Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 576: Can equality be good?_1

Zhulan patted her daughter’s shoulder, and the girl leaned against her as she sat beside her, "Seeing you all working so hard, it’s rare to have good weather, so I gave you a break."

Xue Han didn’t believe it, sure that her mother had some ulterior motive in mind. But still, not having to attend lessons was quite comfortable. There had been an increase in invitations after spring, she was indeed busy. Remembering the invitations, "Mother, Yushuang is already ten, and Yu Lu is eight as well; they can’t keep turning down invitations."

Zhulan also felt troubled, each time she went to a banquet, the wives of officials would mention her two granddaughters, "Indeed, they are not young anymore."

Su Xuan knew what her mother was worried about, "Mother, if there are invitations in the future, let me take the two girls with me. Seeing you at ease will give me peace of mind."

Her title as Magistrate made her quite useful.

Zhulan trusted Su Xuan, "Wait, there’s no rush. This year I plan to celebrate a formal birthday. At that time, let the two girls make their official appearance!"

That would be more formal. After all, her eldest and second sons had no promising prospects. Now taking her granddaughters out, even with Zhou Shuren present, would be looked down upon. Introducing them formally at her birthday party would spare the girls some idle talk in the future.

Su Xuan smiled, "Mother indeed should celebrate a proper birthday."

Zhulan thought to herself that she really didn’t want to do it; a messy celebration wasn’t as good as a peaceful one at home. But she had no choice, this year wasn’t just about her celebration; Zhou Shuren had to celebrate too.

Lady Li remembered her mother-in-law’s birthday in August, still a good half a year away, but she was already worried, "What gift should she give when her mother-in-law lacked nothing?"

At the government office, Zhou Shuren took the letter that had come from the capital, sent by Jiang Ming. He skimmed it, his eyes chilling slightly. Jiang Ming was overreaching; what did it mean for someone to visit him? Tossing aside the letter and remembering what Scholar Deng brought yesterday, Jiang Ming was not only in touch with the Third Prince but also with the Second Prince.

Zhou Shuren summoned Jingyan, "Make a trip back to the residence. If any household of the Liu surname comes calling in the next few days, turn them away."

Jingyan responded, "Understood."

After Jingyan left, Zhou Shuren shredded the letter. Jiang Ming was playing with fire. Among the Emperor’s sons, besides the fake Fifth Prince, the remaining four true sons of the Emperor, not one of them was simple. At the last dinner, he observed the princes too—ha, to underestimate any of them was to walk towards death. Jiang Ming even dared to provoke two, something he wouldn’t dare to do himself.

In the Zhou residence, Zhulan saw Su Xuan’s maidservant return and stood up, "It’s been a while since I’ve been out, I’ll go back and rest too."

Su Xuan got up as well, "I’m heading back too, Sister-in-law, shall we go together?"

Lady Li glanced at her mother-in-law, then at Su Xuan, and said with a smile, "Alright."

As Xue Han was about to leave, Zhulan pressed her daughter’s shoulder and then gestured for Liu Ya to take Chang Zhong back.

Xue Han sat motionless; Yuguang watched the others walk towards the garden, "Ah, the scenery today is really beautiful."

Wu Ning looked at Xue Han who was finding sentiments in the scenery and tapped her forehead in silence, "It’s cool by the lake; we have been sitting here for a while. Let’s go back!"

Xue Han’s eyes curved in a smile, "Alright."

Wu Ning felt puzzled—why did Xue Han seem so exceptionally happy? Following her out of the pavilion, she understood, and tightly grasped the fan in her hand.

Xue Han had already greeted them, "Third Brother, Fourth Brother, Mr. He."

Wu Ning took a deep breath, not needing any further explanation. Remembering the letter from her brother, she felt her cheeks flush, "Third Brother, Fourth Brother, Mr. He."

Chang Lian and Chang Zhi exchanged glances. Chang Lian smiled, "You were in the garden too."

Xue Han continued, "The weather is good today, so we came out to enjoy the scenery."

Chang Zhi remarked, "Indeed, the scenery is good."

Xue Han wanted to laugh; Fourth Brother had improved quite a bit after being disciplined by Father, he even had hidden meanings in his words now, "Third Brother, is that what Fourth Brother said?"

Chang Lian curved the corners of his mouth, "Father’s education has borne fruit."

Chang Zhi clenched his teeth; these past months, his brothers and sister had not missed any opportunity to tease him. Very good, "Third brother, I’ll tell father that third brother is very jealous of me, could you ask father to treat us equally?"

Chang Lian, "...."

Not good, not good at all; why did he feel that the former Chang Zhi was more adorable? The current one’s ability to wound seemed even greater!

He Shu’s hands, clasped behind his back, clenched unintentionally; he knew Miss Wu, and Miss Wu was very likely to become his wife. He had always wondered what kind of girl she would be, but had never had the chance to meet her. Now he had, and his memory was excellent. It was her; his hands tightened into fists with nervousness. Was this fate?

Wu Ning felt embarrassed by the gaze, Mr. He studied the works of sages, so why was his stare so direct? Flustered, she tugged at Xue Han’s sleeve, "We should head back."

Chang Lian spoke up, "We rarely get to enjoy good scenery like this, and it’s been a while since I’ve tested my sisters’ knowledge. How about we stroll in the garden together today?"

Xue Han spoke before Wu Ning could, "That would be lovely; I just so happen to have questions I’d like to ask my brother about."

Chang Zhi interjected, "If we’re talking about learning, I dare say I’m the foremost. Third brother falls quite short compared to me; sister should ask me instead!"

Xue Han spoke softly, "Fourth brother, if you claim to be first, where does that leave father? Where have you placed father?"

Chang Lian scoffed, "The youngest doesn’t have father in his sights, eh!"

Chang Zhi, "....."

So, his own family were all sharp-tongued, and he had been crushed!

Wu Ning couldn’t help but laugh out loud; each time she saw the Zhou siblings banter up close, it was filled with delight!

Light danced in He Shu’s eyes as well, laughing at the sibling’s camaraderie; how wonderful it was to have many brothers and sisters. His gaze unavoidably fell on Miss Wu again; it was always a pleasure to see a woman smile. Bright sunlight, bright smiles, as if sunshine had taken root in her eyes.

Xue Han turned around and looked at Wu Ning, then at He Shu. These two really matched well, both carrying a gentle air!

In the main courtyard, upon learning of He Shu’s departure, Zhulan asked Nanny Song, "How do Wu Ning and He Shu get along?"

Nanny Song replied with a smile, "Although they didn’t speak much, this old servant noticed that Mr. He’s gaze constantly lingered on Miss Wu."

Zhulan was relieved, "That’s good then."

Nanny Song continued, "Mr. He isn’t young anymore, and Miss Wu is already fourteen. I wonder if the Wu family has prepared her dowry."

Zhulan paused for a moment. Wu Ning and Xue Han were different, and there was no reason for the former to stay longer. Once He Shu passed the Scholar examination, he would continue to aim for the Graduate level, and the He family would certainly hope for him to marry sooner rather than later.

Zhulan didn’t know how much dowry Wu Ming had prepared for Wu Ning, but considering Wu Ming’s situation—supporting two younger brothers and annually offering valuable gifts to the Zhou family—Wu Ming’s financial foundation couldn’t be very solid.

Zhulan pressed her brow, "The Zhou family will prepare an additional dowry for Wu Ning."

After all, she knew Wu Ning had been saving silver, but she had no idea how much the girl had amassed in her possession.

Right, He Shu also had a brother to take care of, and she didn’t know how solid his financial foundation was. Zhulan felt she had endless worries.

At the Government Office, Zhou Shuren looked at Yao Zhe Yu, "What wind has blown the Princely Heir here today?"

Indeed, it had been some days since he had seen Yao Zhe Yu.