Chapter 1616: Chapter 1616: Reward

Time flies, and in two days it will be the Spring Imperial Examination. Zhulan waits for her son to come home, and as soon as Chang Xhong returns, he goes to the main courtyard. “Mother, do you have something to discuss with me?”

“I heard you went to see Mr. Gu?”

Chang Xhong understood immediately, “Mr. Gu is in good health.”

Zhulan wasn’t sure whether she felt regret or relief; her emotions were complex. She muttered, “That is quite clever this time.”

Chang Xhong chuckled, “Once, twice, but not three times.”

“Ming Jia and the others go to the Academy regularly, but you only go sporadically. You still say you’ll come back as the top scorer? With an attitude like yours?”

Chang Xhong blinked, “Mother, I have a plan.”

Zhulan merely mentioned it casually; this child indeed had a plan. Every time Shu Ren tested them, he came back praising her son’s scholarly abilities. “Don’t be arrogant.”

Chang Xhong agreed. He didn’t go to the Academy, but he learned a lot by observing various Graduates, which was a form of self-improvement.

In the second wife’s courtyard, Yu Wen is reading a book, and her personal maid enters, whispering, “Mr. Gu is well.”

Yu Wen didn’t reply, and the maid retreated to the side.

Su Xuan entered to see her daughter quietly reading and sat down beside her. “Your personality is like mine, yet not entirely. Aren’t you worried?”

Back then, she chased her husband in fear that someone else might win his affection, worrying constantly!

Yu Wen put down her book, “Worried about what?”

Su Xuan didn’t believe her daughter didn’t understand, “I heard several families are interested in Mr. Gu and are waiting for him to rank high in the exam.”

Yu Wen picked up the book again, “If his name gets linked with someone else, then so be it.”

Su Xuan was stunned, “Daughter, tell me, what are you thinking?”

She noticed her daughter didn’t care about anything, and when she finally did care about something, this was the result?

Yu Wen lifted her head, “Mr. Gu’s looks are quite good.”

Su Xuan held her breath, “I don’t care anymore.”

Yu Wen agreed, and Su Xuan left, fuming. Yu Wen chuckled lightly; her mother was becoming easier to tease. She didn’t believe her mother wouldn’t care; when she needed to, she would certainly intervene.

In the blink of an eye, the Spring Imperial Examination arrived. The examination was delayed, the snow had melted, and the pen wouldn’t be too cold to write with. Chang Xhong personally took Jiang Zhu and Mu Fan to the examination hall on behalf of the Hou Residence.

This year, there were more candidates from the south. After his nephews entered, Chang Xhong went to find Ming Rui.

Ming Rui was talking to Shangguan Liu when Chang Xhong asked, “Mr. Shangguan, aren’t you going to queue?”

Shangguan Liu replied, “Anyway, the positions are predetermined, there’s no need to rush.”

Chang Xhong thought, the examination seat position is crucial. For Shangguan Liu, there’s no worry about seat issues, but for others, it’s all down to luck.

Gradually, all candidates entered the examination hall, and the gates closed. They wouldn’t open until after a certain period.

Chang Xhong asked, “Should we head home together?”

Ming Rui shook his head, “I need to go to the Lin Residence to pick up something for my wife. You can go ahead.”

Chang Xhong recalled his mother’s calculations, “In a few days, you’ll be a father.”

Ming Rui’s eyes softened. Yes, he was about to become a father.

Chang Xhong pondered on gender, “Do you prefer a boy or a girl?”

Ming Rui answered straightforwardly, “Either is good, but for the first, I wish for a daughter.”

The second wife wasn’t in a hurry for the first legitimate grandson. Like his elder brother, blossoming first then bearing fruit was ideal.

Chang Xhong laughed, “Both you and Lin Qing have good looks; your daughter will surely be a beauty. Just wonder who she’ll end up with once she grows up.”

Ming Rui’s expression soured, “A son would be better.”

Chang Xhong, “…”

During the Spring Imperial Examination, various betting offices were set up in the capital, waiting for the results to be announced. Before the examination ended, Su Xuan sent someone to gather information and report back to the capital.

Zhulan listened to this and summoned her fourth daughter-in-law, “What have you found out?”

Su Xuan, “Mother, you’re also interested, huh?”

“Hmm.”

Su Xuan smiled, “The information I gathered aligns with what my younger brother said. Mr. Gu’s family separated early, and after Mr. Gu’s grandparents passed away, he didn’t interact with several uncles.”

She paused and said, “Especially after the division and joining the army, Gu Sheng’s third uncle’s son died on the battlefield, but Gu Sheng’s brother returned alive, severing ties further. Gu Sheng passing the Graduate exam did not reconcile their relationship.”

Zhulan asked, “What about other relatives?”

Su Xuan continued, “There aren’t many relatives; those from the maternal side cut off contact early. After Gu Sheng passed the Graduate exam, they tried to reconnect because of familial piety, but interactions remained minimal. Then there was an unpleasant issue due to Gu Sheng’s brother’s marriage.”

Zhulan calculated. Indeed, the two brothers relied on each other. Gu Sheng doesn’t have many ties in his hometown, avoiding many troubles common among poor scholars.

Su Xuan hesitated, and Zhulan asked, “What more?”

Su Xuan, “I did check, and several families are eyeing Mr. Gu, uncertain which family’s daughter he’ll become a son-in-law to.”

Zhulan thought about Yu Wen. Yu Wen indeed hadn’t taken any action, merely asking a few questions. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law exchanged glances, realizing they had become more proactive.

In a blink, the Spring Imperial Examination ended, awaiting the announcement of results. Several renowned individuals were brought up.

As the waiting continued, Yu Wen was invited into the palace by the eldest princess. Accompanying her was Lin Xi.

Lin Xi donned a red outfit, wielding a whip at her waist. Yu Wen pointed at the whip, “Why are you carrying a whip?”

Lin Xi smiled, “I promised the empress dowager to demonstrate whip skills when I came to the palace.”

Yu Wen, “I never thought you had a talent for martial arts.”

Lin Xi leaned against her cousin’s arm, “I was surprised too. Initially, when I saw my father invite a master to teach my brother, I was curious and ended up loving it.”

Yu Wen thought about Lin Xi’s marriage prospects and smiled softly, “A younger cousin like you should live freely.”

Her younger cousin had more leverage; she reached out to touch the whip, tempted but ultimately pulled her hand back. Forget it; comfort lay in relaxation.

The two met the eldest princess, who was in the pavilion. The two bowed courteously, and Zhenyue smiled, “Come sit.”

Upon entering the pavilion, Yu Wen saw the portraits on the stone table. She glanced at them; they all looked quite good!

Zhenyue signaled for the palace maid to store the portraits away, “They were just delivered by my father.”

Lin Xi inquired, “But the results aren’t out yet?”

Zhenyue daintily brewed tea, “Just a couple more days.”

Yu Wen observed the princess’s calm demeanor, marveling at how the princess lived with less freedom than her. Clearly, the princess was aware, neither sad nor happy, purely appreciating the portraits.

Lin Xi stayed silent; she couldn’t use her grandparents’ fondness to speak much. The princess’s marriage was a complex affair.

Zhenyue continued, “We’ve already selected the Princess Residence, and construction will begin come summer.”

Yu Wen was surprised, “So soon?”

Zhenyue explained, “There’s no rush for completion; building slowly will take several years.”

During the conversation, a palace maid reported that the Emperor and Crown Prince were approaching. As they spoke, the Emperor and Crown Prince appeared.

Yu Wen entered the palace to thank the Emperor for his grace, while Lin Xi frequently visited, and Zhenyue was the Emperor’s own daughter. The three greeted calmly.

The Emperor was surprised to see Lin Xi and An He; he never pried into his daughters’ matters, pampering them was enough. “Rise.”

Zhenyue stepped forward to explain, “Your daughter isn’t acquainted with many, only a bit familiar with Lin Xi and An He, hence invited them to chat in the palace.”

The Emperor didn’t see the portraits, knowing they were put away. He came to ask his daughter whom she favored, but now he couldn’t ask, his gaze falling on Lin Xi’s whip. “I heard you practice martial arts, I doubted it, but seeing the whip, I believe.”

Lin Xi touched the whip, “I’ve learned a bit, just a smattering.”

Two hours later, Commandery Princess Lin Xi and Magistrate Anhe received the Emperor’s rewards and left the palace, which drew attention back to Magistrate Anhe.