Capítulo 1776: Chapter 1776: Inheritance

The month passed swiftly since the Empress’s passing, and Zhulan has not seen her young daughter for almost a month. Today, her daughter happens to return to her maternal home, coinciding with the Ministry of Revenue’s day off.

Zhulan gestures to the maid to serve the daughter’s favorite fruits, then asks, “Finished teaching?”

Xue Han nods, “Yes, from now on, there’s no need for the daughter to instruct.”

Zhulan smiles, “Zhenyue and Princess Jingxuan are good students.”

Once the maids retreat, Xue Han says, “The concubines in the palace thought palace authority would remain unchanged, unexpectedly the Emperor assigned the two princesses to manage.”

“The Empress’s convalescence was always managed by the harem concubines, now handing over power feels like cutting off flesh.”

Xue Han comments, “Even if the Empress was managing, it was merely temporary. The Emperor feared that prolonged management would lead to greater ambitions.”

Zhulan agrees, “With the Empress gone, quite a few are privately making moves.”

Xue Han frowns, “Has anyone approached the Hou Residence?”

“No, but someone has tested your father.”

Xue Han snorts, “The Emperor will not appoint another Empress.”

Zhulan, aware of many recent maneuvers, says, “I heard some think the ranks of the palace concubines should be elevated.”

Xue Han’s tone is sarcastic, “That’s probing the Emperor, mother, how can they be so daring?”

“The allure of power.”

Xue Han presses her temple, “Our Qin Prince Residence has been quite low-key, yet daily invitations are endlessly annoying.”

Zhulan laughs, “Who can blame Rongchuan for being the Emperor’s direct brother, and also most trusted.”

In the front yard, Shuren chats with Rongchuan, Rongchuan says, “Father, I hear the Medical Department plans to set up a pharmaceutical factory?”

“Your news is well-informed.”

Rongchuan pours tea for his father and says, “The Emperor mentioned it in idle chat yesterday, even said it’s no small venture.”

Zhou Shuren takes the tea and sips, “Ah, medicines have been in short supply for a long time. Previously, there wasn’t enough manpower. This year, the academy graduated quite a few students, some with reasonable capabilities, tempting the Medical Department to establish factories in several major medicinal provinces.”

Rongchuan admires, “Such a significant move.”

Zhou Shuren is in a good mood, with the Ministry of Works speeding up economic development through technology sales, moving steadily in a positive direction, “Once news spreads, there’ll be another round of scrambling.”

Rongchuan, sipping cold tea, says, “It’s customary.”

Zhou Shuren continues, “Once the new grain crops and fertilizers are promoted and added to the Ministry of Works’ improved farm tools, significantly more labor can be saved in the future.”

Do not overlook how the Ministry of Works has become a major consumer of silver, it indeed has grounds for demanding money, having improved numerous agricultural tools to be labor-saving and convenient, earning the Ministry newfound esteem among the people.

Rongchuan is delighted for the country’s prosperity and strength, “Thanks to father’s management of silver these years.”

Nation’s development in all aspects is inseparable from the Ministry of Revenue, without father’s support, the Ministry of Works wouldn’t even have money for research, he knows full well the annual research costs of the Ministry of Works.

Zhou Shuren sighs, “Indeed, which is why the Emperor doesn’t shift me.”

Rongchuan laughs, “For elder brother knows with you in the Ministry of Revenue, he needn’t worry too much.”

Zhou Shuren snorts, “The Emperor may not worry, but I do.”

Rongchuan adds, “Father, I’ve prepared several sets of spring examination questions for Chang Xhong here.”

“Nice coincidence, I’ve prepared a few sets too.”

Rongchuan is pleased, “Shall we send them together then?”

Zhou Shuren strokes his beard, “The mock questions I created, your younger brother will enjoy.”

Being the Top Scorer isn’t about easily passing, knowing who’s the chief examiner and combining several examiners’ preferences for questions is key; more practice and reviewing questions is the hard truth.

This is about resources, children of officials find it easier to pass than poor scholars. It’s hard for poor scholars to know examiners’ preferences, while noble families’ children prepare early.

In Zhujia Village, Chang Xhong is not preparing to practice questions today, wanting to ease his mind after doing too much lately.

When Ming Qing arrives, Chang Xhong is lying in a deckchair basking in the sun.

Ming Qing holds a post and says, “Uncle, a post from the Magistrate.”

Chang Xhong is puzzled, “What post?”

“An invitation to Prefecture City.”

Chang Xhong thinks for a moment, “Then go.”

The Magistrate’s face must be given, and Prefect Cheng is quite good indeed.

Ming Qing asks, “Uncle really won’t go to the Prefecture City Academy for a look?”

Chang Xhong waves it off, “Not going.”

Not just the academy, he doesn’t want to see even the official school; he doesn’t lack famous teachers, every person at home is a renowned teacher, all he needs is to practice questions.

Ming Qing smiles, “They invite uncle to say it’s for exchange, but truly they want information from you.”

“Humph, trying to take advantage.”

He’s not stingy, happy to explain if genuinely asked, but scheming against him is a waste of effort.

Ming Qing asks, “Uncle not practicing questions today?”

“Rest a bit.”

He’s used to practicing questions yet feels fatigued, Brother Wu Ming created numerous questions for him, recalling Wu Ming’s sharp annotations, his heart skips a beat!

Ming Qing adds, “Recently, some outsiders asked to consult you, I’ve declined them all.”

Chang Xhong nods, “Thank you for your hard work.”

He knows his background is enticing, plus achieving the Xiao Sanyuan, too many seek to meet him.

In the afternoon in the capital, Ming Hui has just returned home intending to slip back into his courtyard, only to be stopped by the waiting young servant right after disembarking the carriage, “Young master, Mr. Hou awaits you in the main courtyard.”

Ming Hui, “!!”

Arriving at the main courtyard to meet the uncle and aunt, Ming Hui breathes a sigh of relief, thankful he’s not alone facing grandpa.

Zhulan teases, “Young Master Ming Hui returns.”

Ming Hui feels weak inside, “Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Aunt.”

Zhou Shuren raises an eyebrow, “Do you find time to summarize knowledge points, aren’t you planning to take Qiu Wei yourself?”

Rongchuan chimes in, “Our young master Ming Hui plans to nurture a Graduate himself, more challenging than achieving it himself, truly remarkable.”

Ming Hui’s ears turn red, “I’m merely a Scholar, summing up knowledge points at best, no such great abilities.”

Zhou Shuren points to the booklet on the table, “Seems to me you’re quite capable.”

Only then does Ming Hui notice it’s his draft notebook, “Grandpa, where did you find it?”

“In the front yard study.”

He’s been busy not visiting the front yard study, today chatting with Rongchuan there was indeed a surprise.

Ming Hui awkwardly says, “I found Shao Xun’s skills quite lacking, hence summarized.”

Returning to the capital, he met Shao Xun, then fell silent, after inquiring about the capital’s Qiu Wei examiners’ preferences, he fetched past exam questions for Shao Xun, then fell silent even more.

Among the family’s top readers, eldest brother is on the grasslands, third uncle hasn’t been home for years, fourth uncle went to Chuanzhou Province, younger uncle is in the old home, among the two kin, elder uncle’s enthralled in painting, he dared not consult younger uncle, ultimately had no choice but to take matters into his own hands.

Rongchuan picks up the booklet, “Your summaries are well done.”

Receiving praise, Ming Hui feels prideful, humbly says, “Still far off.”

Zhou Shuren, “Ah, still self-aware.”

Ming Hui, “…”

Zhulan laughs heartily, “Grandpa’s teasing you, your summaries are indeed good, ah, this part takes after me.”

Ming Hui considering this, it indeed seems so, “Who made grandson most like Grandma.”

Zhou Shuren, “Ah, the gift for writing fiction resembles it too.”

Zhulan, “…”

Ming Hui, “…”