Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1324: Rankings

Zhuangzi, after Zhou Shuren and Zhulan sent away their maids, the old couple planned to spend some quiet days together. Zhulan even took an interest in cooking herself, but after so many years, she hadn’t made much progress. For the couple, who were accustomed to finer tastes, the kitchen maid had to redo the meals in the end.

Over the next three days, Zhou Shuren lived a fulfilling life, admiring the snowy landscape, painting with his wife, or going hunting with others, which only made him yearn for retirement even more.

Winter passed quickly, and before they knew it, the new year had arrived. It had become an annual ritual for the Zhou family to set small goals and reflect on the past year’s gains and losses, a good habit indeed.

After the New Year, Mingyun prepared for the spring imperial examinations. More and more people in the capital were betting on Mingyun’s success.

The Zhou family was deeply afraid of disturbing Mingyun and never mentioned the outside bets to avoid putting pressure on him.

Ran Wan’s belly had grown quite large, and with her baby bump, Lady Li treated her with even more caution than during her own pregnancy, "You look pale these past few days; are you worried about Mingyun?"

Ran Wan touched her belly, "I’m afraid my husband is under too much pressure."

She was aware of the outside betting pools and was afraid that her husband was putting too much pressure on himself, causing her restless sleep these past few days.

Zhulan spoke up, "Mingyun knows what he is doing. Take good care of yourself, and he will have peace of mind to prepare for his exams."

Mingyun valued Ran Wan greatly, paying attention to all the details between them. He knew all of Ran Wan’s likes and dislikes, a testament to how much he cherished her in his heart.

Ran Wan’s ears turned red as she thought about how her husband had said similar words in recent days, but she couldn’t help worrying.

Lady Zhao shifted the topic, "I heard that the scholar-bureaucrats from the Hanlin Academy are about to be appointed officials."

Su Xuan, who had the most authority to speak on the subject, said, "Yes, it will happen in the next few days."

Lady Li looked at her mother, "Mother, will my fourth brother stay in the capital?"

Only the fourth branch of the family knew whether Chang Zhi would stay in the capital or not, and the other branches were unaware. Today, Zhulan gave a definite answer, "Mmhmm, Chang Zhi will stay in the capital."

Upon hearing this, Lady Li was certain that her father must have known the news. She wouldn’t ask about it, as everything would become clear in time.

On the eve of the spring imperial examinations, the three-year assessment for the scholars of the Hanlin Academy concluded, and appointments were made. Chang Zhi remained in the Hanlin Academy, promoted from an editor to a compiler, taking up a sixth-rank official position.

It was a surprise that both Chang Zhi and Lau Song stayed at the Hanlin Academy.

The spring imperial examinations then commenced. The night before, Zhou Shuren tossed and turned in bed, and Zhulan couldn’t sleep either, "Are you worried about Mingyun?"

Zhou Shuren simply replied, "Mmhmm."

He thought he would stay calm, but he had overestimated himself. He was worried for Mingyun, who, after all, was still young and bound to feel pressure.

Zhulan consoled him, "There’s nothing we can do but trust him. You must have confidence in the child you’ve raised."

Zhou Shuren pulled up the blankets and let out a long sigh, "I can only trust him now."

The previous year had been a cold winter, making the examinations particularly harsh, much like Zhou Shuren’s own session. After the exams ended, many fell ill, including Mingyun, who caught a chill and only recovered after taking several doses of medicine.

Now, as everyone awaited the announcement of the exam results, Mingyun stayed home with his wife, often reading books to their unborn child.

Lady Li didn’t dare to ask her son how he had done on the exams, nor did she want to disturb the young couple, so she kept to the main house.

Having enough of Lady Li’s sighs, Zhulan said, "If you keep sighing like this, don’t come by tomorrow."

She was also terribly upset, and Lady Li made her even more annoyed.

Lady Li said, "Mother, I sent a young servant to inquire about the bets; many people are wagering on Mingyun’s success, and I’m really scared."

Zhulan understood what Lady Li meant. If Mingyun passed the exam, all would be well, but if he failed, rumors would spread like wildfire and there would be many targeted remarks against Mingyun, "This is a hurdle that Mingyun has to get through himself. Regardless of the outcome, Mingyun will handle it well."

This was a hurdle that Mingyun had to clear himself; glory is a double-edged sword—the more attention you receive, the greater the backlash.

The results of the imperial examination were out, with the Emperor being the first to know. He too was very attentive to Zhou Mingyun’s performance, but Zhou Mingyun was not the top scorer.

The Emperor felt regret but was not disappointed. Securing the position of second-place scholar was already quite remarkable. The southern talents were abundant—this time, seven out of the top ten were from the south, indicating the high quality of scholars from that region this year.

The Crown Prince said, "Father Emperor, aren’t you disappointed?"

The Emperor replied, "Not disappointed; instead, I am quite interested in seeing Zhou Mingyun’s reaction."

Performance is not the most important thing; it is the temperament and character that he values. Failing to be the top scorer, he was very keen to see Mingyun’s response to his ranking. Zhou Mingyun is very intelligent; he will be well aware of what it means to miss out on becoming the Top Scholar."

The Crown Prince understood, "Then I, too, look forward to his performance."

On the day the results were posted, Mingyun did not go to see them. He had a premonition upon leaving the examination hall. Sometimes, such feelings are very accurate, and sure enough, the steward brought back the news that he was the second-place scholar.

Mingyun saw his brothers trying to contain their emotions as they looked at him, and he chuckled, "Do I appear that fragile in your eyes?"

He had always said that as long as one made the utmost effort, everything would be alright. Whilst there was some disappointment, he wouldn’t dwell on it, for he had tried his hardest without any regrets.

Ming Teng laughed heartily, "Big brother is far from fragile."

Ming Rui studied his older brother carefully, and seeing that he really wasn’t bothered, he breathed a sigh of relief, "Big brother, there’s still a chance in the palace examination."

Mingyun felt that his younger brothers were still naive. He looked at Ming Teng, "You think there’s still a chance in the palace examination?"

Ming Teng had been assisting an aunt’s husband with tasks, gaining exposure to various aspects of balance and occasionally encountering the Retired Emperor. Since the Retired Emperor would give guidance because of the Rong family, he would see things not just as they are but from a broader perspective.

Ming Teng said moodily, "Big brother, honestly, even being the second-place scholar—and even more so, the Tanhua—isn’t bad, just like our grandfather."

Ming Rui was puzzled and looked at his second brother, "Second brother, why do you say that?"

Seeing that Ming Teng didn’t want to explain, Mingyun had to speak up himself, "Last year, there was a big cleanup in the south, and since the last Top Scholar came from the capital, to appease the south or for balance, this year’s Top Scholar will be from the south."

He continued after a pause: "If I had become the top scorer this time, it would have been solely due to my own ability, and the position of Top Scholar would have been almost certain. Even the southerners couldn’t complain about being outmatched."

Ming Rui understood and added, "Now that big brother has not scored the top mark, he won’t become the Top Scholar in a leap. Even if he excels during the palace examination, the Emperor’s opportunity for him has been missed due to not being the top scorer this time."

To put it plainly, big brother did not seize the opportunity, so this edition’s Top Scholar will inevitably be from the south.

Mingyun smiled and said, "The first-place scholar is impressive; you all have noticed the ranking—with seven out of the top ten being from the south, it means that this time, not getting the top spot shows that the winner’s abilities are strong, and there’s little chance of them making a mistake in the palace examination."

Therefore, that person does not need the Emperor’s balancing act, as they have the true ability to be the Top Scholar.

Ming Teng understood what his big brother meant, admitting wholeheartedly to his brother’s defeat, "It’s just that, big brother, you have garnered too much attention in the capital; in the future, there will be slanderous comments about you."

Mingyun raised an eyebrow, "Is second-place that bad? Those who haven’t even ranked second can’t say anything critically damaging about me unless they have ulterior motives or a bad temperament. It’s not worth it for me to fret over such irrelevant people. Instead of paying attention to this, it’s better to enrich myself."

He was not afraid of criticism, nor was he ever daunted. This was an invaluable lesson in his life—he kept in mind the words taught by his grandfather, to treasure every hurdle, for they are the most precious wealth. Once he overcame them, he would fear no more.