Chapter 491: 250 Sister Lovers (First Update) Chapter 491: 250 Sister Lovers (First Update) Fen Lin could not hide his admiration, “I’m really envious that you can be seated with Xiao Liulang.”
The two were placed consecutively either in the front or at the left rear.
Du Ruohan rolled his eyes, “What’s there to envy? If you’re so keen, you can take my seat!”
He didn’t understand how, when he and Fen Lin were best friends as children, Xiao Liulang, a newcomer who spent less time with them, manage to push him aside?
Fen Lin said, “I’d love to, if the invigilator agrees.”
Lin Chengye also showed extreme admiration, wishing to sit beside Xiao Liulang.
Du Ruohan didn’t understand and asked, “What’s happening with you two? Do you hope to copy his test paper or something else by sitting by his side?”
Fen Lin gave him a meaningful glance, “You don’t get it. As long as I sit beside Xiao Liulang, I feel at ease.”
Lin Chengye nodded in agreement.
He felt the same way.
Fen Lin was a native of Song County. Even though his family lived in the county seat, in reality, his grandparents and relatives lived in the countryside. He was just an ordinary country lad who had never seen the world.
The Palace Examination was fast approaching. The thought of meeting the Emperor of Zhan Country made his knees weak.
Although Lin Chengye was the son of the wealthiest man in Youzhou Provincial City, merchants were considered lowly throughout history and were not respected.
Discussion about him among the Guozijian students often revolved around his family’s wealth, and some even claimed that his rankings were bought with money.
In short, Lin Chengye was even more afraid of meeting the Emperor than Fen Lin.
Xiao Liulang turned to the two of them and said, “Don’t overthink it. Just take the exam as you normally would. The Emperor is not a dangerous beast. He’s not going to punish candidates over trivial matters.”
Du Ruohan grumbled, “How would you know? You haven’t met him.”
Xiao Liulang did not respond.
In reality, he was under enormous pressure. He had an intuition that once he entered the Imperial Palace, he would definitely attract the Emperor’s attention.
Although he had complete confidence in handling the situation, he could not guarantee what the Emperor’s attitude would be.
Fen Lin was annoyed with Du Ruohan, who was always finding fault with Xiao Liulang. He said, “Let’s drop it. Let’s go back. Du Ruohan, are you going back with us or back to the Zhuang residence? We’re planning to go to Xiao Liulang’s house to discuss potential examination questions.”
Du Ruohan initially didn’t want to go, but he thought about something and asked, “Is Gu Jiao home?”
Xiao Liulang gave him a cold look, “She’s not home!”
In the end, Du Ruohan decided to go. Zhuang Xianzhi was old-fashioned and never discussed potential examination questions. He believed success in the examination had nothing to do with luck but depended on one’s effort and ability.
Thus, for Du Ruohan to reach this stage, besides being exceptional, he had indeed put in more effort than others.
Zhuang Xianzhi never talked about exam strategies, and Du Ruohan relied purely on his knowledge.
Gu Jiao was not home today.
She had just received a letter from Xue Ningxiang who wrote that her mother-in-law was gravely ill. She asked Gu Jiao to pass a message to Zhou Erzhuang, hoping he could return and see his mother one last time.
Gu Jiao knew about Xue Ningxiang’s mother-in-law’s condition. As a result of aging, all her major organs were failing and medication could not reverse it.
Gu Jiao was not familiar with the situation in the Military Camp and was uncertain whether Zhou Erzhuang could get a leave of absence. It was said that leave was allowed for bereavement, but Xue Ningxiang’s mother-in-law was still alive.
After thinking it over, Gu Jiao decided to go to the Military Camp.
Vice General Hu had returned to the Tiger Mountain Camp, Gu Changqing was also at this camp. Gu Jiao didn’t want to trouble him, so she asked the guard to pass a message to Zhou Erzhuang, telling him she was waiting for him just outside the camp.
Zhou Erzhuang had become Vice General Hu’s personal guard, a position higher than before, and no one dared to disrespect him anymore.
The guard left to report the message.
However, Zhou Erzhuang was in training. He was the subject of the training exercise and couldn’t leave halfway. The guard asked Gu Jiao to wait for a while.
Gu Jiao didn’t have to wait long, Gu Changqing came out from inside.
Gu Changqing was also in training, but he was the one conducting the training, so it didn’t matter if he stepped away for a while.
“What a coincidence.” Gu Jiao greeted him.
But were there such coincidences? It was more likely that someone had manipulated it.
Gu Changqing had previously instructed the guards, if there was a maiden named Gu who came to the Tiger Mountain Camp, they must inform him.
The guard first went to report to Gu Changqing and then went to inform Zhou Erzhuang.
Gu Changqing never mentioned these things to Gu Jiao.
Gu Changqing noticed the letter in her hand and asked, “Are you here to deliver a letter to Zhou Erzhuang?”
Gu Jiao nodded, “Yes. He received a letter from home. His mother is gravely ill and hopes to see him for the last time. Is it easy to get leave from the army?”