The palace examination results

Han Yucheng and the others had also arrived early and were waiting together at the teahouse.

Han Nanxing even teased him. "Big Brother, a successful candidate as handsome and talented as you might get snatched up as someone's son-in-law in a moment!"

The Capital was filled with powerful families, and there was no shortage of young ladies among them. Unlike daughters of poor households, most had grown up showered with love and indulgence.

Parents who cherished their daughters naturally wanted an official for a son-in-law, so their girls could enjoy comfortable lives.

Anyone whose name appeared on the palace examination's golden list was certain to become an official. Thus, the custom of "Snatching Sons-in-Law from the List" had arisen.

Han Yucheng flushed slightly and said softly, "Don't talk nonsense."

Seeing his expression, Chu Siqing could not help laughing to herself.

Eldest Uncle is getting shy!

Han Nanxing pointed at the Metropolitan Graduates in the main hall and cackled. "How is that nonsense? Look how splendidly they've dressed themselves up. Aren't they just waiting for a good marriage to come knocking?"

Princess Yu laughed as well. "Yucheng, Nanxing does have a point this time. Come to think of it, you're old enough to have a marriage arranged."

She paused, then added, "If someone really does come to snatch you up as a son-in-law, and the family's daughter is a good girl, there's no harm in agreeing."

Chu Siqing's eyes instantly went round.

Was her dreamboat of an eldest uncle going to become someone else's husband so soon?

Han Yucheng said bashfully, "Sister, why are you teasing me too..."

Chu Siqing reached out her chubby little hand, clasped her eldest uncle's finger, and babbled in her milky baby voice, "Aun... Auntie..."

Seeing his little niece's behavior, Han Nanxing was beside himself with delight. "Big Brother, look! Siqing wants an auntie too!"

Han Yucheng glared at his younger brother. "Why don't you find yourself a wife to be Siqing's auntie?"

Han Nanxing scratched his head and boasted shamelessly, "Once I become the Military Examination Champion, families will fight until their heads split to snatch me up as a son-in-law!"

Everyone laughed at that.

Just then, a thunderous gong rang out.

The entire teahouse erupted.

Whether they were candidates who had been waiting for ages, servants checking the results for their masters, or the teahouse's patrons and staff, everyone perked up and turned toward the entrance.

Several men entered the teahouse, beating gongs and drums.

One of them shouted, "Congratulations to Master Yan Guan of Yangzhou on taking first place in the palace examination! This humble servant offers his congratulations to the top scholar!"

Everyone's gaze followed the announcer as he approached a handsome young gentleman in splendid brocade robes.

A crowd had already gathered around him, offering congratulations, but the young gentleman merely told his servant calmly, "Reward him!"

The servant immediately gave the messenger an ingot of silver. It looked heavy and was surely worth a considerable sum.

The messenger's eyes lit up, and he left only after thanking him profusely.

From Young Master Yan's bearing alone, everyone could tell that he came from an extraordinary family, not to mention how readily and generously he gave rewards.

Someone in the hall had already begun quietly explaining his background.

"This Young Master Yan comes from the Yangzhou Yan Clan, a scholarly family with a vast fortune. Now he's even become the top scholar. Comparing yourself to others really can make you die of frustration!"

Someone remarked sourly, "With Top Scholar Yan so outstanding, won't the families wanting him as a son-in-law fight until their heads split?"

Another person said, "I heard he's already betrothed to the younger sister of his good friend, Candidate Yu. He'll probably turn down these families in the Capital trying to snatch up sons-in-law."

The sour speaker said again, "That's not certain. Everyone knows Candidate Yu's family is poor. Perhaps Top Scholar Yan would rather marry into a noble family in the Capital."

Hearing their discussion of Top Scholar Yan, Han Yucheng could not help speaking up in his defense. "I've met Brother Yan several times. He isn't the sort to scorn the poor and court the rich."

Princess Yu said, "The Yangzhou Yan Clan truly is a distinguished family, to have raised someone with Top Scholar Yan's bearing."

Han Nanxing had initially been unimpressed, but after glancing at Yan Guan, he had nothing to say.

Chu Siqing could not resist gazing at him like a lovestruck fool, stealing several extra looks.

Another dreamboat!

Not only did Top Scholar Yan have a lovely name, outstanding scholarship, and good looks, but his presence was in a league of its own! Seriously!

Han Yucheng had only meant to defend Brother Yan, but seeing his little niece stare at the man without even blinking, he could not help feeling a little jealous. "Siqing, have you forgotten your uncles now that you've seen Top Scholar Yan?"

Chu Siqing quickly smiled at her uncle and said in her baby voice, "N... No..."

She wasn't abandoning the old for the new! When it came to handsome men, she always spread the rain and dew equally!

While they were still gossiping about Top Scholar Yan's marriage over there, another messenger had already arrived with good news.

The second messenger shouted, "Congratulations to Master Wang Youtian of Shuzhou on taking second place in the palace examination! This humble servant offers his congratulations to the runner-up!"

The entire teahouse fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into waves of laughter.

Hearing that the palace examination's runner-up had such a rustic name as "Wang Youtian," many of the candidates felt indignant.

Everyone followed the messenger with their eyes and saw that Second Place Wang had a somewhat dark complexion and was indeed unremarkable in appearance.

With the extraordinary Top Scholar Yan's pearls and jade displayed before him, the thoroughly rustic Second Place Wang was hardly pleasing to the eye.

A flurry of whispers immediately rose through the hall.

"What's Second Place Wang's background?"

"His family is just a household of well-off farmers in rural Shuzhou. That's why they gave him that name."

"I heard Shuzhou produces plenty of handsome men. How does Second Place Wang look so... tsk, it's hard to put into words."

"Looking like that is bad enough, but his name is so rustic too. Second Place Wang really is unlucky."

Second Place Wang turned a deaf ear to their mockery.

His face lit up with joy when he heard his name announced. Since he had no servant, he took a string of copper coins from his own pocket and handed it to the messenger.

The messenger's expression stiffened, and he did not immediately reach for the coins.

Seeing this, Second Place Wang took a bag from his pocket as well and pressed it into the messenger's hands along with the coins.

While the messenger was still bewildered, Second Place Wang said, "This is wheat my family saved for seed. It grows real well. You take it."

At that, the teahouse erupted in laughter again.

Quite a few people began pointing at Second Place Wang.

"A successful candidate actually giving a messenger wheat seed! My eyes have truly been opened today!"

"Second Place Wang lives up to his name. He really does love farming!"

"If his brain doesn't work properly, how did he manage to place second?"

"To think the runner-up spot went to someone like this! I really can't help laughing. Hahaha!"

The messenger also looked thoroughly disgusted. Taking the copper coins and wheat seed, he left without looking back.

As more and more people gossiped about him, Second Place Wang's face slowly turned crimson.

Just then, someone suddenly said in a loud voice, "You should know that those who speak ill of others are themselves troublemakers. Isn't it unkind of you all to discuss Second Place Wang this way?"

The voice was clear and pure, yet rang with conviction, like a warm ray of sunlight dispersing those malicious sneers.