Spring Mansion Intrigue 012: The Young Master's Heavy Gift

  He took a look at the cylindrical case made of yellow satin, pulled it out and saw that the word "volume" was written on its surface.

  "This is this year's imperial examination essay and policy questions, also included are the reference answers from the Hanlin Academy scholars." Cao Tianjian said with a smile.

  The whole room was suddenly filled with a burst of surprise, and even Zhou Zhi himself was shocked.

  This is actually the exam paper from this morning, can anyone get it out?

  According to the schedule, the east and west exits were not yet open for examination. This was indeed a violation of the examination system. However, since they had already been delivered into their hands after the examination time had passed, it could no longer be considered illegal. Such an arrangement would not have been made unless Ning Gongzi was being too willful or there was another deeper intention at play. Moreover, Cao Tianjian had never intended to conceal his violation of the rules and openly wanted to show off Ning Daren's strength to Qin Gongheng.

  Chen Huan suddenly felt that the scroll in his hand had become much heavier, it was too precious, if his brother got this, he would have gotten a priceless treasure.

  Helping his brother is equivalent to helping himself, how can he think so meticulously?

  Chen Huan didn't know how to react to such enthusiasm, so she simply said, "Please thank Ning Gongzi on behalf of the commoner's daughter."

  "If Miss really wants to thank Young Master, she can write a letter or bring a gift for me, and I will personally deliver it to Young Master."

  Chen Huan nodded her head, "A young woman like me needs to think carefully, how can ordinary gifts be sent out of hand?"

  Cao Tianjian nodded his head, "It doesn't matter, I am currently in Yu Province, Miss can find me at any time."

  She's grateful for the gift, but how can she repay such a heavy favor?

  Qin Yu was so excited that he personally received the box and couldn't bear to put it down.

  Qin Gongxun took a deep look at Qin Yu and Chen Huan, then turned his back without saying a word.

  Cao Tianjian suddenly asked, "I don't know if Qin Dafu's son has ever attended school before?"

  Qin Yuguang was about to respond when Qin Gongxun cut in, "Qin Yuguang will return to the manor and after the seventh day of mourning, he will attend private school with Qin Feng. My third son also studied at this private school." He meant to express that he treated Qin Yu as one of his own sons.

  "Private school, not very good." Cao Tianjian took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Qin Yu, "This is the letter of recommendation from Ning, after you settle your family affairs, you can take this letter to Litu Book Academy in Yuzhou, as long as you get the first place in all subjects at Litu Book Academy, you can directly enter Shuoyang Book Academy for three years."

  Chen Huan and Qin Yu's eyes widened in surprise.

  Qin Gongxun's face changed suddenly, and his eyes immediately flew towards the letter handed to Qin Yu.

  "Yueyang Academy? Really? I have a chance to go to Yueyang Academy?" Qin Yu was so excited that he almost jumped up.

  "Cao Tianjian nodded and smiled, 'Of course, Ning's student, Tong Gong, was once a Hanlin University scholar and is now the principal of Yuyang Academy. Ning's face will naturally be given to him. However, whether or not he can take the top spot in all subjects at Lichun Academy and smoothly enter Yuyang Academy for another three years depends on the young master's abilities.'"

  "I know, Lord Tong was a compiler in the Hanlin Academy back then. With one article of national strategy, he shocked the previous emperor with his outstanding talent and was directly appointed as a second-grade Hanlin University scholar. Unfortunately, when the current emperor ascended to the throne, he voluntarily resigned." Qin Yu was extremely excited, and he had the utmost respect for these famous scholars. The Yuyang Academy was also the dream school for all the students in Dali.

  Apart from the Imperial Academy, there are only four famous state academies. The first one is the Yuanyang Academy in Nanzhou, which is also the closest to Shengjing. What's more important is that Yuanyang Academy only recruits 30 people every year and only keeps 10 students each year, with the remaining 20 eliminated at the end of the year. Only the top three students can directly participate in the imperial examination after three years. Therefore, those who graduate from Yuanyang Academy are truly the elite among the elites. Anyone who can reach this step is guaranteed to pass the imperial examination with honors. Students who are not among the top three cannot directly participate in the imperial examination but can be sent to the Huanghu Academy for further study and then take part in the imperial examination.

  It just so happened that this year, neither the Yangshu Academy nor the Xuanqing Academy had anyone participating in the imperial examination, which was fortunate for Qin Songtao. Whether it was because the two major academies did not want to lose face and therefore did not send anyone to take the exam, or for some other reason, is unknown.

  Cao Tianjian saw that Chen Huan and Qin Yu were both genuinely delighted, and smiled as he said, "This humble official can now report back to the young master."

  Qin Gongxun's eyebrows jumped, didn't Cao Tianjian say that he was reporting back to Lord Ning? A teenager could make a fifth-rank official so respectful, the Ning family's official rank wasn't low, his heart skipped a beat.

  Chen Huan hadn't noticed this detail, his heart full of joy and warmth. In that case, his brother not only could have regular studies but also had the opportunity to receive guidance from a famous teacher, and his future might be even brighter than Qin Songtuo's.

  Cao Tianjian looked at Shen Huan, slightly bowed his head, "If the young lady has any difficulties, you can directly send someone to find me, I am currently stationed in Yu Province."

  Although Chen Huan was already grateful, she didn't want to let go of this opportunity. Pretending to hesitate for a moment, she said, "Lord Cao, I have some doubts and would like to ask."

  Cao Tianjian nodded hastily, "Go ahead and ask."

  "If it's a robbery and murder, then they must have robbed the wealth too, right?" Shen Huan's quick change of subject left Qin Gongxun and Qin Yun momentarily stunned.

  Cao Tianjian's eyebrows slightly raised unintentionally, he straightened his expression and seriously replied, "Of course."

  "What if the bandit killed someone but didn't rob any money, what does that represent?"

  "The representative is not an ordinary hijacker, but has other intentions." Cao Tianjian answered quickly, without thinking at all.

  Chen Huan nodded, "My mother was wearing a family heirloom, an excellent quality emerald green jade bangle worth no less than 500 taels of silver. The bandits didn't take it. So, it's definitely not for robbery that they killed my parents. What do you think, sir?"

  Qin Gongxun's face sank, and he looked at Chen Huan with a thoughtful expression.

  Qin Yu's face changed color, and before he even entered the mansion, rumors had already spread in Yuhang that bandits were rampant, killing his parents, and he believed it without thinking twice.

  Cao Tianjian's eyes deepened, and Ling Feng instructed him to secretly investigate the killer's identity without alarming Chen Huan. If he could find the person and capture them, then he would notify Chen Huan and the others. However, if he couldn't find any leads, he shouldn't reveal any information, lest the poisoner become aware and strike back, putting Chen Huan in danger.

  It was unexpected that Shen Huan would bring it up in front of Qin Gongxun, but with his rich detective experience, Qin Gongxun's expression should be unaware. However, according to Ling Feng's words, the relationship between Chang Fang and Qin Fu is very bad, and Shen Huan will not let Qin Fu know her doubts, now she brings it up, naturally there is another intention.

  This little girl is quite cunning.

  Cao Tianjian asked tentatively, "I'm listening, should I check for you, miss?"

  Chen Huan bowed his head and said, "Thank you, sir. If you find out anything, please inform the old master immediately. The old master will definitely take charge of our family's affairs."

  "Alright." Cao Tianjian understood, Shen Huan wanted him to investigate openly while also using Ling Feng's influence to give Qin Gongxun a loud warning and shift the responsibility of the matter directly onto Qin Gongxun.

  Digression

  Mom says, reading without paying attention is not a good kid, reading without leaving a message is not a well-behaved kid o (︶︿︶) oo (︶︿︶) oo (︶︿︶) o