Chapter 784: Chapter 746: Entering the Examination Hall (First Update)

On February 8th, the spring examination officially began. Song Yuanbao and Xu Dengke took a carriage out, joining thousands of scholars rushing to the Ministry of Rites Examination Hall in the capital.

Wen Wan took a separate carriage to see them off.

On the way, Xu Dengke said, "I heard from the lady that your wedding is set for the day the court examination results are announced. Congratulations!"

It was clear that he was sincerely congratulating him, but Song Yuanbao felt uneasy.

Nobody understood Xu Dengke’s capabilities better than him; he was a great talent who could effortlessly produce magnificent essays — a genius who had been delayed in past years.

Though he repeatedly assured Zhao Xi he would strive to be the top scholar, in reality, he felt uncertain, especially when facing Xu Dengke, and increasingly felt unsure.

Thinking of this, Song Yuanbao humbly said, "Regardless of how I perform in the exam, the marriage must go on."

The carriage arrived at the examination hall to find a crowd of scholars already waiting.

Wen Wan lifted the curtain to get down and walked over to Song Yuanbao and Xu Dengke, advising, "Just approach it as you would the monthly and yearly exams; keep calm and don’t be nervous."

Song Yuanbao smiled, "Mother, don’t worry. Speaking of mindset, among all the scholars here today, none can compare to mine."

Wen Wan gave him a teasing look, "You’re bold enough to mention that? Fear no one knows you slept through the countryside exam until submission, aren’t you afraid the teachers will mock you?"

Song Yuanbao displayed a shameless attitude, "Sleep as I did, let them mock if they will, I don’t care anyway."

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Wen Wan looked towards Xu Dengke, "Yuanbao’s too unruly. When you go inside, please help him find his examination booth. Be sure not to get it wrong. Once found, check carefully; if there’s any risk of rain leaking, notify the examiner to have it changed."

Xu Dengke nodded and reassured Wen Wan, saying he would take good care of Song Yuanbao.

Being treated this way, Song Yuanbao felt like a giant baby, his face flushed with embarrassment, "Mother, did you forget my father is the chief examiner? He went through such an ordeal back then; surely he’s had the examination booths checked by now. No way he would let his son suffer, right?"

Wen Wan chuckled ruefully, saying fine, today you’re the boss, whatever you say goes.

Watching her son and Mr. Xu enter the examination hall, Wen Wan turned around and saw Mrs. Xiao Liu and her maid Hong Xiang.

Mrs. Xiao Liu also saw her, happily waving hello, "Sister Wan!"

Wen Wan walked over, smilingly asked, "Shuyuan, why are you here?"

"I came to send Nan for his exam," said Mrs. Xiao Liu.

Only then did Wen Wan remember that Mrs. Xiao Liu had a younger brother also taking the exam this year.

Seeing her slightly rounded belly, Wen Wan suddenly frowned, "Couldn’t you send a servant instead? Running around with such a big belly, what if something happens?"

Earlier, she had heard Zhao Xunyin mention how the Lu Family treated Mrs. Xiao Liu’s pregnancy as if it were their lifeblood.

Today, with so many people outside the examination hall, jostling and squeezing, how could the Lu Family rest easy with her out?

As she was pondering, she heard Lu Yanbin’s voice from behind, "Shu, candied hawthorn is here."

Wen Wan turned back and saw Lu Yanbin weaving through the crowd toward them, holding two strings of candied hawthorn.

Upon recognizing Wen Wan, he slightly drew back his smile, "Sister Wan, you’re here to see Yuanbao off?"

Wen Wan nodded and then turned her gaze to Mrs. Xiao Liu, "Are you together?"

Mrs. Xiao Liu nodded, "If the young master didn’t come, the old lady would definitely not let me go out."

Wen Wan understood; if it could be born safely, this would be the Lu Family’s first great-grandchild; its importance was undeniable.

In the course of conversation, Lu Yanbin handed one string of candied hawthorn to Mrs. Xiao Liu.

Mrs. Xiao Liu took it, smacked her lips, ate it directly, clearly having craved it for a while.

Lu Yanbin then extended the remaining string to Wen Wan, "Would you like a string too, sister?"

Wen Wan looked as if it would make her teeth ache just by looking at it, quickly shook her head, "I don’t eat that stuff."

Hong Xiang laughed beside them, "The months are advanced, yet our Young Madam still likes to eat sour things, showing it’s probably a Young Master Sun in her womb."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yanbin proudly raised his eyebrows, "I also think it’s a son."

Mrs. Xiao Liu continued to quietly eat her candied hawthorn without chiming in.

After bringing her back from Ping Mountain, Lu Yanbin had gotten used to her usual reactions, now taking little notice, and quickly shifted the topic, "Wasn’t Qing back for several days? Hasn’t he visited us yet; why not take the opportunity today for us to check on him at the Marquis Mansion?"

Hong Xiang said, "I haven’t seen the second young master for years; I wonder if he’s changed."

A shadow passed through Wen Wan’s eyes, "You all go; I’m busy preparing for Yuanbao’s grand wedding, too busy to step away. I won’t go."

"Come on!" Lu Yanbin insisted, "Your place and the Marquis Mansion aren’t far; it would only take a moment. Let’s go have a seat, drink some tea, exchange a few words, and leave; it won’t interfere. Shu, what do you think?"

Mrs. Xiao Liu nodded, "Go ahead!"

No matter how things were between her and Lu Yanbin, Lu Yanqing was her second uncle, and it was only right to go see him.

Seeing that Wen Wan still seemed reluctant, Lu Yanbin said to her, "Shu is able to go even with her big belly, so you should at least give some face, right?"

Wen Wan knew Lu Yanqing had already returned from Ningzhou and really didn’t want to meet him, fearing she couldn’t control her emotions. However, if she didn’t go, she was afraid Lu Yanqing and Mrs. Xiao Liu would become suspicious, so she could only reluctantly agree, "If we must go, then let’s go. But I’ll say this first, how long you stay is your business, but I can only stay for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. I’m busy!"

Lu Yanbin smiled with satisfaction, "I know, sister, you’re busy. It’s fine to just sit for a while. If it really delays things, I’ll personally help you with your work to make up for it. How about that?"

"Not great." Wen Wan snorted, "With your lazy attitude, you’re not even as efficient as a servant. What help can you offer me?"

"I can do accounts!" Lu Yanqing said, "You don’t know this, but under Shu’s tutelage at our house, I’m really good at accounting now. I don’t even need an abacus. If you don’t believe me, let me try your accounting books later."

Although he was speaking to Wen Wan, Lu Yanbin’s eyes glanced at Mrs. Xiao Liu.

Mrs. Xiao Liu just kept looking at the road beneath her feet without saying a word.

Wen Wan noticed this and gave Lu Yanbin an ambiguous smile.

Let him have his way before, chilling Mrs. Xiao Liu’s heart, and now that he wants to warm it up again, it won’t be so easy.

——

The candidates outside the Imperial Examination Hall had just entered, and a military report, sent in haste from eight hundred miles away at the Northern Border, was immediately delivered to the Crown Prince.

Lu Xingzhou reported in the military dispatch that although Bei Yan had numerous troops, they couldn’t withstand the mechanical beasts’ surprise attack and had resorted to vile tactics, sending people into the Northern Border, bringing a severe epidemic that was still spreading. Every day, countless civilians and soldiers were dying and being burned. The military supplies were insufficient, and he requested support from the court.

Zhao Xi’s expression became slightly somber, instructing Eunuch Sanbao to deliver the news to the Changning Marquis Mansion.

Zhao Xunyin was pruning flowers in the courtyard, and upon hearing the news, her hand shook, and the flower shears clattered to the ground.

Eunuch Sanbao quickly said, "Eldest Princess, please don’t worry too much. The Marquis is temporarily safe."

Zhao Xunyin regained her composure and thanked Eunuch Sanbao, inviting him for tea.

Eunuch Sanbao excused himself, saying he still had matters to attend to, and soon left the Changning Marquis Mansion.

Shortly after Eunuch Sanbao left, Lu Yanqing emerged from a corner, looking very serious. Before Zhao Xunyin could speak, he said, "I heard everything."

Zhao Xunyin showed a surprised expression.

Lu Yanqing had mentioned before that his hearing was exceptional, and she hadn’t expected that he could hear from such a distance.

But at the moment, Zhao Xunyin was more concerned about Wen Wan’s premonition than about Lu Yanqing’s hearing ability.

Before Lu Xingzhou went north, Wen Wan had said she saw him dying of plague.

Who would have thought that Bei Yan would strike at the Northern Border civilians because they couldn’t deal with the mechanical beasts?

Zhao Xunyin felt very uneasy.

She feared Wen Wan’s premonition would come true.

Even if her man were to die, it should be heroically in battle, not due to the treacherous schemes of despicable people!

Summoning Dou Kou, Zhao Xunyin ordered, "Prepare the carriage, I want to enter the palace."

"I’ll go with Mother." Lu Yanqing said.

Zhao Xunyin disagreed, "That girl is still in our home, you must stay."

Lu Yanqing was unmoved, "She doesn’t need anyone to take care of her."

"But you still need to stay." Zhao Xunyin said in an almost commanding tone.

She was worried her son might go to the Crown Prince to request to head to the Northern Border.

If it were a battle between armies, she would have nothing to say if her son wanted to contribute to the country. But the situation now was different; it was a plague, and anyone who got infected could die!

Bei Yan’s plan was to take Northern Border without incurring a single troop, truly a sinister and heinous act.

Dou Kou quickly passed the message to the outer courtyard.

The servants acted swiftly, and in no time, a carriage was prepared and brought in with a report.

Zhao Xunyin once again ordered Lu Yanqing, "Stay put at home, I’ll see the Crown Prince and return quickly."

Lu Yanqing pursed his lips, saying nothing.

Zhao Xunyin added, "If you go to the Northern Border behind my back, you’ll be harming that girl."