Around noon, the long-awaited Wen family finally received life-saving news.
At this time, there were only six days left until the provincial examination.
These days, the entire Wen family mansion is shrouded in an atmosphere of tension and anxiety.
The servants were completely unaware of what was going on, while their masters kept it a secret.
Those who are family know their own situation. Wen Tingwan's talent was only good enough for poetry gatherings among young women, but she was really not confident about competing in the imperial examinations.
She's been locking herself in her room these days, studying the classics day and night.
I didn't bother with any random thinking about the policy essay section; I just desperately waited for the exam questions to be predicted, hoping it would be my lifeline.
Holding the imperial edict sent from the palace by his elder brother, Wen Mingke was so moved that he almost shed tears.
Not daring to delay, he immediately packed the generous gifts he had prepared and rushed to the Sixth Princess's residence.
For the first four days, he came to the princess's residence every day to report for duty, only to be turned away each time.
The gatekeeper was arrogant and didn't even bother to announce the arrival of His Highness, dismissing him with a simple "His Highness is not in the residence."
This time, Wen Mingke handed over Qin Zhaoyue's handwritten letter, and only then did the gatekeeper relent.
"Mr. Wen, please. Miss Suimo should be in the flower hall right now."
Wen Mingke felt a great weight lifted from his heart. He quickly straightened his clothes and followed the servant leading the way into the mansion.
Inside the flower hall, Sui Mo was dressed in a neat and stylish modified skirt.
He was slowly and methodically wiping a short dagger, the sunlight falling on the cold blade and reflecting a dazzling light.
"I have met Miss Suimo."
Wen Mingke adopted an extremely humble posture, even with a hint of flattery, and dared not put on airs of an elder in the slightest.
Without any pleasantries, we got straight to the point and quickly presented the handwritten letter with both hands.
Sui Mo put down the short dagger, took it, glanced at it, and spoke in a calm and indifferent tone.
"I already know Mr. Wen's purpose in coming. In fact, the family already knew about Miss Wen's shortlist a few days ago."
The reason I didn't pay attention to it was because the matter was quite sensitive.
His Highness had previously instructed that the preliminary test was not very in-depth and could be handled reasonably well.
However, the provincial examination was a matter of national importance, and any change in it could have far-reaching consequences; the risks involved were no small matter.
Wen Mingke's heart skipped a beat; he hadn't expected the other party to be so "heart-to-heart" in pointing out the risks.
He immediately thought of the eldest son of the Pei family who now worked in the Department of Ceremonial Affairs, as the imperial examinations were the department's main jurisdiction.
No wonder... no wonder they wouldn't even let me in the door before, they were afraid of getting into big trouble.
"Sigh..." Sui Mo let out a long sigh, a look of "I'm in a difficult position" appearing on his face at the opportune moment.
"You also know the identity of that young master Pei. If he were still in the Hanlin Academy, this matter would be easy to handle, but now..."
Even if His Highness personally intervenes when it comes to matters concerning his duties, such face-saving might not be effective.
Moreover, guessing one question correctly in the preliminary examination was already a stroke of luck; how easy would it be to guess it correctly again in the provincial examination?
“His Highness gave strict orders before entering the palace,” Sui Mo said, picking up the handwritten note, her tone tinged with just the right amount of confusion.
"He stated that the matter was too risky and he was unwilling to get involved, but I don't know why he has changed his mind now."
She shook her head gently, as if somewhat helpless about her master's inconsistency.
Wen Mingke quickly changed his mind and immediately attributed the "change of mind" to his brother who was in the inner palace.
After all, he was her biological father, so the Sixth Princess had to give him some face.
He didn't dare answer the question of "why he changed his mind," and simply bowed repeatedly.
"Yes, yes, you are right, young lady. We understand the risks and will definitely keep quiet."
But... we beg Miss Suimo to do us a favor; the Wen family would be eternally grateful!
What time is it? His meaning was clear: Your master has already nodded, what are you still dawdling about? Hurry up.
Sui Mo carefully put away the handwritten letter. "Very well, since it is His Highness's will, I will make the trip. Ten thousand taels."
"Wh...what?!"
Wen Mingke was startled, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, and his voice trembled.
"Miss Suimo, is it so expensive?"
Sui Mo nodded, his tone resolute.
"His Highness instructed that this stepping stone could not be less than 100,000 taels."
Our household is only responsible for facilitating connections and will never profit from it.
If Mr. Wen finds this difficult, please return to your residence and discuss it further.
That resolute attitude, coupled with that cold gaze, clearly said:
This job is too risky, we really don't want to take it, you'd better back off.
Wen Mingke immediately made the connection.
Who would dare charge 100,000 taels of silver for helping students with exam questions? Even the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy wouldn't dare!
This isn't just predicting exam questions, this is clearly...
Good heavens, the Pei family of the Prime Minister's residence has quite the appetite. Ten thousand taels of silver, who can afford that?
But then I thought about it again, and realized that such a powerful path is probably beyond the reach of ordinary people, even if they had mountains of gold and silver.
“This… Miss Suimo,” Wen Mingke tried to argue, “could we wait until we receive the predicted exam questions before making the payment…”
Before he could finish speaking, Sui Mo's lips curled into a very faint smile, and he simply extended his hand in a gesture to show him out:
"Mr. Wen, please leave."
His posture was decisive and swift, leaving no room for negotiation whatsoever.
"No! Wait!"
Wen Mingke's forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat, and his heart pounded wildly.
Seeing a glimmer of hope, thinking of his daughter's future, and the possibility of the Wen family's turnaround...
He gritted his teeth and pulled out the silver notes he had prepared beforehand.
"Here are 100,000 taels of silver. Please, Miss Suimo, do me your best to help!"
He practically roared it out, his voice trembling with a desperate resolve.
After a short while, once Wen Mingke had left, Suimo looked at the stack of silver notes in his hand and finally revealed a genuine smile on his face.
One hundred thousand taels, in hand!
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