Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 660 Strive for Pride_1

Chang Lian saw Rongchuan with a dazed expression and said, "Snap out of it, don’t be puzzled anymore. There’s no mistake on the list. Look, our father is the second-place scholar, and you’re the Tanhua. Now, all we need is a Top scorer to complete our family."

Chang Lian wasn’t jealous of Rongchuan at all. He was aware of his limitations; he knew that his achievements were all because he had a good father—he truly couldn’t compare to Rongchuan.

Rongchuan grinned, "Tanhua."

Chang Lian said, "Right, you’re the Tanhua."

Shi Qing, whose feelings had been somewhat mixed, couldn’t help but burst into laughter when he saw Rongchuan’s silly look, "Alright, auntie is waiting at home. You should head back now and share the good news."

Chang Lian clapped his hands, "Right, right, the government officer reporting the good news should be arriving soon. Rongchuan, let’s go, we need to hurry back to the Residence."

Rongchuan said, "Ah, yes, back to the Residence."

The two of them then hurried towards the street where the carriage was parked.

The commotion here was quite significant, attracting many onlookers. Only after Chang Lian and Rongchuan left did the crowd disperse.

Young Master Yuan, who had gone to see the exam results for himself, finally squeezed through the crowd, "Have Chang Lian and Master Zhang left?"

Shi Qing replied, "They’ve gone back to the Residence to report the good news."

Young Master Yuan said, "I wanted to offer my congratulations too. Speaking of which, I should congratulate you first, Master Shi!"

Shi Qing returned the courtesy, "Congratulations to you too, and to Young Master Yuan for being listed on the gold list!"

Young Master Yuan spoke with pleasure, "My family is also waiting for the good news; I should be on my way."

"Please do."

When Chang Lian and Rongchuan arrived at the carriage, there was still a backup of vehicles behind them; walking back would have been exhaustingly impossible.

Jinyan said, "Young master, I will head back to the Residence first."

Chang Lian said, "Thanks for your hard work."

Rongchuan’s mood had calmed down somewhat, but he couldn’t suppress the smile on his lips, "Tanhua, huh."

Chang Lian couldn’t help but chuckle, "Yes, yes, you’re the Tanhua, truly a Third-rank Scholar."

Rongchuan’s ears flushed slightly; Third-rank Scholars always looked handsome.

Chang Lian continued, "If I had not announced your engagement early on, they would have snatched you away by now. They say when a family has a daughter, hundreds seek her hand; having a handsome young man in the house also draws attention!"

Rongchuan glared, "Third brother!"

Chang Lian laughed heartily, "I won’t tease you anymore, haha, I feel like father is truly looking out for us."

Rongchuan chuckled, remembering the words his third brother had shouted.

At the announcement of the results, Shen Yang finally saw his name as the last on the second-level ranking list. He was happy to have made it to the second level but also felt embarrassed. After all, he had checked each name from the top of the second-level list down to find his own at the very last place.

The young servant, in contrast, breathed a sigh of relief. He knew that his master had not done particularly well, so securing this rank was already good news. He quickly bowed his head and then looked up again, "Master, we should head back now; the old master is still waiting for news at home!"

Shen Yang’s face flushed with embarrassment. He had dropped from a sixth-place finish in the preliminary exams to the very last name on the second-level ranking list. It was as if he could hear the snickering, especially from Zhou Changlian, whose name was near the top of the second-level list. He took several deep breaths and then said, "Let’s go back."

Inside the Palace, the Emperor and Ning Xu were playing a game of chess while waiting for someone’s return. The Emperor asked, "Can you see clearly now?"

"I saw it clearly."

With a crooked smile, the Emperor commented, "Learn from it."

Soon, Rongchuan’s response was mimicked in the hall, sounding very alike.

Ning Xu couldn’t help but laugh, "He was completely flabbergasted."

The Emperor was in a good mood and gestured for retreat before saying, "Originally, I was thinking of helping him cheat."

Zhulan never expected Rongchuan to do so well, he actually should have been the second-place scholar, but because Ning Shao had the appearance fitting of a Tanhua, he was designated the Third-rank Scholar.

Ning Xu felt an indescribable joy in his heart, as if his elder brother had come back to life, "Of all the people in the Ning Residence, elder brother loved reading the most. If not for the unfairness of the world, elder brother too would have taken the imperial examination."

Now that Rongchuan, who resembled his elder brother so closely, had become the Third-rank Scholar, he had no more regrets.

The Emperor said, "If Ning Shao were the Third-rank Scholar, he would certainly have charmed many young ladies."

Ning Xu smiled, "Rongchuan is no different."

At this, Ning Xu thought of Rongchuan’s marital engagement. Rongchuan was betrothed to Zhou Shuren’s young daughter. He looked up at the Emperor, then back at the chessboard, the Emperor had never mentioned it.

The Emperor placed a chess piece down and said, "Tomorrow, Qingran will sneak a peek at Rongchuan. It’s now difficult to find more evidence to prove Rongchuan’s identity. My feelings aren’t wrong, and neither are yours. Even the Crown Prince has taken a liking to Rongchuan. They say there is a special connection between mother and child, and Qingran wants to confirm it too."

Ning Xu knew the Emperor had almost confirmed Rongchuan’s identity and wanted him to continue the investigation. First, because he trusted his ability and hoped for more evidence and perhaps to discover something else. Second, the Emperor had reservations. Once Rongchuan was involved, the investigation by the Ning Residence, combined with Rongchuan’s appearance, it would be easy to resolve Rongchuan’s case.

At their last meeting, the Emperor had already made his plans. Should he be happy that the Emperor’s first reaction was to protect the child and that the child had no schemes?

At the Zhou residence, Shen Xing returned home rather late. Zhulan had just sent away the government officer who had come to bring the joyful news that Rongchuan was Third-rank Scholar, much to Zhulan’s surprise. However, not knowing Zhou Changlian’s results, she saw Shen Xing and asked, "How did the Third Young Master do?"

Shen Xing replied, "The Third Young Master has made it onto the second-tier list."

Zhulan clasped her hands together, "Thank heavens, may the gods bless us."

Lady Dong excitedly jumped down, "Mother, mother, my husband has succeeded."

Zhulan waved her hand, "Today is a double celebration; everyone’s wages will be tripled."

The corners of Shen Xing’s mouth turned up a few degrees. Triple wages meant a significant income for him since his wages were already high to begin with, and they had just doubled this month!

Zhulan then said, "Set off fireworks — no, wait until the Third Young Master comes back before setting them off."

After saying that, Zhulan hurried back, "I must write a letter, write a letter."

Even though the messengers had already been dispatched to each province with the news, and Zhou Shuren would definitely know first, she still wanted to write a letter. A letter written personally was different from one merely reported.

Chang Zhong didn’t follow his mother but gestured to Shen Xing to hold him, "What is a Third-rank Scholar?"

Shen Xing thought for a while and replied, "One who is learned and well-appearing can become a Third-rank Scholar."

Chang Zhong touched his chubby face, "Then when I grow up, I also want to be a Third-rank Scholar."

Shen Xing laughed, "The young master is ambitious."

Chang Zhong giggled, "Shen Xing, are you going to get married?"

Shen Xing was stunned, "Get married?"

Chang Zhong nodded, "I just heard Granny Song and mother talking; you and Shen Xing are not young anymore, it’s time to get married. What does getting married mean?"

Shen Xing didn’t know how to answer; how could he explain this? He really wanted to put the young master down, but right now, the young master was very fond of asking why!

Having gotten over her excitement, Lady Dong overheard and said, "Little brother, come off Shen Xing’s back, your sister-in-law will take you to the backyard."

Chang Zhong plaintively looked at Shen Xing, wanting an answer, then sighed, "Shen Xing, you need to study hard."

Shen Xing, "...."

No, this isn’t about studying, he just didn’t know how to explain!

Lady Dong pinched her little brother’s chubby hand, "Bullying people again."

With a muffled giggle, Chang Zhong said, "Shen Xing is more fun than Shen Xing."

Watching the stunned Shen Xing, Lady Dong hurried Chang Zhong away. Her little brother-in-law was really mischievous, fearing neither heaven nor earth. Yes, it was all their father’s doing!