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."