Chapter 258 - 239: Wedding Banquet (Part 3)
Chapter 258: Chapter 239: Wedding Banquet (Part 3)
The newlywed couple was a bit shy, and by the time they appeared in the front yard, it was already noon.
"There’s breakfast prepared for you in the kitchen, do you still want to eat?" Zhang Pandi asked. "If not, just skip it, we’ll have lunch soon, join us for that."
"Where’s my mother?" Su Yaoguang asked, "Isn’t she at the shop today?"
"Seems like someone specifically requested her presence for a business meeting at their place. Maybe she’s discussing business on site?" Zhang Yingdi said, "Judging by the time, she should be done soon."
Zhang Zhaodi returned from outside with a smile on her face, "Why are you all looking at me? The person who invited me today said they wanted to bask in my family’s good fortune, insisted I go over to manage their projects. I did, and the payment was three times my usual rate. I tried to refuse but they insisted, saying having someone as lucky as me handle their project, their son will surely pass the exams next year."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Zhang Zhaodi was treated like a lucky charm.
But this was also a good thing.
As long as no one stirred up trouble, everyone was happy to engage in something mutually beneficial.
After the wedding celebration at Taoyao Square ended, everyone’s focus shifted back to business.
Nonetheless, their business kept booming.
On one hand, the goods from Taoyao Square were indeed top-notch. On the other hand, having someone in the family achieve Hui Yuan status made everyone eager to form connections and prepare for the future.
A few days later, it was time for the palace exam; Zhou Wangshu, Wang Huanzhi, and Zhong Chushan were qualified to participate, while Chen Buyu’s ranking was too low, missing out on the opportunity.
This time, the folks from Taoyao Square didn’t accompany Zhou Wangshu to the palace gates, as that’s not a place ordinary people can tread.
Zhang Zhaodi stood at the door, watching Zhou Wangshu head toward the palace gates.
Everyone else had already left, but Zhang Zhaodi lingered. As she prepared to leave, she saw Su Rende passing by and hurriedly ran over and stopped his horse.
Su Rende tightened the reins.
"Why did you suddenly rush out, aren’t you worried you’ll scare the horse and accidentally hurt yourself?" remarked the attendant.
Su Rende looked at Zhang Zhaodi, "What is the matter this time?"
"My son-in-law has gone into the palace for the exam. You have experience; how quickly do you think the exam will finish and when will the top three results be announced?"
"It varies each time. The duration depends on the Emperor’s mood. If he’s in high spirits today, wanting to discuss national policies more with the scholars, he might drag it out a bit. Are you worried your son-in-law won’t get a good result? Wasn’t he the Hui Yuan? As Hui Yuan, he’s naturally capable, and if he performs normally in the exam, his name will surely be among the top three. Otherwise, what reputation would Hui Yuan have if even they can’t make it to the top three?"
Zhang Zhaodi didn’t understand much, but after hearing Su Rende’s words, she seemed to grasp the idea.
He meant that Zhou Wangshu’s ranking shouldn’t be too bad.
"If you’re anxious, find something else to occupy yourself, just don’t dwell on this matter."
"Hey..." Zhang Zhaodi stroked his horse, "Can you help me get some inside information? If we wait for news to spread out from the inside, the whole Capital City would already know; no need to deliberately inquire then. Help me check how the Emperor evaluates my son-in-law. My heart’s all jittery, I’m really anxious."
"Alright, wait for the news!"
Su Rende rode off.
The attendant glanced back at Zhang Zhaodi and said to Su Rende, "General, are you really going to help her inquire about the top three results?"
"It’s just a trivial matter. She wants early news, so why not just inform her; we have to enter the palace anyway."
The attendant muttered, "You’re unusually patient with this village woman. If it were any other woman making such a request, would you agree?"
Su Rende recalled Zhang Zhaodi’s tearful complaints when she got drunk and felt a bit uneasy.
At that moment, he wished he were the man she was longing for.
A woman raising her daughter alone, not considering remarriage, speaks volumes about how fortunate that man must be. If he had that kind of luck, he’d honor her forever.
"General, General, what are you thinking?" The attendant called out to Su Rende several times. "I’ve called you a few times and you didn’t hear."
"Haven’t you concluded the matter I asked you to investigate? Like this, completely renovate the General Mansion for me, and let’s see if those old things can still climb their way up."