Then I won’t stay any longer. They’re still waiting for news at home.”

Lady Phang realized this meant she shouldn’t keep the Princess any longer, “Allow me to see you out.”

In the afternoon, Zhulan, along with her eldest and youngest daughters, began selecting an auspicious day. As for who to invite as the matchmaker, the current Marquis Zhou’s household was no longer new to the capital, and there were many willing to assist in match-making.

Xue Mei looked at the date, “Isn’t it a bit too rushed?”

Zhulan replied, “It’s not rushed at all; I’ve prepared all the necessary things for your little brother’s marriage.”

So there would be no last-minute scrambles; it only required a matchmaker to choose a date.

Xue Mei asked, “Mother, when did you prepare all this?”

Zhulan thought to herself that she and Shuren had been preparing since their son’s birth, but she couldn’t say that, “We prepared a long time ago.”

Xue Mei didn’t think much further, “Little brother is about to get engaged.”

Zhulan also had her own share of musings, but now all she felt was excitement, much more intense than when marrying off her previous sons.

The next morning at court, it happened that Minister Wei was present. Zhou Shuren felt gazes upon him and kindly nodded at Minister Wei in acknowledgment.

Minister Wei’s floating heart settled. The Zhou residence indeed intended to form a marriage alliance with his family. His daughter was to marry into a fortunate family, which would be beneficial for him and his son. With the Zhou residence as in-laws, he no longer feared obstructions within the Ministry of Justice and could finally sleep peacefully upon returning home today.

The Minister of Justice was puzzled, “When did you come to know the Marquis Zhou?”

Minister Wei felt troubled. This was the court, and he couldn’t hide it from the Grand Master of Writing, fearing the minister might hold an opinion if informed post-engagement.

Fortunately, the Emperor arrived, diverting the attention of the Minister of Justice. Minister Wei breathed a sigh of relief, counting his stroke of good luck.

After the court session, Wong Ju approached, “The Wei family?”

“Your eyesight’s quite sharp.”

Wong Ju continued, “The Minister of Justice cast several looks at you. After the session, you also nodded at Minister Wei. It’s hard not to notice.”

“It just means you’re paying enough attention to me.”

Wong Ju inquired, “Is it truly settled?”

“Can an engagement be faked?”

“I truly didn’t expect it would be the Wei family.”

Zhou Shuren glanced sideways, “There are many things you wouldn’t expect. I’m leaving first.”

Wong Ju saw Zhou Shuren leave with the eunuch and shook his head. He couldn’t fathom how many people had their eyes on Chang Xhong, yet the Wei family had snatched the first spot. The Wei family’s luck was impressive.

Time passed rapidly. The academy’s orphans heading for the grasslands were decided. An unanticipated event arose on Zhulan’s side; a girl she intended to stay swapped places with another on the list, all because her beloved was heading to the grasslands.

Under the female officer’s witness, the two got married. Initially, they didn’t have much Silver Coin, but by going to teach on the grasslands, not only did they get half of their debt waived, they also received a month’s salary in advance. The monthly salary for teaching on the grasslands was high, and the advance pay didn’t have to settle debts. They used part of it for their marriage and used the remaining Silver Coin to purchase daily necessities and dried vegetables.

Not only did the marrying couple plan wisely, but the other orphans heading to the grasslands also bought a considerable amount of dried vegetables.

They planned to trade with the herders during winter; they were all clever kids.

Once the matters on Zhulan’s side were settled, the following day was set for discussing the marriage with the Wei family. As for Ji Rong’s situation, Zhulan also kept a close watch, fearing any unforeseen complications, even though Ji Rong was under house arrest; she worried about any eventuality.

As Zhulan was feeling excited, Steward Ding came to the main courtyard, “Old madam, the old madam of the Luo family wishes to see you.”

Zhulan didn’t believe the grandmother of the Luo family was senile. She knew the old madam was ill and hadn’t fully recovered to be out and about. It could only be to apologize for Ji Rong. Sighing inwardly, she said, “Let her in.”

Steward Ding responded, “Yes.”

The old madam of the Luo family walked slowly. A bout of illness had sapped much of her vitality, making her appear significantly older and frailer.

Zhulan said, “Please, have a seat.”

The old madam of the Luo family expressed her gratitude and sat down, “I apologize for the impromptu visit, Madam.”

Zhulan signaled for the maid to serve juice, “I heard you were unwell. You don’t seem fully recovered yet?”