Zheng Xilin had a mansion in the capital, located near Prime Minister He’s residence.
Back then, when the former emperor ascended the throne and established the Great Zhou, he generously rewarded many meritorious officials and bestowed upon them residences. Both Zheng Xilin and Prime Minister He received mansions.
Although Zheng Xilin had returned to his hometown, his mansion in the capital was well preserved.
The emperor always hoped that Zheng Xilin would return one day to continue assisting him, so the mansion remained vacant for him.
Upon learning that Zheng Xilin’s three sons were coming to the capital, Prime Minister He considerately sent someone to clean the Zheng Mansion thoroughly and even personally purchased many items for them.
When the three sons of Zheng Xilin arrived in the capital, they could move directly into the Zheng Mansion.
Among the three brothers, only Zheng Rang remembered the family residence. He was born in this mansion and lived there for a few years, so he had memories of it.
Zheng Cheng was also born in this mansion, but when he was very young, Zheng Xilin feigned illness and returned to his hometown. He had no memory of the mansion.
Zheng Qian wasn’t born in this mansion. He was born after Zheng Xilin returned to his hometown. He had never been to the capital’s mansion, so this was his first visit to it.
The Zheng Mansion was the Grand Commandant Mansion, naturally having the highest status among the ministers. Zheng Xilin loved the gardens of Jiangnan, and the Grand Commandant Mansion was decorated elegantly.
In the past, when Zheng Xilin was around, many ministers often came to his mansion to admire the courtyard scenery. However, the scenery of the mansion had now become desolate.
After discussing matters with Prime Minister He, the three Zheng brothers returned to their mansion.
"Little brother, you are still young. I suggest you go to the Imperial College to study." Zheng Rang feared that upon arriving in the capital, his younger brother might cause chaos and decided to find something to occupy him so he wouldn’t cause trouble elsewhere. "You can’t come to the capital and not study."
Zheng Cheng understood Zheng Rang’s intention and strongly agreed, saying, "Big brother is right. Little brother, you are still young and need to continue your studies."
Zheng Rang continued, "The Imperial College is the best academy in the capital and all of Great Zhou. There are outstanding students from all over the country there, and perhaps some might be smarter than you. I suggest you take a look."
"Little brother, father said the Imperial College is a place of hidden talents. I really think you should visit." Zheng Cheng, although enamored with the Mo Family, was not completely oblivious to outside matters. Like his big brother and father, he was both worried and pained by their younger brother, Zheng Qian.
Having an exceptionally intelligent but rebellious younger brother was indeed a very troublesome and painful matter.
Over the years, he and his big brother had truly worried themselves sick over their younger brother’s issues.
The past few years really could be described as chaotic.
"Is that so?" Zheng Qian looked skeptical. He didn’t quite believe that anyone in the world could be smarter than him, given that even his father, Zheng Xilin, wasn’t as clever as he was.
In their hometown, everyone said Zheng Xilin was the smartest person in the world. In Zheng Qian’s eyes, his father was indeed smart, but compared to him, he fell short.
Seeing his younger brother’s doubtful expression, Zheng Rang knew what he was thinking.
"Little brother, with so many people in this world, you are not the smartest of them all. Remember, there’s always someone better. If you arrogantly believe you’re the smartest, you’ll be stuck here, unable to progress," Zheng Rang said, but he didn’t truly believe there was anyone in the capital smarter than his younger brother.
"Little brother, although you are the smartest in our eyes, there are certainly many people in the world who are more intelligent than you. You must meet them and compare yourself," he thought. Causing chaos at the Imperial College would be better than wreaking havoc in the entire capital.
Zheng Qian asked, "Are there really people in the Imperial College smarter than me?"
"The Imperial College is the best academy in Great Zhou. Students admitted there have gone through numerous tests; it’s not just anyone who can study there." Seeing Zheng Qian wavering, Zheng Rang decided to push further, "I think it’s been quite a while since you’ve studied. You might not even pass the entrance exams for the Imperial College."
Zheng Qian was incensed by his brother’s last remark, glaring fiercely at Zheng Rang. With a cold face and a harsh tone, he said, "Big brother, are you insulting me?"