Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 589: Righteous Lord Zhou_1

Chapter 589: Chapter 589: Righteous Lord Zhou_1 fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

In the afternoon, a few carriages stopped in front of the Zhou family’s residence in Jinzhou Province. Lady Dong stood at the door, her gaze fixated on the last carriage carrying luggage, feeling a sourness within her heart, as her eldest sister’s dowry had dwindled to just this.

When the Jiang family moved to the capital, the eldest sister’s accompanying dowry, such as furniture, was all dealt with, and now, seeing the scant dowry, Lady Dong was fraught with complex emotions.

Dong Yiyi stepped down from the carriage in a daze, looking at her sister, her uneasy heart settled down, heavens know if her sister hadn’t sent someone over, whether their family would have been devoured by clan members.

Dong Yiyi stumbled forward, choking up, "Sister."

Lady Dong supported her sister, her own eyes turning red. Her sister’s fate was truly bitter, "Sister, now you’re safe, it’s all in the past, let’s go inside the residence."

Dong Yiyi nodded and looked back at the carriage, "Your brother-in-law."

Lady Dong’s heart held resentment towards her brother-in-law, who if he had remained honestly an official, wouldn’t have now forced her sister to return and depend on her natal family, causing her niece and nephew’s future to become uncertain, "I’ve already summoned a doctor, sister, don’t worry."

Yet no matter how angry, she would still attend to her brother-in-law’s leg, for as long as he lived, her sister would not be a widow, and besides, her brother-in-law’s knowledge still remained, capable of teaching her nephew.

Dong Yiyi wiped her tears away, holding a child in one hand, "I’m going to thank your mother-in-law."

Lady Dong, seeing the scared look of her niece and nephew, "I’ll have the maids look after the children, they’re exhausted too."

Dong Yiyi, her heart aching for her son and daughter, held back tears, "That would be best."

In the main courtyard, Zhulan heard footsteps and saw Dong Yiyi, "I’m glad you’re safe."

Dong Yiyi, unable to hold back her tears, let them fall again, "You were right, to have peace is indeed a great fortune."

As she was about to kneel in gratitude, Zhulan quickly signaled Lady Dong with her eyes, and Lady Dong supported her.

Zhulan sighed, "The Zhou family didn’t provide much help, you don’t need to perform such a grand gesture."

Dong Yiyi, wiping her tears away, "For you to take us in, I am already deeply grateful, we have no way to repay you."

If they hadn’t come to stay temporarily at the Zhou residence, without the people of the Zhou family, she didn’t know what to do.

Zhulan felt a pang in her heart for Lady Dong’s elder sister whose life was so bitter, "You’ve been frightened these past few days, now you can be at ease, the children need you, you should go back and rest too."

Dong Yiyi didn’t dare to linger, for the Jiang Residence now carried an aura of misfortune, "Yes."

After the Dong sisters left, Granny Song returned. Zhulan asked, "Did you find out what happened in the capital?"

Granny Song replied: "I got the details. The timing of the third mistress’s maid was impeccable; the elder of the Jiang family clan had just arrived, and because of the actions of the Zhou family’s people, the Jiang family clan’s scheming fell apart, they left without any gains, and with tails between their legs, however, Jiang Ming was disowned by the Jiang family clan."

Zhulan had guessed as much and noticed Granny Song had more to say, "Is there anything else?"

Granny Song continued, "The Jiang family clan even wanted to arrange a marriage for Miss Jiang, had the Zhou family’s people not arrived today, Miss Jiang would have stayed to be fostered within the Jiang family clan."

Zhulan fell silent, the Jiang family clan had no hope for Jiang Muchen, but rather saw the value in fostering Jiang Mulan, "They really schemed thoroughly."

Granny Song said in a low voice, "The only hope for the Jiang family clan has been Jiang Ming, in these years they have not been shy about benefiting from him, every year clan members go to the Jiang Residence seeking favors, now that the Jiang Residence is in trouble, they avoid them, and not only that, but they also add insult to injury. I heard from the young servant, within the Jiang family clan there are those skilled in medicine who didn’t even offer to take a look at Jiang Ming’s leg."

Zhulan remarked quietly, "No wonder the Jiang family clan has declined, its roots are corrupted."

Granny Song scoffed, "There are even those who brought up Lady Dadong’s dowry, saying how Jiang Ming dragged down the Jiang family clan, and ought to compensate them!"

Zhulan had nothing to say, "It’s too unsightly."

The old woman Song had seen a lot of families; some were very united, with the family as a strong backing, while others were very realistic, "Lady Dadong’s dowry isn’t much anymore, just enough to fill one horse-drawn carriage."

Zhulan paused, "Go and tell the needlework room to make clothes for the four members of the Jiang family. Oh, and what about Jiang Ming’s concubines?"

She remembered that Jiang Ming had later taken in two more concubines. Speaking of which, Jiang Ming had no shortage of concubines.

Old woman Song said, "They all flew away when disaster struck. A few concubines begged Lady Dadong, who wrote the documents to release them. Jiang Ming signed it, and they’ve all been set free."

Zhulan asked no more and signaled old woman Song to arrange it.

That evening, Zhou Shuren came back, "How is Jiang Ming’s condition?"

Zhulan was still shaken, "His right leg was deliberately broken at the knee. The doctor saw it and said there’s no chance of a normal recovery."

Zhou Shuren said, "He traded a leg for his life. Living maimed is more agonizing for Jiang Ming than a swift death would have been."

Zhulan agreed, "Yes, Jiang Ming once held office in Pingzhou. Living there now, with such a drastic change in circumstances, must be the greatest torment for him."

Zhulan added, "I thought you wouldn’t agree to let Jiang Ming’s family stay at the Zhou Residence temporarily!"

Zhou Shuren changed into his clothes, "What great teaching material. It would be such a waste not to make the most of it. Chang Lian and Chang Zhi have gained a deeper understanding of the brutality of the officialdom. It keeps them from using me as the standard, believing that the political world is all about seniors looking after juniors with love!"

Zhulan laughed, "I think your educational goal has been achieved."

Zhou Shuren’s educational goal indeed had been achieved; several of Zhou’s sons went to see Jiang Ming.

The eldest and the second sons were somewhat better off, as they did not interact with the officialdom; its deceit was too far removed from them.

Chang Lian felt unsettled. Everyone has ambitions, and from his brother-in-law, he saw cruelty, especially in his brother-in-law’s leg—the price of his ambitions, "I asked the doctor again. The doctor meant that my brother-in-law’s knee wasn’t hit with just one stick, but several times."

Dong Chuchu clutched her handkerchief tightly, "You must be cautious when you enter the officialdom in the future. Your brother-in-law is a cautionary tale."

Chang Lian held his wife’s hand, "I will be careful."

He realized that even with his father’s protection, if someone really wanted to take revenge on him, to disfigure him or break his limbs, it would be very easy—as long as he didn’t die, that was enough.

In the fourth room, Chang Zhi was absent-minded. Su Xuan approached him, "It’s been half a day and you haven’t read a single page. If you’re preoccupied with thoughts, just put the book down."

Chang Zhi put the book down and exhaled deeply, "Father has always had me analyze historical precedents. Having done so much analysis, I have learned more about the officialdom. But it wasn’t until I saw Jiang Ming that I realized discussing strategies on paper is far less direct than reality."

Su Xuan was inwardly pleased. She was glad that Chang Zhi was reflecting deeply. Her husband was not foolish; it was only because he had a good father that he did not need to struggle too hard. He had been careless in many things, but now he was growing, "Father watches over your studies because he loves you. Besides Mingyun, when has Father ever been so strict with anyone else?"

Chang Zhi reflected on himself, "You’re right. I will definitely study hard in the future."

Su Xuan was delighted in her heart. She thought she could give some unused jewelry to the young ladies of the Jiang family.

The next day, Zhou Shuren went to the government office, where Lord Wang said, "Your honor is gracious and righteous."

Zhou Shuren blinked and, thick-faced, said, "After all, we’re relatives."

Lord Wang admired him even more in his heart.