Chapter 1603: Chapter 1603: Prime Minister Song’s Frustration

For Guan Shuyan, getting married meant entering another phase of life. She had to learn much more than when she was a girl and couldn’t be as carefree as then. Fortunately, her upbringing was evident, and she had a high emotional intelligence, allowing her to quickly integrate into the new family.

Of course, mainly because the Song Family was straightforward with no issues like troublesome concubines to handle.

Oh, yes, there was an old man as grandfather who treated the Prime Minister’s Mansion like an inn, returning when he pleased and enjoying leisurely sojourns at his estate, accompanied naturally by his two old concubines.

And in the third branch, the male head was incapacitated, bedridden, with the only concubine being a noble concubine from the palace who was well-behaved, rarely seen, and never caused trouble.

This made Guan Shuyan genuinely feel that the Song Family had a peaceful and simple household, with people easy to get along with, leading to a relaxed life.

As for Song Ci, having an additional person in the house made no difference, instead adding a junior for filial respect and conversation, making her feel contented and her days more satisfying. Naturally, the elderly enjoyed the company of vibrant young people, and she was no exception.

After the spring examinations in March, the results of the April palace exam were published, naming Fu Shixian, the eldest grandson of the Fu Family, as the top scorer, with an official position in the Bureau of Astronomy, marking the Fu Family’s formal re-entry into the power center of the Beijing Circle.

The spring examination questions from twenty-four years ago were specially brought back by Song Zhiyuan for Song Lingsu and Song Ling to attempt. Upon his review, neither seemed likely to make the list, especially Song Lingsu.

As for Song Lingjie, Song Zhiyuan requested the chief examiner Scholar Meng to review it, which was barely adequate for a lower rank, still earning a joint Scholar title.

Scholar Meng was aware that these were works of the Song Family’s young master and stroked his beard, saying to Song Zhiyuan, "Prime Minister Song is filled with knowledge, and the young master of the Song Family is equally commendable."

Although joint Scholar is not highly regarded, it’s still a Scholar. Achieving this at fifteen or sixteen is already remarkable, evidencing the exceptional talent of the Song Family’s young master.

In a few years, this child, with Song Zhiyuan as a mentor, will surely attain greater accomplishments.

Scholar Meng felt both admiration and envy, as the Song Family lost Song Zhiqing but soon produced another outstanding member—it truly was impressive.

Such jealousy, such envy.

Song Zhiyuan felt pride in his heart, but did not show it, instead requesting Scholar Meng to keep it a secret.

Scholar Meng understood well, knowing that a tree standing out in a forest is always the first to be blown down. Though Prime Minister Song held the position of Prime Minister, he had political foes, with Prime Minister Fan occasionally covertly scheming against the Song faction.

To strike Song Zhiyuan, to weaken the Song Family’s strength, damaging the Song Family’s hope would be the greatest blow, wouldn’t it?

This matter might be hidden from others but not from the Emperor himself. Seeing Song Zhiyuan with a complex expression, he couldn’t help but wonder why his nephew’s success seemed to give him an expression akin to constipation?

Emperor Chu, not inclined to guess the sentiments of this minister and old friend, directly inquired, to which the latter sighed, "Minister feels both gratified and rueful."

"Hmm?"

"In my generation, I seized the top, my second brother managed affairs. In the next generation, it’s his son who claimed the top spot, while my own son fell slightly short. Your Majesty, could this be a cycle of talent?" Song Zhiyuan reflected on Song Lingsu’s exam paper and feared he would quickly be overshadowed in the officialdom.

Song Lingsu was ill-suited for officialdom; as the legitimate elder grandson, what should be done?

Song Zhiyuan experienced a strong impact like when he had surpassed his younger brother in the past, now finding his son being outdone by the son of his younger brother!

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