The Prime Minister’s Darling-Chapter 420 - : 212 Entering the Palace (Second More)
Chapter 420: 212 Entering the Palace (Second More)
The mansion.
A list of candidates’ ranks from the Imperial Examination was delivered into the hands of Prime Minister Zhuang and Prince An.
Prime Minister Zhuang had already known the foremost two ranks. Apart from Prince An, there were no other prominent candidates from the Zhuang faction this time, so the list was set aside by him after it arrived.
Prince An didn’t look at it either.
He had absolute confidence that he would be the top scorer.
He only asked one question, “Is there a person named Xiao Liulang on the list?”
Wuyang said, “Yes, he tied for first place with you.”
“Oh?” Prince An pointedly glanced at the side.
Wuyang passed the list back to him.
Prince An’s gaze fell on Xiao Liulang’s name, and he raised his eyebrows slightly. “This Xiao Liulang is somewhat unexpected,” he commented nonchalantly.
Just as Wuyang was about to speak, a maid outside spoke, “Master, you’re here?”
Wuyang quickly retreated to the side to pay his respects to Prime Minister Zhuang as he walked in.
Prime Minister Zhuang waved his hand, and Wuyang respectfully withdrew.
Prince An stood up, greeted him with a smile, “Grandfather!”
“Hmm.” Prime Minister Zhuang responded in a deep voice.
Prince An walked around the desk and waited for Prime Minister Zhuang to sit down on the official’s chair before he took a seat on another chair below him.
A maid served tea, and then slipped out.
The room was so quiet that only the sound of Prime Minister Zhuang sipping his tea was audible.
Prince An asked, “Grandfather, why haven’t you rested so late?”
“I came to see you.” Prime Minister Zhuang set down the hot cup of tea in his hand, looked at him without a smile and said, “Have you seen the Imperial Examination list?”
“Hmm.” Prince An nodded, “Just a moment ago.”
Prime Minister Zhuang asked, “Is this Xiao Liulang a classmate of yours from the Guozijian?”
“Yes.” Prince An nodded again.
Having weathered the storms of officialdom for many years, Prime Minister Zhuang could discern alarming information with one glance. He looked at his grandson with suspicion, “Do you know him?”
Prince An chuckled and said, “Do you remember why I insisted on reopening the Guozijian?”
Prime Minister Zhuang furrowed his eyebrows, “You said the Empress Dowager stays at a candidate’s house, and as long as he studies in the Guozijian, she will come to Capital City as well…could it be this person?”
Prince An replied, “Yes, it’s him.”
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Prime Minister Zhuang’s eyes turned cold as he heard this.
Prince An continued, “Grandfather, don’t be hasty, he doesn’t know the identity of the Great Aunt. I suspect that when the Great Aunt ended up in that village, she fainted by accident at his doorstep. They recognized her leprosy and feared they would be sent to Mafeng Mountain along with her. So, they hid her and cured her.”
“Can leprosy be cured?” Prime Minister Zhuang questioned.
Prince An replied, “I’ve seen the Great Aunt. Her leprosy has indeed been healed.”
Prime Minister Zhuang still didn’t believe that anyone in this world could cure leprosy. He reasoned, “Perhaps what the Empress Dowager had was not leprosy at all, but just something that looked like it.”
Prince An didn’t refute Prime Minister Zhuang’s speculation. It didn’t matter now. The Empress Dowager had already been cured. All they needed was to establish their power in the capital and wait for the Empress Dowager to regain her memory. Their family would once again rise to prominence.
Prime Minister Zhuang remarked pensively, “This candidate is not simple.”
Prince An nonchalantly responded, “He is just the best scholar from the Imperial Examination. There is no need for grandfather to worry too much about it. I didn’t really exert myself for this exam.”
That was true. He had not given his best effort.
Xiao Liulang must have given his all. Even so, his ability to tie for first place was impressive.
Since he was a child, Prince An had never met anyone who could compete with him.
Although the young Lord from Zhaodu had a big name, he was only famous because he hadn’t encountered him. If he hadn’t been a hostage in Chen Kingdom for nearly ten years, it could have been anyone’s name making waves in Zhaodu.
Prince An added, “I plan to take this person under my wing. I hope grandfather will not do anything to him.”
Being able to use him would certainly be best as he knew too much. If he joined another faction, it could be detrimental to the whole Zhuang family.
Prime Minister Zhuang made a sound of agreement, “If you say so, I can refrain from acting against him for now. However, you should understand that you must not lose to him again in the Palace Examination.”
What the Zhuang family wanted was not just any scholar, but the top scorer of Class Alpha in the Imperial Examination!
“I understand.” Predicting victory, Prince An lightly chuckled and said, “During the Palace Examination, I will do my best.”
Having said everything he meant to say, and considering this grandson of his had always spared him worries, Prime Minister Zhuang refrained from saying anything more. He got up and left.
