Prime Minister's Mansion.

Front yard study.

Hu Weiyong was sitting on a chair, looking worried about gains and losses.

He knew that today was the day when the Wenxian Hall released the results. Although his son escaped death and was promoted to a noble rank, he still felt a little regretful when he thought that his son had missed the number one spot.

The most important thing is that losing the position of No. 1 Scholar means that the marriage between his son and the princess will have to be postponed for some time. The longer it is delayed, the more he will have to worry about repaying his grandson.

Thinking of this, Hu Weiyong couldn't help shaking his head and sighing.

At this moment, there was a sound of footsteps, and the housekeeper Qin Hai stumbled into the study, startling Hu Weiyong who was shaking his head and sighing.

"What are you doing?!"

"Isn't something going to happen again?!"

Hu Weiyong looked at Qin Hai who rushed in carelessly, glared angrily, and then couldn't help but ask.

"Master, something... something big happened..."

Qin Hai nodded and said with a complicated expression while panting.

"What's wrong?!"

When Hu Weiyong heard this, he couldn't help but stand up and his eyes widened.

Rather than being the top pick, he hopes his son can stay for a while honestly.

"Master...Master..."

"The young master won the first prize!"

Qin Hai panted and said intermittently.

After listening to Qin Hai's words, Hu Weiyong was stunned for a moment, and then his face immediately darkened.

"Your wings are hard, aren't they?!"

"Now you are actually making fun of me in front of me?!"

Hu Weiyong had a sullen face and stared at Qin Hai with dissatisfaction and asked.

"No, sir..."

"The young master is really the number one scholar. It was spread on the street, but I didn't believe it, so I went to the Wenxian Hall and took a look in person. It was confirmed that the number one scholar is the young master!"

Qin Hai quickly waved his hands and said seriously.

"really?!"

Hu Weiyong suddenly stood up and asked in disbelief.

"real!"

"I saw it with my own eyes!"

Qin Hai nodded desperately and said affirmatively.

"No. 1 pick?!"

"That kid won the top prize?!"

"Hahaha..."

Hu Weiyong hesitated, murmured a few words to himself, and then couldn't help laughing, and began to pace around the study room excitedly, with a look of joy on his face.

"Congratulations, sir, congratulations, sir!"

"The young master lived up to your expectations and finally won the top prize!"

Qin Hai also took a deep breath, raised his hands, and said excitedly.

"Does the young master know? Hurry up and tell that brat the news!"

"Great, our Hu family also has a top talent!"

Hu Weiyong said at a loss with an excited smile on his face.

"Master, the young master left the house early in the morning. I don't know where he went, but he should have known the news by now. The entire capital is talking about it now."

Qin Hai hesitated for a moment and said with a smile.

"Okay, okay, okay."

Hu Weiyong nodded, pacing back and forth, his excited hands had nowhere to rest, and his face was full of joy.

...

Royal Palace.

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Pang Yuhai, the chief eunuch, walked quickly into the hall and bowed respectfully to Zhu Yuanzhang who was sitting on the couch.

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Jiu'an is outside seeking an audience."

Pang Yuhai said respectfully while saluting.

"Why is he here?"

Hearing Pang Yuhai's words, Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head in confusion and looked away from the memorial in his hand.

What he was holding in his hand was a report on the construction of schools in various places that the Ministry of Industry had just sent to the palace not long ago.

After listening to Hu Fei's suggestion that day, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the Ministry of Works to immediately implement it, and Hu Fei also sent the first batch of required silver to the Ministry of Works.

"Let him in."

Zhu Yuanzhang put away the memorial and said slowly.

Pang Yuhai agreed and slowly stepped back.

Not long after, footsteps were heard again, and Hu Fei slowly walked into the hall.

"Hu Fei, a humble minister, comes to see His Majesty!"

After Hu Fei came closer, he bowed respectfully and said loudly.

"No need to pay tribute."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Hu Fei cupped his hands and stood up slowly. Looking at Zhu Yuanzhang who seemed to be in a good mood, he didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Why did you think of going to the palace to pay my respects today?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Hu Fei and asked with a smile.

"Your Majesty, I just went to see the Spring Festival List."

Hu Fei hesitated for a moment and observed Zhu Yuanzhang as he spoke.

"Well, so what?"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and asked slowly, with a meaningful smile on his face.

"So Wei Chen would like to ask, is there any problem with that list?"

Hu Fei looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and continued to ask tentatively.

"certainly!"

"What are you talking about? What? Are you not satisfied with me appointing you as the top pick?!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Hu Fei, frowned, and asked pretending to be dissatisfied.

"No no no."

"Wei Chen doesn't dare!"

"But Your Majesty, is there anything wrong with doing this? After all, Wei Chen can say that all three exams ended with blank papers. If Wei Chen wins the top prize, I'm afraid it will chill the hearts of many students."

Hu Fei waved his hand quickly, and then said earnestly.

"Who said you turned in blank papers in all three exams? Didn't you also draw a painting and write a poem?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Hu Fei and said seriously.

"That's okay? Your Majesty, wouldn't this be too hasty?"

Hu Fei grimaced and continued to try to persuade Zhu Yuanzhang.

"presumptuous!"

But as soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately darkened his face, stood up suddenly, and shouted sternly.

When Hu Fei saw it, he hurriedly bowed and saluted.

"The list has been published and there is absolutely no possibility of withdrawing it!"

"This is my decision after careful consideration. Jinkou Yuyan, do you want me to go back on my word?!"
To be continued...