Chapter 198 The Appearance of an Old Friend
Xie Changning's selection of an heir for the Jing'an Marquisate was finally put on the agenda.
Two days ago, she sent someone to notify them.
Today, at noon, all the descendants of the Shen family will come to Xie Changning to take the test.
At the beginning, all the clan members couldn't help but worry that Xie Changning would stay in the Marquis' Mansion even after an heir was chosen. Unexpectedly, she moved out of the Marquis' Mansion without hesitation. Not only did she not move a single tree or blade of grass in the Mansion, she also handed over the account book to the clan leader.
Butler Zhao checked the accounts with the clan leader for several days, and all the accounts were clear.
It can be said that the Marquis' Mansion is the same as it was when she took it over from Qin. She also returned the more than 20,000 taels of silver that Qin had embezzled.
There is nothing wrong with it.
The Shen family was once prominent, and most of the children in the family had received education.
After several days of preparation, all the young men looked confident and ready to show their skills today and win the position of heir to the Marquis' Mansion in one fell swoop.
It refers to the middle of the Si hour.
Many people came before the hour of Si.
Unfortunately, it was useless to come early, so I could only wait in the front yard.
Butler Zhao had made arrangements early in the morning, and all the servants in the mansion were busy receiving these young men, but he did not show up. Instead, he hid at a corner door next to the main gate, secretly observing the young men who came one after another.
How does the saying go?
A lean camel is bigger than a horse. All the relatives of the Shen family are living well, and all the children came here in horse-drawn carriages.
Xie Changning had been sending people to keep an eye on the movements in the front yard.
Mother Du would report to her every once in a while.
It was almost the middle of the Si hour and almost all the disciples had arrived.
Butler Zhao hadn't made any movement yet, so Xie Changning asked, "No one passed the test?"
All the children in the front yard were still waiting for her to ask questions.
Little did they know that the real assessment had already begun.
Mother Du shook her head. "Madam, what if no one passes the test today? All these young men have come. If we can't give them a satisfactory answer, it will be difficult to send them away even if we invite them."
Xie Changning curled his lips and smiled, "What are you afraid of? I was ordered by the Emperor to select a suitable successor for the Marquisate. If they didn't pass the assessment, it's their fault for not being strong enough. What does it have to do with me?"
Butler Zhao leaned against the door and looked out through the crack.
He maintained this posture for almost an hour, and it was no exaggeration to say that his neck was almost stiff.
Unfortunately, among dozens of people, not a single one passed the lady's assessment.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at the old woman lying in the cold wind at the door. The corners of his mouth twitched fiercely, and he suddenly felt that his neck was much better. It was more comfortable to lie in the crack of the door than to fall on the ground.
Who would have thought that this would be today's test!!!
It was almost the middle of the Si hour, and the young men in the front yard had lost their patience. The servants beside them had urged them several times, and Butler Zhao could only shake his head and leave.
He planned to appease the young men in the front yard first, and then ask his wife what to do!
As soon as Butler Zhao appeared, the originally chaotic disciples instantly quieted down.
Facing the eager looks of all the disciples, Butler Zhao couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He was about to speak when a servant ran towards him with a joyful face, shouting, "Passed, passed..."
Butler Zhao naturally understood what he meant.
He said that with so many people, how could there not be a single person with a pure heart!
He looked up and saw a young man following behind the servant. The other young men were all dressed in gorgeous clothes, but he was wearing a blue shirt that had been washed to a pale color. He had a tall figure and walked calmly from afar. Although he could not see his appearance clearly, he gave people a feeling of brightness and brightness.
Butler Zhao was stunned.
There is such a person in the Shen family?
Why didn’t he see him last time?
Because he arrived last, everyone's eyes were on him.
When he came closer, Butler Zhao looked at him intently. For some reason, he always felt that the young man in front of him looked familiar.
It was certain that he had never seen him before.
Who does he look like?
For a moment, he really couldn't remember.
"Are you also a member of the Shen family? Why have I never seen you before?" Butler Zhao asked immediately.
The disciples whispered to each other, "Not only has Housekeeper Zhao never seen him, but even we have never seen him before. Could he be an imposter?"
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the man in green clothes bowed and said, "My name is Chen Yubai. You have never seen me because twenty years ago, our branch settled in Yueyang and rarely interacted with Kyoto."
Butler Zhao then remembered that about twenty years ago, a branch of the Shen family did move to Yueyang, and there has been no contact in recent years.
"May I ask, housekeeper, am I qualified to take the test today?" Shen Yubai took out the family clan butterfly and handed it to housekeeper Zhao, then asked with a bow.
After confirming his identity, Butler Zhao nodded and said, "Since you are a member of the Shen family, you are naturally qualified to participate in today's assessment."
All the young men had no objection.
The Yueyang branch has been declining over the years. Just look at Chen Yubai and you'll know that he exudes a sense of poverty.
So what if he was allowed to take the test?
Just because he wants to inherit the Marquis' Mansion?
He’s dreaming!
Unexpectedly, Butler Zhao suddenly said something shocking, "Now I declare that today's assessment is over. Only one person has passed the assessment, and that is Shen Yubai!"
Everyone immediately started arguing.
"What assessment? How come we don't know about it?"
"The assessment clearly hasn't even started yet, how come it's over?"
"And why is it Shen Yubai? What did he do? Why is he the only one who passed the test?"
“…”
Even Shen Yubai was a little surprised, he just came here to try his luck.
After everyone finished speaking, Butler Zhao spoke, "Someone, please bring up today's exam questions."
Soon, an old woman who was covered in dirt came up. When she got closer, everyone realized that the old woman had an untidy beard.
He is clearly a man.
It was just because he was lying on the ground just now, and no one could see his appearance clearly.
Butcher Wang grinned and said, "How about this, everyone? Are you surprised? Are you surprised? I am today's test question."
"No, I don't accept it!"
"I don't accept it either..."
Everyone shouted in dissatisfaction.
Butler Zhao sneered, "Why are you so unconvinced? You all saw him fall to the ground, but did anyone think of helping him up?"
"Madam said that if one lacks knowledge, one can learn. The most important thing for an heir to the Marquisate is character. Today, we will focus on kindness. If a person lacks even the most basic kindness, even if he gains power and wealth in the future, he will become unkind."
All the young men looked ashamed, and they couldn't even say a word of rebuttal.
"Please come in, everyone!" Butler Zhao made a gesture of invitation to everyone.
No matter how unwilling they were, everyone had no choice but to turn around and leave.
Because there is only one chance.
"Please follow me, Mr. Shen." Butler Zhao said with a smile looking at Shen Yubai.
Xie Changning was already waiting for Shen Yubai.
Mother Du said on the side: "Madam's hard work has finally paid off."
As she was talking, Butler Zhao walked in with Shen Yubai.
Shen Yubai came against the light, every step was extremely steady, and he did not get carried away just because he passed the test.
When her eyes fell on him, Xie Changning couldn't help but be stunned. She actually saw the appearance of an old friend in this Chen Yubai!
Who does it look like?
This Chen Yubai actually looks a lot like Pei Zhi when he was young...
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