Fans were moved to learn that Zhang Fang lived such a humble life and even took on the role of a teacher. Although they felt a twinge of sympathy, their admiration for him only grew deeper. They loved him more and more. Unfazed by praise or criticism, he maintained a simple life, embodying the demeanor of a distinguished scholar!
Zhang Fang selected several letters from fans to read aloud at the readers’ meeting, which excited them immensely.
Within less than an hour, the readers’ meeting concluded.
As Zhang Fang stepped down from the stage and left, the second prince pulled his bodyguard to follow him. However, before he could get close to Zhang Fang, he was stopped by security at the event. As the bodyguard was about to confront the security personnel, the second prince quickly intervened.
The second prince certainly didn’t want to leave Zhang Fang with a bad impression!
Once the event wrapped up, the second prince immediately headed to the shops authorized by Zhang Fang to shop lavishly, hoping to boost his fan level to the highest as quickly as possible! Only then would he have the chance to interact with Zhang Fang!
The second prince went to the inn where Zhang Fang was staying, intending to lodge there, but was told by the innkeeper that there were no available rooms. Even after revealing his identity, the innkeeper had to decline him.
Feeling somewhat defeated, the second prince had no choice but to go to a neighboring inn, only to find it fully booked as well. He heard that several other princes were also staying there, making it even less viable for him to meet them before enhancing his fan level.
In their eyes, it was an embarrassing situation when their status was similar, yet they lacked what others possessed. This disparity only became clear to him later, reminiscent of his experience with the Princess Zhang Yang.
With all the nearby inns full, the second prince finally ended up staying at a secluded and shabby inn.
The bodyguard was puzzled as to why a prince would put himself through such inconvenience. Was Zhang Fang’s popularity really that significant just for writing a good book to warrant such admiration?
Upon hearing the bodyguard’s complaints, the second prince sternly reprimanded him, “You are not allowed to speak like that about Zhang Lang! If you do so again, do not stay by my side!”
The bodyguard: …
“I was wrong!” Oh no, the second prince had also fallen under Zhang Fang’s spell!
After the readers’ meeting, Zhang Fang focused on his studies and did not go out again.
Everyone knew he needed to prepare for the imperial examination, so they discreetly avoided disturbing him at the inn.
However, the second prince was unaware of this and showed up at the inn every single day for several days straight, seeking to meet Zhang Fang.
The innkeeper felt exasperated by the prince’s persistence, having clearly communicated the situation, yet the second prince remained undeterred.
Once Zhang Fang learned of the prince’s daily visits, he humorously wrote a poem and had the innkeeper deliver it to the second prince.
The second prince did not expect such a delightful surprise. Clutching Zhang Fang’s piece, he rushed to have it framed.
Although the bodyguard ceased his complaints, he rolled his eyes dozens of times behind the prince’s back.
The second prince stopped troubling Zhang Fang at the inn and focused instead on shopping to boost his fan level.
The imperial examination was stricter than previous tests; candidates had to enter the exam site a day early and strip entirely for thorough inspections. The examination itself was rigorous, with numerous detailed evaluations that could not be disclosed.
Several hundred candidates lived together in the cramped examination hall for five days. On the third day, a heavy rainstorm swept through, and some candidates caught a chill during the night. The illness spread swiftly, and Zhang Fang also caught a cold.
Despite feeling unwell, Zhang Fang forced himself to concentrate on answering the questions.
After completing the exam, he collapsed right there in the examination hall.
Xu Chang arranged for Zhang Fang and the other ailing candidates to be sent back to the inn for recuperation.
A crowd had gathered outside, waiting for Zhang Fang to finish the exams successfully, but they were shocked to learn he had fallen ill. A knowledgeable fan even volunteered to provide medical treatment at the inn.
The second prince even went so far as to send someone to a neighboring state to invite a retired imperial physician to come and examine Zhang Fang.
When they entered the room where Zhang Fang rested with his eyes closed, he looked like a painting. Everyone instinctively held their breath as they entered, fearful of disturbing him.
After three days of deep sleep, Zhang Fang finally woke up, yet his condition remained poor. He continued to cough and felt very weak.
Gritting his teeth, he wrote a thank-you letter, which he asked the innkeeper to post, before collapsing back into sleep for the night.
On the day the results were posted, Zhang Fang did not go out. The weather had changed too rapidly; once he stepped outside, the cold air triggered a severe fit of coughing.
Zhang Fang topped the list in this examination, becoming an outstanding scholar. He had truly earned recognition!
Princess Zhang Yang even sent word back to the capital, recommending Zhang Fang for the National Academy.
The second prince also wanted to bring Zhang Fang to the capital, so he directly wrote a letter of recommendation for him to the National Academy.
Moreover, some royal relatives who admired Zhang Fang discreetly took similar actions.
The head of the National Academy received these recommendation letters with quiet astonishment. This Zhang Fang was remarkable! Initially thought to be merely famous for writing a good story, he turned out to also be a candidate participating in the imperial examination, garnering such support from so many!
Naturally, such an excellent scholar would be accepted by the National Academy. Thus, they promptly sent the admission notice to Zhang Fang’s hometown.
Mu Qing and the others did not pass the scholar exam. They wanted to host a celebration banquet for Zhang Fang, but since he was still unwell, they had to abandon the plan.
Zhang Fang wrote a letter home to inform his family of the good news.
It was only once he felt considerably better that he set off to return home.
Despite parting ways with Zhang Fang on bad terms last time, he was now a scholar. With Xu Chang’s backing, Lin Zheng graciously invited him over.
Zhang Fang accepted the invitation and learned a lot about court affairs from Lin Zheng during dinner. For instance, Lin Zheng had a good relationship with Xu Chang because he had given Xu Chang a considerable amount of money. Xu Chang had connections in the capital, but Lin Zheng did not know exactly who was behind Xu Chang.
Lin Zheng had not given up on winning Zhang Fang over, and this time he did not mention marriage but instead suggested that Zhang Fang take a concubine.