Chapter 928 Catching the Emperor’s Eye

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

“Guoguo’s getting smarter every day!” Gu Chengye exclaimed with a smile. “Let Second Uncle test your skills. If we start with ten eggs and eat three, how many are left?”

Guoguo, brimming with confidence, replied, “Seven! Because subtraction means taking away, Daddy already explained it to me.”

“Very good! Now, how many words have you learned?”

Guoguo answered, “I’m not sure, but I can read picture storybooks now!”

Mrs. Yao, surprised by Guoguo’s progress, asked, “Picture storybooks? The kind Zhou Ying writes?”

“Yes,” Gu Chengrui confirmed. “They’re simpler books, perfect for beginners like Guoguo.”

Mrs. Liu, eager to hear about the birth, turned to Gu Chengrui. “How is Zhou Ying? Did she have a difficult delivery?”

“Everything went well,” Gu Chengrui explained. “She went into labor early in the morning, and the baby arrived at dawn. She’s just a bit tired because the baby is quite plump.”

Mr. Gu’s eyes widened with curiosity. “Plump? How plump, exactly?”

Gu Chengrui chuckled. “Seven pounds and eight taels. He’s almost a whole pound heavier than Guoguo at birth.”

“That’s quite a chunk!” Mr. Gu exclaimed. “Is the baby awake? Can we see him?”

“He was sleeping soundly when I brought him in for his baby shower,” Gu Chengrui replied.

“A baby shower? Why did you do a baby shower ceremony this time?”

“We just happened to have some free time,” Gu Chengrui explained, “so we decided to get together for a simple celebration.”

Mr. Gu nodded in approval. “That’s a lovely idea. The weather is finally warming up, perfect for gatherings.”

After a pleasant meal and polite conversation, Gu Chengrui escorted his guests out. As they prepared to leave, he addressed his brother.

“Second Brother, do you still plan to return to your hometown after the exams?”

“We’ll see,” Gu Chengye replied. “If time permits, we’ll go back. Otherwise, we may wait until the new year.”

“I understand.” Gu Chengrui nodded. “Make sure to focus on your studies for the exams. The Emperor often uses current events as topics, so be prepared.”

Gu Chengye’s eyes widened in surprise. He cupped his hands in a gesture of thanks. “Thank you, Chengrui. After the exams, let’s have a proper family gathering.”

On their way back, Mr. Gu turned to Gu Chengye and remarked, “You saw how much Guoguo has grown today. She’s young but learning quickly. When you return home, you and your wife should also prioritize your children’s education. Remember, a well-educated daughter can excel just as much as a son. When they’re older, we can even consider hiring a female teacher for them.”

“I understand, Father,” Gu Chengye responded. “I’ll be more mindful of that in the future.”

The time went by until the official baby shower ceremony. Unlike the previous celebration, Gu Chengrui only invited Zhou Huaiming and his wife. However, to everyone’s surprise, the Emperor, Empress, and Eldest Prince graced the occasion with their presence.

The Empress even took the opportunity to introduce the Eldest Prince to the Gu family members.

Soon, the results of the court examinations arrived, and while Gu Chengye’s performance improved slightly, he only moved up one place.

However, the true sensation was Zheng Youan, the young scholar from the Zheng family. At the tender age of sixteen, he achieved the top score, shocking the entire nation with his brilliance.

Even Gu Chenglin, previously confident in his abilities, felt his confidence waver.

However, everything clicked when news of the Zheng family’s background emerged.

Understanding their deep-rooted influence in the royal court, the public quickly grasped the reason behind Zheng Youan’s meteoric rise.

Meanwhile, whispers began to circulate within the royal court.

“Does the Emperor intend to reinstate the Zheng family?” King Xian asked after receiving the news.

“That’s a possibility. The Zheng family has remained discreet since their downfall under the previous dynasty. They never engaged in any rebellious activities and kept a low profile. Zheng Youan, a prodigy in mathematics, has caught my eye, so I have decided to put him in an important position.”

King Xian nodded. “We just have to be careful. After all, the Zheng family deeply influenced the previous royal court.”

“I’ll heed your advice, Imperial Uncle, and use him carefully.” The Emperor nodded in agreement..

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