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

Chapter 1815: Chapter 1815: A Joyous Occasion

Since the timing of the Spring Exams has changed, it actually gives the exam-taking Graduates more time to prepare, and the teahouse, which was lively the previous year, has become quiet.

After the New Year, Marquis Zhou’s Residence has also entered a tense atmosphere, and the young servants and maids in Chang Xhong’s courtyard walk as quietly as cats.

All the servants in the Hou Residence are aware of Mr. Hou’s expectations for the young master. The servants of various residences also make comparisons, and all say that the Hou Residence can’t produce a Top Scorer; they are indeed upset.

Today, Zhulan took a carriage to the academy, as it was the first day of school. The academy had a holiday of twenty days, beginning on the sixteenth day of the lunar New Year.

Today was also the day to pay for fees, and when she arrived, the academy was already full of people. Since the lunar New Year had not concluded, families were still at leisure; most parents came to see their children off, while some were only accompanied by their fathers, and others came as whole families.

Shao Ting and Jiang Ling split duties, one handling admissions and the other managing fee collection, and Zhulan specifically went to the Accounting Room for a glance before leaving.

When she saw Jiang Ling, Zhulan asked, "Was the fee collection smooth?"

Jiang Ling’s face was joyful, "Smooth indeed. Some children found ways to earn Silver Coins over these twenty days, and combined with what they saved before, it was enough to pay the fees this year without using Silver Coins prepared by their families."

Zhulan smiled too, "They are all good children who’ve put their heart into studying."

Jiang Ling liked girls who were self-sufficient and strong-willed. Only by respecting oneself could one strive for their future.

Admissions at the academy went smoothly, and Zhulan also met some students’ parents; this was also a form of encouragement. She only took the carriage back to the city in the afternoon.

By the time she reached the front of her home, the sky was already dark. Zhulan happened to pull aside the carriage curtain and let out a sound of surprise.

Qing Xue hurriedly asked, "What is it, Madam?"

Zhulan waited until the mansion gate opened; the coachman was about to drive the carriage into the mansion when Zhulan signaled the carriage to stop for a moment, and instructed the coachman, "Ask the person in front why they are lingering at the mansion gate."

Qing Xue also saw the individual occasionally glancing towards the Hou Residence, looking as though they wanted to approach but didn’t dare, "Madam, let’s head inside first."

"Alright."

Just after returning to the main courtyard, a servant reported that the man had left before he could speak up, and Zhulan suppressed her doubts, thinking she would find out sooner or later if that person came again.

Time passed bit by bit, and now daytime was still not long; by the time the government office closed, it was already dark.

Chang Zhi sat dozing inside the carriage, resting with his eyes closed, when the carriage suddenly stopped. Chang Zhi awoke abruptly, frowning as he asked, "What’s wrong?"

The coachman replied, "Sir, someone is blocking the carriage saying they know you."

Chang Zhi signaled for the carriage light to shine a bit, recognized the person, and was surprised, "It’s you. Why did you come looking for me instead of studying well?"

By the light, he saw clearly that he was almost home.

Lau Mingsheng was freezing, and he didn’t dare knock on the Marquis Zhou’s door because this area was home to either Princes or high officials. His legs grew weak just stepping in, so he could only endure while waiting for the official to return. With a thud, he knelt down, "Sir, please help this student once."

Chang Zhi was taken aback. After their previous meeting, he had paid no attention to Lau Mingsheng, understanding that Lau Mingsheng would not seek him out, and he was satisfied that Lau Mingsheng was sensible. After scrutinizing him for a while, he finally spoke, "What happened to you? How were you sure this is my carriage?"

Lau Mingsheng’s legs were almost entirely numb from the cold, and he had no choice but to say, "Student didn’t know Sir was in this carriage. I planned to stop each one that passed."

Chang Zhi signaled for Lau Mingsheng to stand, "No need to kneel."

Another carriage soon rolled to a halt, and at one glance, Chang Zhi called out, "Father."

Zhou Shuren had opened the carriage window, "What’s the commotion here?"

Chang Zhi explained who Lau Mingsheng was and what had just occurred, "Father, you should go on and rest; I’ll handle this."

Zhou Shuren closed the window after giving a nod, signaling for the carriage to move on.

After the carriage left, Chang Zhi didn’t want to suffer the cold outside because the carriage wasn’t that warm, so he indicated for Lau Mingsheng to come on board, which proved a bit challenging for Lau Mingsheng as he trembled from the cold.

Chang Zhi handed over his hand-warmer, "Warm yourself up first."

Lau Mingsheng carefully thanked him before accepting the hand-warmer, and the ride back to the Hou Residence was silent.

Chang Zhi brought him to the small hall in the front courtyard, indicated to serve some Ginger Tea so Lau Mingsheng could warm up, and went back to change his clothes.

Lau Mingsheng found warmth gradually returning as he sipped the Ginger Tea, his throat thawing, and only then did he observe the small hall. He was slightly surprised to get into the Hou Residence so smoothly; ever since he learned about Mr. Zhou’s status, he hadn’t thought of forming any ties with him.

Chang Zhi returned promptly, "Speak, what favor do you require from this official?"

Lau Mingsheng greeted him, "Sir, this student has a wife and children. I cannot divorce my wife for remarriage; please assist me, sir."

Chang Zhi nearly spat out his tea, "Ah?"

Lau Mingsheng, nearly thirty, looked more aged than his actual years. Although capital matchmakers are selective, Lau Mingsheng surprisingly had someone interested in him.

Lau Mingsheng was slightly embarrassed, "Sir, this student doesn’t understand why it has to be me."

Chang Zhi became intrigued, "Which family?"

Lau Mingsheng replied, "The Deputy Minister of Rites’s daughter’s family."

Chang Zhi concentrated on Lau Mingsheng before realizing it was likely related to him. Although the previous meeting with Lau Mingsheng involved little direct interaction, those with an interest remembered it. Coupled with the fact that his second brother was at the Ministry of Rites, offering their daughter this way showed sincerity, assuming that Lau Mingsheng won his appreciation.

Lau Mingsheng’s mind was troubled; he wasn’t someone to forsake kindness. His wife had stood by him through hardships, and he couldn’t leave her now.

Chang Zhi, understanding the situation, saw Lau Mingsheng as somewhat connected, "Rest assured, they won’t trouble you further."

Lau Mingsheng delightedly expressed, "Thank you, sir."

Chang Zhi did not keep Lau Mingsheng for dinner nor tested him further, instead arranging a carriage to send him back.

Chang Zhi first dined upon returning to his own courtyard, then sought out his second brother to discuss Lau Mingsheng’s episode, "Second Brother, inform Deputy Minister Jiang about this tomorrow."

Chang Yi replied, "The Ministry of Rites’ turnover of personnel is anticipated. Lau Mingsheng is seen favorably because of you, though whether Deputy Minister Jiang plans for himself or another remains uncertain."

Chang Zhi raised two fingers, unable to contain a chuckle, "Is the Emperor’s stance not evident? With two princesses controlling palace matters, and the Crown Prince’s status rock-solid, what’s there to leap about for? It wouldn’t be better for the Third Prince to see matters for what they are?"

"Easier said than done; how many within the Royal family remain clear-headed? They’ll settle down once their heads get bashed."

Days slipped by, and before they knew it, the first month of the lunar year was gone. Chang Xhong’s focus was solely on studying; he was incessantly tested. Initially, Rongchuan would occasionally visit, but later on, Zhou Shuren couldn’t resist instructing his son at night.

Chang Zhi stopped tutoring Ming Rui and Ming Hui altogether, devoting his evenings to overseeing Chang Xhong’s revision.

The mere sight of Ming Hui and his brothers gave one chills, while Ming Rui remarked wistfully, "The household is holding in a collective anticipation."

Ming Hui quickly caught on, "Are the stakes high outside?"

Ming Rui, who often heard from his younger brother-in-law about the stakes, replied affirmatively, "Yes."

Ming Jung swallowed a bit anxiously, "Uncle’s burden is immense."

Ming Rui laughed, "I feel the greater the pressure, the more determined Uncle becomes to prove himself."

Some fear pressure, but Uncle instead thrives under it, possessing exceptional psychological resilience.

As the Spring Exams drew nearer, the Zhou family also received some joyful news. One day, Ming Rui and Ming Hui headed to the palace.