It was already the fourth month.
All the Jinshi candidates who had taken the Palace Examination had been summoned to the imperial palace, awaiting the Emperor’s final decree on their rankings.
Except for a very few individuals, all these candidates were extremely nervous.
Beyond their anxiety, a grand betting pool had opened across the entire capital, involving officials and commoners alike.
“Grand Tutor, I heard you’ve placed a bet as well?” one official couldn’t help but ask upon seeing the Grand Tutor. “Who did you wager on for the top position in the First Rank?”
The Grand Tutor showed not a hint of embarrassment. “The Fourth Young Master of the Ye household, Ye Shaohua.”
The Grand Tutor was the most learned man in the entire court.
Having served as an examination official for both the Metropolitan and Palace Exams, his words suggested that the Fourth Young Master was truly exceptionally brilliant.
The surrounding officials each harbored their own thoughts.
The Third Prince even secretly met with Ye Jin, instructing her to maintain good relations with Ye Shaohua.
This greatly surprised Ye Jin. “Your Highness, can my younger brother really achieve the Zhuangyuan title?”
These past days, she had deliberately tried to curry favor with Aunt Mei, yet Aunt Mei was clearly not as warm and welcoming as before, which pained Ye Jin immensely.
In truth, she was still waiting for Ye Shaohua to fail the exams.
Never did she expect the Third Prince to say such a thing, leaving her utterly astonished.
“Right now, the entire capital is betting on the Zhuangyuan. Almost everyone is betting on your household’s Fourth Young Master. Even the Grand Tutor has placed his wager on him. This matter is as good as settled.” Having hurriedly delivered this message, the Third Prince departed.
The mere fact that he personally came to tell Ye Jin this showed just how much importance he attached to the matter.
Ye Jin pressed her lips together, secretly making a decision.
**
Inside the Imperial Palace.
“Your Majesty, have you finished reviewing Young Master Ye’s policy essay?” an examination official asked, bowing his head respectfully as he looked at the Emperor seated on the dragon throne.
Duan Yunxiu narrowed his eyes, glanced at the man, and set down the several sheets of paper in his hand. “Have my ministers reached a conclusion regarding the disputes over the second to fifth positions?”
They were discussing the second to fifth places.
Clearly, no one had any objections to the first position.
The Chief Eunuch waiting by the door heard this and immediately knew who the top scholar of the First Rank was.
The examination officials gazed at the policy essay, their hearts itching to read it again.
They hadn’t seen such an erudite and eloquent policy essay since the days when His Majesty was still just a prince.
However, the other party was, after all, the Emperor—an emperor whose thoughts no one could fathom. These officials dared not say anything, merely reporting one by one that the list had been drafted.
“The First Rank comprises three individuals: Ye Shaohua, Li Tianxu, Fang Yong.”
Duan Yunxiu wielded his brush and wrote a line. Soon, the lists for the First, Second, and Third Ranks were posted on the imperial proclamation.
Ye Shaohua, along with the Bangyan (second-place) and Tanhua (third-place), donned bright red robes for the victory parade.
She rarely wore such vibrant colors. The crimson brocade robe set off her jade-like complexion and peach-blossom face, stunning even the eunuch leading her horse for a good while.
The eunuch thought to himself that this year’s Zhuangyuan was not only young but also possessed a rarely seen, handsome countenance.
The common people lining the streets almost wished they could follow the horse.
The Bangyan and Tanhua behind her were also quite presentable. Although the Tanhua was a bit older, the Bangyan was only around twenty and very handsome as well.
Yet, compared to Ye Shaohua ahead, they paled considerably.
As a result, few paid attention to what the Bangyan and Tanhua looked like; almost all eyes were glued to the Zhuangyuan.
When the news reached the Ye Mansion,
The Old Matriarch and Ye Qingweng were so overjoyed they scarcely knew what to do.
Fortunately, Liu’er was clever and had already reserved a private room overlooking the street at the Everlasting Spring Restaurant.
When the news arrived, the Ye family members rode over in carriages and sat by the window watching the parade.
Aunt Mei clutched her handkerchief, watching Ye Shaohua on horseback. Ye Shaohua seemed to sense her gaze, glanced over, and even raised a hand to wave at her.
Every pore on Aunt Mei’s body seemed to tremble; at this moment, it truly felt like a dream.
Four years ago, Ye Shaohua had said she would win her a Zhuangyuan title. Back then, Aunt Mei thought she was joking.
Never did she imagine she would actually bring home the top scholar honor. Aunt Mei felt something stirring deep within her chest.
Others watching the Zhuangyuan parade at the Everlasting Spring Restaurant heard that the Ye family had arrived.
They even specifically sent servants to pay their respects.
Ye Qingweng and the Old Matriarch had never received such treatment before and felt somewhat light-headed for a moment.
Madam Ye, who had stubbornly followed along, slumped into a chair upon seeing Ye Shaohua parading on horseback.
Her own son had achieved a respectable ranking this time—14th in the Second Rank.
But compared to Ye Shaohua, it was nothing.
Seeing Madam Ye, usually so poised, in such a state displeased the Old Matriarch, but with guests present and such joyous news, she suppressed her feelings.
The Ye Mansion hosted a grand banquet for several days thereafter.
They must have been ecstatic.
“In a few days, we can serve in court together as officials,” Ye Qingweng said with a smile, looking at Ye Shaohua during the family feast.
Recently, Ye Shaohua had brought him considerable face.
The Old Matriarch also smiled, her face a network of wrinkles. “Lately, matchmakers have nearly worn out our threshold. Aunt Mei, you should also carefully consider the prospects.”
Hearing the Old Matriarch’s words, the expressions of Madam Ye and Ye Shaoming darkened considerably.
Ye family rules were strict; concubines were not allowed to sit at the main table. Yet, since her return, Aunt Mei not only sat at the main table but also beside the Old Matriarch. How could Madam Ye not resent this?
“Speaking of marriage, Mother, don’t make blind arrangements,” Ye Qingweng said, his face radiant with joy. “After court today, the Grand Tutor specifically sought me out, asking if Shaohua was betrothed. He even hinted that he has a granddaughter of fourteen.”
“The Grand Tutor?” The Old Matriarch was even more delighted.
Madam Ye, however, looked even more displeased.
If the Grand Tutor’s daughter married into the Ye family, such a high-born lady—where would Madam Ye, as the principal wife, stand to enforce household rules?
Aunt Mei had been quite happy initially, but hearing about marriage prospects instantly worried her.
If this were truly a son, she’d be overjoyed.
But the problem was…
This was undeniably a daughter!
“Aren’t you worried at all?” Seeing Ye Shaohua’s still-calm demeanor, Aunt Mei couldn’t help but think her careless. “What are we going to do? It’s just like in the operas—a young, handsome scholar wins the Zhuangyuan and then marries a princess. I’ve heard the Seventh Princess is the Emperor’s own sister, around your age. What if the Emperor bestows a marriage…”
“Mother, don’t worry about this,” Ye Shaohua said, snapping open a folding fan with a nonchalant air. “Anyone might marry a princess, but not me.”
Aunt Mei looked at Ye Shaohua, half-believing, half-doubting.
Unbeknownst to anyone, at the same time…
Inside the Imperial Palace.
“My son, I told you to issue an imperial decree betrothing Princess Lin’an to the Zhuangyuan. Why is there still no movement?” Late at night, the Empress Dowager had her sedan chair carried directly to the Imperial Study.
