Lu Zhaolin smiled with relief: "If that day ever comes, I will definitely thank you for coming to visit me today."
"This old servant will now return to report to His Majesty." Xiao Dezi bowed to the two of them again and left the general's mansion.
The moment the gates of the General's Mansion closed.
Lu Zhaofeng patted Lu Zhaolin's shoulder heavily, his emotions almost uncontrollable: "Brother, we've finally waited for this day. Brother, your talent will surely make you a star."
Lu Zhaolin gave a wry smile and said, "It's hard on my sister, who's all alone in the palace. As her older brother, I not only can't share her burdens, but I also always cause her worry."
Listen to what Lu Zhaolin said.
Lu Zhaofeng was slightly taken aback.
It was just for a moment.
He quickly came to his senses: "My sister has grown up. She's no longer that little girl who used to fawn over us and only wanted candy."
Lu Zhaolin pursed his lips and sighed inwardly, "Is my older brother particularly useless? He's such a grown man, yet he still makes his younger siblings worry about him all the time."
"What are you saying, brother?" Lu Zhaofeng put his arm around his neck. "Come on, brother, let's go pick out the best set of writing materials. Once you win the championship, I'll live a life of luxury with you."
"No need, we have plenty of writing materials at home." Lu Zhaolin said with a look of rejection.
“What’s at home is at home.” Lu Zhaofeng said as he pulled him outside. “Your brother gave it to you so you could win the championship. How can that be the same? Besides, you’ve been staying at home all day. You’re practically moldy. It’s good for you to go out and get some fresh air.”
Lu Zhaofeng said so.
Lu Zhaolin could no longer refuse, so he reluctantly let him pull him out of the general's mansion.
The imperial examinations are approaching.
Many scholars came to the streets and alleys of the imperial city.
The teahouse was packed with distinguished guests, with scholars gathering in small groups to engage in lively discussions.
In the largest teahouse in the imperial city, Qinxiangyuan, two scholars dressed in blue robes sat in the window seat.
"I have studied hard for ten years and taken the imperial examination three times, but I have failed every time. My son is even worse off," He Xingyi said dejectedly.
"Brother He, why be so arrogant? You might just win the championship this time," Xie Ruofan said casually.
“Brother Xie, you don’t know, where is the fairness in the imperial examinations these days? One hundred thousand taels of silver is enough to pass the imperial examinations and become a Jinshi. How can we poor scholars even dream of such a thing?” He Xingyi said indignantly.
"Brother He, what makes you say that?" Xie Ruofan asked, puzzled.
He Xingyi shook his head helplessly: "Heh, nowadays officials have clearly marked prices. It's understandable that Brother Xie wouldn't know this since it's his first time taking the imperial examination..."
Listening to their conversation.
Lu Zhaolin and Lu Zhaofeng stopped in their tracks simultaneously.
The two exchanged a glance and walked into the teahouse.
Lu Zhaolin walked to a table next to the two of them and sat down.
The waiter hadn't even filled the water glass to the brim.
A noisy commotion came from the direction of the entrance.
"Get out of the way, all of you, get out of the way!"
"If you can't see Master Liu coming, hurry up and make way."
"Roll, roll, roll..."
A servant-like man, fawning over the shop's customers while simultaneously flattering a greasy-haired man, was also busy attending to his every need.
"Are you blind? Get out of the way! Once the imperial examination is over, he'll be our third-ranked scholar."
The servant, acting like a bully, chased away the scholars who were drinking tea at the middle table.
"How can you talk like that?" one of the scholars retorted, unable to stand it any longer.
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