At noon, Chen Xu personally cooked up a table full of exquisite dishes.

This greatly touched Feng Yuanbai, who knew that many times before at Gaosheng Inn, he had always freeloaded off Wu Zhengze's meals.

As a student, Chen Xu personally cooking for his master was his expression of filial piety.

Later, when they arrived at this secluded courtyard, he frequently sought advice on cooking from Chef Sun.

While practicing his culinary skills, the delicious food Chen Xu occasionally distributed to the courtyard servants for tasting was called "sampling," which was nothing special.

But to earnestly make such a feast and invite just one person—

Being that "someone," Feng Yuanbai felt quite extraordinary, stroking his short beard and only regretting that Wu Zhengze wasn't by his side.

Otherwise, he, Feng, would surely have walked past Wu Zhengze proudly, his hands behind his back.

Hey! Wouldn't you want Wu to enjoy some of this glory too?

Alas, with Master Wu absent, it was somewhat lonely.

But no matter, today Feng Yuanbai was the undisputed winner!

Chen Xu had entered Thirty-First of the Xuan List, and Jichuan County, being a remote place, probably had not heard the news yet.

What Feng Yuanbai didn't know was that Wu Zhengze actually had received the news by now.

Although it was slightly later compared to Yunjiang Prefecture, Wu Zhengze had only received the news that morning.

At that time, he was teaching in the County School's classroom when suddenly he heard that the Jichuan County Magistrate had sent someone to invite him.

The person who came was not just some ordinary attendant or servant, but the Magistrate's close advisor.

Wu Zhengze was initially confused, because he had no special relationship with this Jichuan County Magistrate.

Even though they were officials from the same county and wouldn't be strangers, Wu Zhengze, merely an Eighth Grade County School Instructor, had a respected role of enlightening the county.

Truth be told, he was basically just a poor teacher.

The Jichuan County Magistrate, being a Scholar Magistrate, was always driven by profit and very skilled in maneuvering.

Because they were both Scholars, the County Magistrate had a subtle attitude toward Wu Zhengze, and their relationship could be summed up as "respect but with distance."

Wu Zhengze could never have anticipated that this County Magistrate would invite him in such a serious manner that day.

Given the serious invitation and the advisor's keen respect, it seemed this would be no bad news.

So, after finishing a lecture, Wu Zhengze followed the advisor to the County Magistrate's Mansion.

It's worth mentioning that while Wu Zhengze lectured, the advisor was outside the classroom, anxious but unable to rush him.

On the way, the advisor clearly had bottled-up urgency but similarly dared not complain one bit.

This lowly and humble attitude was strikingly different from what Wu Zhengze had seen before.

Upon entering the County Magistrate's Mansion, the County Magistrate personally came to the door to greet him.

After that, there was tea, a banquet, and talks to establish rapport.

Why such pride before but now such humility?

Wu Zhengze remained patient, waiting for the true intentions to be revealed.

Finally, after being indirect for a while, the County Magistrate hesitantly said, "Instructor Wu, about... our Jichuan Chen Xu—he is your student, is he not?

Haha, no mistake at all. Chen Xu, he is the top scorer of Yunjiang Prefecture's academy examination. Truly a talented young man with limitless prospects, bringing joy to all."

At the mention of Chen Xu, Wu Zhengze suddenly sensed something.

He kept his composure, slightly nodding and saying, "He's my student. What, is there something improper about Chen Xu outside?"

When he said "improper," his tone carried a hint of urgency.

Even though his tone was urgent, Wu Zhengze internally had a premonition that what the County Magistrate would bring was certainly not something "improper," but perhaps some astonishingly good news.

Sure enough, the County Magistrate excitedly said, "There's nothing improper at all! Instructor Wu, you have underestimated your student!

Did you know, nowadays a booklet called 'Great Li's Splendor Record' is circulating wildly?

And in this Great Li's Splendor Record, our Jichuan Chen Xu has entered the Profound List, ranked Thirty-First on the Xuan List!

Be aware that throughout Yunjiang Prefecture, among thousands of talents, only Chen Xu was recorded in Great Li's Splendor Record."

Having said this, the County Magistrate even stood up wanting to grab Wu Zhengze's hand.

Wu Zhengze quickly withdrew his hand, avoiding the grasp.

The County Magistrate wasn't upset, just withdrew his hand and laughed, and as he laughed, tears of joy welled up in his eyes: "Instructor Wu, this is Heaven's blessing upon Jichuan County, to have acquired such a gifted scholar!

Ever since receiving the news, I've been tossing and turning, filled with both joy and concern.

I'm joyful that even in our remote Jichuan County, such a prodigy can emerge, but worried... lest our negligence fails to support this prodigious scholar from Jichuan County adequately.

So, what do you think we should do?"

Wu Zhengze was perusing the Great Li's Splendor Record handed by the County Magistrate, stirring with joy inside.

Without revealing it, he cautiously suggested, "How about paying more attention to Chen Xu's family, enabling him to proceed without concerns?"

The County Magistrate immediately said, "Certainly offering attention, I've already dispatched capable servants to Chen Xu's hometown, delivering rewards of silver and land to his family.

A hundred taels of silver, a hundred mu of land—this is standard in our county. How could Chen Xu, the top scorer of the academy exam, not be rewarded?"

Wu Zhengze smirked inwardly, thinking the news of Chen Xu being the top scorer wasn't fresh, yet how come you weren't this active in rewarding previously?

He stayed silent, just watching the County Magistrate.

The County Magistrate continued, "But this still isn't enough, Instructor Wu, what more should we do?"

Wu Zhengze replied, "Then how about sending someone to Yunjiang Prefecture, presenting books and Spiritual Objects to Chen Xu? Wishing him success on his journey to Pingyang..."

The County Magistrate exhaled deeply, immediately nodding repeatedly:

"Indeed, that's necessary! I shall send my youngest son to Yunjiang at once. Delivering books and Spiritual Objects, aiding our Jichuan prodigy on his path further.

Also, could Instructor Wu please write a letter, so that Chen Xu won't feel unfamiliar upon seeing my son..."

Ah, so this was the true agenda behind the County Magistrate's actions.

Wu Zhengze did not decline; he could write a letter on the spot or even send a note secretly.

Surely, with Chen Xu having achieved such success, he should have sent a message back by White Clothes.

A quarter of an hour later, Wu Zhengze left the County Magistrate's Mansion.

Half an hour later, he returned to his residence, unable to hold back, bursting into hearty laughter.

His laughter made the few gray-white messenger pigeons in the courtyard flutter their wings noisily.

Feng Yuanbai was discussing the grades of Spirit Wine with Chen Xu, saying, "Miss Gongsun, from the esteemed Gongsun Family in Jade Capital, studied swordsmanship at Qingxu Daoist Palace in her youth. Their sect has its own distinctions.

You Grade, Miao Grade, Absolute Grade, Immortal Grade, Saint Grade—these are the five grades of Spirit Wine passed down by Qingxu Daoist Palace.

Traditionally, You Grade enters the spiritual realm, Miao Grade is rare and precious, Absolute Grade is already elusive, and as for Immortal Grade and Saint Grade... well, those are legends.

We actually don't need to concern ourselves too much, since we don't follow the same path as the Daoist Sect.

They even advocate exterminating the Demon Race, yet the current trend in imperial examinations is not such."

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