Read Novel Full Chapter 1821: Step by Step
Chapter 1821: Chapter 1821: Step by Step
Early the next morning, just as Chang Xhong woke up and hadn’t eaten breakfast, a young servant came in, "Young Master, the Fourth Prince has arrived."
Chang Xhong glanced at the time, "The Fourth Prince is out of the palace this early?"
The young servant softly reminded, "The Fourth Prince can stay at the Crown Prince’s residence."
Chang Xhong, "..."
Oh right, the Crown Prince is the Fourth Prince’s brother!
The Fourth Prince entered the room just as breakfast was served, seeing Chang Xhong eating dumplings slowly and thoroughly, "You can still eat breakfast?"
"Has Your Highness eaten breakfast?"
The Fourth Prince hadn’t eaten; he was anxious about whether Chang Xhong had become the top scholar. Seeing Chang Xhong was not in a hurry, he pulled a smile and sat down to eat together.
With the addition of the Fourth Prince, the maid quickly went to the kitchen to fetch more breakfast, and soon Chang Xhong’s dining table was filled with steamed dumplings and other dishes.
Chang Xhong didn’t eat much and soon put down his chopsticks, only to see the Fourth Prince’s mouth never stopped moving until he had finished most of the plates.
Chang Xhong was speechless, "Your Highness didn’t eat dinner last night either?"
The Fourth Prince, "I didn’t eat much."
Chang Xhong couldn’t help but ask, "Didn’t the Crown Prince tell Your Highness the results of the ranking list?"
The Fourth Prince shook his head, "Only the Emperor and my elder brother know the ranking list, my brother wouldn’t tell me."
Did he think he hadn’t secretly asked? He didn’t dare to test the Emperor, but he was unreserved with his brother, who always smiled without speaking, making him anxious.
Actually, Chang Xhong didn’t think about guarding the list. Isn’t it more pleasant to stay at home? Anyway, there would be a government officer delivering the good news if he succeeded, so why bother with the crowded place.
Unfortunately, the Fourth Prince wanted to go, insisting it felt different to witness it with his own eyes.
In the end, the team going to see the results grew larger; by the time they left, it was already packed with people.
The carriage couldn’t get through, the front was crowded with people, including graduates with their servants and onlookers. Without a preoccupied spot, don’t think about squeezing in.
Chang Xhong stood by the carriage and spread his hands, "Didn’t I say not to come to guard the list!"
The Fourth Prince said quietly, "Who told you to come late."
Chang Xhong candidly, "Shall we go back?"
The Fourth Prince jumped onto the carriage to see if there were any acquaintances. His eyesight was indeed good, he immediately saw acquaintances in a teahouse private room, "Let’s go, I’ll let you guys share the spot."
Then they went up to the teahouse and saw the Third Prince, in the private room were only the Third Prince and Mr. Du, so the room was very spacious.
Fortunately, Ming Hui and Ming Rui had followed today, and there were no female members from the Zhou family, so there was no need to avoid them.
The Third Prince silently watched the Fourth Prince taking charge, couldn’t help massaging his forehead. He’d rather please the Crown Prince than curry favor with the Fourth Prince, who was too troublesome.
Mr. Du opened his mouth several times but ultimately chose silence. The Third Prince’s lack of ambition naturally meant allegiance to the Crown Prince, and he dared not provoke the legitimate Fourth Prince.
Chang Xhong greeted the Third Prince, "Greetings, Your Highness the Third Prince."
The Third Prince smiled, "We’re all familiar, no need for formalities."
Indeed, no need for formalities, as they all sat down one after another.
The Fourth Prince smiled, "Third Brother, I know you bet on Chang Xhong. You didn’t come to guard the list today to bet on Xiao Sanyuan and the top scorer like me, did you!"
The Third Prince was not surprised by Zhou Changzhong’s appearance, thinking that the Fourth Prince’s relationship with him was indeed good, generously admitting, "Yes, but unfortunately, I don’t have much private property."
Buying books was his biggest expense, having recently bought too many, resulting in a shrunken purse. His mother was not favored, and his father disliked her in the early years, so his mother didn’t have much savings. Although he wasn’t withheld from anything, he was still a poor prince, not even as wealthy as the noble families’ sons.
Mr. Du was even more conflicted, to cater to the Third Prince, he also placed silver coins on Zhou Changzhong.
Ming Rui and Ming Hui quietly drank tea as a backdrop. However, they secretly bet on their Fourth Uncle too!
At that moment, the list was posted outside, and it became silent. Once the list was up, there was no need to wait for the young servant to report back, the gamblers exclaimed one after another, and Chang Xhong’s mouth lifted, he was the top scholar.
The Fourth Prince excitedly stood up and walked to the window, carefully listening to confirm someone was shouting Chang Xhong as the top scholar, "Haha, I knew you could do it, you really made me proud."
He was one step closer to overnight wealth, just waiting for the results of the palace examination.
The Third Prince released the grip on his cup, feeling quite good, raising his teacup, "Congratulations."
Chang Xhong returned the gesture, "Congratulations as well."
Mr. Du also congratulated, his heart pounding, the Third Prince had bet three thousand five hundred taels, and his family put in two thousand taels. The congratulations were sincere beyond measure.
After his excitement, the Fourth Prince said, "Too bad I bet too little, but even so I have made a fortune, haha."
Chang Xhong, "..."
What was he happy about for him winning the top scholar? He was clearly happy for the potential fortune!
The news of Chang Xhong becoming the top scholar spread like wildfire. The government officer delivering the good news arrived at the Hou Residence, where the gate was already open. They gave the officer a thick red envelope, set off firecrackers, and scattered celebratory money. All the noble families had received the homeowner’s permission and came to collect the joyous money.
Lady Li and Zhou Laoda entertained the congratulating guests, while Zhulan chanted Buddhist prayers and waved her hand to triple the monthly allowance for this month.
In the Palace, Zhou Shuren knew the results as soon as the morning court dismissed, having already accepted a wave of envious and jealous gazes.
Zhuo Guyu entered the palace today, with the most complicated feelings. Not one of the Duke of Yongan Residence’s participants succeeded. Earlier in the year, incidents occurred consecutively, finally, when two younger brothers insisted on participating, they withdrew midway through the exam. Grandfather aged several years overnight but had to maintain his plans for revenge.
After discussing state affairs, the Emperor actually wanted to brag about Chang Xhong’s examination paper. For the sake of maintaining the mystery of the palace exam results, the Emperor held back his urge to show off.
When the list was out, he had already reviewed the top ten papers, considering Chang Xhong’s handwriting the best. Then there were the insights; some had unique perspectives, but were too radical and overly aggressive. The Emperor’s idea of reform was to proceed step by step, laying a solid foundation rather than a swift and extreme approach that could exacerbate conflicts and leave root causes shaking the nation’s foundation.
Chang Xhong’s insights matched the Emperor’s thoughts, and his analysis of class conflicts was thorough and cutting, yet offered solutions for relief.
This was something that some poor scholars couldn’t reach; many of their insights stemmed from personal perspectives, even if they cleverly masked their resentment toward the noble families. Additionally, their desire to showcase their ideas often resulted in excessive sharpness.
Zhou Shuren wondered what else the Emperor wanted to say but held back, letting them leave, and he couldn’t help but ponder in his heart!
After leaving the government hall, Mr. Gong had already stepped forward to congratulate, "Congratulations, Marquis Zhou."
Zhou Shuren came back to his senses and smiled, "Congratulations to you as well."
Mr. Gong, "Another top score would make it Xiao Sanyuan, not to mention Xiao Sanyuan."
Zhou Shuren felt delighted inside, humbly said, "No one can say for sure about the palace examination results."
Mr. Gong smiled, feeling that the top scorer was very likely Zhou Changzhong. Winning First Place Candidate could still be attributed to regional differences, but being the top scholar nationwide already demonstrated Zhou Changzhong’s capabilities. He suddenly regretted not placing a bet; unfortunately, now it was too late to bet.
The Ministers of Works and Justice also congratulated, while the Ministers of Rites and Personnel were a bit slow to react.
The officials were secretly frustrated, how come the offspring of the Marquis Zhou’s residence weren’t taking on students!