Chapter 457: Top Scorer

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“I think she’s right.”

Although the ancients also have a saying that there is a beauty and a golden house in books, there are many sceneries and many principles that can’t be understood just by reading.”

“Just like how the mountains and rivers are vast, how can one understand without traveling?”

“As magnificent as the mountains and rivers. How can I experience them without seeing them with my own eyes?”

“I only know what happened in the past after many days. I’m just a frog at the bottom of a well. Only then did I understand what it means to have boundless love and good karma.”

The Emperor even asked him many questions. He only remembered at the end. “By the way, I see that you’re quite insightful. Who is your Teacher?” NingAnsheng bowed. “I’m not talented. I’m Lu Chen’s disciple, Dean Lu.” Even after becoming an official, Dean Lu did not give up on his teaching dream. Compared to “Official Lu”, he preferred others to call him “Dean Lu”.

The Emperor laughed. So it was the closed-door disciple that Lu Chen admired, the elder brother of An’ning’s adoptive parents. He should have said so earlier. The list of the top three in the imperial examination and the imperial rankings that announced that they were going to build the world’s granary were posted one after another. Both made Xiaoxiao extremely happy.

The former was because the new top scorer was none other than her Eldest Brother, Ning Ansheng!

When the messenger came to the Ning Family to deliver the news, Ning Fengman, who was the father of three sons, cried tears of joy. He wanted to call for his ancestors’ blessings, but he held it in. After a while, he only said, “Dalang, you did well!”

Madam Song happily handed a big red packet to the person reporting the good news and patted Ning Anhui. “Prepare the banquet!”

Ning Anhui had already prepared everything for Eldest Brother. His restaurant’s celebratory banquet lasted for three days. No matter if they were sincere or not, they could no longer look down on the Ning Family.

The first thing Ning Ansheng did after finding out he was the top scorer, was to prepare a thank-you gift that was not too expensive but was very sincere. He personally came to the Gu Family to visit.

When Grand Secretary Gu found out that the person who came was Xiaoxiao’s foster brother, he got someone to bring him to the study.

Ning Ansheng bowed deeply. “I, Ning Ansheng, thank you for your guidance, Sir. Fortunately, I didn’t let you and Teacher down.”

Grand Secretary Gu said, “It’s your own ability that you are the top scorer. What has it got to do with me?”

NingAnsheng said respectfully, “I know Sir must have sensed that Xiaoxiao secretly transferred your teachings to me. I’m really grateful. Please accept this gift of gratitude.”

If he had not tacitly agreed, Xiaoxiao would not have done this. Moreover, the content that Grand Secretary Gu had been teaching Xiaoxiao during this period of time happened to be related to the scientific examination. Nmg Ansheng was not stupid and naturally guessed the reason.

Dean Lu had been appointed by the emperor to be in charge of the examination. In order to avoid arousing suspicion, not only could he not teach Ning Ansheng during this period of time, but it was also inconvenient for them to meet.

After confirming that he would be the examiner, Dean Lu had been staying at the place arranged by the Emperor to ensure that the exam questions would not be leaked. Ning Ansheng originally thought that he could only rely on his own hard work before the exam. Unexpectedly, Grand Secretary Gu quietly made use of Xiaoxiao to prepare his homework for him every day.

How could he forget such nurturing?

Although he had volunteered to help, Grand Secretary Gu was also gratified to receive his gratitude. However, the gift was…

Ning Ansheng said, “These are some of the local records recorded by Teacher and me during our travels. There are local customs, miscellaneous stories books, and hand-drawn mountains and rivers journals.”

Grand Secretary Gu turned around and took the book. “It’s kind of you to be so considerate. I’ll accept it respectfully.”

Putting everything else aside, this self-written journal was a good thing that could only be chanced upon by luck. Even Xiaoxiao’s Flexible Printing was not easy to completely copy the drawings.

Grand Secretary Gu had never envied anyone in his life except Lu Chen. He envied Lu Chen for being carefree and doing whatever he wanted.

He said that he did not care about fame and fortune. He was not used to the bad habits of the royal court and could immediately put down everything and leave the officialdom to be a free person.

They had long despised the current officials for being hypocritical, stupid, and weak. However, Lu Chen left with a flick of his sleeves after saying that he did not like them. He started an academy to be his teacher, but Grand Secretary Gu could only endure his disgust and look down on those bootlickers.

After all these years, Lu Chen had traveled all over the country and seen all the mountains and rivers. He even took in a good disciple…

At the thought of this, Grand Secretary Gu suddenly perked up. He had not lost when it came to their disciples.

NingAnsheng, since you insist on receiving my guidance, then…” Ning Ansheng, who came out of the Gu Residence, had a complicated expression on his face. No wonder his sister always talked about old men becoming like children.

That night, the Ning Family naturally wanted to celebrate alone with the Xiao Family. It was rare for the two fathers to be so drunk. They changed from their usual polite behavior and put their arms around each other’s shoulders, closing the distance between them. Even Ning Anhui carried his youngest son, who was only a few months old, and jumped around non-stop.

“Do you know that your uncle is the top scorer?!”

“Hehe, this is our Ning Family’s first top scholar!”

“We can also support Aunt in the future!”

“By the way, you can learn from your uncle in the future. Try to be a sensible scholar like him in the future.”

The little baby did not know what his father was talking about, but he blinked his big black eyes and cried loudly.

This time, Qian Jiao’er couldn’t take it anymore. She grabbed Ning Anhui’s ear and pulled the drunkard away.

Madam Song and Xiao Ran brought back their two husbands, who were arguing about whose daughter was more considerate.

“Alright, alright. Your daughters are all equally good and considerate.” “Husband, wake up. You’re all praising the same person. What’s there to fight for?” b

Xiaoxiao was quite embarrassed. It was clearly Eldest Brother’s celebration banquet, so why were the two fathers talking about her again?

However, Ning Ansheng didn’t mind. Seeing that most of them had left, he coughed lightly and poured himself a glass of wine. He raised his glass to Xiaoxiao. “Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Xiaoxiao:…

She clearly did not drink, but why did she feel like she was drunk?

She poked her ear and patted her face. She rounded her eyes and asked Ning

Ansheng, “Eldest Brother, what did you call me just now?”

The moon was bright tonight, but Xiaoxiao didn’t know if it was an illusion.

She seemed to see NingAnsheng blush.

“Senior Sister has contributed greatly to my Imperial Examination. This toast is to you.”

Xiaoxiao blinked hard and pinched herself again. Since he was not awake, it meant that she was not dreaming. She stared at Ning Ansheng’s embarrassed expression and guessed that this title had something to do with the trip to the Gu Residence.

After pondering for a while, she asked, “Can you call me that again?” That’s right. Now that she had grown up, she would take advantage of Eldest Brother.

Ning Ansheng calmed down when she was so naughty. He even said seriously again, “Now that I’m considered half a disciple of Grand Secretary Gu, Xiaoxiao, you entered the sect first. In that case, you’re indeed my senior sister.”

After saying that, he actually planned to bow.

It wouldn’t be fun if he was serious!