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Zhao Gou harbored resentment towards Grand Tutor Zhu because of Qingmei's affair, and they often had minor squabbles, with Zhao Gou frequently feigning illness to avoid attending his studies. When Wei Wanrong learned that her son was making such a fuss over a maid, she felt even more convinced of Grand Tutor Sun's reasoning; it seemed her son had truly been bewitched by that little vixen!

Zhao Huan spoke gently to Zhao Gou, saying, "Ninth Brother, you've been hiding here all day. If Wei Wanrong still can't find you, she'll be worried. Go back now."

Zhao Gou pouted and said, "My mother has driven Sister Mei to the brink of death, I don't want to see her."

Hearing him say that, Zhao Huan couldn't offer any words of advice.

Zhao Huan's mother was also the deceased Empress Wang, who was later raised by the newly established Empress Zheng. Wei Wanrong was originally a maid in Empress Zheng's palace, so their relationship was naturally different from that of the other concubines. Therefore, Zhao Huan's relationship with Zhao Gou was naturally closer than that of his other brothers. He knew that Zhao Gou had fallen into the water several times in his childhood for unknown reasons, and Qingmei had rescued him each time, so their affection for each other was naturally different from that for others.

"You can stay here with me if you want, I'll just send someone to inform Wei Wanrong. But you can't skip school. If Father finds out, he might punish you severely."

Upon hearing the words "Father Emperor," Zhao Gou's large eyes flickered, but he still stubbornly said, "I don't care, I don't care!"

Seeing his stubborn yet slightly timid answer, Zhao Huan smiled and thought, "A child is a child. No matter how stubborn he is, he will still be afraid of his father." He continued to threaten him, "I heard that Father will be going to the study to test our studies in a few days. If you don't go, you may really be punished."

Hearing this, Zhao Gou was not afraid at all. He raised his head and said, "What's there to be afraid of when I'm being tested? My third brother has told me everything the Grand Tutor taught me, and I know it all."

Zhao Huan was skeptical of Zhao Gou's words and tested him on the spot. To his surprise, Zhao Gou had memorized the articles quite well. Seeing that his young age allowed him to learn so much on his own, Zhao Huan was increasingly impressed by his ninth brother's extraordinary abilities.

As they were talking, a young eunuch came in and reported, "Your Highness, Zhan Shi is requesting an audience in the study."

Zhao Huan perked up and quickly pulled Zhao Gou to the study, saying as they walked, "Come on, let's listen to what's going on today. You'll definitely be interested in what we're talking about."

Zhao Huan was seven years older than Zhao Gou. He walked with great strides, pulling Zhao Gou to run behind him.

After finally arriving at the study in the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince's tutor was already waiting inside. As soon as Zhao Huan sat down, he asked, "Have you found out about what you were inquiring about?"

Zhan Shixian bowed to the two men and then respectfully replied, "Your Highness, the men I sent to investigate have returned. The Qin family did indeed move from Jiangning to Bianjing at the beginning of the year, precisely for the imperial examinations. Qin Hui was previously a teacher in Jiangning, and I've heard he was quite learned, often invited by wealthy gentlemen to give lectures. His daughter, Qin Zhen, is even more renowned, a child prodigy known throughout the area..."

Therefore, Zhan Shi relayed the story of how Qin Zhen was converted by a high monk, which had been passed down in Jiangning, to Zhao Huan and Zhao Gou.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan exclaimed excitedly, "So it's all true! That poem was indeed written by a seven-year-old girl! I'm so ashamed!"

"Brother, what word?"

Zhao Gou did not hear Qin Hui recite the poem "Bu Suanzi" at Xiangguo Temple that day. When Zhao Huan mentioned it again, Zhao Gou's face showed nothing but shock.

Seeing his expression, Zhao Huan laughed and said, "Ninth Brother is always so self-assured about his intelligence, but I'm afraid there will come a time when he has to admit defeat."

"Unless I see it with my own eyes, I won't believe it. That unruly girl doesn't have a single trace of a learned and reasonable person." Zhao Gou's face was slightly red from holding his breath. He probably wouldn't be willing to admit that he was inferior to Qin Zhen.

"It seems that Ninth Brother will not be satisfied without a contest with her. It doesn't matter. I think Qin Hui is indeed quite talented. As long as he passes the imperial examination this time, he can be given an official position and his daughter can be brought into the palace to serve you. Then you can have a contest to see who is better."

Zhao Huan hadn't been this excited in a long time. For some reason, the thought of his ninth brother with that girl made him feel that something fun was going to happen, and he couldn't miss it!

Zhao Gou, however, did not think that way. On the one hand, he did not want to admit defeat easily, but on the other hand, he was somewhat afraid to see Qin Zhen. He felt embarrassed thinking about how he always lost his composure in front of her.

The first time he met her, he argued with her in the street; the second time he met her, he made a fool of himself in front of his elder brother; the third time he met her, he even shed tears! Thinking of these things, Zhao Gou was extremely annoyed. He had never lost his composure like this before, so why did he always cause such a mess in front of her?

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I'm sure you're all unhappy with the shorter word count, please forgive me.

Writing this article was a real ordeal for me; even flipping through historical records left me completely bewildered.

My writing speed is really slow, and the details need to be carefully considered. I hope everyone can understand!

Volume One: Destiny's Fate 007 - Before the Announcement of the Golden List

After Qin Hui finished participating in the three rounds of the spring imperial examinations over nine consecutive days, he went home and slept for a long time. His sleeping for a whole day and night terrified Lady Wang. She didn't dare ask him how he did on the exams; the main problem was that he slept for far too long!

Qin Zhen saw her mother secretly checking Qin Hui's nose and, finding that he was still breathing, breathed a sigh of relief. Anyone would be nervous if their father slept from one dark night to another.

However, the tension didn't last long. The next morning, Qin Hui stood in the courtyard, stretching and looking refreshed.

"My wife, Zhen'er, I have something to say to you."

The family of three sat around a small table. Qin Hui sat there with an air of authority and said, "The imperial examination is over for now. No matter what my results are, there are still several months before the results are released. We can't just wait around like this. Besides, if I fail, we still have to live in Bianjing. So I'm planning to find a way to make a living. What do you think?"

Wang nodded obediently, and Qin Zhen said with bright eyes, "Be a teacher, Father, you are most suitable to be a teacher!"

Qin Hui was thoroughly tired of being a teacher in Jiangning. He initially wanted to reject Qin Zhen's suggestion outright, but after thinking it over, he realized it was the best proposal. Besides teaching, his only skill was arithmetic, but he disdained working as an accountant for small merchants. Starting his own business from scratch without experience was too risky; what if he lost everything? His family of three would be left starving. It was far too prudent.

Seeing his hesitation, Wang said, "How about... how about I go to the embroidery room to earn some work?"

“No, how can I let my wife suffer like this? Although my Qin family is not a wealthy or noble family, we don’t need you to suffer like this! My wife, please don’t mention it again.”

After Qin Hui finished speaking, he said, "Then I will go and ask from today onwards if there are any private schools that are hiring teachers."

Seeing that Qin Hui had made up his mind, everyone agreed. After breakfast, Qin Hui put on his long robe and went out.

Thinking that Qin Hui hadn't eaten anything good for several days during the imperial examinations, Lady Wang went to the market to buy vegetables to prepare a hearty lunch.

"Zhenzhen, stay home obediently, don't go anywhere, and don't open the door easily. I'll come back as soon as I buy the things." Wang Shi instructed as she put on her small basket and went out.

Seeing that her parents had left, Qin Zhen ran into the study, grabbed a pen and ink, wrote a note, and left through the back door. She walked along the alley to the main street, then headed towards the West Market on Panlou Street. The West Market had many taverns and gambling dens, and Qin Zhen, a small girl, looked quite strange walking among the diverse crowd.

She waited for a while in front of a gambling den, and sure enough, a man dressed as a palace eunuch came out. He looked quite well, so it seemed he had won money.

Qin Zhen stepped forward and handed over the note, saying, "Father-in-law, someone asked me to give this to you."

The young eunuch, seeing Qin Zhen, a little girl, asked, "Who told you to give this to me?"

"A big sister I don't know gave me candy and asked me to give it to you," Qin Zhen said innocently.

Upon seeing the words "To Chief Steward Liang" written on the note, the eunuch quickly stuffed the note into his sleeve and cautiously looked around. Seeing that there was no one suspicious, he sent Qin Zhen back to the palace.

Qin Zhen watched the young eunuch leave, then took out a letter from her sleeve. It was the letter her fourth senior brother, Wu Jing, had given her at the beginning of the month, which she had received from her senior brother Wu Nian. Qin Zhen's fourth senior brother, Wu Jing, was none other than Liang Shicheng, the chief eunuch of the palace. Besides explaining Qingmei's identity, the letter also told her how to contact him directly. The palace would send people out to procure goods on the fifteenth of each month, and some of Liang Shicheng's disciples in the palace would naturally mingle among them; the young eunuch from before was one of them.

Actually, there was one question Qin Zhen had never quite understood: how did her fourth senior brother, who had first entered the Buddhist order, end up in the palace as a eunuch? However, no one had ever answered this question for her; even her master refused to tell her. Moreover, since Wujing had been in the palace since she could remember, she had no way of asking him directly.

There must be some suffering involved, Qin Zhen thought to herself.

——

Qin Hui returned home a little later in the afternoon. Madam Wang had already prepared a table full of dishes, and Qin Zhen waited obediently to the side. Seeing Qin Hui's unwell expression, Qin Zhen knew her father hadn't found work. The imperial examinations had just ended, and the successful candidates were all waiting in Bianjing to see their results. Naturally, many people were looking for temporary employment, and Qin Hui had probably faced many setbacks.

Although he hadn't found a job, Qin Hui still ate quite a lot and then went out to look for work again with high spirits. He didn't find one on the first day, nor on the second. Just as Qin Hui was considering changing jobs on the third day, someone suddenly approached him, saying they wanted to hire him as a private tutor, exclusively for his young master!

Seeing the luxurious carriage and imposing manner of the approaching people, Qin Hui thought to himself, "There are many nobles and princes in Bianjing. Judging from their style, they must be powerful people. I can't refuse to go." So, the carriage took Qin Hui to an exquisite little building located south of the Zhuque Gate.

Qin Hui got out of the carriage and asked the man who had come to pick him up, "May I ask your master's surname?"

The man replied, "My eldest son said that Mr. Qin is an old friend; you'll know once you go up to him."

Qin Hui followed the man upstairs, puzzled. He didn't know anyone in the capital. If he didn't know anyone, could it be the Crown Prince he had met by chance at Xiangguo Temple? The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed, and he became nervous.

The small building was exquisitely crafted and meticulously laid out. Qin Hui followed respectfully upstairs and greeted Zhao Huan and Zhao Gou, who were sitting inside, saying, "This humble subject, Qin Hui, pays his respects to His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Ninth Prince."

It was late spring and early summer. Zhao Gou was dressed in a white silk brocade robe with a dark blue vest over it. He was not yet twenty years old, and he only had a jade hairpin in his hair. He had a noble but not ostentatious demeanor, which made Qin Hui sigh with admiration.

When Zhao Gou saw that Qin Hui had arrived, he put down the blue and white porcelain teacup in his hand and said, "Brother Qin, you already knew my identity. You have a good eye. I admire you even more."

"Your Highness is too kind."

Zhao Gou smiled and said, "I invited Brother Qin here today because I have something to ask of you. Please sit down and let's talk in detail."

Qin Hui cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, please give your orders. I will do my best to fulfill them." Following Zhao Gou's gesture, he sat down properly below him. He happened to see Zhao Gou looking at him with a lazy expression and squinting eyes. He could only nod and smile at the Ninth Prince.

Seeing Zhao Gou's appearance, Zhao Huan cleared his throat and said to Qin Hui, "I have heard that Brother Qin has been a teacher in his hometown of Jiangning for several years and is quite famous in that area. Therefore, I would like to ask you to be my ninth brother's teacher and give him more guidance."

Volume One: Destined for Each Other 008 Reading Together Like This

Zhao Gou had not studied properly for several months in the palace, which gave Wei Wanrong a major headache. Just when she was having a headache, her eunuch Xiao Qianzi suggested that the Ninth Prince hire a private tutor. As long as it was not a famous scholar, the other princes would not make a big deal out of Zhao Gou's private tutoring.

Wei Wanrong heard that Zhao Huan had chosen a talented candidate for the imperial examinations for Zhao Gou, so she entrusted the matter to Zhao Huan.

Qin Hui was flattered by Zhao Huan's words and said, "Your Highness is too kind to me. I dare not accept such a favor. The princes' education is always arranged by the palace. How could a commoner like me be involved?"

"Don't worry, I've already spoken to Father about this. As long as Brother Qin agrees, he can come to your house to study on odd-numbered days of each month, and stay in the palace to prepare for the Grand Tutor's assessment on even-numbered days. How does that sound?"

"Since Your Highness says so, then this humble subject will respectfully comply."

"Ninth Brother, come quickly to pay your respects to the Master."

Zhao Huan shooed Zhao Gou, who was lounging around, to his feet. Zhao Gou had no choice but to perform the proper teacher-student ceremony and say, "Greetings, Master."

Although Zhao Gou's apprenticeship ceremony was performed in a proper manner, Qin Hui could see that Zhao Gou was very unwilling, probably because of Qin Zhen.

As he was thinking this, Zhao Huan said, "Your daughter is quick-witted and about the same age as Ninth Brother. Why don't we let them study together so they can have a comparison? Wouldn't that be better?"

Qin Hui was somewhat surprised by this suggestion. Zhao Gou and Qin Zhensui were both children, but Zhao Huan was well aware of the differences between boys and girls. Could his suggestion be...?

Zhao Gou blushed and said, "I don't want to study with her!"

"Ninth Brother, wait until you are stronger than her before you speak. Let's proceed as eldest brother has arranged."

Zhao Huan, unusually domineering, was even more delighted to see Qin Hui at a loss and Zhao Gou reluctant; he knew it would be very interesting.

After returning home, Qin Hui told his family, "Today the Crown Prince found me and asked me to be the Ninth Prince's teacher. Starting tomorrow, His Highness will come to our house to study every odd-numbered day. You all need to prepare well."

Lady Wang was astonished, never expecting that her husband would become a tutor to a prince so soon after arriving in Bianjing. Her eyes were filled with admiration.

"Don't worry, my husband, I will definitely prepare tea and snacks and will not neglect Your Highness."

Hearing her mother say this, Qin Zhen snorted: "He came here to study, not to enjoy a life of luxury."

Madam Wang glanced at her daughter and thought she was rather impolite, so she said to Qin Hui, "I thought Zhenzhen knew everything by herself, but it seems she needs to learn how to treat guests properly."