The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

Chapter 1752 Juren

Originally, Wan Lianxing didn't take the results that seriously, but with Song Ruhong standing next to him, whose grandson was the top student this year, Wan Lianxing, as the emperor, couldn't save face.

Cheng Feng and Shang Xi were delighted, as the results had exceeded their expectations. With Boss Qian flattering them, the two of them had already begun to consider hosting a banquet at their residence.

Wan Lianxing flicked his sleeves and said, "Don't invite me to dinner, I don't have time."

Cheng Youning knew he had failed the autumn examination. He had thought he was a shoo-in for the top spot, but now he realized he was far from it.

Looking at the man standing at the entrance of the examination hall, carrying the reward the emperor had given to the top scorer this year, he felt even angrier and muttered, "How could he possibly have a better score than me?"

Wan Lianxing patted Cheng Youning on the shoulder, telling him to face reality, "Song Qianyuan is not the only one with better grades than you. There are more than thirty people ahead of you. If you want to narrow the gap between you and Song Qianyuan, you should work hard and stop planning to go to Bianjing today and to the Southern Yan Kingdom tomorrow."

Cheng Youning bit his lip, not expecting that his great-uncle knew all about his little scheme. "Great-uncle, the emperor of Dalang has fled north, and Bianjing is now ours. Why can't I go and see it? Don't you want to go and see Bianjing too?"

Wan Lianxing also had feelings for Fengqi, after all, he had served as an official there for several years. However, Bianjing under the ravages of war was no longer what it used to be. "Grandson, you don't need to encourage your grandpa. Bianjing is now devastated by war and has no sense of what it used to be. You are not allowed to go. Stay in the palace and study hard."

Cheng Youning's eyes darted around, and he quickly adjusted his mindset. "Grandpa, although I didn't do well in this exam and didn't do as well as Song Qianyuan, I won't be discouraged. I will meet him in the next exam, and I will definitely come out on top. Just wait and see."

"Haha, don't try to fool your grandpa. I will absolutely not let you participate in the imperial examination." Looking at Song Ruhong and his radiant grandfather and granddaughter, Wan Lianxing had already made up his mind. Cheng Youning should forget about the imperial examination. He would not embarrass himself with him again.

Because of his status, Wan Lianxing decided to return to the palace early. Cheng Feng stopped Wan Lianxing: "Uncle, since I inherited my father's title, you haven't visited my residence even once."

Strictly speaking, Wan Lianxing hadn't been to the Prince Pang's Mansion since Master Wan's death. Going there would remind him of his elder brother, and he'd think, "Let's do it another day!"

Cheng Feng wouldn't let go: "Don't change the date, let's do it today. Your grandson passed the imperial examination and ranked thirty-fifth. It's worth celebrating!"

Wan Lianxing felt that the celebration was unnecessary. "With such results, is there anything to celebrate? If I were to celebrate, it would be for someone like Song Qianyuan who studies diligently."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Youning turned away in a huff, leaving his great-grandfather with his back turned.

Cheng Feng, who hadn't received much formal education, didn't see it that way. His son's knowledge far surpassed that of the two of them; he was the best-educated and most learned in their family. How could they not celebrate such a day? He continued to discuss with Wan Lianxing, "Uncle, it's been months already. Aren't you going to the Prince's Mansion to see your sister-in-law? She's been scolding you a lot lately."

“It’s not that I don’t want to go, but if I go, I’ll think of your father, and your mother will inevitably cry when she sees me. When your mother cries, my heart is in turmoil.”

“My mother has been practicing Buddhism recently, and her emotions haven’t fluctuated at all. She’s calmed down a long time ago! She cried every day for the first month after my father passed away, but she hasn’t cried at all now!”

"Alright, then I'll go see your mother!"

Cheng Feng and Shang Xi originally planned to hold a grand banquet, but since Wan Lianxing went to the Prince's Mansion, only the members of the royal family could have a lively meal together.

Shang Xi said, "Uncle, send someone to invite the Empress. I haven't seen her for several days. The last time I saw her was seven days ago!"

Wan Lianxing said, "Send someone to invite him, but it's hard to say whether he can come!"

"Why? What has the Empress been busy with lately?"

Shang Xi thought to herself, "Isn't the Empress usually very idle? What could she possibly be busy with? There are no concubines vying for favor in the harem, no scheming and backstabbing, the Empress's days must be incredibly leisurely."

Wan Lianxing saw through Shang Xi's thoughts at a glance. He smiled and said, "The Empress has been very busy lately. It's autumn now, and the northern border is getting colder every day. She's in the palace with a group of palace maids making cotton-padded clothes for the soldiers on the northern border."

Shang Xi raised her hand and slapped her forehead. "You said it's time to make cotton-padded clothes again? How could I forget about that?"

Since the funeral at the Prince's Mansion, the side courtyard has never been lively again, and the business of making shoes for the border soldiers has also stopped for several months.

Wan Lianxing said, "The Empress is still late to the party. The General's Mansion started preparations at the end of summer, but there's not a single sign of activity here."

Shang Xi touched her head. "It was my oversight. Since my father-in-law passed away, that side courtyard has stopped production. But Cheng Feng and I haven't been idle. We've been improving the land, and we've made some progress."

Wan Lianxing nodded approvingly: "Good! Improving the land is a top priority. I have heard about what you and Feng'er have done. Our Fengqi not only produces rice, but now even wheat production has increased. I will remember this achievement for you two. Just ask for any reward you want."

Shang Xi grinned, "Uncle, do you still have that light feather cicada wing gauze?"

"You want gossamer-feather fabric?"

Shang Xi nodded. "The last time I saw the Empress, she wore a beautiful gossamer dress. I also want to have a gossamer dress."

Upon hearing this, Wan Baiqian immediately seized the opportunity to speak up, "Uncle, I want one too. My Chang Hong has grown taller, and the clothes he wore last year are too small for him to wear."

Wan Lianxing looked at the old steward beside him, "Is that thing still needed in the storeroom?"

"Your Majesty, the storeroom has light feather and cicada wing gauze. Lingyuan presented three bolts as tribute, one was bestowed upon the Empress, and there are two left."

"Then the remaining two horses will be given to the two of them."

"Yes, this old servant will have someone deliver the light feather gossamer to the Qian residence and the Prince Pang's residence shortly."

Shang Xi and Wan Baiqian exchanged a glance, then said in unison, "Thank you, Uncle!"

On the way back to the Prince's Mansion, Shang Xi also sent a servant to the Crown Prince's Mansion to invite Hong Jiutong. Cheng Youning had passed the imperial examination and was a successful candidate in the provincial examination, so naturally Hong Jiutong could not be absent from the celebration.

Upon arriving at the Prince's residence, they found Madam Zhong talking with her daughter-in-law in Madam Wan's room. Madam Zhong was the Empress's mother and often visited the Prince's residence to keep Madam Wan company. When Wan Lianxing arrived, apart from Madam Wan, who wore a sour face, everyone else bowed deeply to greet him.

After the formalities were lifted, Wan Lianxing sat down next to Madam Wan: "Sister-in-law, how have you been lately?"