Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 520 Chess Piece_1

Miss Yao found it very comfortable to stay and her taut nerves had relaxed slightly, "Miss Zhou is so elegant."

Xue Han didn’t like complicated things; she felt that there were already enough schemes and rivalries around her. She just wanted to arrange her surroundings for comfort, "As long as Miss Yao likes it."

With an amused gaze, Su Xuan looked at Miss Yao. Truthfully, she didn’t know much about this lady, having heard many things—willfulness, arrogance, and so on—just rumors born of jealousy it seemed. At least, having seen many pretenses, Su Xuan found that while this lady was indeed proud, she wasn’t difficult to get along with.

Playing with the teacup in her hand, Su Xuan noticed that the chrysanthemum inside had already unfurled beautifully. It was prepared by her sister-in-law, who always brewed her chrysanthemum tea whenever she visited. Glancing again at the plain tea of her sister-in-law and Miss Yao, she felt resigned; why did it seem like the whole family thought her temper was too hot?

Truthfully, she didn’t feel that her temper was hot. She always vented whenever she was angry and, on the contrary, felt that Zhou Changzhi was becoming less composed day by day, always looking sullen. It really made her want to tease him. She was too satisfied with her life right now.

Putting down her teacup, Su Xuan casually asked, "Why has Miss Yao come to Jinzhou City?"

Miss Yao, Yao Yao’s eyes turned colder. Why had she come? She had been forced; her heart sunk in dismay. She could not escape nor detach herself. Both she and her elder brother were birds in a cage. No, her brother was almost free while she, with too many attachments, willingly allowed herself to be confined. "Heh, I came to see my elder brother. I’m worried about him being here alone."

Su Xuan and Xue Han exchanged glances. She wasn’t telling the truth, but they wouldn’t inquire further. From Miss Yao’s earlier display of emotions, at least they knew she hadn’t come willingly.

Yao Yao had regained composure, smiling as she said, "Don’t keep calling me ’Miss Yao.’ My name is Yao Yao; you can call me that."

After thinking for a moment, Su Xuan replied, "Then don’t keep calling me ’An He.’ My name is Su Xuan."

Xue Han smiled, "Zhou Xue Han."

Yao Yao’s smile curled at the corners of her lips. Coming here today had been the right decision. Her intuition had always been accurate; she always knew whom to associate with and whom not to. She just wanted to indulge herself for two days. After that, she would still be a pawn, one that could be discarded at any time.

An hour and a half later, Yao Yao bid her farewell. Zhulan tried to persuade her to stay, "Lunch is ready. Why don’t you eat before you go?"

Yao Yao replied apologetically, "My brother is looking for me; he has matters to attend to. I really regret not being able to stay."

Zhulan looked at Miss Yao and didn’t say ’next time,’ implying that there would be no next time, "It’s indeed regrettable. Su Xuan, see Miss Yao out for me."

Su Xuan stood up, "This way, please."

Xue Han thought for a moment and followed. She had a favorable impression of Yao Yao, regardless of her background. Miss Yao’s performance today had impressed her; during the hour and a half discussion, Yao Yao had proven to be proficient in music, chess, literature, and painting, offering her many insights.

Once everyone had left, Zhulan said to the Old Lady Song, "Su Xuan and Xue Han seem to like Miss Yao very much."

Zhulan understood her own family. Despite Su Xuan’s bluntness, she was actually very guarded. Xue Han was clear-sighted, which is why few could deceive her.

Old Lady Song hadn’t followed the affairs of the Hou Residence; she was only a maid of the lowest ’Ding’ rank. However, her judgement of people was accurate, "Miss Yao is a good person."

Zhulan nodded in agreement. The gifts alone revealed deliberate consideration; beneath the haughtiness lay meticulous care. It was just a pity that while Yao Zhe Yu could fight for his own life and escape, Miss Yao could not, making her situation quite regrettable.

Zhulan felt a surge of frustration. The Yao Residence had sent Miss Yao here, but she was not betrothed to the Prince. The Prince had returned secretly, and the wily old foxes of the capital knew this all too well. Sending Miss Yao over was a clear sacrifice in this game—the pawn being a woman.

If the betrothal had been established, it wouldn’t have been problematic. But if it couldn’t be established, then the misfortune would fall on Miss Yao. If the engagement went through, the Emperor’s attitude towards the Prince was obviously problematic. If not, then no one would want Miss Yao anymore.

Su Xuan and Xue Han returned, and Su Xuan said, "Mother, Miss Yao didn’t come here of her own volition."

Zhulan spoke solemnly, "But she has come nonetheless."

Even knowing there was no future down that road, she still stepped onto it.

Su Xuan felt an unusual heaviness in her heart, the more she got to know Yao Yao, the more she liked her. Yao Yao’s zither music she just heard was so oppressive that it made her feel incredibly fortunate, "Mother, I’ll be heading back first."

Xue Han stayed behind, "Mother, I’ll join you for lunch."

Zhulan smiled, "Alright."

Having returned to her courtyard, Su Xuan sat listlessly under a tree on a reclining chair. She had seen too much, and it still made her sick.

Inside the house, Chang Zhi, rubbing his belly, felt hungry. It was time for his wife to call him for a meal, but she hadn’t done so today. He put down the book in his hands and walked out the door, only to see his dispirited wife. He didn’t like this Su Xuan—the one who was bold with her words. He actually preferred the flamboyant and unrestrained Su Xuan.

Chang Zhi motioned for the maidservants and young maids to leave and approached the chair, "My lady, are you pondering over the large characters you have to copy this afternoon? I gave it some thought."

Su Xuan regained her composure and stared nervously at Chang Zhi. This man had infuriating principles, and once he was set on something, nothing could sway him—not even her coquetry worked, "What did you think of?"

A smile appeared in Chang Zhi’s eyes, "I think my lady’s calligraphy has improved. To continue this progress, we should copy five more pages every day. I’ll join my lady in copying them. Are you pleased with that?"

Gathering her energy, Su Xuan called out, "Zhou Changzhi."

Chang Zhi took off running, and Su Xuan stood up, "Stop right there! Pfft, I am not pleased—not in the slightest."

Heaven knows why she had to practice calligraphy when she wasn’t even sitting for the imperial examinations.

The old maid and the maids standing outside the courtyard exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief, then they began to laugh. Life was good like this.

Qi Mo gazed at the sky, speechless. He thought the Fourth Master was becoming increasingly fearless. It seemed as if he couldn’t be comfortable for a day without provoking the Fourth Mistress, as if he needed to stretch his skin to feel right.

At the Yao residence, the Princely Heir was waiting for his sister to return, "Are you happy?"

Yao Yao sat down comfortably, "Yes, I’m very happy today."

No mother, no sanctimonious father, no annoying half-sister, none of the worries of the Hou Residence—it was truly relaxing.

Yao Zheyu felt a twinge of concern, "You."

Yao Yao, with a smiling gaze, "My decision is made, big brother, no need to speak any further. But, big brother..." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Yao Zheyu looked deeply into the eyes of his only somewhat agreeable little sister, "What is it?"

Yao Yao spoke earnestly, "Miss Zhou has made a betrothal. She’s with her childhood sweetheart, a deeply rooted affection. It would be best for big brother to give up that thought."

Yao Zheyu fell silent for a moment, then ruffled his sister’s hair. This girl was the best at pretending in the whole residence—no, they all were good at pretending.

That evening, at the Zhou residence, Zhulan immediately sensed that Zhou Shuren was troubled. After dinner, he went to see Master Meng. Zhulan thought she wouldn’t see Zhou Shuren return before bedtime, but he came back just before she went to sleep.

Zhulan lowered her voice, "Is something wrong?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head, "The Emperor sent someone with some news, and I’ve uncovered quite a bit here as well."

Zhulan kept her voice low, "What news has been sent?"