Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 245 Intentions_1

Chapter 245: Chapter 245 Intentions_1

Zhulan’s family received many gifts when they moved, with the most valuable one coming from the county magistrate: an embroidered screen ornament. Other guests from the county brought substantial gifts, too, most of which were officials giving fabrics and scholarly items like writing brushes and ink, while others gave food and pastries. For the month following the move, Zhulan’s family didn’t buy any pastries.

With the New Year, and having received all those visits during the move, Zhulan’s family naturally had to reciprocate. In preparation for returning the favor, they bought a silly coat and a sheep for the holiday, slaughtering it and distributing the meat to their neighbors. The gift for the county magistrate’s family was even more generous, costing over thirty taels of silver just for the New Year’s gift.

The gifts they received in return were substantial too; they had no shortage of meat at home, and they received enough fabric to make four sets of clothes for the entire family.

The most reciprocation came from the county magistrate’s family, who sent back some rare ingredients from the south. Given that it was their first New Year since the engagement, Zhulan also personally sent some jewelry gifts to Dong Chuchu. Lady Donglin reciprocated with several delicate pieces of jewelry for Xue Han, Yushuang, and Yu Lu.

With increasing social obligations, their yearly reciprocations increased as well, costing a good deal of silver. Without a financial foundation, one couldn’t even hope to socialize, as no silver meant no connections, and no connections meant no further opportunities.

In the end, it all boiled down to silver. Zhou Shuren’s quick building of connections was due partly to his abilities, but also because his family had financial resources to back him up. Having silver in hand made a big difference when inviting people for meals at a restaurant rather than a street stall.

Who wouldn’t want to befriend someone more financially established? It was all a matter of mutual benefit; naturally, people preferred to make friends who could provide help in the future.

Of course, there were friendships formed between gentlemen, but there weren’t many of those in the tough times of the ancient period.

At least since Zhulan and Zhou Shuren had arrived, they had yet to meet any gentlemen who formed friendships without regard to background or potential.

After the New Year, time flew even faster. In the blink of an eye, the first lunar month had passed, and preparations for the Er Yue children’s examination in February were underway, with both Chang Lian and Chang Zhi from Zhulan’s family participating.

Because Zhou Shuren was a government granary student himself, he could provide a guarantee, which saved them a lot of trouble.

Everyone from Zhou’s village who was taking the exam also looked to Zhou Shuren as a guarantor. Regardless of whether they were part of the clan or not, Zhou Shuren didn’t charge for his guarantee. On one hand, he didn’t need the extra silver; on the other, since the whole village studied at the Zhou Clan School, favors given today might be repaid to the Zhous in the future. Should any of them achieve success in official examinations, it would be considered good karma.

The closer the exam dates came, the greater the pressure on Chang Lian, mainly because he was the county magistrate’s future son-in-law. He hoped to do well in the county examination and then get married, naturally wishing to achieve not just passable results but noteworthy ones.

Chang Zhi, on the other hand, remained calm. His youth was one reason, but this lad also had a lot of confidence in himself.

Privately, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren believed Chang Zhi would do better than Chang Lian. Sometimes, innate talent could indeed be enviable!

Two days before the exam, Chang Lian received a pencil case sent by Dong Chuchu, which he took with him to the examination hall.

This time, they stayed at their clan relatives’ place during the exam period, allowing the two brothers to look after each other.

On the first day of the exam, Zhulan was concerned, "I wonder if Chang Zhi can take care of himself."

Zhou Shuren wasn’t worried, but because of Zhulan’s concern, he felt annoyed with the two bothersome lads, "Chang Zhi might not bother about minor affairs or care about money, but with ample silver, he’s more capable of taking care of himself than anyone."

This was a person who was willing to spend money and wouldn’t shortchange himself.

Zhulan, "....."

She had nothing to say in response, Chang Zhi didn’t care about Silver Coins, as long as there was Silver in his hands, he would definitely be willing to spend it, but it was Chang Lian—this kid was a real miser, and it seemed like it was getting worse.

However, Chang Lian and Chang Zhi took the exam together and lived together during that time. Zhulan thought to herself that the Silver she gave to Chang Zhi must have been spent without a trace left, but as for Chang Lian, this kid must have quite a bit remaining. He wouldn’t feel the slightest shame taking advantage of his brother; Chang Lian’s skin was getting thicker by the day.

This year, the county test consisted of five sessions. Zhou Shuren wasn’t preoccupied with the results, nor did he personally go to pick up the two brothers upon completion; it was the eldest Zhou brother and the second eldest who went to the county to fetch them.

In the afternoon, the four brothers returned. Just by looking at Chang Lian’s expression, one could tell that his ranking was not ideal.

Chang Zhi was still a kid, and on top of that the youngest examinee of the year. Having achieved a good score, he excitedly said, "Dad, I got first place, I’m number one."

Zhou Shuren was very satisfied that his expectations had not been let down, and he encouraged him, "Don’t be arrogant, you must continue to work hard."

Chang Zhi still aspired to be a "Scholar." Now that their household’s circumstances had improved and he was reading more books, with Dad and the teacher personally guiding him, if he couldn’t pass as a "Scholar," he would let down both his teacher and dad. "Dad, I’m going back to my books now."

Zhou Shuren spent much effort on Chang Zhi’s education; he also wanted to try and see if, without the foundation of a large Clan and following his training, Chang Zhi having enough talent, could create a sensation and become this year’s "Scholar."

Seeing his younger brother like this made Chang Lian feel even more blocked up inside, and very depressed. He didn’t even rank second, but fifth. Somewhat afraid of disappointing Dad, he dared not speak of his ranking, "Dad."

Zhou Shuren could see the ranking hadn’t met expectations; although this kid didn’t have confidence in surpassing Chang Zhi, he had quite some confidence in his own ranking. This kid indeed worked hard enough. Comforting him, he said, "The result of the first exam doesn’t mean much, think about your Dad—I didn’t come first in the county test at the beginning either, so the result of the first exam doesn’t represent the final outcome."

Chang Lian felt a bit better upon hearing this and then revealed his rank, "Dad, I got fifth place."

Zhou Shuren understood that there was something fishy about Chang Lian’s ranking. Although Chang Lian couldn’t compete with Chang Zhi, he was also very hardworking, and with a bit of talent too, he was only below Chang Zhi in the Clan school’s performance. He had also inquired about this year’s candidates, and there weren’t many who were better than Chang Lian. Plus, Chang Lian was a careful person, he wouldn’t be careless now. There was no way he would rank fifth.

It seemed, the County magistrate didn’t want his son-in-law to rank too highly and had pressed down his ranking!

Zhou Shuren guessed the County magistrate’s intention; he not only hoped Chang Lian would take the subsequent exams more seriously, but it also reduced the blow of not becoming a "Scholar," should that be the case. The County magistrate, as Chang Lian’s father-in-law, was indeed very considerate of him.

Since the County magistrate had suppressed the ranking, then his own encouragement would suffice. He did not want Chang Lian to be too discouraged, "The ranking is still fine. Dad believes that your ranking will definitely be better next time."

He thought his Dad would be dissatisfied. On his way back, he was anxious, unsure of how to face Dad, but to his surprise, not only did Dad not scold him, he even encouraged him. Clenching his fist, he said, "Dad, next time, I will definitely achieve a good ranking."

That was actually uncertain. Zhou Shuren was familiar with the local examinees, but not with those who would take part in the academic competition in Pingzhou. He hoped Chang Lian wouldn’t make his promise too strong, only to be hit harder later, "The academic competition will be in Pingzhou. Each session doesn’t lack talented and hardworking people; everyone taking the academic competition has real ability. Dad hopes you’ll be earnest and diligent. Ranking is secondary; as long as you work hard and put in the effort, Dad will be content."

At least having tried and not passed would leave no regrets, but since it was inauspicious, Zhou Shuren left this unsaid.

Chang Lian felt time was pressing. While taking the county test, he was complacent, thinking he wouldn’t do poorly, but the outcome wasn’t good. The academic competition was harder than the county test, he needed to work harder, "Dad, I’m going to study as well."

Before Zhulan could say anything, Chang Lian was already rushing back to the yard to study, racing against time.

Zhou Shuren asked, "Is there something you want to talk about with Chang Lian?"