Master Zheng, having heard his wife's sufficient explanation, asked the necessary questions. Indeed, just like his daughter's assessment, Zhou Shuren was quite confident about passing the exam. The status of a Graduate was enough to safeguard the property, and as for the future possibility of holding an office and not returning, he wasn't worried; as long as the property wasn't sold, that was all that mattered.
Having experienced the vicissitudes of life, and a great escape, he had not an iota of trust in the Imperial court. He was genuinely frightened; if only his ancestors had prepared an escape route, his family wouldn't have been forced into a corner. He didn't want his descendants to suffer the same fate. The rise and fall of a family were ordinary; it was critical to keep an escape route here.
