Chapter 1136: Made a Friend

In the evening, Zhulan told Shuren about Concubine Liu's brother. "No wonder Concubine Liu is so capable. There must be a capable person in the family."

Changzhi 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 the Liu family of this generation, and the most outstanding one was Master Liu who took part in the spring examination this year.

Zhou Shuren, "Without confidence, you can't jump up."

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, she already knew it.

Zhou Shuren snorted, "Last time he was second, this kid cared a lot, 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.

Zhou Shuren didn't say anything when he came back. The emperor showed him that it was a favor, but he couldn't tell anyone. It was enough for him to know. He didn't even tell his wife, because everyone would know when the results were announced.

On the day when the results were announced, early in the morning, after breakfast, Chang Zhi did not stay at home to wait, but 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 Yang Mansion in the capital. Zhulan accompanied them for two days. In the following days, the eldest brother and his wife 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 imperial examination."

He was extremely nervous at the time, and he still felt uneasy even after his ranking dropped.

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 would come to buy this one."

As they were talking, Steward Ding ran in, panting, "Great news, great news, the fourth young master got third place."

Before Zhulan opened her mouth, Yang Zhumu grinned, "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 had already taken a deep 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 the ranking, Ming Zhen had a few good names, but it was a pity that he didn't make 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. He replied, "Mr. Meng Jie is also at the bottom of the list, and the eldest son of the Ran family is at 15th."

Zhulan finally asked, "Who is first?"

Steward Ding said, "Mr. Liu Song is the first, and the second is a young genius from Jiangnan, sixteen years old, Mr. 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, and the Zhou family was becoming more and more prosperous.

Boss Zhou made the rest of the arrangements and waited for someone to come and report the good news. Today was a good day for the Zhou family.

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren sent away the people who came to congratulate him. Qiu Yan was the last one to come. "You seem to have known about 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 so too, "Then why are you unhappy?"

The competition this year was so fierce that when the results were announced, everyone in Beijing was betting on who would be 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 that Zhou Shuren had many successful sons, so he didn't care and became even more envious.

Zhou Shuren was thinking, he knew the results first on one hand, and on the other hand he had seen so much that his passion was gone, when Chang Lian was here, 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 for a talk yesterday, and he hinted that the prince's eldest son was very smart. This must have been a message to him!

Zhou Jia, Chang Zhi and others came back soon. Chang Zhi was disappointed, and he was getting worse and worse. After communicating with Liu Song, he was convinced.

Su Xuan sensed her husband's disappointment and consoled him, "There's still the palace examination to come."

Changzhi was not very excited. He thought he was good at studying and was arrogant. Seeing his wife's worried look, he forced a smile and said, "Yes, there is still the palace examination."

After two blows, 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 get the top spot in the imperial examination, he will take it 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 the ways of the world, and with Wu Ming guiding him, Changzhong has grown rapidly.

Changzhong thought it was best to say nothing at this time, not to encourage, and not to provoke Fourth Brother. "Fourth Brother, I think it's not a good thing for Mingzhen and his brothers to be somber all the time. You are familiar with them, why don't you talk to them more and comfort them? I think they are still young, and with our father's age 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 score was among the best scores among Ming Zhen and others. With the comparison, he felt better. But then he thought, it was the last one and he couldn't lose heart, not only for himself but also for his family. He finally remembered Ming Zhen and others' expectations of 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 never as good as 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 exam, 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, "My brother-in-law will teach the children."

Zhu Lan narrowed 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."

The Shi family, Mr. Shi has 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 just waiting for the announcement of the results!

Yao Yao waited for his grandfather to return safely and breathed a sigh of relief, "Dad."

Master Shi was very happy today. He paid close attention to Lord Zhou's family. Not only did he know that his son was in the Ministry of Revenue, but he also knew 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 was very fierce. Many people in the capital who were sure to win didn't make the list. Lord Zhou's son ranked third, which was amazing."

Yao Yao already knew the ranking on the list. "It's really amazing. I think the results in the palace examination will not be bad either."

Mr. Shi paused and said, "I met a friend."

(End of this chapter)