Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne

Chapter 655: Chapter 320: Arriving in Jinling_4

Second Uncle is also a celestial being of a person.

How fortunate he is to encounter two celestial beings.

Zheng Xilin noticed that Zhao Yao’s brows were full of vitality, and he exuded a dynamic aura, making people like him at first sight.

The uncle and nephew, though never having met, were very familiar due to years of correspondence, without a trace of unfamiliarity.

On their way to Mr. Meng’s residence, they talked a lot.

Upon learning that Mr. Meng was critically ill and didn’t have much time left, Zhao Yao’s mood became very heavy. When Zhao Yao saw Mr. Meng, he found that he had become gaunt, a far cry from the person he had met last year in the capital.

At this time, Mr. Meng was surrounded by an aura of death, and it was obvious that he didn’t have much time left.

Mr. Meng was very happy to see Zhao Yao, but he was too weak, and after talking with Zhao Yao for a while, he fainted.

Zheng Xilin saw that Zhao Yao looked exhausted and advised him to rest well first and to talk in the evening.

After sleeping the whole day, Zhao Yao regained his usual energy and had dinner with Zheng Xilin in the evening. After eating, he followed Zheng Xilin to visit Mr. Meng.

Perhaps because of Zhao Yao’s arrival, Mr. Meng’s complexion had improved somewhat.

Mr. Meng kept holding Zhao Yao’s hand, asking carefully if he had any mishaps or encountered any dangers on his way to Jinling.

Zhao Yao tightly grasped Mr. Meng’s withered hand and told him that everything was fine on his way to Jinling.

He also shared some interesting stories from his journey, making Mr. Meng laugh happily.

After chatting casually with Zhao Yao for a while, Mr. Meng brought up the topic of the civil service examination.

Mr. Meng straightforwardly asked Zhao Yao how he came up with the idea of the civil service examination.

On hearing this, Zhao Yao was initially taken aback, then quickly waved his hand to deny it, saying that the civil service examination was the emperor’s idea and had nothing to do with him.

Zheng Xilin, sitting to the side, laughed and said, "You don’t have to hide it. The civil service examination wasn’t the emperor’s idea; it was yours."

Mr. Meng said nothing but wore an expression that showed he had seen through everything.

Zhao Yao was slightly stunned, then realized: "Third Uncle, it must have been Second Uncle who told you." Second Uncle and Third Uncle were friends, so he must have told Third Uncle about it long ago.

Zheng Xilin neither admitted nor denied it.

He Lianfang hadn’t told him about this matter. His relationship with He Lianfang was not very good, so He Lianfang hadn’t shared anything with him.

"Your Highness, on behalf of the scholars of the world, I thank you..." Mr. Meng said, struggling to get up to give his thanks to Zhao Yao, but Zhao Yao hurriedly stopped him.

"Mr. Meng, there’s no need to be so polite."

"Your Highness, the civil service examination... cough cough cough..." Mr. Meng wanted to say something, but started coughing again.

Zheng Xilin saw that Mr. Meng was coughing up blood again and supported Mr. Meng to lie down quickly, advising him to rest and talk about anything tomorrow.

Mr. Meng had a bellyful of words to say to Zhao Yao, but his body was too weak to sustain a long conversation.

Zheng Xilin led Zhao Yao out of Mr. Meng’s room and then went to his own room.

Zhao Yao saw Zheng Xilin looking at him with a smile without speaking, leaving him baffled. He touched his own face and asked with full of doubt: "Third Uncle, is there something on my face?"

"No." Zheng Xilin picked up the tea cup, elegantly sipping a few sips, then said, "Jinling is the Crown Prince’s territory, are you aware?"

Zhao Yao nodded and said, "Yes, Suzhou is Prince Dai’s territory." He continued, "Because of Mr. Meng’s presence in Jinling, things have been fairly peaceful for years. Now that Mr. Meng’s health is failing, the Crown Prince’s people are starting to get restless."

Zheng Xilin saw that Zhao Yao understood the situation clearly, his expression suddenly became serious, and he asked, "Do you know what will happen in Jinling after Mr. Meng is gone?"