Do You Know?: Rule the World

Not until the eunuchs of the Eastern Palace left did Wang Ruofu and others dare to set their eyes on the dazzling array of rewards.

Sheng Hong stroked his beard and smiled, his face full of joy, as if he had already seen the glory of himself in the future when he became the father-in-law of the emperor.

"Are you finally relieved now?" the old lady said with a smile.

Wang Ruofu grinned and nodded repeatedly, "Mother, you don't know, I've been so worried these past few days, afraid that something might go wrong!"

"Now that Hua'er has been successfully conferred the title, I only hope that Bai'er can pass the high school entrance exam."

The old lady sat on the chair and scolded: "You are just worrying about nothing."

Then, she turned her gaze to the three girls and pointed at the twelve palace flowers on the tray, saying, "Each of you pick four to take home and enjoy."

"The rest should be sent to the warehouse. I'll use the Shu brocade to make new clothes for you in the spring."

Upon hearing this, Rulan couldn't wait to get in front of the tray, Molan stepped forward reservedly to choose, and Minglan stood beside her with a smile on her face.

At this moment, Rulan and Molan both looked at a Xiangfei-colored crabapple flower.

After realizing what the other meant, they both reached out their hands almost at the same time, their fingers unexpectedly meeting above Gong Hua.

Rulan's eyes widened immediately, and she stiffened her neck and said, "Fourth sister, I saw this first!"

"Fifth sister is becoming more and more unreasonable now. It was clearly me who reached out first."

Mo Lan frowned slightly, holding a round fan in one hand, still maintaining an elegant posture.

"What's so unreasonable? I should be the first to choose the reward from my elder sister!"

Mo Lan's eyes turned, and her voice was filled with a hint of grievance. "Fifth sister, what are you talking about? Our family has always been based on seniority. Are you trying to use the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children to pressure others?"

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Rulan stamped her feet anxiously.

She knew that as soon as the words "legitimate" and "illegitimate" were mentioned, Sheng Hong would definitely favor Molan without any discrimination.

"Since Fifth Sister likes it, just take it. In Fifth Sister's eyes, these royal gifts are not worthy for me to touch anyway." After saying that, Molan lowered her eyes and sobbed.

"Cry, cry, cry, you know how to cry!"

"Xiao Liu, tell me, who was the first to take a fancy to her?!" Rulan's cheeks flushed red and she turned her head to stare at Minglan.

Minglan took a step back in shock at this sudden question.

Wang Ruofu has seen enough of Lin Qinshuang's arrogance recently and obviously wants to take charge of Rulan.

She took a deep breath, straightened her back and said, "Minglan, just say it."

The old lady frowned slightly. It was not easy for her to protect Minglan at this time.

Minglan didn't want to be dragged into this. After a moment's hesitation, she whispered, "I... I didn't see it..."

"What do you mean you didn't see it? Just tell the truth. Why are you afraid of her? Grandma is here!"

Rulan was furious and reached out to grab Minglan's sleeve, but she didn't control her strength well and pushed Minglan, causing her to stagger.

"Stop it!" Sheng Hong shouted sternly upon seeing this.

Rulan was so frightened that she trembled all over and hurriedly let go of her hand. Minglan took the opportunity to retreat to the old lady's side.

Sheng Hong looked at Mo Lan with a sullen face, "Mo'er, as the eldest sister, you choose first."

A hint of pride flashed across Molan's eyes, but she still maintained a humble attitude.

"Daddy, let my fourth sister go first. As the elder sister, I should give way to my younger sister."

Wang Ruofu and Rulan, mother and daughter, simultaneously gritted their teeth and uttered four words, "Pretend!"

"Mo'er, you are right. Our family ranks people by age. If anyone dares to mention the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children in the future, don't blame me for punishing them according to family rules!" Sheng Hong's tone left no room for doubt, and he glared at Rulan fiercely.

Wang Ruofu opened her mouth to explode, but Mother Liu quickly pressed her shoulder.

Chapter 109 Molan: Xiaoliu has become more astute in recent years

After distributing the palace flowers according to age, Wang Ruofu left with a flick of her sleeves, walking angrily in the backyard.

"My lord, you are becoming more and more partial now. I, Ru'er, should have chosen first the things sent by the Crown Prince and Hua'er!"

"My daughter has become the Crown Princess, yet she still has to endure the bullying of that bitch from Linqi Pavilion!"

Mother Liu quickly consoled her, "Madam, calm down. It's just a girl's plaything. Why is there such a need?"

"The master is most wary of legitimate and illegitimate children. If the eldest lady steps forward and angers the master again, wouldn't it make Linqi Pavilion more powerful again?"

"Fifth Miss is the same. When she's impulsive, she's prone to saying the wrong thing, which can be used against her."

Wang Ruofu let out a long breath, "Ruru really has taken after my personality."

"But this girl Molan actually wants to curry favor with the Duke of Qi's Mansion. We're really giving her face, but she doesn't even consider her own worth!"

"In terms of status, Ru'er is the only one in the entire Sheng family who can match the Duke's Mansion."

Madam Liu frowned slightly and asked in a low voice, "Did the eldest lady choose the Qi family for the fifth young lady?"

Wang Ruofu snorted softly and slowly waved her round fan. "My father is worthy of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, my mother has been granted an imperial decree, my father-in-law is a scholar who has been awarded the third place in the imperial examination, my mother-in-law is the only daughter of a noble family, and my husband works in the Ministry of Personnel."

With every word she spoke, her back straightened a little.

"The eldest daughter is now the Crown Princess, personally appointed by the Emperor and the Empress. She comes from a family of noble scholars."

"When Changbai passes the imperial examination, I think it will be more than enough for Ruer to marry into the Duke of Qi's mansion."

Mother Liu didn't think there was anything wrong with what she said. She just said, "Ultimately, this matter depends on Fifth Miss's opinion. The princess is a mother-in-law, and that's not something that ordinary people can handle."

"Madam, you can't arrange marriages behind the girl's back."

Wang Ruofu nodded, "Of course I know."

"It's just a matter of planning ahead. I know Ru'er's personality best. This matter can't be rushed."

"The most important thing is that we can't let those vixens from Linqi Pavilion succeed."

-

This year's spring examination was presided over by Hanlin University Scholar Hai Ning. The Great Zhou Dynasty's imperial examinations have always implemented a strict system of avoiding relatives.

Any examiner who has a family relationship with the examinee, such as father and son, brothers, uncle and nephew, father-in-law and son-in-law, must resign voluntarily. Violators will be charged with cheating in the imperial examination.

Sheng Hong, who was originally expected to serve as a co-examiner, now doesn't even dare to ask a single question.

In the past, when I met Mr. Hai, I would say hello, but now I just dare to bow from afar and even skip the greetings, for fear of giving people a chance to talk.

And on the second day after Hualan was canonized as the Crown Princess, Sheng Hong wrote a letter of thanks, every word of which was sincere and showed his humility and caution.

After today's court meeting ended, Zhao Han said hello to Sheng Hong and went straight to Ciqing Hall.

Hualan and Shulan were chatting at this time.

After being named the Crown Princess, Hualan became more graceful and composed in her every move.

As a concubine, Shulan's demeanor is just right. Today, she is wearing a snow-blue brocade dress, which makes her look noble yet not ostentatious.

Seeing Zhao Han come in, Hualan immediately stood up to greet him, while Shulan took a half step back and bowed her head.

Zhao Han's eyes swept over the ginseng, honey, Poria cocos cake and other foods on the table.

After helping them both up, he asked gently, "Are you planning to send this to Changbai and Changfeng?"

Hualan pursed her lips and smiled, with a hint of concern in her eyes.

"Yes, their brothers are about to take the imperial examination, and I am getting nervous too."

"As the eldest sister, I can only prepare these to show my appreciation."

"Don't worry too much, Changbai will definitely pass the imperial examination this year." As Zhao Han spoke, he came to the bronze mirror. After Shulan understood what he meant, she immediately stepped forward to take off his court robes.

As Hua Lan placed the ginseng into the food box, she said, "Your Highness is so sure that Chang Bo will pass the exam, but what about Chang Feng?"

"Chang Feng barely made it onto the list in the Autumn Examination, but I'm afraid I won't be so lucky in this year's Spring Examination."

Hua Lan sighed softly, "Your Highness is right. With Chang Feng's personality, he really needs to calm down."

"I just hope Changbai can get a good ranking. If he can make it into the first class, it will be a great honor for the Sheng family."

Zhao Han smiled slightly, raised his hand and gently pinched Shulan's round little face, then turned his gaze to Hualan.

"Don't worry. After Changbai passes the imperial examination and enters the Imperial Academy, and has gained some experience, we will let him take up a position in the Imperial Household Department."

Normally, a new Jinshi must first pass the selection process to become a Shujishi, and then undergo training in the Hanlin Academy.

Only then will you have the opportunity to transfer to the Zhanshi Mansion, and this process will take at least three to five years.

Hua Lan frowned, "Your Highness, please don't treat Changbai differently just for my sake."

"If Dad knew, he would definitely scold me for being ignorant."

Zhao Han smiled and said, "The Eastern Palace is in need of personnel. I am well aware of Changbai's talent and character."

"That's good. On behalf of Changbai, I would like to thank Your Highness for his cultivation." Hua Lan smiled, and the worry on her face disappeared.

The day before the Spring Examination, the Sheng family was busy.

In Weiruixuan, Wang Ruofu was carefully checking the items prepared by the maids.

She frowned, rubbing her fingertips on the fabric of her clothes for a moment, and said, "The clothes you wear to the examination room cannot have any layers, they must be single clothes, and you should prepare a few extra sets of changes."

He then lifted the quilt to check its thickness, "Although it's already spring, the late spring cold snap is the worst."

"It was snowing this time last year, and the Imperial Examination Hall was very cold and gloomy."

Rulan lazily leaned on the soft couch. She was always careless and didn't care about Changbai's Spring Examination. She said nonchalantly, "Mother has never been to the Imperial Examination Hall, so how can she know if it's cold in there?"

Wang Ruofu turned her head to look at her and was about to speak.

Madam Liu came in and said, "Madam, the Sixth Miss sent over some knee pads. She said they were handmade and can keep out the cold at night and prevent your knees from getting cold."

Wang Ruofu picked up the knee pad and took a look. She saw that the stitching was fine and there was a layer of waterproof silk cloth on the outside.

Her voice softened unconsciously. "Sixth girl is really thoughtful. Bai'er has taken good care of her all these years."

Rulan came over to take a look, curled her lips, and asked, "Is there anything over at Linqi Pavilion?"

Mother Liu nodded and said, "One pair for each of the two brothers."

"Hmph, she's quite considerate, playing nice with both sides. Even the eldest sister insisted on having a portion for everyone when preparing food."

"Why do you have to think about Linqi Pavilion as well?"