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

Chapter 1822: Chapter 1822: National Fortune

Chang Xhong’s success as the top scholar drew more attention to him. Zhou Shuren feared his youngest son would be schemed against, warning him of the Duke of Yongan’s household.

Zhou Shuren did not believe that his presence would ensure peace, as many lose their sanity in the face of interests.

Chang Xhong was very obedient, leaving home once to check the results and never leaving again. He turned down all invitations with the ready excuse that he was preparing for the palace examination, and no one dared to disturb him, fearing that it would cause Marquis Zhou’s household to miss out on the top scorer title resulting in grudges.

Zhulan also learned about Yang Xiu from Chang Xhong’s mouth. This time, Yang Xiu struggled to get the fifth place and was her son’s competitor.

That day, Chang Yi was off duty at home and came to the main hall after breakfast to talk with his mother.

Zhulan asked, "I heard your father say the Ministry of Rites has drafted a list?"

Chang Yi was used to his father discussing everything with his mother, "Yes, you know that the Ministry of Rites wants to bring in a batch of people. Now that the list is out, the Ministry of Rites has drafted a review list, with a total of fifty people on it."

Zhulan raised an eyebrow, "How do you know so clearly?"

Chang Yi smiled, "I saw it at the deputy minister’s place, as the deputy minister has a good relationship with me."

With his background and the fact that he’s not involved in the Ministry of Rites’ disputes, he held some face in front of the deputy ministers.

Zhulan asked, "Did you see the list?"

Chang Yi nodded, "I glanced over, and two familiar to my fourth brother’s are on the list."

Zhulan was moved, "Yang Xiu, and the other one with the surname Liu, what’s his first name again?"

Chang Yi recalled clearly, "Lau Mingsheng."

"Yes, that’s him."

Zhulan had a good impression of Lau Mingsheng. Many would abandon their wives for future prospects, and some even went as far as demoting their wives to concubines. Lau Mingsheng’s steadfastness was rare!

Chang Yi laughed, "This time Lau Mingsheng got into the top hundred, and I have high hopes for him."

Zhulan thought for a moment, "This list must not have been easy to draft!"

Chang Yi nodded, "As it doesn’t concern me, I mostly watch the show. By the way, I heard there’s going to be a dedicated Girls Academy opened?"

"Has the news been released?"

Chang Yi, "It’s not widespread yet, only a few in the Ministry of Rites know."

Zhulan said, "I indeed suggested it to Rongchuan. After the new year, more started coming to the academy for dedicated studies. I plan to see how it goes after the autumn harvest. Do you have any ideas?"

She told Rongchuan with a probing intention.

Chang Yi smiled, "You have already started the Girls Academy, and the academy was very successful with women proving their abilities. Upon hearing the news, the Ministry of Rites didn’t react excessively."

The Girls Academy did not have male instructors, and even if there were, they were eunuchs, so it would not affect the girls’ reputation. The Emperor supported women’s education, and many official wives also hired tutors for their daughters at home, so the acceptance was quite high when the news leaked out.

The next day, Zhulan went to the academy but did not see Jiang Ling, only Shao Ting by herself, "Where is your sister-in-law?"

Shao Ting’s cheeks flushed, and she stammered, "My sister-in-law said I’m getting older and had no elders in the family to save dowry for me. The lumber ordered by her arrives, and she has gone to check it."

Zhulan understood, Jiang Ling bought timbers for Shao Ting to craft a bed and other furniture, "Your sister-in-law treats you like her own sister."

Shao Ting felt embarrassed yet touched. Since the Hou Residence let it be known, her sister-in-law has been busy helping her prepare dowry. She knew her family’s situation well, and her big brother could at most give two hundred Silver Coin, and in the end, it was her sister-in-law who decided to use her savings to prepare the dowry for her.

Zhulan stayed until the afternoon to see Jiang Ling. Jiang Ling said, "Dean, you are here."

Zhulan was holding newly compiled books to take back. Seeing Jiang Ling, she asked, "Did you buy the wood?"

Jiang Ling’s face was full of joy, "Yes, fortunately, I ordered it early, otherwise someone else would have snatched it."

Zhulan thought and said, "Our Hou Residence is preparing a rich betrothal gift."

Jiang Ling understood, "The betrothal gifts can be taken away by my sister. I, as her sister-in-law, prepare it out of my sincerity."

She genuinely cared for her little sister-in-law, and naturally, it was also beneficial for her husband with the sister-in-law marrying into Hou Residence. For long-term consideration, to have her sister-in-law maintain dignity at Hou Residence meant they could also leverage more interest, understanding all in her heart.

Zhulan knew Jiang Ling had money, as she was good at managing it. Coming to the capital, she had her salary and occasional gifts from Zhulan, which Jiang Ling hardly spent, and at the year’s end, she had income from properties, making her quite affluent.

Sitting in the carriage, Zhulan thought, Jiang Ling was determined to prepare Shao Ting’s dowry well, and even without Ming Hui’s added Silver, the dowry was substantial.

To count carefully, Shao Ting’s dowry was more prosperous than many official households’ daughters.

Time turned to the day of the palace examination, and those who didn’t bet on Chang Xhong hoped he wouldn’t attend the examination, only to find their curses in vain.

Everyone met the Emperor. Chang Xhong was particularly calm. At this time, Chang Xhong wasn’t the least bit nervous, having met the Emperor and Crown Prince multiple times, he was used to it.

The Emperor even called Chang Xhong forward, "Your essay as the top scholar was excellent, I look forward to your performance today."

Chang Xhong confidently said, "Student will do my utmost best."

Others felt sour but found their nervousness alleviated, making it somewhat a good thing.

Two hours later, the Emperor had already made a round, and those who wrote fast had written a lot, but the Emperor was not satisfied with what he saw.

Chang Xhong was not writing fast, fearing he might have to rewrite if he misspelled a word, which would not only waste time but disrupt his thoughts. Today’s topic from the Emperor regarding the selection of talents for the Imperial court was about how to select talented individuals more comprehensively, hinting at a reform in the imperial examination.

The main examination topic was not extreme. Today, it wasn’t friendly to those who rigidly studied the eight-legged essay.

The Emperor wanted to see thoughts, for those who reached the palace exam, even if their thoughts were restrained, they weren’t foolish, sweat forming on their foreheads.

The Emperor left midway to handle state affairs, while the Crown Prince, also not idle, held a newspaper. The newspaper reported new laws, and after promoting the new laws, the Ministry of Justice handled several cases, proving the effectiveness of the new laws. With the aim for better law promotion, this month’s newspapers were all related to laws.

The Crown Prince wasn’t one for nitpicking but enjoyed finding loopholes. He felt the laws could be further embellished, having plans in mind but not in a hurry.

When the time was up, the papers were left on the desks, and everyone left orderly. Today, some people’s mental states collapsed, crying outside the main hall because they hadn’t finished writing!

Chang Xhong thought somberly, reforms will certainly eliminate some people; for the dynasty, reform is like injecting vitality as a national fortune.

At the palace gates, Zhou Shuren had left the government office early, standing at the palace gate creating a clearing, his expression too stern for people wishing to curry favor to dare approach.

Zhou Shuren still had fairly good eyesight, spotting the long queue at a glance, finally showing a smile on his face.

Chang Xhong saw his father at once, running over as soon as he exited the palace gates, "Father, you came to pick me up."

Zhou Shuren looked at his son, filled with mixed emotions, "Come on, let’s have a good few drinks today between us father and son."

Chang Xhong feared a bit, as his father’s wine capability was impressive, "Are you planning to get your son drunk!"

Zhou Shuren laughed heartily, "Yes, today let’s have a contest between us father and son."

Chang Xhong smiled, "Father, you have to attend early court tomorrow."

Zhou Shuren, "..."