Chapter 1772: Chapter 1772: Every Trade Has Its Top Scorer

Zhulan instructed the steward to see Lu Jiaqing off and said to Yu Wen, “We don’t even know where your father is right now. He hasn’t sent back a letter recently.”

Yu Wen was very worried about her father. The clearer her thoughts, the more she understood the dangers of his duties, “Father is not sending letters to reduce the chances of exposure.”

Zhulan also understood, “I keep thinking about it. Your father has always been under my supervision all these years, and now there’s danger again with his task. I find myself pondering over it every few days.”

Yu Wen said, “Granddaughter is also worried.”

Zhulan continued, “All the news I get is from your grandfather. Lu Jiaqing is going back to Chuan Province this time; I wonder if he will meet your father.”

Yu Wen thought for a moment and replied, “Granddaughter hopes Lu Jiaqing does not meet father.”

What if something gives him away and exposes him?

Zhulan said again, “The hour is getting late, you should go back and rest as well.”

Yu Wen was indeed a bit tired. She had gone out quite a few times with Miss He, but it didn’t mean she liked going out; she still preferred lounging around in her room, “Yes, Grandma, you should rest too.”

After her granddaughter left, Zhulan sat for a while longer. Just as she was about to lie down, someone from the Qin Prince Residence sent a letter over. Zhulan took a look; it was a letter from her grandson, and from the letter she understood someone was tailing Lu Jiaqing.

After leaving the government office, Zhou Shuren came back and talked about Chang Zhi’s situation. Zhulan said, “What a coincidence, I also have something to tell you.”

Zhou Shuren listened and learned that Lu Jiaqing and the An family had grievances. He frowned, “The An family is really audacious.”

“Aren’t you curious about what grievance Lu Jiaqing has with the An family?”

Zhou Shuren raised an eyebrow, “I heard from Chang Xhong that Lu Jiaqing doesn’t like scholars?”

Zhulan recalled, “It seems it was mentioned, but I don’t remember it clearly.”

Zhou Shuren also couldn’t remember clearly, “It seems it was before last year’s imperial examination. Oh well, we’ll find out sooner or later.”

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was time for the courtyard examination. Chang Xhong had been staying in the prefectural city, accepting only the Magistrate’s son’s invitation and declining other invitations by saying he needed to prepare for the examination. The Zhao family had also invited him, following the trend.

The Zhou clan had a residence, and most of the chatter at the students’ lodges centered around the Zhou clan, with Chang Xhong and Ming Hui being the main focus.

As they lined up to enter, Chang Xhong and Ming Hui drew everyone’s attention as soon as they appeared, and discussions broke out immediately.

“This is the youngest son of Marquis Zhou, and he has already topped the ranking twice. It looks like the Xiao Sanyuan title is as good as his.”

“The betting odds for the young master from the Zhou family are the lowest.”

Someone else spoke enviously, “The Hou Residence either produces the second-place scholar or a degree holder. Growing up in such an environment, it’d be surprising if he didn’t achieve Xiao Sanyuan.”

“Indeed, it’s incomparable.”

Suddenly, someone remarked, “Have you visited the Zhou clan’s library? I specifically went to see it. The collection is extensive, and most of it was sent back by Marquis Zhou. The fact that the Zhou clan allows access to their library is truly magnanimous.”

The subsequent conversation was filled with praises for the Zhou clan, and those who held any resentment towards Chang Xhong had to hide it even deeper. Among the students present, apart from those with affluent backgrounds, most had borrowed books to read.

Chang Xhong twitched his ears slightly, and his lips curled upward while the other clan members straightened their backs with pride; this was the family’s backing.

In the capital, Zhulan was chatting with her daughters-in-law about the courtyard examination entrance today; whether Xiao Sanyuan can be achieved depended entirely on the results of this exam.

After chatting for a while, Zhulan changed the subject: “After the courtyard examination, it will be the Second Prince’s wedding day.”

Su Xuan was particularly informed about the news in the capital, “Lady Li has been to the temple often, adding incense money.”

Madam Zhao added, “The Liu family has also been praying frequently.”

Zhulan thought to herself, one is the Second Prince’s future in-laws, and the other his maternal family, both fearing that the Empress might not pull through, “This time they can rest assured.”

There were only a few days left after the courtyard examination ended, and it was said that the Empress could already get out of bed and walk around. Even if she wasn’t significantly better, at least she could hold on for some time.

Lady Li frowned, “I don’t know whether to say Ms. Li is fortunate or unfortunate.”

She is fortunate in that not everyone can marry into the royal family. Although the Second Prince doesn’t value Ms. Li, many people are jealous and envious. Unfortunate, because if something happens to the Empress and rumors spread, it will be even harder for Ms. Li as the Prince’s Consort.

Zhulan said, “Poor Mr. Li’s loving father’s heart.”

The room fell silent until Steward Ding brought in a letter, “Old Madam, a letter from the Third Master.”

Zhulan motioned for Qing Xue to bring it over. She opened it and smiled, “Ah, she’s given birth to a boy.”

Lady Li also smiled, “Third brother has completed a lucky pair of characters.”

Madam Zhao, “Mother, is the child well?”

Zhulan quickly finished reading the letter, “Yes, both mother and child are well.”

The letter didn’t go into details, but given Third Brother’s nature of only reporting good news, he wouldn’t mention any problems. However, the letter stated that both mother and child were safe, so regardless of the process, the outcome was good.

The gift for the child had been prepared long ago, and Lady Li went to arrange for it to be sent.

Time flew by, and soon it was the day to wait for the exam results.

Today, the Minister of Rites stayed back with Zhou Shuren. While Zhou Shuren was outside drinking tea, he didn’t hear what the Emperor and the Minister of Rites discussed. When he finished a pot of tea, he saw the Minister of Rites coming out with a somewhat pale face.

Zhou Shuren nodded to the Minister of Rites, but before he could enter the study, the Emperor came out and said, “Accompany me for a walk in the garden.”

Zhou Shuren understood; the Emperor kept him for a chat, and the Minister of Rites quickly left.

Actually, the Palace’s garden isn’t large; walking briskly, you could reach the end in no time.

The Emperor, having long grown tired of the garden, said, “I was thinking of renovating an Imperial Garden this year.”

Zhou Shuren replied, “The Ministry of Revenue has no silver.”

The Emperor laughed in exasperation, “I’ll use my own silver.”

Zhou Shuren coughed awkwardly and then said with envy, “The Emperor is truly wealthy.”

The Emperor snorted, “The house you live in was refurbished by the Royal family.”

Zhou Shuren said, “Royal grace is vast.”

The Emperor strolled with his hands behind his back. When he was the Crown Prince, he was poor. After taking over his father’s private storage, well, now he was wealthy. And this didn’t even count the map he got from the Rong clan. Thinking of this, the Emperor also felt somewhat awkward, “This year, after the autumn harvest, the Royal manor will report the yield per mu, and we will announce to the world that a good seed has been cultivated.”

Zhou Shuren’s face filled with joy, “This is a great blessing.”

The Emperor was in a much better mood, “It’s the result of years of effort.”

Zhou Shuren said, “So talents who know about agriculture are very important; top scholars can emerge in any field.”

The Emperor reflected, “The fertilizer used in the Royal manor was developed by them. I’ve tested it on regular seeds, and it indeed increases yield. The fertilizer will also be promoted along with the grain seeds.”

Zhou Shuren truly didn’t know that; since the Retired Emperor’s passing, he hadn’t been to the Royal manor. Since Ming Teng never mentioned it when he returned home, it seemed there were many good things at the Royal manor.

The Emperor suddenly became energetic, “Would Marquis Zhou like to accompany me to the Royal manor?”

Zhou Shuren surely wanted to go, “I would like to, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor chuckled, “I’ll take you during the autumn harvest.”

Zhou Shuren, “…”

So the Emperor was just toying with him?

The Emperor laughed heartily, finally dispelling the stifled feelings in his heart.