After returning the courtesy from a distance, Lin Qingge left with Leng Ningyue.
On the way, Lin Qingge couldn't help but sigh,
"I never thought there would be a day when I misjudged someone."
"Are you referring to Xu Siyun?"
Lin Qingge nodded. "I initially thought she was a harmless little white rabbit, but I never expected that beneath that soft and approachable appearance, she harbored a heart soaring with ambition.
And her literary talent.
A woman with aspirations, a巾帼 (jinguo) who never loses to a须眉 (xumei). Hearing her words made my blood boil!
She must have been raised by a civil official. From childhood, she was influenced by their words, knowledge, and perspective, leaving me far behind!
If Xu Siyun had been born a man, she would undoubtedly have been an existence comparable to Feng Cheng."
Leng Ningyue replied softly,
"It's not too late.
It's precisely because Feng Cheng cherishes her that he appointed her the top scholar, despite knowing Xu Siyun would face criticism.
And the one who allowed her to participate in the imperial examinations openly as a woman was none other than you.
So, you needn't be overly modest.
For you, this巾帼, have long surpassed many a须眉."
"Sister Ningyue, you are the true巾帼 who surpasses the须眉!
Looking at all the men in the world, none can defeat you!
Also, I dare not take all the credit. It was you, Sister Ningyue, who exchanged your position within the high walls for this..."
Mentioning this, Lin Qingge lowered her head.
"It was a transaction between him and me, and the origin of it wasn't here.
But the reason I proposed the request for women to participate in the imperial examinations was all for you.
Therefore, Xu Siyun did not thank the wrong person.
You deserved that bow."
Comforted, Lin Qingge ignored the gazes of passersby and snuggled into Leng Ningyue.
Feeling a bit hungry, Lin Qingge pulled Leng Ningyue to sit down in the main hall of the restaurant.
Ordering two stir-fried dishes and a plate of braised beef from the waiter, Lin Qingge suddenly slapped her forehead,
"Right, I was so focused on watching Xu Siyun, the female top scholar, that I forgot about Zhou Zeli!"
What Lin Qingge didn't say was that with Zhou Zeli's protagonist aura, even if he wasn't the top scholar, he would surely be among the top three.
But she didn't seem to see Zhou Zeli's name on the list of the top three...
Just as Lin Qingge was contemplating whether to go back and re-examine the list, Leng Ningyue said indifferently,
"I looked carefully just now. Not only was he not among the top three, but his name wasn't on the list at all."
"This is not scientific!"
Lin Qingge couldn't help but exclaim.
Putting aside his appearance and the protagonist halo she believed he possessed, purely based on his knowledge, Zhou Zeli was undoubtedly a rare gem.
Otherwise, someone as arrogant as Murong Bai wouldn't have treated Zhou Zeli as a brother based solely on a life-saving debt.
Yet, such a talented young man failed to make the list, which was quite unbelievable.
However, this imperial examination was personally handled by Feng Qingchen, so there shouldn't be any favoritism or malpractice...
Lin Qingge suddenly remembered something.
During the wax figure case in Yanshou Village, she had sworn to Lord Guan in Zhou Zeli's name.
She had invoked curses such as parents dying violently, failing to make the list, being betrayed by all, and dying alone in old age...
Could it be that her ill wishes had come true, despite her not being Hua Jinrong or having a cursed mouth?
Just as Lin Qingge felt a sliver of guilt, Leng Ningyue pointed towards a corner of the restaurant,
"If you wish to know the reason, you may as well ask him directly."
Lin Qingge followed Leng Ningyue's gaze and was surprised to find the very person they were discussing, Zhou Zeli, drowning his sorrows in a corner!
However, the table in front of Zhou Zeli was piled with empty wine pots, and though his eyes were hazy, he mechanically raised a pot, drinking one cup after another.
Lin Qingge had known Zhou Zeli for some time, but she had never seen him like this, and she felt a sense of strangeness.
But despite her curiosity, since he was clearly drowning his sorrows, Lin Qingge didn't want to disturb him.
Who knew that the next moment, a figure in a purple brocade cloak would sit down in the empty seat beside them.
"My lord, according to my student, after Zhou Zeli passed the preliminary examinations, he impatiently confessed his feelings to Xu Siyun.
He subtly inquired if he could propose to the Xu family if he ranked among the top three in this imperial examination~"
"But judging from Xu Siyun's performance just now, she seems to have no interest in romantic affairs."
"As expected of my lord, you see things very clearly~
Xu Siyun directly rejected Zhou Zeli, clearly stating that she did not wish to be confined to the inner chambers.
If this imperial examination ended without incident, she would leave the capital and return to Changzhou County to continue her work as a female tutor."
As if her throat was dry, Hua Jinrong, who had initially fled to avoid Feng Qingchen but had now reappeared, poured herself a cup of tea and took a sip before continuing,
"Zhou Zeli also has his pride. After being rejected, he did not pursue Xu Siyun in any meaningless way.
He dedicated all his mind and body to the subsequent palace examination.
Unfortunately, fate played a cruel joke on him.
On the day of the palace examination, he not only overslept, which was unprecedented, but also got splashed with water on his way out, soaking all his writing brushes.
As if that wasn't enough, he was hit by a wealthy young man's carriage shortly after leaving, injuring his leg.
Thus, when he limped to the palace gates, he had already missed the examination time~
My lord, do you think Zhou Zeli has provoked something unclean?
Otherwise, how could he be so unlucky~"
"Heh heh."
Lin Qingge stiffly pulled at the corners of her mouth, feeling inexplicably guilty, and then changed the subject,
"Master Hua, why do you know this so clearly?"
"Reporting to my lord, your student knows the every move of everyone in the capital clearly~
However, speaking of which, Xu Siyun truly surprised everyone. She directly achieved the first rank, becoming the first female top scholar of the Great Xia Dynasty~
But it is precisely because of this that Zhou Zeli must feel even more dejected~
They could have met at the pinnacle, but he unilaterally missed it, making the original gap in their statuses even larger, even forming an insurmountable chasm.
Although I feel that even if he had achieved the top rank, Xu Siyun might not have fallen for him.
If I had to say, Miss Xu is a better match for Fourth Master Feng~
They share the same patriotic sentiment, the same focus on their careers, and the same inclination to remain unmarried and childless~"
Too lazy to argue with this fellow, Lin Qingge pushed the plate of braised beef towards Leng Ningyue and began to eat.
Hua Jinrong, acting very considerately, ordered two more dishes and paid for the meal in advance, thus barely earning the right to dine there.
The three of them wisely did not disturb Zhou Zeli.
However, after the three of them had eaten their fill and left, someone clad in a brocade cloak sat down opposite Zhou Zeli.