Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 342: Discerning the Wise from the Fools_1

Chapter 342: Chapter 342: Discerning the Wise from the Fools_1

Chang Lian recovered for a moment, "Mother, will father stay in the capital from now on?"

Capital Officials, or the Hanlin Academy, the current dynasty had continued the official system from the previous one, and it was widely known that one must enter the Hanlin Academy to be inducted into the Cabinet, as the elder statesmen of the former dynasty all emerged from there.

Chang Lian believed in father’s abilities, and he was convinced that his father would be his greatest support in the future.

From today’s parade, Zhulan felt very uncertain; it was precisely because Zhou Shuren was so composed that Zhulan was sure there must be something going on. Seeing the foolhardy smile on Chang Lian, she thought the child had it tough all right, having struggled all the way to the capital. Let him be happy for a little while!

Zhulan maintained her smile unchanged, but instead asked, "Did you meet your grandparents on the way here?"

Considering the timing, her parents should have departed earlier. Because her mother was not in great health and the Yang family had a large entourage that slowed their pace, Chang Lian should have encountered them.

Chang Lian, carried away with excitement, had forgotten an important matter, "Mother, wait for me for a moment."

Saying so, he dashed out like the wind.

Chang Lian returned quickly, with two letters in hand, "One is from Second Uncle to Eldest Uncle, the other is from Second Uncle to you."

Zhulan took the two letters. Her eldest brother had also had a bit too much to drink at noon, and, groggy, had not even met his nephew before he went back to lie down. She would give the letter to her brother later and opened the one from her second brother. It reassured her not to worry, that their parents were in good health and estimated to arrive in six days. The rest was congratulations for Zhou Shuren’s success as a candidate.

Reading this, Zhulan sighed. Oh, the transportation of ancient times, how delayed the news could be. She carefully folded the envelope, "How did your grandparents look when you saw them?"

Chang Lian knew his mother wouldn’t trust the letter from his second uncle. Fortunately, he hadn’t been in a rush to travel and had specifically stayed with his grandparents for a day. Chang Lian stole a glance at his mother, remembering well her strictness, "Grandfather is in good shape; he practices his boxing every time they stop the carriage. Grandmother has lost some weight since I left, but despite that, she is in high spirits. Every time they stop, she takes a few of the kids with her to pick wild vegetables to cook."

Now, Zhulan felt assured, knowing Chang Lian wouldn’t dare lie to her, "You came alone, what about Lady Dong?"

"I came to the capital. With Lady Dong in Pingzhou City, I wouldn’t be at ease, so I escorted her back to Li Family Village."

Zhulan continued to inquire, "Is there someone looking after the house in Pingzhou City?"

Chang Lian replied, "Ma Qiang and his wife are watching it."

Zhulan stood up and walked to the desk, picking up the writing brush. She felt it was time to write a letter to Second Brother Zhou. The house in Pingzhou could be sold now. The government officer who announced the news to various Prefecture Cities had left yesterday. Soon, everyone would know that Zhou Shuren was the second-place scholar and Wu Ming the Top scorer. The house in Pingzhou could be sold.

Luckily, she was quick-witted. When they departed, she hadn’t thoroughly considered everything. After giving it some thought, she didn’t take the deed to the house in Pingzhou with her, just in case she decided to sell it—the deed in her hands wouldn’t be convenient. Before leaving, she had entrusted it to Second Brother for safekeeping.

Chang Lian stood by his mother’s side, watching her write the letter, feeling especially conflicted. He realized he didn’t understand his mother at all. Previously, it had always been father who earned the Silver and brought it home. Now, it seemed that his mother was the formidable one. Just look at how she instructed Second Brother!

After finishing the letter, Zhulan noticed Chang Lian’s complex expression, "What’s wrong?"

Chang Lian was silent, as the letter his mother wrote was very clear. She had instructed Second Brother to give some money to the storyteller at the teahouse, asking him to craft a tale about the recent second-place scholar who had bought a house and subsequently soared to great heights, securing his name on the golden list.

Mother also instructed Second Brother that only when the rumors spread to Feng Shui masters, he should go to the broker to sell the house, everything else could wait.

She also told Second Brother to sell only to merchants, not scholars.

Chang Lian understood everything up until the last part, "Mother, why did you tell Second Brother to sell only to merchants and not to scholars?"

Zhulan gave him a look as if to say ’you’re silly’.

Chang Lian, "....."

He really hadn’t kept up with Mother’s thinking; he even began to doubt whether he was truly smart.

Seeing that Chang Lian truly didn’t understand, Zhulan explained, "The reasoning is quite simple, your father is where he is today because he’s capable, and it’s always best to be down-to-earth; real ability is what truly matters, everything else is just fluff. Of course, we can’t say that luck isn’t a factor, but one’s luck isn’t always present; it’s most reliable to have real skill."

Chang Lian blinked his eyes. Once again, Mother overturned his understanding. Not only did she have vision, but she could also see through to the essence. Hmm, if only he could inherit Father’s intelligence and Mother’s insight, that would be wonderful.

Zhulan had no idea what Chang Lian was thinking, and if she knew, she would keep smiling. Sorry, neither she nor Zhou Shuren were his birth parents.

Chang Lian asked, "Then why sell only to merchants?"

Zhulan held up two fingers, "First, merchants have money and are the most superstitious about Feng Shui, and second, the policies towards merchants will become more lenient as time goes on. Life for merchants will get better and better, which would justify our family’s reason for selling the estate."

Chang Lian admired how thoroughly Mother had considered everything, but still, "Mother, what if the merchant’s business fails?"

Zhulan pointed to a letter, "That’s why I’ve instructed your elder brother, if the Phang family or the Wang family come to buy, do not hesitate and sell immediately. Son, you must learn to gather all information, instead of just hearing what you want to hear."

Chang Lian fell silent. Mother mentioned two surnames, and he understood why. Everyone in Pingzhou knew that these two merchant families had donated a lot of grain to the Emperor during times of war. As long as these two families didn’t make fatal mistakes, the likelihood of their decline was extremely low.

Zhulan asked about the family situation, and upon learning everything at home was fine, she sent Chang Lian off to deliver the letter, planning to rest herself.

Zhulan slept until nightfall. After dinner, feeling quite refreshed from oversleeping, she stood in the yard looking in the direction of the Palace, wondering what Zhou Shuren was doing.

Inside the Palace, Zhou Shuren was darting around with a wine cup in hand. He had paid attention to where several of the eighty people from the morning’s court session were assigned. He wanted to take this opportunity to memorize all the places to which these eighty people were dispatched.

Those who were part of the first group dispatched had different emotions than the previous sessions; with more conversations came acquaintances, and once acquaintances were made, everything else was easy to negotiate. Zhou Shuren then seized the opportunity to chat, and some of the graduates, in high spirits, made promises to Zhou Shuren that they would help as much as they could.

Zhou Shuren was very satisfied. With many people hearing this promise, especially at a Palace banquet, they wouldn’t want to give the Emperor the impression of being untrustworthy. If he really came asking for help later, they would grit their teeth and help him to save face and reputation.

The Emperor, while appearing lofty and seated above all, watched the most lively scenes. He saw everything Zhou Shuren did, and indeed saw talent in him. He was truly a great judge of character!