In the Jinluan Hall, Shen Yun was inwardly pleased, but his expression remained solemn and dignified, carrying an air of unperturbed grace. The aging Emperor Xingzhao, looking at this vibrant, handsome, and talented young scholar, felt a surge of appreciation. "This is the future backbone of our Da Liang dynasty, a pillar of the court."
Shen Yun's demeanor was respectful, yet he did not miss the resentful gaze from a slender young man to his left. Shen Yun had snatched the top spot in the provincial examination from him, and now, he had even taken the Zhuangyuan. Shen Yun met his gaze without fear. Their eyes locked, sparks flying. However, this minor ripple was insignificant amidst the emergence of the newly crowned "Three Top Scholars." They were to proceed to the Wumen gate to change into their official robes and parade through the streets.
As preparations were being made with great fanfare, the examination list was already completed, stretching two zhang long with the names of two hundred and fifty-eight candidates from top to bottom. A clamor erupted everywhere.
"Someone shouted, 'I'm number two hundred and fifty!'"
"Ah, my young master is number one hundred!"
"Ah, wonderful, wonderful, my young master is third in the second class!"
"My young master is the head of the second class!"
This time, Su Xiaoqi personally came to view the examination results. The spectacle of sending out the illiterate Zhang Lei to check the list was enough; it happened only once. Shen Yun was the top Zhuangyuan! Su Xiaoqi's heart was filled with joy, happiness overflowing like a pool filled to the brim. She felt excitement and elation. Hurriedly, she turned to find Zhang Yu, wondering if it was still possible to book a private room to watch the parade of the Three Top Scholars.
The usually impulsive Zhang Yu was surprisingly composed this time. "Mistress, by the time you thought of it, all the restaurants are already fully booked. Miss Yiyi just sent someone to notify us, asking us to go to Chunfeng Tower later. She had already reserved the best seats."
Su Xiaoqi clapped her hands. "I knew Yiyi was reliable."
As they were talking, a sharp, piercing gaze swept towards them. Su Xiaoqi felt it and looked up. She saw a woman and her maid, veiled and squeezed into the crowd viewing the list, glaring at her. When they noticed Su Xiaoqi looking, the face revealed by the wind instantly became animated. Su Xiaoqi glanced and moved on, not lingering for even a moment. Instead, it left the other person with a thousand words prepared but no way to begin.
Su Xiaoqi then looked at the list again. This time, she learned her lesson and started from the back, finally discovering Su Jia Mo's name in an inconspicuous corner. Two hundred and fifty-seventh, second to last, but still among the top ranks. Becoming a Jinshi was a great occasion, but without comparison, there was no harm. Su Yurou saw Su Xiaoqi's movements from front to back, and also saw her brother's ranking, her face immediately fell. Shen Yun was first in the imperial examination, while her brother was second to last. Was this gap too large? Su Yurou seemed to be struck by it, unable to say anything for a moment.
Meanwhile, Su Xiaoqi had scanned the entire list, noting the rankings of everyone she knew or remembered. Xi Jianzhi was the first in the second class. Chang Wanqing's ranking was slightly lower, tenth in the second class. Unsurprisingly, Su Xiaoqi saw Liang Jingning's name on the list. Second in the second class. Not a bad ranking; this person was likely truly capable. If not for his status as a member of the royal family, he might have placed in the top three.
After looking, Su Xiaoqi, taking advantage of the crowd pushing inward, withdrew with the help of Zhang Yu and Zhang Lei. Walking along Chang'an Street, she got into her carriage and headed straight for Chunfeng Tower. As the carriage passed Chunfeng Tower, she saw Du Yiyi leaning against the window with the widest view, waving at her. "Sister Xiaoqi, come up, quickly come up."
In the private room, tea and refreshments were all arranged. Du Yiyi had the tables and chairs moved next to the window, allowing them to drink tea and watch the excitement. As soon as Su Xiaoqi sat down, before they could even converse, they heard the sound of gongs and drums and the neighing of horses outside. "They're here, they're here!" Du Yiyi excitedly nudged Su Xiaoqi. Su Xiaoqi was also full of excitement. This was the first time in both her lives that she was witnessing such a lively scene.
The streets were cordoned off with wooden stakes, and outside, crowds of citizens gathered to catch a glimpse of the new Three Top Scholars. Inside, people of all ages and genders were thrilled. Some held flowers, some held sachets, and some even clutched handfuls of copper coins, all poised to throw them as the horses of the Three Top Scholars galloped by.
Su Xiaoqi thought for a moment and felt around in her clothes. Ah, she hadn't expected Shen Yun to be the Zhuangyuan today, so she hadn't planned to witness this parade. She also hadn't prepared any pouches or the like. Feeling around, she found a fifty-liang silver ingot from her spatial dimension and quietly held it in her hand. She also glanced at Du Yiyi, who was happily holding several flowers and plants. "Alright, she's purely here to watch the fun."
As Su Xiaoqi delayed, the sound of horses grew louder, and figures approached from a distance, transforming from blurry shapes to clear forms. Su Xiaoqi immediately spotted Shen Yun, riding a tall horse at the forefront. He wore the Zhuangyuan's robe and cap, his posture upright, lightly guiding his horse, exuding confidence. It was as if the steed beneath him was not a horse but a wisp of auspicious cloud, making him exceptionally handsome.
"Zhuangyuan, Zhuangyuan, Zhuangyuan..."
"The Zhuangyuan is so handsome."
"That's right, give him the pouch."
"The exploring scholar is also good, give him the flowers."
"Ah, the Bangyan, he's too old."
Su Xiaoqi watched as Shen Yun and the other two passed, pouches and flowers flying through the air, mostly landing in the hands of the first two. As Su Xiaoqi was contemplating settling the score with Shen Yun on their way back, she noticed that somehow, all the pouches, sachets, and flowers that had landed on him, in his arms, or on his horse, had fallen to the ground. "Ah..." A wave of lamentation rose from the surrounding young girls. At first, they thought their aim was good, their luck was good, and they could get close to the Zhuangyuan. They hadn't expected their luck to run out.
Su Xiaoqi curved her lips into a light smile. This fellow was still so cunning. Although he had done it intentionally, to outsiders, it seemed accidental. As Su Xiaoqi was muttering, she saw Shen Yun arrive below Chunfeng Tower. As if sensing her presence, he suddenly looked up in her direction. Su Xiaoqi's heart trembled, and she boldly poked her head out to look at him.
Several girls by the windows were chattering, "Ah, the Zhuangyuan is looking at us."
"Really, really, he must be looking at me."
"He's looking at my elder sister; you're not as good-looking as my elder sister."
"Hmph, who says the Zhuangyuan only likes good-looking people? Maybe he's a person of substance and likes those who are ordinary but beautiful inside..."
Before the narcissistic words from next door could finish, Shen Yun's horse suddenly stopped. He was at the front, and when he stopped, the entire procession halted, waiting quietly. Shen Yun, however, looked up at Su Xiaoqi and waved, his meaning clear: he had won the Zhuangyuan, and shouldn't his wife do something?
Su Xiaoqi had been hesitating whether to throw the silver ingot in her hand down. Would others think her vulgar if they saw it? But she truly had nothing suitable on her. She couldn't just casually pluck a flower for him; he would surely be displeased and find fault with her later. Before Su Xiaoqi could figure it out, she saw Shen Yun stop. This time, he stopped precisely below the private room she occupied, his head slightly raised, looking at her with a smile. "Oh, this person, why is this person like this..." Su Xiaoqi was anxious. She feared that his stopping might cause trouble. They were parading through the streets by imperial decree, and it was different from others. Fearing Shen Yun would get into trouble, she no longer hesitated and threw the silver ingot in her hand down.