Madam Zhou, inexperienced as she was, was still a scholar’s daughter and had heard Old Scholar Zhou speak of the severity of cheating in the imperial examinations before.
Of course, such fraud, once uncovered, usually spelled doom for the officials involved, losing one’s life was a simple matter.
As for the punishment of scholars, being stripped of their titles and banned from employment was a common consequence, their futures utterly destroyed.
So, when she heard that Zhou Xuennian had dared to commit such an act, Madam Zhou turned pale with fear. How could he be so bold? If it was discovered, his achievements would be gone, as if he had wasted decades of study for nothing.
A scholar from a Poor Family, enduring the hardships of studying in cold conditions, wasn’t it all to stand out and bring glory to their ancestors? Without achievements, no longer able to participate in imperial examinations, how could one stand out and honor their family?
"Eldest brother, he, he’s really confused," said Madam Zhou, collapsing onto a chair and trembling as she spoke.
Lady Liang offered a bitter smile, "That’s why, second sister, you understand why I’m so worried and anxious, right? We’re fortunate if this doesn’t come out. But if it does, losing his achievements would be the least of our worries; I’m more afraid of what else might come to light. Then with no Silver at home and possibly losing people, I can’t even bear to think about it."
An empty effort like drawing water with a bamboo basket was one thing, but the fear was that there might be even greater problems. How could the Old Zhou family endure then?
Madam Zhou subconsciously wrung the handkerchief in her hands, her face full of dread as she muttered, "No, it couldn’t be, could it?"
"I too hope I’m just overthinking it," said Lady Liang, her face etched with bitterness as she touched her stomach.
Madam Zhou opened her mouth and after a long pause, finally managed to say, "Now that it’s come to this, we can only pray for divine protection. We can’t just... we can only hope for a stroke of luck."
Lady Liang gave a wry smile, silent. Wasn’t it all about hoping for a stroke of luck?
For a moment, the room fell silent.
Looking at the dark circles under Lady Liang’s eyes, Madam Zhou patted her hand and said, "Guilan, don’t worry about this matter, act as if you’re unaware. Also, don’t mention it to mother, to spare her the displeasure..."
She didn’t finish her sentence, but Lady Liang understood. It was all to avoid blame from Old Lady Zhou.
Gratitude flickered across Lady Liang’s eyes as she said, "Second sister, I know. I just felt suffocated and wanted to talk to someone."
Being a daughter-in-law was a difficult role to fulfill. No matter how much Old Lady Zhou liked her, in a mother-in-law’s heart, a daughter-in-law could never compare to her own sons.
If Lady Liang showed any displeasure herself or stirred up trouble, Old Lady Zhou would undoubtedly not tolerate her.
What Madam Zhou said was also a way of advising her to look out for herself, and Lady Liang accepted the counsel.
"Let’s not talk about this. The day after tomorrow, the family is hosting a feast. Come back and join us for a meal, second sister. Oh, and I heard you’ve chosen a site at the east end to build a house?" Lady Liang asked.
Madam Zhou’s face grew warm as she said, "Everyone in the village must be talking behind my back, right?"
Wufu had caused quite a stir, not speaking about it would have been odd, Madam Zhou was aware, but nobody had mentioned it in her presence.
"They didn’t say much, just that Wufu is capable," Lady Liang said with a laugh, "Second sister, when you start building the house, I’ll have my husband come over to help. With only women and children on your side, having a man in charge would be better."
Madam Zhou hesitated, then asked anxiously, "Would that be too much trouble? I’m worried that mother wouldn’t like it."
"It’s the slack season in farming; we’re idle anyway," Lady Liang said carelessly, thinking to herself that if her mother-in-law made any comments, they could just bring up the eldest uncle’s matter to deal with it.
Seeing this, Madam Zhou expressed her thanks.
After chatting for a while longer, Lady Liang took her leave.
And when Wufu returned, he naturally found out about Zhou Xuennian’s cheating scandal and scoffed. A stroke of luck?
In this world, how much luck can one really count on?