After leaving the palace, Jing Zhe originally planned not to let Sui Shouren see him off. Although Jingzhou City was large, the Zhang family was not far from the palace, so he could take a walk back.

But Sui Shouren insisted on sending it, and it was hard to refuse his kind offer.

Perhaps he also felt the allure of his long and wide gold medal?

After seeing Sui Shouren off outside the Zhang family's gate, Jing Zhe pushed the door open and went inside. Hanhan, who had been squatting in the courtyard, hurriedly ran out.

"Young Master, you're finally back!"

In fact, Jing Zhe was gone for only a short time, less than two hours, but for Hanhan, it felt like an eternity.

He came down from Mount Mang with orders to protect Jing Zhe, and he couldn't help but worry about letting Jing Zhe go out alone.

"Hey, if we don't come back, how are we supposed to spend the New Year there?"

In a good mood, Jing Zhe made a joke.

"I thought Princess Mo Chen would really keep the young chieftain as her consort!"

With lingering fear, Hanhan thought to himself, "If that happened, how could I possibly face Lu Li back at Mangshan?"

"Make a ball!"

Jing Zhe said, "I haven't even seen her yet, have I? But now that you mention it, I do miss her a little!"

Of all the women he's met since transmigrating, Jing Zhe has spent the most time with Su Mochen. Thinking back on the little things they did together, he feels a bit dazed.

"Young Master Xian... Ah Kun is back!"

Zhang Xuexian seemed excited to see Jing Zhe, but he was much more distant than usual, as if he had some reservations.

Jing Zhe feigned anger, "What? It's only been a short time since I entered the palace, and Uncle doesn't want to acknowledge me as his nephew anymore?"

Zhang Xuexian wasn't stupid. He paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "How could that be? We're just afraid that if we try to claim kinship with you, it will lower your status!"

"What status do I have? Even if I win first place in the poetry competition and become an official in the palace, I'm still me, aren't I? My uncle is still my uncle!"

"Very well! My dear nephew is right!"

Zhang Xuexian glanced at him, her eyes filled with gratitude.

Jing Zhe went to the warehouse again and found that Zhang Xuexian's confidants were quick-witted and clever. In half a day, they had already made more than twenty jars of strong liquor.

Following behind him, Zhang Xuexian laughed and said, "Nephew, I've tasted this strong liquor. It has a pure and authentic flavor. I guarantee that once it's on the market, it will be priceless and unavailable!"

Zhang Xuexian even envisioned a booming future for selling strong liquor, something he had always dreamed of. With his strong liquor, who would want to drink turbid liquor?

"Yes, it's expensive but unavailable."

Jing Zhe nodded. This strong liquor was sold directly to the imperial palace, and ordinary people couldn't even get their hands on it. It was indeed a case of high price but no market.

"However, it seems quite a few people have seen you coming and going here, and they've already come to inquire about the spirits!"

"What did your uncle say?"

“My nephew said he would sell it after the poetry gathering, but I naturally dared not admit it and could only make up an excuse to avoid it.”

Jing Zhe smiled and said, "No need for that anymore. If anyone asks about Uncle again, just tell them the truth: this strong liquor was indeed made by us!"

"I see!"

Zhang Xuexian rubbed his hands excitedly, "What about the price? How should we set it?"

Since it's being sold to the royal family, they certainly have plenty of money, so setting the price higher would be better and would also make it seem more prestigious.

"Ten taels of silver per jar!"

"Hiss, ten taels!"

"Too high?"

"Yeah, it's too high, but I like it!"

"..."

But Jing Zhe immediately instructed him, "Although a price has been set, just tell them whether it's okay to sell or not?"

"Not for sale?"

Zhang Xuexian was a little confused. If they weren't going to sell, they could simply deny that they had strong liquor. Admitting it and then refusing to sell was just asking for trouble.

So Jing Zhe told Zhang Xuexian about doing business with Emperor An. Zhang Xuexian was completely stunned. He had been in business for half his life and never dreamed that he would be doing business with the royal family.

So he stopped asking and only had one thought in his mind:

The Zhang family is about to prosper!

...

That afternoon, news that the third prince of Southern Qi would participate in the civil and military examinations spread throughout the streets and alleys of Jingzhou City, and the enthusiasm of the common people was unprecedented, while the scholars were full of fighting spirit.

The Prince of Xiang's Mansion.

At this time, Grand Tutor Bai Qingyuan, Hanlin Academician Song Baiyun, his son Song Jimao, Prince Su Xinping, and Vice Minister of War Wu Xianyong all gathered here.

In the center of the hall sat a young man who bore a resemblance to Emperor An, but with sharper, more intelligent eyes and a well-proportioned physique. He was none other than the second prince of An, Prince Xiang, Su Mowu.

He took a sip of tea, put down his teacup, and slowly said, "What are your thoughts on the marriage alliance between the third prince of Southern Qi and the emperor?"

Bai Qingyuan held the highest official rank here and was also Su Mowu's teacher, so he was the first to step forward.

"Your Highness, a marriage alliance would be the best outcome!"

Then he analyzed, "As everyone knows, Princess Mo Chen is intelligent and quick-witted from a young age, while the Crown Prince is extremely humble. The two are close, and Princess Mo Chen often advises him on many matters. If the princess marries far away to Southern Qi, the Crown Prince will lose his greatest support, making our future actions much easier!"

Su Mowu nodded, but then deliberately said, "Alas, she is still my royal sister. It's hard to bear seeing her marry so far away!"

Bai Qingyuan was Su Mowu's teacher and had a thorough understanding of his student's character. How could Su Mowu be the kind of person who valued romantic relationships?

He wants to be the good guy, so they're the ones who have to be the bad guys!

"Your Highness is too soft-hearted! But throughout history, those who have achieved great things have found such indecisiveness unacceptable!"

"All right."

Su Mowu nodded, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips. "Does anyone have any good ideas?"

After thinking for a moment, he looked at Song Jimao and said, "If I remember correctly, the most talented person in Jingzhou City is none other than Young Master Song!"

"Your Highness is too kind!"

"If Young Master Song were to deliberately let the Third Prince of Southern Qi win first place, wouldn't that solve the problem?"

Just as Song Jimo was about to reveal the truth, Song Baiyun pulled him back and preemptively said, "As long as it can help His Highness, it doesn't matter if Jimo deliberately loses..."

Emperor An had two sons, Crown Prince Su Moyan and Prince Xiang Su Mowu. It seems that he had foresight. Su Moyan preferred literature to martial arts, while Su Mowu preferred martial arts to literature, which complemented their names.

Therefore, Su Mowu was not interested in poetry and was very out of touch with news in this area. He did not know that Song Jimao's strength was inferior to that of the third prince of Southern Qi.

Instead of offering any warnings, Song Baiyun said things like, "For the sake of King Xiang's grand plan, we are willing to let him win." He explained that if they lost, it wouldn't be because they were less skilled, but because it was a deliberate act. This way, they wouldn't lose face and would please King Xiang, achieving the best of both worlds.

Su Mowu was overjoyed and praised, "Scholar Song is truly righteous! Rest assured, I will not let Young Master Song lose for nothing. After the matter is settled, I will certainly not treat Young Master Song unfairly!"

Song Baiyun nodded repeatedly, his face beaming with smiles.

————