Doted By The Regent King
Chapter 225: Uncle’s Smooth Talk Coaxes Mother

Chapter 225: Chapter 225: Uncle’s Smooth Talk Coaxes Mother

Upon hearing Old Lady Zhou’s words, Zhou Xuennian’s face changed, showing some annoyance. What he hated the most in his life was when people talked to him about fate as though they were convinced he couldn’t pass the examinations and climb higher.

He was well-educated; he was just unlucky, that’s all.

But now was not the time to be angry with his mother. He was still counting on that three hundred taels of silver to smooth things over.

"Mother, I don’t accept my fate. Hermit Yuanqing has already read my fortune, and he said I am a dragon among men, destined to earn a title for you!" Zhou Xuennian pleaded earnestly, "This is an opportunity. With just three hundred taels, Mother, would you really bear to see your son fail in life because of bad luck?"

"Eldest, if you want to take the exams, then do so earnestly. Don’t think about taking shortcuts; it’s not a good thing. If it is exposed, you could very well lose your life!" Old Lady Zhou was not swayed by his sweet-talking.

It must be said that in this regard, Old Lady Zhou’s mind was rather clear, and she wasn’t bewitched by Zhou Xuennian’s few words.

"Mother, it’s not as serious as you think. The path I have this time is different, the person is the maternal uncle of the chief examiner’s wife," Zhou Xuennian said. "Besides, it’s just an institutional exam, not so strict. Don’t be doubtful. Even last year, during the spring examinations, there were people who used similar methods to become officials and are still safe and sound."

Zhou Xuennian’s words were not baseless, and the incident he mentioned was an exact testament to the current decaying state of officialdom.

He didn’t realize that sometimes, things that had not been exposed just needed a catalyst. It also depended on whether you’re lucky or not. If he accidentally stepped into someone else’s power struggle, he was bound to get caught up in it.

Old Lady Zhou frowned.

"Mother, the minor exam isn’t as serious as you think, but I need this title. Only with the title of scholar can one gain respect and continue to pursue higher levels of examinations," Zhou Xuennian said urgently. "Moreover, with the title of a scholar, there will be benefits for the family too. At the very least, we would be exempt from corvee labor and land tax."

This benefit of bringing honor to the entire family was so evident; he couldn’t understand why his mother wouldn’t agree.

"Mother, I don’t want to live a life of frustration. Please, have pity on your son and help me this once?" Zhou Xuennian begged as he clung to Old Lady Zhou’s legs and wept, "I’m begging you, Mother."

"It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but if things go wrong, lives could be lost. Son, don’t be foolish!" Old Lady Zhou’s eyes were moist, "I don’t want to see a parent bury their child."

"Mother, I assure you, this is almost a sure thing, you can rest easy!" Zhou Xuennian raised his finger, "I swear it."

"You really are... We don’t even have that much silver," Old Lady Zhou took down his hand, saying, "You know the state of our household. We’ve already spent so much this year."

Zhou Xuennian was furious inside. They had no silver, but why did they have to spend so much on Zhou Xueli’s wedding?

He suppressed his anger and asked, "Then how much silver does the family have?"

Seeing that he was not giving up hope, Old Lady Zhou felt a chill in her heart and said, "I won’t hide it from you. Right now, there’s barely ninety taels of silver in the house. So you better give up this idea; that silver is needed to support the whole family’s daily needs!"

Zhou Xuennian frowned, "Only ninety taels? Mother, you aren’t deceiving me, are you? Or have you been secretly supplementing Xueli again? We’re all your sons; you can’t be too biased..."

"You!" After hearing this, Old Lady Zhou’s face turned ashen with anger, "You ingrate, get out of here!"