Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1140: Partners

Time trickled by, and the palace examination had ended. As Chang Zhi stepped out of the palace gate, he saw his father standing by the carriage and ran over swiftly, "Father, why have you come?"

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Father’s here to take you home."

Chang Zhi felt the affection, "Father, you work hard every day, your son could have returned home on his own."

Zhou Shuren appeared somewhat absent-minded, the little child of before could now stand on his own two feet, "I missed picking up your third brother last time. I can’t miss it with you."

Chang Zhi grinned, feeling that he would have to write to his third brother to boast. His father had personally come to pick him up, but it also made him nervous. If he hadn’t performed well in the exams, he would have let his father down.

At that moment, Ming Shan also emerged. Ming Shan had returned home with his parents from outside the family, and this imperial examination had made him appreciate the support of his family, especially the backing of the patriarchs. Without his uncle, he would have failed this time too, "Uncle Grandfather."

Zhou Shuren did not ask how the examination went, "Let’s go, let’s go back home. We’ve prepared a pot; we’ll eat mutton hotpot when we return."

Chang Zhi’s mouth watered, "Father, let’s go, let’s get in the carriage."

In the evening, after dinner at the Zhou residence, each household went back to their respective quarters.

In the main household, Lady Li was fretting, "Do you think the fourth can bring home the title of Top Scorer?"

Zhou Shuren’s eldest son said solemnly, "Don’t mention this in front of the fourth. He has been the best at reading since he was young and has always been ambitious."

Lady Li rolled her eyes, "Do you think I’m foolish? He hasn’t placed first twice; why would I bring up such a sore subject? I’m just hopeful, that’s all."

Zhou Shuren’s eldest son whispered, "I think it’s unlikely. I’ve been to the teahouse these days quite a bit, and the bets are all on Lau Song’s son."

Lady Li lowered her voice, "It wasn’t because Lau’s son is the Crown Prince’s side consort’s brother that he placed first last time, right?"

This startled Zhou Shuren’s eldest son so much that his hairs stood on end, and he quickly covered his wife’s mouth, "You dare to say anything with that mouth."

Lady Li knew she had spoken out of turn, gesturing for the head of the house to remove his hand, but still couldn’t help retorting, "I can’t believe no one has thought of that." freeweɓnovel.cѳm

Zhou Shuren’s eldest son cleared his throat; indeed, many had thought of it but dared not speak of it. It was the sour grapes mentality, "Your mouth must have a lock; be careful not to bring disaster by your words."

"Alright, alright, I won’t speak of it. I’m only telling you, aren’t I?"

Zhou Shuren’s eldest son humphed, "Don’t you know the state of our family?"

Lady Li closed her mouth completely then changed the topic, "Ah, I’m starting to miss father and mother."

Zhou Shuren’s eldest son, "When Mingyun passes the Scholar exam, we’ll all go back together."

"Hmm."

In the second household, Zhao’s and Chang Yi also whispered amongst themselves. Chang Yi, exceptionally not studying today, said, "I especially asked Wu Ming; Wu Ming has interacted with Lau’s son and couldn’t stop praising him, saying Lau’s son is talented."

Zhao’s, "You’d better not tell the fourth that."

She remembered the fourth brother often talking about the Top Scorer.

Chang Yi, "Do you see me mentioning it? I dare not. Actually, if the fourth doesn’t become the Top Scorer, I think it’s quite good. People should experience some setbacks, don’t you think the fourth has had it too easy?"

The fourth in the family had had such a smooth sailing it made him envious, from a good marriage to a breeze in life, and even the children were blessed. Envious.

Zhao’s thought about it, "He has had it too easy, really."

Chang Yi, "Even the third doesn’t have it as easy as the fourth. Actually, the third really has the grit; the fourth is still far behind."

Their own fourth brother had the air of a young master, the most pampered at home, and with a wife that spoiled him, the envy was even greater.

In the fourth household, with the exam over, Chang Zhi didn’t worry anymore. As soon as he lay down, he was ready to sleep, leaving Su Xuan in quite the dilemma. She had been holding back for days, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Su Xuan chuckled lightly as her husband fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. It was good that he could still sleep.

The next day, Mingyun and a few others took a break. Mingyun stayed at home to chat with his fourth uncle, asking about some things he didn’t understand.

Ming Teng had arranged to meet Ran Xun at the teahouse and had also dragged Ming Rui along with them.

Ran Xun had silver in hand, which left Ming Rui dumbfounded, "Are you going to place a bet?"

He really had some nerve, asking for a beating!

Ran Xun said, "There are already many bettors, one more won’t make a difference."

Ming Rui was aware that the young masters of the capital loved to stir up trouble at every occasion. They all wanted to join in the fun and the bets were small, so no one really cared about it.

Then, Ran Xun placed his bet on young master Lau Song and even urged Ming Teng to join the excitement.

Ming Teng and Ming Rui exchanged glances. Ming Teng had come just for the spectacle and truly hadn’t planned on betting, "No, I’m afraid of getting beaten up."

If he dared to bet on an outsider, both his parents would beat him up together. Being an adult, he still cared about his dignity.

Ran Xun teased him, "You don’t dare to bet because you don’t have confidence in your fourth uncle, huh!"

Ming Teng replied, "Just shut up, will you?"

Ming Rui pulled his second brother away, "Let’s not watch this farce anymore, this guy is just being ridiculous."

Yu Dang and Mr. Shi were also at the teahouse. Yu Dang noticed Ming Teng right away. Ever since he took a liking to him, he liked everything he saw about the boy, as if he was already his great-grandson.

Seeing that his friend’s eyes were fixed on the children downstairs, Mr. Shi asked, "You know them?"

Yu Dang sighed, "Those are the grandsons of Vice Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Revenue."

As soon as Mr. Shi heard that, he hurriedly looked over, but the boys had already dragged each other out of the teahouse. Mr. Shi said enviously, "Vice Minister Zhou has quite a few legitimate grandsons."

Yu Dang glanced over and said, "There is only one principal wife at home, the inner courtyard is tranquil and the children, free from illness and disaster, naturally survive in greater numbers."

Mr. Shi felt the comment was pointed at him as he had quite a few concubines and had grown accustomed to miscarriages in his younger days, including stillbirths. Picking up his teacup, he said, "It’s indeed better to have some peace and quiet."

While they were conversing, a man stood in front of them, "I thought I was seeing things at first, but it really is you, Mr. Shi. It’s been many years, and without any news, I even suspected you might have passed away."

Mr. Shi looked up to see his longtime business partner, an old merchant friend, "Mr. Gu, it’s you! I fell ill, and had Shi Qing manage the family business while I’ve been recovering at home!"

Although he referred to him as Mr. Gu, the man was not very old, seemingly a generation younger than Mr. Shi.

Remembering his son’s advice not to associate with old friends, Mr. Shi mentioned, "I’m here with a friend; perhaps we could catch up some other time?"

The man appeared unconcerned as he glanced over and replied with a smile, "Sure."

Even after Yu Dang and the others had left, Mr. Shi kept looking at their retreating figures, "You know them?"

Yu Dang replied with a smile, "It’s my first time in the capital, how could I possibly know them? Your friend?"

Mr. Shi responded, "As you know, our family used to be merchants, I’ve traveled far and wide and met many people. This person was a business partner from before; I didn’t expect to run into him in the capital."

Yu Dang asked, "Can you tell me about it?"

Feeling puzzled inside, Mr. Shi heard Yu Dang chuckle, "I’m just curious."

Mr. Shi explained, "They are merchants who travel between the north and south. They make two such trips every year. Their business is quite extensive; they have two lines of business running north to south and many partners. Our Shi family is just one of the many in the north."

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren was surprised his fourth uncle came to find him at the Ministry.