Red Chamber 13

Liu Zhong's examination paper ranked within the top ten, and since he was the best-looking among them aside from Jia Hu, the Emperor naturally appointed him as the Tanhualang.

The Rongguo Mansion was overjoyed upon receiving the news, with everyone beaming with delight.

Even Wang showed a smile on her face.

Her future son-in-law being a Tanhualang was more than enough to bring honor to their family.

Jia Lian ran over to Jia Yuanchun and egged her on, "Big Sister, shall we go watch the procession of the successful candidates? Let's go see the dashing style of our future brother-in-law, the Tanhualang."

Jia Yuanchun was tempted.

Jia Baoyu clapped his hands from the side, "Go, let's go, let's see Big Brother and Brother Liu."

Jia She chuckled from the side, stirring up the crowd, "Then let's go! I'll book a private room at a restaurant, and everyone in the family will go."

Zhang swatted at Jia She upon hearing this.

However, in her heart, she was very eager to see the dashing sight of her son riding through the streets.

Lady Jia Shi was also quite tempted; ever since she joined the Rongguo Mansion, she rarely went out except to burn incense.

Wang curled her lips; she had no desire to go out and watch the glory of Zhang's son.

As for her son-in-law also being glorious?

A son-in-law was not a son, after all.

In the end, everyone in the Rongguo Mansion except for Wang left the estate and headed toward the restaurant that the procession was bound to pass.

Jia She was quite cunning and had already booked a private room in advance.

The group swarmed into the room, filling it to the brim.

Jia Zhen from the Ningguo Mansion also brought Jia Rong along to join in the fun.

Several children pressed against the window, looking down at the street with curiosity.

It was a scene they rarely witnessed, and they found it incredibly novel.

After waiting for about half an hour, the street became increasingly lively.

Jia Lian was the first to shout, "They're here, they're here! Big Brother and Brother Liu are coming."

He ran to Jia Yuanchun's side, grabbed her arm, and pulled her toward the window.

Jia Yuanchun blushed as she looked down, seeing Jia Hu and Liu Zhong riding on tall horses, slowly approaching from one end of the street.

Both were dressed in red examination robes, their lips red and teeth white, making them look even more handsome.

Jia Yuanchun's face turned even redder.

Jia Yuanchun and Liu Zhong had known each other since childhood, so they had naturally met before.

A young girl's heart is full of spring, and since Liu Zhong was both handsome and outstanding, Jia Yuanchun had long harbored an affection for him. However, knowing the intentions of her grandmother and mother, she assumed she had no fate with him and hid her feelings away.

She never expected the situation to take such a turn; her grandfather and father both thought highly of Liu Zhong and had arranged the marriage for them.

Jia Yuanchun was overjoyed, but she remained very restrained and did not show it.

In the entire Rongguo Mansion, only her cousin Yingchun had sensed her feelings.

Jia Hu and Liu Zhong were young and handsome, attracting the admiration of many young ladies, who tossed handkerchiefs, fresh flowers, and silk blossoms toward them.

Jia Yuanchun watched with pride and self-satisfaction.

Hmph, that is my fiancé!

No matter how you try to get his attention, he won't marry you; he will only marry me.

"Big Sister, here."

Jia Lian, standing nearby, stuffed a peony into Jia Yuanchun's hand.

Jia Yuanchun turned her head to look, and good heavens, Jia Lian, Jia Zhen, and the others had prepared two baskets full of flowers and were directing the servants to lift the baskets onto the window frame, waiting for Jia Hu and Liu Zhong to pass by so they could dump the flowers down.

They weren't even worried about burying those two under the flowers.

Oh, and let's not forget the Bangyan, who had no presence at all.

That Bangyan was over forty years old and looked quite ordinary, so he was completely ignored.

The spotlight belonged only to the Zhuangyuan and the Tanhualang.

Jia Yuanchun's mouth twitched, "You didn't strip all the flowers from both mansions, did you?"

Jia Lian and Jia Zhen replied, "Hehe."

Jia Lian hurriedly said, "Big Sister, Big Brother and Brother-in-law are almost under the restaurant. Hurry up and throw your flowers!"

Jia Yuanchun gave a light huff and let them be.

Seeing Liu Zhong arrive below, she immediately tossed the peony in her hand downward.

Liu Zhong seemed to have a telepathic connection with her—in reality, Liu Zhong's senses were sharp, and he had long since discovered the Jia family in the restaurant and seen Jia Yuanchun's action of throwing the flower—Liu Zhong raised his hand and caught the peony Jia Yuanchun had thrown.

Holding the peony, Liu Zhong waved at Jia Yuanchun and gave her a brilliant smile.

Jia Yuanchun's cheeks turned bright red, and she felt so happy she could faint.

At this moment, the servants of the Jia Mansion tipped two large baskets over at once.

When flowers become too numerous, they turn into a disaster.

Jia Hu and Liu Zhong were taken aback and hurriedly pulled their horses aside to dodge.

Their reactions were swift, and only a few stray flowers landed on them.

The Bangyan did not have such quick reflexes and was buried directly under the flowers.

The bailiffs rushed forward to help clear the mess and rescue the Bangyan.

The onlookers burst into laughter, and even Jia Yuanchun could not help but chuckle.

As the procession passed the restaurant and gradually moved into the distance, the members of the Jia family simply finished their dinner at the restaurant before returning to the mansion.

Jia Daishan was in poor health and went to sleep as soon as he returned to the mansion.

Lady Jia Shi had originally wanted to chat with Jia Daishan, but she could only return to Rongqing Hall in low spirits.

The four great joys in life are: rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a distant land, the wedding night, and placing high on the imperial examination.

After Jia Hu and Liu Zhong achieved success in the imperial examinations, it was time for their wedding nights.

Jia Hu married first, and his wife was now a princess.

In this dynasty, there was no rule stating that a consort could not participate in politics after marrying a princess; Jia Hu was a talent favored by the new emperor, so it was impossible for his potential to be buried.

On the contrary, because he married the emperor's daughter, Jia Hu gained even more of the emperor's trust.

The princess had fallen in love with Jia Hu at first sight, and after they married, she did not live in the Princess Mansion but moved into the Rongguo Mansion with Jia Hu, showing great respect to her mother-in-law, Zhang.

One month after Jia Hu's wedding, Liu Zhong married and brought Jia Yuanchun into his home.

Liu Zhong did not have romantic feelings for Jia Yuanchun, but he respected her as his wife.

Not long after the wedding, Liu Zhong discovered that Jia Yuanchun's dowry maid had designs on him, so he spoke directly to Jia Yuanchun and asked her to send the girl away.

Liu Zhong: "Our family does not keep concubines or bed-warmers. My father has only my mother as his wife, and in the future, I will only have you as my wife."

Upon hearing this, Jia Yuanchun was both surprised and delighted; she had not expected to be this fortunate.

Even if Liu Zhong was only saying it to coax her, and might perhaps seek other women in the future.

But at least for now, she was happy.

Jia Yuanchun immediately dismissed the maids who had tried to seduce Liu Zhong, not caring at all that they had been carefully prepared for her by Wang.

Jia Yuanchun kept only Baoqin, who was the most loyal to her.

Liu Zhong began his service at the Hanlin Academy, where the work was leisurely, and he would guide Jia Zhu's studies when he had free time.

Although Jia Hu was the top scholar, he was very busy as a man valued by the emperor.

Jia Zhu could only seek guidance from Liu Zhong, as he would soon be returning to Jinling to participate in the county examinations.

Jia Zhu had a talent for reading, and because of Jia Daishan, Jia Zheng did not dare to pressure Jia Zhu too much.

Jia Zhu's health was decent; as long as no accidents or sudden illnesses occurred, it was impossible for him to die young.

Liu Zhong tutored Jia Zhu in his studies, assessed his foundation, and confirmed that Jia Zhu would be able to pass the imperial examination this time and earn the title of Xiucai.