CH 92

Zhou Shuren squeezed the brush tightly, feeling speechless at being nervous, “Did you see that hairpin? Do you like it?”

Zhulan thanked him, “I like it very much, thank you for going out and bringing me a present.”

Zhou Shuren, “… …It’s fine if you like it, I thought you wouldn’t know how to wear the good fabrics in the village, so I bought jewelry while coming back. As you said you like ancient hairpins, so I bought them.”

Zhulan was surprised, and she and Zhou Shuren spent every night together. They would chat for a while, sometimes talking about modern things, sometimes talking about hobbies, because she talked too much, she didn’t know what she said. She didn’t expect Zhou Shuren to remember. Zhulan smiled to the bottom of her eyes, it was good that there were people who cared for her in this strange time, “You have a heart.”

Zhou Shuren twitched the corners of his mouth. Even if Zhulan paid attention to him, her nerves were still very rough, and she felt overwhelmed. Who made the two of them become a husband and wife every day? They still slept together at night, apart from not being a real couple, they are the most familiar people, so normal temptation was useless to Zhulan!

Zhulan waited for a while but didn’t get Zhou Shuren’s reply. Seeing Zhou Shuren bowing his head to write, she continued to make clothes with her mouth curled up. The two of them in the bedroom did not interfere with each other, it really felt like the years were peaceful.

At dinner in the evening, Zhou Shuren and Zhulan called the eldest couple. Zhou Shuren said directly: “Your mother told me about the new recipe for sausages. I mean to save the recipe for three years.”

Now their family is only suitable for being low-key, and it was not suitable to sell to the Shi family or other merchants and provoke Wang Ru. Although he felt aggrieved, it was very important for the Zhou family to lead an uncomplicated life to have a smooth imperial examination without trouble.

Li shi was unwilling, and this was written directly on her face. But she did not dare to argue with her father-in-law, so she could only say to her mother, “How about giving the recipe for the sausage to my mother’s house? Or go to Jiangnan to sell the recipe again?”

She really had tasted the sweetness, and Grandma decided to give her thirty taels. When had she ever seen so much silver? It was all silver, her own!

Zhulan’s face was cold. Li shi really can’t have money in her hands, not only was she bold now, but she dared to refute her father-in-law’s words. Glaring at Li shi fiercely, “Your father and I are doing this for the good of the family, let’s farm and study. The most important thing now is the imperial examination. When you have the ability, you can do whatever you want with the recipe. But it won’t work in the coming few years. If you dare to give it to your natal family, Li shi, don’t blame me for separating the eldest room.”

Zhulan understood that trying to reason with Li Shi would be futile, as she was determined in her beliefs. Instead, she thought that using threats might yield more direct results. Both she and Zhou Shuren didn’t want to invite trouble before the imperial examination. They were well aware of the various cunning methods used by malicious individuals, especially in ancient times. They knew that any delay or distraction could have serious consequences and outweigh the potential benefits of the examination.

Finally, Li Shi began to feel afraid. She suddenly remembered what her father had told her—that Zhou Shuren earned much more money than her. The thirty taels of silver in her possession meant nothing compared to what Zhou Shuren had. She trembled in fear, realizing that dividing the wealth was not an option for their family. The eldest son and grandson were meant to receive the majority of the support, and if the wealth was divided, what would happen to their son’s education?

The two sons depended on their father-in-law for their studies. The couple didn’t understand anything. Money was nothing compared to their son’s future. She was still waiting for her son to earn her a fortune!

Li shi immediately shrank her neck and said, “I will listen to my parents.”

Zhulan gave a slap, and naturally, an explanation was necessary. “Next year, your father will be participating in the provincial examination to become a Xiucai, so you should have an idea of what’s going on. Also, when spring comes next year, Mingyun should start attending school.”

Boss Zhou had always been calm about his mother educating his wife. And he also agreed with his mother educating her daughter-in-law because his wife didn’t know what her last name was after having a little money. But now he was not calm, “Father wants to be a Xiucai?”

With his wife unable to speak well, Zhou Shuren’s voice became less polite. “Do you have any objections?”

Boss Zhou swallowed his saliva, his father was upset. He was already frightened of his father, but after his father changed, he became even more frightened, “No, I have no objection, I’m just worried about my father.”

Zhou Shuren knew what the boss was worried about. He was worried that he would not pass the exam, so he snorted, “If your father hadn’t had a bad chance, I might have already become a Juren. I have experienced the benefits of official status during my travels, and it’s uncertain how many years your two younger brothers will have to wait. It’s better for me to take the exam first. I haven’t neglected my studies all these years, so passing the examination is almost certain for me.”

Indeed, Zhou Shuren’s words were true. The original owner of his body had always been diligent in his studies and never let go of the books in his hands. Zhou Shuren had assimilated and integrated the memories, and with his own thinking, there was no doubt that he could successfully prepare for and pass the examination for the title of Jinshi.

The Eldest Zhou understood why his father suddenly decided to take the examination for the “xiucai” title. He believed his father’s words that he could pass the examination. As he thought about his father achieving this success, he realized that it would benefit him, the eldest son, the most. With his father’s attainment of a Xiucai title, he would have a secure position as the head of the family.

On the other hand, his younger brothers would always be one step removed from that position. Once his younger brother got married and had their own family, the distance between them would grow even greater. This realization brought a sense of peace and contentment to Eldest Zhou, knowing that he would have a stable position in the family hierarchy while his younger brother would remain dependent on others.

Boss Zhou was very excited. If Dad really passed the exam, then they didn’t have to pay tax on their family land of 20 acres. “Father, your son believes in you.”

Zhou Shuren continued: “Next spring, Mingyun will enter the clan school.”

Boss Zhou felt stupid, suspecting that he didn’t hear clearly, “Father, what are you talking about?”