The editing workshop, located right next to the singing workshop, was also a bustling place.
A three-courtyard house with white walls and blue tiles, where several tall ginkgo trees have already turned autumnal.
Golden leaves occasionally swirl down, silently spreading across the bluestone slabs.
Li Xuan, the young master of Wan'an Hall, a major pharmacy in Zhuque South Road, was having breakfast in the flower hall.
The results of the provincial examinations in other regions were released ten days earlier than those in Zhongchendao, and he passed the examination without any doubt.
On the day the results were announced, he packed his bags without hesitation and rode at full speed to Fengjing. He had only settled into this newly acquired house a couple of days ago.
Crab roe dumplings, Hu-style meat pies filled with mutton, fried dough balls made with glutinous rice flour and red bean paste, and chestnut flour cakes made with freshly ground chestnut flour.
There are also wontons, almond milk porridge, sesame porridge, spicy pickled vegetables, sugarcane jelly...
The carved mahogany table was filled to the brim.
Li Xuan picked up a crab roe bun; the outer skin was golden and crispy, and one bite revealed a generous amount of crab meat and roe.
It's a seasonal snack, so it tastes pretty good.
But he still pursed his lips, "I always feel that it's not as good as what the chefs back home make."
Uncle Gong and his bodyguard Lou Wu were also dining at the table.
Li Xuan didn't have many strict rules, and besides, he wasn't used to eating alone.
Lou Wu was holding a bowl of almond milk porridge, slurping it down loudly. Hearing this, he looked up, his cheeks still bulging.
"Young Master, there are so many delicious foods in Fengjing, are you still being picky?"
Li Xuan rolled his eyes in annoyance. "You don't know anything. Just eat your food."
He is now sixteen years old, has undergone the coming-of-age ceremony, and has recently passed the imperial examination, so he considers himself an adult.
He put down his chopsticks and looked to the side: "Uncle Gong, is there still no news from the Sixth Prince's residence?"
After settling in the capital, the first thing he did was to send a visiting card to the Sixth Princess's residence.
However, they were told that His Highness had remained in the palace since the provincial examination.
Uncle Gong nodded: "It's said to be because of the provincial examination, but with the results posted today, it seems His Highness's departure from the palace is not far off."
"Finally, some good news."
Li Xuan had just breathed a sigh of relief when, at that moment, the guard "Entangled Silk" hurried over, his expression grave:
"Young master, something has happened. There seems to be a cheating scandal at the examination hall."
"puff……"
Li Xuan nearly spat out his mouthful of porridge, choking and coughing repeatedly.
"What...what did you say?!"
He had never taken the proper imperial examinations for children, let alone the provincial examination papers...
How could he not be alarmed by the mention of cheating in the imperial examinations?
Chansi, naturally aware of the inside story, immediately lowered his voice and quickly explained the whole situation.
Li Xuan clutched his chest, still shaken: "That scared me to death..."
"Under the emperor's nose, in the spotlight of the world, how could such a blunder occur?"
Writing those kinds of things is considered cheating? This is clearly rebellion.
Uncle Gong suddenly shuddered, his face turning pale: "Young Master! Watch your words!"
Li Xuan realized he had spoken out of turn, and shut his mouth, not daring to utter another word.
He looked nervously at the silken threads: "Then what about mine..."
“Young Master, rest assured,” Chan Si said confidently, “from beginning to end, every step of the process is foolproof and there is absolutely no involvement.”
Li Xuan finally breathed a long sigh of relief, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on his back.
Thank goodness, as long as it doesn't burn him.
I really don't understand why his family insists on him passing the imperial examinations.
The provincial examination was one thing, but the subsequent metropolitan examination...
The thought of actually taking the exam made his scalp tingle; he knew he'd likely embarrass himself.
Uncle Gong reminded him at the right moment, "Young Master, it would be best to focus on your studies these days. You'll at least be able to read something decent."
In order to avoid attracting attention, Li Xuan's ranking in the imperial examination was already low, and he barely made it onto the list by taking a different approach with his policy essay.
It would be reasonable to fail the imperial examination at that time, but if the results were too bad, it would be embarrassing.
Therefore, he brought along a tutor whom his family had hired at great expense when he went to the capital.
The first day was spent sightseeing, and according to the plan, classes would begin today.
The breakfast tasted bland.
With the commotion outside and the thought of the arduous studies to come, Li Xuan felt that his future was bleak.
What's even more regrettable is that, after this incident, it will probably be even more difficult for the Sixth Princess to leave the palace, and it's unknown when we'll be able to meet again.
Just as the atmosphere was filled with gloom, the guard Po Xiao rushed over, "Young Master, the Master is here!"
"real?"
Li Xuan suddenly stood up, both surprised and delighted.
The old father had always been reluctant to part with the Wan'an Hall business, and since many patients relied on him, he never expected that he would come to the capital in person.
She rushed out to greet them, but when she saw the person striding towards her in the courtyard, her smile froze instantly.
The man in the lead was around forty years old. His face resembled Li Xuan's by about five or six points, but he appeared more refined and composed, with a neatly trimmed short beard on his chin.
He wore a dark blue silk robe, over which was a black brocade vest with subtle patterns, and a matching belt around his waist, with only a fine white jade pendant hanging from it.
The garment is not decorated with many patterns, but the materials used are extremely exquisite and the tailoring is perfect.
The visitor was none other than Li Dajing, the owner of Yutai Trading Company and a wealthy merchant, who was also Li Xuan's biological father.
Li Xuan's smile faded, and his tone became distant and indifferent: "Why are you here?"
Li Dajing seemed completely oblivious and laughed loudly.
"My son passed the imperial examination, which is a great joy to bring honor to our ancestors. As his father, can't I come to Fengjing to see the excitement?"
Li Xuan curled his lip. Whose lineage is being glorified? Whose ancestors are being celebrated?
The biological father married into Yutai Trading Company, so even the children cannot be given the surname Li.
He himself was born to a concubine and had been registered under someone else's name since childhood, so he could count on one hand the number of times he had met his father.
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