Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 682: Mature, Steady, and Responsible_1

Zhou Shuren couldn’t refuse Mr. Ran twice, and had to make clear the virtues required; indeed, Zhou Shuren really hadn’t paid much attention to Mr. Ran’s granddaughter before.

Ran Zheng understood the implication. Originally, he hadn’t had this intention, but since Zhou’s third son had become a Scholar and stayed in the capital, he had seen that the Emperor’s impression of Lord Zhou was truly favorable. Additionally, with the Zhou family having just welcomed fraternal twins, he had often heard his wife mentioned how fortunate and blessed the Zhou household was.

So, he contemplated it once more, called over his legitimate granddaughter, and thoroughly examined her. Hmm, not bad at all, he thought, so he decided to visit Zhou Shuren today.

As Ran Zheng sipped his tea, he pondered quite a bit. When the cup was empty, he smiled and said, "What a coincidence, my little granddaughter just turned ten this year. She might look young, but she lacks nothing. I just tested her yesterday, and even though she’s not as big, she’s more composed than her brother."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "That is indeed a coincidence."

The age was really suitable, and Ran Zheng wouldn’t deceive him over a marriage arrangement—it was about forging kinship ties, not enmity!

Ran Zheng beamed with joy, "Your wife has seen her, too, and it’s really not just me praising my own granddaughter."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shuren could only go along with it. It seemed that his wish for a family with a lower social standing was not going to come true, "Let’s arrange to share a meal together during the next break."

Ran Zheng knew that Zhou Shuren had tentatively agreed, "Alright, we’ll talk about it when we have a break."

That evening, during dinner, Zhou Shuren mentioned the purpose of Ran Zheng’s visit, "Ran Zheng was straightforward, and I verbally agreed."

Zhulan put down her chopsticks, "That was quick."

"Have you ever met Mr. Ran’s granddaughter?" asked Zhou Shuren.

Zhulan replied, "I have met her. The Ran Residence has two granddaughters. The elder one is a concubine-born daughter of Mr. Ran’s eldest son, and the younger one is a legitimate daughter of his second son. I have seen her but haven’t spoken much with her, so don’t know her well. However, Mr. Ran wouldn’t be wrong in his recommendation."

They were all cunning old foxes; their judgment wouldn’t be flawed.

Zhou Shuren said, "Then let’s get to know her better during the next break."

Zhulan smiled, "Indeed, plans can’t keep up with changes."

"Yes, but marrying off and marrying in are not the same."

"Mmm."

The next day, Zhulan had Lady Li visit, "Let me give you a heads-up, Mingyun’s marriage is almost settled."

Lady Li asked excitedly, "Mother, whose daughter is it?"

She then became somewhat anxious. She didn’t know whether she could get along well with her daughter-in-law. She came from a family of farmers, unlike her future daughter-in-law.

Zhulan saw through Lady Li’s concerns immediately and patted her hand, "The legitimate granddaughter from Mr. Ran’s family, ten years old this year. Don’t worry too much."

Lady Li became even more worried. A granddaughter of a Third-rank official—that rank was even higher than the eunuch’s. Moreover, a Ran family miss was currently the Crown Prince’s side consort, and with such an illustrious family background, she feared she wouldn’t have control over her daughter-in-law. Her own origins meant a vast difference between her and her daughter-in-law, but while she might not interfere with her daughter-in-law, she still hoped to get along well and did not want to be looked down upon.

Seeing Lady Li looking disheartened, Zhulan didn’t know what comforting words to say, as she didn’t know Mr. Ran’s granddaughter either. It could only be determined after they met. However, the Ran family had a good reputation, so the issues that Lady Li worried about probably wouldn’t arise, and a clever woman would know how to get along with her mother-in-law.

Lady Li returned to the courtyard, and Yu Lu rarely saw her mother so listless. "Mother, didn’t you go to see Grandmother? What did Grandmother say to you? Why do you seem so out of sorts?"

Lady Li sat down in a chair, drained of energy, "Your eldest brother’s marriage is pretty much settled now, with the legitimate granddaughter of Mr. Ran. I’m just a little worried."

Yu Lu felt sorry for her mother, who despite her robust demeanor, could be quite sensitive at times, "Mother, elder brother is a filial child, you should trust him. Even if his future wife is of a higher status, as long as elder brother is there, she will be respectful to you, even if it’s just for show. And mother, you’re so kind, I’m sure she will like you."

Heartened by her daughter’s words, Lady Li gained some confidence, "Right, it’s not often you see such an unscheming mother-in-law like me."

Yu Lu, with a smile, said, "When elder brother gets married, you just need to tell his wife that you won’t meddle in their affairs, and she will surely like you."

Lady Li perked up, "Your elder brother is finally engaged. I’ve been thinking about it constantly. Come to think of it, getting Mr. Ran’s granddaughter is a stroke of luck for your brother, she will treat him well in the future."

Yu Lu thought to herself that her mother actually understood everything, "Mother, we love you."

Though uneducated and from a humble background, with a few quirks, mother was the most genuine of all.

It was the first time Lady Li had heard her daughter say she loved her, and she felt a bit bashful, unsure of how to respond. She quickly stood up, "Your grandmother mentioned that grandfather would be on leave, and Mr. Ran’s family will come over. Come help me choose a dress and jewelry."

Yu Lu looked at her mother warmly; her mother was truly adorable.

The next day, Zhulan got up early and with the names Zhou Shuren had chosen, went to the fourth room. The two little ones were doing well, though they hadn’t gained weight, they looked healthy and had already opened their eyes.

Zhulan sat beside the two children, "Now that they’ve grown a bit, the boy looks even more like Chang Zhi, and the girl looks more like you."

Su Xuan felt a warmth spreading through her heart, these were the children connected to her by blood, her legacy, "Mother, are these the names for the children?"

Zhulan unfolded the paper with the names written on it, "The boy, Zhou Mingjia, the girl, Zhou Yuwen."

Su Xuan silently repeated the names, "Good names, Ming Jia, Yu Wen, you have names now. These are your grandfather’s hopes for you; you must grow up quickly."

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren had originally thought of the name Yu Ru for their granddaughter, conveying the wish for everything to go smoothly; however, since it resembled Wang Ru, they changed the name.

Chang Zhi looked at the names with frustration, he, as a father, really wanted to name his children.

Zhulan watched Chang Zhi playing with the children; having children really changed a person. Su Xuan’s pregnancy had caused Chang Zhi to mature considerably, and with the birth of the children, he became even more steady, touched by a sense of responsibility. Indeed, there was wisdom in the saying ’establish a family before starting a career.’

Noticing the two little ones drifting off to sleep, Zhulan carefully stood up, "I’ll head back now, you rest more."

Chang Zhi’s gaze shifted from the children, "Mother, let me walk you out."

Zhulan hummed in agreement and got to the doorway, "No need to see me out, you should go back too."

Chang Zhi didn’t return; instead, he came forward to support his mother, "Mother, I was thoughtless before and caused you and father worry."

Zhulan looked at Chang Zhi sideways, acknowledging his apparent growth, "Having children really does make a difference."

Chang Zhi’s ears turned red with shame. He had spent the past month in deep reflection, wanting to find an opportunity to talk to his parents but never finding the right moment. Now, with the birth of his children, he had finally found that chance, "Mother, I was too self-centered before."