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

Chapter 1802: Chapter 1802: Rival

When the newly appointed Magistrate arrived in Chuanzhou Province, the burden on Chang Zhi was considerably lighter. The Magistrate sent at this time definitely belonged to the Emperor, who only felt assured placing his own people to supervise the clearing of Chuanzhou.

The remaining cases were to be tried by the Magistrate, so Chang Zhi focused more on the Qiu Wei examination results. He was supposed to stay at the examination venue, but his responsibilities went beyond being the chief examiner; his main task was cleaning Chuanzhou, with the examination being secondary.

Once all the results were out, Chang Zhi went through them again, then remained silent.

Official Yao felt uneasy; this man was ruthless. If it hadn’t been for the orders, he wouldn’t have agreed to be temporarily sent to Chuanzhou. “Sir, are there any issues with the results?”

Chang Zhi replied, “Let it be.”

He regretted the simplicity of the exam questions, although he was the one who set them!

Official Yao exhaled in relief, “Then we shall record it and wait for the announcement.”

“Hmm.”

This time, the top scholar of Chuanzhou is a fifteen-year-old boy. Some officials initially wanted to argue about his young age, but seeing Chang Zhi’s cold stare, they dared not utter a word, fearing they might end up in prison.

Chang Zhi felt that everyone feared him now!

In the evening, Ding Jue returned late. Ding Jue had been borrowed by the Magistrate, and Chang Zhi was examining the scholars’ profiles from this list.

As Ding Jue arrived, Chang Zhi asked, “Have you had dinner?”

“I have eaten.”

Chang Zhi continued to look down, “Rest early.”

Ding Jue didn’t leave. Most cases were sorted out, and he wasn’t actually busy as the Magistrate brought extra manpower. “Sir, what are you reviewing?”

Chang Zhi said, “The list is settled; I am reviewing the top ten profiles.”

Ding Jue glanced over, “A fifteen-year-old top scholar; this child has quite a steady temperament.”

Despite the significant cleanup in Chuanzhou, which had influenced many examinees, this young boy was able to maintain his composure and achieve good results. Ding Jue wanted to meet him.

Chang Zhi thought the same, “Coming from a farming family, truly a prodigious talent.”

Ding Jue said, “He is also fortunate to have encountered you as the chief examiner amidst the Chuanzhou cleanup; otherwise, regardless of his prodigious talent, his results might have been replaced or suppressed due to age.”

Chang Zhi replied, “Luck is also a form of capability, isn’t it? Alas, my little brother has a contender now.”

He carefully read through the child’s exam papers several times; even without the resources his brother had, this child possessed unique insights and was remarkably articulate. However, his brother’s upbringing played a considerable role in shaping him, making him both sharp and smooth.

Ding Jue seldom heard the master mention siblings, “Your younger brother, sir?”

“Indeed, he also took part in this year’s Qiu Wei. He is the most fortunate in the family; my father was already an official when he was born. As he grew older, he was educated by a Top scorer. Our family also has second-place scholars and degree holders; listen to his resources.”

Ding Jue clicked his tongue, then added, “The young master’s pressure must be immense.”

Chang Zhi nodded, “Yes, the capital says the Hou Residence is known for producing second-place scholars; my father hopes for a Top scorer from the family. This child is watched by countless people!”

After speaking, he paused and added, “This boy has already succeeded in Xiao Sanyuan, which is commendable.”

Ding Jue, “…”

Is this still considered commendable?

In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the Qiu Wei announcement. The Zhou family in the capital did not participate in Qiu Wei, so due to Chang Zhi’s involvement, Ming Hui didn’t personally go to see the announcement and instead dispatched a young servant to await news.

Zhulan watched Ming Hui pacing in circles, making her dizzy, “Stop pacing.”

Ming Hui was anxious, “Grandmother, grandfather said the Emperor wants to see the compiled booklet by grandson, so it all depends on Shao Xun’s results now.”

Zhulan, “I should have never told you this ahead of time.”

Ming Hui, “Grandmother.”

“Alright, alright, worrying won’t help. Just wait.”

Ming Hui noticed his grandmother calmly drinking tea, “Grandmother, aren’t you worried about uncle?”

“Our home is too far away; even if I want to know the results, I have to wait. Moreover, you know your uncle’s capabilities, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Ming Hui thought it over, “When will fourth uncle be back?”

Without fourth uncle’s return to the capital, he dared not venture out easily.

After contemplating for a while, Zhulan replied, “At least a month later.”

Ming Hui concluded that he should just quietly stay at home.

After a while, the young servant came running back, “Master, Shao Xun succeeded.”

Ming Hui stood up, “What rank?”

The young servant coughed, “Following master’s instructions, I counted from the back, tenth from the last.”

Ming Hui grinned, “Success is good.”

Better than he anticipated.

In Pingzhou City, Zhou Changzhong had already seen off waves of congratulatory visitors. Cheng Xiang stayed behind, “You became the First Place Candidate, yet I don’t see much of a smile on your face.”

Chang Xhong actually felt relieved because the exam questions were simple, “I’m just reserved.”

Cheng Xiang didn’t believe him, “When are you going back to the capital?”

“In five days.”

Cheng Xiang grinned, “I’ll join the journey then; don’t mind me sharing your ride.”

Chang Xhong thought that perhaps Prefect Cheng is also being recalled to the capital, it remains to be seen through whose connections.

Afterward, more waves of people came with congratulatory messages. This time, three from the Zhou family became Graduates, including Chang Xhong, along with two sons-in-law of the Zhou family, which was quite a high ratio.

Once the congratulatory visitors were gone, they all prepared for the banquet.

When the time arrived, Chang Xhong and his party were among the first to arrive. Prefect Cheng and the chief examiner were very hospitable towards Chang Xhong. Despite the Qiu Wei examination, they really wanted to chat with him, now they can chat openly.

Prefect Cheng and others had more information; the affairs in Chuanzhou spread among officials but not among civilians.

Chang Xhong indeed didn’t know his fourth brother had done such a significant thing; the family in the capital hadn’t relayed the news.

Prefect Cheng probed a few times, “It seems Mr. Hou hasn’t informed you.”

Chang Xhong asked, “Informed about what?”

The chief examiner chuckled, “There’s no need to hide it now; your fourth brother was the chief examiner in Chuanzhou and captured all the officials in one swoop.”

Chang Xhong, “…”

Though surprised, he was not astonished; it seemed exactly like the kind of thing his fourth brother would do!

Prefect Cheng said quietly, “Pulled out one radish and brought out the mud; it began with Chuanzhou City officials, eventually implicated the entire province.”

When he heard the news, he was dumbfounded; was it really so fierce? He wondered if all of Marquis Zhou’s sons were such formidable characters. He studied several of Marquis Zhou’s offspring; the second son had been abroad, and the third son was in the south, all of whom were extraordinary. The Princely Heir seemed honest, assumed to be the most straightforward was the fourth son — who unexpectedly didn’t act, but once he did, he wiped out half the officials in Chuanzhou.

Thinking of this, Prefect Cheng couldn’t help but scrutinize Zhou Changzhong, who was also elusive. Despite attempts to probe from various aspects, he never got the answers he wanted. Marquis Zhou was truly skilled at educating his sons.

Chang Xhong kept laughing dryly; now, no matter what he said, it was redundant. He finally and awkwardly said, “All thanks to the Emperor’s trust.”

Without the Emperor’s permission and trust, no matter how bold his fourth brother was, he wouldn’t dare create such a stir. He suddenly worried about whether the Emperor was troubled by this; he felt sorry for his father, and it seemed best not to let his fourth brother roam freely.