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

Chapter 1817: Chapter 1817: Betrothal Gifts

Too many young ladies in the capital envy Cousin, Fourth Uncle has betrothed her to Gu Sheng, and they’re secretly laughing behind her back, waiting to see Gu Sheng’s betrothal gifts!

Ming Hui said playfully, "Gu Sheng cannot be poor."

In the Hanlin Academy, taking advantage of the break, Gu Sheng was pondering what else he lacked. At the beginning of the year, he had started preparations for the betrothal gifts, and his elder brother had offered all his silver coins for them. Gu Sheng was moved but didn’t accept his brother’s silver coins, as his brother already had his own household.

Since Master Zhou officially confirmed him as a son-in-law, he hasn’t sold his paintings. Even if people offered high prices, he wouldn’t sell them. Earlier, he had asked the future prince consort to sell a few paintings to the south, earning him a considerable amount of silver, and combined with his savings and earnings, he could amass a betrothal gift of ten thousand taels.

Gu Sheng frowned, regretting that he couldn’t acquire antique calligraphy and paintings; the betrothal gifts still didn’t look impressive. The more he thought, the tighter his brows furrowed.

Chang Zhi today took charge of compiling books and had recently selected the staff. He thought of Gu Sheng, so he specifically sought him.

Gu Sheng looked up and hurriedly stood up, "Sir."

Chang Zhi sat down and explained his purpose, "I initially didn’t want to intervene in your future, but today I took the duty to compile books. Don’t underestimate compiling books; I noticed from above there are big moves, so I wanted to ask if you would continue to stay in the Hanlin Academy?"

Gu Sheng quickly bowed, "Thank you, sir, for considering me. I’ve already agreed with the future prince consort, who has helped me operate privately."

Chang Zhi sighed with regret upon hearing this, then relaxed, realizing everyone has their luck, "Since that’s the case, just pretend I didn’t say anything."

Gu Sheng said, "Thank you, sir, for thinking of me."

Chang Zhi, being very busy, got up and left, while Gu Sheng didn’t feel regretful; he had plans for his future.

At the time to leave the government office, Gu Sheng stepped outside and saw the prince consort Wu Shangheng, "Why are you here?"

Wu Shangheng motioned towards the carriage, Gu Sheng got in and found it nearly full with boxes, "What did you buy again?"

Wu Shangheng pointed to the boxes, "I brought these out to trade with you for your paintings."

Gu Sheng suspiciously opened the boxes, inside the long ones were ancient paintings, while the other boxes contained pairs of ornaments. He had trained his eye with Wu Shangheng, so he was well aware of the value of these items, "I know you want to help me, but I cannot take advantage of you; you’ve already helped me a lot."

Wu Shangheng replied, "Between friends, what advantage is there to speak of? I believe your paintings have collectible value. In the future, they might be worth a fortune. I exchanged all your paintings for these, and I feel I got a good deal."

On one hand, he was helping a friend, and on the other hand, he wasn’t lying. Plus, he particularly enjoyed seeing people’s faces slapped; they wanted to see a joke with the betrothal gifts, but he’d show them who the real joke was.

Gu Sheng bowed, "I appreciate your goodwill. If I delay again, it will be pretentious. In the future, if you want any painting, just say the word, and I’ll provide it free of charge."

Wu Shangheng laughed heartily, "I really got a good deal this time."

Time flew by, and the day before the spring examination arrived. The major case from last year’s imperial examination caused this year’s spring exam to be particularly strict. This time, no food was allowed to be brought into the exam hall; the exam hall would provide food, and some items were prohibited from being brought in, as announced early on the newspapers to the examinees.

New rules were pasted outside the exam hall, banning food, which received the agreeance of the graduates. Most examinees couldn’t take care of themselves, eating either cold hard biscuits or greasy pastries, but now there’s no need to worry about food, leaving them more time to rest.

Today, all the masters of the Zhou Hou Residence were at home; the family’s examinees had never caused such a commotion before, and even the married daughters had returned.

Zhou Shuren specifically took a half-day leave for his elder son’s spring examination, preparing to personally escort him to the exam hall tomorrow.

Chang Zhi, over thirty now, couldn’t help but sourly remark, "The elder son and the eldest grandson indeed are the heart’s root; look at how concerned the old master is!"

Zhou Shuren not only cared about his son but personally checked the items brought into the exam hall, examining them over three times.

Chang Xhong looked at the people in the room, his face remained smiling, and he patiently responded to everyone’s concern, even advising them not to worry about him.

Ming Jung and a few others sat in the corner, pulling their brother’s sleeve, "Brother, Uncle is amazing."

If it were him, he’d be terrified before the exam. Then, thinking about the exam questions Uncle went through, his back shivered; he decided not to attempt the Graduate exam until he became a Scholar at twenty-five.

Ming Hui also admired him, "And you should consider who taught Uncle."

Ming Jung swallowed hard; Uncle Wu Ming was also an impressive person, everyone knew about the Prairie Master Wu. Then he began to laugh secretly; by this count, his backers were not only numerous, but also powerful. Little Master not only could walk proudly but so could his descendants!

Ming Hui knocked his brother’s head, "Everyone’s watching you!"

Ming Jung looked up and laughed dryly, "Pretend I don’t exist."

Chang Xhong chuckled; among several nephews, Ming Jung was the funniest. He beckoned, "Come sit."

Ming Jung didn’t want to go but was eventually pushed out by his brother, squirming and finally getting kicked by his own father, clutching his buttocks with a frown, "It hurts."

The elder Zhou had a temper, thinking this boy was being meddlesome today, "Pain is good."

Zhulan glared and motioned for Ming Jung to sit, "Only Ming Jung has such an open heart. Ming Jung is already grown up, you still don’t know how to give the child some face!"

Zhou Shuren thought about Ming Jung’s weight, "Indeed, open heart and thick body."

Ming Jung tried to suck in his stomach; unfortunately, it remained round.

Lady Li said, speechless, "Stop sucking in; your stomach is firm."

The room erupted with laughter, Ming Jung’s ears turned red, and then he himself laughed, seeing the atmosphere becoming relaxed because of him.

That night the whole family shared a reunion dinner. As the main courtyard quieted down, after Zhulan and her husband washed up, Shuren showed no sign of resting. Then Zhulan saw Shuren putting on his cloak, "Where are you going?"

Shuren replied, "I’m going to check on our son."

Zhulan wanted to check on him too, but then she thought, "You go ahead."

Shuren wrapped his cloak tightly and went out, Zhulan shook her head with a laugh; she hadn’t seen her son was nervous, yet her husband was more anxious.

In Chang Xhong’s courtyard, the young servant on night duty saw the lantern, upon closer inspection recognized Mr. Hou, and quickly approached to greet, "Young servant greets Mr. Hou."

Zhou Shuren looked at the closed courtyard door, "Has the young master retired for the night yet?"

The young servant replied softly, "Already extinguished the lights to rest."

Even as servants, they admired their young master; they thought he’d be too nervous to sleep, but turned out they were wrong. At the set time, the young master promptly extinguished the lights to rest.

Zhou Shuren stood at the door, pondering for a moment, then said, "Be careful opening the door."

The young servant listened, opened the door, Zhou Shuren carried the lantern himself inside, not letting anyone follow. When he reached his son’s bedroom, the maid on night duty quickly opened the door.

With the lantern, the room brightened, Zhou Shuren carefully walked to the window, afraid to scare his son so he didn’t stand at the bedside. Seeing his son truly asleep with a smile on his lips, he watched for a while before turning to leave.

Chang Xhong had always slept well at home, and in deep sleep, little did he know that his father came to see him.