At this time, he had already passed the county examination and successfully obtained the title of Child Scholar. From now on, it was time to work hard!
As long as he passed the prefecture examination and the academy examination, he could further gain the title of Scholar.
Zhang Jian once said that if he could earn the title of Scholar, he would personally guide him on the techniques for the provincial examination, something he kept in mind.
"Big Brother mentioned that the next generation of the Zhang Family needs more talent to support it. Relying solely on Big Brother is indeed too strenuous!"
But Zhang Min quickly put down the classics in his hand, startled by the commotion outside the mansion. The Zhang Family Mansion inside and out seemed suddenly transformed into a noisy sea.
He couldn't even calm down to read!
Looking helpless, Zhang Min walked out of the courtyard, and upon raising his eyes, found the entire Zhang Family bustling with activity, each face wearing a peculiar joy.
Zhang Min couldn't help but look puzzled, and then stopped an excited old servant in the garden.
His expression was somewhat displeased. "What has happened in the mansion that causes such a clamor?"
Stunned momentarily when stopped by Zhang Min, the old servant hurriedly replied: "Young Master, it's heard that Brother Jian in the mansion won the title of Champion Scholar. The Clan Leader and Madams are distributing rewards in the main hall, and it's said everyone will receive a share!"
Zhang Min's eyes lit up: "Big Brother won the Champion Scholar? Is this true?"
The old servant said: "Young Master, I heard it clearly. I heard those senior officials from the government office are coming here now!"
Zhang Min's expression paused for a moment, then overjoyed, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself:
"He did it, Big Brother became Champion Scholar! He's truly remarkable!"
His handsome face flushed, and he didn't know where to place his hands.
The old servant, unable to care for much else, apologized and hurriedly went to the main hall, fearing he'd miss the reward if he was too late.
And a few concubines were chatting and laughing in the distant corridor, their faces unable to hide smiles.
They mentioned the palace examination in their conversation, and their information was naturally more up-to-date than the servants in the courtyard.
They had received the news half a quarter of an hour ago and were now preparing to go congratulate Zhang Yi.
Seeing the scene of Zhang Min dancing with joy in the courtyard, these concubines found it amusing, with Aunt Zhou clutching the handkerchief in her hand tightly.
"This silly boy...?"
Aunt Zhou's charming face lacked its usual resentment, merely feeling some powerlessness.
He was clearly born of her; yet his heart leaned towards another woman's child. She felt her efforts were futile.
The other concubines also had varied expressions, but regardless, Zhang Jian's top achievement as Champion Scholar genuinely pleased them.
They had watched Zhang Jian grow up since he was little.
Zhang Jian stood out since childhood, always cherished by the Patriarch, and was early established as the heir. Moreover, Zhang Qishi's family background wasn't something they could match, which put an end to any miscellaneous thoughts.
The concubines, for once, didn't mock but simply smiled and said:
"Brother Min is a sincere and good child. If the Zhang family's sons work together like this, the Zhang family will surely thrive!"
Hearing this, Aunt Zhou's complexion improved significantly, and a slight smile appeared on her face.
"Min'Er has been close to his big brother since childhood, naturally devoted to him!"
"Our Brother Min is naturally studious and so close to his big brother. He's sure to be a little Wenqu in the future!"
Saying this, Aunt Zhou couldn't help but exhibit a look of pride.
The sudden change in her demeanor, the other concubines observed, found amusing but not worthy of sarcasm at the moment.
...
Meanwhile, Zhang Yi and his wife were extremely busy, on one side entertaining the County Minister and guests, and on the other, accommodating the endless stream of congratulators. They had to call in many elders from the Zhang Family to help hold the fort.
With Lu Zhao's public announcement, discussions erupted within and outside Fengyang County.
Especially within the Qi Family.
As news brought back by the servants reached them, the old lady couldn't suppress her joy.
"Ah Yu is indeed like a Wenqu star descending, and Sanya is truly fortunate. Now it's all happiness after hardship!"
In the bright hall, many women from the Qi Family were with the old lady, chatting and discussing the palace examination results!
Madam Qi Wan, standing nearby, smiled and said:
"The Ancestor is right. Ah Yu being able to top the imperial exam amongst thousands of advanced scholars suggests he might bring honor to the family and win a lady's title for sister Ruoying!"
Madam Qi Wan's smile had not faded since receiving the news.
Another finely-dressed, elegant lady beside her said, "I think niece Yu Hua is the most fortunate. Her future husband is not only the Champion Scholar but also talented and good-looking, truly a perfect match!"
Hearing this, Qi Yuhua, sitting beside Madam Qi Wan, blushed slightly, her fair face showing a hint of pink, though joy was evident in her eyes.
Seeing this, Qi Qin from the third household remarked, "Look, Niece Yu Hua is shy!"
The old lady, witnessing this, retorted Qi Qin's teasing with a smile, "Qi Qin, watch your mouth!"
At this moment, most gazes from the various branches of the Qi Family fell upon the second branch, clearly envious of their fortune.
Qi Yuxian, still dressed in plain clothes, stood by the old lady in silence, her watery eyes momentarily complicated as she glanced at the quiet Qi Yuhua.
For a moment, Qi Yuhua seemed the object of envy among the sisters of the Qi Family!
But soon, her eyes regained calm.
...
While Fengyang County rejoiced over the birth of a Champion Scholar, Bai Liying also received the news and returned to the Bai Shui Dragon Palace.
"Daughter, who would have thought you'd marry a Champion Scholar?!"
The Bai Shui Dragon Monarch Bai Nu was also in high spirits.
Bai Liying, however, remained composed: "Zhang Lang is knowledgeable and exceedingly talented, naturally fit for the title of Champion Scholar. It's just that there are many areas where I, as a wife, can't assist him."
Bai Nu comforted her, "Dear daughter, don't worry. Didn't my son-in-law say that 'If love between both lasts for ages, why need they stay together night and day'?
Right now, you should focus on cultivating, and having children for him is the biggest help you can offer!"
Brilliant light shone from Bai Liying's eyes as she gently nodded.
Her eyes showed a faint hint of complex emotion. She once thought that after giving birth to sons and daughters for Zhang Jian to repay the multiple rescues of Bai Shui Dragon Palace, she would decisively retreat from worldly matters and cultivate.
For this, she didn't hesitate to use the secret techniques of the Dragon Palace, which kept Zhang Jian occupied for half a month, anxious to fulfill her wishes early.
However, she found out that certain things were not as simple as she thought.
Especially after falling in love, it wasn't easy to control.
Just like now, upon hearing news of Zhang Jian, she wished to sprout wings and fly into his arms.
...
As the commotion over the Champion Scholar continued throughout Fengyang County, at the outskirts, the Red Flower Lady Temple was bustling.
No, it had already been renamed Kitchen Goddess Temple, where a unique divine light descended from the heavens into the temple's Divine Office.
At this moment, the Divine True Body of Lady Honghua sitting in the Divine Office involuntarily looked toward the void, seeing a golden light descend, and a solemn, majestic voice resounded from within the golden depths.
"There exists a virtuous woman, Du Honghua, in Fengyang County, brave and courageous, who protected the township. With the incense of the entire county converging with the Fire God's rightful position, ascending to the Sheji Divine Dao… Today, you are conferred the position of Kitchen Goddess, governing the daily and festive stove fires of the people, ensuring safety, dispelling evil, welcoming prosperity, and fulfilling these duties. May you adhere to the Right Path, cultivate well, and achieve enlightenment soon!"
This vast divine sound descended, and a golden divine rune instantly flew into Lady Honghua's brow, merging into the Fire God Mark therein.
Lady Honghua was overjoyed.
Her eyes could seemingly see the manifestation of stoves' fires from the void, her Divine Body able to switch and enter those Divine Realms at any time.
She could also see vast unexplored areas of divine power.
This Divine Position of Kitchen God had immense potential.
"Achieving enlightenment is hopeful!"
Lady Honghua felt her divine power continuously growing, merging into her Divine Body, within the Divine Office.
The Kitchen God Rune at her brow continued to evolve.