Chapter 469: Zhao Houming Passes the Imperial Examination
After Zhao Houjing's many attempts, Zhao Lingmeng finally figured out what was going on. This meant he was dissatisfied with her even-handed approach, so what?
Zhao Lingmeng was not someone who could be easily manipulated, so when Zhao Houjing fell ill, Zhao Lingmeng did not go to see him again, but only asked the imperial physician to visit him every day.
When the results of the imperial examinations were announced, Fan Yong had been very busy and hadn't asked for leave to return. The main reason was that the two older children weren't worth the trip. He was clearly showing favoritism towards Fan Houyang.
So when Zhao Houming and Zhao Houjing came to Menglinyuan to pay their respects, they did not see Fan Yong.
Zhao Houjing looked much thinner due to his illness. But even though he had just recovered from a serious illness, he still spoke harshly, "Father is not here on such an important day today?"
"Isn't it just the announcement of the imperial examination results?" Zhao Lingmeng was speechless. She almost said that she didn't even know whether her name was on the list, so what an important day it was.
Seeing that his elder brother was about to speak, Zhao Houming immediately put his arm around Zhao Houjing's shoulders and smiled to smooth things over. "Mom, elder brother didn't mean that. He just wanted to show some concern for father."
Zhao Lingmeng didn't want to beat her son so early in the morning, so she went down Zhao Houming's ladder and said, "Your father has been busy at the camp lately, so it's not easy for him to ask for leave."
"Hmph" Zhao Houjing snorted. He was not convinced in his heart. His third brother had taken the examination for the scholar degree and their father was there, so it would be difficult for them to ask for leave when it was their turn.
But Zhao Houjing didn't dare to say anything more. He was afraid that this would cause a commotion and that the officials who came to announce the good news would laugh at him.
Zhao Houjing now values his future the most, and he can see it. His mother likes those who are good at studying, and all the rewards are related to the imperial examination.
So Zhao Houjing also went down the ladder handed to him by Zhao Houming, but his face still looked unhappy.
Zhao Lingmeng ignored her eldest son. She just hoped that he would pass the exam quickly and get married soon so that she could move out with him.
No one noticed that Fan Houyang's eyes darkened. He was really annoyed with his elder brother, who kept his eyes on these things in the mansion all day long.
But Fan Houyang didn't want to make his mother angry on this day, so he changed the subject: "Let's have breakfast first!"
Just as they finished their meal, Chunshui rushed in, "Your Highness, Your Highness, hurry up, the official with the good news is here."
Zhao Lingmeng was stunned. "Why did you come so soon today? Those of us who were checking the list haven't returned yet?"
Fan Houyang was extremely happy when he heard this, and he danced with joy. "My second brother must have done very well in the exam. Mom, let's go to the front yard quickly."
Zhao Houjing glared at Fan Houyang when he heard this. He was very dissatisfied. Why couldn't he get a better rank in the exam?
Zhao Lingmeng didn't care about the little thoughts between the children at this moment, and immediately took them to the main gate.
At this moment, the main gate opened, and the officials who brought the good news saw Princess Funing come out. They immediately saluted and congratulated with the sound of gongs and drums, "Congratulations to Princess Funing's son Zhao Houming for winning the first place in the imperial examination. He has a bright future ahead of him."
Zhao Lingmeng was overjoyed when she heard her second son had passed the imperial examination. She kept a serious smile on her face and said, "Congratulations, congratulations! Thank you all for your hard work today."
As soon as Zhao Lingmeng finished speaking, someone came forward and handed over a purse, which was a reward that had been prepared long ago.
Then the officials took the light purses in their hands and realized that they were silver bills, so the congratulations became even louder.
Zhao Houjing was waiting behind for these people to say congratulations again, but these people just said a few words of congratulations to his second brother and left.
It was Chunshui who realized that something was wrong and chased after him to ask a few questions, only then did he find out that their eldest young master had not won this time.
Although Chunshui couldn't believe it, he hurried back and told Zhao Lingmeng.
Zhao Lingmeng didn't think it was a big deal. This kind of exam was like a thousand troops crossing a single-plank bridge. Failing once was normal. She sincerely encouraged him, "Jing'er, don't lose heart. You're only fifteen. Even in three years, you'll still be eighteen. You're still young!"
Zhao Houming also hurried to comfort his elder brother, fearing that he would be upset. "Mom is right. The next champion will also be from our family."
Fan Houyang wanted to say something sarcastic, but seeing his elder brother's gloomy expression, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue and changed his words to say, "Everyone in my family is smart, and elder brother can do it too."
Fan Houyang's words had touched Zhao Houjing's nerves for some reason. Zhao Houjing stared at Fan Houyang and asked viciously, "Are you calling me stupid?"
When Fan Houyang saw Zhao Houjing like this, he was really speechless. What kind of person is this!
"You are really like a dog biting Lu Dongbin, you don't know it"
Zhao Houming was afraid the two would start a fight in front of his mansion, which would cause chaos in Yuanjing tomorrow. He was just hearing gossip about the feud between the brothers in Princess Funing's mansion, so he could only interrupt Fan Houyang and say, "Third brother!"
Fan Houyang took a deep breath and said to Zhao Houming, "Congratulations, second brother, for winning the first place in the imperial examination."
Fortunately, as soon as Fan Houyang said this, the servants around him also reacted and congratulated him in unison: "Congratulations, Second Young Master, on winning the title of Jieyuan. I hope you have a bright future."
After the servants finished their congratulations, Qiuyue and the others immediately brought out two large baskets of copper coins and shouted to the people gathered around the princess's mansion, "We are so lucky to have some good luck."
Zhao Lingmeng and a few others immediately scattered copper coins in the direction of the crowd, and for a while the front of Princess Funing's mansion was bustling with activity.
After they scattered the copper coins, they closed the main door and went in.
Zhao Lingmeng took the lead and left with her group. She had just sprinkled the copper coins and was sweating all over. She wanted to go back and change her clothes first, and then arrange for the celebration for a few people at noon.
After Zhao Lingmeng left, Zhao Houjing said to Zhao Houming, "Congratulations, second brother."
"So hypocritical." Fan Houyang said sarcastically.
Zhao Houjing took a deep breath, unable to bear it any longer, and quickly walked to stand opposite Fan Houyang. "Third brother, I don't think I have done anything to offend you."
Fan Houyang looked at his elder brother, who was acting so modestly at the moment, and felt disgusted. "Come on! Who was being so sarcastic just now? You stir up trouble all day long, and yet you think you're so popular. You usually ignore me, but you still ask me to be around you all the time. Do you have such a big face?"
You act like the heir to the Princess's mansion every day, but your mother has nothing to inherit for you. Someone attends a poetry gathering today and another one tomorrow. If he fails the exam this time, he will take it out on his younger brother at home and even on his eldest brother.
Zhao Houjing saw that Fan Houyang was getting more and more angry the more he talked. He clenched his fists again and again. It wasn't that he didn't want to fight, but he was already struggling to beat Fan Houyang. He had just recovered from a serious illness, so fighting this fool now would definitely not benefit him.
So Zhao Houjing finally placed his hopes on Zhao Houming. Two against one was no problem at all. "Second brother"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
