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

Chapter 898: Chapter 898: Top Scorer

During breakfast, Chang Zhong, the little uncle, completely lost face. Everyone knew that Chang Zhong had drawn a map of mountains and rivers on his own blanket. The little guy was so puffed up with anger that he didn’t even eat his breakfast, putting all the blame on his dear father.

As Zhulan cradled her plump son in her arms, she glared at Zhou Shuren, who was offering a sheepish smile, ”You’ve gone too far, knowing full well how much our son values his face.”

Zhou Shuren was happy, but now he felt guilty as his son ignored him, ”It’s been a long while since he wet the bed, who knew it would happen just now?”

Chang Zhong covered his ears, ”Mom, Mom.”

Zhulan, with laughter in her eyes, glared at Zhou Shuren, ”Are you still talking?”

”Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Son, I was wrong today. What must Dad do for you to forgive him?”

Chang Zhong wasn’t listening. Right now, the last thing he wanted was to hear his father’s voice, his mind filled with the laughter of his nieces and nephews. Woo woo, he was the little uncle.

Zhulan glanced down and saw tears, then tugged at her husband’s clothes, signaling him to look.

Zhou Shuren touched his nose, ”Dad will go and tell your nephews that no one is allowed to laugh at you. If anyone laughs, Dad will punish them.”

Chang Zhong’s ears twitched, but he still didn’t budge.

Zhou Shuren continued, ”Tomorrow, Dad will give you a big New Year’s red envelope.”

Only then did Chang Zhong look up, tears still in his eyes, ”How big?”

Zhou Shuren choked, ”Two Golden Peanuts?”

Chang Zhong stretched out both chubby hands and then flipped them, ”This many!”

Zhou Shuren glared, ”Hey, kid, you’re too greedy.”

He thought ten, but the kid flipped his hands, signaling he wanted double.

Tears fell from Chang Zhong’s eyes again, ”Mom, Mom.”

Zhulan patted her son’s back. She wasn’t going to get involved; this was all Zhou Shuren’s own doing.

Zhou Shuren was in agony inside. Twenty Golden Peanuts was no small amount of silver, and how much silver did he even have in his purse? ”Twenty is too many, fifteen.”

”Deal.”

As Zhulan listened to her son agree so readily, she let out a laugh.

Zhou Shuren, too, was amused. His son was trying to outsmart him. He pinched his son’s face, ”Alright, Dad will take you to paste Spring Festival couplets.”

Chang Zhong was still keen on having fun. With his father backing him, he was sure no one would dare to mock him. Silently, he made a mental note of his nephew Ming Teng, who had been the most gleeful laugher earlier!

As the children in the Zhou family grew in number, the yard was bustling with excitement. Despite their small size, even the little girls knew how to stir things up.

This year marked the first New Year in the capital for the Zhou family, a year of significant meaning as they rooted themselves in the capital and naturally, they planned to celebrate in a big way.

From early morning, the kitchen was a hive of activity, with a steady stream of snacks being brought out one after another.

Zhulan sat on the edge of the Kang bed, watching the dragon and phoenix twins who were already crawling. The little ones, dressed like babies from New Year paintings, were incredibly festive. With good-looking parents, the twins were very photogenic too.

While watching the children, Su Xuan commented, ”Next year, there’ll be a new addition to the family. I’m sure the third sister-in-law’s belly holds a son.”

Dong Chuchu touched her belly, which felt different from when she was pregnant with Yu Yi. She too was convinced it was a son, ”I’ll take your auspicious words.”

Zhulan didn’t take it to heart but instead asked Zhao Shi, ”You’ve been taking care of yourself for a while now, how are you feeling these days?”

Madam Zhao squinted her eyes, ”Imperial Physician Liu has examined my daughter-in-law again, and she has been recuperating well, but she still needs to continue with her restorative care.”

Zhulan hummed in agreement, ever since the Zhou family arrived in the capital, Imperial Physician Liu has become not only courteous but also very enthusiastic towards the Zhou family.

At noon, as in previous years, it was still a hot pot meal, and this year’s featured a seafood hot pot, with plenty of fish, shrimp, and various other marine delicacies, in addition to shellfish. Various kinds of handmade fish balls were included, tasty and full of bounce.

The children loved it the most, while the adults had a preference for fish slices and the like.

Nowadays, the Zhou household needed three tables instead of two to seat everyone.

Zhou Eldest son raised his glass, ”Dad, your son raises a glass to you. Over the years, you have sheltered our family from storms, allowing the Zhou family to take root in the capital. Dad, you have worked hard.”

Zhou Eldest son was filled with emotion, especially when he saw the white hair on his father’s head.

Zhou Shuren, feeling his eldest son’s candid emotions, drank the wine in his glass, ”You have also traveled many long journeys these past few years; you have worked hard as well.”

Zhou Eldest son felt a twinge in his nose, remembering his father kept in mind everything he had done.

Zhou Second son stood up, ”Dad, the day after tomorrow, I will set out to sea with the Xu family. I won’t be able to stay at home to take care of you and mom, so please make sure to take good care of yourselves.”

Zhou Shuren poured himself another drink, ”When you’re abroad, listen more and speak less, especially in places where the language is different. Don’t wander carelessly, a cautious driver lasts a lifetime, remember that.”

As Zhou Second son’s departure grew closer, his excitement was palpable. He was about to venture to a place he had never encountered before; despite the dangers, it also represented opportunities. His heart was wild, longing for exploration, ”Your son will keep that in mind.”

Chang Lian, waiting for his second brother to sit down, said, ”Dad, it is because you have provided a sky for your son that I can thrive in the Hanlin Academy. Your son toasts to you.”

Zhou Shuren held his glass but did not hasten to drink, ”You have grown the most this year, and I am greatly comforted. I hope you will continue to strive and not let down such a favorable environment.”

Chang Lian saw his father drink and then finished his own drink as well.

Chang Zhi, observing his older brothers, hmm, all his brothers could share the burden with their father. It seemed he alone hadn’t helped much, and his ears reddened, ”Dad, I will bring you the title of Top scorer.”

There was a sudden outburst from Chang Zhi, and the room fell silent.

Chang Zhi’s face turned red, ”Your son will definitely make an effort.”

Zhou Shuren laughed, ”I’ll remember that.”

What great ambition, the Zhou family already has a Second-place scholar, a Third-rank Scholar for a son-in-law, and if his own son could bring back the title of Top scorer, the thought alone was delightful!

Mingyun and the others exchanged glances, they were all startled by their fourth uncle’s declaration. The Top scorer, that was not something you could just claim to achieve.

However, Su Xuan’s eyes sparkled with excitement, the prospect of being the Top scorer’s wife thrilled her.

Chang Zhong was small in stature, but he ranked high in the family hierarchy. Sitting with his dad and brothers, Chang Zhong gestured for his eldest brother to pour him some tea. He held his bowl with gusto, ”Dad, if Fourth Brother doesn’t pass, I’ll earn one for you.”

Chang Zhi was speechless. What did the little guy mean, suggesting that he would fail?

Chang Zhong didn’t care what his fourth brother thought, he just gazed expectantly at his father.

Zhou Shuren, grinning broadly, loved his son’s spirit, ”Good, both you and your fourth brother are wonderful. I’ll be waiting for you both to win the title of Top scorer and bring it home.”

Chang Zhi pinched his little brother’s cheek, only releasing him before the kid got angry. Let this little rascal say he wouldn’t pass, hmph, ”Dad, the little brother is very bright. I think, in the future, I’d like to personally teach him, what do you think?”

Zhou Shuren saw his youngest son’s eyes widen and wave his hand, ”He’s still too young now; it’s good enough that he learns from his current teacher.”

Chang Zhi felt it was a real pity, but Chang Zhong was cheerful. He didn’t want to study alone with his fourth brother; learning with his cousin Ming Hui was far more interesting.

After lunch, each household took a rest. They would stay up in the evening, with Zhulan and Zhou Shuren going to sleep first, and it was said that the grandsons only went to bed in the latter part of the night.