Early the next morning, Zhao Xian returned the rented house, and the group boarded a carriage and returned to Narcissus Village.

The following days were filled with waiting. The students who had participated in the provincial examinations were waiting for the results to be announced, while Zhao Xian was waiting for Master Qin to return from the capital. Although he knew that there would be no problem for Shen Yong and Master Qin to deliver the betrothal letter to the Fourth Prince's mansion, he was still a little uneasy.

Li Xue saw through Zhao Xian's thoughts and said:

“Brother Zhao, don’t worry. Father is overjoyed to receive the betrothal letter. Besides, it was written by Li Guang, so Father can tell at a glance. Even if Father wants to scold a few people, he will only scold Li Guang.”

Just then, someone came to report that He Shaojian, the Mining Supervisor and Tax Commissioner of the Ministry of Works of the Imperial Court, was requesting an audience.

Zhao Xian knew that the Ministry of Works and the Mining Supervision Department of the imperial court was in charge of the mineral resources of the whole country. The tax supervisor was a fourth-rank official. Although his rank was not high in the court, he had a lot of power. This time, the people from the Mining Supervision Department must have come for the mining of saltpeter in Fudu Mountain.

“Princess, let’s go out and meet this Supervisor He. He’s come to Narcissus Village because the saltpeter mine has been opened. Now we can buy saltpeter and make fertilizer.”

“Okay, Brother Zhao, let’s go over there.” After Li Xue finished speaking, she and Zhao Xian went outside.

The officials from the Mining Supervision Department who were waiting outside were flattered when Zhao Xian and Li Xue came out to greet them, after all, they were only fourth-rank officials.

He Shaojian quickly stepped forward and bowed in respect.

"Your humble servant He Zongwen greets Marquis Zhengyang and the Princess."

"No need for formalities, Junior Supervisor He. Please come in and have a seat." After saying this, Zhao Xian led He Zongwen into the room.

After everyone was seated, someone brought out tea.

"I wonder what important matter brings you to my humble abode, Vice Supervisor He?"

Although Zhao Xian guessed that He Zongwen had come for the saltpeter mine, he couldn't say it directly and had to ask the question he already knew the answer to.

"Reporting to Marquis Zhengyang, the saltpeter mine at Fudu Mountain has already been opened for mining. The imperial court has learned that saltpeter can be used to make fertilizer, and that crop yields will increase significantly after using this fertilizer."

The imperial court decided to prioritize providing the mined saltpeter to Marquis Zhengyang at a low price for its use in fertilizer production, promoting its widespread application so that farmers throughout the land could benefit.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian immediately became excited. He had not expected that the imperial court would provide him with saltpeter at a preferential price. He was determined to make a big effort to produce fertilizer as soon as possible and promote its use.

Next, Zhao Xian and He Zongwen began to discuss the specifics. In fact, there wasn't much to discuss, as the Mining Supervision Department had already drafted the detailed rules, and all they had to do was follow them.

After some research, Zhao Xian realized that the price offered by the imperial court was indeed favorable. If he were to spend his own time and effort mining the mines, the expenses would definitely be higher.

After signing the agreement with the Mining Supervision Department, the next step was to purchase saltpeter and make fertilizer.

Saltpeter is somewhat toxic, and its production as fertilizer can cause some pollution.

With this in mind, Zhao Xian discussed it with Li Guang and finally decided to buy a piece of land in the mountains not far from Shuixian Village to build a workshop for fertilizer production.

Li Guang was also very much looking forward to this. He hoped that the first batch of fertilizer could be produced as soon as possible so that the late rice could be fertilized and the yield could be increased.

The next step is to build workshops, manufacture production equipment, and purchase raw materials.

Time flies, and the day of the provincial examination results announcement arrived in the blink of an eye. On this day, there was a commotion in Narcissus Village as several officials, beating gongs and drums, came straight to Zhao Xian's doorstep.

At that moment, Zhao Xian happened to be at home when he suddenly heard the sound of gongs and drums outside the door. He knew that Ouyang Nan had passed the imperial examination and that the officials who came to deliver the good news had arrived.

Zhao Xian was overjoyed and quickly came out of the house. The official who came to deliver the good news bowed to Zhao Xian.

"Congratulations, Marquis Zhengyang! The results of the provincial examination in Huizhou Prefecture have been posted. Ouyang Nan from Shuixian Village has stood out from more than 3,000 candidates who participated in the provincial examination in Huizhou Prefecture and won the top spot, becoming the top scholar in the provincial examination."

Zhao Xian was overjoyed when he heard this. He knew that Ouyang Nan would pass the exam without a doubt, but he never expected him to win the top score. You have to know that Ouyang Nan is only eleven years old this year and is still a child.

Ouyang Nan was exceptionally intelligent from a young age. He and his sister were taken in by Zhao Xian and sent to school to study.

The brother and sister regarded Zhao Xian as their benefactor and were determined to make something of themselves in the future to repay him.

From the first day he entered the school, Ouyang Nan was diligent and eager to learn, studying the classics with great care.

This was Ouyang Nan's first time taking the major examination, and he won first place in the provincial examination. This was an affirmation of his hard work over the past few years, and it filled him with confidence in his future.

Ouyang Nan is still young and has not yet reached the age to become an official, which means that he will have to continue his studies and participate in the triennial imperial examination.

Zhao Xian knew that Ouyang Nan was probably still reading in his room, so he sent someone to invite him, as this was a joyous occasion for him.

Soon Ouyang Nan was pulled out of the room. In fact, he had already heard the commotion and drumming outside, but he didn't pay attention to it and didn't expect that they had come to announce good news.

It wasn't until I got outside that I realized what had happened; I had actually made the list.

The surprises didn't end there. When he learned that he had come out on top and become the top scholar in the imperial examination, he jumped for joy.

Zhao Xian was pleased and rewarded each of the officers with five taels of silver, to which they thanked him profusely.

The officials told Zhao Xian that there was another person from Shuixian Village who had passed the exam, and that they needed to go and deliver the good news, so they wouldn't disturb him.

This means that three people from Shuixian Village participated in the provincial examination, and two of them passed, with Ouyang Nan achieving the highest rank of Jieyuan.

After the official who brought the good news left, the villagers who had been watching the spectacle did not leave. They were filled with envy and hoped that their own children could be like Ouyang Nan and also be on the list of successful candidates in the future.

Ouyang Nan turned around, knelt down and kowtowed to Zhao Xian. He wanted to thank the person in front of him. Without Zhao Xian's help, he would not be where he is today, and he would not know what he and his sister would be like now.

Seeing this, Zhao Xian stepped forward to help Ouyang Nan up and said:

“Ouyang Nan, there’s no need for that. Ever since you two siblings came to the Zhao family, we’ve been one family. It’s my responsibility to raise you to adulthood, and I hope that when you grow up, you will become people who contribute to the country.”

Passing the provincial examination is just the beginning. You will have to participate in the metropolitan examination and the palace examination later. I hope you can achieve the highest score in all three examinations and set an example for all students.

Go to Wufang Academy now and tell Headmaster Ruan and the teachers this good news, so they can share in their joy.

“Okay, brother, I’ll go over now and tell them the good news.” After saying that, Ouyang Nan ran towards Wufang Academy.

Seeing Ouyang Nan leave, Zhao Xian spoke up:

"Ouyang Nan's success in the provincial examination is a major event for Shuixian Village, and even more so for Wufang Academy."

Tonight we'll hold a banquet, inviting all the headmasters and teachers from the schools and academies to celebrate.

Those around him nodded in agreement and began preparing for the dinner.