Madam Su was also taken aback when she heard about Prince Ning's Son.
However, she quickly grew excited as well.
After sending Su Asan away, Madam Su stood up again, visibly agitated.
She paced back and forth in the hall a few times before gradually calming down.
"I know about this Prince Ning.
Before the current Emperor ascended the throne, he was the seventh among the brothers. During the Late Emperor's reign, the Seventh Prince was enfeoffed as Prince Yan and assigned to garrison the Northern Region.
But when the Late Emperor suddenly passed away, before the Seventh Prince could depart for the Northern Region, Duke Changsheng supported him in ascending the throne.
The Deposed Crown Prince was imprisoned until his death, and Prince Qin was also confined for a period.
Those remaining outside were the Fifth Prince and the Sixth Prince.
The Sixth Prince was mediocre in talent, so the Emperor sent him to the Southwest.
Although the Fifth Prince was intelligent, he had a chronic foot ailment and was considered lame.
However, the Emperor was closest to the Fifth Prince and granted him the most prosperous Jiangnan as his fief.
The title of Prince Ning was also personally bestowed by the Emperor.
My son, this is a genuine member of the royal relatives, the Emperor's own blood brother.
Even if only to save face, the Emperor will treat this brother well.
Prince Ning's Son… will surely inherit the noble title in the future.
Given the Emperor's favor toward Prince Ning, there will certainly be no demotion in rank. Once the imperial edict is issued, Prince Ning's Son will still hold a princely title." Madam Su grew more and more excited as she spoke.
Su Xiaosheng's hands trembled slightly.
Prince Ning's Son is in Gusu—this is an extraordinary opportunity!
Although he was confident about next year's Metropolitan Examination, having a patron to support him would undoubtedly make things much easier.
"Mother, what should I do next? How should I befriend Prince Ning's Son?" Su Xiaosheng asked urgently.
Madam Su shook her head.
"Child, calm down first. You are the Jieyuan of this year's Xiangshi, knowledgeable and with limitless prospects.
This is your advantage; you must let the patron see your strengths.
Remember, do not be overly humble. A scholar's integrity is your best weapon.
Moreover, Prince Ning's Son is of imperial nobility—the term 'befriend' is not appropriate.
Who in the world wouldn't want to befriend royal relatives? But how many royal relatives actually acknowledge them?
Child, what you need to do now is to make his acquaintance, not befriend him.
Just ensure that Prince Ning's Son notices you and knows of your existence.
The Emperor values talent, and I believe Prince Ning's Son does too. These imperial relatives often have opportunities to see the Emperor, and you are a top contender for next year's Palace Examination Zhuangyuan.
He is sure to take notice.
Once Prince Ning notices you, given your talent, he will surely regard you with special favor.
Child, the imperial examinations are only the first step. What comes after entering officialdom is what truly matters.
Fellow graduates, mentors, and friends will all be assets in your career.
And the imperial clan will be your greatest backing." Madam Su spoke each word deliberately.
Su Xiaosheng listened attentively.
These were things the teachers at the academy would never teach—only his mother would impart such wisdom.
"Then what should I do next…"
"Don't rush! Isn't it said that Prince Ning's Son will stay in Gusu for a while longer?
Gusu is prosperous, and the Heir Apparent is young—he likely enjoys leisure activities. Visiting gardens and scenic spots, there will surely be opportunities to encounter him.
Oh, since it's said that the Heir Apparent came to watch the tea competition, he will definitely visit Chun Bu Wan again."
Brother Sheng, we must quickly reserve a seat at Chun Bu Wan. News of Prince Ning's Son arriving in Gusu has likely already spread.
No matter which family it is, they will surely have thought of this." Madam Su stood up once more.
"Mother, even if the other Provincial Graduates find out, what does it matter? Their knowledge is inferior to mine. Your son has confidence; there's no need to rush to reserve a seat.
I can just go with my classmates from the academy when the time comes.
With them as a backdrop, I will shine even brighter." Su Xiaosheng hurriedly said.
Madam Su quickly shook her head.
"Child, you still lack experience in such matters. Do you really think only you Provincial Graduates will go?
Wrong. Once word gets out that Prince Ning's Son is going to Chun Bu Wan, the entire city of Gusu will take notice.
Those officials, their wives and daughters, will go all out to make an appearance.
From what I know, Prince Ning's Son has only married one Consort. Apart from the Consort, there are only two concubines in his rear courtyard.
And the Heir Apparent is allowed to have two secondary consorts.
Tell me, won't all the officials with daughters be eyeing those positions?
The current imperial family dotes solely on the Empress, and no new women enter the imperial harem. For ordinary families wanting to forge ties with the imperial clan, they can only look to other imperial relatives.
Just wait and see. By tomorrow at the latest, all seats at Chun Bu Wan will be fully booked." Madam Su said seriously.
Upon hearing this, Su Xiaosheng quickly called Su Asan, who was outside, to come in.
"Go to Chun Bu Wan and reserve a seat—the more expensive, the better." After saying this, he stuffed a twenty-tael silver note into Su Asan's hand.
Su Asan hesitated, holding the silver note.
"Young Master, the cheapest private room at Chun Bu Wan requires a twenty-tael deposit. This definitely isn't enough!"
Hearing this, Madam Su quickly took another silver note from her own pouch.
"Here's another twenty taels. Go quickly, or it'll be too late to book."
Su Asan took the two silver notes and hurried out.
Madam Su and Su Xiaosheng both sat back down in their chairs.
Neither spoke, anxiously waiting for Su Asan to return.
Fortunately, Ye Manor wasn't too far from Chun Bu Wan. In just a quarter of an hour, Su Asan returned, sweating profusely.
Seeing the silver notes Su Asan handed back, both Madam Su and Su Xiaosheng looked displeased.
"Young Master, Madam, when I arrived at Chun Bu Wan, it was already packed with people.
All the seats were fully booked." Su Asan said, panting heavily.
Madam Su and Su Xiaosheng's hearts sank.
They were still a step too late…
"So many people? Then…" Before Su Xiaosheng could finish, Su Asan spoke again.
"The shopkeeper at Chun Bu Wan gave me an invitation, asking the young master to attend the tea competition tournament at Chun Bu Wan three days from now.
That shopkeeper specifically reserved a table in the main hall for the famous young masters and Provincial Graduates of Gusu City.
He earnestly requests the young master's presence."
Madam Su and Su Xiaosheng both breathed a sigh of relief.
This move by Chun Bu Wan was only reasonable.
Poetry, wine, and tea are what talented scholars excel at. Would they invite butchers instead of a Jieyuan like him?
"Good, in that case, we can set our minds at ease.
Child, you just need to attend the gathering three days from now.
Then, compose a few presentable poems when the time comes.
By the way, which young masters did Chun Bu Wan invite?" Madam Su asked.
"It seems there are some young masters from wealthy families who have come from Yangzhou and Guazhou."
Additionally, Magistrate Liu's son and Governor Zhu's youngest son will also be attending.
"Oh, and a young master from the Song Family, the richest family in Yangzhou, will be there as well," said Su Asan.
Madam Su nodded, then sized up Su Xiaosheng.
The young masters attending were either wealthy or noble—her son must not be outshone.
But this meant yet another expense.
The Su mother and son, who had already intended to distance themselves from the Ye Family, now faced a dilemma: what to do when the silver in hand was insufficient?
It was at this moment that Concubine Su arrived, bringing with her the wooden box given by Old Lady Ye…