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

Lady Li couldn’t help but want to shake her son’s shoulders, as Ming Teng had run all the way back home, still out of breath, feeling his mother wanted to strangle him, he raised a finger, "Cough cough, second-place scholar, big brother is the second-place scholar."

Lady Li, "Being the second-place scholar is good, just like dad."

In Lady Li’s heart, being the top scorer is indeed great, but her father-in-law was also a second-place scholar, and his path was very smooth, so deep inside she felt it would be even better if her son could match his grandfather, foreseeing a smooth future, with a touch of superstition in it.

Zhulan just felt that in the future, the capital would come to accept that the Zhou family was destined to be without a top scorer.

Ming Teng spoke with indescribable emotion, "I saw big brother ranked as second-place scholar and jumped up excitedly, but everyone around me had a look of ’as expected’, tsk tsk, our family has truly become a family of second-place scholars."

Three generations of second-place scholars, always in second place, this was indeed strange.

Mingyun was very calm, knowing there was no chance for the top scorer, he set his sights on being the second-place scholar, not because of wanting a ’family of second-place scholars’, but because he wouldn’t allow himself to drop another rank.

Ran Wan was all smiles, her husband was the second-place scholar.

At this moment, the government officer bringing good news arrived, and the sound of firecrackers could be heard at the gate; the Zhou family never overdid their celebrations during the imperial examinations, just modestly scattering some Copper Coins and candies.

The gold list was announced, the top scholar was the top scorer, regretfully not the grand slam, as he finished third due to illness in the provincial exam, however, this time two-thirds of the scholars on the list were from the southern provinces.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren was accepting congratulations, with a smile on his lips, "Thank you."

Mr. Wang teased, "With three generations of second-place scholars at your mansion, the rumors in the capital are proven true."

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "Ah, my demands are not that high, if it can provide second-place scholars generation after generation, without producing a top scorer, I’d still be happy."

Between having a top scorer and continuous generations of second-place scholars, he preferred the latter.

Qiu Yan was speechless, "You really aren’t greedy."

Zhou Shuren changed the subject, "Speaking of, congratulations are also due to Mr. Wang."

Mr. Wang was very cheerful, his son’s ranking in the second class was not bad, with good arrangements he could enter the Hanlin Academy, "Congratulations to us both."

Qiu Yan felt envious, they were all high-level officials from the Ministry of Revenue, yet only his child was underperforming, watching others’ children excel while his own lagged behind in his studies.

Zhou Shuren added, "Congratulations to Mr. Qiu as well, I heard your granddaughter has been betrothed."

Qiu Yan’s smile deepened, "She has been, at the beginning of the year."

He owed Zhou Shuren thanks for the last flower banquet which was a big help, culminating in a fine marital arrangement.

In the Palace, Crown Prince, "Really a second-place scholar, Father, you didn’t give any slack, did you?"

Emperor, "In this palace examination, Zhou Mingyun and the top scorer were neck-and-neck, he just missed his chance."

Crown Prince thought it was a pity, if Zhou Mingyun had been the top scorer this time, he would have been the top scorer, "It’s still up to luck; luck is indeed mysterious and elusive."

Grandfather insisted that Zhou Shuren’s luck was linked to the nation’s fortune, which he didn’t believe at first, but after hearing grandfather recount Zhou Shuren’s fortunate blunders, he began to doubt.

So the young Crown Prince found the notion of luck quite fascinating.

Emperor also believed that Zhou Mingyun lacked a bit of luck, "Being the second-place scholar now is not bad either; three generations of second-place scholars in the Zhou family is still a commendable tale."

The Crown Prince thought about it and realized that not everyone could become the second-place scholar, "My son thinks that in the future, when the Zhou family’s descendants participate in the imperial examination, no one would bet on a Zhou family descendant becoming the Top scorer anymore."

The Emperor was amused, indeed there was such a possibility, "That would be quite interesting."

The next day, Mingyun was going to parade through the streets, and Zhulan, as always, claimed a spot at the teahouse early to watch. She saw her eldest grandson riding past on a horse, "My eldest grandson is the most handsome, this year’s Third-rank Scholar is not up to par in looks!"

Yu Yi was conflicted, she thought Yu Die resembled their grandmother a bit, just listen to what was said just now!

Lady Li, with her plump figure, was still leaning against the window, "Mother, I am the mother of the second-place scholar."

Zhulan, "Yes, my husband was a second-place scholar, and so is my son." frёewebηovel.cѳm

Lady Li gasped, and Zhulan laughed heartily, thinking about it made her realize she was indeed the biggest winner!

Yu Yi covered her face with a fan, she had found the source; Yu Die really did resemble her grandmother.

Zhulan continued watching the procession that hadn’t passed yet, "Our family already has several paintings just from parading."

Lady Li nodded, as long as her family participated, grandmother would paint.

Zhulan continued: "When your father and I are gone, you all must carefully preserve these paintings. They are our family’s glory, meant for future generations to see the demeanor of their ancestors."

This might be the most glorious time for the Zhou family in generations. In the future, the Emperor may not need to continue supporting the Zhou family, and they will have to be low-key. It would be difficult for future descendants to replicate the current grandeur.

Listening to this, Lady Li felt a pang in her heart, "Mother, you and father must live a hundred years!"

Zhulan did not respond; everyone wished to live a hundred years, but how many really reach that age?

Mingyun, as the second-place scholar, meant that the Zhou family had to return to honor their ancestors. This time, the elderly Zhou couple and Mingyun went back together. The eldest grandson was different; Mingyun had to personally return for the ancestral rites.

Ran Wan remained in the capital, with Zhulan looking after her, and a few of the Zhao family helped, leaving the main branch feeling reassured about their departure.

Qiizhou Province, being far from the capital, only received the news two days after the main branch had left. Chang Lian, upon hearing the news, jumped excitedly, "Mingyun really did us proud."

Mingyun was the eldest grandson of the third generation; this signified that for the next hundred years, as long as the Zhou family did not ruin themselves, they could prosper for a century.

Colleagues congratulated him one after another, understanding Chang Lian’s excitement; everyone would be thrilled if their younger family members performed so well.

The Magistrate of Qiizhou Province, who had come from the capital, treated Chang Lian with courtesy. With the Magistrate attracting attention, Chang Lian quickly adapted to life in Qiizhou. Because he was unobtrusive and made no superfluous movements, and with his father’s presence, he was quite comfortable in Qiizhou.

Chang Lian came home from the government office to find only his wife at home as their children were in the capital. Upon entering, he saw his wife doing needlework, looking at the size of the clothes, "Are those for Yu Yi?"

Lady Dong set down her embroidery, "Yes, Yu Yi is growing quickly, and I just got some new fabric patterns; I might as well make several outfits for our daughter while I’m free."

Chang Lian, "You’ve been working hard lately."

Although he wasn’t targeted, some social interactions were inevitable, and his wife, having to socialize more, was quite tired.

Lady Dong shook her head, "When we first arrived, I didn’t know what to avoid and had to be very careful. Now that I know the basic taboos by heart, it’s not so mentally exhausting."

Chang Lian held his wife’s hand. The south had many families, with more taboos and complex messages hard to discern. Much of his current information came from his wife attending banquets; she had to ask skillfully without causing displeasure, which was draining.

Chang Lian knew that his wife making clothes for their children was her way of missing them. With only the two adults at home, it felt empty and cold, "After Autumn, we’ll bring Yu Jiao and Ming Ling over."

Lady Dong upon hearing this, "What about Yu Yi?"