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

Chapter 1801: Chapter 1801: The Zhou Family’s Sons-in-Law

Pingzhou, the young servant saw his young master standing still and anxiously squeezed forward to ask, ”Young Master, are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

The entire Hou Residence’s servants knew that Mr. Hou cherished the young master most, they were really afraid of not being able to explain if the young master fell ill.

Chang Xhong waved his hand, ”Your young master here is fine, let’s go, let’s hurry back to the residence, I want to take a good bath.”

The smell on him was manageable; he had people serving him, but he had also developed the ability to take care of himself because of the imperial examinations. The examinee next door had a rough time, spilling water and ink throughout; fortunately, he could stay calm and wasn’t affected.

The young servant raised the water bottle in his hand, ”Here is the brewed soup, I’ve kept it warm, young master, drink a few sips to warm your stomach.”

He thought that the young master had suffered greatly from taking three exams in a row. Luckily, the young master had good foundational martial skills, listen, there was yet another person coughing as they walked out.

Chang Xhong took it, drank, and felt much better in his stomach, ”Where are the others?”

This time, there were quite a few from the Zhou clan taking part, and a few sons-in-law of the Zhou clan, that’s right, sons-in-law. The Zhou family’s daughters didn’t lack for suitors, and their marriages were increasingly prestigious. Most were scholars; Chang Xhong had seen many Zhou family sons-in-law when he went to the clan school to lecture.

The most direct manifestation of a strong clan is that married daughters stand firm in their in-laws’ homes. Since the Zhou family’s daughters were literate and courteous, there had never been any domineering incidents. The married daughters understood that the family’s good reputation did not come easily; they would maintain that reputation even in marriage, which led to many of them being engaged at a young age.

The young servant replied, ”Most of them have come out and are waiting by the carriage.”

”Let’s go over as well.”

The young servant couldn’t help but ask quietly, ”Young Master, were the exam questions difficult?”

Chang Xhong had a say in this; this Qiu Wei’s exam questions weren’t really difficult. This was related to the region; the country was too large to follow the southern standards for setting questions. This resulted in few northern scholars ranking high in the Spring Examinations; Wu Ming was a once-in-a-century genius!

Even though he achieved top scorer, there was still a gap between him and Wu Ming; he had grown up with elite education, while Wu Ming relied solely on himself.

Chang Xhong slightly shook his head, the young servant understood, but became anxious, ”What should we do then?”

He heard the young master say that the more difficult the exam, the more it could create distance. His young master aimed to win the six yuan prize!

Chang Xhong smiled, ”Alright, let’s go.”

In the capital city, Zhou Shuren returned home, changed clothes, and found the meal already set on the table, ”What day is it today that the meal is so sumptuous?”

Zhulan sat down and said, ”The day your son’s Qiu Wei exams have ended.”

”I thought I forgot something.”

”Truly forgot?”

Zhou Shuren laughed, ”I didn’t forget, that kid should be home by now.”

”Yes, I wonder how he performed.”

Zhou Shuren had confidence in his son, ”It won’t be bad.”

At worst, he wouldn’t achieve First Place Candidate.

Zhulan handed a bowl of soup to her husband, ”I’m not worried about Chang Xhong; I’m worried about Chang Zhi. After the Qiu Wei, the case will be tried; it’s also the fiercest time for a counterattack.”

Zhou Shuren said, ”Recently, I also asked the Emperor, the Emperor only mentioned sorting evidence. The official sent by the Ministry of Revenue to Chuanzhou should arrive in a few days.”

Zhulan sipped some soup, mmm, mushroom soup was indeed fresh, ”With Zhang Jinghong there, I can be more at ease.”

Zhou Shuren said, ”Precisely because he’s capable, I picked him to help Chang Zhi.”

He owed Zhang Jinghong; Zhang Jinghong had wrestled with Prince Qi and others, so he was reassured with Zhang Jinghong helping Chang Zhi.

After finishing their meal, the couple found the weather nice and rose to stroll in the garden. As they walked, Zhulan mentioned, ”Ming Hui finished rewriting the book he organized and handed it to me this afternoon.”

”Alright, I’ll take a look later when we go back.”

Zhulan smiled, ”We received a letter from our third eldest today; our little grandson is doing well.”

Zhou Shuren missed the grandson he hadn’t seen, ”I wonder when we’ll be able to see Ming Hu.”

Zhulan sighed too; the child was too young. When the child grew older, the parents wouldn’t bear to send him back; the third eldest couple was getting old and wished to have their child by their side.

Zhou Shuren added, ”Today, the Emperor mentioned the Third Prince’s marriage.”

”I thought the Emperor was still angry about Chuanzhou!”

Zhou Shuren curled his lips, ”The Emperor had long been aware; his recent anger was all an act.”

Zhulan asked, ”Oh, it seems the Third Prince is doing a good job at the Ministry of Works.”

Otherwise, the Emperor wouldn’t mention him more often, being neglected from childhood could become a habit.

Zhou Shuren nodded, ”Yes, the Third Prince dissected all the technologies improved by the Ministry of Works and evaluated their market prices; he’s quite diligent.”

Zhulan’s eyes showed sarcasm, ”I heard from Chang Yi, the Second Prince is still not diligent in his duties.”

”Yes.”

The next day in Chuanzhou City, Chang Zhi woke up somewhat dazed, surprised to see the broad daylight, dressed and found Ding Jue, ”Why didn’t you wake me?”

Ding Jue said, ”It’s rare for you to have a good sleep, I wanted you to rest a bit more.”

Chang Zhi slept for more than three hours, feeling much more refreshed, ”I got a good rest; today, we can proceed to trial the case.”

Ding Jue held back his excitement, ”Sir, whose case should be heard first today?”

Chang Zhi, ”...”

There were too many cases; almost all the officials in Chuanzhou City were imprisoned. The Emperor had sent people over, but the new magistrate would take some more time to arrive.

Ding Jue asked again, ”Sir?”

Chang Zhi washed his face and then said, ”Let’s start with Prefect Shih.”

Ding Jue said, ”Yes.”

All the practical necessities for Chang Zhi were prepared by the Emperor’s people because even in the Government Office, dangerous things were mixed in. A simple breakfast was eaten, an official robe was donned, and Prefect Shih was brought for trial.

Prefect Shih was indeed cautious; once the crack was torn, it became the easiest to gather all the evidence. Behind the cautiousness was arrogance, a conceited belief that his confidentiality measures were foolproof.

Today, many had gathered outside to listen to the trial.

Prefect Shih was brought forward; over the age of forty, many days in prison had stripped him of his scholarly demeanor, aging him by at least ten years.

Chang Zhi did not abuse people; he instructed the guards not to make things difficult, also advising caution against anyone attempting suicide out of fear of punishment.

Standing in the court hall, Prefect Shih had yet to be convicted, raising his eyes to look at Zhou Changzhi, only to realize he underestimated him.

Facing his first trial, Chang Zhi felt no trepidation, listing the charges and complete evidence, ”Do you confess to your crimes?”

Prefect Shih felt desolate in his heart, understanding that not only he but also his whole family was ruined; his sons and daughters would be implicated, ”This guilty official confesses, and I ask the lord to spare my younger ones at home if possible.”

Chang Zhi said, ”Since you confess, place your mark.”

He was not surprised by Prefect Shih’s straightforwardness; a futile struggle wasn’t worth it, better to quickly confess for leniency. Unfortunately, Prefect Shih’s crimes were too numerous; no one could save his family’s members.

In the days that followed, Chang Zhi conducted trials in the morning, reviewed examination papers in the afternoon, running around like a spinning top. Since the vice-examiners and others were all arrested, Chang Zhi borrowed educational officials from nearby states, thus avoiding chaos which would impact the result publication.

The trials of the Chuanzhou cases proceeded swiftly. Chang Zhi’s grand operations caught everyone off guard, as the evidence couldn’t be transferred, facilitating Chang Zhi’s trials.

Of course, there were some who refused to confess, claiming injustice, but all would have evidence flung in their faces and ultimately had to plead guilty. As some small fish were also caught during the trials, the prison became overcrowded.