Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 810: Combine the number 8

Chapter 810: Chapter 810: Combine the number 8

The next day, at the Zhou family’s breakfast, Ming Teng saw his grandfather and his eyes widened. "Grandfather, why didn’t you go to court this morning?"

It had been a month since he had seen his grandfather, and seeing him suddenly in the morning felt quite unusual.

Zhou Shuren was sipping his porridge and couldn’t be bothered with Ming Teng. He had talked about the court attendance rules, but the youngster hadn’t really been paying attention.

Mingyun pulled her brother aside. "Grandfather doesn’t need to attend court this month."

Ming Teng then remembered, "Ah, it’s the start of a new month."

His expression changed again; wasn’t it test day again today? The pressure was great on him—Ming Rui improved with every test, but he just couldn’t keep up!

Mingyun passed a steamed bun to her brother. Ming Teng was trying hard, but his talents were somewhat lacking. Maintaining his current standing was already quite good, but then she thought about the new students who had transferred to the Academy, and she guessed Ming Teng’s ranking might fall.

In the Academy, Ming Teng sat earnestly reading his books. Ning Zhao was sitting in front of him. Turning around, he asked, "Didn’t you review last night?"

Ming Teng replied, "I reviewed what we learned over the past few days, but with today’s test, I can’t quite remember the earlier stuff. What about you?"

Ning Zhao, who had transferred not long ago, spoke in a hushed tone, "I did review. You know I just transferred, and I’ve heard our Academy’s test questions are very difficult."

Ming Teng looked left and right; everyone was holding their books and reviewing. "My grandfather also said the tests are difficult for our age, but there’s nothing we can do. You’ve seen it yourself, our class is full of talented students, and most of them have a strong family background. Only by making the questions harder can the gap be widened. Sigh, I just hope I don’t fall behind in this test."

Ning Zhao became even more nervous. In his eyes, Ming Teng was already very impressive, although not as much as Ming Rui. "I’m going to study too."

Class A, Gu Liufeng was in a good mood; he had successfully found a mentor, this time with his uncle’s help, who found him a new teacher.

Mingyun asked, "Feeling good?"

Gu Liufeng smiled. "There’s good news."

Mingyun joked, "A good mood makes for a good performance. Who knows, maybe this time you’ll surpass me."

Gu Liufeng didn’t think so. Zhou Mingyun had ranked below him when he first came, but later surpassed him. He couldn’t compare to Zhou Mingyun, who had the guidance of a degree-holding uncle and a second-place scholar grandfather. His vision couldn’t match Zhou Mingyun’s. "I’ll try my best."

Not measuring up now didn’t mean he couldn’t in the future. Everyone harbored the ambition to be first.

At the Zhou Residence, Zhulan greeted Mrs. Qi as she entered the courtyard. Mr. Qi, the official who had helped Zhou Shuren before, Qi Bai—Zhulan hadn’t expected the Ning family to invite Mrs. Qi and the official matchmaker to come together.

It showed the relationship between the Ning and Qi families. Zhulan remembered what Zhou Shuren had said: the Qi family’s younger generation wasn’t remarkable, but the Qi family itself was harmonious, and in terms of descendants, the Qi family was indeed thriving.

Lady Du, advanced in age, seldom left her house. She had come this time out of regard for the Ning family, "I’m here at the Ning family’s request."

Zhulan nodded, "I understand. Please take a seat, madam."

Lady Du shook her head; she was not putting on airs and didn’t plan to say much. The two families were simply going through the process again, and she was just part of it. "Don’t be so polite, take a seat."

Zhulan said, "The Duke Residence already sent a message yesterday, I just didn’t expect it to be you, madam. You’ve had quite the day."

Lady Du smiled, "I’m just here to complete the formalities; it’s not hard. Besides, I’m also here on behalf of my lord to have a look. He’s very curious about Zhou Shuren."

It was a pity; none of her own family’s younger generation were capable. The lord had too many considerations for his descendants. She had often heard him speak of Zhou Shuren, but never had the chance to meet him.

Zhulan’s eyes curved into a smile, "When there’s a chance, Shuren will definitely visit Mr. Qi."

Lady Du just listened and did not take it to heart; these were all polite expressions. "That’s very good."

Subsequently, Zhulan handed the birthday record to the matchmaker, matching the birthdates before proceeding with the next steps.

In the Duke Residence, the matchmaker returned, and the Duchess held the birthday record as she spoke to her daughter-in-law, "When Rongchuan and Miss Zhou were engaged, Rongchuan’s birthdate didn’t match. This time, I will have a master calculate it."

Lady Du’s smile was somewhat forced, all because she had just seen the list of betrothal gifts at her mother-in-law’s, "The two of them look well-matched."

The Duchess, who loved by association, and the more she learned about Zhou Xuehan, the more satisfied she became, handed the birthday record to the maid and then took up the list of betrothal gifts. Rongchuan’s dowry mostly came from Xu, and a small portion from the Duke Residence. This surname change for Rongchuan was necessary, and the Duke Residence must contribute.

If the Duchess hadn’t heard her husband say not to go too far, she would have added the rest of what she had to the dowry, sighing, "This betrothal gift still seems too modest."

Lady Du felt like spitting blood. The betrothal gifts the Ning family had given the Du family back then were not even as much as this. Despite both being superior marriages, why was the disparity so great? She felt uncomfortable and thought of her two daughters-in-law—the elder, Mrs. Song, with the interference of her mother-in-law and the standing of the Song family in the capital, had a very respectable betrothal gift.

She was unhappy with Mrs. Song’s betrothal gifts back then, and now there was an addition of Mrs. Zhou.

The elderly Duchess no longer had much energy to pay attention to her daughters-in-law and, of course, wouldn’t take it to heart even if she noticed Lady Du’s displeasure.

In the afternoon, Zhou Shuren returned home very early, "How come you’re back so early today?"

Zhou Shuren placed the pastries he bought on the table, "Tomorrow, the Crown Prince wants to visit the planning district, so I came back early today."

Zhulan took a pastry, "You mentioned it yesterday, and you really went to buy it."

"I remember every word you say, I had to queue for a while to buy these."

Zhulan felt sweet inside. Although it had been several years since they were married and there were many things for the Zhou family to worry about, they never neglected each other.

Zhou Shuren changed his clothes, "When I came back, Mingyun and the others had also returned. I’m going to the study to check on them."

"Alright."

In the study, Ming Teng held his paper with a grin, "Not dropping in rank is a victory!"

Zhou Shuren stepped into the study, "What victory?"

Ming Teng widened his eyes, "Grandfather, why are you at home?"

This wasn’t right; his grandfather shouldn’t be at home at this hour.

"I remember you had a test today, I came back early for you. Bring your papers here."

Ming Teng had been uncertain in the morning, but now he was confident, seeing his older brother taking it slow, he felt a bit anxious.

Zhou Shuren took Mingyun’s paper, naturally seeing the urgency on Ming Teng’s face; this child had surely done well. There were few errors in Mingyun’s paper, apart from a couple of vague explanations, there were no other issues.

Ming Teng, seeing his grandfather setting down the older brother’s paper, handed his own to his grandfather with a grin, "Grandfather, your grandson hasn’t regressed."

Zhou Shuren scanned it quickly, and indeed it was answered well, "Keep it up."

Ming Teng was so happy he almost jumped up. Having passed this test, he could relax a bit longer.

Ming Rui’s rank dropped by one, Zhou Shuren consoled Ming Rui, "A single test doesn’t mean much, don’t worry about it too much."

His grandchildren had different temperaments; Ming Rui was a sensitive child. This setback had already put pressure on him.