Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 330 The Young Man Who Was Matched Before Marriage_1

Chapter 330: Chapter 330 The Young Man Who Was Matched Before Marriage_1

Zhou Shuren, "....."

It’s hopeless!

Zhulan saw Zhou Shuren with an expressionless face, the corners of her mouth hooked, "You don’t have to answer, I understand."

Zhou Shuren, "....."

He didn’t intend to respond either. Despondent, the thing a top student fears most is a genius, and Wu Ming is a genius among geniuses, a genius with a quick mind. Even if the fate of the mighty changes, the mighty remain mighty!

Inside Wu Ming’s carriage, the young servant was extremely nervous. To ease his tension, he poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to the young master, "Young master, Lord Zhou and Lady Li have been really good to you."

The young servant had experienced too much scheming in the backyards of large houses; he was the last to trust human nature. But his time with the Zhou family had shattered his old view. Although Lord Zhou and the young master were rivals, not only did the Zhou family not scheme against the young master, but they also took care of him attentively.

Things he hadn’t anticipated had been considered by Lady Li. This time, during the release of the examination results, Lady Li, deeply worried that the young master might catch a cold again, made sure the carriage was tightly sealed, and the cloak on the young master’s shoulders was newly made too!

His careful defenses were unnecessary!

Wu Ming held the teacup, his hands warm and his heart warmer. The Zhou family provided him with the warmth he had longed for and showed him that not all hearts are dark; there are good ones too.

This imperial examination, he performed even better than in the qualifying exams, all thanks to his aunt’s care. He would remember this kindness in his heart.

Time ticked away, and soon the first rays of sunlight spread across the land; it was finally daybreak.

Zhulan’s stomach was full of ginger tea; there was no helping it, the wind outside was cold. The weather in March wasn’t much warmer, and the carriage was not very warm either. Er Yue, shivering outside by the carriage, kept moving his body to stay warm!

As the time for the announcement of the results drew closer, the anxiety of those waiting increased. The release of the results each year followed a set schedule. As the gong sounded, Zhulan’s spirits focused, "They’re posting the results."

Zhou Shuren gripped Zhulan’s hand, "You wait in the carriage, I’ll go down with big brother and have a look."

Zhou’s eldest, curled up in a corner like a quail, would have preferred to wander outside on the ground with Er Yue. Since he kept bumping into his parents spending time openly together, they no longer avoided their children. To be precise, they acted as if they didn’t exist!

Unfortunately, he had been raised too delicately to withstand the cold outside any longer and had to steel himself to stay crouched in a corner of the carriage for warmth.

Upon hearing his father’s words, Zhou’s eldest hurriedly climbed out of the carriage.

Zhulan shook her head, "I want to join you. I want to witness this glory with you."

Zhou Shuren, ".....Okay."

Regrettably, she was witnessing him become the second-ranked candidate!

Zhulan fastened her cloak tightly around her and followed Zhou Shuren out of the carriage; they joined Wu Ming to look at the posted results. Good heavens, there were so many people gathered under the announcement board. Zhulan wasn’t tall, and given the distance from the city wall, she couldn’t make out the names listed, only a sea of moving heads.

Zhulan was speechless. For the imperial examinations, couldn’t the court be a tad more generous and write the names larger? Out of the 150 candidates accepted, the names of all 150 were squeezed onto just two sheets of paper, which were no longer than a foot and a half a foot wide. Zhulan seriously suspected it was a perverse pleasure.

It was indeed a tight squeeze under the announcement board, primarily among the servants and the guards of powerful backers carving a path!

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren exchanged a look, knowing they would have to wait a while.

Luckily, the number of candidates was limited. After a short wait, those who hadn’t succeeded began to leave. The candidates who passed were either sharing their joy with family and friends or waiting aside, curious to see who had topped as the highest-scoring candidate.

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren made it to the announcement wall, confidently looking at the top name on the first sheet of paper.

Wu Ming’s servant could read and said excitedly, "Young master, you are the top scholar."

Wu Ming’s tightly clenched fist relaxed, and he turned to say, "Nephew has not let uncle and auntie down with their care."

Zhulan, "....."

"Actually, you can be unworthy, really!"

Zhou Shuren saw his own name just below Wu Ming’s. Aside from the top scholar, everyone else was a candidate. The ranking truly didn’t matter; what counted was the outcome of the final Imperial examination.

Zhou Shuren smiled, "My young nephew scored as a top scholar at such a young age, we must certainly celebrate in a grand fashion today."

Wu Ming smiled, "Nephew also congratulates Uncle on becoming a candidate."

The remaining candidates saw Wu Ming, their faces a mixture of complex emotions.

These candidates, apart from the ones born under a lucky star, were all over thirty years of age, with the oldest around sixty!

Wu Ming, being so young and having become a top scholar, evoked envy and admiration; concurrently, some people’s thoughts raced ahead.

A candidate in his forties stepped forward, "Does the young Master have a betrothed? I have a daughter just fourteen years of age, versed in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I think she would be a perfect match for the young Master!"

Once one person started, there would be a second.

Zhulan watched as Wu Ming was surrounded, and though he was mature for his age, he couldn’t withstand such enthusiasm and flushed red, unsure of how to speak.

Zhou Shuren watched in amusement. He needed to vent the frustration of having come in second multiple times. Alas, young man, this was just the beginning!

Zhulan saw that Wu Ming couldn’t take it anymore and tugged Zhou Shuren’s sleeve as a signal to stop spectating.

Zhou Shuren coughed and stepped forward, "Marriage requires the command of the parents and the words of the matchmaker. We appreciate everyone’s interest, but let’s discuss this after the elderly matriarch arrives in the capital, shall we?

Wu Ming exhaled in relief and said with a bow, "I am grateful for your kind favor, but the matter of my marriage is decided by my grandmother. Please forgive me."

Zhou Shuren continued, "The hour is getting late; we have other matters and must take our leave now."

A candidate stopped them, "Please leave an address so we may visit in the coming days."

Such a desirable son-in-law cannot be let go so easily.

Zhou Shuren left an address with a smile. Those who had reached this point were all capable people. Nobody could predict the future. Hmm, better to have one more friend than one more enemy.

When Zhulan and the others got back to their carriage, it was settled; everyone knew that the top scholar was a young bachelor.

Big Brother Zhou sat in Wu Ming’s carriage, while Zhulan and Zhou Shuren were in another. Zhulan tugged at Zhou Shuren’s beard and whispered, "Our house will have no peace now. Wu Ming has become a hot commodity. I saw quite a few officials’ young servants eyeing Wu Ming. Tomorrow’s salutation cards will surely be overwhelming."

Zhou Shuren chuckled, "That’s nothing. The proclamation of the Imperial examination results is what’s really frightening."

Zhulan’s eyes glittered, "In dramas, there are scenes of capturing a groom beneath the posting. Could that actually happen after the Imperial examination results are announced?"

Zhou Shuren replied, "It doesn’t happen in our current dynasty, but it did occur in the past. The former dynasty was lenient toward the merchants, who particularly enjoyed claiming sons-in-law beneath the posting. In our dynasty, it is mostly the officials who favor a son-in-law and summon him using their official status. Those who dare not join the excitement do not engage in capturing anyone."

Zhulan seemed disappointed but then laughed again, "I carefully observed earlier, out of the one hundred and fifty names, there were very few young ones, and even the young candidates of official families are likely already engaged through clan arrangements. Among those from humble backgrounds, it seems like only Wu Ming is the young bachelor!"

Zhou Shuren was quiet for a moment then said, "Zhao Bo isn’t married yet either."

Zhulan, "....You’re right, I seemed to have forgotten something. We forgot to look for Zhao Bo’s name earlier, and I didn’t notice Zhao Bo just now either."

She and Zhou Shuren had been so engrossed in Wu Ming’s excitement, they had completely overlooked Zhao Bo.

Zhulan continued, "I only looked at the first and second places, not the rest. Did you see it?"

Zhou Shuren, "....No."

Zhulan was speechless. Great, neither of them had paid attention to Zhao Bo.