Chapter 364: Apricot Garden and Apricot Blossom

Jiang Mingyuan mounted his horse and left again, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, a polite smile and slight bow, without a ripple.

But no matter whether it comes from people's envy, admiration, jealousy, or the gazes of women who admire him,

To him, it seemed there was no difference.

He did not arrogantly regard others as nothing, yet no one could casually disturb his heartstrings.

A woman clutched her chest and sighed, "He is truly a gentleman, warm and smooth like jade."

"If he could just glance at me once more, that would be nice."

Others' silence also proved their agreement.

At this moment, the women looked again at Gu Xixi, mostly feeling disapproving in their hearts.

No wonder the Top Scholar purposely stopped to speak with her; it turned out he was merely a poor relative traveling together from the northwest.

Their wariness of Gu Xixi instantly vanished like smoke.

This time's examinees hoped to pass; each family had investigated them to some extent before the spring examinations.

That the Top Scholar had not become engaged in his hometown was already certain.

Moreover, times are different now; since this commoner girl never had a chance before, she will be even less of a threat in the future.

As for Miss He...

When she spoke with the Top Scholar, it was obvious they were not close.

Furthermore, given her background, if the Top Scholar intended to marry into the He family, he could simply give her the flower pinned at his temple on the spot.

Since the Top Scholar did not do so, Miss He probably is not a rival to everyone.

The ladies dispersed in all directions, some with heavy hearts, hiding sharp edges.

Some were filled with fighting spirit, writing their determination to win on their faces...

On the way back, the maidservants discussed the flower pinned at the Top Scholar's temple.

Lian Xing patted her chest and said, "Just now when the Top Scholar came over, I thought he would pluck that apricot blossom and give it to our young lady; I was so nervous I nearly died!"

He Jinglan glared, "Daydreaming in broad daylight! What use would his apricot blossom be to me?"

Zi Yan laughed and said, "If he really gave it, would the young lady want it or not?"

He Jinglan naturally said, "I can't control who he wants to give his flower to, but I have already found what I want."

"Among three thousand weak waters, I take only one scoop."

Guang Zhu exclaimed, quick-tongued, "Does the young lady have a beloved?"

Hardly had she finished speaking when Zi Yan lightly slapped her, "Don't talk nonsense!"

Guang Zhu realized her slip, glanced around, seeing no one else, and then relaxed.

He Jinglan wasn't angry either, saying, "Who said what a woman wants can only be a marriage? At your young age, daydreaming all day, I think you should be given more chores."

Guang Zhu lowered her head pitifully, "Guang Zhu knows her mistake, young lady, please forgive me."

An Qinghe curiously asked, "I see only Brother Zi Chu has a fresh apricot blossom pinned."

"If this apricot blossom were given to the young lady's family, would there be any significance?"

He Jinglan laughed, "The meaning behind this is actually not small."

It is heard that the ancient sages once gave lectures to their disciples in the Apricot Garden.

In the Great Undertaking Dynasty, the day the metropolitan examination results were posted happened to coincide with the season when apricot blossoms were in full bloom.

It gradually evolved into the imperial court holding banquets in the Apricot Garden to celebrate the top thirty candidates before the spring examinations.

At that time, the emperor attended with several senior ministers, and everyone present was an outstanding person.

Thus the two words "Apricot Garden" also came to signify good omens for examinees passing the exams.

The apricot blossom pinned at Jiang Mingyuan's temple was personally plucked by the current emperor within the Apricot Garden.

It is exclusive to the newly minted Top Scholar, symbolizing the emperor's honoring of talent and cherishing of ability.

As for the meaning of giving an apricot blossom to a young lady, one must trace it back to the fourth Top Scholar of the Great Undertaking Dynasty.

Simply because, while strolling the streets, he saw his beloved and, moved in the moment, plucked an apricot blossom and gave it to her.

After hearing this, the emperor was delighted, believing that by his own hand he had brought about a good match—minor success meeting major success, double joy arriving at once, both elegant and auspicious; he even bestowed a plaque reading "Gold and Jade, Good Match".

From then on, this was passed down as a lovely tale.

Later, whenever a Top Scholar wandered the streets, many young ladies would fix their eyes on the apricot blossom at his temple.

They hoped to see whose hand the flower would finally fall into.

Having said this, they had already arrived at the front courtyard of the He residence.

He Jinglan looked at Gu Xixi with a smile and said, "Actually I originally thought he would give the flower to Xixi."

"But he didn't do so, and that's fine."

Gu Xixi, who had been listening attentively, was startled by the words.

Before she could say anything, An Qinghe laughed and waved his hand, "Impossible!"

"What would Brother Zi Chu be sending flowers to Xixi for? Xixi isn't his......"

As he spoke, he himself realized something was off, and stood stunned for a moment.

Then he turned pale with shock, "What?!"

"Even a rabbit doesn't eat the grass beside its burrow, yet that Jiang Mingyuan kid also...... toward Xixi......"

He Jinglan cleared her throat forcefully, gave him a look, and stopped him from continuing.

After this reminder, An Qinghe calmed a little, realizing he himself had not yet truly revealed his feelings, so what standing did he have to react like that?

He Jinglan then took the opportunity to push An Qinghe aside, took Gu Xixi's hand, and said while walking:

"I mean, now Lord Jiang's reputation is at its height; it's good that he didn't give you the flower."

"Otherwise, you wouldn't know how many people would have you as a thorn in their eyes today."

An Qinghe always protects Gu Xixi without reason, and this moment is no exception.

He immediately said, "Isn't it just jealousy that Xixi is better than them?"

"Whoever dares to use dirty tricks, we are not pushovers!"

He Jinglan laughed, "We certainly don't need to be afraid; it's just that Xixi always considers whether something is worth doing."

"If it's for a man she likes, that's fine; if she doesn't like him, bringing all this trouble is also..."

An Qinghe understood, and thought of a saying: "It's like a sore-covered toad landing on one's face—it doesn't bite, but it's disgusting!"

Gu Xixi nodded with a stern face, "That's right."

She always feels there isn't enough time.

If she is regarded by others as a hypothetical love rival and forced to respond, it wastes time.

Just thinking about it makes her almost die of annoyance.

Upon reaching the second gate, a servant came over, smiling and looking at An Qinghe, earnestly asking if he was thirsty or hungry.

An Qinghe rolled his eyes, "Rest assured, I won't enter the inner court; after staying this long, I still don't know the rules?"

The servant apologetically smiled, "My master said, Manager An can go anywhere in the manor except the inner court."

An Qinghe walked two steps past his own room, suddenly stopped, turned to look at Gu Xixi's retreating back, and a look of ecstasy gradually appeared in his eyes.

Exactly!

Just now she said that's right.

So she doesn't like Jiang Mingyuan and doesn't want to compete over him with other women out of jealousy!

An Qinghe foolishly laughed to himself, "Not liking, not liking is good; I just knew she didn't like him, how could it be possible, not liking is great..."

He kept repeating those sentences and ran into the room.

The servant stood there stunned, for a moment, shook his head, "Manager An, could he have gone mad?"

At this moment, the atmosphere in the Fan manor was solemn.

In the council hall, Fan Ge Lao sat solemn-faced at the head seat.

Below, all the Fan family descendants had grim expressions.

After a moment of silence, someone spoke, "Rumors outside have been growing more intense, slanderous talk spreading like wildfire; if this continues, it will sooner or later reach the emperor's ears."

"If the emperor becomes suspicious, that person's identity can no longer be concealed..."

Some were anxious, some fearful, some looked at Fan Ge Lao waiting for his signal.

However, Fan Ge Lao was like a stone statue, his eyes half-closed, remaining silent for a long time.