The news that the Crown Prince and Xie Zhaoan were planning to reform the imperial examination system spread quickly throughout the streets and alleys. All the scholars were moved when they heard this, and they all sighed that their more than ten years of hard study would finally bear fruit today. Of course, there were also many people who thought that this was simply nonsense.
For example, the prince's companion, after hearing about this, started pacing around the room in a panic.
The prince leaned against the window, looked at him like this, smiled, and put his fingers on his forehead, which added a bit of sarcasm.
"Why, are you scared?"
The tutor walked up to the prince, his expression full of panic.
"Your Highness, you know that if I were to go to the examination room like this, I would probably be laughed at. It would be better for me not to participate in this year's Spring Examination."
The prince's fingers gently stroked the companion's delicate face. Although he was a man, he had a petite figure and looked very delicate, which was rare to see.
"What are you afraid of? Don't you still have me?"
After hearing this, the companion felt a little more at ease. He wanted to say something else, but the prince had already put his fingers on his lips, picked him up by the waist and threw him onto the bed. Then some indescribable sounds were heard in the room.
However, Shen Xining did not have much emotion after hearing about the Spring Examination. Since Xie Zhaoan mentioned this matter that day, it was not surprising that Xie Zhaoan was determined to do this today. The only difficult part was how to successfully implement the reform of the Spring Examination.
Afternoon.
Shen Xining had just woken up from a nap. It was a rare visit by Xie Zhaoan. Due to his special status, Shen's father did not stop him. When Xie Zhaoan came in, he happened to see the woman with red lips and white teeth, leaning on the couch with a dazed look in her eyes, reading a book lazily. He coughed lightly and smiled faintly.
"Lord Shen loves reading so much, could it be that he wants to take part in the imperial examination this year?"
"If the imperial examination system is reformed to allow women to study, I will definitely participate."
Xie Zhaoan did not pour cold water on her. He was well aware of Shen Xining's talent. She wrote cherry blossom calligraphy in a very delicate manner, and was not at all timid when talking about national affairs. If she were a man, she would definitely make a name for herself in the court.
Shen Xining stood up lazily and looked at Xie Zhaoan with scrutiny in his eyes.
"Fourth Prince, you didn't come here today to tease me, did you? There is no need for you to tease me."
"nature."
Xie Zhaoan found a seat and sat down. He unceremoniously picked up the teacup that Shen Xining had used and took a sip of tea. Then he put the cup down and relaxed his brows.
"Mrs. Shen is truly a talented woman. Her tea-making skills are extraordinary. I heard today that Mr. Shen's mother was also a talented woman. If possible, I hope that Mr. Shen can lend me the books that Madam Shen left behind."
Shen Xining frowned. It was too coincidental that he came to look for the books left by her mother at this point in time. She was afraid that he wanted to use the books left by his mother as the topic for this spring examination
"Fourth Prince, the things my mother left behind have never been in my hands. I have also heard that she was a talented woman, but most of the works she left behind were regarded as monsters and burned."
This absurd statement was the conclusion drawn by the Taoist priest that Shen found after he joined the sect.
Xie Zhaoan smiled slightly.
"Sir Shen, we are now in the same boat. If this Spring Examination can be successfully concluded, we can discuss the deal between us."
This was a threat, and more of a warning. Even Shen Xining knew that even if Xie Zhaoan didn't warn her, she would do her best to contribute to the Spring Examination. However, Xie Zhaoan laid out the conditions, and Shen Xining had a way out, so she nodded.
"In that case, I will try my best to find it. However, it may be a bit too radical to use my mother's posthumous work as the test question. This behavior may not be recognized by the world."
Xie Zhaoan opened the fan in his hand and fanned it in a mysterious way.
"That's my business. Lord Shen asked so many detailed questions. Could it be that he wanted to reveal the answer to someone else? I heard that Lord Shen's second uncle is a talented person, but unfortunately, he is a businessman and has never achieved any fame in all these years."
Shen Xining looked at Xie Zhaoan with doubtful eyes. He was just being unreasonable. What did this have to do with her second uncle? Besides, why did she need to reveal the truth? The Shen family was rich and powerful, so she could stay single for her whole life.
Xie Zhaoan stood up and drank the tea in the cup.
"Master Shen, the tea is really well brewed."
Shen Xining looked at the cup in his hand. It was her cup. She felt awkward, but she also felt that given the relationship between them, it would be hypocritical for her to behave like this. So she forced herself not to say anything. However, she didn't expect that this look of hers would make Xie Zhaoan feel itchy.
Xie Zhaoan left, and Yuewei looked at his master with some confusion.
"Sir, does the Spring Examination have anything to do with Lord Shen's grandmother's family?"
Xie Zhaoan was in a rare good mood today, and he said a few more words.
"No, but Shen Xining will definitely go to my grandmother's house to look for any relics left by Ning An. Naturally, the truth about Ning An's death will emerge. At that time, I'm afraid Shen Xining will start to take action."
Xie Zhaoan had long seen through that Shen Xining didn't care about the Shen family's wealth and glory. Everything she planned for the Shen family now, whether it was peace and success or fame and fortune, was nothing more than for her mother's last words. If she knew that her mother's death was not due to the so-called illness, he would like to see whether Shen Xining would still be as indifferent as she is now.
He just wanted to see Shen Xining go crazy and mad.
Yuewei nodded, not quite understanding.
"Sir, you have your own reasons for doing things, but your efforts just now were a little too heroic. Don't you never use teacups that have been used by others?"
Xie Zhaoan's footsteps suddenly stopped. Yuewei was standing just behind him, looking at Xie Zhaoan in confusion.
"gentlemen... ... "
Xie Zhaoan turned around and looked at Yuewei in surprise, then said in a cold voice.
"What do you know about husband-wife fun?"
couple
Will the two of them really get married!
Yuewei widened her eyes, obviously finding it hard to imagine what Xie Zhaoan would look like after getting married. In Xie Zhaoan's mind, he remembered the day when Shen Xining and Xie Ning lay asleep together on the carriage.