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

Chapter 1818: Chapter 1818: Green with Envy

Early the next morning, Chang Xhong came to the main courtyard for breakfast, and Zhulan asked, "Did you know your father came to see you last night?"

Chang Xhong laughed, "I heard from the maid this morning."

Zhulan said, "You really sleep soundly."

Chang Xhong raised an eyebrow, "My schedule is regular at home, so I’m not on alert. I sleep particularly soundly."

Zhou Shuren finished breakfast first, went out to rinse his mouth, and returned to sit on a chair beside them, saying, "This year, the scrutiny is exceptionally strict. Don’t be nervous when you go in, and if anyone deliberately makes things difficult for you, come back and tell me."

Chang Xhong replied, "Father, I’m not afraid."

Zhou Shuren nodded, "It’s gotten colder the past few days. If you feel uncomfortable, don’t force yourself. Missing one opportunity is missing it."

Chang Xhong feared falling ill near the exam and had been careful about his health recently. Hearing his father was concerned about his health, he felt warm inside, "I’ll listen to you."

Zhulan also finished breakfast, glanced at the time, and said to her son, "Do you want to go back and rest a bit more?"

Chang Xhong shook his head, "No."

After the girls cleared the table, Zhulan and her husband found themselves speechless, having repeated all they had to say several times.

The time passed bit by bit, and Steward Ding came in and said, "Mr. Hou, the carriage is ready."

Zhou Shuren stood up and said, "Let’s go, I’ll escort you to the examination venue."

Zhulan also wanted to go, having changed early into her outdoor clothes. Now that the weather was turning cold again, all three donned thick cloaks.

They boarded the carriage, escorted by guards on horseback. Zhou Shuren didn’t plan to send his son to the venue discreetly.

The Hou Residence was some distance from the examination venue. By the time they arrived, a queue had already formed. Graduates from out of town had arrived earliest, and the carriage quickly stopped and couldn’t advance further.

Zhou Shuren got off the carriage first, then helped his wife, with his son being the last to disembark.

Today, Steward Ding was driving the carriage. Chang Xhong said, "Old steward, you worked hard."

Steward Ding replied, "It’s not hard."

Zhou Shuren smiled. Today, Steward Ding wasn’t driving to earn benefits; years of master-servant relationship had formed a bond.

The colonel maintaining order spotted Marquis Zhou but didn’t come over due to his duty. He realized the rumors were true; Marquis Zhou truly favored his son.

When Zhou Shuren brought his son forward to queue, the colonel finally said, "Marquis Zhou personally escorts the young master. The young master will surely achieve his desires."

Zhou Shuren laughed, "Thank you for your kind words."

He too indulged in some superstition; everything was going smoothly today, indicating a good omen. Beyond this point, he couldn’t go further. He watched his son undergoing the first inspection for prohibited items and waited until his son joined the queue before turning to leave.

Zhou Shuren returned to where his wife was standing, which happened to give a view of the main gate.

Zhulan looked at the long line, "Have to queue for a while."

"Yes, fortunately, we brought thick cloaks."

The capital’s nobility all recognized the Hou Residence’s carriage. Today, not only Zhou Shuren was escorting children to the examination venue, but everyone had the tact not to disturb them.

After less than an hour, Chang Xhong finally entered the main gate. There were two more rounds of checks beyond the gate. Although there were more inspections, they didn’t much affect the speed of entering the examination venue.

Chang Xhong verified his information. As he was considered a celebrity in the capital, there were advantages. Most examiners recognized him, so the verification was just a formality, whereas out-of-town graduates had to have their information thoroughly checked.

Inside the examination venue, Chang Xhong had lucky draw good positioning; not near the smelly spot—cold weather didn’t ferment the smell, but it was still unpleasant.

If someone with cleanliness obsession had bad luck, it would be awful!

Chang Xhong sorted his belongings, inspecting his cubicle. It was said that the capital was underneath, and Chang Xhong didn’t know how other regions’ venues were repaired, but the capital’s venue was thoughtfully restored.

While sitting and handling the brush and ink, he heard a sound and looked up to see a young man entering the opposite cubicle and was surprised; truly it was fate.

Yang Xiu placed his belongings and looked up, also surprised. Due to the no-talking rule, he only pursed his lips; his Jade Pendant was still pawned!

Chang Xhong observed Yang Xiu’s preparations and his attire. After helping Yang Xiu, he hadn’t inquired further. Today he saw Yang Xiu earned Silver Coin, indeed using the pawned items for urgent needs.

Outside the venue, Zhou Shuren waited a while longer to confirm his son had entered successfully. After standing for a while and feeling tired, he planned to return home.

Zhulan didn’t wish to stroll either—her heart felt quite heavy.

Back home, the couple took a nap together. Yesterday, their son slept well, but they had been restless, recalling many of their son’s funny moments.

Lady Li and several others had been keeping an eye on the main courtyard, feeling relieved knowing the parents were back.

Zhou Changzhi said to his wife, who was doing accounts, "Did you see? The youngest is different; when Mingyun took the imperial exams, the old man wasn’t like this."

Lady Li swiftly maneuvered her abacus before looking up, "Feeling sour at your age?"

Zhou Changzhi replied, "A bit sour, but mostly I’m impressed, which shows the parents are getting softer."

Lady Li agreed, "Indeed, the parents have changed a lot these past two years. I’m not as afraid of the old man anymore."

Zhou Changzhi scoffed, "Don’t exaggerate."

His wife seemed like a mouse seeing a cat when facing the old man; if the old man had a stern face, she would be scared and want to hide.

Lady Li grabbed a frozen pear from the table and lobbed it over. Zhou Changzhi deftly caught it and took a bite, "Trying to murder me?"

Lady Li knew her limits and decided not to respond, continuing to go through the account book. Suddenly she said with a smile, "I’ve exchanged all the tip Silver, and tomorrow I’ll have a few girls pack red envelopes."

Zhou Changzhi was delighted, "You sure have faith in the little brother."

"As if you don’t. How can I put it, I just feel the little brother is different. Before our son took the exams, he was outwardly calm but inwardly tense. Look at the little brother, he’s genuinely not nervous."

Zhou Changzhi concurred and added, "I won’t be going out much recently."

As the future Marquis Zhou, some necessary social engagements required his presence. While some feared his father, they were not afraid of him; they dared not joke with his father, all focusing their jest at him, unaware how many wished his little brother to be the second-place scholar!

Lady Li added, "This year, only two in the Zhou family are participating in the spring exams."

Zhou Changzhi laughed, "These two are older and can’t wait any longer; other graduates in the family can continue to hone skills and seek more stability."

Lady Li only said one sentence, knowing that the Li family had no chance. The Li family’s status needed gradual improvement.

Inside the venue, all participating graduates had entered, the doors closed, waiting for them to open again.

In Hanlin Academy, Mr. Qi secretly asked Zhou Changzhi, "Did you provide your brother with any exam predictions?"

Zhou Changzhi raised an eyebrow, "He doesn’t need predictions."

Mr. Qi was a bit stunned. His family too had a child participating, and he had pressed a lot of exam predictions with several brothers, intending to compare them with Zhou Changzhi’s predictions, "So confident?"

Changzhi chuckled, "He’s done all the necessary problems."

Thus, predictions lacked true significance.

Mr. Qi silently admitted that although joking about the Hou Residence frequently producing second-place scholars, everyone knew the Hou Residence was impressive. He admired the man before him, and another thought of the two Zhou sons who received the Emperor’s rewards. Mr. Qi acknowledged he felt as if soaked in vinegar, "Why are they all born into your family?"