The next morning, Chang Zhong had just woken up and hadn't had breakfast yet when the servant came in and said, "Sir, the Fourth Prince is here."
Changzhong glanced at the time and asked, "The Fourth Prince has left the palace at this time?"
The servant reminded quietly, "The Fourth Prince can live in the Crown Prince's Mansion."
Changzhong, "... "
Oh, that’s right, the Crown Prince is the Fourth Prince’s biological brother!
The fourth prince came into the room and breakfast was just served on the table. He saw Changzhong eating dumplings slowly and carefully, "Can you still eat breakfast?"
"Has your Highness had breakfast?"
The Fourth Prince did not eat. He was worried about whether Changzhong had won the first place in the imperial examination. Seeing that Changzhong was not in a hurry, he curled his lips and sat down to eat with them.
Because of the arrival of the Fourth Prince, the eldest maid quickly went to the kitchen to get more breakfast. After a while, steamed dumplings and other food appeared on Changzhong's table.
Changzhong ate little for breakfast and put down his chopsticks quickly, but the Fourth Prince kept eating and by the time he finished eating, most of the plate was empty.
Changzhong was speechless, "Your Highness didn't eat last night?"
The fourth prince said, "I don't eat much."
Changzhong couldn't help but ask, "Didn't the prince tell Your Highness the results of the list?"
The fourth prince shook his head. "Only father and eldest brother know the list. My eldest brother won't tell me."
Do you think he hasn't asked secretly? He didn't dare to test his father, but he was not polite to his brother. Every time his brother smiled and said nothing, he felt very uneasy.
In fact, Changzhong didn't want to wait for the list. Wouldn't it be nice to stay at home? Anyway, there were officials to announce the good news, so why go to a crowded place
It’s a pity that the Fourth Prince wanted to go and even argued that witnessing it with his own eyes would feel different.
In the end, the line that went to see the results was huge. They left late, and when they arrived, the place was already packed with people.
The carriage couldn't squeeze in because there were so many people in front, including the candidates who were taking the exam, their servants, and the common people who came to join in the fun. There was no way to squeeze in without reserving a spot in advance.
Changzhong stood beside the carriage and spread his hands, "I said I won't come to defend the list!"
The fourth prince said quietly, "Who told you to come late?"
Changzhong was very single, "Shall we go back?"
The fourth prince jumped on the carriage to see if there were any acquaintances. His eyes were sharp, and he spotted acquaintances in the teahouse box. "Come on, I'll take you to find some space."
Then he went to the teahouse and met the Third Prince. There were only the Third Prince and Lord Du in the private room, so it was very spacious.
Fortunately, Minghui and Mingrui came with us today, and no female members of the Zhou family came, so there was no need to avoid them.
The third prince silently watched the fourth prince making the decisions and could not help rubbing his forehead. He would rather please the crown prince than the fourth prince, who was too troublesome.
Master Du opened his mouth several times but finally fell silent. The Third Prince had no ambition and ended up submitting to the Crown Prince. The legitimate Fourth Prince could not afford to offend him.
Changzhong greeted the Third Prince, "Greetings, Your Highness."
The Third Prince smiled and said, "We are all familiar with each other, so there is no need to be so formal."
There was indeed no need to be so formal, and several people sat down one after another.
The fourth prince smiled and said, "Third brother, I know you bet on Changzhong. You came to guard the list today. You wouldn't bet on the third and the first place like me, right?"
The Third Prince was not surprised to see Zhou Changzhong's expression. He thought that the Fourth Prince had a very good relationship with this man, so he generously admitted, "Yes, but it's a pity that I don't have much private property."
Buying books is his biggest expense. As a result of buying too many books recently, his wallet has shrunk. His mother was not favored to begin with, and was disliked by his father in his early years. His mother did not have much money. Although he had never been deducted, he was still a poor prince and could not compare to the young masters of aristocratic families in terms of money.
Master Du was even more conflicted. In order to please the third prince, he also used money to bet on Zhou Changzhong.
Mingrui and Minghui just quietly drank tea as the background, but they also secretly bet on Fourth Uncle!
At this time, it was quiet outside when the list was posted. After the list was posted, there was no need to wait for the servant to come back to report. The gamblers exclaimed one after another, and Changzhong's mouth curled up. He was the champion.
The fourth prince stood up excitedly and walked to the window, then listened carefully to confirm that someone was calling Changzhong the champion. "Haha, I knew you could do it. You really made me proud."
He was one step closer to becoming rich overnight and was only waiting for the results of the palace examination.
The Third Prince loosened his grip on the cup, feeling very happy. He raised the cup and said, "Congratulations."
Chang Zhong replied, "Congratulations."
Master Du also congratulated him, his heart pounding. The Third Prince had staked 3,500 taels, and his family had paid 2,000 taels. When the accounts were settled, his congratulations were so sincere.
The fourth prince was happy and said, "It's a pity that I bet too little, but even so, I made it, haha."
Changzhong, "... "
Why are you happy about him winning the first prize? Obviously, you are happy about getting rich!
The news that Changzhong had won the first place in the imperial examination spread like wildfire. When the official who brought the good news arrived at the marquis's mansion, the door of the mansion had already been opened, and the official who brought the good news was given a thick red envelope. Fireworks were set off and money was scattered. All the wealthy and powerful families here came to ask for money with the permission of their master.
Mrs. Li and Boss Zhou received the guests who were congratulating them. Zhulan chanted Buddhist scriptures and waved her hand, and the monthly salary would be tripled.
In the palace, Zhou Shuren knew the result as soon as he left the court. He had already received a wave of envious and jealous looks.
Zhuo Guyu entered the palace today. Zhuo Guyu was the most complicated person. None of the young men who took the exam at the Yong'an Duke's Mansion passed. Accidents happened one after another before the New Year. His two younger brothers finally insisted on taking the exam but dropped out halfway through. His grandfather aged several years in an instant, but he still had to insist on planning for revenge.
After the emperor finished discussing state affairs, he actually wanted to show off Zhou Changzhong's paper, but in order to maintain the mystery of the palace examination results, the emperor resisted the urge to show off.
When the list came out, he looked at the top ten papers. In terms of handwriting, Changzhong was the best, and then there were the opinions. Some people had unique opinions, but unfortunately they were too radical and too sharp. The reform that the emperor wanted was to lay a solid foundation step by step, rather than a hasty and one-size-fits-all approach that would intensify conflicts and leave behind the root causes that would shake the country's foundation.
Not only did Changzhong's views agree with his own, but he also made a thorough analysis of the contradictions among the classes, which was both sharp and effective, and he also found ways to ease the situation.
This is something that some students from poor families cannot access. Many of their views are based on their own opinions, and no matter how well the wealthy and powerful families hide their opinions, they still have resentment in their hearts. And when they want to express their own ideas, they become even more outspoken.
Zhou Shuren was puzzled as the emperor clearly wanted to say something but held back and asked them to leave. He couldn't help but wonder in his heart!
After leaving the government hall, Lord Gong had already congratulated him, "Congratulations, Lord Zhou."
Zhou Shuren came back to his senses and smiled, "Congratulations, congratulations."
Mr. Gong, "If you get one more dollar, it will be the big three dollars, and if you add the small three dollars, it will be incredible."
Zhou Shuren was so happy that he said modestly, "No one can predict the result of the palace examination."
Lord Gong smiled. He felt that he had a good chance of becoming the top scorer. The difference between the north and the south could be seen for the third place winner, but the national competition for the fourth place winner had already proved Zhou Changzhong's strength. He suddenly regretted not placing a bet, but unfortunately he could not place a bet now.
The Ministers of Works and Justice also congratulated him, but the Ministers of Rites and Personnel were a step slower.
The officials were depressed. Why didn’t the descendants of Zhou Houfu accept students