Imperial Examination
"The Lin Family moved Lin Yunwan's grave?"
Ge Bao'er was extremely surprised.
If Lu Zhengliu and Qing'er were mistaken for each other because they looked so alike, then the relocation of the Lin Family's grave would be highly suspicious.
Lu Zhengliu nodded silently.
He couldn't express his feelings. He was afraid that he was overthinking things and had mistaken the person for someone else, but at that moment he was certain that he was not overthinking anything.
He suddenly laughed, "It's her. It's Yun Wan."
Ge Bao'er was skeptical.
She witnessed Lin Yunwan being burned to death with her own eyes! She even locked the door herself.
She was very curious. "Just how similar are they? How could you and Qing'er mistake one for the other?"
I want to go and see for myself.
Lu Zhengliu immediately stopped her. "What do you want to do to her?!"
Ge Bao'er said irritably, "I just wanted to take a look! I don't believe there are two people in the world who look so alike. What do you think I'm up to, sir?"
Lu Zhengliu said coldly, "Forget about it, you won't see her."
She is now the Prince Huan Consort, a position no mere Concubine from a Marquis's Residence could attain.
Ge Bao'er knew he was mocking her.
She retorted without hesitation, "Sir is right, she is Princess Consort, not someone ordinary people can see. Even if she is Lin Yunwan, sir, don't even think about it!"
Lu Zhengliu gave Ge Bao'er a cold look.
Ge Bao'er's mind was entirely focused on the matter of Prince Huan Consort, and she didn't care what her husband thought of her.
She absolutely had to meet Prince Huan Consort.
Ge Bao'er went to see Madam Chen.
"Mother, please help me find a way to see Prince Huan Consort."
Madam Chen looked very haggard; the Duke had sent someone back to reprimand her.
They've been married for a long time, and she still got scolded; it was incredibly embarrassing.
She said, "Bao'er, don't worry about these things. You and Qing'er should live your lives well. As long as your father and I are here, you and Qing'er will be fine."
"No matter how noble the Prince Huan Consort's status is, she cannot uproot our Duke's Residence."
"You'll be fine too."
Ge Bao'er said nervously, "But didn't you say that Crown Prince has no son, Prince Huan will definitely ascend the throne in the future?"
"Then she's... she's the Empress."
Ge Bao'er was terrified. "Even if I don't touch her, she'll still seek revenge. And Qing'er, back when she was in the manor, she hated Qing'er the most."
Are you just going to let your daughter sit here and wait to die?
Madam Chen said, "If she really is the mistress of the Lu family, what can you do about it?"
Ge Bao'er paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Mother, are you confused? If she really Lin Yunwan, that would be a crime of deceiving the emperor!"
"Why bother with the daughter? Does the Emperor really want such a woman to be a royal daughter-in-law?"
"The Emperor and the Empress naturally want her dead."
That makes sense.
Madam Chen said, "If it really is that woman from the Lin Family, she will be a source of endless trouble if she becomes Empress one day."
"Wait patiently. If there's a chance, I'll secretly take you to meet them."
Ge Bao'er thanked him with a smile and was very close to Madam Chen.
August arrived quickly, and the Imperial Examinations had already begun.
On the day of the exam, a long queue formed at the entrance of the Examination Hall. Candidates lined up for body searches, and only those who were found to have taken off their clothes and were not carrying cheat sheets were allowed to enter.
At the entrance, they are checking the candidates' names and appearances.
"Lin Yunyi, age eighteen."
Lin Yunyi stepped forward.
"Wenhai, a native of Jiangqian..."
"Arrive."
"Xia Jin, a native of the Capital..."
And there's Lu Chang'gong.
Before entering the examination hall, Lin Yunyi saw Lu Chang'gong. The two nodded to each other in greeting and then entered the Examination Hall.
Wenhai rubbed his hands together. Before entering the examination hall, he looked back and saw his mother and Lin Yunjiao sitting in the carriage, eagerly waiting.
Only when Wen Mu could no longer see her son did she hide inside the carriage.
It's so cold so early in the morning.
Wen Mu sat down, she complained, "Your sister is so lucky to have married Princess Consort. She's a prominent figure in the Capital. How come you haven't enjoyed any of that good fortune?"
Lin Yunjiao snorted coldly and retorted, "Mother-in-law, do you think I've neglected your food or lodging? Do you only feel satisfied when you have to involve my sister, who is Princess Consort?"
Wen Mu gritted her teeth, deciding not to argue with her daughter-in-law for now.
She gave a cold laugh, "I'll deal with you after Wenhai and becomes a Provincial Graduate!"
Lin Yunjiao wasn't worried. Over the years, the Lin family had provided her with a lot of financial support. Fortunately, her husband was also doing well. The teachers at Jiangqian Prefecture Academy all said that her husband had a very good chance of passing the exam this year!
"My husband has passed the Provincial Graduate and will have many more expenses in the future. If you, Mother-in-law, feel that you no longer need my financial support, please send me home as soon as possible. I would be more than happy to do so!"
Wen Mu was very proud. "My son has passed the imperial examination, and countless beautiful girls are waiting to marry him. I'll divorce you and marry someone better!"
Lin Yunjiao was genuinely nervous.
But she wasn't too afraid. Back in the rented little house, she called out, "Lan'er, Jin'er."
Her two children came out and happily rushed into her arms.
Wenhai loves their child very much, and she doesn't believe that Wen Mu would dare to divorce her.
The Provincial Examinations lasted for nine consecutive days, and many candidates who were not in good health fell seriously ill after the exam.
Lin Yunjiao was worried about her husband and waited anxiously for nine days. Only after Wenhai finished his exams did she have time to think about Lin Yunwan.
"Everyone says that Prince Huan Consort is the reincarnation of the Di Daughter the Lin Family, and she looks exactly the same!"
"Really? This is like a play!"
Lin Yunjiao and her maid bought rice and went home together. She rested her chin on her hand and stared blankly for a while.
"The Lin Family, the Lin family..."
"The Di Daughter of the Lin Family died not long ago, Lin Yun Wan has already returned to our Lin family. Could it be that she has been resurrected through another's body?"
Lin Yunjiao felt increasingly uneasy. "No wonder Lin Yun Wan is so capable. Could she really not be my biological sister?"
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After the Provincial Examinations, the Crown Prince's Residence hosted a banquet.
When Lin Yunwan visited, she politely remarked, "The Crown Prince Consort's eyes are red from all her hard work."
The Crown Prince Consort smiled and said, "The Crown Prince and I have been living a rather lonely life lately, so we invited you all to come and liven things up."
She saw Qi Zaijun standing beside her and was very happy. "Jun'er?"
Qi Zaijun bowed respectfully. "Your nephew greets the Crown Prince Consort."
The Crown Prince Consort liked Qi Zaijun very much. She took him aside to talk and even showed him to the Crown Prince in the Warm Pavilion.
"Your nephew greets Your Crown Prince."
Qi Zaijun was a little nervous, as only the maidservant was by his side; Lin Yunwan couldn't come along.
The Crown Prince was amiable, but his face was too pale. He stretched out his bony hand and said gently, "Come here, let your uncle take a good look at you."
Qi Zaijun hesitated for a moment, then walked over and asked softly, "Are you cold?"
The Crown Prince nodded. "Uncle, it's cold."
Qi Zaijun warmed his hands.
The Crown Prince paused for a moment, then patted his head and said, "Good boy." He then gave Qi Zaijun the Jade Thumb Ring he was wearing.
The Crown Prince Consort was astonished; it was a gift from Emperor Jingshun when he was made Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince didn't seem to care much, only telling Qi Zaijun, "You can wear it when you're older. Your uncle is quite sickly, go play with your Eldest Aunt."
"Jun'er thanks Uncle. Jun'er will come to see Uncle again next time."
The Crown Prince smiled.