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

Chapter 1823: Chapter 1823: Everyone Gets Rich

After the palace examination ended, Chang Xhong thought he would enjoy a few leisurely days. However, on the second day after the examination, he was unable to sleep in, as his fourth brother called him up early in the morning, bringing with him a pile of books, mostly about foreign astronomy and such topics.

Chang Xhong was dumbfounded. Sitting on the bed with his hair uncombed and messy, he asked, "Fourth brother, what do you mean by this?"

Chang Zhi pointed to the books, "You forgot you said you’d help Ming Rui and the others sort the books."

Chang Xhong’s sleepiness vanished completely, "Aren’t their duties gone?"

"Their duties have become mine, as your brother."

Chang Xhong laid back, thinking he couldn’t refuse his biological brother’s request after agreeing to help his nephew. He silently pulled the quilt over his head and said muffledly, "Let me sleep till I’m awake."

Chang Zhi felt sorry for his younger brother. When the youngest was born, he was already a teenager. The older brothers, who said they were jealous, actually raised him like a son. He stood up and said to his younger brother, "Go ahead, sleep."

Hearing footsteps walking away, Chang Xhong dozed off again after laying for a while, but with matters on his mind, he didn’t sleep well, and got up in less than two hours.

The young servant, hearing movement, said, "Young master, I’ll get the kitchen to send breakfast over now."

Chang Xhong nodded, "Alright."

The young servants primarily served the young master of the Marquis Zhou’s residence. The steward in the courtyard was a married woman, not a young girl. Personal attendants were not top-tier maids, though there were a few third-tier maids responsible for cleaning. There were no sewing maids, as the family kept quite a few embroidery women.

The young master of Marquis Zhou residence did not take concubines, and Zhulan managed strictly, so the maids in the household behaved properly.

After washing up and having breakfast, Chang Xhong went to the main courtyard, and saw that his sister-in-law was also there.

Zhulan smiled and asked, "Did you get enough sleep?"

Chang Xhong greeted his sister-in-law and smiled, "I’m awake."

Zhulan noticed her son’s gaze on the list in her hand and explained with a smile, "This is Ming Hui’s betrothal gift list."

Chang Xhong asked, "Has the date been selected?"

Lady Li replied, "It was chosen long ago, just waiting for the final imperial exam results now."

Zhulan asked, "Do you want to take a look?"

Chang Xhong shook his head. He knew about Ming Hui’s private actions. Ming Hui had put considerable thought into ensuring Miss Shao had impressive dowry.

Zhulan said to her eldest daughter-in-law, "You’ve had a hard time these days."

Ming Hui’s betrothal gifts had been revised multiple times; the amount remained unchanged, but Lady Li, concerned for her son, constantly swapped out items until today’s list was the final outcome.

Lady Li smiled, "Mother, I’ll head back first."

"Alright."

Seeing his mother looking at him, Chang Xhong asked curiously, "Mother, why are you looking at me like this?"

Zhulan said, "Seeing the betrothal gifts reminds me of your own marriage. You’re not young anymore, and Mother wonders if we should set a wedding date with the Wei family."

Chang Xhong couldn’t keep calm anymore and said shyly about his marriage, "Mother."

Zhulan laughed, "What’s there to be shy about?"

Chang Xhong also thought about his own betrothal gifts, which were much more than his nephews’. Thinking of his fiancée, the corners of his mouth lifted a bit, but then he wilted as he had wanted to invite his fiancée for an outing, which was now all for naught.

Returning from the main courtyard, Chang Xhong first wrote a letter to his fiancée, apologizing for the change in plans. Upon receiving her reply, she also wanted to learn some foreign books and hoped he could recommend a few.

This made Chang Xhong’s heart feel soft, as his fiancée was doing it all for him.

In the following days, Chang Xhong was busy every day. Initially, he wanted Ming Hui and Ming Rui to join him, but seeing Ming Rui running to the embassy daily and Ming Hui busy with his wedding, he had to give up.

The waiting period was tough for Chang Xhong, and things outside were not calm either. Participants without a background, young ones, and those whose families hadn’t arranged marriages were all prospects for sons-in-law. Those with great potential were courted, while those with less sought ways to make connections.

The topics of the palace examination spread, and those with foresight who studied subjects at the men and women’s academies realized that changes in the imperial examination were coming. Those rigid and inflexible were anxious and uneasy.

Someone tentatively questioned the Emperor, but the answer was chilling, realizing the imperial examinations would reform and couldn’t help but hold onto a thread of hope. Unfortunately, since the Emperor set the questions, he was already determined.

The ministers privately discussed this too. The old foxes said nothing, for jumping around would be pointless now. The Emperor’s public approval had reached its peak, and with so much power in his hands, the recent big moves explained everything. The ministers clearly saw that the Emperor wouldn’t indulge them!

After the morning court, Zhou Shuren was stopped by the Minister of Rites, "As long as it’s not about silver coin, we can chat."

The Minister of Rites was at a loss, as the Ministry of Revenue, under Zhou Shuren’s management, had numerous forms to fill out for silver application, making his head ache upon seeing them.

When Zhou Shuren saw no reply, "If nothing’s up, I’ll take my leave."

The Minister of Rites said, "There is. In front of the Emperor, you are the first. None of us can match you. You know about the Emperor’s exam topics; could you give me some pointers?"

Zhou Shuren understood that the Ministry of Rites would be the one struggling most over the exam reform, but he couldn’t say it out loud, "You overestimate me. I deal with silver and coins daily. I could advise the Ministry of Rites to apply for less silver, but otherwise, I am just an old father waiting for the palace exam results."

The exam results weren’t out yet; how could he advise? If it spread, people might think he knew the exam topics beforehand!

Did his child reach this point easily? He wasn’t going to set traps for his son!

The Minister realized and quickly said, "Look at me, I’ve been so bothered by questions lately that I haven’t rested well. I spoke nonsense today."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Look at those dark circles; you do need a good rest."

He empathized with the Minister of Rites. If not consulting the Minister of Rites, who else could one seek for exam matters?

After a few more words, the Minister of Rites left, and then the Minister of War approached, "The results will be out in a few days. I privately placed a bet on your youngest son."

Zhou Shuren, "...."

This truly surprised him. He didn’t expect so many people to favor his son. A few days ago, he ran into Zheng Hong, who also placed a bet on Chang Xhong!

Fortunately, he hadn’t revealed his identity, otherwise, things would have been quite a spectacle when the list was released.

Mr. Gong whispered, "See if the silver applied by the Ministry of War could be approved quicker?"

Zhou Shuren twitched his mouth, distinguishing Mr. Gong from Li Zhao. Mr. Gong was more tactful and likable with his sly thoughts. It hadn’t been long, yet the Minister of War’s position was solid.

Days passed by, and the day of the results finally arrived. The Emperor gave no hint to Zhou Shuren, but Zhou Shuren wasn’t blind; the good mood of the Emperor and the Crown Prince was apparent, clearly indicating they had made gains.

Inwardly excited, Zhou Shuren was proud of his son’s achievements. He shared this privately with his wife, and the couple managed to remain composed without showing it.

On the day of the results, Chang Xhong, confident yet fearing a mishap, was there, along with the Fourth Prince and several others like Wu Shangheng.

The ensemble was quite significant. Learning from past experience, they had sent someone ahead to secure a spot, and yes, they reserved the best position where the top scorer’s name would be visible first.

Chang Xhong looked at the Fourth Prince on the left and the future prince consort on the right. Who would dare approach this setup!

As a result, all eyes were on Chang Xhong, filled with meanings, and some maliciously hoped that he hadn’t achieved the top scorer, thus shaming Marquis Zhou’s residence completely.

When the time arrived, the official posting the list paused upon seeing Chang Xhong and his companions, thinking to themselves that Young Master Zhou achieved the Grand Slam, along with Xiao Sanyuan. Tsk tsk, Marquis Zhou’s residence finally produced a top scorer, regretting not placing a bet!