Do You Know?: Rule the World

Chapter 30 I am so embarrassed

"Those things like flower arranging, tea tasting, and incense collection, though they're not very useful, are another matter if you're considered a member of a wealthy family."

"In Bianjing, all the daughters of wealthy families learn from their nannies from a young age, and they cannot miss out on anything."

"Even if you don't become the mistress of the house in the future, you still have to put in this effort just to look respectable when discussing marriage."

Wang Ruofu particularly agreed with what Old Lady Sheng said.

When she was waiting to be married, the Wang family specially invited a nanny to come to their house to teach them these elegant things.

The nanny taught very strictly. A cup of tea had to have twelve different scents, and a flower had to be arranged in nine different postures. If there was any mistake, the whole process would have to start over.

So, Wang Ruofu stretched her head and asked, "Mother, do you already have someone in mind to teach the girls?"

The old lady smiled slightly and said, "When I lived in the palace, there was a young palace maid named Kong who was very close to me."

"Mother, are you talking about Madam Kong in the palace?!" Wang Ruofu was shocked when she heard that and almost knocked over the teacup in her hand.

Sheng Hong's mouth twitched as well, and he looked at the old lady in surprise.

Old Lady Sheng was of noble birth and extraordinary bearing. She was adopted by the Empress Dowager of the Great Zhou Dynasty and lived in the palace for some time. She was also a close friend of the Empress Jing'an of the previous dynasty.

Madam Kong was a descendant of a branch of the Kong family. After entering the palace, she was promoted from a palace maid to a female official. For the remaining decades, she rotated among the female officials in the six palaces.

After she resigned from the palace a few years ago, she was treated with kindness, patience and meticulousness, unlike other maids who would beat, scold or punish people at will.

He raised several girls in the Duke of Ying's Mansion, the Duke of Ling's Mansion, and the Marquis of Xiangyang's Mansion.

At present, there are very few families in Bian Jing who can afford to hire Nanny Kong, let alone the Sheng family.

"Yes, if you two are willing to give up the child, once we have settled down in the capital, I will invite her to come to the mansion and teach the girls proper manners."

"If you do anything inappropriate, feel free to let her give you a good beating with a stick. Don't be so reluctant to protect me. It will only make me lose face."

Wang Ruofu knew very well the importance of Madam Kong. She forced a smile on her face and nodded repeatedly.

"Of course. It's a blessing for us girls to receive guidance from Madam Kong."

Elsewhere, Hua Lan leaned on the soft couch in the clinic, staring blankly out the window.

The afterglow of winter shone through the carved window lattices, casting mottled light and shadows on her face.

Rulan was sitting at a round table not far away, reading "Thousand Character Classic" lazily.

She couldn't help but tilt her head from time to time, and write and draw on the table with her fingertips dipped in tea.

Cai Zan, the personal maid, brought a cup of hot tea and chuckled softly, saying, "Look, Miss, the fifth lady is almost falling asleep while reading."

Hua Lan glanced at her sideways and snorted, "This girl always gets lazy whenever she studies!"

"Yesterday, Xiaoliu spent half a day writing for me, standing very straight, without a single complaint."

Although Rulan is the biological sister, not only Hualan, but even the always reserved Changbai prefers Minglan more.

The reason is very simple. Rulan was raised by Wang Ruofu since she was a child. She was spoiled and became willful and arrogant. She hates being scolded by others the most.

Whenever Hualan acted like an elder sister and lectured her, she would pout, stomp her feet and run away.

If Changbai tried to persuade her with the teachings of sages, she would just ignore him and even hide away, refusing to see him.

Minglan was well-behaved, sensible, and delicate. When Hualan was doing needlework, she would quietly stand by and divide the threads. She also carefully copied the calligraphy and books that Changbai gave her.

Over time, Changbai even wondered why Minglan was not his biological sister?

"The fifth girl is still young. She will grow up in a few years." Cai Zan said with a smile.

Hualan sneered, "Xiaoliu is one year younger than her, and all she does all day is act like a legitimate daughter and get angry with Molan." After saying that, she turned her head away and no longer looked at Rulan.

Cai Zan stepped forward and whispered softly into Hua Lan's ear, "Miss, I just passed by the old lady's house and overheard the Zhao family's son preparing for the exam in the eldest son's house. He seemed to have mentioned that they encountered pirates on the way to Beijing..."

"What? Pirates?!" Hua Lan's eyes widened, her voice trembling slightly. "Is Zhao Han... is he injured?" As soon as she said this, she suddenly felt something was wrong and hurriedly added, "Is my uncle okay?"

Cai Zan shook her head. "I saw the old lady and the master talking calmly, so I think they should be fine."

"I didn't expect that the young lady cares so much about Zhao's son..." Cai Zan covered her mouth and chuckled, with a hint of cunning in her eyes.

Two red clouds suddenly appeared on Hualan's pearly little face.

"I don't care about him, I just asked casually."

Cai Zan's smile deepened upon seeing this. She took a step closer and lowered her voice, saying, "Yes, yes, whatever the young lady says is what it is."

"But if Zhao knew that the girl cared about him so much, I'm afraid he would..."

Before he could finish his words, Hua Lan ruthlessly interrupted him.

"Don't talk nonsense. You're becoming more and more out of character. If someone hears you, you'll be so embarrassed."

Caizan saw that even her neck was dyed with a light pink and she looked really anxious, so she smiled and turned the conversation to Rulan.

-

It is already mid-February. Patches of new green can be seen everywhere in and around the capital, and the weeping willows by the Jinming Lake are quietly sprouting new buds.

The imperial examination was approaching, and the candidates on Gongyuan Street were in a hurry. The inns were overcrowded. Even if the innkeeper tripled the price, he still couldn't stop the candidates from seeking accommodation.

Gu Tingye knew that Zhao Han was busy with the imperial examination, so he had been quiet these days and didn't bother him anymore.

As for the items needed for the imperial examination, before Zhao Han could tell Chang Qing to go out and buy them, Sheng Wei had already prepared everything in detail and sent them over.

The finest Hu brushes, Hui ink, Xuan paper, Duan inkstones, and even candles are specially made for the examination room.

Tonight, the moonlight is exceptionally clear, illuminating the bluestone path in the courtyard with its bright glow.

Etiquette is not extended to common people. The rules and etiquette of merchants are not as good as those of scholars, and they are all closed-door matters.

Sheng Wei specifically ordered the kitchen to prepare a table of light and delicious meals, and called Shulan and Pinlan over, and the four of them had dinner together.

During the meal, Pinlan's eyes rolled around and she said with a smile, "I heard from my grandmother at home that the imperial examination lasted for three full days and three nights, and that everyone had to eat, drink, defecate and urinate in the Imperial Examination Hall."

"The dormitories were short and narrow. I couldn't even stretch my legs straight when I slept. Some of the weaker students were carried out directly after the exam."

"If you're unlucky enough to be assigned to the stinky cell, you're in big trouble. Even though it's still cold, it's right next to the toilet, so you can't avoid the stench."

"Brother Zhao, you must bring a few more sachets."

Sheng Wei quickly picked up a piece of duck leg for her and said in a feigned anger, "Shut up your crow's mouth! My nephew Zhao is very talented and will definitely be assigned to a top-notch dormitory."

Pinlan stuck out her tongue and muttered softly, "I'm just worried..."

"Miss Pinlan is right. We should bring a few more sachets." Zhao Han agreed with a smile.

When Pinlan saw that he supported her, her expression immediately changed.

Shulan's lips curled up slightly, and there was a gentle smile in her eyes.

Please pursue reading and monthly tickets~

Chapter 31 Spring Begins

In the early morning of the next day, the moon was high in the sky and the stars were twinkling.

There were already crowds of people outside the Imperial Examination Hall. Nearly ten thousand candidates were lined up waiting, winding along the long street like a long dragon.

At this moment, the vermilion lacquered gate of the Imperial Examination Hall has not yet been opened. Two stone lions stand majestically in front of the gate, and the copper nail door knocker shines with a cold and hard luster in the moonlight.

After Pinlan's repeated requests, Sheng Wei finally agreed to take her with him to send Zhao Han to the examination room. Of course, Shulan also went with them.

Mother Hu, who lived far away in Yangzhou, specially brought a group of maids and servants with her after dinner today to pay homage to Emperor Wenchang, the Red-robed God, Manjusri Bodhisattva, and Confucius at home.

Even Sheng Hong bowed again and again before the statue of the god in his home, silently praying that Zhao Han would be on the list and rank among the top, so that he would not be in vain for betting his eldest daughter's life on it.

Hualan paced back and forth at home, and her almond-shaped eyes, which used to be bright and lively, now showed a bit of anxiety and worry.

"Big sister, can you please stop for a moment? You're making me dizzy."

Rulan frowned and looked up at Hualan.

"Shut up! If you keep nagging me, I'll have Dad check your homework!"

Hearing this, Rulan immediately lowered her head.

He carefully sneaked to Wei Xiaoniang's courtyard with his maid Xi Que to play the date grinding game with Minglan.

Outside the Imperial Examination Hall, it was four o'clock in the morning.

There was a sudden commotion not far away. Changqing, holding the exam basket, stood on tiptoe to look forward.

The gate of the Imperial Examination Hall slowly opened with a creak, and the officers in official uniforms held a list and called out the names loudly.

"Brother, the door is open. Let's go forward and don't miss the time."

"it is good!"

After Zhao Han responded, he took a deep breath and clenched his fists.

If I say I'm not nervous, I'm definitely bluffing.

After three years of hard study, success or failure depends on this one move!

Sheng Wei looked around and saw that the crowd was already surging forward.

He took a step forward, leaned close to Zhao Han's ear, and whispered, "Don't worry, nephew. I've already asked someone to arrange for you to be assigned an excellent room."

Hearing this, Zhao Han couldn't help but feel warm in his heart.

Just as he was about to say thank you, he saw Sheng Wei had already taken half a step back without leaving a trace.

He straightened his clothes and immediately regained the dignified demeanor of an elder.

Pinlan had specially put on new clothes today. With a smile on her face, she said crisply, "I wish Brother Zhao success in the imperial examinations, ideally becoming the top scorer! Then we can play polo and hammer ball together!"

Shulan stood quietly by the side, wearing a lilac-colored cross-collared skirt and a white cloak tied around her shoulders, fluttering slightly in the night breeze.

I saw the corners of her eyes drooping slightly, revealing a hint of gentleness and timidity. She pursed her lips and said, "I wish Brother Zhao will leap over the dragon gate and ascend to the throne."

"Thank you, Second Miss, Fourth Miss!" Zhao Han bowed and strode forward with Changqing.

However, before he had taken a few steps, Yu Guangzhong happened to see the figures of Gu Tingye and Shitou.

I saw the two of them pushing through the crowd and walking quickly towards me.

"Luckily we made it in time. Just now the intersection was so crowded with carriages that I was really anxious."

"I ran all the way here with the stone. Fortunately, Brother Zhao, you haven't entered the tribute hall yet!"