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

Chapter 727: Chapter 727 No Conclusion_1

Three days later, in the capital at the Hanlin Academy, Zhou Changlian and Rongchuan became exceptionally low-profile in recent days. Because the appointment of the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was still undecided, both of them attracted even more attention.

Rongchuan fared slightly better, but the room where Chang Lian was had many people, and as soon as Chang Lian entered, all eyes fell on him.

Mr. Lv stepped forward as Chang Lian took his seat and said, ”I’ve heard that there will be a decision soon, so I’m here to congratulate you in advance.”

Chang Lian spoke with a tone of confusion, ”Congratulate me for what?”

”I’m congratulating your father on becoming the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel!”

It was truly a meteoric rise. The hottest topic recently had been about Sir Zhou’s appointment as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Chang Lian twitched the corner of his mouth, ”How come I, his son, am not aware of it? Stop speculating, everyone; it’s not a done deal.”

Shen Yang spoke with a tinge of sourness, ”Chang Lian, there’s no need for false modesty. Now, who doesn’t know that half of the officials support Sir Zhou for the appointment as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel?”

Chang Lian had been excited before and had even written a letter to his father, but unfortunately, his father’s reply was like a bucket of cold water poured over his head—there was no chance. He replied calmly, ”Mr. Shen, it’s better to be cautious with your words. This undecided matter shouldn’t be speculated as to the Emperor’s will.”

Shen Yang choked, as he used to be able to compete with Zhou Changlian on the strength of being a distant relative, but now, without that support, Zhou Changlian’s father’s influence was on the rise, so he sat back down in his seat quietly.

Shen Yang’s gaze fell upon his own deflated purse. Recently, his family had hit a streak of bad luck; a distant relative had gotten into trouble, followed by the family being scammed out of silver coins. His own finances were tight, and if he couldn’t turn it around, he’d have to sell his residence in the capital.

Mr. Lv gave a dry laugh and returned to his seat. He knew that Zhou Changlian’s remark was directed not only at Shen Yang but also at him. Although he flattered Zhou Changlian, Chang Lian had never deepened their friendship, which left him feeling exceedingly frustrated.

In Jinzhou Province, Zhou Shuren’s smile was somewhat stiff. One does not slap a smiling face, yet in the past two days, the officials from the government office seemed to remember to smile at him for no reason, as if believing he had already overcome the major obstacle of advancing to the fourth rank without everything being settled yet.

Wong Ju followed behind, ”The Six Ministries, especially the Ministry of Personnel, hold prestigious positions. Everyone assumes you’ve joined the Ministry of Personnel to manage future appointments and dismissals,

even though the ’birthday’ hasn’t yet been determined, they’re already trying to curry favor.”

Zhou Shuren replied, ”Indeed, the Ministry of Personnel, a place many covet. With only two Deputy Ministers, the position’s value is even higher.”

Wong Ju remarked, ”My father said a conclusion will be reached soon.”

Zhou Shuren greatly respected the old Master Wong. Master Wong knew when to speak out and when to exist like a backdrop, seeing things very clearly. The senior saw the Emperor laying the groundwork, ”Yes.”

Wong Ju stopped walking, watching Zhou Shuren walk away. His father had also mentioned that not only does the Emperor support Zhou Shuren from behind, but there are others too. Zhou Shuren’s influence was firmly established. In the future, he should hold Zhou Shuren in higher regard. His father was getting on in years, and when it came time to step down, who knew when he might need Zhou Shuren’s help.

In his heart, Wong Ju was filled with sighs. Zhou Shuren’s progress was indeed rapid, even faster than his father and he had anticipated. His father said that if it wasn’t the Ministry of Personnel, Zhou Shuren would be appointed to another significant position. Incomparable indeed; the fates of officials are always a mystery, but Zhou Shuren’s career path was flourishing!

At the Zhou family home, Zhulan greeted Madam Xue who had arrived, ”The weather is pleasant today, so I decided to visit.”

Upon hearing this, Zhulan knew that Madam Xue had come after hearing about Sir Wang’s intentions. She wanted to take the opportunity to interact more with the Zhou family before they left. Sir Wang couldn’t help but have considerations, ”And here I was just thinking of you!”

”Oh, so I came at just the right time?”

Zhulan smiled, ”Indeed, it’s quite timely. Wu Yong’s elder brother, Wu Ming, the current Circuit Intendant, has sent a reply with all haste, and I was just thinking of discussing the engagement matters with you.”

Zhulan hadn’t expected a reply so soon, which showed that Wu Ming also feared the Zhou family’s departure from Jinzhou Province, so he had the letter sent back with accelerated speed. This letter was indeed worth Silver.

Lady Xue was also preoccupied with this matter. The lord had faith in the Zhou family’s character, but she was afraid, not of the Zhou family, but of the Wu family. She had heard about the uproar concerning whether Lord Zhou would take up the position of Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Personnel, and how the Zhou family had turned down many offers for marriage alliances. Some people had set their sights on the Wu brothers!

Now, Lady Xue felt relieved, ”This marriage indeed needs to be finalized quickly. I’ll write to my cousin as soon as I get back, and I’ll inform you once I receive a reply.”

Zhulan said with a smile, ”Good, once I receive your reply, I will ask the matchmaker to propose the marriage.”

Lady Xue’s smile deepened, ”Good.”

The old master wasn’t getting any younger, and his disadvantage was the lack of support from the Wang family. She and the old master hoped the Zhou family would climb as high as possible. The old master might even have a chance to enter the capital!

At noon, at the Academy, Ming Teng and Ming Rui had run off as soon as class ended, hiding behind the artificial mountain, where the two brothers finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Ming Teng had run a bit too hard, still trying to catch his breath, ”It’s been several days, fortunately, we run fast, or we’d have been blocked again.”

Ming Rui leaned on the artificial mountain, ”Exactly, at this critical moment, we can’t afford to resort to violence.”

If it had been before, they could have settled things with a fight, but now their grandfather was in a crucial period. The oldest brother and the fourth uncle had told them to behave in the Academy and not cause trouble.

Ran Xun also came over, sweating profusely, ”I’m the frustrated one here. You guys hide, and then they just corner me.”

Ming Teng patted Ran Xun’s shoulder, ”That’s because the three of us are always together.”

Ran Xun sat down on the ground unceremoniously, ”I’m puzzled as to why these people don’t go find Brother Mingyun.”

Ming Teng’s mouth twitched, ”You take a look at my brother’s face, and you’ll understand.”

His brother’s face was becoming colder by the day, especially lately. With no expression on his face at all, even looking at him felt overwhelming!

Ming Rui couldn’t help but snicker. He remembered when they were younger, his oldest brother wasn’t like this. It was only in recent years, as he had to keep these younger brothers in check and with the pressure of being the eldest grandson, that he had gradually become like this.

Ran Xun was also quite afraid of Brother Mingyun, ”My grandfather told me not to stir up trouble recently, ahem, and not to lead you two into mischief.”

It was an undeserved accusation. He might be full of mischief, but Ming Teng and Ming Rui were in no way inferior. Despite Ming Teng seeming like the most naive one, he was anything but foolish when it came to being shrewd.

Ming Rui let out a sigh, feeling that it was almost certain their grandfather would enter the capital, ”I wonder what the Academies in the capital are like?”

Ran Xun became gloomy, only now realizing that if his companions left, wouldn’t he be the only one left to make trouble? But to go to the capital for school? He could forget it. In the capital’s territory, he really wouldn’t count for much. Looking at his two friends, hmm, for the sake of freedom, he could abandon them for a few years.

In the afternoon, outside the Hanlin Academy in the capital, Zhou Changlian and Rongchuan couldn’t find their family’s carriage and saw the carriage of the Ning Duke Residence. Well, the carriage must have been sent away by Marquis Ning again.

Zhou Changlian silently followed Rongchuan; he had already learned to compose himself as he got into the carriage. Lately, Marquis Ning really had been diligent in picking people up!