Chapter 765 The Zhao Family Arrives in Beijing
"The next imperial examination will be held in three years, but at Xiao Qin University, you can become a court official in just one year."
The King of Qin waved his fan and spoke eloquently.
"You should also know that currently, some of the students at Xiao Qin Academy are scholars, and the majority of the rest are sons of court officials, which are what you common people call spoiled brats. In any case, they are all good-for-nothings. If you go there, among such a group of people, do you think you can't become the top student?"
"You go and uphold the prestige of my Xiao Qin Academy, and I'll guarantee you an official position within a year. How about that?"
"Of course, that's on the condition that you stay at the top; otherwise, my guarantee is invalid."
The student who failed the exam was named Peng Wang. After his father obtained the business rights for the market in Dahe Town, he sent him to study at Dahe School. That year, his grades improved by leaps and bounds. Although he made great progress, he was indeed not talented enough, so it was expected that he would fail the imperial examination this time.
Just as the King of Qin said, even if one goes back and studies hard for three years, there is no guarantee that one will be able to pass the exam.
But if he were to enter Xiao Qin Academy... the King of Qin's promises were very appealing, and to be honest, he was tempted.
But when he thought about how this school was full of spoiled brats, he wondered if he would be led astray and go down a path of no return.
It's all uncertain.
Unable to make up his mind, he looked at Cheng Wanwan and asked, "Madam Sui, do you think I should go back to continue my studies, or try out the school founded by the Prince of Qin?"
"That depends on your own decision," Cheng Wanwan said calmly. "You are twenty-three years old this year and the eldest son of your Peng family generation. You can probably try the imperial examination one last time. If you still can't pass by the time you are twenty-six, your father will probably let you go back to inherit the family business. These three years are very important for you. You must decide for yourself which path to take."
Peng Wang lowered his eyes, still unsure of what to do.
Cheng Wanwan knew he was struggling with his decision, but even if the other person was her son, she wouldn't make the decision for him.
“Then…” Peng Wang clenched his fist, “I will study at Xiao Qin University for one year. If I can achieve something in this year, it will be a great honor for my ancestors. If I waste this year, I will still have two years to prepare for the imperial examination…”
“What do you mean by ‘wasted’?” The King of Qin picked up his fan and tapped him on the head. “I said that as long as you guarantee that you will be number one on the list, you will definitely enter the court as an official. Lady Sui can testify to that.”
Cheng Wanwan smiled and asked, "Have you made up your mind?"
Peng Wang nodded: "It's decided."
If he fails this year, he still has two years. If he fails the imperial examination again, he can go back to inherit the family business. It seems unlikely that he will end up on a dead end.
"It's settled then." King Qin was overjoyed. "After the palace examination, Xiao Qin University will officially begin classes. During this time, you can rest and have fun."
His school finally welcomed its first proper scholar who passed the imperial examination. With this scholar as an example, he was sure those scoundrels would follow suit and strive to improve themselves.
After finishing his own business, the King of Qin turned to Cheng Wanwan and asked, "Lady Sui's son has become the top scholar in the imperial examination. Shouldn't we hold a banquet for the guests?"
Cheng Wanwan shook her head: "Let's wait until after the palace examination to talk about it."
"Since Lady Sui is so low-key, I think other families in the capital will feel embarrassed to hold a banquet." Prince Qin took out a gift box from the guard behind him. "This is a congratulatory gift for Lady Sui's son. Please accept it."
Cheng Wanwan's face stiffened.
She hadn't forgotten that back in Huzhou, after Si Dan became the top scholar in the imperial examination, this prince sent her a set of headdress and jewelry.
The King of Qin probably thought of this as well. He coughed and opened the gift box: "This is a set of writing implements, which my elder brother bestowed upon me last year. Since I have no use for it, I'll give it to someone who can. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."
After the King of Qin left, Lu Yingxue immediately examined the gift carefully: "It is a fine Duan inkstone, very precious. The King of Qin is truly generous."
"Hmph!" Zhao Sidan snorted coldly, "My family is rich, it's not like we can't afford it. Brother Yu, this set of writing materials is yours for the taking."
He was displeased with the King of Qin and didn't want anything the King of Qin offered him.
Cheng Wanwan cautioned him, "You must not be so rude in front of the King of Qin."
"Of course I know," Zhao Sidan nodded. "Mother should stay away from him from now on..."
He had also heard the rumors in the capital. Many people said that his mother would marry the Prince of Qin and become a princess. The thought that his mother might become a member of the royal family made him very uncomfortable.
Although Mother doesn't currently intend to do so, what if...?
There's always a chance of something going wrong.
"Madam! Madam!" Cheng Yi excitedly ran in through the front gate, panting, "People from Dahe Town have arrived..."
Cheng Wanwan stood up in surprise: "Who's here?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Cheng Jia stepped out from behind Cheng Yi, cupped his hands, and said, "This subordinate greets Lady Shu... greets Madam!"
Who would have thought that just a few months ago when she left Dahe Town she was still a lady named Sui Shuren, and in the blink of an eye she became Lady Sui. The only person whose rank has risen so quickly is probably their lady.
"You and Da Ya are already married, why are you still calling me 'my wife'?" Cheng Wanwan said slowly. "You suddenly came to the capital, is something wrong in Dahe Town?"
She had previously instructed that if anything happened at home, they must come and report it immediately.
Cheng Jia rushed over in a hurry, could it be the He family...?
“Everything is fine in Dahe Town, nothing happened.” Cheng Jia smiled, revealing his white teeth. “More than twenty days ago, the old master received a letter from Madam Shen saying that Young Master Shen was getting married. In addition, Madam Shen dreamed every night that Fourth Master had passed the imperial examination with top honors. So, after some discussion, they decided to come to the capital to attend the Shen family’s wedding and wait for news of Fourth Master…”
A smile immediately appeared on Cheng Wanwan's face: "You mean, the entire Zhao family is here?"
Cheng Jia nodded vigorously: "I arrived at the capital's dock half an hour ago. I came here in advance to inform you. Please ask Madam... Second Aunt to arrange a few carriages to pick me up."
"Oh, by the way, Miss Yu is here too." He looked at Lu Yingxue and said, "The school has been too busy lately, and Teacher Yu couldn't find the time to come to the capital. He asked me to apologize to Madam Yu on her behalf."
Lu Yingxue snorted: "I never expected him to come to the capital. It's enough that Xiaojiao came. Sister Wanwan, let's go pick them up."
Zhao Sidan and Yu Zhan stopped studying, and Shen Zheng also put aside other matters. A large group of people took a carriage to the dock outside the capital.
Just as they reached the city gate, they encountered a large group of people from Dahe Town.
Old man Zhao and old woman Zhao, Zhao Youyin and his wife, Zhao Youcai and his wife, the four flowers of spring, summer, autumn and winter, Erwang and Xuanxuan, as well as Zhao Dashan and his wife and child from Cheng Wanwan's family, Zhao Ergou and his wife and child, Yu Jiao, and Chunhua's husband Afu... and some servants, adding up to more than thirty people.
"Grandpa! Grandma!" Zhao Sidan jumped off the carriage. "Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law..."
He called everyone aside.
Grandma Zhao hugged Zhao Sidan with a happy expression: "As soon as I entered the city, I heard people say that today is the day the results of the imperial examination are posted. They said that the first place winner is named Zhao Jingsi. I thought about it, and our Sidan's name is Jingsi. Tell Grandpa and Grandma quickly, did you get first place?"
Zhao Sidan was quite composed in front of outsiders, but in front of his grandparents, he was like a victorious rooster, proudly declaring, "Is there another Zhao Jingsi in this world? I am the top scholar in the imperial examination, I am the top scholar in the imperial examination."
"Alright, don't get too cocky." Cheng Wanwan got off the carriage and said with a smile, "Father, Mother, you've both come. Aren't you tired?"
"Oh my, eldest daughter-in-law, I've missed you so much!" Old Mrs. Zhao immediately threw Zhao Sidan aside and rushed towards Cheng Wanwan. "You've been gone for months. Without you at home, I always felt like I was missing my pillar of support. Now that I've finally seen you, I can finally rest easy..."
Zhao Sidan: “…”
Grandma is so biased; her grandson isn't as important as her daughter-in-law.
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