Upon hearing Old Lady Zhou's words, Zhou Xuennian's face changed, showing some annoyance. What he hated the most in his life was when people talked to him about fate as though they were convinced he couldn't pass the examinations and climb higher.
He was well-educated; he was just unlucky, that's all.
But now was not the time to be angry with his mother. He was still counting on that three hundred taels of silver to smooth things over.
"Mother, I don't accept my fate. Hermit Yuanqing has already read my fortune, and he said I am a dragon among men, destined to earn a title for you!" Zhou Xuennian pleaded earnestly, "This is an opportunity. With just three hundred taels, Mother, would you really bear to see your son fail in life because of bad luck?"
"Eldest, if you want to take the exams, then do so earnestly. Don't think about taking shortcuts; it's not a good thing. If it is exposed, you could very well lose your life!" Old Lady Zhou was not swayed by his sweet-talking.