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

Chapter 1765: Chapter 1765: Where There Is Darkness, There Is Light

Zhou Shuren saw Mr. Li not reacting and pointed in the direction of the government hall, ”Doesn’t the lord understand yet?”

Mr. Li, an official for many years, was momentarily stunned, but quickly responded, feeling very complex, and saluted again, ”Thank you, Mr. Hou, for your guidance.”

Zhou Shuren smiled, ”The Emperor has been in a good mood lately.”

This was all he could help with.

After Mr. Li left, only then did Mr. Wei step forward. Although he did not hear what was discussed, he could guess from Mr. Li’s hurried manner.

Zhou Shuren waited for Mr. Wei to come over before asking, ”What were you going to say just now?”

Mr. Wei laughed, ”There’s no need to say it anymore.”

This was about looking at the same post as Mr. Li, ”You’re doing this for your eldest son?”

Mr. Wei nodded, ”It’s hard for a minor official to make a name for himself in the capital. If I, as his father, don’t plan for him, relying on him will take a long time.”

Zhou Shuren, ”This post will definitely go to the Li family.”

”I know.”

If Mr. Hou wasn’t confident, he wouldn’t have guided Mr. Li. Meanwhile, he marveled at Mr. Hou’s understanding of the Emperor, and then felt excited. This was his future in-law!

Zhou Shuren thought for a moment, ”First, tell your eldest son not to be anxious, to learn more, see more, and wait for an opportunity.”

Mr. Wei agreed, ”He’s indeed young and needs more training.”

The two continued to walk out of the palace. Zhou Shuren rarely walked with Mr. Lin, but with Mr. Wei, there weren’t so many scruples. They chatted about their children, and separated when they left the palace.

As soon as Zhou Shuren returned to the Ministry of Revenue, Zhang Jinghong came in, ”Sir, I want to buy a house.”

Zhou Shuren motioned for Zhang Jinghong to sit, ”There are houses available, do you want to change houses?”

Zhang Jinghong nodded, ”The current house’s location isn’t very good, I want to change houses.”

Zhou Shuren squinted his eyes, ”Changing the house is just an excuse; the real purpose is to test the waters.”

Zhang Jinghong was silent for a moment, ”Yes.”

In recent years, the Emperor had been lenient with him, and for his son’s sake, he wanted to test the waters.

Zhou Shuren, ”Would you like to hear my opinion?”

”If possible, I would highly appreciate your guidance, sir.”

Zhou Shuren’s eyes were complex, ”My advice is that you can change houses, but you can’t buy from the Ministry of Revenue now. The properties the Ministry holds are in too good locations. You’ve been in the Ministry without a promotion, occupying a position and are already in the eye. To occupy another place with a good location would attract too much attention.”

He paused and continued, ”A word of advice for you, the relationship between emperor and minister is, first of all, about the emperor. The emperor can test the minister, the minister should comply; do you understand?”

Zhang Jinghong stood up and bowed, ”I understand, thank you for your wise words, sir.”

Zhou Shuren watched Zhang Jinghong walk to his current position, ”Your hard work has paid off, hasn’t it?”

Zhang Jinghong was taken aback for a moment, then laughed, ”You’re right, sir.”

Indeed, what he deserved, he had received. The Emperor had been lenient with him, his son grew up healthy, and no one in the capital troubled him anymore. He did indeed gain a lot.

In Zhou Family Village, Chang Xhong and Ming Hui returned with their party, noticing, ”Why are there so many scholars in the village?”

Chang Xhong pointed at himself, ”Your uncle, I, came first in the exam, your ranking is also good, plus other clan members did well. The scholars have come to consult.”

Ming Qing said, ”There are also those who want to enter the clan school. Do you see the parents bringing their children?”

Ming Hui had not noticed before, but upon looking closely, he indeed saw many parents bringing children, ”The clan school is going to be busy again.”

Chang Xhong laughed, ”The clan school is getting more famous.”

Ming Qing also smiled. The Zhou clan was getting better, not because of surplus silver coin, but the gradually accumulated cultural heritage. The Zhou clan was highly respected locally, thanks to every clan member’s effort.

The carriage continued to travel, and Chang Xhong could hear the playful children reciting, the children in Zhou Family Village generally all studied, not only those from the Zhou clan, but also other surnames in the village.

Chang Xhong also heard the crisp voice of a little girl, and his eyes smiled more. His mother had become the principal of the Girls College, the family was proud, and girls’ status had risen along with education.

Ming Hui leaned against the carriage window, ”Zhou Family Village is still the best.”

He had been to many places, but the villagers at home appeared more vibrant and lively.

The party went to the clan school, where a long queue had formed at the entrance, all there to send their children. Selected parents were very happy, and the children also puffed up their chests proudly.

Ming Hui watched for a while and said, ”Uncle, I’m going to the Li Family Village. This time, cousin’s exam performance was good, and I want to visit my uncle and aunt.”

Chang Xhong, ”Go ahead.”

In Chuanzhou City, Chang Zhi met the recent gossip’s protagonist, the An family’s marrying off daughter. Last time during a carriage race, he didn’t get involved, and upon seeing the person today, he was silent. He had expected a beauty but was surprised to see a short, fat woman.

The woman wore a lot of jewelry on her head, and even from afar, it looked dazzling, truly indescribable.

The young servant also stood there dumbfounded, ”Hearing her voice, I thought she was a beauty.”

Chang Zhi, ”Let’s leave.”

The young servant muttered, ”I wonder who she’s marrying off to.”

”It’s none of our business.”

The young servant, extremely curious, had seen her block the way before and now, seeing her true appearance and guessing she’s not easy to deal with, shuddered and quickly followed his master.

Chang Zhi was out today with an appointment, and the excellent Scholar persona was very useful. He had always traveled and studied, never breaking his persona, and arrived at the appointed teahouse.

Chang Zhi entered the private room and apologized, ”Something came up just now, and I was delayed and arrived late.”

Qianjiang said, ”I was too early.”

Chang Zhi continued, ”I’ve finished reading the book I borrowed from you, and I’ve brought it back this time.”

Qianjiang took the book and said, ”If you want to read other books, just say so; my family has quite a collection.”

Chang Zhi smiled and asked, ”Brother Qian is already a Graduate and still quite young. Aren’t you planning to continue the exams?”

Qianjiang snorted, ”I am too free-spirited to be constrained by rules, and my father doesn’t require me to continue the exams. Being a Graduate is enough.”

Chang Zhi heard the thick sarcasm in his tone, ”Brother Qian, are you dissatisfied?”

Qianjiang thought, not much dissatisfaction, ”It’s too dark.”

Chang Zhi understood, ”Where there is darkness, there is light.”

Don’t discredit everyone with one stroke; my father, our entire family, are good people.

Qianjiang, ”I lost interest long ago.”

No matter the black or white, he had seen enough to feel tired, better to live carefree as he did now.

Chang Zhi felt regret, Qianjiang had talent and ideas; otherwise, he wouldn’t have befriended him. He understood Qianjiang wasn’t an isolated case; the country was large, and many like Qianjiang felt disappointed in local officials, leading to disappointment with the Imperial court, extinguishing their ambitions and ideals, preferring a stable life.

Qianjiang squinted and said, ”Brother Zhou wants to continue the exams?”

Chang Zhi, ”Why not? I’ve climbed many mountains; no matter how tall the mountain, there comes a time to surpass it.”

Qianjiang sipped his tea, ”Naïve.”

Chang Zhi, ”...”

Though he had a remarkable father and his path through the examination was very smooth, he still had the mind to express the spirit of not fearing difficulties!

Chang Zhi felt a bit stifled, thinking Qianjiang had also tried hard once, but seeing too much had eroded his original intentions!