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

Chapter 1813: Chapter 1813: Changes

Zhulan and her husband, Ming Teng, chatted for a while, and then the couple went to the main house to pick up their children and return to the Rong’an Hou Residence.

After a short while, Lady Li came over. The main house now has two grandsons and one granddaughter. Mingyun took office and left with the two children, leaving only Ming Teng’s son in front of Lady Li. When the child returned to the Rong’an Hou Residence, Lady Li, finding it dull, came to the main courtyard.

Zhulan waited for the honey water to be served and signaled the servant girls to leave, "I can see you have a lot to say."

Lady Li took a sip of the honey water, feeling quite comfortable, "Indeed, daughter-in-law has some reflections."

"Reflecting on the Ran family?"

Lady Li nodded, "In the past two years, the old lady of the Ran family has stopped managing affairs. The Ran family is now managed by the eldest lady and the eldest grandson’s wife. Although they check and balance each other, it’s not like before."

Zhulan sighed as well, "The Qi Clan is getting old, and this year she doesn’t like going out much. I have been busy and haven’t seen her for quite a while."

Lady Li noticed that her mother-in-law’s cup was empty, so she poured another cup before continuing, "Since Ran Wan is not at home, I seldom visit the Ran Residence except during festive rituals. I haven’t paid much attention to it until today, when I heard Ming Teng and his wife talking, I realized the Ran Residence is no longer the one I remember."

Zhulan took a sip of her honey water, "The Ran Residence is ultimately inherited by the main branch. Ran Da is fine, but his wife is not very good. Luckily, Ran Wan is the legitimate daughter of the Ran family’s second wife. You should consider how to interact."

Lady Li smiled, "The second wife of the Ran family is good."

Ran Wan’s parents were harmonious, making interactions comfortable over these years.

Zhulan said, "Recently, Mr. Ran’s health has been poor. When he passes, the main and second branches will separate."

Lady Li’s eyes brightened, "Separation is good."

The emotions Zhulan had towards the Ran family quickly faded, and she reminded, "We know about the issue of Ran Xun being an illegitimate son. The Ran family doesn’t want to reveal their family scandal, and we’re not the kind to gossip."

Lady Li understood deeply and reflected, "That’s why one must marry a virtuous wife."

Zhulan said, "That’s one aspect. A man should also have good character and not blame women for his mistakes."

If the wife isn’t good, isn’t it because she hasn’t been taught well? Yet, in this era, most men abandon responsibilities upon marriage and blame their wives when things go wrong.

Lady Li silently added, a sensible mother-in-law is also important. It’s truly troublesome when a mother-in-law always tries to control her daughter-in-law.

Zhulan drank two cups of honey water and stopped, ordering Qing Xue to bring in two more basins of water as the room was still too dry.

While Qing Xue and the little maids were busy, Lady Li said, "Mother, if Ms. Lau comes to the residence again, should we have her bring Ms. Shao along?"

Zhulan chuckled, "Want to take a good look?"

"Not really, anyone you like wouldn’t be bad anyway. I prepared some gifts I want to give Ms. Shao."

Gifts from the mother-in-law are the mother-in-law’s business. She also wants to show that she is not indifferent, to avoid the Shao family thinking she dislikes Ms. Shao.

Zhulan said, "Alright."

Lady Li smiled happily. Since Mingyun’s two children left, she felt a missing piece in her heart. The two children wouldn’t return for a few years, so she couldn’t wait to have more children around her. As for Ming Teng and his wife, Lau Jia was still recovering from an illness and needed a few more years of rest. She could only hope for Ming Hui to marry soon.

Zhulan thought of Ming Jung, "This child has been at the manor for a few days now and should be returning since her leave is almost over."

For Ming Jung, whether it’s her and Zhou Shuren, or the eldest son’s couple, they had no expectations for this child. So they allowed her hobbies and permitted her to take leave as long as she could keep up with her studies.

Lady Li thought of her youngest son and got a headache, "His father will bring him back tomorrow."

Zhulan thought of the chubby boy being chased around by his father and laughed.

A few days later, Yu Die invited some well-associated ladies to her home, and it so happened that snowflakes were falling, making the garden view even better.

Yu Die also wanted to invite Shao Ting but decided against it. Today, all the guests were daughters of officials, and she feared Shao Ting might feel displeased.

Wei Xinyi and He Sishi, who were engaged to the Zhou family, came, and Miss Li, the former daughter of the Minister of War, also arrived.

In total, more than a dozen ladies arrived. Shangguan Li drew the most attention; how could she not, with her being the Crown Princess Consort’s sister? The only surprise was the extra presence of Ms. Jiao.

Originally, Yu Die didn’t recall Ms. Jiao until Yu Wen mentioned her; then Yu Die remembered to invite her. Outsiders didn’t know, but the sisters knew the higher-up’s plans. Additionally, their grandmother liked the storybooks of Empress Dowager Chen, and the entire capital knew about it, so inviting Ms. Jiao didn’t seem abrupt. With Zhulan having Silver, life became refined. The more abundant the family foundation, the more refined the living. Each courtyard in the Hou Residence had its industries, so rare fruits that were scarce outside were not lacking in the residence.

Wei Xinyi commented on the table full of fruits, admiring the Hou Residence’s wealth, and picked up her favorite tangerine to eat, "Ah, cold and refreshing."

Yu Die chuckled, "I knew you liked them, so I prepared plenty."

Wei Xinyi, "The tangerines from Hou Residence are always sweet."

The tangerines bought by her family were sour, and those sent by her fiancé were counted before eating.

Yu Die, "Next year, I’ll send you some tangerine trees."

Yu Yi teased, "You don’t need to say it; Uncle must have already promised."

Wei Xinyi’s cheeks blushed, "Alright, you all just know how to tease me."

Yu Wen smiled happily, "Now is the only time to tease you. Once you’re married, you’ll be our elder, and we won’t be able to tease you anymore."

Wei Xinyi’s cheeks turned even hotter, "I can’t win against you sisters."

Shangguan Li whispered to Yu Jiao, "Where did these tangerine varieties come from?"

Yu Jiao thought for a moment, finding it not a secret anyway, "Grafted, first started at the Royal Manor. My uncle got the idea after hearing about it, and this year saw results."

Shangguan Li sighed, "Marquis Zhou’s Mansion is favored by the Emperor."

Yu Jiao thought to herself, it’s because of my grandfather’s capability; the Retired Emperor often took him to the Royal Manor. It’s only because the Retired Emperor went that grandfather no longer does. Grafting was researched when the Retired Emperor was still around, but the focus was on crops rather than fruit trees.

Yu Jiao smiled slightly. Her uncle had handed the results of his experiments to the Emperor, and although the grafting method started from the Royal Manor, her uncle could still gain some credit.

Ms. Jiao, being unfamiliar with the group but due to her popular writing, found herself having company to talk to.

First, there was Empress Dowager Chen, then Ms. Jiao wrote novels, followed by the daughters of several officials publishing stories. Of course, these stories weren’t romantic, to maintain personal and family reputation. The only one who didn’t need to worry was Empress Dowager Chen, who, due to her high status, continued to write books teaching women the correct values.

Miss Li, who was familiar with Yu Wen, said, "I’ve heard a lot about your affairs."

Yu Wen was speechless, "Didn’t you write me a letter to ask?"

"Still felt surprised."

Yu Wen raised her eyebrows, "What you seek is different from mine, nothing to be surprised about."

Miss Li thought for a moment, realizing it was true; she needed an advantageous marriage and also hoped for a good match.

In the Palace, Zhou Shuren, after discussing state affairs with a group of officials, saw Chang Zhi waiting for him with an umbrella. He signaled to a few other officials and said to his son, "Have you been waiting long?"

Chang Zhi had indeed waited for a while. Today, he was summoned to the Palace. The Emperor summoned his father to discuss matters, and he followed the Crown Prince. After the Crown Prince’s business was done, he didn’t hurry to leave.

Zhou Shuren said again, "Put the umbrella away."

Chang Zhi obediently put away the umbrella and reached out to support his father while walking, "Father, be careful."