After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

After discussing it, Ning Nan nodded and began to work.

He cooks quickly, with neat and graceful movements. Smoke rises from the kitchen, and in less than half an hour, he has prepared four meat dishes and three vegetable dishes, as well as a pot of mushroom soup.

When the maids came to serve the dishes, he realized that things had taken an unexpected turn. He had initially thought that it was Qin Yuanyao, that dark-skinned woman, who had been meddling and told Governor Gu that she could cook, which had led to this lunch.

But when it was time to eat, this dark-skinned woman didn't come to the table.

There were only four people at the dinner table: himself, Governor Gu, Cuicui, and a tall, richly dressed man.

Governor Gu introduced the man and revealed his identity. Ning Nan was immediately taken aback. This man was none other than Eunuch Wang, the Grand Eunuch sent down by the Emperor!

Ning Nan immediately put down the small dish that had been brought over, wiped his hands on his sleeves, and greeted the emperor with a warm smile and clasped his hands in greeting. He said that he had long admired the eunuch's name and was fortunate to meet him today. It was a pleasure to meet him. It was the first time in his life that he had met a eunuch, and he tried his best to control his excitement, making his eyes and tone seem normal.

The eunuch was not difficult to get along with. He smiled and said, "Young Master Ning has made great contributions this time. He broke through Black Tiger Mountain in such a short time, which surprised the governor and the county officials. He is truly a heroic young man. He has already reported such achievements to the emperor, and the young master's name has reached the ears of the emperor."

He smiled and said, "Congratulations, young master, on already winning the Emperor's favor even before meeting him." The eunuch's voice was not as high-pitched as Ning Nan had imagined; it was similar to that of an ordinary man, but rather mellow and pleasant to listen to.

"So much praise, but nothing substantial..." Ning Nan thought to himself, but on the surface he pretended to be apprehensive and clasped his hands in a fist, saying that it was all thanks to the eunuch's help and that His Majesty was blessed with boundless good fortune.

Wang Daban gave Ning Nan a slight boost, looked him up and down, and said with a smile, "Young Master Ning comes from a rural background, but his demeanor is neither humble nor arrogant. He has the air of a scholar-general, mixed with a touch of nobility. He is truly more noble than a king."

No wonder the emperor liked to listen to the eunuchs' slander; eunuchs really do have a pleasant way of speaking… Ning Nan gave a shy and awkward smile, using the old trick to make himself appear innocent, and said with a blush, “You flatter me, Your Excellency.”

Unlike his feigned unease, the lazy woman Cui Cui was already seated calmly, looking much more composed than him.

"Truly a worldly and sophisticated maid..." Ning Nan thought to himself. He guessed that this woman had already exchanged greetings with the two men before he arrived.

The food smelled delicious, but he ate far less naturally than the other three. He held his bowl obediently and used his chopsticks very carefully, not daring to overstep the bounds, feeling as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

After taking a few bites, Governor Gu exclaimed "Eh!" a few times, pointed at a vegetarian dish with his chopsticks, frowned, and said, "This is strange. How come the vegetarian dishes seem so much better than the food in the Prince's mansion?"

Cui Cui's lips were rounded, and she slightly raised her chin, saying calmly, "These aren't his specialties."

When I left, I didn't bring any fragrant leaves. When I went to the market in the morning, I found that the rice wine in Dingjiang was not the same as that in Lijia Village, so I could only ask the young doctor to make a few home-style dishes.

Hearing Prince Xin's words, Gu Xichuan was stunned for a moment, then his face turned bitter. He felt as if his daughter was determined to get married, and he had just said something, but his daughter immediately came out to explain how good the man was.

Wang Daban, however, ate with a greasy face, praising it repeatedly, and even had two more bowls of rice.

As a former eunuch, he knew a thing or two about Governor Gu's doubts. For these unsavory people in the palace or princely mansions, the worst thing they could do when serving food to nobles was to make it too delicious.

First, the ingredients were often out of season. If the emperor wanted to eat vegetables that were only available in winter during the spring, the eunuchs would have no choice but to hang themselves.

Secondly, the cooking time is difficult to control. If you control it well this time, it will taste delicious. But if the taste changes next time, the important people will notice and get angry. In that case, you will have to hang yourself again. It is better to have a consistent taste than to have a delicious taste.

Moreover, the cooking technique depends on the chef. The head chefs of the imperial kitchen always have to consider that a dish must be something that both chefs can make before they can feel at ease. Otherwise, if only one chef can make it, and that chef dies, but the emperor still wants to eat that dish, then the head chefs will have to line up obediently to hang themselves.

Such palace secrets are only passed down from generation to generation by these filthy people in the palace, used as a life-saving technique.

"Young Master Ning's culinary skills are truly unparalleled!" Wang Daban praised with a smile.

At the same time, he subtly glanced at Prince Xin across from him.

I'm just being a little cautious and praising you in advance... In case, just in case, one day you won't be able to enjoy Young Master Ning's cooking anymore... then you really can't make things difficult for someone like me...

Ning Nan politely replied, "You flatter me, Your Excellency."

After finishing the difficult meal, Ning Nan smiled and took his leave, departing from the county government office, intending to rush back to Lijia Village.

Governor Gu did not see him off. Wang Daban, however, accompanied several eunuchs and palace maids to the county government office. The county magistrate and county constable of Dingjiang County were all astonished by this scene. This young man, at such a young age, had not only caught the eye of Governor Gu, but also seemed to have the emperor's favor! What incredible luck!

Ning Nan smiled and bid farewell to the county magistrate and others. The county magistrate and others immediately bowed and said with a smile, "If we are destined to meet again in the capital, we will meet again with Young Master Ning..." Ning Nan then realized that the county magistrate had gained some credit this time. After some maneuvering, he would probably be transferred back to the capital soon. He immediately smiled and said, "I wish you a smooth and successful career."

After exchanging pleasantries, Ning Nan, along with Cui Cui and the other Imperial Guards, mounted their horses and rode leisurely for a quarter of an hour to digest their food. Then, with a flick of their whips, they quickly spurred their horses and headed straight for Li Family Village.

As the sun gradually set in the west, the group kicked up clouds of dust on the main road, while the sunlight stretched the shadows of people and horses longer and longer.

As the setting sun painted the sky a vibrant orange-red and the stream shimmered like silver, Ning Nan dismounted and returned to Lijia Village, which he had left several days earlier.

As evening fell, wisps of smoke rose from the village chimneys, and farmers, as usual, were driving their cattle home, their tails swishing back and forth, with some children skipping and jumping behind them.

Xiao Chun's attack came four days ago. The Li family village evacuated early, and the able-bodied men and the Imperial Guards deliberately led the bandits of Black Tiger Mountain away from the back mountain before they could cause much damage.

In the past few days, apart from a few households making some noise by replacing a few door panels, the village has largely returned to its usual tranquility.

As for the families of the deceased, the village invited a high-ranking monk to perform several religious rites, and for the first time ever, they received government compensation. Their grief over the loss of their children was ultimately much less intense than that of later generations.

Ning Nan and Cuicui returned to the Ning family's small courtyard in Beipo. As usual, the Imperial Guards went to each household to ask for a few copper coins for lodging.

When they returned home, Widow Ning greeted them with a smile, saying, "You're back! Come in and rest. I'll cook for you tonight."

Cui Cui suddenly lowered her head. When she left, she only asked someone to tell her godmother that someone from her family had come and she needed to go back to visit for a few days. She didn't say much else. This woman must have been worried for several days.

I went inside and took a look.

Sure enough... the incense burner on the altar in the main room was filled with many burnt incense sticks. In the past, Ning would only put in three sticks a day. With her and the young doctor gone, Ning could only rely on the three memorial tablets on the altar to survive... praying that the three tablets would bless the young doctor's safe return.

The young doctor, however, was carefree. He sat down at the table with an air of nonchalance, picked up a teacup, and gulped down a large bowl of tea.

Cui Cui glanced at him disdainfully, then kept her promise, tossed her hair, and went into the kitchen to help her godmother prepare dinner.

After a delicious dinner.

Widow Ning then asked Ning Nan to take Cuicui to stay at Yang Qiniang's house. A few days later, Ning Nan also went to Yang Qiniang's house to pick up Cuicui and bring her into the family. The old woman had already packed Cuicui's clothes and said with a smile, "Cuicui, I made them all according to your size."

Ning Nan wiped his mouth, nodded and said okay, while Cuicui remained silent.

Clutching a quilt and some books that his lazy wife had specifically asked for... After sending his wife to Seventh Sister's house, Ning Nan leisurely strolled around the village.

Big Black is forging iron.

Li Xing hasn't returned yet.

San Zhuang was sleeping at home, and Ning Nan didn't wake him up.

Er Lai was awake, but his injuries hadn't healed yet. He was still lying at home howling, his pillow soaked with tears. He was saying that he hadn't gone to do something as important as taking down Black Tiger Mountain!

When Ning Nan asked his father, he learned that Er Laizi had been worried about San Zhuang's safety these past few days. But after San Zhuang returned to the village, the first thing he did was eat, and the second thing he did was come to Er Laizi's house to brag. He embellished the story of Black Tiger Mountain to the skies, and Er Laizi's wound almost reopened!

Even an honest man like Uncle Donghu couldn't help himself and quickly chased Sanzhuang away.

Ning Nan chuckled and reassured him, "Are you worried about not having any battles to fight?"

After exchanging a few words and waiting for Erlaizi to finally stop howling, Ning Nan hummed a little tune and walked home into the night.

We've just started up the long slope.

His gaze sharpened.

Outside the Ning family's courtyard, three carriages were parked, one, two, three...

He narrowed his eyes, feeling a little strange. These three carriages... were actually quite luxurious.