Longevity Begins With Zongmen Handyman

Chapter 107: Candidate Appraiser

When Mo Rong received Li An's test paper, both Gao Feng and Hua Ming couldn't help but have an unpleasant expression on their faces.

"Could it be that Song Mingzhang discovered something and invited Mo Rong?" Both of them thought of this.

But this time, their matter was particularly confidential, and no one knew about it...

Strange, strange!

"Just now, Fellow Daoist Gao said that this person's test paper should have two mistakes..." Jin Tao timely spoke up.

Song Mingzhang had a good relationship with him, so saying this now caught Mo Rong's attention, and Gao Feng and Hua Ming had no room for further action.

Moreover, speaking up at this time, Gao Feng and Hua Ming couldn't blame him.

Mo Rong raised an eyebrow, "Oh? There are still mistakes?"

Gao Feng's eyelid twitched slightly, and he immediately smiled and said, "There shouldn't be. I was just joking with the two Fellow Daoists earlier. The last two questions were extremely difficult, and generally speaking, they should have been answered incorrectly. But this person was able to recognize them, which shows that his knowledge is indeed extraordinary..."

He quickly changed his tune!

Mo Rong's status was higher than his, so saying nonsense in front of her would be asking for trouble.

Even if there were benefits to be gained from others, they could only put it aside for now.

Mo Rong nodded and continued to look at the test paper, nodding, "Hmm, Lu Hua and Zheng Xiaoxiao are also good."

She pondered for a moment, "I think we can add one more person this year, let's record three candidates for appraisers."

"Although there are only two vacancies, by recording three people first, it can keep the candidates for appraisers motivated to continue learning. When they officially become appraisers, we can then make a selection. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Feng and Hua Ming both eagerly nodded, very pleased.

"Vice Chief Mo is wise!"

"In this way, it is indeed beneficial for the growth of the candidates for appraisers."

Both of them breathed a sigh of relief.

Mo Rong's intervention meant that they had no room for manipulation, which meant they could only judge the papers based on the facts.

In that case, Lu Hua would most likely be eliminated.

But the method proposed by Mo Rong, although unprecedented, prevented their plans from falling apart.

Their interests were also preserved!

As for what it would be like when they officially became appraisers, that was a matter for the future.

"Alright, let's do it this way."

Vice Chief Mo nodded, then left confidently.

"Good, as Vice Chief Mo said, let's quickly tally the results."

Hua Ming spoke up.

...

Mo Rong's appraisal room was on the third floor, spacious and elegant, with at least four different formations arranged inside.

After returning, Song Mingzhang, who had been waiting in her appraisal room, hurriedly saluted, "Greetings, Vice Chief Mo."

Mo Rong nodded, "Master Song, rest assured, I have reviewed Zuo Wen's test paper and it will enter the sequence for the candidate appraiser without any problems."

Upon hearing this, Song Mingzhang was very excited, "Thank you, Vice Chief Mo, thank you!"

Mo Rong said, "This Zuo Wen is indeed talented... Master Song, I'm curious, what is the relationship between this person and you?"

Based on her understanding, Song Mingzhang's son and daughter-in-law died early due to some reasons, leaving behind only an underachieving granddaughter.

Therefore, Song Mingzhang had always appeared to be content and upright in the Treasure Pavilion, and his character was relatively honest.

There were no personal gains to be had.

This time, he took the initiative to ask for her help, which was rare!

Of course, she chose to help because she also had some interests at stake.

If she didn't intervene, then this assessment would have become a matter of exchange of interests between Gao Feng, Hua Ming, and the other four.

But with her involvement, Li An was put on the table.

In this way, whether Lu Hua, Zheng Xiaoxiao, or Zuo Wen would be eliminated would depend on her mood.

Everyone had to seek her favor, making her the biggest winner.

So, she also wanted to understand Li An's situation. After all, Li An's performance... was indeed impressive!

Song Mingzhang was a bit uneasy, but still said, "This person, this person... is my grandson-in-law."

Mo Rong was surprised.

Isn't Zuo Wen over a hundred years old?? And Song Mingzhang took him as a son-in-law... Isn't the age difference a bit too big?

But she also knew some of the rumors circulating among the upper echelons, and thought of a certain piece of gossip, so she didn't say anything.

"Master Song, I will take my leave now. After this matter, I will definitely visit with my grandson-in-law."

...

Soon, the results were announced.

"This assessment recorded a total of three candidate appraisers!"

"According to the grading results, the following three individuals have successfully passed the assessment and can enter the Treasure Pavilion as candidate appraisers—"

"Lu Hua!"

"Zuo Wen!"

"Zheng Xiaoxiao!"

In the examination room, many candidates were sighing in lamentation!

Both Lu Hua and Zheng Xiaoxiao were somewhat surprised.

According to the rules, there should only be two vacancies for appraisers, so why was an additional person added this time?

Their gazes instantly fell on Li An.

"Did Song Mingzhang exert his influence?"

"This old man Song Mingzhang isn't a good person either..."

Their eyes were filled with coldness.

Li An, on the other hand, felt somewhat fortunate.

He understood how the third spot came about.

If he hadn't been observant enough to deduce something from the expressions of Lu Hua and Zheng Xiaoxiao, he would have been left out now!

All his efforts in the Song family over the past ten years would have been in vain.

He didn't expect to be able to push out Lu Hua or Zheng Xiaoxiao himself. Where there are people, there is a struggle for interests. It was already quite good that Song Mingzhang could temporarily put Li An on the table.

Without Song Mingzhang's help and influence, Li An wouldn't have been able to break through this iron curtain.

After announcing the results, the people from the Treasure Pavilion left the examination room.

There was a lot of discussion in the examination room, and many candidates were sighing in disappointment.

"Brother Zuo,"

Zheng Xiaoxiao walked over, smiling slightly, and said, "Congratulations."

Li An remained composed and replied, "Congratulations to you too."

"To be able to become a candidate appraiser shows Brother Zuo's great talent... I hope you can teach me more in the future."

Zheng Xiaoxiao smiled.

Lu Hua, on the other hand, was more direct. "Hey, Brother Zuo, from now on, the three of us will be competing on the same stage... I look forward to your performance!"

A meaningful smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and then he left directly.

...

As Li An walked out of the Treasure Pavilion, he let out a deep breath.

After ten years of hiding, he had finally taken the first step towards success.

In fact, the most difficult part for him was entering the Treasure Pavilion.

The path to entering the Treasure Pavilion was limited. Either one had to be chosen from a young age or have someone strongly recommend them.

"From now on, you need to interact frequently with Mo Cixi,"

After getting on the carriage, Song Mingzhang reminded him with great seriousness, "Both of us are book lovers, but book lovers often face limitations in the realm of human relationships. You must keep this in mind."

Li An nodded. The best choice for him in the future was undoubtedly to join Mo Rong's faction.

Forming cliques, small circles, and seeking protection were common everywhere.

If you're not one of us, why should we promote and protect you?

Do you really think it's based on ability alone?

In the evening, the two of them had already returned home.

"Go and prepare the meal. We're going to celebrate tonight!"

Song Mingzhang instructed the maidservant. He was extremely happy to have resolved a matter.

"What about Anning?" he asked at the same time.

"Miss, Miss..."

The maidservant stammered.

Song Mingzhang instantly sensed something and asked, "What happened to Miss? Tell me!"

The maidservant said, "Ninth Prince held a banquet today, and Miss went to attend..."

Upon hearing this, Song Mingzhang was stunned for a moment, then instantly became so angry that his whole body trembled and said, "What! What!"

"How can that wretched woman be so shameless!..."

"Pfft!"

He spewed out a mouthful of blood, his face turned pale, and he collapsed...

...

(End of this chapter)