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

Chapter 1620: Chapter 1620 Regret

Zhou Shuren was in high spirits, wanting to leave the palace, but before he took two steps, Eunuch Zhang arrived. “Mr. Hou, the Emperor has something to discuss with you.”

Zhou Shuren, “…..”

He regretted showing off; if he had known he’d be summoned, he would have slipped away after the morning court session.

Zhou Shuren dawdled to the government hall, two quarters of an hour had passed. Eunuch Zhang was anxious, but to no avail.

The Emperor, seeing Zhou Shuren finally arrive, said, “If you hadn’t come soon, I would have sent guards to find you.”

Zhou Shuren sighed, “Emperor, I truly have no silver, you can’t keep squeezing me like this. Look at how skinny my old arms and legs are, what more can you extract?”

The Emperor was silent for a moment, “Alas, I have no choice either.”

Zhou Shuren spread his hands, “I have no choice either.”

The Imperial court kept seeking silver from him; come spring, he always wanted to escape, as springtime made him irritable.

The Emperor saw Zhou Shuren’s firm attitude, “How about reallocating some funds?”

Zhou Shuren, “Which fund would you reallocate?”

The Emperor fell silent again; Zhou Shuren’s yearly reserved silver couldn’t be easily touched, especially funds for repairing dikes — what if there was a flood?

Zhou Shuren wasn’t about to indulge the Emperor; he wouldn’t find ways to procure silver — it wasn’t there. After all, he was a man, not a god.

The Emperor sighed, “It seems we’ll have to postpone.”

Zhou Shuren also breathed a sigh of relief; times were tough.

The Emperor continued, “And who knows when this cooling period will end?”

Tax revenue had decreased significantly; each time he saw the decreased taxes, his heart ached.

Zhou Shuren thought to himself, these days must be carefully calculated, otherwise future days would be even harder.

At noon at Marquis Zhou’s Residence, Lady Li had gone out at an invitation and returned directly to the main courtyard, “Mother.”

Zhulan was eating noodles, “Why are you back at this hour?”

Lady Li gestured to a maid to bring her a bowl of noodles, “I left early.”

Zhulan had nearly finished eating; her eldest daughter-in-law rarely leaves early, “Did someone upset you?”

“No, I left early because I got tired of listening.”

“What were they talking about?”

Lady Li said, “Well, Ming Hui isn’t young anymore, many were talking about their daughters today. Ming Hui told me early on that he wants to find someone he truly likes. I couldn’t respond to anything, so I left.”

Zhulan, “….. Could he have taken a liking to a particular girl?”

Lady Li shook her head, “No, he just doesn’t want to marry early; that boy is quite restless.”

“You clearly understand your son.”

Lady Li thinks having many sons is a burden, “I gave birth to them!”

Zhulan chuckled, “The noodles are here, eat quickly.”

“Alright.”

Chang Xhong returned in the afternoon, Zhulan asked, “Mr. Gu’s courtyard must be lively!”

“Indeed, it’s bustling; there are merchants coming to give gifts, and officials also arriving to offer congratulations. Oh, Zhuo Guyu was there too.”

Zhulan remarked, “Zhuo Guyu is quite scheming.”

Chang Xhong said, “Yes, today he even conversed with Gu Sheng, speaking in a very familiar manner, almost like friends.”

Zhulan said quietly, “I’m looking forward to the imperial result list.”

Chang Xhong laughed, “By this time, no one dares to plot against Gu Sheng. If something happens to the top scholar, it will certainly be investigated.”

“Indeed, everyone who has ideas can only hold them back.”

In the blink of an eye, it was the palace examination; the Emperor hadn’t seen Zhuo Guyu, but the Crown Prince had. The Emperor mentally noted the good looks.

Then, the Emperor’s gaze fell upon Gu Sheng, becoming increasingly satisfied; then he looked through them one by one again. The Emperor was in a good mood.

Gu Sheng tried to clear his mind, reminding himself not to be nervous, calming his nerves before picking up the brush to write.

Zhuo Guyu, on the other hand, was more nervous, feeling the weight and pressure — especially with the Emperor sitting above. Fearing that the Emperor might notice, it took him quite a while to calm down; becoming the top scorer is crucial for the Duke Residence.

The Crown Prince thought of his father’s words: the father told him, the Duke Residence can be used as a knife, and if it’s broken, so be it. The Crown Prince’s lips curled; it was indeed a good knife, given some benefits and it will cling tightly.

After the palace examination ended, Gu Sheng got up to leave. Zhuo Guyu followed two steps, “Together?”

Gu Sheng inwardly didn’t want to have dealings with Zhuo Guyu; Mr. Du was openly bad, and Ji Deming was truly a villain — he wasn’t afraid of them. Instead, Zhuo Guyu made him tense and wary.

Gu Sheng also thought about the Duke of Yongan Residence’s intentions toward the magistrate; even he, an outsider, could discern a bit, further unwilling to interact, “I’m walking slowly; you go ahead.”

Zhuo Guyu smiled, “Alright, then I’ll go first.”

Gu Sheng waited until they really left before exhaling and slowly departing, not noticing that Mr. Wen Six was observing from not far away.

Ji Deming had been waiting, “I’m waiting for you to become the top scorer; our prefecture might produce such a scholar.”

Gu Sheng, “Why do you take pleasure in my misfortune?”

This was the palace; what would the Emperor think upon hearing this?

Ji Deming laughed, “I was so happy I forgot where we were.”

“Ji Deming, do you think with your backer, you can fear nothing?”

Ji Deming, “I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Ha, that’s boring then; make sure to avoid me in the future, I hold grudges.”

Ji Deming didn’t quite believe it; throughout their journey, Gu Sheng had a temperate disposition, or he wouldn’t have repeatedly been pushed around.

Gu Sheng left briskly; why is it that no one believes him when he speaks the truth? He just lacks the capability right now.

Jiang Zhu and Mu Fan were just nearby, hearing clearly. Jiang Zhu asked, “Who do you think will be the top scorer?”

Mu Fan, “I don’t know, anyway, it’s not you or me.”

Jiang Zhu felt defeated, “Ah, this session was too ruthless.”

When he finished writing, many had already completed — quite inhuman!

Mu Fan also sighed, then laughed; he was already quite lucky — the Jiang family would soon have official recognition.

After the palace examination ended, Zhou Family didn’t hold much hope, remaining indifferent about the result list.

On the day of the result list, Zhulan remarked, “Yu Wen didn’t go?”

Su Xuan shook her head, “Still sleeping, I woke her and asked, she said there’s no need to go.”

Zhulan, “If she doesn’t go, then she doesn’t; any news will be delivered by Chang Xhong.”

With the ranking list, a dense crowd gathered — most were there for the spectacle. Chang Xhong squeezed to the front early, seeing at once that the top scorer wasn’t Gu Sheng nor Zhuo Guyu, the top scorer was Spring Examination’s third place — a man in his thirties.

Zhuo Guyu was the second-place scholar, Gu Sheng became the Third-rank Scholar!

Chang Xhong covered his face with a fan; in the Spring Examination, Gu Sheng’s knowledge overshadowed Zhuo Guyu, and now his looks did too — must have been deliberate by the Emperor!

Zhuo Guyu clenched his fan, feeling no joy; everyone knows Third-rank Scholars are good-looking. His eyes were fixed on the names of the top scorer and the Third-rank Scholar.

Chang Xhong wanted to return and ask his father about any insider information. The top scorer cried, then people started dispersing copper coins.

Gu Sheng felt some regret; after the exam, he knew that the questions this time were unfamiliar, but soon the regret dissipated — he was the Third-rank Scholar.

But just as he was happy, someone surrounded him, “Sir, my master is waiting in front; please come along.”

Gu Sheng, “I still have things to do.”

But the people wouldn’t leave.

Chang Xhong noticed and stepped forward, “Congratulations, Mr. Gu, my carriage awaits; let’s go.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Sheng left gratefully, leaving behind stewards who dared not step forward but were taken aback!