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

Chapter 1762: Chapter 1762: Market Price

In the evening, after Zhulan and Zhou Shuren finished dinner, they chatted idly. Zhulan mentioned Ming Jia, “I talked to Su Xuan about the He family. Su Xuan said she’d investigate first.”

Zhou Shuren responded, “The He family, huh.”

“Why?”

“Not much. The He family doesn’t rank among the top noble families in the capital, but they’re prominent in the middle tier. None of the family members have a bad reputation. Overall, they’re decent.”

Zhulan smiled, “That’s good. I’ll wait for the news from Su Xuan’s investigation.”

Zhou Shuren thought of his grandson Ming Jia, “That child is the quietest among the grandchildren.”

“Yes, and also the most well-behaved.”

Zhou Shuren calculated the days, “Lady Dong is about to give birth, isn’t she?”

Zhulan replied, “We still have to wait a few more days.”

Zhulan continued reading the stories in the newspaper. To avoid cramming, she now reads every issue without fail. When she finished reading, she saw Zhou Shuren was already lying sideways asleep.

Seeing the time, it wasn’t early. She put down the newspaper and gently pushed Zhou Shuren, “Wake up and go to the room to sleep.”

Zhou Shuren opened his eyes and took a moment to gather himself, “I was a bit tired today.”

“When you get older, your energy isn’t as good as it used to be.”

“Mm.”

After a simple wash, the couple lay down and quickly fell asleep.

The next day, in the county town, Chang Zhong had just finished breakfast when the door of the house was knocked on. Today, it was the examinee surnamed Hu who came alone.

Chang Zhong exchanged a glance with Ming Hui and asked, “Have you eaten?”

Hu Liang replied, “I have.”

Chang Zhong inquired, “Did you come so early to ask a question?”

Hu Liang fidgeted with his fingertips, bowed, and said, “My family is too poor to afford books. I saw many books on the young master’s desk yesterday, so I came here with the thick face to borrow some.”

Chang Zhong maintained a faint smile on his face, but there was no real warmth in his eyes, “The Zhou family’s library opens once a month. Any scholar can come to read. Have you ever visited?”

Hu Liang had visited and always wished for another brain to absorb more knowledge. He envied the Zhou family members, “The Zhou family’s generosity is tremendous.”

Chang Zhong said, “I didn’t bring any books back from the capital. What you saw are all from the family library.”

Hu Liang didn’t believe him, wondering why he came to borrow books? Because he thought Marquis Zhou must have given some pointers to his youngest son.

Ming Hui scoffed, “You don’t believe it when my uncle tells the truth?”

Hu Liang’s face tinged with awkwardness. That scoff stirred something in his heart, and he clenched his hands, wondering why some people were born into wealth.

Chang Zhong stood up, “You can come with me to take a look, and you’ll know if I’m telling the truth.”

After seeing that the books indeed belonged to the Zhou family library, Hu Liang’s face turned red.

Ming Hui taunted, “Would you still like to borrow books?”

Hu Liang was now in a difficult position and forced himself, “I would.”

Chang Zhong said, “You can pick any book you want to borrow, but there are no shortcut books to becoming a Scholar here.”

Hu Liang’s intentions were unveiled, and his fingers stiffened, not daring to look at Zhou Changzhong.

Ming Hui added, “Make sure you remember what books you borrow, so as not to tarnish our Zhou family’s reputation out of jealousy later.”

At this point, Hu Liang was truly afraid. The Zhou family had become a local giant. More than that, their reputation was impeccable. They won the scholars’ favor by opening their library every month. If they couldn’t understand something, they could ask the Graduates and Scholars from the Zhou family.

As long as the inquiry was earnest, anyone with a title in the Zhou family would not refuse help.

After Ming Hui and others left, he commented, “What a lot of little schemes.”

Chang Zhong chuckled, “Not all private schools in small places are upright. Each county has a limited number of Scholar quotas. Students in private schools are not only classmates but also competitors. You and I returned to take up places, so there’s no need to be angry.”

Ming Hui blinked, “In the capital academies, there are more intrigues, but they are more straightforward.”

Alliance formations in the academies are direct, while in small local private schools, opportunities are scarce and calculations abound.

In the capital, at the Ministry of Revenue, Qiu Yan said, “The Second Prince’s residence has been selected.”

Zhou Shuren nodded, “What are you getting at?”

Qiu Yan smiled, “The rebuilding costs are coming from the Emperor’s private funds. That’s great news.”

Zhou Shuren also smiled, “Indeed, it’s good. The Emperor’s private wealth is considerable.”

The Emperor had a hard time when he was the Crown Prince. But once he ascended the throne, he gained substantial wealth. Zhou Shuren had only a rough idea of the royal revenue streams, which was enough to make him envious. With the Emperor so wealthy, it made sense for him to cover his sons’ residences.

Qiu Yan whispered, “The Second Prince’s residence is not far from my house.”

Zhou Shuren genuinely didn’t know where the Second Prince’s residence was. He learned from Chang Yi that the wedding preparations were going smoothly, and that’s when he mentioned the Second Prince had acquired a residence.

Qiu Yan noted, “It’s not a small house, but it lacks elegance. Its only advantage is its size.”

Zhou Shuren caressed his beard, “The Ministry of Revenue still has many house deeds, right?”

Qiu Yan replied, “Yes, you said not to sell them in a hurry, to wait for the price to increase further.”

Housing prices in the capital were ever-changing, constantly on the rise. Good properties seized during the purge were never hurriedly sold.

Zhou Shuren pulled out a map of the capital and found the house deeds, “I found a good buyer.”

The Emperor’s children were not young anymore. He inherited many properties from the Retired Emperor, but few were large enough for a Prince Residence.

Qiu Yan was surprised, “Huh?”

Zhou Shuren, carrying the map and house deeds, stood up, “I’m going to enter the Palace.”

Qiu Yan was speechless, “…”

In the Palace, the Emperor looked at the map and house deeds, eyes wide, “You held onto these house deeds without selling?”

Zhou Shuren confirmed, “Yes, waiting for the price to go up.”

The Emperor was speechless as he flipped through the records of the house deeds and pointed at a spot with his fingertip, “So, you held onto the house deeds seized during my father’s reign until now?”

“Only two property deeds remain unsold.”

The best two residences, kept for emergencies.

The Emperor hurriedly flipped through the booklet, “And you tell me you have no Silver Coin?”

“These are for unforeseen needs, as capital. Properties in the capital not only retain value but appreciate.”

The Emperor was at a loss, “… and now you’re showing me your assets for what reason?”

Zhou Shuren grinned slightly, “Would Your Majesty like to buy a residence? Look, these house deeds are adjacent; knocking through would create a compound of princely dimensions.”

The Emperor’s expression turned cold, “You are very clever.”

Selling the house back to him!

Zhou Shuren said softly, “In fact, I could sell them separately. Many in the court know the Ministry of Revenue holds confiscated properties. Quite a few have asked me when they would be sold.”

The Emperor examined the capital map, pondering the challenge of having many children. There were few residences suitable for a prince’s status, and he didn’t want to make ministers relocate. With the Second Prince getting married and the third one needing a house, “Leave them here for me to look over.”

Zhou Shuren stated, “At market price.”

The Emperor was speechless, “…” Dreaming of governing the world!

Time flew by quickly, and soon it was time for the county examination. Ming Qing, concerned about Chang Zhong and Ming Hui, personally came to the county town to oversee things.

Chang Zhong and Ming Hui truly felt no burden. They went to the exam with composure.

Meanwhile, the Zhou family in the capital remembered the date. Lady Li asked, “Mother, I want to go to the temple to pray for my little brother and Ming Hui. Would you like to go together?”