Chapter 898: Number One Scholar

During breakfast in the morning, Changzhong, the uncle, completely lost face. Everyone knew that Changzhong had drawn a picture of mountains and rivers on his quilt. The little guy was so angry that he didn't even eat breakfast and took out all his resentment on his biological father.

Zhulan held her chubby son in her arms and glared at Zhou Shuren, who was smiling slyly, "You are too much. You know how much our son cares about his reputation."

Zhou Shuren was overly happy, but he felt guilty that his son ignored him. "He hasn't wet the bed for a long time. Who knew it would happen so unexpectedly?"

Changzhong covered his ears, "Mom, mom."

Zhulan's eyes were full of smiles as she stared at Zhou Shuren, "What else do you want to say?"

"Okay, okay, I won't tell you, son. I was wrong today. What do you want me to do in order for you to forgive me?"

Changzhong didn't listen. What he didn't want to hear most now was his father's voice. His mind was filled with the laughter of his nieces and nephews. Woohoo, he is the uncle.

Zhulan looked down and started crying. She pulled her husband's clothes and gestured for him to look.

Zhou Shuren touched his nose and said, "Dad will tell your nephews that no one is allowed to laugh at you. If anyone laughs at you, Dad will punish them."

Changzhong moved his ears, but still didn't move.

Zhou Shuren continued, "Dad will give you a big New Year's red envelope tomorrow."

Changzhong just started, with tears in his eyes, "How big is it?"

Zhou Shuren choked, "Two golden peanuts?"

Changzhong stretched out his two fat hands and flipped them over again, "These!"

Zhou Shuren glared, "Hey, kid, you are too greedy."

He thought it was ten, but the boy flipped his hand, meaning double it.

Tears welled up in Changzhong's eyes again, "Mom, Mom."

Zhulan patted her son on the back and said that she would not interfere, as this was all Zhou Shuren's own fault.

Zhou Shuren felt bitter. Twenty golden peanuts would cost a lot of money. How much money did he have in his pocket? "Twenty is too much. Fifteen."

"make a deal."

Zhulan listened to her son's crisp voice and burst out laughing.

Zhou Shuren was also amused. This kid was trying to trick him. He pinched his son's face and said, "Okay, Dad will take you to paste the Spring Festival couplets."

Changzhong was still willing to play. Now that he had his father's support, no one would dare to laugh at him. He silently remembered his nephew Mingteng in his heart. It was his nephew Mingteng who laughed the happiest just now!

As the Zhou family had more and more children, the yard became extremely lively. Although the little girl was small, she was able to be noisy.

This year is the first New Year in the capital, which has a different meaning for the Zhou family. As it is the year when they take root in the capital, it is natural to celebrate it in a big way.

The kitchen was busy early in the morning, with various snacks being served out one by one.

Zhulan sat on the edge of the kang, looking at the dragon and phoenix twins who could already crawl. The two little guys were dressed like dolls in New Year pictures, which was very festive. Both their father and mother were good-looking, and the two kids were very good-looking.

Su Xuan looked at the children and said, "Next year, there will be a new member in the family. I think Third Sister-in-law is pregnant with a son."

Dong Chuchu touched her belly. It was different from when she was pregnant with Yuyi. She was sure it was a son. "Thanks to my sister-in-law for your good wishes."

Zhulan didn't take it to heart, but asked Zhao, "You have been recuperating, how do you feel now?"

Mrs. Zhao narrowed her eyes and said, "Old Doctor Liu has examined my daughter-in-law again. She is recovering well, but she still needs to continue nursing."

Zhulan nodded. Ever since the Zhou family came to Beijing, Old Doctor Liu was not only polite to the Zhou family because of Su Xuan, but now she was very enthusiastic towards them.

At noon, we had hot pot as usual. This year it was seafood hot pot, with a variety of fish, shrimp and shellfish. The various fish balls were handmade and tasted delicious and chewy.

Kids love it the most, adults like fish fillet etc.

Now the Zhou family’s two tables can’t accommodate everyone, they need three tables.

Boss Zhou raised his glass and said, "Dad, I'd like to offer you a glass of wine. You have been protecting our family from wind and rain all these years, and that is why the Zhou family has been able to take root in the capital. Dad, you have worked hard."

Boss Zhou felt a lot of emotions in his heart, especially when he saw the white hair on his father's head.

Zhou Shuren felt his eldest son's frank feelings and drank the wine in his glass. "You have traveled a lot in the past few years. You have worked hard."

Boss Zhou felt a little sad, because his father remembered everything he had done.

Zhou Lao Er stood up and said, "Dad, I will go to sea with the Xu family tomorrow. I can't stay at home to honor you and mom. You and mom must take good care of yourselves."

Zhou Shuren poured himself a glass of wine. "When you go out, listen more and talk less. Especially when you don't speak the same language, don't walk around aimlessly. It's better to be safe than sorry. Remember that."

The closer it got to Zhou Laoer's departure, the more excited he became. It was a place he had never been to before. Although it was dangerous, it also represented opportunities. His heart was wild and he longed to explore. "My son, I've made a note of this."

Chang Lian waited for his second brother to sit down and said, "Dad, you hold up the sky for your son, so that your son can thrive in the Hanlin Academy. Your son respects you."

Zhou Shuren took the wine glass but didn't rush to drink. "You have grown the most this year. I am very pleased. I hope you will continue to work hard and live up to such a good environment."

Chang Lian saw that his father was drunk and did it himself.

Changzhi looked at his brothers. Well, they all shared the burden with Dad, but it seemed that he was the only one who could not help. His ears turned red. "Dad, I will win the first place in the imperial examination for you."

Changzhi suddenly shouted and the room fell silent.

Changzhi blushed, "My son will definitely work hard."

Zhou Shuren smiled and said, "I've made a note of it."

What an ambition! The Zhou family has a runner-up in the imperial examination, and the third place winner is their son-in-law. It would be wonderful if their own son could win the first place in the imperial examination!

Mingyun and the others looked at each other. They were all shocked by their fourth uncle's words. He was the top scholar, and it was not something that could be passed just by words.

Su Xuan's eyes lit up. She liked the title of "Wife of the No. 1 Scholar".

Changzhong was small but had a high social status. He sat with his father and brothers. Changzhong motioned to his eldest brother to pour him some tea. He held the bowl with a particularly generous attitude and said, "Dad, if my fourth brother fails the exam, I will pay for it for you."

Changzhi was speechless. What did the kid mean? What did he mean by saying that he couldn't pass the exam?

Changzhong didn't care what his fourth brother was thinking and just looked at his father eagerly.

Zhou Shuren grinned, his son was so ambitious, "Okay, you and your fourth brother are both fine, Dad will be waiting for you to come back after passing the imperial examination."

Changzhi pinched his younger brother's face and didn't let go until the kid was about to get angry, letting him say that he couldn't pass the exam. "Dad, I'm very smart. I want you to teach me in person in the future. What do you think?"

Zhou Shuren looked at his son's eyes widening and waved his hands, "He is still too young. Just follow the teacher and learn now."

Changzhi felt very sorry, but Changzhong was happy. He didn't want to study alone with his fourth brother. It would be more interesting for him to study with his nephew Minghui.

After lunch, everyone in the room went to rest. They kept watch at night. Zhulan and Zhou Shuren went to bed first, and it was said that the grandchildren did not go to bed until the second half of the night.