Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent! Chapter 1680 Pregnant

Zhulan was naturally happy. The Empress Dowager hinted at the Emperor not giving definite news, which made her fear unexpected changes. Now with the definite news, she felt at ease, "I have too many ideas I want to realize."

Zhou Shuren dressed up, "I’m actually quite surprised that the Empress Dowager didn’t take the position of dean."

Zhulan said, "When the Empress Dowager hinted at about the manor’s reconstruction, I was surprised too."

Zhou Shuren replied, "Anyway, the outco is positive."

Zhulan felt joyful, "This is an important step in improving won’s status."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Keep it up."

The couple chatted about the children’s internships. The children received wages for their internships; both the shipyard and the pharmacy were run by the Imperial court, and the wages were not low. The children’s earnings went to the orphanage.

Zhou Shuren said, "Don’t be too happy yet; not everyone can accept girls learning."

Zhulan’s smile faded, "Indeed, rural girls have to do what they can once they beco sensible; and when they co of age, they are exchanged for betrothal gifts. I was happy too early."

Zhou Shuren, "Take it slowly."

Zhulan’s smile disappeared, "The nearby village asked if the manor accepts students; they only brought boys, not a single girl."

Boys secretly climbed the walls to eavesdrop, while girls never approached the manor.

She put up a board at the manor’s gate with characters and herb patterns; still, very few girls ca to see it, which made her feel extrely uncomfortable.

Zhou Shuren saw the dishes being served, "Don’t dwell on it; let’s eat first."

Zhulan shook her head to stop thinking about it, "Alright."

Their dinner was simple: wild vegetable soup, cold wild vegetable salad, a plate of fish, and two bowls of rice porridge as the staple food. After dinner, they went for a walk in the garden, paying great attention to their health in hopes of living a few more years.

On the next day, after breakfast, Qing Xue brought in the new newspaper, "The just-delivered newspaper."

Now, the capital’s promotional paper had changed to a seven-day issue, accepting long-term subscriptions. On the due date, it would be delivered to the residence, so no servant needed to queue to buy it.

The newspaper’s content was increasingly enriched. The first page featured governntal propaganda or major Imperial court affairs; the second page showcased so important matters, while the third page contained articles and the last part so selected gossip.

The gossip was also selected, and being featured would earn so Silver Coin, but not much — ranging from tens of to a hundred文.

Zhulan finished reading, and the major event was the manor’s reconstruction in the suburb of the capital. It also ntioned the orphan’s internship achievents and had been pre-publicized.

All rooms in the Marquis Zhou Residence had subscriptions. Zhulan finished reading and didn’t let Qing Xue put it away, as she wanted to think it over.

"Grandmother."

Zhulan looked up, "Slow down, don’t rush and fall."

Yu Jiao slowed down her steps, "Grandmother, look, your granddaughter hasn’t fallen."

"If you do fall, there will be tears. Now, tell , what are you doing here so early?"

Yu Jiao fiddled with her fingers, "Granddaughter wants to go out."

"Just you?"

Yu Jiao shook her head, "No, also Shangguan Li."

Zhulan asked, "What do you two little girls plan to do outside?"

Yu Jiao wrinkled her little nose, "Granddaughter heard that a foreign shop brought rare musical instrunts, so I want to take a look."

"Go ahead, but be careful."

"I knew you were the best, Grandmother."

Saying so, she happily ran off, and Zhulan stared at the running girl, muttering about how she lacked the air of a proper young lady.

Qing Xue thought to herself, wasn’t it you who spoiled her, old lady.

Zhulan understood Qing Xue’s expression, coughed with a hint of guilt, and sighed; after all, Yu Jiao was the youngest granddaughter, so inevitably, she’d pamper her a bit more.

Yu Jiao went to the Shangguan Residence to pick up Shangguan Li, and Shangguan Li, upon getting into the carriage, was extrely delighted, "If you hadn’t co to pick up, I wouldn’t have been able to leave."

Yu Jiao said, "Am I a good friend or what?"

Shangguan Li hugged Yu Jiao, "You’re such a good friend."

Yu Jiao cried out, "You’re hugging too tight; let go quickly."

Shangguan Li released her grip, "You’re being too delicate."

"As if you’re not delicate yourself."

Shangguan Li lay by the carriage window, "Ah, it’s been a long ti since I left the residence. It feels fantastic being out."

Yu Jiao sympathized with Shangguan Li, "Your coursework is too much."

She thought her elder sister’s requirents for her were strict enough, but compared to Shangguan Li, she was instantly comforted!

Shangguan Li stretched out her hand, "Look, I even have red marks on my palms. Ah, it’s not easy being part of the Crown Princess Consort’s family; my mother demands more of !"

Yu Jiao inhaled sharply, "Your mother really hit you!"

Shangguan Li nodded, "Luckily, my mother doesn’t have the mind to care about now; otherwise, even if you co to pick up, I wouldn’t be able to leave."

"What’s going on?"

Shangguan Li moved her lips but refrained from speaking, just smiled.

Yu Jiao turned her eyes, thinking Shangguan Li’s mother not paying attention to her indicated sothing more important than Shangguan Li. She pondered over it.

Shangguan Li beca nervous, as Yu Jiao was smarter than her, fearing she’d discover sothing. Ah, she regretted going out now!

Two hours later, Zhulan was surprised Yu Jiao returned so early, "It’s the first ti you’ve co back so early after going out."

Yu Jiao was extrely excited, "Grandmother, I have big news to tell you."

Zhulan didn’t take it seriously, as this girl loved jewelry and excitent, not considering anything big. But she cooperatively asked, "What big news?"

Yu Jiao felt Grandmother was brushing her off, but couldn’t hold back the news; she told, "The Crown Princess Consort is pregnant."

Zhulan’s eyes widened slightly, "That really is big news; you found out from Shangguan Li?"

Yu Jiao proudly lifted her chin, "Yes, she was acting strange today. I coaxed her a bit and got the news; she told not to spread it, saying it would be made public after three months."

Zhulan admonished Yu Jiao, "You must not ntion this to anyone."

"Not even my sister?"

"No."

Zhulan thought thankfully, only Qing Xue was there, and she tapped Yu Jiao’s nose, "You, huh."

Yu Jiao covered her nose, "Granddaughter rembers."

Zhulan thought, with the Crown Princess Consort being pregnant, so pressure was relieved. The Crown Prince married last autumn, but the Crown Princess Consort showed no signs for quite a while. She didn’t know if there was pressure inside the palace, but many outside were observing keenly.

However, the child hadn’t been born yet, so the Crown Princess Consort still felt significant pressure. Hopefully, she’d have the fortune to bear a son.

Yu Jiao twirled her eyes, "Grandmother, will there be a concubine now that the Crown Princess Consort is pregnant?"

Zhulan glared at her granddaughter, "Since you’re back, go write your calligraphy."

Yu Jiao stuck out her tongue, quickly left the room.

Zhou Shuren returned ho that evening, and Zhulan shared the news with him.

Zhou Shuren genuinely didn’t know, "Recently, I’ve often been in the palace but haven’t noticed any extra joy from the Crown Prince."

"Indeed, it’s tightly concealed."

"Yes, if it’s a son, it’ll further stabilize the Crown Prince’s position."

Zhulan continued, "This afternoon, Ming Rui brought the edited books; I looked them over."

Zhou Shuren was curious, "What did you think?"

"It’s quite good; the content is more enriched and detailed. Would you like to take a look?"

"Sure."

Zhou Shuren didn’t rush to read them but instead had dinner and took a walk to exercise before returning to read. Each book was quite thick; historical books were expensive and were sothing not every family could afford.