After returning, Song Qiming told Song Jinzhao about the matter. How much do you know about Duan Yanhua?
Song Qiming sat down and explained in detail, Just his past achievements, essays, and poems. Originally, it was just to let Gaoli gain a clever advantage. I didn't expect it to turn out like this.
Song Jinzhao stopped her fingers, which had been repeatedly tapping on the table. Can the person who placed last in the metropolitan examination enter the Imperial Academy?
Song Qiming froze for a moment, then shook his head and replied, He shouldn't be able to. With that result, he could only go to a remote area to be a county magistrate.
Yet Duan Yanhua had entered the Imperial Academy, which was a bit strange.
Song Jinzhao continued asking, How old is he this year?
Song Qiming: Fifty-six.
Raising the corner of her eye, she asked, When did he pass the examination to become a tribute student?
Song Qiming recalled the information he had gathered earlier. At thirty-seven.
Song Jinzhao said, That means he has stayed in the position of a compiler at the Imperial Academy for nineteen years without a promotion. This implies that the person who patronized him and stuffed him into the Imperial Academy made no further moves afterward. And he himself lacked the ability to climb higher.
Song Qiming moved his lips, nodding in contemplation. His past achievements are indeed not very outstanding. They can be considered quite average.
When he suggested that Song Gaoli praise Duan Yanhua, he had put in a lot of effort. It was like picking meat scraps from chicken bones, trying his best to exaggerate the merits.
Early the next morning, before the sun had even risen, Song Gaoli arrived at Song Jinzhao's house at the agreed time, carrying two large bundles on his back.
Chunxing and Fushun stood at the door with disappointed faces. Eldest Miss, please rest assured. In half a year, we will definitely be able to train our successors.
Seeing that their employer was about to achieve great success, they also wanted to follow her to the capital. However, the business in Anyang Prefecture could not be left without supervision, so they could only wait until the newcomers were completely familiar with the work before leaving.
If the Eldest Young Master could pass the imperial examination and become a presented scholar, he would definitely return next March, and they could all leave together then.
Song Jinzhao gave a slight nod. She looked up at the Song Manor's plaque, her eyes deep and distant.
Having been here for just over a year, she was leaving again. What would the road ahead be like? Would it bring fortune or disaster? In this feudal era where imperial power was supreme, even as a woman, she was determined to forge her own path.
She swung herself onto her horse. Her skirt fluttered between heaven and earth, elegant and unrestrained, exuding an aura no less impressive than that of a man.
Four people rode on horseback, flanking the carriage in the middle. Song Gaoli, sitting inside the carriage, looked at Song Jinzhao leading the way. He lifted the window curtains to look left and right. Even three-year-old Song Anhao was being held by Song Shixue on horseback. Inside the carriage, besides himself, there was only Lanxi driving, and Xuetuan sleeping in its cage.
Whenever he lifted the curtain, he would meet the slightly adorable and dazed eyes of the tiger. If they stared at each other for too long, the adorable look would turn fierce, and the low roars rumbling from its throat terrified him into quickly dropping the curtain.
When it was little, it was as cute as a kitten, but growing up, it really became quite fierce.
Even a king of the forest with a defective brain was still the king of the forest. When enraged, it would definitely eat people.
When they reached the city gates, a carriage had already been waiting for a long time.
Master, they are here, the carriage driver turned his head and said into the cabin.
Duan Yanhua emerged from the carriage. His gaze fell upon the woman riding the tall, majestic horse, and a smile appeared on his face. He figured this must be Lady Linghui.
As they approached, Duan Yanhua cupped his hands and bowed. Greetings, Lady Linghui.
Song Jinzhao dismounted and gave a slight nod in response. Lord Duan, there is no need for such formality.
Song Qiming bowed to Duan Yanhua in greeting. This student pays his respects to Lord Duan. Standing behind him, Song Shixue silently curtsied.
The slightly stagnant atmosphere was broken by Song Gaoli calling out, Teacher! He jumped down from the carriage and ran over to Duan Yanhua, his smile so enthusiastic that several of his front teeth were showing.
Duan Yanhua's gaze swept over Xuetuan. Why did they bring a tiger along? Weren't they afraid?
Song Jinzhao spoke up, It is getting late. We should set off quickly so we don't end up sleeping in the wilderness.
If they left now and did not delay on the road, they could make it to the next city to rest before dark.
As they departed, Song Gaoli had already boarded Duan Yanhua's carriage. Their group was not large. Besides the driver, there were only two guards on horseback, who looked like they knew some martial arts.
