In the capital, it has been some time since the results of the provincial examination were announced. Zhulan has been waiting for the results of the fourth brother. Every day when Zhou Shuren comes back, she will ask. The list of the provincial examination will be sent to the capital, and the official route will be faster than the expedited letter from the fourth brother.
Ministry of Revenue. Zhou Shuren did not attend the morning court this month. As soon as he arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, Zhang Jinghong was waiting at the gate of the mansion. When he saw Zhou Shuren, he stepped forward to congratulate him, "Congratulations, Mr. Zhou. Mr. Zhou won the second place in the provincial examination on Thursday."
Zhou Shuren thought his son would be the first, so he was very confident. He never expected that he would get slapped in the face. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and said, "Thank you."
Zhang Jinghong smiled and said, "The list that arrived in the capital this morning has been circulated in the Ministry of Revenue as reported by Lord Qiu."
Zhang Jinghong really admires Mr. Zhou. Not only is he a good student, but he also teaches his son to be very capable.
Zhou Shuren was congratulated along the way. When he returned to his office, Qiu Yan was already waiting for him. "Congratulations, Brother Zhou. Today, the Crown Prince specially read out the top three in each state in the court. His Royal Highness also specially said that you have taught your son well."
Now the whole court believes that the prince will succeed to the throne smoothly. These days, he has been trying hard to make his presence felt in front of the prince and make His Royal Highness remember him. Qiu Yan really admires him. Even if the imperial power is transferred, Zhou Shuren is still valued by the prince.
Thinking of this, Qiu Yan said, "Your Excellency is valued by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I hope Your Excellency will support me in the future."
Zhou Shuren complained in his heart, he really didn't want to be remembered by the prince. The last memorial he submitted was clearly handed over to King Liang. The prince kept him there several times, wishing he could fill in the framework he handed in. Bah, this was ancient times. He could give a rough framework but not fill it in. There were too many interests involved. Don't think that merchants can really be weak and bullied. If things got really desperate, there would be many courageous people, so he would not do it or give any advice.
There is no impenetrable wall in the world. He can provide a framework, but once he interferes in everything, it will spread sooner or later and cause hatred. Besides, he doesn't dare to really interfere. It's the time of transition of imperial power, so he just needs to give advice and be honest.
At the Zhou family, Xue Han was also concerned about her fourth brother’s results. When her father-in-law got the news and told her, she went back to her parents’ home, “Mom, my second brother got second place in the provincial exam.”
Zhulan, "Not the first?"
As expected, they are a couple now. I am worried about him, but I still have confidence in Changzhi.
Xue Han was choked for a moment. You know, when her father-in-law got the news, he was very happy and praised him for being a good teacher. She said weakly, "Is second place so bad?"
Zhulan coughed and said, "Not bad, it's pretty good. You know your fourth brother has been a scholar for many years and has never slacked off. Your fourth brother was aiming for the first place, so I was surprised that he didn't get the first place."
Xue Han thought about her fourth brother's enthusiasm for studying and felt that the second time was a blow to her fourth brother. "Mom, fourth brother won't feel any pressure, right? I remember he said he wanted to be the top scorer in the imperial examination."
Zhulan naturally remembered, "This year's imperial examination was very intense. Your fourth brother returned to Pingzhou with full confidence to take the exam, and ended up in second place. Next year, all the states gathered in the capital, all rushing for the top scholar."
Xue Han didn't know yet that her fourth brother wanted to take the imperial examination, and now he failed at the first level.
Zhu Lan asked, "Is Lin Xi still in the palace?"
Xue Han nodded, feeling very depressed. "She has lived in the palace for a while. I wanted to go and bring her back, but Rong Chuan told me to wait a few more days. Mother, do you think the Queen will support my daughter? I am so nervous!"
She was angry with Rongchuan yesterday. She still had to raise her own daughter by herself. It was depressing to say the least. She didn't get enough care of her daughter after she was born. Either her grandmother or the queen took care of her, and she, the mother, had to stand aside.
Zhulan could tell that her daughter sounded a little resentful and patted her hand, "Rongchuan will definitely do what he said."
Xue Han believed her mother, "Yes."
At noon, Zhou Shuren generously treated everyone to a meal. Since his fourth son had very good grades, it was only right for him to treat everyone, so he booked a restaurant near the Ministry of Revenue and invited officials from the Ministry.
Zhou Shuren asked Lord Xiao and Qiu Yan to go ahead. When everyone had just arrived at the restaurant and were about to serve the dishes, the King of Qi and the King of Chu arrived.
The King of Qi smiled and said, "Congratulations, Lord Zhou. I heard the news and came here to share in the good fortune."
The King of Chu replied, "I just happened to meet the King of Qi, so I came here with him."
Two officials from the Ministry of Revenue immediately came down from Zhou Shuren's table. The King of Qi and the King of Chu took their seats. Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "It is an honor for your Highnesses, the King of Qi and the King of Chu, to be here."
The King of Qi really wanted to make friends with Zhou Shuren. The last time the King of Liang returned to the capital, he brought the fourth son of the Zhou family with him, and he has not left since then. Although the prince took over the task of finding the Rong family, there was a problem, and they could all see it. They picked up the wine glass and said, "This king toasts to Lord Zhou."
Zhou Shuren took a sip and then went back to work, but the glass was actually filled with tea.
The King of Chu smiled and picked up the wine glass to toast him. When Zhou Shuren put down his glass, he spoke casually, "Since King Liang returned to the capital, the fourth brother has been very polite to Lord Zhou. The last time we saw him on the street, the fourth brother actually gave way to Lord Zhou. I thought I saw it wrong!"
This was a big news. The officials in the Ministry of Revenue, who were originally very quiet, pricked up their ears. Even Lord Xiao and Qiu Yan looked at him sideways.
What could Zhou Shuren say? Could he say that Prince Liang didn’t see the letter and that because the Emperor mentioned cousins, Prince Liang treated him as an elder
Zhou Shuren, "The King of Liang has a noble character, but I had something important to do, so I gave way. I didn't expect His Royal Highness the King of Chu to see it."
The King of Chu didn't believe it. He knew the character of his younger brother who grew up with him. The fourth brother had killed the Zhou family, so how could he suddenly change his temper? But Zhou Shuren was very cunning, "Really? So in the eyes of Lord Zhou, the fourth brother has such a good character."
Zhou Shuren smiled, "In my eyes, the characters of the princes are all good. I have always seen that."
King Qi looked at Zhou Shuren, who was neither blushing nor panting, and smiled, "Since Lord Zhou admires me so much, I would also like to communicate more with you and will visit you another day."
Zhou Shuren was not in a hurry. He had used up all his vacation time in the next month, so he said generously, "Okay."
When they were halfway through their meal, the guards of the King of Qi and the King of Chu hurried in and whispered in the ears of the two princes.
Zhou Shuren has sharp ears and bright eyes. Wow, Zhang Yang is really good. The child was just born not long ago, but he accidentally dropped him today!
The King of Qi was stunned, then stood up. Zhang Yang was his father's pawn in the Zhang family. His face was ugly, and he cursed Zhang Yang in his heart, saying that he was a fool who could not do anything but made trouble. "Lord Zhou, I have something else to do, so I will go first."
The King of Chu also wanted to go and take a look. Ever since he became honest, he has been following the footsteps of the King of Qi. The more he paid attention, the more he knew that the King of Qi knew secrets that he didn't know.
Zhou Shuren also wanted to go and see, with a look of pity in his eyes. He hoped that the child was okay, as this child was an important chess piece of the emperor.
Xiao Qing coughed and said, "Everyone has left, don't look at it anymore."
Zhou Shuren, "... I don't mean to watch the show."
Xiao Qing, "Hehe."
It would be strange if I believed you.