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

Chapter 1825: Chapter 1825: Scheming

The doctor arrived quickly, having been called upon by a familiar acquaintance. The doctor carefully felt the pulse, furrowing his brow before switching to another hand, making Lady Li’s daughters-in-law’s hearts rise to their throats.

The doctor withdrew his hand and said, “The old lady has recently experienced heightened emotions, combined with mental fatigue, which has caused discomfort. You are of an advanced age and should rest more to calm your spirit.”

Zhulan had been busy with academy affairs recently, indeed worrying quite a bit. Advancing women’s status step by step is not easy, and she dared not relax for a moment, particularly this crucial year and with concerns for her son. Zhulan felt somewhat guilty.

Lady Li was courteous to the doctor, saying, “Please prescribe some medicine.”

Dr. Bai, despite not agreeing to be jointly supported by the Hou Residence with another doctor, had frequented there for many years. The Hou Residence never bullied others, and these years’ interactions were quite agreeable. Naturally, the doctor was very attentive, prescribing medicine that was truly to treat the symptoms rather than conservative.

Lady Li sent someone to escort Dr. Bai back and also fetch the medicine, addressing her mother-in-law, “Mother, you must rest well.”

Zhulan nodded, “I will listen to you.”

Lady Li smiled, “You’re not listening to your daughters-in-law; you’re afraid of Father worrying.”

Zhulan, feeling somewhat guilty, feared Zhou Shuren’s anger, coughed softly, “Let’s go back too.”

Originally, she planned to visit the porcelain shop, but today there was no need.

With development, glass was no longer worth silver as it was, and many glass products became common. Instead, various porcelain prices soared.

Zhulan liked to store some valuable porcelain that could be passed down. As she and Shuren grew older, they both wanted to accumulate more treasures for their offspring!

Zhou Shuren was feeling frustrated here; he wanted to show off, but everyone slipped away quickly. He hadn’t even spoken before they congratulated him with one foot out the door!

Zhou Shuren waited in the Ministry of Revenue for Wong Ju, “Not giving me a chance to show off.”

Wong Ju, “… The list alone is boastful enough.”

Zhou Shuren huffed, “I endured for so long just to slap people directly in the face!”

Wong Ju was speechless, “No one is foolish.”

Knowing you’d get slapped in the face, not avoiding it, indeed foolish!

Zhou Shuren laughed again, “You didn’t see how fast Mr. Wen and several others ran. Tsk-tsk, like father like son, haha, my son truly resembles me!”

Wong Ju was truly happy for Chang Xhong’s success; the better the Hou Residence, the more beneficial for the Wong family, “Surely, there’s going to be a grand banquet!”

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, “Yes, I can personally write invitations to be sent to them. People may not come, but the gifts must arrive; otherwise, don’t blame me for blocking them after court.”

Wong Ju thought inwardly, this person is still narrow-minded as always, “They’ll have to bleed.”

Zhou Shuren felt comfortable now, “Did you come specially to congratulate me?”

“I know you need to share your unhappy feelings.”

Zhou Shuren rolled his eyes inelegantly, realizing this person came to watch the fun.

Wong Ju added, “Of course, I also want to thank you for speaking on behalf of our Wong family.”

He was the son who had to observe mourning for three years, his sons and grandsons for one year respectively. His son’s mourning position was filled, and upon ending the mourning, the Ministry of Personnel gave a notice that his son was promoted a level. Although he still had to leave the capital, it was a decent position. His grandson returned to the Ministry of Works, a department sizzling with positions. His grandson’s official position remained intact, not taken from him, clearly due not only to the Wong family but also Zhou Shuren.

The Wong family was not familiar with the Minister of Works; it was Zhou Shuren who was truly acquainted. Even the Minister of Works feared Zhou Shuren would cause trouble for his grandson-in-law and kept an eye on the position.

Zhou Shuren, “…..wasn’t your thanks too late? The elder’s anniversary is long past.”

He was a grateful man; he reminded the Emperor that the elder of the Wong family’s anniversary was approaching. The Emperor, feeling sentimental, sent people to the Wong residence, showing the Emperor’s stance and making those wanting to reach for resources withdraw their hands.

Of course, he had to protect his grandson-in-law. The Minister of Works was shrewd in his duties; Wong Ju’s eldest son really had nothing to do with him; it was all because the Emperor remembered the Wong family.

Wong Ju smiled, “Not too late; we are right for each other.”

Zhou Shuren knew too well the weight of his words in front of the Emperor, so he rarely spoke, “The Emperor always remembers you.”

This is the importance of having a good father; the Emperor had long planned for Wong Ju.

Wong Ju was indeed not worried about himself; he only needed to observe mourning diligently for three years and meanwhile plan for his son’s and grandson’s families.

With the spring exams over, the newly chosen top scorer Zhou had to return home to pay respects to his ancestors. Indeed, Chang Xhong would personally return home to pay respects – the first top scorer of the Zhou clan, significant not only to the Hou Residence but to the entire Zhou clan.

Eldest Zhou accompanied Chang Xhong home to pay respects to their ancestors, also traveling were those who had never returned home, Ming Jung and Ming Feng.

Chang Xhong’s schedule was tight; he had to quickly return home to pay respects and come back quickly. Chang Zhi had a lot of tasks waiting for Chang Xhong; if not for this tribute’s profound significance, Chang Zhi would hate to leave Chang Xhong and not go directly to Hanlin Academy.

Another member of the Zhou clan who participated in the spring exams achieved the degree, while one did not pass. Due to their advancing age and personal wish, Zhou Shuren helped arrange a local official post for one, leading the other to stop preparing for further examinations. Hence, they did not follow back home.

Zhou Shuren intended for this clan member to remain in the capital to learn new knowledge, sending them to the men’s academy for a few months first, then having them taught by Ming Rui and Ming Hui, before returning to the clan’s school after a year and a half.

Chang Xhong, besides paying respects to the ancestors, would bring back a few clan members to the capital to study; Zhou Shuren arranged this to prepare for future imperial examination reforms for the clan. The Zhou clan acts as a local beacon; with the Zhou clan leading, promoting various disciplines by the Imperial court in Pingzhou would be smoother.

After the Hou Residence banquet, sending off Eldest Zhou and Chang Xhong, the lively Hou Residence returned to peace, albeit just superficial tranquility.

Now the aristocratic families of the capital envied the Hou Residence; the palace examination topics implied examination reforms. After reading Zhou Chang Xhong’s paper, they understood he deserved the top scorer title, saw various things, and that the Zhou family harbored forward-thinking ideas. The Hou Residence’s education for children was comprehensive, covering various subjects, ensuring they would not be eliminated regardless of examination reforms.

Zhou Shuren wasn’t disturbed, but Chang Zhi and Chang Yi were unfortunate.

Chang Zhi had it worst, blocking people all the way to the Hanlin Academy; Chang Yi silently faced the goodwill of colleagues, finding it hard to express, “I am not from the orthodox origin.”

Colleagues chuckled, “Though you aren’t of imperial examination origin, I know you’ve learned much western knowledge; I was narrow-minded before.”

Chang Yi inwardly rolled his eyes, outwardly smiling sheepishly, “I am just a crude person; even the Zhezi I can’t write well in. As for western knowledge, I primarily focused on language learning.”

A colleague frowned; he wasn’t the first to seek Zhou Chang Yi. This one was carefree ignoring any advances!

Some old foxes understood that seeking Zhou Shuren was futile. While contemplating they placed more attention on the men’s academy, naturally not giving up on the Hou Residence, hoping for a stroke of luck!

Zhulan, on the contrary, was most relaxed; needing to recuperate, she relayed the message early so none disturbed her, aided by Zhou Shuren’s relations and Zhulan having asserted enough status and influence.

At the Hou Residence, Lady Li, when the time was right, invited a matchmaker to propose marriage to the Shao family. Eldest Zhou had not returned from home soon; the two families had already exchanged birthdays, moving step by step successfully engaged.