Xu Zhi exclaimed in surprise, "Such a thing actually happened?"
Zheng Boyuan thought of those extraordinary people in the martial arts world and said slowly, "This is not the most amazing one. I heard that there was a sect that specialized in studying how to change one's appearance. With some medicinal makeup, they could make themselves look completely different from their original appearance. They could even find a model to imitate. However, this skill was later abolished by the Grand Princess because it was used in war. The people of that sect were imprisoned in the military camp until they died of old age. Because there was no successor, the lineage was lost."
Xu Zhi was a little worried about Bai Mi and said, "Then I have to have a good talk with Bai Mi. Don't tell anyone about this. If someone with ulterior motives takes advantage of it, it could bring trouble to the family."
Zheng Boyuan patted her shoulder reassuringly and said, "I have already written a letter to my mother-in-law, and I will send someone to the capital tomorrow. You can rest assured."
Xu Zhi was slightly relieved, but then she thought of Zheng Yuanyuan and Lin Zhijing and said, "Yuanyuan will be sixteen next year. Regardless of whether Lin Zhijing can pass the imperial examination, we must arrange their marriage. Husband, Yuanyuan has had a hard time all these years. It's rare that she is willing to marry. Young Master Lin is a good person. Let's not stop her."
Zheng Boyuan still felt a little awkward, but Xu Zhi's words made a lot of sense. Zheng Yuanyuan was getting on in years, and if she didn't get married soon, it would be difficult for her to make a living in the outside world. After she got married, she could live in Lin Zhijing's house, where Xu Yao and Lin Zhining would help her. He wouldn't have to worry about her being bullied. In the future, if Lin Zhijing could become an official in the capital or be sent to a post outside the capital, he would definitely want Zheng Yuanyuan to be with him. The couple should always be together. Even if they had deep feelings for each other, they couldn't escape the daily separation.
Zheng Yuanyuan's marriage was thus settled. After discussing it with Xu Zhi, Zheng Boyuan arranged for the engagement to take place in the capital, since their home was in the capital. Lin Zhijing asked Lin Zhining to be the matchmaker, and the two of them went to the capital with several cartloads of gifts. Xu Zhi invited some of the aunts and uncles from the Yongning Marquis's mansion to witness Zheng Yuanyuan's engagement ceremony.
Xu Rao personally tested Lin Zhijing's studies. Zong Chengping had never formally attended school, but he knew the importance of reading. So, he was always reading whenever he had free time. He was a rare and intelligent person. In Xu Rao's words, his IQ was higher than that of the average person. He could memorize those obscure and difficult words after reciting them a few times. It would be a waste of talent for such a person not to study and take the imperial examinations.
These were all things Xu Rao had secretly told Chen Zhaoci the night before. Chen Zhaoci hadn't expected Xu Rao to think so highly of Lin Zhijing. She had heard Bai Mi say that this young master Lin was a man of few words, always indifferent to everything he did. The only thing he insisted on was having Bai Mi operate on his face, shaving his jawbone. When Chen Zhaoci heard Bai Mi tell her about this after returning from Gaoqing, she was shocked. She knew how the Grand Princess had dealt with the sect that specialized in disguise back then. Because that sect was a branch of Medicine Valley, who would have thought they would use their research for evil purposes? It was because of this that the people of Medicine Valley allowed the Grand Princess to purge this branch. Chen Zhaoci had been taught by her grandfather since she was very young that she must never use her knowledge to do anything illegal.
When Bai Mi underwent plastic surgery, it was only because a few words were briefly mentioned during a discussion of surgical procedures. Who knew she was such a studious person that she researched and figured it out herself? The fish gut sutures used for the stitches were all custom-made by her. When Lin Zhijing came from Gaoqing to propose marriage, she carefully observed that the incision was hidden behind her ear. More than half a year has passed, and there are no visible traces. Also, because of the slight reduction in jawbone, Lin Zhijing's appearance has changed drastically from the original Zong Chengping. At this moment, even the Zong family members probably wouldn't recognize Lin Zhijing.
Chen Zhaoci is now very interested in Lin Zhijing's intelligence, so he asked Xu Rao, who was still savoring the process of testing Lin Zhijing that afternoon, "In that case, do you think he will definitely pass the provincial examination the year after next?"
Xu Rao smiled gently and said, "Well, that's not a certainty. There are many factors that affect the exam, not just knowledge, but also mental and physical qualities. The provincial examination is not just about memorizing everything in the book to get a good score. You also need to be able to write a good essay. And a good essay is not just about having nice sentences. It also needs to be substantial and able to cater to the examiners' thoughts. If Lin Zhijing wants to participate in the Deer Cry Banquet the year after next, she'll be quite busy."
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