Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1143: Like Father

Under the golden list, Chang Zhi and Su Xuan stood right at the front, Chang Zhi’s eyes glued to it, pursing his lips, yet still falling just short.

Steward Ding was stunned for a moment, then pushed through the crowd in wild ecstasy, running towards the carriage inside the mansion.

Su Xuan tugged on her husband’s sleeve, and Chang Zhi had already recovered from his disappointment, smiling and saying, "Being the second-place scholar, well, it’s quite good like father."

Lau Song and the prodigies from Jiangnan were also very confident, all standing in the vanguard. The young genius was stunned; he had actually become the Tanhua.

Lau Song’s clenched fists relaxed; he’d been under great pressure, from his family, from the Crown Prince’s household, but now, at last, he could breathe a sigh of relief, turning around, "Congratulations, Brother Zhou."

Chang Zhi also returned the gesture, "It should be I who congratulates Brother Lau."

The young servant by Lau Song’s side had already run off, and Lau Song said, "I need to return to the mansion to await further news, I’ll take my leave first."

Chang Zhi nodded; he couldn’t leave yet, as there were too many people and he couldn’t locate Ming Shan, so he could only head towards his own carriage. ƒreewebɳovel.com

Upon hearing about the second-place scholar, Zhulan thought, they had produced another second-place scholar in their family.

Yushuang and Yu Lu’s faces were filled with surprise; following that, Yushuang asked, "Who came first?"

Steward Ding replied, "Young Master Lau is the Top scorer, and the exceedingly handsome Jiangnan prodigy is the Tanhua."

Indeed, upon seeing him in person, he was incredibly handsome!

By now, Chang Zhi and Su Xuan had returned, Chang Zhi, with eyes smiling, said, "Mother, your son is the second-place scholar."

Zhulan was truly happy to see her fourth son had succeeded, laughing, after two setbacks, Chang Zhi was no longer complacent, and thus had climbed up a rank, quickly accepting the outcome, "Good, good, being the second-place scholar is excellent, our family already has one, and it’s just as great as your father’s."

Hearing his mother say so, Chang Zhi also felt being like his father was very good, his father had been a former second-place scholar who had climbed step by step to where he was today.

Ming Shan soon returned, face brimming with joy, and an excited and incredulous tone, "Great uncle, I actually got into the second-tier scholars."

It was unbelievable; he had clearly been one of the last, yet this time, he had made it into the second tier, and even in a middle position.

Zhulan, delighted, "Good news! Quick, get on the carriage!"

In the Ministry of Revenue, the moment the list was posted, all departments were notified; Zhou Shuren looked at the list, and he too felt being the second-place scholar pretty good.

Officials from the Ministry of Revenue came to congratulate one after another, for Zhou Shuren himself had been a second-place scholar; saying like father, like son was also a kind of blessing, wishing that Chang Zhi would have a smooth career just like Zhou Shuren.

Zhou Shuren was laughing heartily, and then he spoke of inviting guests during his time off.

At the Ministry of Rites, Chang Yi also received congratulations. Their family now had a solid foundation with three traditionally scholarly entries, two second-place scholars, and a younger brother with a degree.

Gu Zhuomin looked on with envy; his own son was not up to par, although his grandson did show some promise, he just couldn’t compare.

Gu Zhuomin watched Chang Yi, feeling a bitterness inside; Zhou Changyi held a lower official rank than he did, yet what was the outcome? He had to serve under Zhou Changyi, who could get assignments like leading an embassy construction and even select his team, while he could only play the runner.

Gu Zhuomin then looked to Lord Wong, who was smiling as if his own family had produced the second-place scholar. That made sense; after all, the Zhou and Wong families were connected by marriage, and once Zhou Changyi entered the Ministry of Rites, he would be under Lord Wong. Envy alone was futile when one had a capable father backing them.

Wong Ju took hold of Chang Yi, "It’s been quite some time since I’ve seen your father, ask your family when they are planning the banquet, and let me know."

Chang Yi, "...no need for me to inform you, my father will notify you."

Wong Ju coughed, "Recently, your father has been somewhat cold towards me."

Zhou Changyi smiled, You’re aware of that, huh!

Another second-place scholar emerged from the Zhou family; the news and the congratulations came quickly. The government officer brought the attire for the second-place scholar, and there would be a visit to the palace for a thanksgiving ceremony and a parade on the following day.

Chang Zhong reached out to touch the garments, "Fourth brother, try it on so your little brother can have a look!"

Chang Zhi, too, reached out to feel them. A scholar’s journey was full of thorns and brambles, all for this moment. He was also worldly; although he regretted not being the Top scorer, he was still delighted. Looking at his family, he said, "Shall I try them on?"

Zhulan, "Go ahead, your mother wants to see as well."

Chang Zhi returned quickly after changing his clothes. He was good-looking, and the ensemble only made him more dashing.

Chang Zhong exclaimed in admiration, "Fourth brother, you look so handsome! If you can’t become the Tanhua with looks like that, how handsome must that genius from Jiangnan be?"

Chang Zhi’s ears tinged red, but he still spoke fairly, "Your fourth brother is not as outstanding as the Tanhua."

Lady Li laughed, "I wonder if the Tanhua is already betrothed. If not, he’s the prime son-in-law for numerous noble families."

As for the young master of the Liu family, there was no need to ask, everyone knew. Even though he was not betrothed yet, the family of his future wife would surely be prominent.

Ming Shan’s good news arrived as well; goaded on by his younger clansmen, he also dressed up. It wasn’t until the guests coming to offer their congratulations arrived that Chang Zhi and Ming Shan changed out of their formal clothes.

Zhulan knew that Ran Zheng’s grandson had also made it to the degree. She didn’t pay much attention to the relatives of the Crown Princess Consort.

The next day, Chang Zhi and Ming Shan entered the palace, then paraded through the streets. In the evening, a banquet was held. It was only the next day that Zhulan found out that the Emperor only stayed at the previous night’s banquet for a short while, with the Crown Prince accompanying them throughout.

Zhulan understood, this session was about selecting talents for the Crown Prince.

Zhulan inquired of Ming Shan, "Now that you’re staying in the capital and joining the Hanlin Academy, what are your plans?"

Ming Shan was genuinely surprised by the successive joyous events. It was so unexpected; he thought he wouldn’t be staying, but staying in the capital was definitely advantageous—his uncle was here after all!

Ming Shan had plans in his heart, "You know that our branch returned with a solid foundation. I have Silver Coin, and previously I was uncertain. But now that I’m staying in the capital, I want to ask my clan aunt to help me find a decent double-entry residence. When I go back for ancestral veneration, I’d like to bring my family to the capital."

Zhulan nodded, "Good, I’ll find you a residence."

Zhulan looked at Chang Zhi and their eldest brother, "When we go back for ancestral veneration, father means for the eldest to go."

Zhou’s eldest was very experienced in ancestral veneration, "Mother, rest assured, your son will handle it well."

Back at the main house, Lady Li became excited upon hearing the news, "I—I’ll go back with you; we don’t have to wait for our son to pass the Scholar examination."

The eldest Zhou, also feeling pity for his wife who hadn’t returned for many years, agreed, "Alright, I’ll go tell mother."

Zhulan received the news; just a few days ago, the eldest daughter-in-law was still talking about her parents. She knew the daughter-in-law missed her family, especially after the drought last year. Even though Chang Zhi had returned and said the Li Family Village was doing well, the eldest daughter-in-law still worried and wouldn’t be at ease until she saw it for herself, "Alright, let’s go back together."

Later, Zhulan asked Mrs. Song to pick out gifts from the storeroom to take back to the in-laws. Speaking of which, the only friendly tie the Zhou family had was with the Li family.

At the teahouse, Shi Huai was extremely excited; his son was no longer stopping him from leaving the estate, and he was free to do as he pleased. Yesterday, he watched the parade with regret for not having seen his son in it, sipping tea with his head down when he felt someone sit opposite him. Thinking it was Yu Dang, he looked up, "Ah, Mr. Gu, what a coincidence! I thought you had left the capital."

Gu Ren smiled, "I still had some unfinished business, so I stayed a bit longer. And to think I’ve run into you again, it truly is a coincidence."