Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1260: Knocking

The winter snow has been plentiful this year, thankfully not reaching disaster levels, but instead satisfying the snow lovers, resulting in no small number of snowscape poems and verses.

Zhulan could not truly enjoy these poems, but she did feel some sentiment regarding the convenience of snow clearing in the capital. After the roads had been improved, clearing the snow became easier, and the muddiness that came with the melting snow in spring was avoided. Merely thinking about it made her heartache, as in previous years when spring thawed the ice, she tried to avoid going out, as mud was everywhere.

This morning, snowflakes began to drift down. Zhulan didn’t plan on studying anymore and decided to refresh her mind with the children, taking out dried flower petals of various colors that had been picked in summer. She brought a few granddaughters to crush them and produce some color.

Her grandsons took basins outside with a young servant to smash ice blocks.

By the time Zhulan was ready, the ice blocks had already been carved. She, along with her granddaughters, began to pour colors over them, having a delightful time with the children.

Qing Xue led a woman in while they were playing. When Zhulan saw the visitor, she recognized her as the wife of a younger family member, Ming Shan, from her clan, who had passed the civil examinations and stayed in the capital, often interacting with the Zhou family. Thus, Zhulan had become familiar with Ming Shan’s family.

Zhulan stood up and greeted her with a smile, "Such a cold day to go out, why didn’t you wear more?"

Ming Shan’s wife, Mrs. Wang, her face pale from the cold, drew her cloak tighter and said quietly, "I was in a hurry to leave and didn’t pay attention."

Seeing this, Zhulan realized there must be an issue. Usually, Mrs. Wang would come with her mother-in-law, but today she came alone. After pondering for a moment, Zhulan signaled the children to continue playing by themselves and took Mrs. Wang into the house.

Once inside, Zhulan took off her gloves and gestured Mrs. Wang to warm her hands, "Have some Ginger Tea later to dispel the cold; it’s easy to fall ill during winter."

Mrs. Wang hummed softly, and when the Ginger Tea arrived, her eyes somewhat red, it was uncertain if it was from the steam or from feeling aggrieved, she sipped tea with her head down.

Zhulan could tell that Mrs. Wang was upset and also felt that she might be able to help, which is why she had come.

The Zhou family’s position within the clan was not just as the leading figure, but also had risen to a preeminent status because of relations with the royal family.

Zhulan asked softly, "Have you encountered some trouble?"

Her heart favored the women. Life was difficult for women in ancient times; moving to the capital without her natal family made Mrs. Wang appear even more vulnerable.

Mrs. Wang had come impulsively, as her husband had proposed taking a concubine a few days ago. She had staunchly refused, causing a rift between them. Yesterday, her mother-in-law exerted pressure, and unable to contain her anger, she thought of the Zhou family, where the husband had no concubines, and so she came today.

Zhulan saw that Mrs. Wang still kept her head down, "If you came here today, even if you say nothing, your mother-in-law won’t believe it."

Mrs. Wang looked up, her eyes red, "Madam, I feel so upset. The vows he made to me during our marriage are still ringing in my ears, but today our relationship of two has to accommodate a third, I can hardly believe it, but also feel helpless."

She was being firm now but knew she couldn’t delay for long. The concubine would still be taken into the house; it was the hurdle in her heart that she couldn’t overcome.

Zhulan had guessed it. Ming Shan, a young man from her clan, well, everyone has their own life path. She felt neither close nor distant to Ming Shan’s branch of the family. Since she became the Countess, she had them call her ’Madam’ to set a clear tone. Kin were kin, she could help, but there were limits.

Zhulan saw the sadness and unwillingness in Mrs. Wang’s eyes. The beautiful life in the Zhou household fueled Mrs. Wang’s hopes, but unfortunately, reality was harsh. The Zhou family had her and Zhou Shuren, while Ming Shan’s branch was strictly traditional.

Zhulan actually had the power to intervene, but she could control things temporarily, not forever. Opening this precedent would mean future clan members might come to her with similar requests. Moreover, she knew that for every policy from above, there is a countermeasure from below; the issue had to be resolved by standing up for oneself.

Mrs. Wang finished speaking, hope in her heart, which Zhulan could see clearly. She asked patiently, "Have you considered, if I stop it this time, what about the future? What about you and your husband?"

Although the Imperial court allowed divorce, actual separations were rare. The divorce rate in ancient times was nowhere near as high as it is today. fгeewebnovёl.com

Mrs. Wang was stumped by the question, her face turning paler, but she was not willing to give in, her lips trembling, "I..."

Zhulan raised her hand, "You’re not young anymore, and you have several children, you need to think about what you want, consider what a truly intelligent person would do, one must first stand on their own two feet."

She paused and continued, "I will speak to your mother-in-law, and tell her that I sent for you to fetch things. Today, I did not hear anything, and I will send someone to take you back later."

Lady Wang wasn’t dull-witted; if she had been, she wouldn’t have been able to wrest control of the household from her mother-in-law. It was just that the old lady wanted to give her a way out, so she stood up and gave her thanks, "This humble one thanks the senior mistress."

Zhulan hummed in acknowledgment, "Go back, if you take too long your mother-in-law will start to worry."

The rest she left unsaid, but Lady Wang knew what to do.

That evening, when Zhou Shuren returned home, Zhulan spoke of the affair, "Ming Shan was quick to take a concubine. It’s just unclear whether it was his own initiative, or if the concubine was foisted upon him."

Zhou Shuren truly did not know, "Such a thing happened?"

"Today, Ming Shan’s wife came over because our family only has the principal wife; she wanted me to intervene. After I dismissed her, I was reflecting on Ming Shan. With the rise of the New Emperor, his stature as a clan member has certainly risen along with our family."

Zhou Shuren inquired, "Have you looked into it?"

Zhulan waved her hand, "I can’t be bothered to check. These things are inevitable in the future, but it just leaves me feeling somewhat contemplative."

Zhou Shuren narrowed his eyes, "I will have Chang Yi give him a warning tomorrow."

Zhulan stopped him, "Lady Wang came today, and if you were to send Chang Yi to give a warning now, it would reflect poorly on her. Since I’ve helped Lady Wang today, I must see it through. When he truly brings the concubine into the household, then you can have Chang Yi give a warning."

Killing two birds with one stone, Ming Shan wouldn’t dare show undue favoritism to the concubine, no matter how much he fancied her.

Zhou Shuren nodded, "Then you should make a note of it."

"Mm."

In Xuzhou Province, Xue Mei sat beside her younger sister-in-law, "In a few days, I’ll start my journey home."

Lady Dong liked the house to be lively and was very fond of her most even-tempered eldest sister-in-law, "It’s still some time before the New Year."

Xue Mei smiled, "We travel slowly, so I want to leave early."

She had already visited every place of interest in Xuzhou, and she was beginning to miss home. Moreover, her husband wanted to return to the capital early to compile the observations from their travels.

Lady Dong felt a bit despondent. Although Old Madame Song could help her with many things, they didn’t communicate well. After arriving in Xuzhou, she hadn’t formed any close relationships or found someone to confide in until her eldest sister-in-law arrived, which lightened her heart a great deal.

Xue Mei smiled, "Don’t be downhearted. After spring plowing next year, we will pass through Xuzhou on our travels and stay for a few days."

Lady Dong smiled, "Good, you must stay a bit longer next time, elder sister."

The following day in the capital, the sky was clear. It was Mingyun’s day off, and he was preparing to join his grandmother for studies. Just as he took his books and was about to step out the door, he nearly collided with Ming Teng.

Mingyun’s face was stern, "Where are your manners?"

Rubbing his nose and admitting his bad luck, Ming Teng said, "Big brother, I was wrong."

Seeing Ming Teng standing properly, Mingyun finally asked satisfactorily, "Why are you in such a rush to see me?"