There is a god in the sky

Chapter 413 Request

"He passed! He passed! The young master passed the exam!"

When the news reached the Marquis of Pingyang's residence, the entire household was overjoyed.

Although it was only ranked last, it was still on the list.

For the Marquis of Pingyang's family, this result was far beyond their expectations.

There was no official messenger to announce the good news for the last place, but the Pingyang Marquis's mansion opened its gates and distributed candy and coins at its doorstep, making even the passing dogs aware that the Pingyang Marquis's heir had passed the imperial examination with flying colors.

Marquis Pingyang returned from the government office and boasted to everyone he met, even setting a date for a banquet to thank his teachers.

The former teacher was implicated by the Tong family and is no longer at Yishan Academy. This banquet to thank the teacher is for the chief examiner of the imperial examination.

Some people couldn't stand it anymore, saying, "The imperial examination hasn't even started yet, isn't it a bit too early for the Marquis to start celebrating now?"

Passing the provincial examination does not guarantee that you will become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination).

"It's alright. With such achievements, it's already a great honor for my Fu family's ancestors."

You should know that Marquis Pingyang was a military general; his family had never produced a single civil official for dozens of generations.

"Then you'll have to perform an ancestral sacrifice too?" the man mocked.

As a result, Marquis Pingyang nodded smugly, "You've reminded me, we really should go to the ancestral hall and tell our ancestors about this great joyous occasion."

The Marquis of Pingyang's mansion held a grand celebration, and Fu Qingyan dared not go out, fearing that he would be ridiculed.

But he couldn't bear to stop this joy.

Their family hasn't had any happy events in a long time.

When a minister impeached the Pingyang Marquis's family for their high-profile behavior at the court meeting, the emperor was not angry at all. Instead, he encouraged everyone, saying that the three great joys in life are passing the imperial examination and being listed on the honor roll, which is the most important. He said that they should celebrate.

The emperor intended to reinstate the Marquis of Pingyang to military power, but there was much opposition in the court.

Marquis Pingyang himself did not agree, refusing on the grounds of being unwell.

Perhaps he still harbored some thoughts, but he was disheartened back then and dared not continue to fight with all his might for the royal family.

When the Marquis of Pingyang was leaving the palace, he was stopped by a young eunuch.

"My lord, Steward Li requests your presence."

Marquis Pingyang followed him to Li Ge's palace and saw him dressed in white, painting.

This was the first time he had ever seen Li Ge so ethereal and otherworldly, completely different from his usual fierce demeanor.

"It's so carefree to be out of charge."

Without looking up, Li Ge said, "The gift boxes on the table are congratulatory gifts for the heir apparent. Please take them yourself, Your Highness."

Marquis Pingyang became interested and, holding the gift box, asked, "The congratulatory gift from Steward Li is certainly not an ordinary item. May I take a look first?"

Li Ge raised an eyebrow, looked up at him, and smiled, "If you want to see it, then look. This may not be a good thing for you."

Marquis Pingyang did not believe it, so he opened the gift box and saw that it contained a stack of books.

Flipping through a few pages at random, I found many insightful policy essays, enough to handle various question types.

This item was indeed a valuable asset for Fu Qingyan, who was about to take the imperial examination.

"Have a heart."

Regardless of where Li Ge obtained these test questions, he put a lot of thought into them.

"Of course, I'm also looking forward to drinking the prince's wedding wine."

Marquis Pingyang put the gift box down, walked up to him, and looked at the painting he had made.

This painting looks so familiar; the original still hangs in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

A minister named it "The Dance of Immortals and Demons," which was the painting Shen Lan had painted in public.

"The scene where Li is in charge has been recreated almost entirely."

"Yes, I've drawn it countless times. I remember exactly where everyone is and what they're doing, but no matter how I draw it, I can't capture the essence. It's similar in form but not in spirit."

"Miss Shen's painting skills are unparalleled and difficult for ordinary people to imitate."

Li Ge circled a house and several children playing in front of it in the painting.

"This is my home, and this boy with a braid is me. It's a pity that Shen Lan didn't draw my face, otherwise the Marquis would have seen what I looked like when I was a child."

Marquis Pingyang stood there, stunned, staring intently at the area he had circled.

With its blue tiles and white walls, this is a fairly decent house, considered a wealthy family's residence in Guli Town.

The fact that the children playing there were dressed like scholars further confirmed the assumption that they came from well-off families.

"I have some suspicions about the relationship between Manager Li and Miss Shen, but you're just telling me this like this? Aren't you afraid I'll expose it?"

"What good would it do if it got out? A lot of people are probably investigating my background, surely someone will find out?"

He left Guli Town years ago and went through many twists and turns before entering the palace. He had long since given up his original identity, so it's normal that they can't find out.

"I have done so many things that many people do not understand, and do not understand why I have betrayed the original owner time and time again. This is the reason."

Marquis Pingyang lamented that the Crown Prince had truly made a mistake back then.

If he had known he would be defeated by his enemies, would he have dared to ask for that prescription back then?

Why are you telling me all this?

"I would like to ask the Marquis for a favor."

"explain."

Li Ge threw the drawing paper into the brazier and burned it.

Looking at the burning flames, he said, "If I must die, could you promise me that you would guard the city gates of the capital and prevent Shen Lan from entering?"

Marquis Pingyang then realized that he was planning his own death.

"I thought you were someone who wouldn't give up easily. What, you don't want to fight anymore?"

"I don't want to think about it anymore. I'm tired, and I'm not in the mood to fight with those old guys anymore."

"I think the Emperor is much more at ease with you keeping those old guys in check."

As long as the Emperor still needs you, you won't die yet.

Li Ge poured a pot of water into the brazier and said calmly, "I helped him ascend the throne, and I have done what I should do. The rest is up to him."

And wasn't he using me too?

When he has no further use, that's when he'll be sacrificed.

He wanted to decide his own destiny, rather than have it controlled by others.

Marquis Pingyang felt somewhat uneasy after hearing these words.

"Now that the Emperor is giving me a high position, if I nod my head, the entire army will be in my hands. But isn't that just using me?"

If you think like that, then the emperor is using far too many people.

"The Marquis of Pingyang has a rather unique way of persuading people, but I am different from you. I am a lackey, while you are a pillar. How can we be treated the same?"

"Then why not become a pillar yourself? You have the ability to do so."

Li Ge said with a self-deprecating laugh, "With my status, if I were to interfere in court affairs, I would become a great eunuch who brings disaster to the world. Aren't you afraid that I will become the culprit who brings about the downfall of the country?"

"You won't, you still have a conscience."

In the eyes of many officials, Li Ge was an utterly wicked and ruthless villain who had killed countless people.

Unexpectedly, the Marquis of Pingyang, who was of a different generation from him, would say such comforting words.

The two weren't very close; they had only worked together a few times.

"Lord Marquis is truly a kindred spirit. It's a pity we met so late, otherwise we might have become friends."

Marquis Pingyang's temper is well-known throughout the land; he is by no means mild-mannered. Unexpectedly, he was extremely friendly to Li Ge today.

"I'm in a good mood today. If it were before, I would have given you a good dressing down."

"Fine, just tell me your demands, and I'll arrange your funeral."

Li Ge said with relief, "Then thank you very much, Lord Marquis."