CH 95

Zhou Shuren waited for Zhulan to enter the back room before he took out the test paper in his arms, and he didn’t hide it, “A while ago, I went to Jiangnan with the escort company. This is a handwritten copy I handed over to the clan, hoping it will be helpful to the clan’s talents who will take part in the next year’s provincial examination.”

The Patriarch Zhou finally became restless, he has never heard the news that Zhou Shuren went to Jiangnan, and he didn’t say anything when he came back. He also got something good, startled, and happy that his intuition was right. He hurriedly took the test paper and flipped through it. The Patriarch was also a Tongsheng, (1) so he knows the importance of the test paper, so he was excited after looking through it a few times.

The Zhou family has not had any capable or influential relatives for several generations. In turbulent times, many talented members of the clan have suffered losses. The Zhou family can’t even afford the examination fees for the provincial examination, let alone the expenses for participating in the imperial examination. It’s rare to come across examination questions, and when they do, they have to gather money from within the clan. “Good, good, Shuren, Uncle didn’t misjudge you. I knew you had the ability just from your books. On behalf of the younger generation in the clan, thank you, Shu, for your help.”

After saying this, there was a sense of regret. Zhou Shuren was the best scholar among his peers, but unfortunately, he was born in the wrong era. When the dynasty was established, his children were still young, so there was no way for Zhou Shuren to make a breakthrough. His thoughts were focused on nurturing his sons. Otherwise, if the new dynasty had been established earlier, someone from the Zhou family would have already become a Jinshi (2) and provided shelter for the family.

Zhou Shuren was willing to talk to smart people without having to explain it clearly. It doesn’t take much effort at all. Zhou Shuren smiled, “This is what I should do. The Patriarch’s gratitude is to discourage me. I will trouble the Patriarch with one thing. In the spring of next year, I will I want Changlian and Changzhi to return to clan school, and Mingyun and Rong Chuan to study in clan school as well.”

Patriarch Zhou stroked his beard and was happy, Zhou Shuren’s reintegration into the clan was a great thing for the clan, and he treated Zhou Shuren better. He looked forward to it even more, and his eyes fell on the paper questions. These not only took a lot of effort but also must have cost a lot of money. Zhou Shuren’s family must have a solid foundation.

It’s unsettling to think that the elders of the previous generations, including his father and grandfather, had plotted against Zhou Shuren’s branch of the family. However, considering that Zhou Shuren could afford to provide education even for Rong Chuan, it’s clear that he had considerable wealth. It’s no wonder they targeted his branch within the clan; it was all about money.

The head of the Zhou clan thought that the imperial examination required a significant amount of money. Since Zhou Shuren’s family was not lacking in wealth, it would be easier for them to support someone to become a successful candidate. If they were fortunate enough to have their ancestor’s blessings and Zhou Shuren achieved the status of Jinshi, his family’s fortunes would change for the better. They would be able to switch their social status and gain higher opportunities.

If Zhou Shuren’s family reintegrated back into the clan, there would be no issues with their participation in the clan’s education and examinations. Zhou Shuren wouldn’t hesitate to show his generosity. Re-establishing their place within the clan would be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Zhou Shuren had a clear conscience, and it was understood that both sides would benefit from this arrangement.

“As for joining the clan’s education, there shouldn’t be any problems. I’ve heard that Changlian and Changzhi have been doing well. After the New Year, they can directly come to study. The two newcomers can join the new batch of children entering school.”

Zhou Shuren stood up and thanked, “Thank you, Patriarch.”

Patriarch Zhou smiled, “Calling the patriarch is distancing me, call me Uncle.”

Inside the house, Zhulan also learned from the conversation that their branch of the family, going back several generations, had some kinship ties with the head of the clan’s family. When the Zhou family reintegrated into the clan, they intermarried with several generations of the Zhou family’s relatives. Zhou Shuren’s great-grandmother was actually a relative of the head of the clan’s branch.

Although they were several generations apart, in the end, they were relatives.

Zhulan was stunned by what she heard, she didn’t remember these things, and her original mother-in-law didn’t say anything about it. But then again, how many generations have passed, it didn’t make any sense to talk about it, since the person was dead long ago and the love was long gone.

If Zhou Shuren hadn’t reintegrated into the clan, the patriarch’s family wouldn’t have mentioned it.

At noon, Patriarch Zhou’s house prepared a lavish feast, chicken stew, and eight big dishes. Patriarch Zhou also called a few elders who were highly respected in the clan to come over. Upon seeing Zhou Shuren and the examination questions, these experienced individuals, being astute in their old age, understood everything without needing explicit explanations. Everything was conveyed in silence.

Zhulan was originally a capable and cunning person, and she won the favor of all the women in the Patriarch’s family after several attempts.

Zhulan smiled. In the past, she had no help from her in-law’s side, her clan did not help when she was hacked, and no one supported her. Now it is different. Zhou Wang scolded the deceitful women in the village and promised to deal with anyone who dared to harm Zhulan.

Zhulan was delighted. Zhou Wang shi held a high position in the village, as the wife of the Patriarch of the Zhou family, and the mother of the village head was also from the Zhou family. As long as they spoke up, anyone who wished to harm Zhulan in the future would have to think twice and consider the consequences.

Zhou Shuren and Zhulan returned home full of rewards. Boss Zhou had changed a bit after training, and he had a deeper understanding of what it meant to be the eldest son and what face he has.

In the next few days, Zhou Shuren and Zhulan took the eldest son and grandson to visit the homes of several elders in the clan. The gifts they gave were all cloth, which was enough to make a suit of clothes for an adult.

As a wife, Zhulan also showed her skills in diplomacy. Not only did she personally make people like her, but she also managed to change the perception of others towards Zhou Shuren. Her efforts in fostering positive relationships and altering people’s views had a significant impact.

The couple’s hard work was not in vain, as they gradually interacted with the clan, the village’s attitude towards Zhulan immediately changed. Zheng shi didn’t dare to be weird when she saw Zhulan, and Zhulan was polite to everyone she met several times.

After a week of busy work, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren didn’t move around anymore, and they were quite tired for a week.

Finally able to snuggle up at home, Zhulan didn’t want to get out of bed, these few days were the coldest time of winter, she was terribly cold.

Zhou Shuren was in the main room, and no one of his grandchildren dared to come. Zhulan slept in the quilt after eating, and the warm quilt was comfortable. She turned sideways and said to Zhou Shuren who was holding a book: “Everyone who should be visited has been visited. There are still ten days until the Chinese New Year, you see in two days there will be a good day. Let’s do Xuehan and Rong Chuan’s engagement on that day!”

Zhou Shuren put down the book, “OK, let the second child bring Rong Chuan to his father-in-law’s house tomorrow, and introduce Rong Chuan to my father-in-law and mother-in-law. Also, ask the boss to invite those in the clan.”

Seeing Zhou Shuren, Zhulan picked up the book again, “Did you forget that there is an important person who hasn’t been notified yet?”