Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1303: One Year

Time silently and stealthily passed by, and before one knew it, a year had gone by.

This year, the Zhou family had two major events, the first being that Zhulan gained another grandson; Prince Qin had a firstborn son. The second event was the spring marriage of their eldest grandson, Zhou Mingyun.

This year marked the second since the new Emperor ascended the throne. As autumn was approaching, Mingyun was also preparing to start his journey back to his hometown to participate in the provincial examination.

Zhulan looked at a relaxed Lady Li, "You certainly let go quite easily, not worrying about Mingyun at all now."

Lady Li smiled contentedly, "I have Wanwan with me, so I’m not worried."

After becoming a mother-in-law, Lady Li learned how to get along with her daughter-in-law. Once her son was married, she stopped meddling in any of her son’s domestic matters. Her daughter-in-law, appreciative of her consideration, became very filial to her.

Sometimes, when she was busy and didn’t have free time, her eldest daughter-in-law would even help look after Ming Jung, her mischievous child. Her youngest son was the complete opposite of his calm name, being the most mischievous of all, but it was fortunate that the eldest daughter-in-law was patient, truly offering her great help.

Zhulan liked this granddaughter-in-law; she had watched her grow up after all. The girl was kind-hearted, treated her younger brothers and sisters well; what more could Zhulan ask for? Besides, the girl often came to chat with her, a truly filial child.

Zhulan said with a smile, "Ran Wan is going back with you; your parents will get to see her too."

Lady Li thought of her vigorous parents and her face lit up with happiness, "Yes, since Mingyun’s engagement, my mother has wanted to meet her granddaughter-in-law. She has been looking forward to Mingyun bringing Ran Wan back with him for the provincial examination!"

Now the Li family was doing better and better, having acquired their own estate, and with more children in the family pursuing education. As long as they persist in their studies, they can also change the fate of the family. Her parents have now completely let go, focusing solely on the children at home. They are in good health, having made up for the hardships of their younger years, so naturally, they are doing well.

A recent letter informed them that her elder brother said their father and mother went up the mountain to pick mushrooms, claiming they wanted their grandson and his wife to try them!

It was at this time that Xue Mei arrived, and Zhulan, seeing her eldest daughter, said, "I was just thinking you would arrive soon."

Xue Mei, "Mother, what were you and my sister-in-law discussing?"

Zhulan told her about the Li family wanting to meet their granddaughter-in-law, then asked in return, "Have you all packed your luggage?"

Xue Mei nodded, "We have packed everything."

Lady Li followed up by asking, "Is Jiang Zhu really not going to take part in the provincial examination this time? His performance last time was quite good."

Xue Mei shook her head, "Jiang Sheng thinks Jiang Zhu is still young and that waiting another three years would be just right. Jiang Zhu thinks the same, and he’d like to travel with us next year to broaden his horizons."

Regarding Jiang Zhu’s future, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren did not interfere much. Both her eldest daughter and son-in-law had their ideas, and with Jiang Zhu’s own wishes, all Zhulan and Zhou Shuren needed to do was support them. Actually, having the two children’s examinations staggered was even better.

Although they did not meddle, they had discussed it; this year was destined for Mingyun’s brilliance, and Jiang Zhu would inevitably be overshadowed. In addition, with Jiang Zhu’s young age, it would be disadvantageous for his future.

The Zhou family was currently in the spotlight, with a conspicuous Mingyun. It was unlikely that Jiang Zhu would remain in the capital; not only Jiang Zhu, but even the Zhou family’s clansmen who passed the examination were unlikely to stay in the capital this year.

It would be wise for Jiang Zhu to leave the capital due to his young age and the fact he was a grandson of the Zhou family. Surrounded by scheming, waiting another three years was judicious.

Evidently, both Jiang Sheng and Jiang Zhu had come to this conclusion. It was a good opportunity to travel and see more while young, to gain experience, and to avoid being deceived in the future.

While Zhulan was daydreaming, Lady Li had already started discussing other topics with Xue Mei. Lady Li said, "The latest information has been transcribed and brought back. I saw the travel article written by your brother-in-law. He writes so well that even someone with little culture like myself can understand it. After reading the article, it feels as if I’ve been there myself."

Xue Mei’s eyes curved into a smile, feeling proud of her husband, "He started using the more accessible vernacular Chinese after listening to father’s advice. Moreover, it was father who suggested not just recording but also adding more evaluations, to emphasize local characteristics and such."

Of course, she also gave some suggestions when her husband was writing, but that need not be said.

Lady Li gave a thumbs up, "Dad is naturally formidable. It’s truly impressive how well my brother-in-law can write. Mingyun has already taken the article and said it will save him a lot of trouble when he goes to Xiangzhou later."

Xue Mei smiled and said, "The next piece will be published in half a month, and it will be even more detailed, covering not just scenery but also food and lodging."

Zhulan was the first to read her son-in-law’s draft. A single state couldn’t be fully covered in one article, so several pieces were divided to include clothing, food, shelter, travel, culture, and traditions.

After reading it, Zhulan had to admit that her eldest son-in-law was truly capable, especially his paintings. Having seen much and traveled extensively, his experiences were naturally greater, she thought to herself.

Zhulan asked her eldest daughter, "Has the Butterfly painting Jiang Sheng brought back been sold yet?"

Xue Mei replied, "I was just about to tell you, mother. It’s been sold for fifty Silver."

For Jiang Sheng, who was just starting out in the painting world, this was not a low price.

Zhulan actually liked it quite a bit, but if she had spoken up, the painting would have been directly given to her. She held back after reading it.

Lady Li’s eyes widened, "Fifty Silver?"

Xue Mei nodded with a smile, "Yes, we didn’t expect it either."

Zhulan thought that with the promotion from this article, which included Jiang Sheng’s paintings, "After the promotion, Jiang Sheng’s paintings will be worth even more Silver."

If it weren’t for Jiang Sheng submitting his work only after more than a year’s gap, consequent with the promotion of the articles, he might have been forgotten by now. The Butterfly painting being worth fifty Silver mainly attributed to the Zhou family’s connections, although most of the merit was due to the quality of Jiang Sheng’s own work.

Xue Mei knew why her husband decided to sell the painting; firstly, he felt it wasn’t perfect and not worth keeping for his own collection, secondly, traveling required Silver, and with his son and daughter growing up, he needed to save up for dowries and betrothals.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren was fiddling with a Self-ringing clock. This was a domestically manufactured self-ringing clock; with changing needs, the technology had become more refined, and the self-ringing clock in Zhou Shuren’s hands was a third smaller than last year’s.

This was uniformly allocated to each department, a benefit that didn’t exist before.

While listening to the clock chime the hour, footsteps were heard. Zhou Shuren looked up, stunned for a few seconds before realizing, and he quickly got up to pay his respects, "I pay my respects to the Retired Emperor."

The Retired Emperor took a box from the eunuch behind him, "Dispense with the formalities."

Zhou Shuren straightened up only to be handed a box, "What is this?"

The Retired Emperor sat down and said, "This is a gift I brought back for you. Open it and see if you like it."

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, ever since the Retired Emperor left the capital, he would occasionally receive local specialties. What irritated him the most was that the Retired Emperor was showing off; whenever there was beautiful scenery, he would write a letter about it, and for any good food as well, making him, someone stuck in the capital, feel infuriated enough to spit blood.

Zhou Shuren was not in a hurry to open it, instead asking puzzledly, "I thought the Retired Emperor would only return to the capital when winter arrived."

The Retired Emperor asked, "Why do you think I returned to the capital so early?"