In the evening, Zhulan told Shuren about Concubine Liu's brother, "No wonder Concubine Liu is so active, there must be someone capable in the family."
Chang Zhi told her about Concubine Liu's younger brother. When she got home, she asked Mrs. Song to inquire about him. There were many talented people in this generation of the Liu family, and the most outstanding one was Master Liu who took part in the Spring Examination this year.
Zhou Shuren, "You can't jump up without confidence."
Zhu Lan whispered, "I think your son cares a lot about his ranking this time. The more he cares, the more he hides it in his heart."
Even though I didn't tell her how I did in the exam when I came back, she already knew it.
Zhou Shuren snorted, "Last time he was second, this kid cared a lot about it, but it's hard to get first place this time."
He admitted that his fourth son was well-educated, but there are always people better than you.
So Zhou Shuren's guess came true. Before the results came out, Zhou Shuren happened to be in the palace, delivering the list to the emperor. He was standing in a good position and the emperor did not ask him to avoid suspicion, so he saw the ranking at a glance.
When Zhou Shuren came back, he didn't say anything. The emperor showed him the letter of favor, but he couldn't tell anyone. It was good enough to know it. He didn't even tell his wife, because everyone would know when the results were announced.
On the day when the results were announced, Chang Zhi had breakfast early in the morning and did not stay at home. He went to see the results with several young men from the Zhou family.
Butler Ding also went with them. Zhulan did not go this time as she entertained her eldest brother at home.
A few days ago, Yang Zhumu and his wife came to the capital. They stayed at the Yang Mansion in the capital. Zhulan accompanied them for two days. In the following days, the eldest brother and sister-in-law traveled around the capital by themselves.
When the results were announced this year, Yang Zhumu and his wife came to Zhou's house early in the morning to wait.
Yang Zhumu smiled and said, "Today reminds me of my brother-in-law's Spring Examination."
He was extremely nervous at the time, and he still felt uneasy even after his ranking was announced.
Zhulan smiled and said, "Yes, we didn't have the conditions we have now."
Yang Zhumu laughed, "Back then, the house in South City was sold for a high price, but now no one will come to buy this one."
As he was talking, Steward Ding ran in, panting, "Great news, great news, the fourth young master got third place."
Before Zhulan could speak, Yang Zhumu grinned and said, "Changzhi is really good. His grades are better than Changlian's."
Zhulan felt that Changzhi was disappointed again. Third place was a good result, but for a top student who wanted to be first, it was still disappointing.
Zhulan asked again, "Where are the others?"
Steward Ding has already caught his breath. "Mr. Ming Qing didn't make the list, Mr. Ming Shan was the last one, and the others all failed."
Zhu Lan thought that the competition this year was fierce. According to rumors, Ping and Ming Zhen were not bad either, but it was a pity that they were not on the list. "Yes, what about Meng Jie and the eldest son of the Ran family?"
Steward Ding remembered what the mistress had told him, and wrote it down, and replied, "Young Master Meng Jie is also at the bottom, and the eldest son of the Ran family is at 15th."
Zhulan finally asked, "Who is the first?"
Steward Ding said, "Young Master Liu Song is the first, and the second is a young genius from Jiangnan, sixteen years old, Young Master Wang Zhi."
Zhulan said: "Pass it on, and your monthly salary will be doubled this month."
Housekeeper Ding and the maids and servants in the house were all happy, not only because they were getting the wedding money, but also because another young man in the family was entering a career in politics. The Zhou family was becoming more and more prosperous.
Boss Zhou made the rest of the arrangements and waited for a while to come and report the good news. Today is a good day for the Zhou family.
At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren sent away those who were congratulating him. Qiu Yan was the last one to arrive. "You seem to have known this a long time ago?"
"No, I just found out today."
Even if he knows, he can't say he knows. If he admits it, who knows what will come out.
Qiu Yan thought about it and asked, "Then why are you unhappy?"
The competition was so fierce this year that while waiting for the results, everyone in Beijing was betting on who would come first. Mr. Zhou was the favorite, and third place, while not just in the top three, was already a very good result.
Zhou Shuren said: "Happy, how could I not be happy."
Qiu Yan thought to himself that Zhou Shuren had many promising sons, so he didn't care anymore and felt even more envious.
Zhou Shuren was thinking, he first knew the results were one thing, and the other was that he had seen too much and his passion was gone. When he was in Changlian, he was looking forward to it every day, but now he is calm!
What bothered Zhou Shuren was that the prince had asked him to stay and talk yesterday. From what he said, he could tell that the prince's eldest son was very smart. This must be a message to him!
Zhou Jia, Chang Zhi and others came back soon. Chang Zhi was disappointed, as he regressed each time. After communicating with Liu Song, he was convinced.
Su Xuan noticed her husband's disappointment and comforted him, "There is still the palace examination."
Chang Zhi's spirits didn't rise much. He thought he was good at studying and was arrogant. Looking at his wife's worried eyes, he forced a smile and said, "Yes, there is still the palace examination."
After two setbacks, he felt unsure and couldn't say anything to the top scholar.
Changzhong is a smart guy. When he was little, he would say to his fourth brother, "If you can't pass the imperial examination, he will take the exam himself." Now he is under the supervision of his brother Wu Ming, and he learns the ways of the world from whoever he follows. With parents who are well versed in human relationships and with Wu Ming's guidance, Changzhong is growing rapidly.
Changzhong thought it would be best to say nothing at this time, not to encourage or provoke Fourth Brother, "Fourth Brother, I think it's not a good thing for Mingzhen and his brothers to be so depressed. You are familiar with them, why don't you talk to them more and comfort them? I think they are not too old, and with our father's age in the imperial examination as an example, they should cheer up, what do you think?"
Chang Zhi was stunned after listening to his younger brother's words. His third place result was the best among Ming Zhen's others. With the comparison, he felt a little better. Then he thought, it was the last one and he couldn't lose heart, not only for himself but also for his family. Finally he remembered Ming Zhen's expectations for him and he wanted to take their share to participate in the palace examination.
Chang Zhi rubbed his younger brother's head vigorously, "You have grown up a lot."
His words were so irritating before, and now I’m still worried about him.
Changzhong breathed a sigh of relief. He felt that what Brother Wu Ming said was right. Everything is harder than you think. If you think too well, the gap will be too big and it will hit you hard. Fourth brother is like this. He was full of confidence before the examination, but now he is like a frost-bitten eggplant.
Zhulan has been looking at the two brothers and is pleased to see that her youngest son has grown up.
Yang Zhumu's eyes were filled with envy, "Brother-in-law knows how to teach children."
Zhu Lan curved her eyes and said, "Big brother's teaching is also good, Yang Wen is very good."
Yang Zhumu grinned, "So you better take a good look at me. I am your brother and I am a useless person. Please, I am counting on you."
Zhulan: "Yeah."
Shi family, Old Man Shi returned home. This was something he had negotiated with his son after the New Year. He can go out of the house twice a month, and this month he is waiting for the results to be announced!
Yao Yao waited for the old man to come back safely and breathed a sigh of relief, "Dad."
Mr. Shi was very happy today. He paid close attention to Lord Zhou's family. Not only did his son work in the Ministry of Revenue, but he also learned that Lord Zhou had taught his son, so he sincerely hoped that Lord Zhou's family would be well. "Lord Zhou's fourth son is really amazing. I heard people talking about it under the list. The competition this year is very fierce. Many people in Beijing who were sure to win didn't make the list. Lord Zhou's son ranked third. It's amazing."
Yao Yao already knew the ranking on the list. "It's really impressive. I think the result of the palace examination won't be bad either."
Mr. Shi paused and said, "I met a friend."