"What does the General mean?"

"I want to go to the palace first to talk to the Empress about this matter and see what she thinks. After all, I want to ask Her Majesty when she can't refuse. So it's useless to guess at home. It's better to ask the Empress first."

Du Jingyi actually agreed with this statement, so his expression was very calm.

"I think the Queen will be willing to help."

"Yeah, I think so too."

If there is anyone in this world who truly cares about the Gu family, it is probably the Queen Mother. Therefore, Shang Ji and Du Jingyi both trust her very much.

At this point, Du Jingyi remembered something else, so he asked.

"I heard from Li Zhu that my father-in-law knocked on the door for quite a while today, but Steward He refused to open it. Does the general mean that he has officially severed ties with the Duke's Mansion from today on?"

"He has never taken us seriously, so why should we go to such lengths? Let's just leave it at that. In the future, there is no need to send a letter to the Duke's Mansion regarding matters in the General's Mansion. If the Duke's Mansion has sent a letter, we will just return it the same way."

"I understand."

Shang Ji's meaning was very clear, and Du Jingyi also felt that there was no need to mess around with the relationship, and it would be best to cut the Gordian knot once and for all.

Anyway, they had already become independent from the Duke's Mansion a long time ago, so there was nothing for the Duke's Mansion to restrict them.

Thinking of this, Du Jingyi relaxed a lot and continued speaking.

"There's nothing much going on in the mansion right now. Last time my mother sent me an invitation for Yun Ge'er's 100th birthday celebration. I wonder if the general will have time by then. Let's go back together to have some fun."

After hearing her words, Shang Ji felt a little embarrassed, but he did not hide it from Du Jingyi and spoke directly.

"I've been away from the camp for a long time this month, so I don't know if I'll have time off. If that doesn't work, let your grandmother take you to celebrate together."

Du Jingyi smiled. She also knew that her general was busy with official duties, so she did not force him.

"In that case, General, you should just practice in the barracks. We will go there on our own."

Shang Ji nodded and didn't say anything more.

He had more free time before, probably because of the New Year holidays, but now that spring has arrived, many things in the army need to be prepared, so he is busier than at other times.

There is really not much time left to attend banquets again and again.

Besides, spring is here, and every household has its own banquet, from eating at one place to going to another. It's not possible for him to show up all the time.

Therefore, Du Jingyi was also very considerate.

That night, after having dinner with everyone, he rode back to the camp with Luo Yuan and his personal guards.

Everything was normal in the army, except that several deputy generals were training their subordinates so well that they screamed in joy, which made Shang Ji look very satisfied.

Where the army settled, there were green mountains and trees on all sides, which made people feel relaxed and happy. It was a pity that compared to such a soft spring breeze, they still preferred the solemn world of Cezhou.

Although it is cold, it is also very mysterious.

However, it is hard to say when we can return there again.

In the camp outside the city, the sound of soldiers training day and night never ceased, and the day of the spring examination in Sui'an City also arrived.

The entrance to the Imperial Examination Hall was solemn and dignified, and was crowded with people.

The royal family specially dispatched people from the Gyeonggi Province to guard the place in order to ensure strict discipline and avoid mistakes.

And Tutor Xun was standing in front of the door, stroking his long beard, watching the students enter with excitement in his eyes.

Some had happy faces, some had frowns on their brows, and the family members standing outside watching them off had both worries and relief in their hearts.

Everyone is different, but the only thing in common is that everyone hopes that their children and grandchildren can achieve good results.

To be named on the list of successful candidates and enter the court is what the candidates and their families look forward to most.

The same went for He Shilin's family. The Du couple, the two elders of the He family, and Du Jingxiang all came together. They gave him many instructions and only then let him in.

Looking at He Shilin walking away, Mrs. He spoke.

"After more than ten years of hard study, there are only a few days left. I hope that the ancestors and God will bless this child Shilin and let him pass the imperial examination."

When she said this, she was making a gesture with her hands, and her pious attitude was so admirable.

Mrs. Du spoke comfortingly from the side.

"Don't worry, mother-in-law. I have consulted a doctor. He said that Shilin is blessed by the literary star this year. There will definitely be good results."

"That's good. That's good."

There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!

Mrs. He's face was full of smiles, but Du Jingxiang next to her was more concerned about whether her husband's body could withstand the three-day trip, so her brows were furrowed.

While they were talking about the hustle and bustle here, on the other side, the carriage of the Duke's Mansion was slowly approaching this place. Shang Qilang came down from it, and when he looked at the word "Gongyuan", his expression was full of excitement, as if his ambitions for many years had finally come true.

Afterwards, people from the Duke's Mansion appeared one after another, and everyone except Shang Zhihe was present.

Mrs. Wei looked at her son, feeling so proud.

The exam hasn't even started yet, but he's talking as if his son has already won.

"My son, you must fight for your mother's honor. If our family can produce one of the top three, everyone in the Duke's Mansion will be proud of it."

Duke Shang Yukuan had been feeling sad these past two days because he had missed the opportunity to marry Xue Niang. Now that he had finally relaxed a little, he encouraged himself and spoke to Shang Qilang.

"Yes, yes, when you become successful, we can... live a more comfortable life."

Shang Yukuan originally wanted to help and support each other with the General's Mansion, but it was better not to say this at the moment, otherwise it would cause endless troubles.

"Don't worry, father and mother. I will work hard on my own."

Shang Silang is not a successful person, but he still cares a lot about his younger brother, so at this moment he sincerely hopes that he can get better, so he said.

"Fourth brother, I wish you a smooth journey to the top of the world. Seventh brother, I will wait for your good news."

Shang Qillang smiled. It was not easy to hear this from his fourth brother's mouth.

"Okay, thank you, Fourth Brother."

Then he turned around and took a look. Almost everyone had gone in. Shang Qilang did not delay any longer. After bowing, he spoke.

"Go back, you are waiting for my good news."

After hearing this, Mrs. Wei was so happy that tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. She hurriedly wiped them with a handkerchief, while Silang's wife, who was standing next to her, supported her and said.

"Don't be sad, mother-in-law. With your ability, my seventh brother will definitely be able to earn back his fame."

For Silang's wife, the more successful this seventh brother is outside, the less likely he is to come back and compete with them for the position of young master, so she really hopes that he can have a good ending.