"Enke? Dad, are you ready to take the exam?" Zheng Xiu was surprised.
Zheng Ren nodded with a smile.
Xue Zhi also said, "Father-in-law, there is something wrong with what you said. Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. It 's either next year or this year."
"Oh my God, so soon." Zheng Xiu asked, "Is it the same time as the spring exam in previous years?" Zheng Ren
nodded, "It will take place in February."
Zheng Xiu stood up from her seat at once, "Why didn't you let me know in advance so that I could prepare for you!"
Zheng Ren waved his hand at her, motioning her to be patient, and said, "There's nothing to prepare. Just bring some dry food, pens, ink, and fire sticks. Dad can prepare it himself."
Zheng Xiu didn't I don't know why, but I still can't help being nervous, "Then how is your article prepared, Dad?"
Zheng Ren nodded confidently, "Almost done, don't worry."
Xue Zhi also advised: "Father-in-law's knowledge is obvious to all, Ah Xiu, don't be nervous. Just wait for good news."
Zheng Xiu said: "Okay, then I won't ask more questions, Dad, you have to do your best!"
After talking for a while, Zheng Xiu asked Bai Zhu to set up the meal, and asked someone to find Xue Shao and Zheng Yu in the front yard.
The two ran back like a gust of wind, laughing and playing, and it seemed that they had a good time.
In the afternoon, Zheng Ren and Zheng Yu both talked with Zheng Xiu. A family has endless things to talk about.
In the evening, Zheng Ren had to go back to review his lessons, so Zheng Xiu did not keep them and asked Minghui to send them out.
The two children were reluctant to leave, and Xue Shao followed Minghui to send them to the door.
Zheng Ren looked at the two children saying goodbye reluctantly beside the carriage, and could only say helplessly: "A Shao, go back first. Anyway, A Yu does not have to go to school before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, and you still have many days to play together." Zheng Yu
and Xue Shao smiled, and agreed that Zheng Yu would come again the next day, and then they parted.
After Zheng Ren and Zheng Yu left, Zheng Xiu hesitated for a while before pulling Xue Zhi into the inner room, dismissed the others, and asked him, "Do you know who the chief examiner of this year's special examination is?"
Xue Zhi was a military officer, and the higher-ups had not heard about it yet, so he just said, "It must be those people from the Ministry of Personnel."
"Then see if you can find out clearly in advance?"
Xue Zhi raised his eyebrows, "Why? Don't you have confidence in your father-in-law's knowledge and want me to help you use a back door?"
Zheng Xiu hit him, "What are you thinking about? I just think that every examiner has his own preferred writing style and subject matter. If we find out clearly, we can make a response."
Xue Zhi laughed, "That's easy. I'll ask someone to find out in the next two days, and there should be definite news soon. In fact, in my opinion, it doesn't matter if my father-in-law can't pass the imperial examination. Now is the time for the prince to recruit talents. As long as I recommend him at the right time, my father-in-law's literary talent and character will naturally be chosen by the prince for promotion."
"My father would definitely not want this." Zheng Xiu said. She had a certain understanding of her father. If her father wanted to become an official by relying on nepotism, he would not have to wait for this year, let alone tell them the news of his upcoming end at this time.
Xue Zhi nodded and said nothing more.
Two days later, Xue Zhi found out that the chief examiner of this year's special examination was Zhou Qingming, the deputy director of the Ministry of Personnel.
Zhou Qingming was famous in the capital for his integrity. He was also a member of the imperial examination and his literary talent was outstanding. However, he did not pass the imperial examination until he was 35 years old. It was because the words in his articles were too sharp and he dared to criticize everything in the world. The chief examiner did not dare to pass him in several imperial examinations. It was not until a special examination that the late emperor personally reviewed a few papers and read his articles, which allowed him to pass.
Xue Zhi briefly introduced Zhou Qingming's life to Zheng Xiu. She was thinking that it was a good thing that Zheng Xiu didn't really ask her to prepare to use the back door, otherwise, with Zhou Qingming's personality, even if he really came to the door, people probably wouldn't buy it.
After hearing this, Zheng Xiu was unusually happy. Zhou Qingming was born in a poor family and was a decent person. It would be great if no one could use his back door, so that his father wouldn't be treated unfairly. After coming into contact with the power in the capital, she was not afraid of anything else, but she was afraid that the Loyal
and Brave Marquis's Mansion would still suppress her father. Not long after Xue Zhi heard the news, Princess Guihe knew everything with her sharp ears and eyes, and came to Haoye Hall specially.
Zheng Xiu had been in the Duke of Qing's Mansion for so long, but this was the first time Princess Guihe came back to her.
Minghui welcomed Princess Guihe into the house, and Zhengxiu stood up to greet her.
Princess Guihe took off her soft woolen brocade cape at the door, sat down, looked around, and said, "Why is your house so shabby? Didn't Azhi's private storehouse belong to you? Why don't you tidy up the house?"
Haoye Hall was definitely not shabby, but compared with Changfeng Garden, the layout and furnishings were indeed simpler.
Zheng Xiu took the teacup from Fen Ge's hand and brought it to Princess Guihe, smiling and saying, "It's good to live comfortably, but it can't be compared with your Changfeng Garden."
Princess Guihe came for something, so she didn't dwell on it. She said to Zheng Xiu, "Don't bother, sit down and talk to me."
Zheng Xiu asked someone to bring two plates of preserved snacks and sat down next to Princess Guihe.
Princess Guihe glanced at the people in the room, and Qiu Rui and others left with their people. Zheng Xiu also asked Minghui and others to leave.
After sending everyone away, Princess Guihe asked, "I heard that your father is about to die?"
Zheng Xiu didn't think of hiding it from her, so she nodded, "I just heard about it a few days ago. You are really well-informed."
Princess Guihe picked up the teacup, opened the tea lid and skimmed off the foam, "What do you think?"
Zheng Xiu didn't know why she asked this for a moment, "What do you mean?"
Princess Guihe looked at her with a look of disappointment, and put down the teacup, "Of course, what do you think of your father's fame?"
"I still have confidence in my father's talent. Although I can't say that he will definitely get the top scorer, he should be able to get the first place." When it comes to her father's talent, Zheng Xiu was no longer humble and honestly expressed her opinion.
Princess Zheng Xiu sighed speechlessly. If she wasn't pregnant at this time, she would have poked her stupid head!
Zheng Xiu looked at her innocently, "Why are you sighing?"
Princess Guihe rolled her eyes without paying attention to etiquette, "Sigh, you are stupid! A mere number one scholar, isn't it just a matter of a few words from me?!"
"What are you doing..." Zheng Xiu couldn't help but widen her eyes.
Princess Guihe actually took the initiative to help her father cheat through the back door? !
"Why are you so surprised? My brother felt that he owed me for Aqin's marriage. Your father is really talented and learned. He is just doing me a favor. He will definitely give me this face." Princess Guihe looked at her and asked, "So I came to ask you, do you want your father to be the top scorer in the imperial examination?"
"This, this is not a good idea..." Zheng Xiu whispered.
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