The Prime Minister's Residence.
Chen Jiannan was sitting in the living room, sipping tea from a teacup.
Various gifts were placed next to it.
Opposite him was a middle-aged woman with an elegant demeanor and light makeup, who was carefully examining Chen Jiannan.
"My dear nephew, you look even more energetic than before!"
After gazing at it for a long time, the woman smiled and said.
"My aunt-in-law is too kind!"
Chen Jiannan stood up, bowed slightly, and then sat down.
The woman was overjoyed to see that he was so courteous.
"Master is back!"
At this moment, a maidservant announced.
Upon hearing this, Chen Jiannan quickly stood up, appearing extremely respectful.
At this moment, a man dressed in an official robe made of silk and embroidered with auspicious patterns walked in.
With a chiseled face and bright eyes, he could not discern joy or anger, but he possessed an imposing aura. This man was Zhu Tong, the current prime minister of Anguo and Zhu Xinning's adoptive father, who had just finished the morning court session.
As soon as Zhu Tong entered the room, Chen Jiannan felt an inexplicable sense of oppression.
He had felt this kind of aura from his father before he resigned from his official post, but it was nowhere near as strong as it was now.
He thought to himself, "Perhaps this is the official power of a first-rank official?"
"This nephew greets his cousin!"
Chen Jiannan dared not be negligent. He stepped aside, bowed respectfully, and kept his head very low, not daring to face Zhu Tong directly.
"You must be Jiannan?"
Zhu Tong said in a low voice.
Hearing Zhu Tong actually call out his name, Chen Jiannan was overjoyed. Suppressing his excitement, he slowly raised his head.
"My uncle is so busy with state affairs and works so hard for the country, yet he still remembers my name. I am truly flattered!"
Chen Jiannan flattered him at the opportune moment.
“Your father wrote from Yongzhou a few days ago, saying that you were going to the capital to take the imperial examination, but he has not seen you come to the mansion. I even mentioned this to your aunt. I didn’t expect you to arrive only today.”
Zhu Tong sat in the main seat at the front of the hall, took the teacup handed to him by the woman, took a sip, and then invited Chen Jiannan to sit down.
“My nephew arrived in Jingzhou a few days ago and has already taken the imperial examination.”
"Why didn't you come to my residence?"
Zhu Tong raised an eyebrow at him.
"Because my nephew is coming to take the imperial examination, and I heard that my cousin is one of the examiners for this examination. My nephew is worried that if he comes before the examination, people will see him and gossip, which will make things difficult for my cousin."
Chen Jiannan said neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"Master, I heard from Jiannan that he got first place in this imperial examination. He's really amazing!"
Mrs. Zhu, who had always been optimistic about Chen Jiannan, did not forget to speak well of him.
Zhu Tong nodded. "Actually, when I saw your name while grading the papers, I guessed it was you!"
He glanced at Chen Jiannan again and said loudly, "But don't worry, I hate people who cheat and rig things the most. You got first place mainly because your explanation of the principles of poetry and your poem truly deserved first place. If you hadn't written well, even if you were my distant cousin, or even my own son, I wouldn't have let you pass!"
"Thank you for the compliment, Uncle!"
Chen Jiannan stepped forward again, bowed his head and clasped his hands in thanks, his heart already bursting with joy.
"Dad, what are you talking about with Tangwen again as soon as you came in?"
Just then, a chubby little boy, about five or six years old, skipped and hopped in from outside.
The Zhu couple looked at him at the same time, their eyes full of affection.
Chen Jiannan, who was standing nearby, noticed the changes in the two of them and guessed that the chubby boy was Zhu Tangwen, the only son of the Zhu couple.
"Tangwen, haven't you greeted your cousin yet?"
"cousin."
Zhu Tangwen didn't like this cousin who suddenly appeared, but he didn't dare to disobey his parents, so he called out in a muffled voice.
Then she went to Zhu Tong's side and said in a coquettish tone, "Dad, can you let my sister play with me for a while?"
Before Zhu Tong could speak, Madam Zhu interjected, "Master, you really need to keep an eye on Xin Ning! The first day Jian Nan arrived, I sent someone to call her, and she just sent Xiang Ru over saying she was busy, without even showing her face. I'm just wondering, is she busier than you, Master? Without her, the court would be in chaos?"
Zhu Tong glanced at her and said indifferently, "Xin Ning is telling the truth. She is in charge of the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering and the subsequent matters concerning Jian Nan and the others entering the palace. She is indeed too busy. How can she find the time to spare?"
"Father, my sister's official rank is lower than yours. Are all the things she does arranged by you? Can't you assign her fewer tasks? That way, she can play with me!"
Five- or six-year-old Zhu Tangwen was still a child at heart, and as soon as he said this, all three people in the room laughed.
"Tangwen, everything your sister does is arranged by His Majesty. Your father's word doesn't count."
On the surface, she was speaking to Zhu Tangwen, but Madam Zhu, who was standing next to her, knew that she was speaking to her and was not happy about it.
"She can't possibly not even have time to come out and meet people, can she? She's the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion, after all. Doesn't she know basic manners?"
"Aunt, since my cousin is busy, we can meet again another day. It won't make a difference if we meet again today!"
As soon as Madam Zhu muttered something, Chen Jiannan spoke up, as if trying to exonerate Zhu Xinning.
Zhu Tong ignored Madam Zhu and nodded, saying, "Jiannan is right. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet, so why force it today? Besides, Xinning's matter is related to Jiannan, so not meeting is a way to avoid suspicion. What does it have to do with etiquette?"
The last sentence was spoken while looking at Madam Zhu; it seemed like a complaint, but more like a warning.
Chen Jiannan nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"Where is Jiannan staying now? Would you like to come stay at my house?"
"My nephew is staying at an inn near Wuxian Garden. He can study poetry during the day and then go to Wuxian Garden in the evening to exchange ideas with others. It's very convenient. I appreciate your kindness, Uncle!"
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