Congratulations to First-Ranked Bai

When Bai Mo saw Bai Peilan arrive, she thought she had come to demand an explanation.

But Bai Peilan simply sat down beside Bai Mo and shook her head.

"My child, do you know what rumors are going around the Capital today?"

Bai Mo looked thoroughly curious. "No, I haven't even been out yet. Mother, you came running over in such a hurry. Could they have something to do with me?"

"Yes. One is good. People everywhere are praising my child's extraordinary literary talent, saying you're truly gifted."

Since Bai Peilan had put it that way, there was bound to be another rumor.

"The other concerns your romantic exploits..."

"They say you had a tryst with the Third Princess's consort, and you also... pledged yourself to the Shen family's young master without your families' knowledge, and you and the Xiao family's young master are kindred spirits in love!!"

"There's no need to pay attention to the other gossip. It's only about some of your romantic escapades with the young men at the brothel."

As Bai Peilan spoke, she kept glancing at her daughter to see how she reacted.

Bai Mo felt entirely innocent. Her romantic exploits? How come she knew nothing about them?

Ahem, apart from pledging herself to Shen Qing without their families' knowledge...

Seeing the awkward look on her daughter's face, Bai Peilan's eyes widened. No way. Were her exploits really that colorful?

"Momo, you have been rather flirtatious. You need to take things one step at a time!

"Ahem, both the Shen family's young master and the Xiao family's young master come from distinguished families, but since you've already pledged yourself to the Shen family's young master, he must be the first to marry into our family.

"I've already made arrangements on my end. As soon as your aunt returns, we'll go to their house and propose marriage. We must hurry, in case he conceives my plump little granddaughter..."

"Stop, stop, stop."

Seeing Bai Peilan carry on, her words growing more and more outrageous, Bai Mo hurriedly interrupted. "Mother, what nonsense are you spouting?

"It's true that Shen Qing and I are kindred spirits in love, but everything else is made up. Besides, would I have to be insane? Would I lay a finger on a princess's consort? The Xiao siblings are my teacher's juniors, and they're no more than ordinary friends. I expect we'll have some dealings with each other in the future."

Despite what her precious daughter said, Bai Peilan did not believe her. No one knew a daughter better than her mother. Her child had always been carefree and flirtatious, formerly staying overnight at brothels almost every night...

But now that she meant to settle down, Bai Peilan ought to support her. Rumors were of no consequence to a young woman.

After all, youth was wasted on those who never dallied in romance.

"By the way, Momo, I read the poem you wrote yesterday. It truly was wonderful. I knew my child was naturally clever, just like me.

"The results come out tomorrow. I'll have someone go wait for them first thing in the morning. Since my child is so talented, I expect you'll pass this time. It really is incredible that Doctor Xiaozi personally accepted you as a disciple!

"You have no idea how many envious looks I received at court today. Quite a few officials praised me for raising my daughter so well."

Seeing the touch of silliness in Bai Peilan's smile, Bai Mo didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Mother, let's eat."

"Yes, let's eat. Eat plenty, my child."

The fifteenth day of the seventh month.

A red maple leaf, a fallen leaf, a drop of autumn dew, a wisp of cool breeze.

In the north, the weather in early autumn was slightly cool, making it especially pleasant.

Pale sunlight cast dappled shadows over green tiles and red walls. The abruptly jutting eaves, shop banners flying high, carriages and horses rolling by, and crowds of people all testified to the prosperity of a magnificent golden age.

The results were being posted today, and many people had been waiting outside the examination hall since the end of the yin hour. Some were expectant, some anxious, and some worried...

By the time Lixia and Lichun arrived, it was already a mountain of people and a sea of heads.

"Lixia, look, we made it just in time for the results to be read out. Watch the horse here. There are too many people up ahead, so I'll squeeze through and take a look."

Lixia only replied in a mild voice, "The family head already sent someone. You didn't need to drag me out here at all..."

"Wouldn't I feel better seeing it for myself? This is a major event in the eldest young lady's life. I'm going. Wait here."

Before Lixia could answer, Lichun hurried off.

"Hey, you can't even read!!"

Relying on her size and strength, Lichun squeezed to the left and shoved to the right, forcing her way into the front row.

A chorus of complaints rose around her, but she paid them no mind.

Her timing was perfect. The examiner had just reached the final line. "First place in this examination goes to Bai Mo."

"Ah!" Lichun cried out.

The people beside her looked at her as though she were a fool.

"The first-ranked candidate is my eldest young lady."

Lixiachun puffed out her chest, looking immensely proud, and raised her voice. "My eldest young lady came first."

When no one echoed her, she immediately lost interest.

More people squeezed in beside her to see the results, and Lichun felt as though she were about to be flattened into a pancake...

She hurriedly twisted her body and squeezed toward the examiner.

"My lord, the first-ranked candidate is my eldest young lady! My eldest young lady came first!"

The official had been about to leave, but when she saw someone dressed like a maid shouting at her, she turned to look.

"A messenger has already gone to your home with the good news. Why don't you hurry back?"

Hearing this, Lichun slapped her forehead and hurriedly twisted her way through the crowd again, thanking the examiner as she squeezed out. "Thank you, my lord. Sorry for the trouble, my lord. Thank you for all your hard work..."

The official laughed aloud, then shook her head and turned to go inside.

Bai Peilan received the news just as she left court. She abandoned her plans to go to the Imperial Academy, bid her colleagues farewell, and hurried home.

She had barely stepped through the door when the messenger arrived behind her.

"Dong, dong, dong."

The gongs and drums thundered loud enough to shake the heavens.

"Young lady, quickly! The family head wants you to come outside. The messenger is here. You passed!"

Xiaohan was out of breath from running.

As soon as Bai Mo heard, she got up and headed for the front gate.

Everyone in the courtyard had gotten up early today.

Bai Mo looked calm and composed, but she was actually very nervous. After all, this was her first examination in ancient times. Although she had felt almost certain of passing, what if something went wrong?

She had boasted so much yesterday. If she failed, she would lose so much face it would reach all the way to her grandmother's house.

"Dong, dong, dong."

"Congratulations, Earl Protector of the State! Your esteemed daughter, Bai Mo, placed first in this examination. What joyous news!"

Those were the words Bai Mo heard from the messenger when she reached the gate.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

Bai Peilan was all smiles, though before outsiders, she put on the full bearing of the Earl Protector of the State.

She gave a maid a look, and the maid hurriedly handed the messenger a pouch of silver with a smile.

"Hahahaha, good, very good! Thank you all for making the trip. This is for you to have some tea. Please come into the courtyard; good wine and food have already been prepared."

The messenger accepted the silver pouch and gave it a light heft. That weight...

A broad smile immediately spread across her face, and she tucked the pouch into her sleeve pocket.

"No, no, thank you for your kind offer, Earl Protector of the State. We still have to hurry to the next household, so we won't trouble you any longer."

Seeing Bai Mo standing beside the Earl Protector of the State, she hurriedly bowed politely. "Greetings, First-Ranked Bai, and congratulations! First-Ranked Bai, you are truly gifted. May you soon achieve first place in all three examinations and have your name inscribed on the golden list."

The messengers continued offering auspicious wishes, and Bai Mo hurried forward to thank them politely.