Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots
Chapter 1030 - 010 Grand Style

Chapter 1030: 010 Grand Style

Zhao Hongsheng glanced at the house and couldn’t help but sigh, "Aunt really treats you as her prospective daughter-in-law. She has really tidied up the place nicely for you."

His gaze then turned to the porcelain on the Bogu shelf. Standing up, he walked closer and took a closer look before finally confirming his suspicion. He exclaimed in shock, "Did she really bring this for you too? This is Uncle’s favorite antique. I have asked him several times for it, but he couldn’t bear to part with it, not even to my older brother or Ah Zheng. I didn’t expect that he would give it to you!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan only then remembered what Dong Qing had just mentioned, saying that Xia Zheng’s father favored his daughter over his sons—it seemed to be true.

"Do you want it?" Seeing Zhao Hongde’s eyes gleaming brightly, Lin Yuan teasingly played coy, winked at him playfully and said, "Want it? Dream on! Haha."

Zhao Hongde’s mouth twitched, and he deeply felt that this sworn sister was just like Xia Zheng; appearing calm and gentle on the surface, but mischievous at heart.

Reluctantly giving up on the porcelain, Zhao Hongde sat back down in his chair, taking the two boxes of tea in his hands.

Lin Yuan, amused, shook her head and asked, "Big brother, I heard from Xia Zheng that you were busy and didn’t want to bother you, but how come you have time to come out today?"

Zhao Hongde replied, "Well, I’ve indeed been busy. The Emperor entrusted this year’s imperial examination to me, and with the festivities around the New Year, there has been one celebration after another in the palace."

Speaking of the imperial examination, Lin Yuan suddenly remembered Ma Junying. He had come to the Capital City last year to participate in the provincial examination and was reportedly ranked first. The final court examination was up next. She wondered how his preparations were going.

Thinking this, Lin Yuan couldn’t help but inquire, "Big brother, as you are in charge of the imperial examination, were there any candidates who made a particularly strong impression on you?"

Zhao Hongde thought for a moment and nodded, "Now that my little sister mentions it, I do recall a young master surnamed Ma from Zhuma Town. He is very talented in literature. Not just me, but several seniors from the Hanlin Academy also hold him in high esteem."

A young master surnamed Ma? Could it really be Ma Junying?

Lin Yuan smiled and said, "Is this Young Master Ma by any chance named Ma Junying? Not to hide from you, big brother, this Young Master Ma is indeed excellent and quite famous in our Zhuma Town."

Zhao Hongde nodded, "Yes, it’s him."

About the imperial examination, although Lin Yuan was not very knowledgeable, she had learned some from Xia Zheng. It was essentially about selecting capable men for those in power. As the chief examiner for each session of the examination, these worldly scholars could be considered his students.

Since Zhao Hongde was in charge of this examination, the chief examiner naturally had a say in it. Frankly, those who passed this examination and emerged successful would mostly become Zhao Hongde’s confidants. Thus, it also provided Zhao Hongde with considerable benefits.

Lin Yuan was well aware of the profound dynamics within the Capital City. Originally, she had intended only to run her business and make money. However, now that she was Zhao Hongde’s sworn sister and had inseparable ties with the Xia Mansion, she was naturally counted as part of the Third Prince’s faction.

"Big brother, this Young Master Ma is of noble character and kind-hearted; an excellent talent. If possible, I hope you won’t miss the opportunity to favor such a talent," she said.

Zhao Hongde naturally understood Lin Yuan’s thoughtful intention and smiled, "That is something Ah Zheng has mentioned to me before."

Xia Zheng had mentioned it too? This was quite unexpected for Lin Yuan, as Xia Zheng had always viewed Ma Junying as his most formidable rival. The fact that Xia Zheng would assist him, rather than hinder his path to officialdom, suggested he knew the importance of such matters.

Since it had already been brought up by Xia Zheng, there was no need for Lin Yuan to worry any longer.

Speaking of the imperial examination, Lin Yuan remembered Chen Zhu, who had lived next door to her before and who later married the daughter of Yecheng County’s Magistrate, Chen Shimei. She wondered how he had fared in the examination this time.

Speaking of Chen Shimei, Zhao Hongde had a deeper impression of him than of Ma Junying, not for any other reason but because the memory of Lin Yuan "borrowing from" him had been unforgettable.

Drinking a sip of tea, Zhao Hongde said, "Compared to him, Young Master Chen was somewhat lacking. His essays were standard and correct, but precisely because of that, they lacked any remarkable aspects, and he might have difficulty getting onto the list."

This outcome was actually something Lin Yuan had anticipated beforehand. Chen Zhu was simply not in the same league as Ma Junying; it would be a miracle if he could even make it to the palace examination.