Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 299: Ranking_1

Chapter 299: Chapter 299: Ranking_1

Zhou Shuren felt a small surge of anticipation in his heart, who wouldn’t want to be first instead of settling for second? Luckily, he managed to restrain himself for fear that too much hope might lead to embarrassment, "We’ll know when the time comes."

Zhulan asked, "You seem especially calm, do you really not care about the results?"

Zhou Shuren wrapped his arm around Zhulan’s waist, "I do care, but I’m confident that I will definitely pass, it’s just the ranking that remains unknown."

Zhulan pressed down on Zhou Shuren’s not-so-still hand, which was growing bolder, "Let go."

Zhou Eldest Brother, "....."

He wanted to leave, but Daddy saw him, and he felt a shiver down his spine, leaving him feeling gloomy. Why did he always have to be the one to encounter this? Woe is him, as the eldest, it was his duty to greet and call Daddy whenever guests arrived!

Next time, he would definitely learn his lesson. Even if the door was left open, he would wait outside until Daddy gave his permission before entering the room.

Zhou Shuren glared at the eldest brother as he went out, then finally released his hand. Seeing that Zhulan hadn’t noticed the elder brother, he curled the corner of his mouth; his skin was saved.

Zhou Eldest Brother stood at the door and watched Dad come out, bowing his head, "Dad, Uncle Er from the Clan Leader’s family has arrived."

Zhou Shuren said with approval, then to the wanting-to-slip-away Eldest Brother, "Watch your mouth."

Zhou Eldest Brother, ".... Yes."

Even without Dad’s warning, he wouldn’t dare to speak out!

Because the Clan Leader’s second son had come, Zhulan asked Lady Li to prepare two more dishes that evening. The Clan Leader had sent his son to Pingzhou just to wait for the results of the provincial exam.

This year, Zhou Shuren was the only one from their clan to take the provincial exam, and the Clan Leader at home was very worried, unable to resist sending his son to Pingzhou early.

Time flew, and the day for the results to be announced finally arrived. Zhou Shuren sent the eldest and second brother to check the results, and the son from the Clan Leader’s family went with them.

Zhou Shuren didn’t go to check the results in person. With so many people likely to be at the announcement, he didn’t want the hassle of pushing through the crowd, so he chose to wait peacefully at home, knowing in his heart that he had passed. As for why he sent the eldest and second brothers, they were pacing around early in the morning, making everyone anxious; it was better to send them out so he could have some peace.

No sooner had Zhou Eldest Brother and his group left than a servant from the Jiang Residence arrived, "This servant brings greetings to the Old Graduate, and congratulations for having obtained the second place as the Runner-up."

Zhou Shuren remained silent. He still hadn’t surpassed Wu Ming, but managed a smile, "Please thank Mr. Jiang for his concern."

The servant from the Jiang Residence said with a forced smile, "The Master said it’s only right, since we’re all family."

The servant thought to himself, it was quite unexpected. Scholar Zhou had become Old Graduate, and next year he could even go to the capital to take the imperial exam; perhaps the Zhou family would become officials too! It seemed they would have to treat Zhou Changlian with a bit more courtesy in the future.

Zhulan, though confident from Zhou Shuren’s assurance, had been anxious without definite news. Now, finally at ease, she took out two silver taels and handed them to the servant, "Thank you for making the trip; take this as a token of good fortune and have a drink on us."

The servant from the Jiang Residence took the reward swiftly, "Thank you for the Graduate’s wife’s generosity, I’ll take my leave to report back now."

As his words faded, jubilant music sounded from outside the Zhou residence. Zhulan directed Chang Lian, "Quick, go out and set off the firecrackers."

The servant from the Jiang Residence also went out to join the celebration.

The Zhou family members all headed to the front courtyard, while Rongchuan and Chang Zhi carried a basket filled with copper coins to scatter as celebratory money at the main entrance.

The process for passing the Graduate examination and becoming a Scholar was different, with different people coming to bring the news. When they passed the Graduate exam, a good number of people came with much pomp and circumstance, and Zhulan gave the prepared celebratory money to the messengers.

Once the messengers had left, they began to scatter the celebratory money. Today’s commotion was particularly big, and the whole street knew about it. The difference between being a Graduate and a Scholar was significant. Even if one didn’t continue to take exams after becoming a Graduate, one was still qualified to become an official, and a Graduate attracted more sycophants.

The Wu family lived not far from Zhulan’s, and two Graduates had emerged from this area—one was the First Place Candidate, and the other was the Runner-up. Many people believed that the feng shui of the place was indeed auspicious!

Even from a distance, Zhulan could still hear discussions about feng shui!

Back at the Zhou residence, Zhou Shuren, accompanied by Chang Lian and Chang Zhi, received male guests in the front yard, while Zhulan returned to the inner courtyard and, seeing Lady Li smiling, said, "Lady Li, why are you still standing there? Go hurry and buy some wine and meat!"

Lady Li’s face flushed with excitement. Now that father-in-law had become a Graduate, she had always known that the eunuch would become one. She replied very loudly, "Mother, I’ll go right now."

Lady Zhao was also excited; father-in-law might even become an official in the future. She thought to herself, let’s see how Lady Dong could feel proud then, "Mother, I’ll go light the fire in the kitchen and boil water."

Zhulan noticed Lady Zhao giving Lady Dong a sidelong glance. Lady Zhao now held a grudge in her heart against Lady Dong, "Go ahead."

She was unwilling to manage the conflicts between the two of them; as long as they didn’t cross her bottom line, they could do whatever they wanted without bothering her.

The shock to Lady Dong was the greatest. Unlike the eldest sister-in-law, who firmly believed father-in-law would pass, and not like the second sister-in-law who hoped for it, her heart was the most conflicted. She hoped father-in-law would succeed so her husband could gain more confidence, yet she did not want father-in-law to pass because she knew that if he become a Graduate, he would need to prepare for the next exam, and once he obtained his degree, he would have an official’s genuine status—not like her own father, who was always unorthodox. Her advantage in the Zhou family would be gone.

Now she no longer needed to feel torn. Father-in-law had become a Graduate, and all she needed to do was to please her mother-in-law so she wouldn’t be left behind if father-in-law went to the capital. Thinking of this, she felt excited; relying on oneself was better than relying on others, even if brother-in-law was good, father-in-law was more dependable!

Xue Han stood up and asked, "Mother, what can I help with?"

Zhulan pinched her daughter’s little nose, "Just stay by my side and be good."

Lady Dong came back to her senses and noticed she was the only daughter-in-law left, "Mother, I’ll go help the second sister-in-law."

Zhulan said, "You don’t need to go there. We will have female guests arriving soon, and you can help me entertain them."

With Lady Dong around, she too could take it easy. Entertaining guests was Lady Dong’s forte, using her to boil water would be a waste of talent.

A smile appeared on Lady Dong’s lips; her mother-in-law was asking her to help with receiving guests, which meant she was finally no longer angry with her, "Yes!"

Zhou Shuren becoming a Graduate not only brought neighbors over to share in the joy but also attracted nearby merchants to visit. In just a short while, the Zhou family accepted quite a few gifts.

Though the second to the tenth positions were all Runner-ups, Zhou Shuren’s position was, in fact, the real second place. Coupled with the Zhou family’s relationship with the Jiang Residence and Mr. Jiang, naturally, everyone was willing to visit the Zhou family with congratulations.

Moreover, Zhou Shuren had an advantage in age. When Zhou Shuren became a Scholar at a young age, no one was optimistic about how many years it would take him to pass as a Graduate. However, becoming a Graduate at his age was quite different. A Graduate around forty years old, mature in thought and more reliable—despite being the second place, many preferred Zhou Shuren over Wu Ming.

Especially knowing that Zhou Shuren had passed the Graduate exam on his first attempt, it was clear evidence of his ability. Some minor officials from Pingzhou City, though they didn’t come in person to offer congratulations, sent servants to deliver gifts.

Zhulan and Lady Dong in the inner courtyard were also extremely busy hosting guests. Originally, Zhulan thought they would be celebrating among their own people, but since guests in the front yard weren’t leaving, she asked Mingyun to inquire about Zhou Shuren’s wishes and had Zhou Changlian secure a reservation for a banquet at a nearby restaurant.

By the afternoon, Zhou Shuren took the guests to the restaurant. With Zhou Shuren, the main character, gone, the Zhou family’s main gate could finally be closed.

Zhulan rubbed her cheeks; today had exhausted her thoroughly.

Lady Li said excitedly, "Mother, come and see. The gifts we received today almost fill up the room!"