Chapter 481 Zhao Houming is going to take part in the imperial examination
"Okay, I understand. You can go back now! As for my reward for helping you teach your wife, it will be just one manor! Once you pass the imperial examination, there will be no more manors near Yuanjing."
Fan Houyang's eyes widened as he listened to his mother's words. Finally, he summed it up in one word: "Huh?"
"Oh, if you don't pass the imperial examination, I'll deduct it from your betrothal gifts!"
Zhao Lingmeng didn't want the third brother and his wife to come to her for every little thing they had to deal with. She wasn't some neighborhood committee lady who specialized in mediating conflicts between couples.
"Alright! Son, I'll take my leave!" Fan Houyang nodded in agreement. He could earn more money later. Although he appeared calm and composed, he was crying inside. That was a manor near Yuanjing! It was the kind of manor that was so expensive it was out of stock.
When Zhao Houming saw his third brother leave, he also hurriedly bowed and said, "Then my son will take his leave too!"
"Mom, your son is taking his leave too!" Zhao Houjing followed closely behind.
Zhao Lingmeng waved her hand, signaling the three of them to do whatever they wanted, and then Qiuyue and the others helped Zhao Lingmeng into the inner room next door.
Zhao Lingmeng couldn't help but remind Chunshui, "Keep a close eye on Miss Yuan. It's hardship, but don't let anything get into trouble."
Chunshui quickly replied, "Don't worry, Your Highness. Our people have already infiltrated Miss Yuan's presence. I'll be watching."
"Yeah!" Zhao Lingmeng was still very confident in Chunshui's work, so she agreed and went in to wash up. The main reason was that it was already past her usual bedtime and she was really sleepy.
When people feel sleepy and their brains feel like they can't work anymore, they want to sleep.
The three brothers Zhao Houjing left Menglin Courtyard at the same time and walked together outside the yard.
Fan Houyang couldn't help but complain about Zhao Houming, "Second brother, your emotional intelligence is really not that good. How can you say how much I like Miss Yuan in front of mother? This will cause a conflict between them."
Zhao Houming thought about it and said, "I don't think so. Mom is not that kind of person. Her principle is that we should all live our own lives well. She is not the kind of person who wants to control her son, so don't worry!"
Zhao Houming thought he knew his mother very well.
Fan Houyang looked at his second brother as if he was a fool. At this moment, Fan Houyang really felt that his second brother had no emotional intelligence.
Zhao Houming was so smart that he couldn't see what his third brother meant. He reasoned with him seriously, "You look like you absolutely must marry Miss Yuan. Who can't you see that? If I were the kind of person you think I am, I would definitely not fulfill your wish now. Just tell me directly."
After saying this, Zhao Houming patted Fan Houyang on the shoulder and walked away with his hands behind his back.
Fan Houyang actually felt convinced and felt extremely conflicted.
Zhao Houjing chased after him and happened to watch the whole process. He also stepped forward and patted Fan Houyang on the shoulder, "Great lover, you should study hard! Otherwise, if the betrothal gift is too small, Miss Yuan will be embarrassed."
After Zhao Houjing finished gloating over the misfortune, he quickly chased after Zhao Houming. This kid didn't dare to beat the second brother, but he beat him without mercy.
Fan Houyang glared at his two brothers and waved his fist, but he left happily. He thought that at least Yuan Xiangxuan would have someone to teach her.
Fan Houyang felt that he didn't need Yuan Xiangxuan to be that powerful, but he still hoped that she could protect herself. After all, he couldn't protect her at all times. She would have to rely on herself to protect herself in many cases, otherwise it would be quite dangerous for her to become his wife.
In the days that followed, the three Zhao Houjing brothers studied hard. Although their goals and motivations were different, the degree of their efforts was similar.
Among them, except Zhao Houming who likes to study, Zhao Houjing and Fan Houyang both want to pass the exam!
As time gets closer to the New Year, more and more people come to Yuanjing, especially those who want to catch up with the candidates for the spring examination after the New Year. Many people are afraid of missing out, so they come to Yuanjing two or three months in advance to wait.
In addition to the housing shortage in Yuanjing these past few months, prices have skyrocketed. The students who came to the capital for the imperial examinations, whether rich or poor, all needed accommodation and food. With all the spending in Yuanjing, it's hard not to think about the prices.
Zhao Houming had been studying even harder recently. He always believed there was always someone better than him. So, if he wanted to pass the exam in one try, he had to work even harder than everyone else. He would be fifteen after the Lunar New Year, and in this day and age, fifteen was considered the breadwinner of the family.
Zhao Houming wanted to get involved in court affairs as early as possible and accumulate achievements while he was young, so that when his mother got old, she could live out her retirement in peace without having to worry about things outside.
A family like theirs might seem prosperous, but if they weren't careful, they'd be caught up in all sorts of conspiracies. So Zhao Houming wanted to be the one who could hold it together. At least he hoped that when the time came, his mother would have someone to discuss things with, rather than trying to figure things out on her own.
So Zhao Houming turned down all banquets and poetry gatherings, and every day he was either studying at the Imperial Academy or writing essays and poems at home.
For Zhao Houming, time passes very quickly during these busy days, but for Zhao Lingmeng, it is actually quite slow.
Especially during the New Year, Zhao Lingmeng and Fan Yong went to the palace almost every day. It was not until after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month that the New Year was truly over.
Zhao Lingmeng felt that she had lost a lot of weight. In this era, there were so many rules for celebrating the New Year that it was outrageous.
Fan Yong, however, felt alright. After the New Year, he would resume his life of shuttling between the camp outside the capital and the Princess's residence. But when a man sets out on his career, he feels he has endless energy and could even borrow another five hundred years from heaven.
By the time Zhao Lingmeng recovered, it was the day of Zhao Houming's imperial examination.
Zhao Lingmeng couldn't sleep early that day, so he got up and sat by the window to read. Fan Yong saw that His Highness was no longer asleep, so he got up too and sat by the window, yawning and making tea.
Zhao Ling dreamed that their Lord Fan was still so sleepy, and couldn't help but say, "You can continue to sleep, don't worry about me. I'm just worried that you won't be able to sleep tomorrow."
"It's okay, I'll be awake after drinking a cup of tea. Would Your Highness like one cup?" Fan Yong said as he started to make tea himself.
"Have a cup! I'm very honored to drink the tea brewed by Lord Fan himself." After saying this, Zhao Lingmeng simply put all the books aside and watched the prince consort brew tea seriously.
Seeing His Highness like this, Fan Yong was also very happy, and the movements of his hands became even more pleasing to the eye. "Then Your Highness, wait for your drink!"
The end result was that by dawn, Zhao Lingmeng and Fan Yong were both full of water. They looked at each other and smiled in sync.
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