Han Yuehua wrote more than a dozen invitations and asked Butler Fang to deliver them overnight.
The people Han Yuehua invited were either high-ranking officials or princes, and they held great weight in the court.
Han Yuehua invited them for two reasons. First, to let Fu Chengwang feel the sincerity of the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion, and second, to let these people see that from now on, their Zhenbei Marquis Mansion is no longer just a family of military generals, but will also produce civil officials.
…
"Has Minister Fu agreed to accept Chen Han as his disciple?"
One of the invitations was naturally sent to Prince Yu's Mansion.
Zhao Mingzhu was very surprised when she saw the invitation. "Didn't Minister Fu refuse it in front of my father? Why did he agree this time?"
Butler Fang said respectfully, "The Fifth Miss and Miss Fu made a bet, and the Fifth Miss won. In order to prevent Miss Fu from breaking her promise, Minister Fu had no choice but to agree to take me in as his disciple."
"Oh? What bet?" Zhao Mingzhu asked curiously.
Butler Fang hesitated for a moment and said, "It's about Young Master Lin."
Zhao Mingzhu's expression suddenly changed slightly.
Butler Fang said, "After Young Master Lin won first place in the county exam, Fifth Miss used the night-shining pearl awarded by the palace to bet with Miss Fu whether Young Master Lin could win first place in the prefectural exam again. If he lost, she would give the night-shining pearl to Miss Fu. If he won, Miss Fu would persuade Minister Fu to accept Young Master Han as his apprentice."
"So Mingya won?" Zhao Mingzhu frowned. "No, that's not right. The prefectural exam is only today, and the results won't be announced until the day after tomorrow. How can we be sure she won?"
Butler Fang said, "Young Master Lin handed in his paper too early, before lunch time."
"So fast?" Zhao Mingzhu was surprised.
Giving one day for the exam naturally has a reason.
Generally speaking, most people write until mid-afternoon, and a small number of people don't finish even after sunset.
The fact that Zhao Lin handed in his paper before lunch time only meant that he had given up.
Butler Fang said, "The ladies speculated that Young Master Lin had to give up because he didn't have the teacher to guide him on how to write the policy paper."
"No one to guide you?"
Zhao Mingzhu sighed, "Yes, when he was in the mansion, he only had a private school teacher who taught him for a month. He didn't even teach him the complete meaning of the classics, so how could he be taught to write policy essays?"
"And after he left the Marquis' Mansion, even his livelihood was a problem, let alone the money to hire a teacher."
"It's not his fault!"
Zhao Mingzhu felt very sorry.
If someone taught him, with Zhao Lin's talent, he might be able to get the first place in the imperial examination.
He has won the first place in the county case and the first place in the prefecture case in succession, which has tied Zhao Chenhan's record. It is also a great thing for the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion.
In this way, Zhao Mingzhu can also persuade Han Yuehua to accept Zhao Lin back home.
Even if you can't get the first place in the provincial exam, it's fine as long as you pass the provincial examination.
But now, I'm afraid I can only wait for next year's provincial examination.
Butler Fang said, "Others say it's a pity, otherwise there is a great chance that he would be the first in the Central Government case."
Zhao Mingzhu nodded and said, "I have to help him find an experienced gentleman. Leave the invitation. The Second Prince is out on business and won't be back soon. I will go when the time comes."
"The old slave will take his leave."
Butler Fang kowtowed and left Prince Yu's Mansion, then went to the Marquis of Changning's Mansion and the General of Dingxi's Mansion and delivered the invitations to Zhao Mingyue and Zhao Mingxiao respectively.
The Prince of Changning was free, but General Dingyuan was already leading troops outside, so only Zhao Mingxiao agreed to go.
In this way, even though he had not yet gone through the process of becoming a disciple, the news that Zhao Chenhan wanted to be Fu Chengwang's student had already spread.
Many people came to congratulate, and some people who had previously openly or secretly despised the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion for its vulgarity now became polite.
Han Yuehua couldn't help but feel happy and even praised her son for making her proud.
Waited until the morning of the third day.
A burst of firecrackers was heard in the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion.
The whole mansion was filled with joy.
Han Yuehua put on the clothes of the Marquis' wife, and took the sisters Zhao Mingzhu and Zhao Mingyue who had arrived earlier, as well as Zhao Chenhan, who happened to be the famous five golden flowers and one unicorn in the Zhenbei Marquis' Mansion. They all got on the carriage and headed to the Fu Mansion in a grand manner.
At the same time, candidates from the inner and outer cities of Shengjing Prefecture flocked to the outside of the Shengjing Prefecture government office, waiting for the results of the prefectural examination to be announced.
The number of these examinees and their relatives and friends was even greater than that of the county examination, several thousand in total, and they blocked the roads around the Shengjing government office.
"Madam, the road is blocked. Do you want to take a detour?" the nanny came over and asked.
"These vile things!"
Han Yuehua was very dissatisfied and ordered: "Today is Han'er's good day, we can't take a detour. Let them get out of the way."
The nanny went over and spoke to the servant in front, who immediately shouted loudly, asking the waiting candidates to make way.
These examinees were already anxiously waiting for the results to be announced, and coupled with the arrogant tone of the servants from the Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion, the two sides started arguing and pushing each other, attracting the attention of everyone around them.
“These idiots!”
Zhao Chenhan wished he could kill all these servants.
If a quarrel breaks out, it will tarnish his reputation.
Even if it wasn't much, Zhao Chenhan was afraid that Fu Chengwang would refuse to accept him as a disciple.
Zhao Chenhan, the only one on horseback, immediately rode forward, first lashed the servant with his whip, then dismounted and saluted respectfully, saying, "Brothers, we have important matters to attend to and cannot take a detour. Could you please give us some convenience?"
"It turns out to be Brother Zhao. Excuse me."
Some of the examinees blocking the road knew Zhao Chenhan and said hurriedly, "I heard that Brother Zhao is about to become the Shangshu Master. This is a big deal and we can't delay. Quick, move aside and let Brother Zhao and the others pass."
Zhao Chenhan expressed his gratitude repeatedly: "After you finish the college entrance examination, you can come to me. I have some experience in the provincial examination that I can pass on to everyone."
The examinees were very excited.
"Thank you, Mr. Zhao!"
"No wonder Minister Fu is willing to accept Master Zhao as his disciple. Master Zhao is not only talented, but also has excellent character!"
"The young master of the Zhenbei Marquisate is indeed quite good!"
These people praised it.
Zhao Chenhan clasped his fists to his left and right, smiled, and led everyone over.
As soon as he passed by, his face darkened.
The Zhenbei Marquis Mansion is full of trash from top to bottom.
If I wasn't afraid of ruining my reputation, I wouldn't waste my time on these insignificant things.
"Han'er has become more and more calm and composed, much like your father. He will inherit the Marquisate in the future."
Han Yuehua said to Zhao Mingyu and her sister who were sitting in a carriage with her.
Zhao Mingya smiled and said, "It's all thanks to my father and mother's good teaching."
Han Yuehua said modestly: "He has a good foundation, otherwise it would be useless to teach him."
Zhao Mingyu suddenly asked, "If we hand over the Marquis' Mansion to him, what will happen to Zhao Lin?"
Han Yuehua's face darkened: "Don't mention this name on such a happy day."
Zhao Mingya said, "Fourth sister, you're such a jerk! Why are you making mother unhappy? Chen Han is such a good person. When he inherits the Marquisate, will he really treat Zhao Lin badly?"
"That's right." Han Yuehua nodded.
Zhao Mingyu fell silent.
A group of people came to Fu's house.
The gate of the Fu Mansion was already open, and Fu Chengwang's eldest son, Fu Liqing's elder brother Fu Mingcheng, was standing at the door to greet them.
"Mrs. Zhao, my father is already waiting inside. Please!"
At the same time, the gate of Shengjing Prefecture Yamen slowly opened, and the Shengjing Prefecture Edict walked out holding a wooden tray under the eager gazes of countless examinees.
"Next, here are the results of this provincial examination. First place..."
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