Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 767: Nanyang (Part 2)

Lu Zhen took the examination for female scholars and secured the top position, staying on in the palace to work. This was a grand event worthy of boasting for years, even decades, for the Ye County Women’s Academy. For the Lu Family, it was like a large meat pie had fallen from the sky, striking the entire family dizzy.

The Lu Family was merely ordinary citizens in Ye County, with two looms at home and six people of all ages. When Lu Zhen went to the academy to study back then, it was mostly for the free lunch.

Who would have thought that the girl who brazenly declared she would work for the Commandery Princess when she grew up, indeed went to the Capital City, entered the court, and became an Imperial Attendant?

The Commandery Princess had named her Lu Zhen back then; as it turned out, it was the ’Zhen’ that meant ’dream come true’.

The Lu Family received the good news over a month ago, and yet they still hadn’t recovered from the joyous news that fell from the heavens. Every day, a large number of relatives and friends visited.

Granny Lu was no longer stingy or miserly, taking out her private silver to prepare a feast, inviting neighbors and friends to eat to their heart’s content. She didn’t forget to educate her grandson: "Look at your sister, she is so accomplished. You must study hard, and in two years, you can also go to the Capital to take the Advanced Scholar exam and become a high official."

Lu Xiaobao, now a twelve-year-old, had been studying at the academy for a few years, with average results. He had a clear self-awareness: "I won’t make it; I’m just not cut out for studying. Seriously studying for a few more years and then seeking a job isn’t difficult. As for the Imperial Examination, let’s forget it. Not to mention the Advanced Scholar, even passing the Scholar exam would be tough for me."

Granny Lu, furious, slapped her grandson, but her face was full of joy.

No matter what, Lu Zhen had made great achievements, so the entire Lu Family followed suit and changed their fortunes. In front of the Lu Family house, there now stood a stone-carved scholar’s box. Everyone who passed by touched it, hoping to catch a bit of the prosperous fortune of the female scholar.

Today, Master Li returned to Ye County, and both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law couldn’t even bother with weaving, rushing together outside the city gate. Mrs. Lu Zhang kneeled quickly, and Granny Lu was a step slower but soon knelt down too.

Li Ying couldn’t help but laugh and reached out to help the two up: "This won’t do; you should all get up quickly."

"Lu Zhen now holds an official position, as a legitimate court official. You are all officials’ family members now; you can’t kneel so casually anymore."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, slightly bewildered, got up, unable to express anything beyond incessant thanks. Clearly, they were overwhelmed with joy.

Li Ying laughed and said: "Everyone, stop standing here; let’s enter the city gates. We can talk more when we return to the academy."

Everyone responded in unison, flocking around Li Ying as they walked through the city gate.

County Magistrate Cui looked equally proud, thinking his wife was indeed impressive and capable.

Because of Li Ying’s return, Ye County Women’s Academy suspended classes for a day. On this day, all the students were filled with joy, as if they might be the next to become a female scholar.

Even Lu Ruohua was infected by this bustling and celebratory atmosphere, pestering Li Ying, asking endless questions: "Master, when you went to the Capital, did you see my elder sister?"

Li Ying laughed and corrected, "You must call her the Emperor."

Eleven-year-old Lu Ruohua, now a growing young girl, had graceful features and a sweet smile: "Master is right; did you see the Emperor?"

"Yes, I did, more than once." Li Ying laughed and said: "I saw her once during the Ministry of Rites exam, once when entering the Jinluan Palace, and later once in the palace."

Lu Ruohua was full of envy: "Master, quickly tell me, what does the Emperor look like now?"

Li Ying didn’t laugh at Lu Ruohua’s innocence and, after some thought, said: "A person’s demeanor varies drastically according to their position. When the Emperor was the Nanyang Commandery Princess, she was beautiful and majestic. Now sitting on the Dragon Throne, she has more of an emperor’s imposing and fierce aura."

"However, when the Emperor summoned us, she was still as approachable and gentle as before."

Lu Ruohua was lost imagining her elder sister’s demeanor, her heart fluttering with longing.

Unfortunately, she was still in mourning for her father, making attending the academy already somewhat improper. Going to the Capital was impossible. At least another two years would have to pass.

Lu Ruohua looked regretful, and Li Ying, seeing this, couldn’t help but smile: "There is still plenty of time in the future! Perhaps it won’t be long before the Emperor summons you siblings to the Capital."

Of course, a larger possibility was keeping Aunt Mei and her three children in Nanyang County.

If it were Li Ying, she would make the same choice.

Though Lu Ruohua and her brother were the Emperor’s biological siblings, they were still Lu by surname. As long as they were settled in Nanyang County, no one would say anything. Even the Fan Yang Lu Family wouldn’t jump out to defend Lu Ruohua and her brother.

The Lu Family had produced a Pingzhou Governor, and now it had Lu Qingqing, who went to the Ministry of Rites to observe politics after becoming a female scholar. The Emperor truly favored the Lu Family generously. The Lu Family wouldn’t dare cause trouble for the Emperor; they’d rather wish Lu Ruohua and her brother behaved and didn’t go to the Capital to create problems for the Emperor.

Lu Ruohua, still young, couldn’t think of these things, only feeling regret for not being able to reunite with her elder sister.

A few days later, coincidentally, it was a break at the academy.

Lu Ruohua took a carriage back to the Nanyang Prince Mansion.

The present Nanyang Prince Mansion was notably colder than before. The Commandery Princess had gone to the Capital, taking along Chief Historian Chen, grandfather Ma Yaosong, Tang Youyin, and Yang Zheng. All matters in the Mansion were now decided by Chief Historian Feng.

Aunt Mei had been in mourning for Lu Junma, hardly leaving her courtyard. Lu Ying hadn’t returned to the Prefecture School, either; he stayed at home to mourn and study.

Lu Ruohua knew nothing about the inside story of her father’s "sudden passing," feeling quite sorry upon seeing her mother and brother eating vegetarian daily and living in sorrow. She muttered privately: "Father’s been gone almost a year. Even in mourning, we can secretly eat some meat. No one will check our dining table."

Aunt Mei had become a bit thinner, her demeanor softer, yet her complexion had improved. Once modest and demure, now she could straighten her back, relax her brows, speaking with a smile on her lips: "You two are still young, at the age for growing. Eat whatever you want. I myself am not fond of meat; some vegetarian food is just fine."

Unable to persuade her mother, Lu Ruohua then turned to her brother: "Brother should start attending the Prefecture School again. Spending all day in the mansion reading alone isn’t interesting and progresses slowly."

Lu Ying glanced at his naive sister, softly saying: "I don’t need to take exams for titles. Whether my studies are good or bad doesn’t really matter."

The elder sister had become the Emperor of Da Liang.

As this consanguineous brother of different mothers, being too outstanding and remarkable might not be favorable. It’s better to be ordinary and unnoticeable, quietly staying in the Prince Mansion.

Even if he wanted to achieve something, it would have to wait until his elder sister solidly secured her position on the Dragon Throne and had control over the court and the palace. By that time, he might have a chance to step out of the Nanyang Prince Mansion!

Lu Ruohua was stunned for a moment, slowly comprehending some meaning: "So should I also stay in the Prince Mansion and not continue to the Ye County Women’s Academy?"

Lu Ying smiled: "That is not necessary. With mother and me staying in the Prince Mansion, that should be enough."