"Very good, Muyang, if you want to study medicine, your father supports you."

The moment he spoke, Mrs. Zhu felt cold to the core!

"Muyang, if you want to study medicine, your grandfather supports you too."

"Indeed, after experiencing so much, it’s crucial to have a skill to rely on."

Years ago, when they encountered an epidemic in the Northern Desert, they were fortunate to have Chun Nuan’s pills to get through it.

Thanks to Chun Nuan’s methods that saved people, their family earned respect, and from then on, their work became a bit easier. Everyone took care of the Xiao family.

In the end, entering the officialdom means accompanying the ruler, and accompanying the ruler is akin to accompanying a tiger. It’s enough for the Xiao family to have Chun Ning walking this path.

Eggs shouldn’t be put in one basket.

This is the conclusion the Xiao family has reached over the years.

After a council meeting, they finally agreed on Chun An and Muyang studying medicine.

They don’t need to seek out a master because they believe the best teacher is Chun Nuan.

"In that case, I’ll write a letter to Nuannuan and inform her of the family’s arrangements."

With the results about to be announced, the Xiao family feels a bit nervous.

In contrast, Chun Ning remains calm, preparing pills with Chun An and Muyang in the pharmacy.

"It’s excellent to learn the skills of making medicine from Sister," Chun Ning said to Chun An and Muyang, "Do you know why Mr. Zhu and Mr. Zhao and I could walk out of the examination hall full of energy?"

All the scholars know that after an examination, they will be worn out.

Most scholars fainted as soon as they left the examination hall, with some even needing to be carried out.

However, Chun Ning, Zhu Haodong, and Zhao Minglang walked out, laughing and brimming with energy.

"Whether the exam went well or not is one thing, but our vitality overshadowed many scholars."

"Uncle Ning, why were you all so impressive?"

"It’s because your second aunt made pills for us, which we each took before entering the exam; also because your mother made jerky and preserved fruit for us, which were far better than other dry goods."

"Uncle Ning, wouldn’t it be great if we made these pills for sale?"

"No," Chun Ning shook his head, "Not all pills are suitable for selling; each has a unique prescription, and not everyone is suited to these pills."

Especially for scholars, if taking these pills leads to any issues, even if the pills themselves are fine, it would be blamed on them, a situation that defies explanation.

Moreover, such a secret formula is not to be shared and should only be used within the family.

"Muyang understands."

The young Xiao Muyang quickly grasped the critical point of this matter.

"So, if you wish to pursue medicine, I support it. Our Xiao family’s medical skills, with ancestral secret formulas, have been mastered by Sister and depend on you for propagation and inheritance."

Chun Ning himself knows a bit, but it’s only a superficial knowledge.

He thought if he couldn’t be a good minister, he’d be a good doctor, and this proved true for him.

On the day the results were announced, the scholars waited early.

"The results have been announced!"

Everyone eagerly awaited, crowding and pressing forward.

Chun Ning, Zhao Minglang, and Zhu Haodong met up to sit opposite in a private room on the second floor, while their attendants were already squeezing in.

The three calmly drank tea, knowing their performance likely wasn’t too poor.

"Brother Zhao, I’ve heard you have a girl in mind; if you pass this time, will you visit and propose?"

Zhu Haodong, thinking about his own matters, wished to get some reassurance from others.

"Yes, if fate allows, I will invite the official matchmaker to visit."

Zhao Minglang couldn’t help but smile faintly when thinking of the girl he had in mind; he had waited for this day for a long time.

For this day, he had spent countless nights reading by lamp light, almost enduring extreme efforts.

"Brother Zhu, are you engaged yet? Isn’t it time for double happiness?"

"I have such thoughts," Zhu Haodong laughed, "Let’s see if heaven allows."

Chun Ning... the older brothers are at the age for academic and marital accolades.

He... well, his mother also mentioned it’s time to talk about marriage.

Suddenly recalling that girl... ultimately, it wasn’t meant to be.

While pondering, Zhu Haodong’s servant suddenly burst in.

"You’ve passed, Young Master, you’ve passed!" The servant shouted excitedly, "Young Master has passed!"

"What about Brother Zhao and Brother Xiao?"

Zhu Haodong felt his servant was indiscreet; if friends didn’t pass, such shouting would be awkward.

"Passed, Young Master, you’ve passed too."

"Passed, my master’s passed too."

The servants of the Xiao Mansion and Zhao Mansion also rushed in: "Master, you all have passed."

All three had passed, with Zhao Minglang being the best, Chun Ning next, followed closely by Zhu Haodong.

"Congratulations, congratulations, happy for all!"

The three brothers were very happy.

They decided to call on Master Tian.

The Mountain Master informed them of some knowledge related to the palace examination.

"You three are the students I have the greatest hopes for; I wish you good luck."

The entire Xiao family, Zhao family, and Zhu Mansion were jubilant.

However, they hadn’t celebrated yet, waiting for the palace examination.

During the palace examination, the young new emperor looked below at the candidate scholars, both old and young, nodding in satisfaction.

The new emperor personally devised the questions, which challenged many of the scholars.

They hadn’t expected the emperor to issue a topic related to livelihood strategies.

In this aspect, Zhao Minglang and Chun Ning were deeply touched.

Writing with divine ease, they eloquently penned two extensive strategical essays.

On the other hand, Zhu Haodong was somewhat weaker in this subject.

Fortunately, he had diligently read and studied, enabling him to write something.

On the day the ranks were announced, Zhao Minglang achieved top scholar placement, Chun Ning was second, and Zhu Haojiang placed as a "Erjia" scholar.

"Third Young Master, Second Young Master is the top scholar!"

Qingsheng cheered excitedly: "Second Young Master topped the scholar rank!"

Zhao Minghua... this bookworm is so capable?

"Who is the second scholar?"

"The second scholar is Xiao Mansion’s Chun Ning."

"That’s quite good," Zhao Minghua said, "Prepare gifts to send congratulations to Xiao Mansion."

Didn’t Second Young Master just bring glory to the Zhao family?

"If Chun Ning hadn’t spent seven years in Changzhou, Zhao Minglang wouldn’t have got the top scholar."

Qingsheng... Master, ultimately, who are you closer to?

At Xiao Mansion, the entire Xiao household celebrated.

"What’s that noise outside?"

Mrs. Huang asked the maid beside her, "Is it New Year again?"

"No, Third Madam, it’s not New Year; it’s Mr. Chun Ning being named second scholar, and firecrackers are being set off at the mansion entrance in celebration."

"Chun Ning is second scholar?"

"Yes, Third Madam."

"In the coming years, my Chun An will be the top scholar." Mrs. Huang said casually, "I’m not interested in them being second scholar; my Chun An will be top scholar..."

Mrs. Huang repeated it nonstop, and the maid didn’t refute her.

Third Master instructed, whatever Third Madam says, let her say it, cater to her, don’t make her angry.

Actually, Mr. Chun An hadn’t attended school for a while and was instead studying medicine; this matter couldn’t be disclosed to Third Madam.

With Chun Ning being named second scholar, Xiao Mansion decided to host a banquet.

The Li Mansion, Xu Mansion, Xuu Mansion, and Huang Mansion all sent people.

Only after sending people did Huang Mansion learn that Mrs. Huang was ill, and Mrs. Huang was deeply concerned.

"Did you see a doctor? Why didn’t you send us a note despite being ill? How did you become ill?"