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

Zhu Cuiwei smiled faintly on her fair and delicate oval face: "Madam Jia is too kind. Cuiwei is of limited talent and learning. In recent years, I have been busy with official duties and mundane matters, and my knowledge of poetry, books and elegant matters is very shallow. I dare not accept the title of 'appreciator'."

Her voice was clear and steady, like a vast, deep lake that remained calm and undisturbed.

Lady Jia immediately bowed slightly and said with a smile, "Your Highness is too modest. It is also my fault. With Your Highness's appearance and talent, I should not have said anything about 'appraisal' or 'appreciation.' Instead, I should have asked Your Highness to do me the honor of looking at the calligraphy sent by the Northern Barbarians. I wonder how much of the Han people's spirit is still left."

Madam Jia spoke with a touch of grandeur and pride. Zhu Cuiwei, her lips curving into a smile, glanced at the smiling Madam Jia with some surprise.

Although Jia came from a humble background and had endured many years of hardship to become the principal wife of the Marquis, her demeanor and quick wit made her seem like a seasoned and capable matriarch who had been in charge of the Marquis's household for many years.

She speaks and acts with ease and composure, always knowing when to advance and retreat, and never losing sight of righteousness. She truly lives up to her reputation as the elder sister of the Right Vice Minister of War. Vice Minister Jia often says that he owes his success to his elder sister's teachings and guidance in his youth, and it seems that her words are indeed true.

When the Marquis of Zhenguo was at the age of fifty, he promoted him to the position of official, which was probably not entirely because of Minister Jia's influence.

Zhu Cuiwei smiled faintly and said, "Madam, you flatter me. Whether in the North or the South, we are all Han Chinese. Three hundred years ago, in the Youyun region of the North, there were also Han people who spoke the language of the barbarians. But after our Great Ancestor drove out the Tartars and unified the country, he bridged the gap between the North and the South from the Yuan Dynasty. The Han people of the North were immersed in our Han culture for only a few years before their hearts were won over. I would never look down on the literary circles of the North. Since it is a piece of calligraphy, there is no harm in taking a look."

Lady Jia and the other noble ladies immediately became more serious, nodding repeatedly, saying that what Prince Xin said was absolutely right and hit the nail on the head, and that Prince Xin's magnanimity far surpassed that of ordinary people, truly worthy of being a descendant of Emperor Taizu.

At the same time, everyone felt a chill run down their spines, knowing that Prince Xin was warning the Jia family and also warning them... The court would sooner or later launch a northern expedition like Emperor Taizu, pursuing the fleeing enemy... They shouldn't get too involved with the Northern Dynasty...

With a cheerful smile, Madam Jia led the way toward Huanyue Pavilion, chatting and joking with Zhu Cui as they walked, keeping the group entertained throughout the journey.

Huanyue Pavilion occupies a large area and is located in the west courtyard of the Marquis's mansion. The courtyard is filled with all kinds of flowers and plants. As far as the eye can see, there are peonies, orchids, azaleas, cardamom, and forget-me-nots in full bloom. There are also a few clumps of green bamboo and a few pine and cypress trees. To the left, there is a small pond with lotus leaves in the water. Several koi fish swim in the water, and every now and then, a fish will pop its head out, and a few bubbles will bloom in the pond.

Huanyue Pavilion Flower Hall is located directly in front of this small courtyard.

At this time, the flower hall, like the Mu Dong Pavilion, was divided into left and right sides.

On the left are mostly renowned scholars and talented men, as well as the sons of Lady Xun, who came with her.

However, a few bold women held books and were asking the great Confucian scholar for advice, but their beautiful eyes were secretly glancing at a certain young man.

The right side was filled with women, mostly unmarried young ladies from various families, separated by a screen.

The flower hall was extremely lively. Madam Jia displayed some of her family's treasures, which were arranged on both sides, giving everyone a feast for the eyes and broadening their horizons.

Among these collections are famous inkstones, calligraphy scrolls, and paintings, including unique ancient pieces, as well as ancient dynasty zithers and pipa, and exquisite Shu embroidery, jewelry, and hairpins suitable for women—all antiques.

Some of the most valuable and precious items were displayed at the front, so that people on both sides of the screen could see them.

For example, there is a painting titled "Poetry Reciting on a Donkey Back" by Xu Wei, a talented scholar of the Former Liang Dynasty, which is very lifelike. There is also a sancai (three-color glazed pottery) horse with a short mane and a tied tail that has been passed down from the Tang Dynasty, which is exquisite. The calligraphy scroll of the Northern Dynasties, which was presented to the Marquis of Zhenguo by the Northern Dynasty envoy, is also on display at this time. There is also a "Stele of Zheng Wengong", also known as "Stele of Zheng Wengong, the Former Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat of the Wei Dynasty".

This calligraphy work in the Wei stele style is powerful and vigorous, with rich variations, yet it retains a graceful and elegant style, and even subtly reveals a youthful vigor within it.

The calligraphy work was just appreciated by the esteemed scholars for a long time, who all marveled at it, saying that it was not a copy, but rather a work that captured the unique spirit of the author.

In particular, after Liu Zhenxi, a college student, and several other renowned scholars, finished playing chess with the chess fanatic at Mu Dong Pavilion and then went to the front courtyard to pay their respects to Prince Xin, they arrived at this flower hall before Prince Xin. After appreciating the calligraphy, the Grand Scholar smiled wryly and said frankly that, at least in the field of Wei stele calligraphy, it was probably unmatched in the Southern Dynasty.

But when several scholars wearing melon-shaped hats stepped forward, and after Elder He and the others gave him a wink, Liu Zhenxi fell silent again.

He is a man of principle; he will not lie, but he will also not needlessly boost the morale of others while diminishing his own.

Especially when one of the middle-aged men in a melon-shaped hat introduced himself as a member of the Plain White Banner and named Nilong, the smiles on Liu Zhenxi and the others completely vanished.

"Haha, Master Liu certainly knows his stuff," several people wearing melon-shaped hats said with a smile.

"I am Nilong, the deputy envoy of the mission. I greet Lord Liu—"

Nilon, who had a small mustache, pointed to the "Zheng Wengong Stele" and said with a smile, "I have long heard that Scholar Liu's calligraphy of Wei stele style is unparalleled in the north and south. I wonder if we will have the honor of seeing Scholar Liu's style today."

The Manchu man spoke fluent Mandarin, and there was little sense of coercion in his tone.

Liu Zhenxi laughed and said, "I am old and will not embarrass myself in front of your distinguished guests. However, the Han people of the North and South are one family. Seeing such a fine talent emerge from the literary world of the Northern Han Dynasty, I am greatly gratified."

An old man in a melon-shaped hat next to Nilon smiled and said, "Master Liu, you are mistaken. Ning Jiexiao's background is unknown, but since he came from the Northern Dynasty, then... it is hard to say whether he is a Han Chinese or a Manchu."

The old man in the melon-shaped hat smacked his lips.

Nilon smiled, hands behind his back, neither confirming nor denying.

Upon seeing this scene, the gazes of the people from the Southern Dynasties instantly sharpened. A Confucian scholar from Bailu Academy, with a serious expression, asked the other party's name.

The old man in the melon-shaped hat slightly raised his chin and said that his surname was Fan and his given name was Fan Shilie.

The scholar narrowed his eyes: "The 'Fan' in Fan Wencheng?"

Fan Shilie, wearing a melon-shaped hat, retorted, "Fan as in Fan Wensu." He was not a descendant of Fan Wencheng, but he was indeed a member of Fan Wencheng's clan. He had passed the imperial examination in the Northern Dynasty and was now employed as a staff member by Nilong.

Fan Wencheng was originally a Han Chinese, but he submitted to the old slave eighty years ago. Later, he was taken by Huang Taiji as his right-hand man and made great contributions to the Northern Dynasty. After his death, the Northern Dynasty, like a monkey wearing a crown, solemnly gave him a posthumous title - "Wensu"... Liu Zhenxi stroked his beard and laughed: "Brother Fan is indeed from a family with a long tradition of learning and has not forgotten his ancestral teachings."

Those from the Southern Dynasty who knew this man's background burst into laughter... Ha, this Fan Shilie, to be a dog in front of the Manchus, he really will say anything! He's just like his ancestor Fan Wencheng... It's a pity... He's truly disgraced Fan Wenzheng! He shouldn't have the surname Fan!

Upon hearing this grating laughter, Fan Shilie narrowed his eyes slightly. Just as he was about to say a few words to these ignorant southerners, he suddenly heard a voice announce from outside the door... that Prince Xin had arrived!

"Greetings, Prince Xin!"

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

In an instant, the arguments and quarrels on both sides of the flower hall, as well as the chatter among the women, all ceased.

Everyone bowed their heads and clasped their hands in greeting, bowing to Zhu Cuiwei, who was surrounded by the noble ladies.

Nilon smiled and bowed, saying, "Your subject Nilon greets Prince Xin."

Fan Shilie and several other staff members wearing melon-shaped hats also bowed.

Zhu Cuiwei raised her hand slightly, smiled, and said, "I have come here just like everyone else to congratulate the virtuous couple, the Marquis of Zhenguo and Lady Jia. There is no need for formalities, please rise."