Liu Zhong's exam paper ranked among the top ten. And since he was the best-looking man there apart from Jia Hu, the emperor naturally named Liu Zhong the Third Place Scholar.
When word reached Rongguo Mansion, everyone was overjoyed.
Even Wang wore a smile.
Having a future son-in-law who was the Third Place Scholar brought them plenty of glory.
Jia Lian ran over to Jia Yuanchun and urged, "Big Sister, do you want to go watch the successful candidates parade through the streets? We can see our brother-in-law in all his Third Place Scholar glory."
Jia Yuanchun was tempted.
Jia Baoyu clapped his hands beside them. "Let's go! Let's go see Big Brother and Brother Liu!"
Jia She chuckled and egged them on. "Then let's go! I'll book a private room at a restaurant. Everyone from our family can come."
Zhang gave Jia She a playful smack when she heard that.
But deep down, she really wanted to see her son riding through the streets in triumph.
Lady Jia Shi was also tempted. Ever since joining Rongguo Mansion, she had rarely gone out, except to visit temples and offer incense.
Wang pursed her lips. She wasn't about to go out and watch Zhang's son bask in the limelight.
And her son-in-law basking in glory?
A son-in-law wasn't a son.
In the end, everyone in Rongguo Mansion except Wang went out and headed for a restaurant along the route the successful candidates were sure to take.
Jia She was quite the schemer; he had booked the private room well in advance.
The group streamed into the room and packed it to the brim.
Jia Zhen from Ningguo Mansion also came by with Jia Rong to join in the fun.
Several children pressed against the window, gazing down at the street with wide eyes.
They rarely saw anything like this, and found it utterly fascinating.
After about half an hour, the street grew more and more lively.
Jia Lian was the first to shout, "They're here! They're here! Big Brother and Brother Liu are coming!"
He hurried over to Jia Yuanchun, grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her to the window.
Blushing, Jia Yuanchun looked down and saw Jia Hu and Liu Zhong riding tall horses, slowly making their way along the street.
Both wore the red robes of successful candidates. With their red lips and bright teeth, they looked even more handsome.
Jia Yuanchun blushed even more.
Jia Yuanchun had known Liu Zhong since childhood, so she had naturally seen him before.
A young girl's heart had blossomed, and Liu Zhong was both handsome and talented. Jia Yuanchun had long admired him, but she knew what her grandmother and mother wanted. Thinking she and Liu Zhong had no chance together, she had hidden her feelings.
She had never expected things to take such a turn: her grandfather and father both thought highly of Liu Zhong and had arranged their engagement.
Jia Yuanchun was overjoyed, but she kept herself in check and didn't let it show.
In all of Rongguo Mansion, only her younger cousin Yingchun had sensed her feelings.
Jia Hu and Liu Zhong were young and handsome, and attracted the admiration of many young women. Handkerchiefs and flowers came raining down on them.
Jia Yuanchun watched, feeling proud and pleased.
Hmph, he's my fiancé!
No matter how you try to get his attention, he won't marry you. He'll marry me and me alone.
"Big Sister, here."
Jia Lian pressed a peony into Jia Yuanchun's hand.
Jia Yuanchun turned to look—and sure enough, Jia Lian, Jia Zhen, and the others had prepared two baskets of flowers. They were telling the servants to hoist the baskets onto the window ledge, ready to tip them over when Jia Hu and Liu Zhong passed by.
Weren't they afraid of burying the two men under all those flowers?
Oh, and there was also the Bangyan, who barely registered.
The Bangyan was in his forties and looked entirely ordinary, so everyone overlooked him.
All the attention belonged to the top scorer and the Third Place Scholar.
Jia Yuanchun's mouth twitched. "You didn't pick every flower in both mansions, did you?"
Jia Lian and Jia Zhen just grinned.
Jia Lian hurriedly said, "Big Sister, Big Brother and your husband are almost at the restaurant. Hurry and toss your flower!"
Jia Yuanchun gave them a soft huff and let it go.
When she saw Liu Zhong arrive below, she immediately tossed the flower in her hand.
As if they shared a secret understanding—Liu Zhong's senses were sharp, and he had spotted the Jia family at the restaurant long ago, including Jia Yuanchun tossing the flower—he raised his hand and caught the peony she had thrown.
Holding the flower, Liu Zhong waved to Jia Yuanchun and gave her a radiant smile.
Jia Yuanchun's cheeks flushed crimson. She felt so happy she might faint.
Just then, the Jia family's servants tipped both baskets over at once.
With so many flowers, it became a disaster.
Jia Hu and Liu Zhong were startled and quickly pulled their horses aside.
They reacted fast, and only a few stray flowers landed on them.
The Bangyan, however, wasn't quick enough. He was buried beneath the flowers.
The bailiffs hurried over to clear them away and pull the Bangyan out.
Everyone watching burst into laughter, and Jia Yuanchun couldn't help laughing, too.
The procession passed the restaurant and gradually disappeared into the distance. The Jia family simply ate dinner at the restaurant before returning home.
Jia Daishan was in poor health. As soon as he got home, he went to bed.
Lady Jia Shi had wanted to chat with Jia Daishan, too, but could only head back to Rongqing Hall, disappointed.
The four great joys in life were rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a distant land, a wedding night, and passing the imperial examinations.
For Jia Hu and Liu Zhong, after passing the examinations came their wedding nights.
Jia Hu married first, and his wife was now a Princess.
In this dynasty, there was no rule forbidding a man from taking part in government after marrying a Princess. Jia Hu was a talent the new emperor valued; he could hardly be left to waste away.
In fact, having married the emperor's daughter made Jia Hu even more trusted by the emperor.
The Princess had fallen in love with Jia Hu at first sight. After their wedding, she didn't live in the Princess Mansion, but moved with Jia Hu into Rongguo Mansion, where she treated Zhang, her mother-in-law, with great respect.
A month after Jia Hu's wedding, Liu Zhong married Jia Yuanchun and welcomed her into his home.
Liu Zhong had no romantic feelings for Jia Yuanchun, but he treated her, his wife, with great respect.
Not long after their wedding, Liu Zhong noticed that one of Jia Yuanchun's maids was interested in him. He went straight to Jia Yuanchun and told her to dismiss the girl.
Liu Zhong said, "We don't keep concubines or maids as bedchamber attendants in my family. My father has only my mother as his wife, and I'll have only you."
Jia Yuanchun was both surprised and delighted. She had never imagined she could be so happy.
Even if Liu Zhong had only said it to comfort her, and might take another woman in the future,
at least she was happy now.
Jia Yuanchun immediately dismissed the maids who had tried to seduce Liu Zhong, never mind that Wang had carefully chosen them for her.
Jia Yuanchun kept only Baoqin, the maid who was most loyal to her.
Liu Zhong took a post at the Hanlin Academy. His work was leisurely, and when he had time, he would help Jia Zhu with his studies.
Although Jia Hu was the top scorer, he was a man the emperor valued and was very busy.
Jia Zhu could only turn to Liu Zhong for help. Before long, he would have to return to Jinling to take the county-level examinations.
Jia Zhu had a talent for studying. With Jia Daishan there, Jia Zheng didn't dare push him too hard.
Jia Zhu was in reasonably good health. Unless something unexpected happened or he suddenly fell ill, he wouldn't die young.
As Liu Zhong guided Jia Zhu's studies, he assessed his abilities and determined that Jia Zhu would pass the examinations this time and earn the title of licentiate.
Before you continue