Chapter 363

After the metropolitan exam, one must undergo the palace exam, where the emperor personally selects the top three of the first class, then announce the results and proclaim them to the world.

The Top Scholar, Second Place, and Third Place are naturally outstanding in learning, and they are ranked comprehensively based on scholarship and character.

However, the Third Place contender has one special trait: his appearance.

Besides scholarship, the Third Place should also have handsome looks and outstanding bearing.

No one knows which dynasty it started from, but it has been passed down to the present and evolved into an unwritten selection standard.

This year, however, there are some differences.

Before anyone could see the Third Place's true appearance, they were first drawn to the Top Scholar.

His features are handsome and graceful, his bearing proper, yet from his bones emanates a natural, light, and composed ease.

Even if he is proud and swift-footed like a horse in the spring wind, he never loses the manner of a modest gentleman.

He is pleasant to behold, like a gentle breeze brushing willows, like a fine spring rain.

Only when the Second Place and Third Place gentlemen come into view do people then compare them.

The Third Place's skin is like congealed fat, his eyes contain stars, and his face is exquisitely formed.

When he smiles, he radiates charm; his horseback posture is upright and graceful—he is a genuine handsome man.

But…

Among the crowd, young women have already begun to argue.

"The Third Place is handsome, but looking at the whole picture, I think the Top Scholar is better!"

"I still prefer the Third Place, delicate and exquisite."

"Delicate and exquisite lacks manliness; how can it compare to the Top Scholar who won the top three honors!"

"I heard the Top Scholar is from Xi Bei; why does he lack the rugged vigor of a frontier man?"

"Who says Xi Bei only has wilderness and brutes? That's prejudice; the Top Scholar is a scholar!"

"The Top Scholar is handsome and graceful, the Third Place is beautifully handsome—it's really hard to choose!"

……

Among them are many noble ladies who already possessed information unknown to commoners before arriving.

Picking a husband from the examination list has long been considered a fine story.

I heard this year is just as lively, with three or four examinees who ranked high in the metropolitan exam successfully securing marriages.

Yet the top three have not yet been taken by any family.

The reasons vary.

The Second Place is thirty years old, already has a virtuous wife and beloved son, so he is naturally ruled out.

The Top Scholar and Third Place, however, are young and unmarried.

Surprisingly, their reasons are remarkably consistent.

The Top Scholar says, "After years of hard study, I have not yet served the Imperial Court or eased the emperor's worries; I dare not indulge in personal affection."

The Third Place says much the same: a newcomer to officialdom is inevitably flustered everywhere, hoping colleagues will look after him; he really has no time for gentle affection, fearing he might neglect a lovely lady.

As for these noble ladies' purpose in coming here, besides joining the fun, most are actually looking for a husband.

The Top Scholar and Third Place refusing other marriage proposals is their reason.

Whether they can form a good match with one of them in the future is up to the ladies' abilities.

For these great clans and official mansions, selecting a young man about to enter office.

Through marriage to form a stable, trustworthy relationship, then cultivate it.

If one chooses well, it helps continue the family's glory.

The top three are precisely the outstanding picks among them, what modern people call "high-performing stocks."

He Jinglan most dislikes hearing those noble ladies' superficial talk of harmony, while in fact each harbors ulterior motives.

She was annoyed and didn't want to hear more, so she whispered in Gu Xixi's ear, "Don't listen to them chatting and laughing right now."

"Actually, the secret rivalry has already begun."

"Back when Mu Nan Zhao won Top Scholar, my older brother was Second Place, and he certainly didn't avoid this kind of trouble."

"I've seen all sorts of ugly tactics."

"Fortunately, both the Mu and He families are established clans, so no one really dares to force the issue like making an ox drink water."

Gu Xixi suddenly felt some worry: how will Jiang Mingyuan respond when faced with recruitment, temptation, even threats?

Given his nature, if he insists on not being forced into marriage, he will also reject any faction's recruitment.

Could there be danger?

He Jinglan saw Gu Xixi's worry and said, "Actually, you don't need to worry too much about Lord Jiang."

"I think he is not a stubborn pedant; he likely already has his own plan."

Gu Xixi nodded, smiled, and said, "I hope so."

Just as they were speaking, they suddenly felt the atmosphere was off.

Looking again at the four senior maidservants beside, who were desperately making eye signals.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan looked up and saw that the Top Scholar's horse had veered off the middle of the street, now coming toward them.

He Jinglan watched Jiang Mingyuan walk closer and closer, trying as much as possible not to attract attention.

She maintained a composed gaze forward, lips slightly parted, whispering without moving her lips: "He wouldn't want to greet you in front of all these people, would he?"

Gu Xixi responded in the same way: "I think he intends to do just that."

Given Jiang Mingyuan's character, how could he, after suddenly achieving top honors, avoid acknowledging his old friends?

On the contrary, he would openly and honorably acknowledge them and greet them openly.

This is the Jiang Mingyuan that Gu Xixi knows.

He Jinglan gazed at the Top Scholar, who was already within arm's reach, and broke into a gracious, proper smile.

He Jinglan looked at the Top Scholar, who was already within arm's reach, and showed a generous, proper smile.

He Jinglan looked at the Top Scholar, who was already within arm's reach, and showed a generous, proper smile.

Make sure it's one line.

I hope he doesn't do anything unnecessary; I don't want you to become the first living target after the results posting.

"I hope he doesn't do anything unnecessary; I don't want you to become the first living target after the results are posted."

I hope he doesn't do anything unnecessary; I don't want you to become the first living target after the results are posted.

Actually He Jinglan's concerns were somewhat unnecessary.

"Actually, He Jinglan's worries were somewhat unnecessary."

Because she forgot that there was still an An Qinghe beside her.

"Because she forgot that An Qinghe was still beside her."

An Qinghe waved his arms and shouted, "Zi Chu brother! We're over here!"

"An Qinghe waved his arms and shouted, 'Zi Chu brother! We're over here!'"

I didn't make it to the inn to celebrate after the results posting, so I came here to wait for you! I must congratulate you in person!

"We didn't make it to the inn to celebrate after the results posting, so we came here to wait for you! We must congratulate you in person!"

Although the parade hasn't ended yet, we can't linger here too long.

"Although the street parade hasn't ended yet, we can't linger too long here."

Nevertheless, Jiang Mingyuan didn't hesitate, dismounted, and smilingly bowed to each of the three in turn.

"But Jiang Mingyuan still dismounted without hesitation, smiling as he clasped his hands to each of the three in turn."

Thank you, seeing my friends here makes me very happy.

"Thank you, I'm delighted to see my friends here."

At that moment, all eyes around gathered on them.

"At this moment, all eyes around gathered on them."

Naturally, some recognized He Jinglan as the He family's eldest daughter and the younger sister of Minister of Revenue He Jinghui.

"Naturally, some recognized He Jinglan as the He family's eldest daughter and the younger sister of Minister of Revenue He Jinghui."

Minister of Revenue He Jinghui

Consequently, He Jinglan attracted countless glances of scrutiny, suspicion, and jealousy.

"Thus He Jinglan garnered countless looks of inquiry, suspicion, and envy."

Could it be that the Top Scholar has long been secretly involved with Minister He's sister?

"Could it be that the Top Scholar has long been secretly involved with the sister of Minister He?"

Could it be that the Top Scholar has long been secretly involved with Minister He's sister?

By now, the three of them no longer cared what others thought, openly returning Jiang Mingyuan's greetings one by one and offering formal congratulations.

"By now, the three no longer cared what others thought; they openly returned Jiang Mingyuan's greetings one by one, formally congratulating him."

All three were genuinely happy for Jiang Mingyuan.

"The three were genuinely happy for Jiang Mingyuan."

An Qinghe exclaimed excitedly, "All along this journey, I've known you're not an ordinary person, but the literary star descended to earth!"

"An Qinghe exclaimed excitedly, 'All along our journey I knew you weren't an ordinary person but the literary star descended to earth!'"

He Jinglan and Jiang Mingyuan had met once at Gu Xixi's farmstead.

"He Jinglan and Jiang Mingyuan had met once at Gu Xixi's farmstead."

Though they weren't close, meeting again in the capital gave them a sense of familiarity.

"Although they weren't close, meeting again in the capital gave them a sense of familiarity."

He Jinglan smiled and nodded, "Wishing the Top Scholar a bright future."

"He Jinglan smiled and nodded, 'I wish the Top Scholar a smooth and prosperous future.'"

Jiang Mingyuan returned the salute, "Thank you."

"Jiang Mingyuan returned the gesture, 'Thank you.'"

When it was Gu Xixi's turn, she already had a plan in mind: "Zi Chu brother topped the exams, so promising; as his cousin, I share in his honor."

"It was Gu Xixi's turn; she had already thought it through: 'Zi Chu brother attained Top Scholar, so outstanding—I, as his cousin, share in the glory.'"

He Jinglan was taken aback, then deeply moved.

"He Jinglan was startled, then deeply moved."

Gu Xixi has always loved to show off and never liked to rely on connections.

"Gu Xixi has never hesitated to boast, and she dislikes relying on connections."

She revealed her relation to Jiang Mingyuan only to take the blame.

"She revealed her relation to Jiang Mingyuan for only one reason: to draw the lightning."

To prevent others from speculating about the relationship between He Jinglan, the He family, and Jiang Mingyuan.

"To prevent others from having a chance to speculate about the relationship between He Jinglan, the He family, and Jiang Mingyuan."

Jiang Mingyuan's eyes flickered, clearly understanding Gu Xixi's intention.

"Jiang Mingyuan's eyes flickered; he obviously understood Gu Xixi's intention."

I, along with my cousin and Brother An, came to the capital together, thanks to your care.

"I, along with my cousin and Brother An, traveled to the capital together, thanks to your care."

It's a pity we're short on time today; next time I'll treat, let's find a place to drink and chat again.