Mrs. Li wanted to shake her son's shoulders. Ming Teng had run all the way back and was barely catching his breath. He felt his mother wanted to strangle him to death, so she stretched out her finger and said, "Ahem, second place, big brother is second place."
Li, "Good second place, looks like dad."
In Li's mind, being the top scholar is indeed good, but her father-in-law was the second scholar and had a very smooth journey. Deep down, she felt that it would be better for her son to be like his father-in-law and his future would be smooth. There was some superstition in this.
Zhulan just felt that the capital would decide that the Zhou family would never have a chance to be the top scholar in the future.
Ming Teng was speechless. "I jumped up with excitement when I saw that my eldest brother was the runner-up. But everyone around me who knew him had a look of astonishment on their faces. Wow, our family has really become the runner-up's family."
It is strange that three generations have been ranked second.
Mingyun was very calm. After knowing that he had no chance of becoming the top scholar, he set his sights on the second place. It was not because he was from the second place family, but because he would not allow himself to be lower than the first place.
Ran Wan was beaming with joy because her husband was the runner-up.
At this time, the official who brought the good news arrived, and the sound of firecrackers was heard at the door. The Zhou family never made a high-profile announcement every time they held the imperial examination. They just threw some copper coins or candies.
The golden list is out, and the top scholar is the first place in the exam. Unfortunately, he is not one of the top three in the provincial exam because he was sick. However, this year, students from the south account for two-thirds of the list.
At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren accepted the congratulations with a smile on his face, "Thank you."
Lord Wang teased, "Your Excellency's family has produced runner-ups for three generations, the rumors in the capital are true."
Zhou Shuren stroked his beard and said, "Oh, my requirements are really not high. If we can have a runner-up in every generation and no number one in the future, I would be happy with that."
Rather than having one No. 1 and one No. 2 in each generation, he would rather have a No. 2 in each generation.
Qiu Yan was speechless, "Your Excellency is really not greedy."
Zhou Shuren changed the subject, "Come to think of it, I should also congratulate Lord Wang."
Lord Wang was very happy. His son ranked well in the second class. If he made arrangements, he could enter the Imperial Academy. "Congratulations, congratulations."
Qiu Yan was envious. They were all high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Households, but his child was not doing well. He looked at other children doing well, but his own child still had less schoolwork.
Zhou Shuren added: "I also want to congratulate Mr. Qiu. I heard that your granddaughter is engaged."
Qiu Yan's smile deepened. "We are engaged. We decided at the beginning of the year."
I would also like to thank Zhou Shuren for his great help at the last flower banquet, which ultimately led to the selection of a good marriage partner.
The Imperial Palace, the Crown Prince, "He is really the runner-up, Father, you didn't let him off, did you?"
Your Majesty, "In this palace examination, Zhou Mingyun and the number one scholar were equally matched, but he just missed the opportunity."
The prince thought it was a pity. If Zhou Mingyun had been the champion in the spring examination, he would have been the champion this time. "It's just that I just lacked luck. Luck is unpredictable but it is indeed mysterious."
His grandfather believed that Shangshu Zhou's luck was linked to the country's destiny, but he didn't believe it. Later, after listening to his grandfather's detailed account of Zhou Shuren's accidental encounters, he also became somewhat suspicious.
So when it comes to luck, the little prince finds it magical.
The emperor also thought that Zhou Mingyun lacked some luck. "Nowadays, being the second place is not bad. It is also a good story that the Zhou family has had three generations of second place."
The prince thought so too. Not everyone can get the second place. "My son thinks that when the descendants of the Zhou family take the imperial examination in the future, the gambling will definitely not bet on the descendants of the Zhou family to get the first place."
The emperor was amused. It was really possible. "That's quite interesting."
The next day, Mingyun was going to be paraded through the streets. Zhulan once again occupied a teahouse early to watch the parade. When she saw her eldest grandson riding by on horseback, she said, "My eldest grandson is still the most handsome. This year's third place winner is not good-looking!"
Yuyi was conflicted. She felt that Yudie was a bit like her grandmother. Just listen to what she said just now!
Li's fat body was still leaning against the window, "Mom, I'm the mother of the runner-up."
Zhulan: "Yes, my husband is the second place, and my son is also the second place."
Li exclaimed, and Zhulan laughed. Thinking this way, she was the big winner!
Yuyi covered her face with a fan and found the source. Yudie really looked like her grandmother.
Zhulan continued to look at the procession outside that had not yet passed by, "We have several pictures of the parade at home."
Li nodded, as long as her mother-in-law used it as a reference, she would be able to draw it.
Zhulan continued, "When your father and I are gone, you must preserve these paintings carefully. They are the glory of our family. We must let our descendants see the elegance of our ancestors."
The Zhou family should be at its most glorious period now. In the future, if the emperor does not need to continue supporting the Zhou family, the Zhou family will have to keep a low profile, and it will be difficult for their descendants to reproduce the current splendor.
Li felt uncomfortable when she heard this, "Mom, I hope you and Dad will live a long life."
Zhulan didn't say anything after hearing this. Everyone wants to live a hundred years, but how many people can actually live to be a hundred
Mingyun is the runner-up in the imperial examination, so the Zhou family has to go back to worship their ancestors. This time, the eldest Zhou couple and Mingyun are going back together. After all, the eldest grandson is different, so Mingyun must go back in person to worship his ancestors.
Ran Wan stayed in the capital, looked after by Zhu Lan, with the help of several people from the Zhao family. The three members of the eldest wife left with peace of mind.
Qizhou was far from Beijing, so the eldest wife left for two days before Qizhou received the gold list. When Chang Lian heard the news, he jumped excitedly, "Mingyun is really impressive."
Mingyun is the eldest grandson of the third generation, which means that in the next hundred years, as long as the Zhou family does not commit suicide, the Zhou family will prosper for a hundred years.
Colleagues congratulated him one after another. They could all understand Chang Lian’s excitement. Everyone would be excited when their younger generation was so capable.
The prefect of Qizhou came from the capital and was very polite to Chang Lian. With the prefect above him, Chang Lian attracted attention. He adapted to Qizhou very quickly because he was not conspicuous. Although some people tried to test him, Chang Lian did not make any unnecessary moves. With his father to keep him in check, he lived a pretty good life in Qizhou.
Chang Lian returned home from work. Now it was just the two of them at home, with their children in the capital. As soon as Chang Lian entered the house, he saw his wife sewing. She looked at the size of the clothes and asked, "Is this for Yuyi?"
Mrs. Dong put down her needlework and said, "Well, Yuyi is growing fast now. I just got some new materials. I will make a few more clothes for her when I have nothing to do."
Chang Lian, "You've been working hard lately."
Although he was not targeted, some social engagements were unavoidable, and his wife was also tired from too much socializing.
Mrs. Dong shook her head. "When I first came here, I didn't know what taboos were and had to be careful everywhere. Now that I know the basic taboos, I'm not so tired anymore."
Chang Lian held his wife's hand. There were many families in the south and there were more taboos. It was difficult to get information under such complicated circumstances. Many of the information he had now was obtained by his wife from attending banquets. He could not offend others and he also had to ask questions that were knowledgeable. It was very time-consuming and tiring. How could it not be tiring
Chang Lian knew that his wife was making clothes for the children because she missed them. It seemed lonely at home with only two adults. "After autumn, we will pick up Yujiao and Mingling."
When Mrs. Dong heard this, she asked, "Where's Yuyi?"