Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 84: Gave Birth to 1

By December, the intermittent snowfall had yet to cease. Although it didn’t amount to a snow disaster, the roads were perpetually jammed, leading to the closing of the private school, freeing both the third and the eldest sons from their studies.

The cold of ancient winters was truly biting, and Zhulan rarely ventured outside, preferring to cocoon herself on the heated brick bed. Most of the time, she learned needlework from Zhao Shi, and sometimes she would read books and recognize characters. That’s right, recognize characters, as someone used to simplified Chinese characters, deciphering the traditional ones was a guessing game beyond the familiar, rendering her completely illiterate when it came to writing. Without correct strokes or structure, she never got it right.

Zhulan felt unbearably stifled; in the modern era, she was an academic ace. In ancient times, however, her writing resembled the scrawl of a dog, often erring, which earned her no shortage of contempt from her eldest grandson, to the point where she was growing weary of learning.

Despite the cutting ancient winter winds, nothing could quell the zeal for gossip. Wang Laosi’s household firmly held the top spot on the gossip charts. Ever since Zhulan propelled Zheng Shi into the limelight, she was relieved from hearing snide remarks and attracting attention. The other members of the Zhou family developed a sense of self-awareness too; well-fed and warmly dressed, they gained weight and had no desire to spark envy. Thus, the Zhou family became low-profile, blending into the village like a backdrop.

In contrast, the goings-on at Wang Laosi’s were eventful; first, they bought a house, then an ox and cart, and later entered into a partnership with the Shi family, profiting immensely, which led to a spontaneous decision by Wang Laosi to buy land.

Unfortunately, land was the lifeblood of farmers, and unless someone was truly destitute, no one would sell. As for acquiring a manor, one shouldn’t even dream of it. Without the backing to defend it, purchasing a manor was reserved for those with power and influence. Ordinary people who attempted such an acquisition could easily lose the property, and possibly their lives, with no justice to be sought. With the weight of the court favoring those with connections, the wise without backing knew better than to risk their lives.

Zhulan herself had entertained the thought of purchasing and had inquired with Zhou Shuren about it. After the couple investigated, they thoroughly dropped the idea. Aiming to buy a manor was a sensible goal only once Zhou Shuren had become a Graduate, which would afford them adequate status to maintain it.

A family nurturing a scholar was, after all, a means to protect its lineage. The days of ancient times were truly tough, especially for those in the lower strata of society. Regrettably, in Zhou’s village, the Zhou surname had not seen a Graduate for several generations.

So, after a month’s efforts, Wang Laosi managed to purchase merely two acres of barren land.

The busyness at Wang Laosi’s was only matched by Wang Zhang Shi’s daily visits, rendering the separation agreement ineffective. Fortunately, Wang Ru stood firm, earning a reputation for toughness. Wang Ru’s two daughters had also transformed, attracting many suitors. In any case, the Wang family never had a day without drama.

As for Wang Ru’s scheming, Zhulan initially gave her no opportunities, but later, with Wang Zhang Shi’s incessant involvement, Wang Ru had her hands full and could no longer focus on the Zhou family. frёeωebɳovel.com

Watching the drama unfold, Zhulan found herself disliking Wang Zhang Shi less and less. The old woman seemed to grow healthier with every bout of scheming!

Looking back, Zhulan admitted that in the past, reading novels about farming hardships and dealing with despicable characters was enjoyable, but witnessing it firsthand was exhaustingly repetitive. Now she felt especially grateful to have transmigrated at the top of the food chain, living comfortably.

In mid-December, the season’s heaviest snowfall arrived. Waking up in the morning, Zhulan was full of apprehension, counting the days and worried for Zhou Shuren’s safety as he was on his return journey—in conditions that could be locally severe or widespread.

By noon, the heavy, featherlike snow had not let up. Zhulan stopped snacking on pine nuts and couldn’t even sip her sweetened water; her mind was preoccupied with Zhou Shuren’s well-being.

"Mother, Mother, I’ve made sausages even tastier than those from Wang Ru’s family," someone exclaimed.

Clutching her chest, already irritated and fretful, Zhulan snapped, "Stop shouting, my ears aren’t deaf."

Zhao Shi was truly frightened, hurting herself with a needle, and felt a recurrent pain in her belly, "Mother, Mother, my stomach hurts."

At a glance, Zhulan noticed Zhao Shi’s wet trousers and felt a tingling in her scalp—she hadn’t experienced childbirth, but the original body’s memories suggested the time had come. She raised her voice urgently, "Er Yue, Er Yue, hurry and fetch the midwife, quickly."

Zhou Er, having been through fatherhood once, responded with practiced calm, "Mother, I’ll carry Qiu Niang back to our room first."

Zhulan hurriedly got off the kang, "Right, right, prepare everything. You stay with Qiu Niang at home."

Calling to the eldest, "Eldest, you go fetch the midwife."