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

Chapter 343: Chapter 343 The House is Gone_1

Although Zhou Shuren’s mind was not a computer, he could only memorize things by rote or remember key words. He thought to himself that he would write them down from memory when he got home, repeating the names of people and places silently in his mind. An eunuch approached, ”Zhou, the second-place scholar, the Emperor summons you.”

Zhou Shuren had anticipated this; he had made the rounds like a busy bee, and it would have been odd for the Emperor not to seek him out. Correct, the banquet customs of our dynasty are so liberal, he thought he could only sit in his own place, drinking while listening to the Emperor’s lengthy and soporific speeches. He hadn’t expected that the Emperor had spoken only a few words in total!

Zhou hadn’t studied the imperial banquet customs of the dynasty thoroughly, and only after sitting for a while and seeing the Third-rank Scholar getting up did he realize, oh, palace banquets are not bad—the fact that it was permissible to move around freely was extremely convenient for him, and he liked it very much.

Following the eunuch, Zhou felt a tinge of excitement within, and to be honest, he truly admired the Emperor. Now that he could get close to the Emperor, his excitement simmered. He reminded himself to stay composed, which allowed him to approach without a change in his expression.

Unaware of the excitement in Zhou’s mind, the Emperor was very pleased with Zhou’s calm and composed demeanor.

When Zhou paid his respects, the excitement in his heart dissipated—who enjoys kowtowing? Back in the modern day, he hadn’t knelt even once, for he was an orphan without parents to kneel before, even if he had wished to.

In ancient times, however, things were different—today, he had knelt so much that his knees turned blue!

After Zhou stood up, the Emperor permitted him to sit, and Zhou did so graciously, ”Thank the Emperor.”

The Emperor, Zhang Yu, smiled even more deeply. He had intentionally called on Zhou Shuren first, and Zhou had not disappointed him, showing no fear of envy. Cough, although Lizhou Prefecture City was a headache, after all, it was a starting position from a Five-rank Official. The decree during the day had stunned everyone, and now that they had cooled down, there were still those envious of Zhou. He observed it most clearly from above, ”Serve the wine.”

Zhou thought to himself, the Palace is truly the Palace—the wine today was the finest he had ever tasted. He wanted to drink more to compensate for the frustration he felt while kowtowing, ”Thank the Emperor.”

The Emperor’s smile was amiable, yet his eyes observed everyone below. Most of the officials’ progeny maintained their composure, but a few had sarcastic expressions on their faces. Did they look down on Zhou Shuren, or did they think he was a flash in the pan?

Some without significant backing were smart and continued to drink their wine, while the envious ones acted as if they felt their abilities were not inferior to Zhou’s.

The Emperor inwardly scoffed, human nature is indeed greedy. It was just a test, and some quickly revealed their true colors. The top degree candidates should have been waiting, but, instead, he had appointed all of them at once—some had become too full of themselves.

The Crown Prince sat aside, remembering his mother’s constant reminders. Father was just Father, the Emperor—a savvy manipulator of hearts. Look, Father seemed carefree, but inside, he was already keeping an account.

Zhou sipped his wine; it was good wine, and he was genuinely enjoying it. As for the Emperor’s probe, it was too blatant this time; there was no need to guess.

As for the other degree candidates, he understood them better than anyone. Among the seventy-nine, apart from Wu Ming and Zhao Bo, the rest wore polite faces but who knew what they truly thought!

The Emperor felt it was tiresome, his eyes deep as he said, ”I hear the residences you purchased have not met your expectations.”

Zhou Shuren, ”...”

”Heard about it,” pah, weren’t all these things checked by you?

Zhou Shuren put down his wine cup, ”Indeed, the two residences I bought were not to my liking.”

He had no illusions—no, it was already night—he hadn’t fantasized about the Emperor asking him this to gift him a residence!

The Emperor wanted to see the appointed second-place scholar change his expression, but unfortunately, that did not happen, ”I have quite a few residences in hand.”

Zhou was somewhat baffled; he really couldn’t follow the Emperor’s train of thought. He wondered what the Emperor would suggest next, asking him to buy them or planning to reward him with one? Both possibilities seemed virtually nil!

Zhou pursed his lips, ”Your humble servant is dull of understanding.”

Chiding oneself, huh, quite the novel experience!

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, while Zhou Shuren kept his head down, unable to discern his expression, ”I can bestow upon you a grand mansion with three courtyards, complete with gardens and ponds, offering delightful scenery in all seasons, however.”

Zhou Shuren, ”....”

He knew that there was no such thing as a simple affair.

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, since he had already been sent to Lizhou City, with his life hanging by a thread, he had nothing left to fear. A granted mansion would be of real benefit, ”Your servant thanks Your Majesty for the generous reward.”

The Emperor was silent, not hearing the but that followed. Observing Zhou Shuren kneeling, good, he rather had a thick skin.

The Crown Prince kept his head down while eating, a smile playing in his eyes. This second-place scholar was interesting; no wonder Father Emperor esteemed him. He had not held much expectation for Zhou Shuren going to Lizhou City, but now he could look forward a bit more.

The Emperor waited for Zhou Shuren to stand, his own face not so thin-skinned, ”The reward comes with a condition, in exchange for your mansion in Pinggang.”

The words were spoken softly, Zhou Shuren had to strain to catch them, otherwise, he wouldn’t have heard.

Zhou Shuren dared not ponder too deeply, hastily responding, ”Yes.”

The Emperor’s mouth curved into a smile, noticing everyone’s gaze upon him, he then spoke, ”However, you cannot occupy the mansion just yet. It will belong to you, my dear official, only once the citizens of Lizhou City have their food and clothing needs met. I am looking forward to your good news.”

Zhou Shuren, ”.....”

His mansion had been ensnared, Zhulan’s heart must be in pain!

The Emperor was quite pleased to see Zhou Shuren’s face change and gestured for him to step down. As Zhou Shuren returned to his place, the Emperor was internally delighted. He had long set his sights on three mansions, not in particularly conspicuous locations, perfect for surveillance, and currently obtained without cost, excellent indeed.

As for the mansion promised as a reward, he was keeping it aside for Zhou Shuren too. Whether he could obtain it would depend on Zhou Shuren’s own abilities.

Zhou Shuren, heart in distress, returned to his place. He had underestimated the shamelessness of the Emperor. Had the eunuch not informed him of the address of the mansion, he would have felt like vomiting blood now. Thinking of the mansion’s address, his mood improved slightly; as long as he met the Emperor’s requirements, they would have gained, for a mansion gifted by the Emperor could not be bought with money!

Afterward, the Emperor called upon the Third-rank Scholar. The Emperor was all smiles with him, Zhou Shuren couldn’t discern what sort of motivational speech was given, but the Third-rank Scholar seemed fired up as if ready to accomplish great tasks.

Zhou Shuren sneered inwardly. The Emperor wanted to squeeze out all the value from the Third-rank Scholar. Swirling his wine cup, Zhou Shuren thought that the Emperor aimed to further consolidate power and would surely start cutting; this time, the blade hung over the skies of the capital. Thinking this way, being sent away was actually for the best.

The Emperor finally saw the Top scorer last, saying only a few words before dispatching Wu Ming. He made no attempt to conceal his disdain for the Top scorer.

Zhou Shuren did not dwell on Wu Ming. What Wu Ming was enduring was the result of his own choices. Moreover, being treated coldly could also be a form of training; the harsher the treatment, the stronger Wu Ming’s foundations would become. He would rather the Emperor disdain him a bit more!

At the Zhou residence, Zhulan had been waiting up all night for Zhou Shuren’s return. Zhou Shuren arrived home at eight in the evening, and as Zhulan greeted him, she immediately detected the strong smell of alcohol.

Zhulan supporting Zhou Shuren, ”How much have you had to drink?”

Zhou Shuren’s head spun, and he felt like cursing. He didn’t know who had started it, but by the end, everyone had come to toast him, and what was initially a clear head now buzzed with alcohol.