Chapter 306: Lu Kuan’s Imperial Examination

Chapter 306: Lu Kuan's Imperial Examination

Cheng Yunshuo turned to look at Li Bihan who had just spoken.

Li Bihan met his gaze and continued, "My lord, what I mean is that the young mistress has a wide network of connections and comes from a scholarly family. Although the threshold for Tianfu Academy is high, it's just a matter of a word for her."

Hearing this, Cheng Yunshuo's expression hardened slightly, "Lingyun is just a woman managing the household, she doesn't have that much capability."

"But the eldest son and the second son both entered the academy in the past two years."

"You don't know how much more difficult the admissions at Tianfu Academy have become. In the past two years, Lingyun could still use her connections to get them in, but now it's impossible. Besides needing recommendations from three great scholars, there must also be a guarantee from a graduate who has achieved the rank of Jinshi."

Fearing that Li Bihan would accuse him of not trying hard enough, Cheng Yunshuo quickly added a few more explanations, "I went to inquire for you, and it was Lingyun's brother who helped. He can get recommendation letters from past graduates, but getting recommendations from three great scholars is too difficult."

Lingyun was not exaggerating, Tianfu Academy is indeed that strict now.

Of course, this is through the internal referral of Tianfu Academy. There is also a formal external recruitment.

But that is even stricter than internal referrals.

That is aimed at students nationwide, selecting only the absolute geniuses.

For example, their external recruitment requirements are to pass the Tongsheng exam before the age of ten, and the Xiucai exam before the age of fifteen.

If we follow the external recruitment requirements of Tianfu Academy, Cheng Bingzhi would never even have a chance to enter the academy in his lifetime.

And going through internal referrals, they just briefly evaluate the child's potential. As long as they're not very, very poor, with background and recommenders, they'll take you in.

But Li Bihan is well aware.

"Is the young mistress not just discriminating against Bingzhi because he's not her biological son?" Li Bihan said sarcastically.

She didn't see how Cheng Bingan and Cheng Binghao were superior to her son.

Clearly, Lingyun was deliberately singling out her son.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I come from a lowly background, just a former palace maid, but Bingzhi is still your child," Li Bihan's tone sharpened considerably when it came to her child.

"The young mistress shouldn't show favoritism, only caring about the young masters and misses in her own courtyard, not taking Bingzhi and Lanying seriously."

Hearing this, Cheng Yunshuo frowned, "How has Lingyun ever shown favoritism? Has she ever been unfair in her dealings?"

Lingyun's integrity is widely acknowledged, and Cheng Yunshuo, who has always been cleaning up her messes, benefits the most.

Cheng Yunshuo couldn't bear to hear this.

Seeing that she couldn't drive a wedge between them, Li Bihan softened her tone, "My lord, that's not what I meant. I was thinking that Bingzhi is also your child. His two older brothers are studying at Tianfu Academy, and if he's not, the gap will surely be as vast as the heavens and the earth, won't it?"

Cheng Yunshuo frowned deeply.

Seeing that he was slightly moved, Li Bihan pressed on, "My lord, I only have Bingzhi as my son. I have been lonely all my life, and my greatest hope is this child. Please, for my sake, ask the young mistress to help!"

Her face, strikingly similar to that of Xing Dairong, was filled with vulnerability and helplessness. Even though she was no longer young, this only made Cheng Yunshuo's heart waver more.

If she were still alive, if she were still here, surely she would be hoping the same at this age...

Her husband was unreliable; she had to rely on her son.

Right away, Cheng Yunshuo felt his heart soften.

"I'll go have another word with Lingyun."

Bishuo's eyes sparkled, "Thank you, master!"

At this moment, in the main courtyard of Lu Lingyun.

A young man in his early twenties, having just reached the age of capping, was seated there.

He wore a robe the color of moonlight, with a simple hair crown, and no luxurious or expensive jade accessories on his body, only a money pouch that had been used for many years and a wooden token hanging from his waist.

It bore the characters "Tianfu."

"How confident are you about this year's spring imperial examinations?"

In Lu Lingyun's small flower hall, Chunxing served tea while Chunhe brought out snacks, and the young mistress in a light blue spring dress inquired with a smile.

The young man in the moonlit robe opposite her sipped his tea and spoke with measured calm.

"Ninety percent sure."

Hearing this, the young mistress opposite him smiled, her eyes twinkling like stars, "That confident?"

Seeing her smile, Lu Kuan felt a touch of embarrassment and replied, "The academy has held several mock exams, and I've performed well in all of them. My teachers say if I maintain this standard, the spring examinations should pose no difficulty."

"And what of the palace examination?" Lu Lingyun personally poured tea for him.

"Regarding the palace examination, Grand Tutor Zhao said it hinges on my performance in the preliminary exams. If I excel in the preliminaries, regardless of my palace examination results, he can secure my position."

Lu Kuan answered honestly.

In truth, he was being rather humble. He was Tianfu Academy's most promising candidate this year, having already taken first place in the provincial examinations two years prior, earning the title of top scholar.

For this year's preliminary and palace examinations, all expected him to achieve the rare distinction of topping all three levels.

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun beamed from ear to ear.

What did this signify? It meant success was virtually assured!

The road to imperial examination success followed such a pattern: first, establish a solid foundation of ability, then leverage all available resources to gain entry to the finest academy, benefit from elite resources, and provided your performance meets the mark, you'll advance to the final competitive tier.

At this stage, with one or two esteemed mentors to recommend and support you, a meteoric ascent awaits.

Particularly for someone like Lu Kuan, whose path had been carefully paved by Lu Lingyun, first entering Tianfu Academy, then presenting a snow pine painting to become a disciple of Grand Tutor Zhao. As long as he followed the steps and didn't make any major mistakes, this year's imperial examination would surely make him famous.

Moreover, the resources awaiting him afterward were not like those of Liu Shuhui or Li Wenxun, who had to build political achievements locally before rising.

The trajectory laid out for Lu Kuan meant he would begin his official career in the capital itself.

A group of people would recommend him directly into the emperor's sight, paving the widest and most central path to success.

"Then we really must thank Grand Tutor Zhao!" Lu Lingyun laughed.

Lu Kuan, looking at his sister's smile, gently raised the corners of his mouth, "No, thank you, sister."

Lu Kuan was no fool. The further he walked along this path, the brighter his future seemed, and he had long felt that someone was sparing no effort to help him.

The academy was arranged by Lu Lingyun, the tuition and living expenses were paid by Lu Lingyun, and the snow pine painting was a gift from Lu Lingyun...

Lu Lingyun helped him at several crucial points.

Without Lu Lingyun, he might have been lost six years ago, unsure of what to do.

Passing the civil service exam might not have been difficult, but he might have had to struggle for many years to pass the provincial exam due to a lack of resources.

Now, thanks to her, he passed the provincial exam with ease a few years ago, topping the list as the highest scorer.

Lu Kuan spoke these words sincerely, looking at the only sister in the entire family who helped him.

Lu Lingyun smiled, "I am your sister, we are family, no need to say thanks. Just keep your focus on your exams."