I agree to let you enter the mansion.
Zhou Lizhang's ears were ringing, and for a moment it seemed as if the whole world had gone silent. He could only see Zheng Jinsheng's lips opening and closing.
Zheng Jinsheng was someone Zhou Lizhang met during the exam period. Both were candidates from poor families, and they quickly became friends. However, Zheng Jinsheng was unlucky; long-term malnutrition combined with the continuous exams took its toll, and he fainted in the examination hall. Seeing that his chances of passing the exam were slim, Zheng Jinsheng was truly dejected for a while. Now, seeing that Zhou Lizhang had passed, he cheered himself up, encouraging himself: "If Brother Lizhang can pass, I can too!"
Seeing Zhou Lizhang standing there in a daze, Zheng Jinsheng grabbed his shoulders and shook him hard, "Brother Lizhang?"
Zhou Lizhang then realized, "I... I passed the exam?"
"Yes!" Zheng Jinsheng nodded emphatically, his face beaming with excitement. "You won! You won! Sixty-third place!"
Zhou Lizhang was incredulous and eagerly squeezed into the crowd to look for his name on the red list.
The name at the very top is Xu Yunde.
Second place: Fan Hongfa.
Third place: Jin Xian.
...
Zhou Lizhang's gaze lingered on the names of these people for a moment before moving down. Since he already knew his ranking from Zheng Jinsheng, he didn't spend much time finding his name on the honor roll.
Sixty-third, Zhou Lizhang.
Zhou Lizhang rubbed his eyes repeatedly, making sure he wasn't seeing things and that his name was on the honor roll. His body began to tremble uncontrollably as a huge sense of surprise washed over him.
He did it! He really did it!
After more than a decade of diligent study, his hard work has finally paid off.
Zhou Lizhang's eyes were red, with tears glistening in them. "Father, Mother, can you see that?"
Your son did it! Your son did not let you down, your son really did it!
An uncontrollable smile spread across his face; the weight on his heart had finally been lifted.
Everyone's attention was focused on the top three, and the rest did not receive much attention. Moreover, sixty-something was not a very impressive ranking, and they were not even qualified to participate in the palace examination. But Zhou Lizhang was already very satisfied.
Under the emperor's nose, there are too many hidden talents and powerful figures. Zhou Lizhang was very satisfied with his ranking.
The streets were filled with the sounds of good news, gongs, and drums, creating a deafening noise. Some wealthy families even sent their servants to scatter copper coins in the street, allowing the onlookers to share in the joy.
After Zhou Lizhang regained his composure, his first thought was to quickly tell Miss Fu the good news.
Zhou Lizhang made a special trip to the Fu residence to thank Fu Zhiqiao.
Upon hearing the gatekeeper's announcement, Fu Zhiqiao smiled with satisfaction. Zhou Lizhang had passed the exam on his first try; he was truly promising and his future was bound to be bright.
She didn't misjudge him!
"Congratulations!"
Looking at Fu Zhiqiao's smiling face, Zhou Lizhang's ears turned slightly red. He knew that their agreement was no longer valid, but this did not diminish his gratitude towards Fu Zhiqiao in the slightest.
If it weren't for the policy essays that Miss Fu gave him, he might not have been able to achieve this ranking.
If it weren't for the fifty taels of silver that Miss Fu lent him, he might not have been able to hold on until he could take the imperial examination.
Miss Fu is his benefactor!
"What are your plans next?" Fu Zhiqiao asked.
Zhou Lizhang then told her his plans. His grades were not good enough to stay in the capital as an official, but he could be transferred to a small town as a county magistrate. Therefore, he hoped to return to his hometown to serve as an official.
After learning of Zhou Lizhang's plan, Fu Zhiqiao nodded in approval and asked him when he would leave, saying that she wanted to give him a send-off before he left.
Zhou Lizhang declined Fu Zhiqiao's suggestion, feeling embarrassed to continue letting Fu Zhiqiao spend money on him.
As Zhou Lizhang walked out of the Fu residence, he looked back at the main gate.
Zhou Lizhang let out a heavy sigh, a bitter feeling rising in his heart. A woman as good as Miss Fu deserves to be with the best man in the world.
There was a world of difference between them; he shouldn't be greedy.
Thinking of the man who had warned him earlier, Zhou Lizhang pursed his lips, put aside his thoughts, and strode forward.
His younger brother was waiting for him at home, and he had more important things to do.
*
Xie Zhuo was naturally aware that Zhou Lizhang had gone to the Fu residence to report the good news, but this time he was very calm. Zhou Lizhang no longer posed any threat to him.
At that time, Fu Zhiqiao was determined to sever ties with him. She not only considered getting engaged to other people, but had even chosen them.
Fu Zhi Qiao is a woman of her word, and Xie Zhuo knows this very well. Since she released the news that she could find a husband, it means that she is definitely not just talking; she is capable of doing such a thing.
Xie Zhuo was both angry and anxious. Coupled with Fu Zhi Qiao's constant avoidance of him, he was so furious that he went to Zhou Li Zhang to assert his dominance.
On the day Zhou Lizhang left Beijing, Fu Zhiqiao did not see him off because an uninvited guest came to the Fu residence.
Upon hearing the servant's report, Fu Zhi Qiao immediately sealed off the main room, forbidding anyone from approaching. She also sent someone to inform Yu Rou Lan that she was entertaining guests and asked her not to disturb them.
Zuo Murui sat in the seat of honor and glanced around the room at the decorations and furnishings. The tables, chairs, screens, calligraphy and paintings were all exquisite, and she did not seem to be a vulgar person.
Footsteps sounded at the door, and Zuo Murui calmly withdrew her gaze.
Fu Zhiqiao stepped into the main room and curtsied.
Zuo Murui watched as the graceful figure walked towards her. She wore a long embroidered brocade dress with a slanted front, and her hair ornament was made of soft velvet. The flower shape and color were just like real flowers. The delicate flowers on her head did not look vulgar. On the contrary, they neutralized her cold temperament. The combination of brightness and elegance was just right.
There were only the two of them in the room.
This was the second time Zuo Murui had seen Fu Zhiqiao. Her gaze fell on Fu Zhiqiao's face, which seemed to have matured, and she looked even more beautiful than before.
When they first met, Zuo Murui thought Fu Zhiqiao was a sheltered merchant's daughter with little worldly experience.
During this meeting, Zuo Murui learned more about Fu Zhi Qiao, and also learned that the Fu family's business was all built up by her, a young girl, and that Tai Bai Lou was run very successfully; she was a good homemaker...
However, her background as a merchant was really not presentable. So what if she could earn money? Would the royal family be short of money? But her son valued her highly. Oh well, she would marry her into the family first and then train her slowly later.
Thinking of this, Zuo Murui's expression softened, and she went straight to the point: "Miss Fu, where is Madam Fu? Marriage is a serious matter that still needs to be decided by the parents."
Fu Zhi Qiao accepted Zuo Murui's scrutiny without hesitation, but she didn't believe that Zuo Murui had come to propose marriage today.
Xie Zhuocai had told her last time that he had informed his grandfather that he wanted to marry her, skipping his parents and informing his grandfather directly, which meant that Zuo Murui did not agree to her entering the family.
"No need. I can make my own decisions about my marriage. Your Highness, please feel free to speak your mind."
Zuo Murui paused for a moment before speaking, "Since that's the case, I'll get straight to the point."
Seeing Fu Zhi Qiao's calm and composed demeanor, Zuo Murui suddenly revealed a slightly meaningful smile: "I agree to let you enter the manor..."
Now it was Fu Zhiqiao's turn to be surprised.
Seeing Fu Zhi Qiao's momentary daze, Zuo Murui felt much better. To be honest, she really admired Fu Zhi Qiao. Her composure in the face of adversity was quite rare, if only her family background weren't so lacking...
Zuo Murui sighed inwardly and repeated, "I can agree to let you enter the Prince's Mansion. From now on, you can hand over your family's business to the manager. Zhuo'er is in love with you, and as his mother, I will naturally grant his wish."
Zuo Murui coaxed gently, "I agree to let you enter the Prince's mansion, but after you get married, you can no longer show your face in public and do business like this..."
Zuo Murui explained her requirements in detail, while Fu Zhiqiao simply sat quietly to the side, sipping her tea, like an outsider.
"Miss Fu, what do you think?" After speaking, Zuo Murui saw that Fu Zhiqiao looked calm and composed, as if she didn't take her words to heart. She felt a lump in her throat, feeling very uncomfortable.
Zuo Murui frowned.
Fu Zhiqiao lowered her eyes and smiled gently: "No, I can't agree to that!"
Fu Zhi Qiao refused without even thinking.
The room suddenly fell silent.
Does Zuo Murui think that her current business is solely due to the managers' efforts? Without her personal involvement, how could Taibai wine be brewed? And how could Taibai Tower and Fuyun Pavilion have been established?
To put it bluntly, they just looked down on her because she was a merchant.
"What?" Upon hearing Fu Zhi Qiao's refusal, Zuo Murui's face darkened again. She had already conceded a step, yet this woman was so ungrateful. "A princess consort, showing her face in public all day long, associating with all sorts of people, what kind of behavior is this?"
“Your Highness!” Fu Zhi Qiao interrupted her, stared at her intently, and then said, “Perhaps you have misunderstood something? I never said I wanted to be the Crown Prince’s wife.”
Zuo Murui choked. Fu Zhi Qiao had said something similar when they first met, but she thought Fu Zhi Qiao was using a feigned retreat to advance. To her surprise, Fu Zhi Qiao was still saying the same thing today.
Could it be that she really doesn't want to marry into the royal family?
Or does she have bigger ambitions?
"Given your status, being able to enter the Prince's mansion as a concubine is already an immense blessing. I promised you entry and even gave you the position of principal wife. Instead of being grateful, you uttered arrogant words, wanting to enter the Prince's mansion but refusing to curb your temper. Miss Fu, you are being rather delusional."
"Your Highness is probably overthinking it. I have never considered marrying into the royal family."
Zuo Murui seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world, and her tone became serious, "There is no one else here, Miss Fu, there is no need to put on airs."
"How does Your Highness know that I am not speaking from the heart? You keep saying that I am only fit to be a concubine, but I, Fu Zhi Qiao, will never be a concubine in this life, not even a prince, let alone a crown prince."
"What arrogance!" Zuo Murui's eyes widened in shock; she could hardly believe her ears. She slammed her hand on the table. "Do you know what you're saying?"
Fu Zhiqiao was not worried that these words would get out.
Previously, she lacked the resources to challenge the Prince's Mansion, and could only avoid direct confrontation with Zuo Murui. But now things are different. She enjoys prestige among the common people, and even the Emperor relies on her to refine alcohol. Her influence has long surpassed that of a wealthy merchant.
Therefore, she has no intention of compromising herself.
In some matters, if you back down now, you'll be back down forever.
If she was manipulated like this before marriage, who knows how she will be tormented after marriage.
"Your Highness, instead of trying to mold me into your ideal image, why not find a daughter-in-law you're satisfied with from the start? Do you think I'm right?"
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