Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 740: Taking Office_1

Chang Zhong was pleased, "I just knew my second nephew had a sense of loyalty."

He quickly scrambled down from his chair and ran to Ming Teng’s side, grabbing Ming Teng’s purse in one swoop!

Ming Teng clutched his purse, "Little Uncle?"

Chang Zhong smiled warmly, "We should share our blessings. You see, there are only a few copper coins in your uncle’s purse, which is nothing compared to yours. We should share equally!"

Well, he wasn’t lying, there were indeed copper coins in the purse.

Ming Rui laughed heartily, "Little Uncle is right."

That’s right, let Ming Teng take pride in counting his silver. He had flaunted it more than once in front of Little Uncle. Little Uncle had had his eye on it for a long time!

Ming Teng’s eyes widened. That was the silver he had saved up, not easily, having braved his mother’s slaps to accumulate it!

Chang Zhong let go, "Oh, it’s getting late. I should be heading back. Father must be waiting for me at the residence!"

Ming Teng, "..."

He feared his grandfather and, trembling, untied his purse, then grew angry, "Ming Rui, you have more silver than I do, yet you have the nerve to reach for it?"

Seeing this, Chang Zhong’s eyes shone. The third nephew had never counted his silver, and his purse looked deflated, yet he had more silver than the second nephew, "We should share our blessings!"

Outside the study, Zhou Shuren and Mingyun stood at the door. Mingyun could imagine the situation inside just by listening to the sounds and couldn’t help but laugh a little.

Hearing the laughter, Zhou Shuren said, "You should laugh more."

Don’t keep a cold face. It pains me as a grandfather to see it. I suppose dealing with smiling tigers, I find them more pleasing to the eye!

Mingyun was taken aback and pursed his lips, "Grandson fears he won’t be able to keep Ming Teng and the others in check."

Zhou Shuren patted his eldest grandson’s shoulder, "Outsmart them a few more times and they’ll be scared of you. Just look at your Little Uncle, this lesson will surely be remembered by Ming Teng and Ming Rui."

Although the stern face of the eldest grandson was quite effective, he still liked playing tricks on others, especially when they knew they were being tricked and couldn’t retaliate!

Mingyun, "...Grandson has learnt."

In the study, the purses of Ming Rui and Ming Teng were deflated!

Chang Zhong, with Ming Hui happily clapping their hands, "Ming Hui, I’m heading back to the main house. Shouldn’t you be returning too?"

Ming Hui felt that only Little Uncle was the best to him in the world.

Chang Zhong grabbed Ming Hui’s hand; Ming Hui always listened to him, so naturally, he would treat Ming Hui well, ensuring to include him in any good fortune in the future.

Zhou Shuren’s eyes were filled with mirth, his son had surely inherited his shrewdness. Opening the study door, he took his chubby son’s hand, "Father’s come to pick you up."

His son had just bullied a few grandsons, so he would let the grandsons off today. No academic testing.

Chang Zhong’s eyes curved, smiling sweetly, "Father."

Ming Teng and Ming Rui hurried to their feet, "Grandfather."

Mingyun also stepped in, looking at his smiling grandfather, he too managed a small smile. Ming Teng and Ming Rui, seeing this, were instantly horrified. What was wrong with their eldest brother? Was he about to discipline them?

The smile in Zhou Shuren’s eyes deepened. He walked out of the study, holding his son’s hand, leaving his grandsons’ affairs behind him, not meddling, not meddling!

Chang Zhong happily followed his father, swinging the little purse.

Zhou Shuren stopped, casually opened his purse, and poured out the Silver Coin, leaving only those initially there. After collecting the Silver, he said, "You’re still too young to carry so much Silver; it’s heavy. I’ll keep it for you for now, and this way your mother won’t find out. She wouldn’t allow you to carry so much Silver."

Chang Zhong blinked his eyes. His father’s words seemed fine, but as he watched the Silver disappear into his father’s purse, something felt off to him.

Zhou Shuren tied the purse securely, keeping it safe for his son, yes, keeping it safe!

The next day, Zhou Shuren took Mingyun and a few others to the Zhongxiu Academy. Gaining entry into the Academy was smooth; Mingyun and the others had respectable knowledge, whether it be reciting or interpreting, and they were able to answer fluently when questioned by several masters.

Zhou Shuren sat in and listened to a lesson, and as registering for the Academy required specifics about household registration and especially needed a Graduate as a guarantor, Zhou Shuren couldn’t stay low-key if he wanted to.

Fortunately, Zhou Shuren hadn’t yet assumed office, and his common appearance along with his plainclothes didn’t draw attention. He declined the headmaster’s personal introduction and listened to the lesson without any issues.

In the evening, after his grandsons returned from school and had dinner, Zhou Shuren took them to the study, intending to teach them more while he was still at home.

Time flew by, and soon it was the day for Zhou Shuren to assume his office. He finally wore the official robe of the Deputy Minister of Revenue.

On his first day, he went to report for duty, and his carriage stopped outside the Main gate of the Ministry of Revenue.

Upon stepping out of the carriage, Zhou Shuren curled the corners of his mouth. There were several officials waiting outside the Ministry. As he dismounted, they greeted him with zealous warmth. One said, "Master Zhou, we’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival."

Another said, "Master, please, come inside. The Grand Master of Writing has been waiting for you!"

Zhou Shuren stood at the entrance and touched his hair, gathering his composure and saying, "Gentlemen, after you!"

The officials from the Ministry of Revenue of course noticed Master Zhou’s gesture. Their expressions drifted as they recalled Minister Zhong touching his hair before leaving the Ministry!

Meeting the officials of the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren realized that, in comparison, he had quite a head full of hair!

Inside the Palace, the Emperor was in a good mood today. "The Minister of Revenue ought to bring Zhou Shuren into the Palace soon, right?"

The Crown Prince smiled, "Yes."

The Emperor stroked his beard, "Time sure goes by slowly."

The Crown Prince was inwardly conflicted, hoping Zhou Shuren would start his office soon, but also wishing time would slow down. The army was nearly back from their campaign, and the funds for relief hadn’t been scraped together yet!

The Emperor signaled Eunuch Liu to leave and then spoke to the Crown Prince alone, "Is the estate purchase arranged?"

The Crown Prince nodded, "It’s all arranged."

At the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren met the Minister of Revenue, Minister Xiao. "Your humble servant pays respects to the Grand Master of Writing," Zhou Shuren said.

Minister Xiao, stroking his sparse beard, said, "Having Master Zhou at the Ministry of Revenue is a fortunate event. I have been waiting for you for many days."

Zhou Shuren looked at Minister Xiao, well aware of the Revenue Ministry’s officials. Minister Xiao, who had managed the funds for nearly ten years, was able to remain in his position thanks to the Emperor’s trust. "I don’t deserve such praise, sir. It’s my good fortune to join the Ministry of Revenue!"

Minister Xiao, all smiles, didn’t care whether Zhou Shuren’s words were sincere or not. He took them as sincere, "We in the Ministry of Revenue deal with Silver all day long. I like to be straightforward. The Ministry is short-staffed now. Ah, look at the time; I shall take you to the Palace."

Zhou Shuren watched Minister Xiao hold a stack of ledgers, his back slightly bent as if carrying something very heavy. Silently, Zhou Shuren extended his hand, "Let me take them."

Minister Xiao beamed, "Good."

At the same time, he sighed with relief internally. He had been reluctant to submit these ledgers, waiting for Zhou Shuren’s arrival, and now he finally could!

Zhou Shuren looked at the ledgers in his hand, then back at Minister Xiao. As soon as he took them, Minister Xiao stood straighter and strode ahead. Zhou Shuren couldn’t help but roll his eyes inwardly.

The carriage drove towards the Palace, and Minister Xiao looked at Zhou Shuren sitting across from him, recalling the conversation the Emperor had with him in private. The Emperor really valued Zhou Shuren, and now they would be working together in the Ministry of Revenue. It was time to see Zhou Shuren’s true abilities!