Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 638: Seeking a Way to Survive_1

Ming Rui’s spirits lifted considerably upon hearing the news. The fact that his grandmother hadn’t replied must mean she wrote to his grandfather instead. He had been sullen for quite some time, flinching from the paddling he received, purposely trying to catch his grandfather’s attention, but his grandfather seemed to ignore it as if he saw nothing. It was his grandmother who was truly formidable, "Grandfather."

Zhou Shuren inquired, "What differences do you see between yourself and Ming Teng?"

Ming Rui was taken aback. He was smarter than brother Ming Teng; that counted as a difference, "I can memorize books faster than brother Ming Teng."

Zhou Shuren continued with words of encouragement, "Anything else?"

Ming Rui, with his head down, racked his brain, "I have more Silver Coin than brother?"

Ming Teng, "...."

Zhou Shuren disagreed with Zhou’s second son’s method of insisting that his father was never wrong and closely monitoring Ming Rui’s studies, ready to punish him if he disobeyed. Despite their young age, children understand a lot nowadays due to their different upbringing, "Nothing else?"

Ming Teng could think of nothing else and shook his head.

Zhou Shuren asked Ming Teng, "Grandfather wants to know, what differences do you think there are between you and Ming Rui?"

Ming Teng could not repeat what Ming Rui had said. Blinking, he looked at his father and second uncle, quickly noticing Ming Hui playing in their grandfather’s embrace, and had an insight, "Your grandson has more brothers than Ming Rui."

Zhou Shuren smiled, "Correct, but you missed something. Your elder brother is the eldest grandson of the Zhou family, and your father is the eldest son of the Zhou family."

Ming Rui wasn’t dim-witted. There were all sorts of classmates at the Academy, legitimate and illegitimate sons, the main and the second wives, and only the Zhou family lived without strife among its branches. He had never thought in that direction before, but today, his grandfather intended to show him the differences between him and brother Ming Teng; no matter what trouble Ming Teng caused, elder brother Mingyun was there to back him up, with Ming Hui as a support from below.

He was not in such a position. The second wife’s branch only had him, and both his father and uncle were commoners, currently relying on his grandfather. The division of the Zhou family depended on the grandfather. Once they split, the gap between him and Ming Teng would only widen. Clutching the palm of his hand, he realized the strictness his father imposed on him was for this reason.

Zhou Shuren asked, "Do you understand now?"

Ming Rui had learned his lesson but felt blocked. His father started by forcing him to study and couldn’t offer more explanation? Well, even with more explanation, he wouldn’t have listened, "I understand, grandfather."

Zhou Shuren grunted in acknowledgment, then turned to Second Uncle Zhou, "You know about ’spoiling things by excess of zeal.’ Do I need to say more?"

Second Uncle Zhou knew things had gone wrong as soon as he heard his father call for Ming Rui. He was aware that he couldn’t hide Ming Rui’s punishment from his father. He thought his father’s lack of intervention was a sign of agreement. Elder brother had also often punished Ming Teng. Now it seemed not the case at all; his father wanted him to understand that children shouldn’t be educated this way. His father probably wanted him to try it out first so that he wouldn’t just nod in agreement but disregard his words in private.

"Your son understands," he replied.

Zhou Shuren had no desire to elaborate further. Second Uncle Zhou, well into his years, knew and understood everything. There was nothing wrong with being competitive. Pressure among the family branches leads to progress, but he just didn’t like moving too quickly. A slight nudge was sufficient for each branch to progress moderately.

Elder Brother Zhou looked at his younger brother. He wasn’t as strict with Ming Teng; the punishment was merely for childish mischief. After all, he had his outstanding son, Mingyun, to rely upon for confidence. It was understandable that his younger brother was anxious with only one precious child.

Elder Brother Zhou looked at his father, teaching Ming Hui how to write. His father had become more indulgent towards them. Catching sight of his father’s hair, now sprinkled with white, he felt a bittersweet ache in his heart.

In the capital, at the Second Prince’s residence, they had obtained the name list of all candidates at the inn for the academic examination, and the investigation was thorough. Within the inn, there were two families of note, but that was only locally; they didn’t find anything particularly noteworthy.

Zhang Jingyang asked, "Have you checked carefully?"

"Your Highness, the investigation was indeed thorough," was the response.

The Second Prince felt there was more than met the eye, yet the Fifth Prince’s men had already withdrawn. Could it be a deliberate attempt to mislead them? Surely not.

Within the Fifth Prince’s residence, Zhang Jinghong felt unsettled. The inner turmoil was torturous. His brothers would have looked into the matter, and he was uncertain what they might have discovered. He knew he had trapped himself. Ever since learning he was an impostor, he had felt paralyzed and constrained.

Zhang Jinghong stood up, "This prince must enter the palace."

He could not sit idly by. At the very least, the Emperor would have realized he was fake, yet the fact that he was spared meant he was of some use. Unable to fathom his father’s thoughts, he stopped guessing and sought only to find a way to survive.

Within the main hall, the Crown Prince did not leave but instead observed Zhang Jinghong, who was kneeling on the ground, finally having a moment of clarity.

"It’s so late, for what matter have you entered the palace?" asked the Emperor.

Zhang Jinghong bowed his head, "Your Majesty, just give the command, and I shall go through fire and water."

The hall was exceptionally still. The Emperor raised an eyebrow, "Seeking a way out?"

"Yes, in the past I was blind to my own birth, and now I am filled with anxiety in my heart. I do not seek forgiveness, only redemption," Zhang Jinghong replied.

The Crown Prince’s eyelids dropped, understanding that Zhang Jinghong hadn’t mistaken his situation but pointed out the normalcy of a prince’s ambition, a statement that left no room for rebuttal. Indeed, now that his status was clear, he seemed to understand everything.

The Emperor looked at Zhang Jinghong with interest. This chess piece, merely occupying a position and still of some use, had now become somewhat interesting. "You may go back," he said.

Zhang Jinghong left the hall, feeling much lighter than he had before. The Emperor had not replied, which meant he was considering. Of this, Zhang Jinghong was still confident.

Time flew swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, it was the latter half of January, with the examination just a few days away.

Zhulan had also sorted out the information that Scholar Deng had gathered, categorized it all, and sent it back to Zhou Shuren.

As Zhulan sat by the brazier in her room, she had her maid pull back the door curtain, "Indeed, it has begun to snow. This year, the students rushing to their exams will suffer yet again."

Song Granny said, "I have prepared some extra hot water bags. Filled with hot water, they can provid warmth."

Zhulan was worried in her heart, hoping that the weather would be warmer in two days’ time.

In the government office of Jinzhou Residence, Zhou Shuren stood outside a room, looking up at the sky, "The snow has been falling for a while now."

Lord Wang said, "Indeed."

Zhou Shuren, hearing the response and seeing the ledger in Lord Wang’s hands, asked, "Have you finished verifying it?"

"Yes, it’s all clear," replied Lord Wang.

Zhou Shuren took the ledger and returned to his room. Lord Wang did not follow him inside, knowing that Zhou was troubled. The examination period was upon them, the third young master, Chang Lian, had only just recovered from illness, and it was now snowing. He wondered whether Chang Lian would be able to persevere.

Zhou Shuren was not really worried about Chang Lian; he was merely reminiscing. Back when he took his exams, the weather had also been terrible!

Perusing the ledger, Zhou Shuren was calculating the funds needed for the planning of the Prefecture City. The sum required was a bit too much!

The snow stopped in the afternoon, and the weather turned colder, thankfully warming up a bit the next day.

On the day of the examination, Zhulan took it upon herself to see them off, checking the provisions she was bringing multiple times before leaving, ensuring everything was in order before feeling at ease.

Chang Zhong also wanted to come along, his mouth puckered unhappily, "Mother said she’d take me out to play, but she never followed through."

Zhulan pinched her son’s cheek, "You sure remember that clearly."

Chang Zhong kept it on his mind, "Mother, I want to go too."

Zhulan’s heart softened, "Alright, alright."

Arriving at the place, Zhulan smiled, finding it all too familiar. Only this time, she was sending off her son and future son-in-law, advising them, "Take good care of yourselves."

Just as Chang Lian was about to reply, someone called out for him. Chang Lian turned around, "Scholar Shen."