Chapter 297 - 298: Betrothal

Chapter 297: Chapter 298: Betrothal

For the past three days, Ancient Wen Heng received endless invitations, but he declined them all, using his preparation for the palace examination as an excuse.

On the day of the palace examination, Ancient Wen Heng, dressed neatly, followed a guard’s lead and arrived at the great hall.

Rows of desks were already set up, and seating was assigned according to the rankings from the previous announcement.

After paying his respects to the Emperor, he composed himself and began to focus on the exam question on the scroll.

It was an essay question on integrity versus greed. After a moment of thought, Ancient Wen Heng picked up his brush and began to write.

Hua Shunming sat on his high throne, his eyes constantly sweeping over the candidates. No one noticed that his gaze lingered a little longer whenever it fell upon Ancient Wen Heng.

Ancient Wen Heng sensed that many eyes in the great hall were on him, but it didn’t affect him in the slightest. He continued writing without pause.

His calm and composed demeanor, free of any anxiety, piqued the curiosity of many ministers who had initially been only slightly interested.

When they saw him put down his brush, some couldn’t resist walking over to stand beside him and read.

After reading, they didn’t forget to take a closer look at Ancient Wen Heng before nodding silently in approval.

One followed another, and eventually, even Hua Shunming came down from his throne to join the crowd.

With so many people moving about the hall, the other candidates who had not yet finished held their breath, trying their best not to make any mistakes.

When the bronze gong sounded, everyone put down their brushes, whether they were finished or not.

Ancient Wen Heng silently exited the great hall with the others. The imperial examinations were finally over!

As soon as he stepped out of the palace gates, Ancient Wen Heng walked toward his family’s carriage. He lifted the curtain to find Jin Qianqian holding their child, looking at him with a smile.

Without asking how the exam went, Jin Qianqian said, "Let’s go home."

"Home!" Gu Benluo shouted excitedly. "Father, you promised you’d play with me today! I still want to go catch fish."

Jin Qianqian said, "This little one is still obsessed with the big fish he caught last time. But not today, it’s too late. Your father has had a long day. We’ll go another time."

Gu Benluo looked at Ancient Wen Heng with anticipation, but when he saw his father nod in agreement, his head drooped in disappointment.

Ancient Wen Heng reached out and stroked his head. "Wait until tomorrow. I’ll definitely take you tomorrow."

Unfortunately, he had to break his promise again. Waking up to a hazy drizzle, Ancient Wen Heng could only take his son to the small fishpond in the backyard to fish for koi.

"You’re in high spirits," Lu Ping said, walking over with an umbrella. The father-son duo, one big and one small, were properly decked out in straw raincoats, holding fishing rods and fishing in earnest.

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "This has its own kind of fun. Want to give it a try?"

The group became two adults and a child, each with a fishing rod, staring at the plump fish swimming around in the pond.

"Why aren’t the fish biting?" Lu Ping thought. ’I must be an idiot for getting roped into this foolishness by this father and son.’

"Fishing requires patience. Haven’t you seen how well our Luo Luo has been doing?" As soon as Ancient Wen Heng finished speaking, Luo Luo, praised by his father, looked up and gave Lu Ping a wide, toothy grin.

The sight melted Lu Ping’s heart. He blurted out, completely out of the blue, "I’m getting married."

Ancient Wen Heng asked, "So, you came over to invite me for a drink?"

"Not that fast. Before I came, my mother was already having our birth dates matched. If there are no major issues, the wedding date will be set when I return." An image of a shy and timid figure flashed through Lu Ping’s mind, but he couldn’t recall what she looked like.

Ancient Wen Heng said, "It’s good to settle it soon. A man grows up once he settles down and starts a family."

Lu Ping said, "That’s what my mother says too. So after I’m married, she’s going to give me that old grocery store to manage. She said it was because of my friendship with you that the shop was saved from ruin.

Brother, you know I don’t usually handle business matters. Now that my mother has dumped this on me, you have to help me."

Ancient Wen Heng finally understood why the guy had come to visit even in the rain. "What’s so difficult about it? Your mother must have left you some staff. Just handle it according to the old rules."

Lu Ping’s face fell. "That’s the problem. My mother said those are old retainers from her dowry, and she has other plans for them. She told me to figure it out myself."

Ancient Wen Heng gave him a sympathetic look. "Then coming to me is useless, isn’t it? You can’t expect me to manage it for you, can you?"

"I wouldn’t dare ask, nor could I afford you!" Lu Ping waved his hands frantically, nearly dropping his fishing rod into the water. He fumbled to get a grip on it.

"Do you think I could send my people over, and have one of your shopkeepers train them a bit?"

Lu Ping’s face was filled with hope. He knew better than anyone that the Gu Family couple were no simpletons. In just a few short years, they had become one of the wealthiest families in Dao City. If his own people could learn something from them, his life would be much easier.

Ancient Wen Heng said, "They can shadow a junior steward. The chief stewards won’t have time to train your people."

Lu Ping was more than satisfied. "That’s already great! I won’t say any more thanks. You just rest easy here. If anything comes up in Dao City, you can always find me."

Ancient Wen Heng patted his shoulder. "You need to put in some effort yourself, too. You can’t just rely on your father forever."

But Lu Ping just grinned. "It’s fine. When my dad can’t do it anymore, I’ll go to my brother."

Ancient Wen Heng was speechless. ’...’ He had almost forgotten that this guy’s brother was a seventh-rank county magistrate, and probably due for a promotion soon.

「 」

Bai Jinglie hadn’t expected that in just a few days, Old Madam Bai would have actually chosen a wife for him.

"What? You’re not satisfied?" Old Madam Bai stared at him, her eyes wide. "Do you know how carefully I selected this girl? I made extensive inquiries before finally settling on her.

If you think she’s suitable, you should go to the palace and ask the Holy Emperor to officiate the match."

"Must we choose from a general’s family?" Bai Jinglie asked, looking helpless. "Have you forgotten? My father still holds military power. The current Emperor will never agree to let us become entangled with the Border City Commander."

Bai Jinglie looked at Old Madam Bai with some concern. ’With her astuteness, how could she make such a decision?’

Old Madam Bai slapped a hand on his shoulder. "Take back that look. Your grandmother is not senile yet.

Your father has grown more muddle-headed over the years. I need to wake him up.

He shouldn’t think he can challenge imperial authority just because he has a little military power in his hands.

If we form a marriage alliance with General Deng of the Southwest Border, one of the two sides will have to concede.

General Deng defends the border, which means your father will be the one to surrender his military power.

I refuse to believe he hasn’t noticed the subtle and not-so-subtle moves made against him from above these past few years.

Only those two idiots would think you’re the one stirring up all this trouble, finding fault with you at every turn."

Speaking of this, the Old Madam’s face filled with anger. ’They are failures themselves and lack all perception, yet they insist on venting their anger on their eldest grandson. Have they forgotten? He is an idle Marquis. Who would be offended by him holding military power?’