Chapter 1116: Throwing the Child

In the capital, it has been some time since the results of the provincial examination were announced. Zhulan has been waiting for the fourth brother's results. 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 path 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 be slapped in the face. Fortunately, he reacted quickly. "Thank you."

Zhang Jinghong smiled and said, "The list arrived in the capital this morning. Lord Qiu came back and said that the Ministry of Revenue has already spread it."

Zhang Jinghong really admires Mr. Zhou. Not only is he a good student, but the son he has educated is also 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 said that you have taught your son well."

Now the whole court believes that the prince will succeed to the throne smoothly. Qiu Yan has been trying hard to make his presence felt in front of the prince these days so that His Royal Highness will remember him. He really admires him. Even though the imperial power has changed hands, Zhou Shuren is still valued by the prince.

Thinking of this, Qiu Yan also said, "Your Excellency is valued by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. I hope you can give me more support 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, and the prince had asked him to stay several times, wishing to fill in the framework he submitted. 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 they were really pushed to the limit, there would be many courageous people, so he would not do anything 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 get out sooner or later and cause hatred. Besides, he doesn't dare to really interfere. It's the time for the transition of imperial power, so he just needs to give advice and listen honestly.

At the Zhou family, Xue Han was also concerned about her fourth brother's grades. Her father-in-law got the news and told her, and she went back to her parents' home, "Mom, my second brother ranked second in the provincial examination."

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 even praised his father for being a good parent. 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 one was a blow to her fourth brother. "Mom, my fourth brother won't feel any pressure, right? I remember he said he would come back with the top score 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 he came in second. Next year, all the states gathered in the capital, all chasing the number one scholar."

Xue Han didn't know that her fourth brother wanted to take the imperial examination and now he failed at the first level.

Zhulan asked, "Is Linxi still in the palace?"

Xue Han nodded, feeling very depressed. "She has been living 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, you said the Empress would not keep me as a concubine, right? I am so worried!"

She was angry with Rongchuan yesterday. She still had to raise her own daughter herself. It was depressing to say the least. She didn't even care enough about the birth of her daughter. Either the grandmother or the empress took care of her, and she, the biological mother, had to stand aside.

Zhulan could hear some resentment in the lady's tone and patted her hand, "Rongchuan said he would do it."

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.

King Qi smiled and said, "Congratulations, Lord Zhou. I heard the news and came here to share in the joy."

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 came down from Zhou Shuren's table immediately. 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 Prince of Qi really wanted to befriend Zhou Shuren. The last time the Prince 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 job of finding the Rong family, there was a problem. They could all see it. They picked up the wine glass and said, "This prince toasts to Lord Zhou."

Zhou Shuren took a quick taste and had to get on with his work. In fact, the glass was full of tea.

The King of Chu smiled and picked up his wine glass to toast him. When Zhou Shuren put down his glass, he said 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 was seeing things!"

This melon was quite big. The originally quiet officials of the Ministry of Revenue pricked up their ears. Even Lord Xiao and Qiu Yan looked 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. I just gave way because I had something important to do. I didn't expect His Royal Highness the King of Chu to see it."

The King of Chu didn't believe it. He knew very well about the virtues of his younger brother who grew up together. He knew very well that the fourth brother had killed the Zhou family, so how could he suddenly change his temper? But Zhou Shuren was very cunning. In my eyes, the fourth child 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 appreciates me so much, I would also like to communicate more with you. I will pay you a visit another day."

Zhou Shuren was not in a hurry. He had used up all of 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 a pawn used by his father to find the Zhang family. He looked unhappy and cursed Zhang Yang in his heart for being a fool who could only cause trouble instead of help. "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 an honest man, 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 did not know.

Zhou Shuren also wanted to go and see. He felt very sorry for the child and hoped that the child was okay. 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: "Haha."

It would be strange if I believed you.