After a male student transmigrated into the body of a widow,

Chapter 134 Support

Everyone took their seats one by one.

Gu Lin was initially curious: whenever the four of them got together, Zheng Hao and Zhen Cheng were quiet and reserved, while Peng Zhizhi and Zhen Yuan chatted with them. Didn't they feel awkward?

However, after having dinner with them a few times, Gu Lin realized that wherever Peng Zhizhi and Zhen Yuan were, the atmosphere would never be quiet.

They knew each other very well, and in private they didn't adhere to the rules as strictly as they did in public, nor did they follow the rule of not talking while eating or sleeping.

Zhen Yuan took a sip of wine, his upturned eyes narrowed slightly in enjoyment, and then he put down his wine cup and looked at everyone, saying, "After the results of the imperial examination were released, the uncles and elders of the main branch of the Zhen family sent people to ask my brother and me about news of Brother Zheng."

This sentence revealed a lot of information. Even the thick-skinned Gu Lin keenly sensed that something was wrong. He put down his chopsticks and listened attentively to Zhen Yuan's words.

Zhen Yuan chuckled. Since arriving in the capital, he and his brother had had little contact with the main branch, let alone mentioned Zheng Hao's existence to them.

However, less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to see the results of the imperial examination announced, the main branch sent someone to congratulate the brothers. The person offering the congratulations asked them about Brother Zheng with a determined look on his face.

Whether they were being monitored by members of the main branch from the day they arrived in the capital, or whether it had been happening since their time in Yueming Prefecture without their knowledge...

A flicker of disgust and amusement crossed Zhen Yuan's eyes as he said, "They are our elders, who came specifically to show their concern for us brothers and inquire about our friend's affairs. My brother and I are deeply grateful, and naturally we told them all about Brother Zheng's deeds."

Upon hearing Zhen Yuan's words, Gu Lin was slightly stunned, and then realized that Zheng Hao had always kept a low profile. Even though he had achieved the title of Jieyuan in Yueming Prefecture, not many people knew him except for the students of the prefectural school. What achievements did he have to speak of? Zhen Yuan was just fooling the people of the Zhen family's main branch.

Thinking this, Gu Lin couldn't help but ask, "If they knew you were fooling them, wouldn't they blame you?"

Previously, when Gu Lin was in Yueming Prefecture, he learned from Zheng Hao about the relationship between Prefect Zhen's family and the main branch of the Zhen family. They were all in the same boat, sharing both prosperity and adversity. Under such circumstances, how could Zhen Cheng and Zhen Yuan dare to deceive the elders of the main branch?

Upon hearing Gu Lin's words, Zhen Yuan's slightly upturned, charming eyes widened.

Then, the corners of his mouth turned up even higher: "Uncle Gu, I would never dare to deceive my elders. I will tell you everything Brother Zheng does or what famous things he does. It's the truth."

Gu Lin's brows relaxed. Yes, sharing a friend's affairs with elders is simply sharing what you know about the trivial matters of your friend's daily life.

Looking at Zhen Yuan with admiration, Gu Lin shook his head slightly. To be able to think so quickly and handle the question so flawlessly when asked by an elder without any preparation, he truly lived up to his usual eloquence.

Peng Zhizhi cast an envious glance at Zhen Yuan: "Your elders are easy to deal with. After they found out that I knew Brother Zheng, my uncles asked me directly if Brother Zheng was married. Their superiors also have unmarried children and want to find a good son-in-law like Brother Zheng."

Upon hearing the gossip about Zheng Hao's love life, Gu Lin looked up again, even stopping eating the roasted beef in his bowl, and stared at Zheng Hao with curious eyes.

At this moment, all four pairs of eyes in the private room were fixed on Zheng Hao, waiting for his reaction.

Zheng Hao remained calm and composed, showing no reaction or fluctuation despite Peng Zhizhi's mention of matters concerning his relationship.

He said in a somber tone, "I am not yet twenty years old, nor have I brought honor to my family, so I have no intention of getting married for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Peng Zhizhi understood what the other party meant; his uncles, cousins, and other relatives were likely to be disappointed.

Peng Zhizhi nodded and said, "I understand. We should make achievements and establish our careers in the prime of our lives. However, if we can meet a kindred spirit, it would be a wonderful thing."

As Peng Zhizhi spoke, his gaze couldn't help but fall on the young man who was slightly bowing his head and concentrating on eating.

Upon seeing this, a cold glint flashed in Zheng Hao's eyes, confirming something.

Having put aside the matter of relationships, Zhen Yuan brought up the list of candidates for the imperial examination.

In this imperial examination, among the four, Zheng Hao ranked the highest as the top scholar, Zhen Cheng ranked fourth, Zhen Yuan ranked twelfth, and Peng Zhi ranked one hundred and fiftieth.

Zhen Yuandao said: "Before the imperial examination, all the gambling dens in the capital opened gambling games, allowing people to guess who would win the top prize."

In the largest gambling den in the capital, Du Yuan and He Yanzhi alone had over ten thousand taels of silver wagered. Everyone thought that the top scholar would be one of these two. Who could have imagined that Brother Zheng would suddenly appear out of nowhere, catching everyone off guard? On the day the results of the imperial examination were announced, when everyone saw Brother Zheng's name at the top of the list, they were all filled with regret and wept bitterly.

Peng Zhi's family was in business, and as soon as Zhen Yuan finished speaking, he immediately chimed in, "If someone were to go against the grain and bet on Brother Zheng during this imperial examination, wouldn't they be able to make a fortune?"

"Because of Du Yuan and He Yanzhi's precedents, Brother Zheng's odds are extremely high."

A hint of regret crossed Zhen Yuan's face as he said, "If I hadn't been studying at home before the imperial examination, completely oblivious to what was happening outside, I would have already taken the money to place bets for Brother Zheng."

I heard from the young men who came out of the gambling den that a couple bet three thousand taels of silver on Brother Zheng a few days ago. According to the odds, they should have won tens of thousands of taels.

Upon hearing this, Gu Lin paused, his chopsticks remaining in the bowl, unmoved.

If no other men entered the gambling den, then the "couple" Zhen Yuan mentioned should refer to him and Niu Qiang.

Without saying a word, Gu Lin composed himself and picked up his chopsticks again to eat.

Zheng Hao's attention was always focused on Gu Lin, so he could quickly notice even the slightest change in Gu Lin.

A thoughtful look crossed Zheng Hao's dark eyes. Although he had assigned Niu Qiang to protect Uncle Gu when he went out, he couldn't ask Niu Qiang about Uncle Gu's situation every day for certain reasons, and this had been the case recently.

Therefore, upon seeing the subtle change in Uncle Gu's expression after Zhen Yuan mentioned the gambling den, Zheng Hao immediately realized that Uncle Gu must have done something to hide from him when he went out a few days ago.

Zheng Hao frowned slightly, deciding to ask Niu Qiang later when they returned to the inn.

Hearing Zhen Yuan constantly talking about money, Peng Zhizhi retorted, "Even you, Second Young Master Zhen, sometimes lack money?"

Prefect Zhen had served as the prefect of Yueming Prefecture for many years and maintained harmonious relations with the local powerful families. Although he was not greedy, he was not entirely incorruptible either. As Prefect Zhen's two eldest sons on whom he placed high hopes, he would not deprive them of their talents, even if it meant hardship for himself.

Zhen Yuan rolled her eyes and gave him a disdainful look: "Having enough money to spend doesn't mean you're rich."

Prefect Zhen was cautious and timid, and also had the aloofness of a scion of a noble family. It is conceivable that while other prefects were indulging in the bounty of gifts, Prefect Zhen would only accept a few inexpensive items. He would not touch any rare or expensive gifts from others.

Unwilling to accept expensive gifts, yet wanting to maintain a respectable and wealthy lifestyle, the Zhen family's food, clothing, and daily necessities were all supported by Madam Zhen's substantial dowry and the businesses she ran.

Seeing that Peng Zhizhi and Zhen Yuan had once again lost their composure and were both unwilling to yield to each other, with the former saying one thing and the latter immediately responding, Gu Lin was somewhat helpless.

He wondered, Zheng Hao and Zhen Cheng often spend time with these two, don't they find them noisy?

Gu Lin turned to look at Zheng Hao and Zhen Cheng, only to see that the two of them seemed completely unaffected, talking about other things.

They chatted and ate, and soon the five of them were full. Peng Zhizhi's servant called the waiter to come and clear the table.

After everyone had left, Zhen Cheng began to brew tea and handed it to each person in turn.

Gu Lin took it and sipped it; the aroma was refreshing and helped cut through the richness.

Zheng Hao took the teacup, lowered his head to sip, and then looked up at Zhen Cheng, asking, "With the palace examination imminent, Brother Zhen Cheng, you've invited us out. Is there some other important matter?"

"Hmm?" Peng Zhizhi looked puzzled and asked the two people sitting opposite him, "Brother Zhen Cheng and Brother Zhen Yuan invited us out for a gathering, wasn't it to celebrate our good results in the imperial examination?"

Zhen Yuan remained silent, then said to Peng Zhizhi, "My brother and I would never do such a nonsensical thing."

What is there to celebrate about the provincial examination? It is the palace examination that will determine their fate.

Gu Lin sipped his tea, his eyes darting around. It wasn't just Peng Zhizhi who thought this way; he thought the same.

Zhen Cheng didn't say anything else. He got straight to the point and asked Zheng Hao, "Before the palace examination, several great scholars in the capital will be giving lectures. I wonder if Brother Zheng would like to attend?"

"Although these great Confucian scholars did not serve as officials in the court, they maintained close ties with officials in the court."

Zhen Cheng stopped short of making a point.

The great Confucian scholars held lectures before the imperial examinations, and these scholars had close ties with officials in the court.

Gu Lin's expression shifted. Although the other party did not say it explicitly, Zhen Cheng's meaning was already very clear.

The reason why the great Confucian scholar chose to hold a lecture before the palace examination was mostly to provide intensive pre-exam tutoring for the candidates.

However, Gu Lin didn't know whether Zheng Hao should go or not.

Zheng Hao lowered his eyes slightly, his dark eyes unfathomable. He had always been profit-driven, only caring about the result and not the process. With such a great path to success laid out before him, he naturally had to go there.

However, Zheng Hao slightly lifted his eyelids and looked at Zhen Cheng in front of him with his dark eyes, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Zhen Cheng. Before the palace examination, I will probably only be studying at the inn. As for the great Confucian scholars giving lectures, I'm afraid I won't have the honor of attending them."

Rejected by Zheng Hao, Zhen Cheng showed no displeasure. He asked with a cool expression, "Brother Zheng, why do you want to give up this opportunity?"

Not every candidate could attend a lecture by a great Confucian scholar; only those who ranked in the top fifty of the metropolitan examination had a chance to be taught by such a scholar.

Zheng Hao replied without changing his expression, "I advise Brother Zhen Cheng not to go either."

Zhen Cheng asked, "Why?"

If the other party's concern is that attending a lecture by a renowned scholar before the palace examination might raise suspicions of cheating in the imperial examinations, then Zhen Cheng...

“If a great scholar were to teach us, it would certainly be of great help to our palace examination. However, as Brother Zhencheng said, the great scholar has many connections with important officials in the court. If we do not avoid suspicion before the palace examination and even go to the great scholar to listen to his lectures, it will inevitably make people think too much.”

Zhen Cheng's expression shifted, and he opened his lips slightly to speak, but Zheng Hao continued, "Brother Zhen Cheng must say that we have acted uprightly and sat properly. The great scholar was only supplementing our supplies, not leaking the questions. There is no need to worry about being suspected of cheating in the imperial examinations."

But Brother Zhencheng, have you considered that if we attend this lecture by a great Confucian scholar and later enter officialdom, we might be seen as belonging to a certain faction?

Zhen Cheng's brow twitched.

“Brother Zhen Cheng, with the Zhen family in the court, even if you go to listen to lectures by great Confucian scholars, they will surely know that you and the Zhen family are one.” Zheng Hao said, “But the main branches of the Zhen family have complicated relationships, which Brother Zhen Cheng should know better than I do. Why bring trouble upon yourself?”

“Before I even entered the court, I was already regarded as a member of the Zhen family faction,” Zhen Cheng said coldly.

A hint of obvious annoyance flashed across Zhen Cheng's face.

Zheng Hao calmly said, "The facts are settled, Brother Zhen Cheng, there is no need to worry. Just stick to your principles no matter what."

"how about you?"

Zhen Cheng raised her eyes and looked at him, asking a question.

From the moment he was born and entered the imperial examination system, he was marked by the Zhen family. From then on, the glory of the Zhen family was his glory, and the decline of the Zhen family was his decline.

What about Zheng Hao?

Given the other party's cold and aloof nature, how could he possibly survive in a court rife with factions?

Gu Lin and the other two listened without saying a word. Zheng Hao and Zhen Cheng's conversation was too abrupt; somehow they ended up talking about factions in the imperial court.

"Now that I'm in this situation, I'll follow my heart and go with the flow."

For the first time, Zheng Hao did not hide his brilliance in front of Zhen Cheng and the others.

His expression was firm and composed, without the slightest confusion, and his brows and eyes were full of confidence. Peng Zhizhi and Zhen Yuan felt very unfamiliar with Zheng Hao. He used to be reserved and steady, but now he was sharp and aggressive.

Looking at Zheng Hao's handsome face, they were lost in thought. They suddenly remembered that he started his studies at the age of eleven, and in his first attempt at the imperial examination, he passed all three levels of the examination with top honors. He then went on to win first place in the provincial examination and the metropolitan examination. If such a person were not so steady and self-possessed, his fame would have spread throughout the entire Yueming Prefecture and even many other prefectures long ago.

Being calm and reserved on a daily basis does not mean lacking ambition or drive.

Compared to the astonishment of the others present, Gu Lin was the least surprised by Zheng Hao's reaction.

Although Zheng Hao had not told him his specific ambitions, Gu Lin knew that Zheng Hao was no ordinary person. How could the regent who ruled the world before he was thirty in the original story be an ordinary person?

Whether now or in the future, Zheng Hao has never been confused or lost. He has clear goals and does not need his elders to push him. He has already taken dozens or hundreds of steps ahead of his peers and those at the same stage. He uses his talent, hard work, willpower, and shrewdness to get everything he wants.

Looking into those bright, shining eyes, Gu Lin couldn't help but be captivated.

He thought that Zheng Hao's current path was completely different from that in the original story. He no longer needed to fight his way out with blood on his hands. He would have a brighter future and would not be as cold-blooded and heartless as the regent in the original story, treating human life as worthless.

Zheng Hao suddenly turned around, his gaze meeting Gu Lin's. His dark eyes softened, their sharpness fading, revealing a gentle warmth beneath their apparent coldness, as if they were infinitely embracing the person being watched.

Gu Linyi looked over and smiled, a gesture that showed his support for Zheng Hao.