By rights, Shen Yun, having achieved the top position as Zhuangyuan in this imperial examination, should have been granted an official post of the sixth rank, Hanlin Academy Scholar-Official, in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
This was a unique honor, as besides the top three, those in the second and third tiers, although now Jinshi scholars, did not yet hold official positions.
They still had to remain in the capital or await the selection process for the Hanlin Academy. If fortunate, they might become a Shu Jishi, a compiler, in the academy.
However, if they failed the academy selection, they would be assigned to minor official posts in regional areas.
Alternatively, remaining in the capital might lead to positions as minor officials, such as scribes, in various ministries.
Furthermore, this path would inevitably doom them to never reaching the Grand Secretariat in their lifetime.
The rules of the Great Liang Dynasty stipulated that only those from the Hanlin Academy could enter the Grand Secretariat.
All Grand Secretaries emerged from the Hanlin Academy.
Therefore, Shen Yun's starting point was quite high, even more advantageous than in the original novel.
At that time, he had only ranked somewhere in the second tier.
He only entered the Hanlin Academy after passing the academy selection.
It was his superior calligraphy, particularly his refined academy style and his slender gold script, that earned him the Emperor's favor.
Coupled with his lack of family ties and his unwavering focus on career advancement,
his promotions were much faster than others.
He entered the Grand Secretariat at a young age, later displacing several senior officials to become the Prime Minister, wielding absolute authority.
Su Xiaoqi dismissed these thoughts, sighed, and did not press further. She simply held Shen Yun quietly, thinking that since it was still early, she would definitely make Shen Yun tell her voluntarily.
However, even after they had dinner, bathed, and lay in bed, Su Xiaoqi could not coax the truth out of Shen Yun.
His lips were sealed tight!
The more tightly Shen Yun kept it secret, the more curious Su Xiaoqi became.
Yet, she did not force Shen Yun to tell her.
Instead, as she lay in bed, propping her head with her hand and turning to face him, her dark eyes seemed to sparkle like stars in the dim candlelight.
She remained silent, just watching him, her gaze penetrating his very soul.
Shen Yun’s heart stirred. He reached out, withdrew her hand, and placed her head on his arm. With his other hand, he stroked her cheek, suddenly feeling an urge to do something.
He was now not only a Jinshi but the top scholar, perhaps it was time…
His heart fluttered, but Su Xiaoqi saw through his intentions. Thinking of the next day, she had a mountain of things to do.
It was also her first time, and she might feel unwell. She quickly pressed him down and changed the subject:
“Husband, you have now been granted an official post, and we will be living in the capital and not returning to Mianzhou.
Why don't we invite Grandmother, Grandfather, Mother, my younger sister, Er Dan, and my uncle to the capital?
The three elders need our care. My younger sister is also of an age where her marriage should be arranged.
As for Er Dan, I heard from my uncle that he has a particular talent for studies, and it is recommended that he find a learned teacher to teach him properly…”
Su Xiaoqi rambled on about bringing her family to the capital.
Although Su Xiaoqi initially intended this to change the subject, as she spoke, she realized the importance of the matter and the need to finalize it immediately. She then nuzzled Shen Yun's arm with her chin, speaking with utmost seriousness:
“Ah, the elders are old and the young are young, and the journey is long. I am not at ease with them coming by themselves, so I should make a trip to pick them up.”
Su Xiaoqi began to plan how she would travel, whether by water or land.
She also had to consider if the elders would get seasick or if they could endure a long journey.
“Wife, don't go. You promised you wouldn't leave me.” Upon hearing she intended to leave, Shen Yun’s arm tightened around hers unnaturally.
He was afraid she would never return.
“Husband, I am not leaving. I am only going to pick someone up.”
Su Xiaoqi placated him good-naturedly.
They had both revealed their feelings now, and she had agreed to his proposal, so she would naturally not speak of leaving again.
“For fetching Mother and the others, I will have Zhang Feng take Zhang Dian. If you go, I will be even more worried,” he added, his concern for her safety on the journey growing.
After all, someone had tried to assassinate him before, and they still hadn't identified the attackers or the mastermind.
Su Xiaoqi, considering Zhang Feng’s usual reliability, nodded in agreement.
Shen Yun then informed Su Xiaoqi that her grandmother's leg had begun to recover and her health had significantly improved, so they would not be coming.
Her uncle would also not be coming; he would bring them to live with him and care for them.
He intended to stay and manage their academy well, and at the same time, he planned to study diligently for the provincial examination next time.
“That would be good too,” Su Xiaoqi nodded. Thinking of Xiao Si, Xiao Wu, and the others, she told Shen Yun that she wanted to bring them along as well.
Given the current situation, it was likely they would not be returning.
Even if they did, they wouldn't stay long.
Her beggar troupes needed proper cultivation and utilization.
As Su Xiaoqi spoke, she began to feel sleepy.
She closed her eyes and mumbled, “Husband, you are so mean. You have something on your mind and won’t tell me.”
“It’s not that I won’t tell you, but I don’t know how to start,” Shen Yun murmured softly.
“I always believed my father was already deceased…” Shen Yun had never intended to hide anything from Su Xiaoqi. He simply felt that since he himself had not confirmed the matter, it was difficult to tell Xiaoqi.
But after such a long hesitation, he decided to first tell Xiaoqi what he knew.
They were husband and wife, individuals who could trust each other.
However, just as he began, he realized that Xiaoqi had already fallen asleep in his arms.
Her delicate lips were pursed gently, her long lashes fluttered slightly, and she slept adorably, like a child.
Shen Yun chuckled softly, placed a kiss on her brow, and silently whispered, “Goodnight.”
Waking up the next day, Su Xiaoqi seemed to retain some memory. She remembered that Shen Yun was about to tell her something at the last moment.
Unfortunately, she was not strong enough and had succumbed to sleep, unable to wait.
She decided not to wait any longer or to probe. She would ask directly.
If he was willing to speak, she would listen; if not, then so be it.
At worst, she wouldn't tell him her secrets in the future.
Su Xiaoqi thought with a touch of petulance.
Then, she saw Shen Yun enter, looking refreshed.
He had already finished his martial arts practice and bathed.
He was wearing the personally made inner garments that Su Xiaoqi had tailored for him.
Her needlework was only good enough for such undergarments, which were worn underneath and without embroidery.
However, Shen Yun did not mind at all. Instead, he cherished them greatly, wanting to wear them from time to time.
“Husband, what were you saying last night?” Su Xiaoqi asked tentatively.
“Xiaoqi, I saw someone at the Qionglin Banquet yesterday,” Shen Yun stated plainly.
Su Xiaoqi raised her eyebrows. A spark of realization flashed in her mind, and she quickly blurted out, “Prince Ning?”
Shen Yun's eyes widened as he looked at her, “How did you know?”
Had she heard him muttering in his sleep?
Su Xiaoqi's eyes flickered. How did she know? She only regretted realizing it too late.
She should have known sooner.
Prince Ning’s given name was Shen Zhongwen.
And Shen Yun’s father also bore this name.
Shouldn't there be some connection between them?
“I had heard of Prince Ning when I first arrived, but one was a rustic villager, so poor he couldn’t even support his wife and children.
The other was Prince Ning, an enfeoffed prince favored by the Emperor. How could I dare to associate them?” Shen Yun had considered it, but he couldn’t even convince himself.
All of this was too absurd.
But if having the same name was not enough, what about looking so alike?