Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Soon, the results of the capital examination were out. Although Gu Chenglin was a scholar, his ranking was on the lower end.
Gu Chengrui, who had accompanied him through the rankings, saw him drooping his little head and looking unhappy. He rubbed his head and said, âAlright, your results are already quite good now.
âItâs best if you take part in the provincial examination six years later. Who knows, you might even be able to pass the examination in one fell swoop.â
âI know, cousin. I was too anxious.â
âHaste makes waste. Take it slow. Itâll get better.â
At the same time, in Shanghe Village, Gu Chengxi also received good news. He was also a lower-ranking scholar.
However, he was overjoyed.
Of course, the happiest one was Mrs. Sun. Her son had an official position, and in the future, the status of the mother and son in the residence would be higher.
The peaceful days passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the little princessâs one-month-old birthday.
Early in the morning, Zhou Ying put on a pair of small gold bracelets that she had prepared. She also brought a pound of tremella and two pounds of pound cake made by Gu Chengrui. There were black sesame seeds, red dates, wolfberries, walnuts, and other nuts in it, which were beneficial for Sun Miaoke.
Finally, there was a three-layered cake that Gu Chengrui was carrying.
After they were ready, the two of them sat in a carriage and entered the palace.
Gu Chengrui went straight to the Emperor, and after Zhou Ying learned that the Empress Dowager was with the Empress, she went straight to Phoenix Palace with Shizhu.
After entering the house, she realized that not only was the Empress Dowager there, but Gu Wanning, too.
After greeting her, she gave the gift to Qing Tao and said, âThis is the biggest box. It contains a cake. Itâs a birthday present specially prepared for the little princess.
âItâs better if itâs placed in an open place. If itâs crushed, it wonât look good.â
âCake? What is it? Is it a snack made of eggs?â The Empress Dowager asked curiously.
âItâs almost the same. Itâs made of eggs and flour. Itâs equivalent to longevity peaches.
âHowever, the little princess is still young, so we changed it into a cake. Itâs also a little token of my appreciation.â
âYouâre so thoughtful.â The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded. Then, she asked, âI heard that the business of your new restaurant is doing well. Do you have any new dishes?â
âItâs still the same as the original restaurant, with the taste a little spicy.â
âThatâs pretty good. It will warm us in the middle of winter.â The retired Emperor said.
As soon as he finished speaking, Elder Consort An and the rest of the imperial family walked in.
âHow have you been in the palace recently?â Zhou Ying asked Gu Wanning after exchanging a few polite words with everyone.
âPretty good. How about you guys?â
âWe are now considered to be in favor by the Emperor, so our lives are quite smooth. Oh, by the way, did you know that Chengkin became a scholar?â Zhou Ying asked.
âI know. The moment the results came out, the Emperor told me personally.â
âIt seems that the Emperor treats you well.â
âItâs alright.â Gu Wanning was a little embarrassed.
âWhatâs wrong?â Zhou Ying asked curiously. âWhat happened?â
âItâs nothing much. Itâs just that the ministers are urging the Emperor to choose another concubine. Iâm afraid that the inner palace wonât be peaceful in the future.â
âThe Emperor agreed?â
âNot yet, but we canât drag this out. The Emperor canât always have only the two of us.â
Zhou Ying was speechless for a moment after hearing this. It was useless for anyone to decide as it was mainly up to the Emperor himself.
âThen why donât you take advantage of the opportunity to spend more time with the Emperor and leave a deep impression on him?â
âA deep impression?â Gu Wanning asked thoughtfully..