After saving the Empress, I became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Looking at this prince who had become famous in the capital in just a few months, Ning Nan shook his head, smiled, and clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying:

"Seventh Young Master, it's been a long time."

talking.

He then clasped his hands in a fist salute to the young man in purple robes holding a folding fan and said with a smile, "Brother Qin, it's been a long time."

The eldest grandson of the Grand Secretary, Qin Yun, smiled faintly and said, "Brother Bai Xuan, you are still as handsome as ever."

Qiu He, who had just been flattering his esteemed guest, quickly turned around upon hearing his employer's voice. He was about to make an introduction when Ning Nan stopped him with a look... Judging from the extent of Qiu He's flattery, the two had clearly discussed a big deal, but it was unclear what they wanted to publish.

Ning Da Dongjia knew perfectly well that although his relationship with these two people seemed indifferent, they actually harbored grudges against each other.

He didn't want his personal grudges to interfere with the newspaper's normal operations, so he told Qiu Hemo not to say anything more.

"I have important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave." Master Ning smiled and clasped his hands in greeting, without explaining why he had come, only saying that he was leaving.

Under Qiu He's somewhat surprised and silent gaze, Ning Nan slowly walked over, intending to walk past them and leave directly.

The prince, wearing a melon-shaped hat with a fur trim, smiled and raised his hand to stop him:

"Brother Ning, please wait."

The other person's hand blocked his way, and the two were only three feet apart. Ning Nan paused, narrowed his eyes, and said "Oh".

Hongfeng's thick mandarin jacket did not make him look bulky; instead, it added to his dignified appearance.

He raised his chin, revealing what he thought was a very humble smile, and said, "Brother Ning, I would like to say something to you."

Ning Nan nodded and smiled, "Please speak, Seventh Young Master."

A gentle smile, befitting a humble scholar, graced Hong Feng's handsome face, and his voice was warm and welcoming:

"Brother Ning, to tell you the truth, I know about the incident where you accidentally beat up my fourth brother. I am well-versed in the classics and know that filial piety and brotherly love come first. Since you beat up my brother, I naturally hate you to the bone and regard you as an enemy."

Ning Nan frowned: "And then?"

Hongfeng raised his chin, his tone still gentle, and spoke eloquently: "But His Majesty once instructed me that a ruler should be magnanimous and inclusive. Later, when we met at Bailu Academy, I saw that Brother Ning's chess skills were superb, and he defeated me through Miss Gongsun's help..."

"The one above?" Ning Nan frowned, shook his head to interrupt, and defended his female disciple's chess skills, saying, "I didn't use anyone else's hand; it was Miss Gongsun who won against you."

Hong Feng's expression stiffened for a moment, but he quickly relaxed, adopting a "whatever you say" look, and skipped over the issue, saying:

"Later... I learned about the Baiyufang by chance. I went to Baiyufang to take a look and saw that the promissory note was perfectly sealed and ingeniously designed. It seemed to have the power to mobilize all the cotton cloth and silver in the world to flow to Baiyufang, which left me speechless. After making some inquiries, I learned that Baiyufang was the work of Brother Ning. This made me marvel at Brother Ning's ingenuity..."

Alright, it's Baiyufang.

Ning Nan understood, but shook his head and denied it, saying, "I was only in charge of the very beginning of Baiyufang. Now it is under the jurisdiction of the imperial court. Even the initial design was mostly done by the current managers of Baiyufang. I have no credit for it and dare not claim credit for it."

Despite humbling himself and showering the young man with praise, Hongfeng was surprised when the young man rejected each and every one of his compliments. As a result, the smile on Hongfeng's face faded and his eyes became calm.

Ning Nan asked without ceremony, "Does Seventh Young Master have anything else to say?"

After a moment of silence, Hongfeng's eyes gradually sharpened.

He took a slight breath, and his aura changed dramatically.

Qin Yun sensed the change in the other party's aura, shifted his gaze, and couldn't help but glance sideways.

Having spent over a month getting to know this prince, who had previously appeared as a well-read and wealthy young master, was humble, polite, gentle, courteous, frugal, and modest, and was also handsome. If his identity were not mentioned, anyone would only think that he was a learned and charming Han Chinese prince from the Northern Dynasty.

His demeanor changed instantly, his expression darkened, and a sharp, domineering aura involuntarily seeped out from beneath his thick mandarin jacket. Qin Yun's heart sank slightly.

Hong Feng's hawk-like eyes glanced at Ning Nan, his smile fading as he said calmly:

"Brother Ning, what I've said so much about is..." he said earnestly, "I wish to invite Brother Ning... to serve under me as my advisor. I humbly request that you..."

Ning Nan's eyes widened slightly, seemingly not expecting that the other party had this purpose. It seemed that the other party coveted Baiyufang and wanted him to help them create a Baiyufang in the Northern Dynasty as well.

Ning Nan's thoughts were somewhat complicated. He shook his head and interrupted again, saying directly, "Seventh Young Master... you really are..."

He paused, unable to utter the words "outlandish," and truly unsure of what else to say, he clasped his hands in a fist and said:

"I have important matters to attend to, so I will not keep you company any longer."

Having said that, he didn't bother with the other person anymore and turned to leave.

"Brother Ning!"

At this moment, Qin Yun stopped him and said with a smile:

"I wonder if Brother Bai Xuan will participate in this year's provincial examination?"

Ok?

Ning Nan narrowed his eyes and said, "I wonder what advice Brother Qin has for me?"

"Brother Bai Xuan, you ranked ninth in the provincial examination this year?" Qin Yun asked.

Ning Nan frowned. He had indeed ranked ninth in the academy examination, which was something that had recently boosted his confidence.

He was last in the county examination, average in the prefectural examination, and finally ninth in the provincial examination.

Of course... Ning Nan glanced at the Tartar whose face had turned ashen... His ranking was still far inferior to that of the Tartar in front of him. Manager Wang had said that day that the Tartar had won first place in the academy examination and had already achieved the "Middle Three Scholars" title.

Ning Nan, unsure of the other's meaning, smiled and said, "What? Brother Qin, do you think my ranking is too high?"

A man behind Hongfeng sneered, "Whether you're good or not, you know it in your heart!"

Ning Nan was taken aback, a sense of doubt creeping into his mind. Why did this person seem to think his ranking was actually quite high?

Hongfeng was annoyed that he had been interrupted and was about to leave without offering any conditions, so he couldn't help but scoff:

"Brother Ning, let me remind you, the provincial examination involves more than just anonymous names; it also requires transcription. The examiners and the officials grading the papers are separate, and the decision is no longer solely made by the education commissioner. I'm sure you know your own abilities, Brother Ning... At that time... you won't be able to achieve ninth place anymore."

Remind me? Remind yourself, perhaps?

Ning Nan frowned, looking increasingly puzzled as he listened.

Qin Yun's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Xun Gui's participation in the imperial examination... is indeed the most injustice in the world! Lou Jizuo has done everything he could. He clearly placed Brother Bai Xuan in last place in the county examination, but he still let Brother Bai Xuan pass the county examination... but he never expected that Brother Bai Xuan and his ancestor would not appreciate his kindness at all. A few days later, Lou Jizuo was demoted by His Majesty to Dazhou as a registrar."

"Prefect Liu of Yingtian Prefecture, knowing His Majesty's and Marquis Jingbei's intentions, ranked Brother Ning in the middle of the rankings in the prefectural examination. As a result, the very next day, a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard submitted a memorial accusing Prefect Liu of embezzling disaster relief grain in the ninth year of the Tianqi reign, and impeached Prefect Liu... However, Academician Dong, understanding the subtle meaning behind the words, directly ranked Brother Ning ninth in the provincial examination... Hmph!"

Qin Yun snorted coldly and said, "Brother Bai Xuan, when the provincial examination comes, I'm afraid someone will inevitably reveal their true colors!"