Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 132 Impressive_1

Chapter 132: Chapter 132 Impressive_1

Zhou Shuren faced an ancient exam for the first time and made a slight mistake, "Second place."

Zhulan was surprised, "Who was first?"

Zhou Shuren, while removing his clothes, said, "Someone from another village, 22 years old, took it three times already."

Zhulan couldn’t help but laugh. That meant the other person had more experience. She took his clothes, "Where will the prefectural exam in April take place?"

Zhou Shuren replied somewhat unnaturally, "It will be held in Pingzhou. The prefectural exam is at the beginning of April and the college exam at the end of the month, both in Pingzhou, presided over by the academic administrator."

Zhulan calculated the days, "Wouldn’t it be best to go to Pingzhou early, around the end of March?"

Zhou Shuren nodded, "Yes, when the time comes, will you go to Pingzhou with me?"

Zhulan thought about the timing. There was still one and a half months left which was about enough to train Lady Li some more, and with Madame Zhao gone, there wouldn’t be any issues, "Alright, by the way, Jiang Sheng came the day before yesterday to deliver the copied books. I gave him the remaining silver, and told him to wait for your return before coming again."

Zhou Shuren remembered the matter about his son-in-law, "I found him a new job while I was there for the exam, organizing old documents at the government office and copying tax records from the past decade or so. It’s 500 coins a month; he goes to help in the afternoon, which doesn’t interfere with his studies in the morning."

Zhulan was curious, "How did you manage to make friends at the government office while going to take the exam?"

The government office wouldn’t seek the help of a student, and such chances to meet the County Minister were rare. Though the County Minister didn’t have much power and was responsible for documents, administration, taxation, and mediating relations between the government office and different clans, he was at least a Graduate and an official. A little guidance from someone like that could be very beneficial.

The rarer the opportunity, the more astonished Zhulan was about how Zhou Shuren managed to get it!

Zhou Shuren pulled over a pillow, lay down on the bed, and said while lying on his side, "On the first day of the exam, I went out to eat and met the head of the government office. He happened to be the County Minister’s brother-in-law. In conversation, I learned that the County Minister was uncertain about the authenticity of an antique. Eager to make a connection, I helped out after the exam ended. The antique was a fake. Then, to thank me and also because he found out I was a candidate of this session, and felt that I had potential, he naturally gave me some preferential treatment. I seized the opportunity to mention that they were looking for help, which I had learned from the head official, and recommended Jiang Sheng. The County Minister agreed; that’s what happened."

Zhulan’s mind was quick, "That antique must have been expensive. If I’m not wrong, you once mentioned that the County Minister has been here for several years now. The County Magistrate was rated ’excellent’ last year and is bound to be promoted. He must have seen an opportunity to network for his own promotion by giving the antique as a gift, right?"

Zhou Shuren, smiling, nodded, "Smart. That’s why he’s so grateful. If he had bought it and sent it as a gift, not only would he have offended people, but he would also have ruined his hard-won career prospects. He was eager to show his thanks, and I was eager to make requests, so of course he agreed. However, he didn’t say when the reorganization would be complete. This is waiting on whether I can pass the Scholar exam. If I pass, I can work on it for a few more months; if not, it will only be until May at the latest."

Zhulan, with a wry smile, "The County Minister is a Graduate, and he isn’t continuing with the exams. His position is the result of scheming; it’s rare for someone who isn’t from the official path to be promoted above the fifth rank without proper qualifications. I haven’t gotten it wrong, have I?"

Zhou Shuren, "You remember correctly."

Zhulan, stroking her chin, "It looks like the County Minister really thinks highly of you. He’s making an early investment for himself and the wily old fox is also leaving a way out for himself!"

Zhou Shuren watched Zhulan without blinking. He hadn’t spelled it out, but Zhulan understood everything. This feeling of resonance was especially good, "Madam’s intelligence amazes me."

Zhulan’s face couldn’t help but blush, anyone would feel a bit self-conscious being stared at so intently. She managed to withstand it and only blushed for a moment, "Alright, you should rest early too. I’ll make it up to you tonight."