"So, what you're saying is..."
"You came to the Capital to take the examinations, and before even sitting them, you bought yourself a house?"
Big White Goose Zhang blinked and nodded as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Wei Nisheng opened his mouth, then swallowed whatever he had been about to say.
He had lived in the Capital for two years. He knew what houses cost here.
That house belonging to Xu Li, an administrative officer of Shuntian Prefecture-
Although it was small and not in the best location, it must have cost at least several hundred taels of silver.
An examination candidate who had yet to become a Presented Scholar had dared to buy a house in the Capital. What sort of move was that?
"Brother Zhang, wouldn't this be a little..." Wei Nisheng weighed his words.
"I won't fail."
Knowing what Wei Nisheng was worried about, Zhang Zai cut him off.
His tone was certain. He lifted his teacup and took a sip.
His gaze settled on the spring sunlight outside the window, a faint smile playing at his lips.
"Brother Wei, before I left home, I said something to my father."
"What did you say?"
"I can earn my place in the Capital."
Zhang Zai set down his teacup and turned to look at Wei Nisheng.
It was neither arrogance nor confidence, but a deeper conviction, bordering on stubbornness.
"At the East Flower Gate, my name will surely be proclaimed."
Those words struck the ground with a ringing force.
When Zhang Zai said this, his voice was not loud, nor did he speak quickly. There was even a hint of a smile.
But this was not a young man's impulsive bravado. It was a scholar's certainty in his own learning.
*I know exactly