"Sir, where have you been all this time?"
"I've missed you so much, sir! You're finally back!"
As soon as Feng Bingwen returned to his courtyard, the seemingly deserted little yard came alive. The flowers and plants in the pot, the osmanthus tree in front of the courtyard, and even the stone slabs under his feet seemed to have a spirit emerging.
"master!"
Two flower spirits, already half a person's height, appeared before Feng Bingwen as he stepped into the courtyard. Their appearances were unparalleled and flawless, truly deserving the description of celestial beauty and jade-like bones. Their demeanor and temperament were also endearing, making one unable to resist playing with them.
"Keep quiet."
Feng Bingwen raised his sleeve and waved it lightly, instantly silencing the commotion in the courtyard. He then went into his room and sat down.
"Master!" "Master!"
"Stop making noise!"
Two eager shouts had just rang in his ears when Feng Bingwen stopped them. He was listening to his father and grandfather's conversation, and even though they were separated by half a courtyard, their words were clearly audible.
This certainly doesn't count as eavesdropping. He wasn't lying on the door, and he didn't use any magic. He was just sitting quietly in the room, and then he heard it. There was nothing he could do; he couldn't just block his ears and not listen.
After listening for a while, Feng Bingwen's expression changed slightly. To be honest, the subsequent changes after he wrote his policy essay on the tax system were quite different from what he had imagined.
The powerful families whose interests were most likely to be affected by him did not take action against him because his reputation among the people was at its zenith.
Everywhere he looked and heard, people praised him, calling him a star deity descended to earth, a saint reincarnated, and an immortal patting his head. Some people even started to fabricate all sorts of extraordinary stories about him.
If it were only within the capital city of Jinglin, or even within the entire state of Jinglin, Feng Bingwen could have considered this a normal change. However, when he sent his guardian spirit to tour the surrounding states and prefectures, he discovered that his articles had already spread everywhere.
Such developments and changes are undoubtedly abnormal; someone is behind it all, fueling his rise to immense fame in a very short time.
Ordinary people admired him greatly and hoped that he would enter the court, take power, and reform the tax system. However, some wealthy and powerful families cursed him and hated him to the bone.
However, the numbers of the two are not even in the same league. In terms of the reach of his article, the number of those who praised him far exceeded those who insulted him.
Countless people burdened by taxes eagerly awaited the arrival of this wise man who proposed the unprecedented abolition of agricultural taxes, hoping he would enter the court and participate in state affairs.
It truly deserves to be called "the expectation of all people, the will of the people."
However, this deliberate push was far too obvious, practically undisguised. Feng Bingwen, of course, wasn't buying it.
Those who are family know their own situation. Feng Bingwen knew his own limitations. He didn't have the talent to govern the country or the patience to manage such a vast dynasty. This was not his path, and he had no intention of entering officialdom.
So when the old man sent him a letter asking him to come home, Feng Bingwen was happy to oblige. After taking the imperial examinations three times, he had basically lost interest in them.
According to the article he wrote, if it were the most standard selection process, he wouldn't even pass the county-level exam and would be eliminated directly.
The Gene Era
However, because of his status, he passed every exam and even got first place. This behavior can be described as tantamount to cheating.
What Feng Bingwen didn't expect was that his withdrawal from the imperial examination was not his own request, but rather his own father was frightened by his writings and worried about his life, so he took the initiative to suggest that he give up the imperial examination.
With that, Feng Bingwen naturally had no more scruples. Even the old man, who was most obsessed with the idea, didn't want him to take the exam anymore, so what else could he say?
"Wen'er, your grandfather wants you to come over!"
Before long, Feng Zichuan's shouts rang out in the courtyard. Feng Bingwen immediately got up, pushed open the door, and went out. The courtyard had returned to normal, showing no signs of anything amiss. It was just like a well-maintained and vibrant little courtyard.
"Okay, sure."
Feng Bingwen was led by his father into the old man's study, which was full of ancient charm and antique items.
When Feng Bingwen stepped inside, the study, which always carried a unique charm, paused for a moment, and then the aura that ordinary people could not sense slowly subsided.
The cranes in the landscape paintings spread their wings, their graceful movements adding to their elegance, while the young women in the paintings of ladies are even more dignified and beautiful—these antique items were all collected from outside by Feng Zichuan, the filial son.
Grandpa, you were looking for me?
"Wen'er, are you tired these days?"
Upon seeing Feng Bingwen enter, Feng Lingjun's face, which no longer showed signs of aging, broke into a smile.
"A little."
"Since you're a bit tired, then take a few years to rest. I've been too harsh on you before, and I didn't even ask what you wanted to do, so I don't know what you're interested in. If you want to learn martial arts, I'll have your father hire a martial arts instructor for you..."
The old man seized on this point in Feng Bingwen's conversation and said something he would never have said before: that Feng Bingwen should choose whatever he wanted and not have to focus on his books anymore.
"I want to study abroad!"
Seeing that the old man was so direct, Feng Bingwen also became more straightforward and expressed his thoughts. He also felt that it was time to go out and travel, as staying in Qingshan County all the time was not a good idea.
"Study abroad? Study abroad is great! Young people should go out and see the world."
Feng Lingjun frowned, but quickly relaxed. As long as his grandson didn't participate in the imperial examination, everything was negotiable.
He was not a saint. No matter how much people praised his grandson, he would not let his upright grandson, who had such good aspirations, enter officialdom. That was not a place for him.
"Grandpa, you agree?"
Feng Bingwen was also somewhat surprised. Ever since he was a child, these two old people had kept a close eye on him, and they would be extremely anxious if he did not return home at night.
"What's wrong with that? Your father earns enough money. It's just that you haven't decided where you want to go yet."
Although that's what he said, the old man still had more than a dozen prefectures and counties he had visited in his youth in mind. If his grandson didn't have any plans, he could devise a study tour route.
"I haven't decided yet, but I'm thinking of going to Dagan to take a look around."
Feng Bingwen spoke very calmly, as long as he could put his elderly family members at ease.
"A major campaign across the country?"
Feng Zichuan hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
"Why don't you travel around Jinglin Prefecture for a while?"
The old man was naturally worried about his grandson going too far away.
"Um."
Feng Bingwen wouldn't argue about such things. As long as he could leave home safely, everything would be fine, even if he ended up on another continent.
"There's something else I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
Feng Bingwen was a little curious; these were the things the old man and his father had been discussing.
"I'm going to study again and take the imperial examination!"
"What?"
At this moment, Feng Bingwen and his son Feng Zichuan spoke in unison, their tones almost identical. Both of them were startled by the old man sitting behind the desk.
"Father, what's wrong?"
Feng Zichuan was the first to ask, his eyes filled with confusion and doubt. He forbade his grandson to participate in the imperial examination, yet he insisted on going himself. What was he doing?
"Originally, I was old and many of my thoughts naturally faded away. But now, as you can see, my body is not as useless as I imagined. Living another twenty or thirty years is not a problem. If I were to spend all these years in school, I would feel somewhat unwilling. These days, I am restless and ready to take the exam again."
Feng Lingjun slowly opened his mouth and uttered the words that had been agreed upon long ago.
Given his grandson's current reputation, such a simple withdrawal and abandonment of the imperial examinations could be excused in the short term, but in the long run, rumors and gossip would inevitably follow.
And this useless old man should step forward now. He is mediocre, jealous of talent, and obstructs his grandson's career. He will naturally be the one to be criticized, but it doesn't matter.
"..."
Feng Bingwen remained silent. He didn't know what to say at this moment. Stop the old man from participating in the imperial examination? That was a joke.
That was the old man's lifelong obsession. Now that his father is crippled and has devoted himself to business, he has no interest in taking the imperial examinations and plans to travel the world.
Such a strong will can only be fulfilled by himself. For the old man now, it is not a problem. His physical condition is already sufficient. Not to mention living another twenty or thirty years, even living for sixty years is not a problem.
The only concern is whether the old man's literary talent has improved over the years, and whether it will be enough to get him on the list and fulfill his lifelong wish.
"this……"
Feng Zichuan didn't know what to say for a moment.
It is certainly a good thing that his father can regain his spirits and take the imperial examination again, but it is bound to cause controversy if he makes his grandson withdraw and he takes the exam himself.
“I am not discussing this matter with you. My mind is made up, and your objections are useless.”
"Father, how could I possibly oppose you?"
Although Feng Zichuan had many thoughts and wanted to offer some advice, he hesitated when he met his father's resolute gaze.
"Grandson wishes Grandpa success in the imperial examination!"
Feng Bingwen smiled and congratulated the old man, who, despite his advanced age, still aspired to great things.
He even started to wonder if he should try to find a way to give the old man special treatment. Of course, it wasn't about bribing the examiner or making connections with people in the court. That would be too outrageous, even worse than cheating.
He was figuring out how to enhance his father's literary talent and knowledge in a short period of time, so that he could perform well in the exam and achieve satisfactory results.
"Hmm, should we ask a few City Gods to give the old man some extra lessons tonight?"
One idea after another popped into Feng Bingwen's mind. As a dutiful grandson, it was normal for him to hope that his grandfather would become successful, and it wouldn't hurt for him to help out a little.
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