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

Chapter 694: Chapter 694 Special_1

Within the Hanlin Academy, Chang Lian stepped into the institute and immediately noticed Shen Yang standing alone. Shen Yang was not in a prominent position, but the area around him was conspicuously empty, making him stand out.

There weren’t many Scholars who stayed in the capital this time; some from both the second and third ranks were selected, with the majority from the second rank. There were also a few whose fathers were officials. Chang Lian had basically met them all at banquets, and since they were all Scholars, they had become quite familiar with one another after many conversations.

As soon as Chang Lian and Rongchuan entered, some people came over to talk.

Chang Lian said with a smile, ”I thought we arrived early enough, but it turns out you came even earlier.”

Mr. Lv, being relatively familiar, was the first to speak, ”It’s inevitable to arrive early in excitement, but we’ve only just arrived ourselves, and now we’re waiting!”

Chang Lian, noticing his sleeve was wrinkled, smoothed it out as he said, ”In the future, as we are both in the Hanlin Academy, I hope we can take care of each other.”

Mr. Lv smiled, ”Young Master Zhou jests. I’m waiting for you and Young Master Zhang to take care of me. After all, you both hail from illustrious families!”

Rongchuan had already been invited over by the Top scorer Young Master Liang. As the Top scorer was the Headmasterand Rongchuan the editor, they had already started conversing.

Shen Yang pursed his lips, feeling uneasy. He recognized familiar faces all around in the courtyard, yet he was alone. Even when he tried to strike up a conversation, people avoided him; he was already being ostracized.

Shen Yang took a deep breath, still, he knew Zhou Changlian, ”Young Master Zhou.”

Chang Lian, distant yet polite, replied, ”Scholar Shen.”

And then, silence ensued, leading to another awkward moment.

Mr. Lv spoke up, ”Young Master Zhou, I have some matters on which I’d like your advice, please, this way.”

Chang Lian followed the suggestion, ”Please.”

That was it, the two quickly moved away from Shen Yang.

Mr. Lv, once they were farther away, whispered, ”It would be wise for Young Master Zhou to keep some distance from Shen Yang.”

Chang Lian asked, ”What’s the matter?”

Mr. Lv’s voice dropped even lower, ”I’ve heard that Shen Yang shouldn’t have been placed in the second rank. Although his examination results were good, the palace examination is the palace examination. Several people from the third rank who stayed in the capital are quite indignant; they believe Shen Yang took their spot. In any case, it’s better to keep a distance from him.”

Chang Lian thought to himself, who had Shen Yang offended, and who was targeting him? This news must have been released on purpose. Everyone who made it through the exams carried pride; they all had spine. The release of this news was obviously meant to isolate Shen Yang. Indeed, keeping a distance from Shen Yang was the right choice, ”I’m clear on it now.”

The Headmaster Scholar arrived, looking at the young people in the institute with satisfaction. These were the future leaders. ”You all have joined the Hanlin Academy today. Remember to be careful in what you say and do. I have nothing else to say for now. In the days to come, learn more, listen more, and talk less. Alright, Scholars should follow the Study Attendant Scholar. Compilers and editors stay, you will follow me into the Palace shortly.”

The Headmaster Scholar paused and then added, ”Right, is the Scholar called Shen Yang here?”

Shen Yang was startled, ”I am Shen Yang.”

The Headmaster Scholar hummed in acknowledgment, ”You stay as well. You will also accompany me into the Palace.”

Shen Yang was first dumbfounded, then excited. Going to the Palace, he suppressed the excitement in his heart, ”Yes.”

Chang Lian looked towards Rongchuan, signaling him to be cautious, then followed the crowd. As he walked, Chang Lian pondered why Shen Yang was being seen separately when meeting the top candidates made sense; he couldn’t understand it.

Chang Lian looked at a few people around him. Although they didn’t communicate, they seemed to be wondering about the same thing.

An hour later, Headmaster Scholar led Rongchuan and a few others into the Palace. Walking along the roads of the Palace, the Headmaster Scholar said while walking, ”Hanlin Academy is quite close to the Palace. Since the previous dynasty, Hanlin Academy has not been within the Palace. In the future, you will also often walk this path, so you must remember it well.”

The Headmaster Scholar wanted to say more, but when he caught sight of Eunuch Liu looking stunned, he hurriedly addressed him, ”Eunuch Liu.”

With a smile, Eunuch Liu said, ”The Emperor has mentioned a few times how you haven’t arrived yet and signaled this humble servant to come out and look.”

The Headmaster Scholar, listening with his ears and pondering in his heart, instantly thought of Shen Yang. Shen Yang was special enough already, and now that Eunuch Liu had arrived, he was certainly here for someone special. ”Please, Eunuch Liu.”

Glancing quickly at Young Master Zhang, Eunuch Liu then lowered his head and walked ahead. Being the Emperor’s confidante and knowing much, he indeed could not back down at this time.

The Headmaster Scholar always held concerns in his heart. Just now, even though Eunuch Liu glanced over quickly, he was tall and had been watching Eunuch Liu intently, so he could not mistake that look.

Inside the government hall, the Emperor heard the announcement and signaled for them to enter.

The Headmaster Scholar led the group in paying respects, but the Emperor said, ”Enough, dispense with the formalities.”

The Crown Prince looked at his father and then shifted his attention entirely to Shen Yang, who was quite noticeable.

The Headmaster Scholar had a strong psychological endurance, and with some conjectures in mind, he was now rather composed.

It had been a long time since the Emperor had seen his youngest son. Today, he finally saw him, and yes, he was indeed as the reports had stated, much chubbier. This must mean he felt more secure, thought the Emperor with a twinge of heartache, for he should have been a Prince high above.

The Emperor withdrew his gaze, first speaking a few words to the Top scorer, offering some encouragement, then to the second-place scholar, and quickly moved on to the Third-rank Scholar.

Rongchuan had been waiting for this, but the Emperor did not offer encouraging words and instead said directly, ”This afternoon, Zhou Shuren should arrive at the capital.”

Rongchuan was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed in his heart — Uncle was coming.

Seeing the surprise and joy on his son’s face, the Emperor felt a pang of heartache. It seemed like his son truly regarded Zhou Shuren as his father. ”You have been raised by Zhou Shuren since you were a child. I have high expectations of you, and you must strive even harder in the future.”

With joy in his heart, Rongchuan’s tone was cheerful, ”I will definitely not let down the Emperor’s expectations.”

The Headmaster Scholar, having been with the Emperor for a long time, could not say he understood him completely but had some perception of him. The Emperor’s tone of voice just now was not right; it didn’t sound like he was speaking to a minister but more like he was speaking to a junior. Feeling a heaviness in his heart, it seemed Zhou Shuren held a significant place in the Emperor’s heart.

This summons to the capital was definitely not simple. The Headmaster Scholar almost wanted to stroke his beard. It looked like Lord Zhou indeed was coming to the capital!

The Crown Prince stared at Zhang Rongchuan. His own father, he knew, was definitely concerned with more than just Zhou Shuren. Could Zhang Rongchuan really be connected to the Ning Residence?

The more the Crown Prince looked at Zhang Rongchuan, the more pleasing he appeared. His fondness seemed to grow with every encounter, a sensation that stunned him!

Shen Yang had been waiting for the Emperor to speak to him, but the Emperor didn’t say a word to him. After speaking with Zhang Rongchuan, he turned back to the Headmaster Scholar.

Meanwhile, Rongchuan was cheerfully bold, daring to look around. The hall’s décor was simple rather than luxurious. Then, he spotted the Zhezi on the desk, a considerable pile indeed. The Emperor must be working hard.

At last, Rongchuan’s gaze fell on the pastry plates. The desserts of the Palace were exquisite in appearance, especially those shaped like flowers. He wondered how they differed from those made by his sister-in-law.

The Emperor noticed this from the corner of his eye, and his heart softened a bit. Seeing his son gazing eagerly at the pastries, how could he, as a father, bear it? ”It’s getting late; you should return.”

The Headmaster Scholar replied, ”Yes.”