CHAPTER 1568: CHAPTER 1568: THE SON AS THE FATHER

Why is Zhou Shuren being so ostentatious? Because he knows being low-key is useless, so it’s better to be high-key to boost the second wife’s confidence, and not have others look down on the second branch of the Zhou family.

At the Ministry of Rites, Chang Yi waves his hand generously amidst the congratulations, "I’ve already booked a restaurant, today I’m treating everyone."

Chang Yi has always been a generous person. Today being a happy occasion, even those dissatisfied with him want to partake in the joy and have accepted the invitation.

Sir Liu and others leave, "I really didn’t expect it, you struggle with reading, yet you have a son with such natural talent."

He wasn’t surprised that Ming Rui became a Scholar, but surprised he topped the list.

Chang Yi snorted, "My son takes after my father."

His son has made him proud; when his son was taking the Scholar exam, many people whispered behind his back that he wouldn’t pass, saying his son resembled him, and he’s been holding his breath all this time.

Even though his son’s grades have always been good, some people seem to ignore them, continuing their bias towards his son. When the grades weren’t out, many laughed at him behind his back; now they’ve been proved wrong, it’s satisfying.

Sir Liu asked, "Will Ming Rui continue to take the exams?"

Chang Yi shook his head, "Wait a few years before trying again, Ming Rui is still young, take your time, no rush."

Dad has talked with him; not only Ming Rui, but Ming Jia and a few others won’t take the Scholar exam too early. It’s all because their brothers are still young. Dad said the Hou Residence’s resources are limited, and if their brothers occupy them, they’ll overshadow Ming Rui for a lifetime, so there’s no need to hurry.

Sir Liu raised his eyebrow, "Mr. Hou’s idea, I suppose."

Chang Yi, "You sure are good at guessing."

Sir Liu laughed, "Our Liu family doesn’t have this worry; tsk-tsk, sometimes having talented offspring can be quite troublesome."

Chang Yi, "Humph, you’re just envious."

Sir Liu is indeed envious, but he’s also speaking the truth. Resources are limited, and all children are equally important; Marquis Zhou really has a tough time.

Ming Rui emerged as the top scorer, bringing fame to the Zhou Hou Residence; meanwhile, the topic of whether the Zhou family can produce a top scorer has resurfaced.

Zhulan listens to Tao Shi mention this matter, speechless, "Why has it come up again?"

Tao Shi, "Who made your family keep producing second-place scholars? My father-in-law even says when Ming Rui returns, he’ll ask him to try."

Zhulan doesn’t miss the point, Wong Wei is also quite curious, "Sometimes luck plays a big role."

Mingyun just lacked luck, it was truly unfortunate back then.

Tao Shi also thought of Zhou Mingyun and quickly changed the subject, "Yu Lu is about to give birth, I’ve already invited the doctor to the residence."

Zhulan said, "You’ve been considerate."

She thought of her granddaughter Jiang Miu; her granddaughter has given birth to a daughter. The Jiang family is not dissatisfied, nor dare they be. Although it’s a pity it’s not a son, the couple is young, it’s fine to blossom first, then bear fruit.

Tao Shi laughed until her eyes almost disappeared, "I’m willing to worry about this kind of thing a few more times."

Zhulan, "..."

Regardless of whether this child is a son or not, she must tell her granddaughter to rest for a few years before having another. Yu Lu is young, her body recovers well, but even at a young age, consecutive childbirths are harmful. As you age, consecutive childbirths accelerate aging; it’s better to take good care of oneself.

As the weather warms up gradually, Wong Wei didn’t follow the Ministry of Works to Dongbei this time, waiting for the child to be born.

Before Yu Lu’s child was born, Ming Rui returned to the capital, together with Xue Mei’s whole family.

Zhulan saw Ming Rui and was worried, "You’ve lost weight, why have you lost so much weight?"

Ming Rui didn’t tell the family that he fell ill during the exam period due to stress. He took the exam carrying an illness, and only got better once the results were out, "Grandson couldn’t get used to the food outside, that’s why I lost weight."

What kind of person is Zhulan; she doesn’t trust her grandson’s words. She got emotional thinking it through, "You don’t know how to love yourself, these years have been hard on you."

Ming Rui grinned, "Grandmother, my efforts have been rewarded, you should be happy for your grandson."

Zhulan wiped away her tears, "Grandmother is happy for you."

Zhao Shi was already sobbing uncontrollably. Some days back, she was so happy that her son topped the list, but now she’s equally upset. Her son wholeheartedly wanted to bear the responsibilities of the second branch; she knows how hard her son worked in his studies, all for the second branch.

Ming Rui hurriedly wiped his mother’s tears, "Mother, you should be happy that your son has returned. Your son missed your cooking, how about you cook a table of dishes for him?"

Zhao Shi forgot about crying, stood up, "Alright, alright, I’ll personally cook for you right now."

Zhulan pulled her grandson to sit down, "This is your home, take a good rest, don’t worry about anything, do you hear?"

Ming Rui himself was tired too; he wanted to relax, "Alright, I’ll listen to you."

"Ah, that’s right; you should frequently invite Lin Qing. Since you’ve been gone, Lin Qing wanted to go to Huguo Temple every day to pray for you. It makes this old lady heartbroken."

Ming Rui was touched, "I understand, grandmother."

Zhulan patted her grandson’s hand, "In the world, it’s rare to have someone truly sincere. You’re lucky to have someone genuine by your side; you should treat her well."

She wanted to help Lin Qing, knowing her grandson well; she wanted him to not neglect those around him.

Ming Rui, "Thank you for worrying, grandmother."

"Then don’t make me worry in the future."

"Alright."

Ming Rui ate the meal his mother cooked, but instead of resting, he organized the gifts he brought back and personally went to deliver them to the Lin Residence.

After returning from the Lin Residence, he went to the Ministry of Rites. Ming Rui timed his arrival perfectly, standing at the entrance, ensuring the officials coming out of the government office could all see him.

Chang Yi was thrilled when he saw his son; Ming Rui stood up straight, "Father, your son is back."

Chang Yi, who was walking quickly, slowed his pace, his eyes reddened. His son competed for the top scorer because of him; today his son came to the Ministry of Rites for him as well. His son cares about him, knowing that Chang Yi didn’t participate in the imperial examinations and lacks scholarly knowledge, which are always used against him—this child remembers. Just waiting for this day.

Sir Liu squinted his eyes, thinking about his own son. His two sons didn’t care for him in this way, especially the younger one who exasperated him!

Chang Yi embraced his son, "You’ve lost weight."

Ming Rui’s eyes were bright, "Father, your son is here to bring you home."

Chang Yi was moved, choking up a bit, "Alright, alright, let’s stop and pick up your grandfather. He’ll surely be very happy to see you; ever since you left, he has been telling everyone how sensible you are, praising you to anyone he meets."

Ming Rui was surprised, "Really?"

"Would I lie to you, son? Your grandfather is very proud of you."

Ming Rui’s smile couldn’t be hidden, "Father, let’s go to the Ministry of Revenue."

"Alright, alright."

The father and son left, with the Ministry of Rites officials looking at each other. They were all seasoned officials, understanding the scene clearly. They felt envious, wishing their own children would protect them like this. They would be willing to do anything for such filial children, but alas, they just wanted to go home and take out the ruler.

Sir Liu listened to the discussions, smirking, internally happy for Chang Yi. In the future, no one will dare gossip about Chang Yi unless their son is better than Ming Rui.

On the carriage, Ming Rui asked, "Father, do you think grandfather might have gone back?"

"No, there’s a lot happening at the Ministry of Revenue recently; he has been returning late these days."

Ming Rui was reassured, "Father, what’s keeping grandfather busy?"