"Hmm! It's too late today, I'll take you home."

Yan Chuan avoided leaving the mansion behind Sun Feizhang's back; he escorted Yan Qimeng home.

Over the past two years, the two have often been together. Yan Qimeng is like a tomboy, but only when she is with him will she occasionally show a bit of girlish shyness.

"Chen Yanchuan, you originally didn't need to take the imperial examination. If you win first place in the top ranking this time, do you have any other plans?"

Under the moonlight, every time Yan Chuan lowered his head, his eyes were filled with doting affection.

"We'll have to wait until the exam to find out. Becoming an official is every scholar's dream."

Yan Qimeng is already eighteen; she is no longer a little girl.

The situation at the girls' school is basically stable, but her marriage is still unresolved, and Yan Chuan has never given her a response.

Although their relationship had become closer than normal over the years, she comforted herself, telling herself that she would only consider these things after Yan Chuan's scientific expedition.

"As the ancients said, 'The day you pass the imperial examination is the day you celebrate your wedding night.' Haven't you ever thought about that?"

Yan Chuan appeared calm on the surface, but he had already made his plans in mind.

"If I meet a suitable girl, I will naturally consider it."

Yan Qimeng believed that after being by Yan Chuan's side for so long, she should be the most suitable one for him.

I wonder what Yan Chuan meant by that. Could it be that he wanted to come to her house to propose marriage after the imperial examination?

After Yan Qimeng returned home, she waited anxiously for the seven-day imperial examination.

Seven days passed, and she saw Yan Chuan when she went out to pick him up from the exam hall, but she couldn't find him for the rest of the time.

"Miss, Miss, the people who went to Prince Yu's residence have returned. They said the young master is out and will not receive any guests."

Yan Qimeng's maid came to the girls' school to report to her.

"Did anyone from Prince Yu's residence say where he went?"

Maid: "No, they just said that since the young master returned from the examination, he has been busy going out every day. They are servants and don't know anything about it."

Where could Yan Chuan have gone? Why has she been hiding from me these past few days?

What's the situation with my father?

Yan Qimeng disliked speculation the most. She had endured until the end of Yanchuan's imperial examination, but she didn't want to wait any longer to see what the outcome would be between them.

“Miss, the Prime Minister has found several suitable young noblemen for you. He said that the imperial examination is over, and if you and the Crown Prince do not get along, you will be able to choose another good husband.”

"Fine, since he's avoiding me, I'll go find him. I have to get to the bottom of this today."

Yan Qimeng didn't have any classes today, so she went out with her maid. She was determined not to be unable to find Chen Yanchuan.

He first went to find Yan Chuan's good friend Chai Yushu, and then asked his former classmates one by one, asking everyone Yan Chuan knew in the capital. Surely someone would know what he had been doing lately and where he had gone.

Before Yan Qimeng could finish asking the people, she ran into Yan Chuan on the street.

She was initially happy to see Yan Chuan, but when she saw that there was another girl beside him, her smile turned cold.

The girl and Yan Chuan were facing each other, talking about something, and both of them had smiles on their faces.

Moreover, she recognized the woman; she was Yuan Nanyan, the legitimate daughter of a Hanlin Academy scholar, and was known as the most beautiful woman in the capital.

With a waist as slender as a willow and skin as smooth as cream, she was so charming and endearing when she talked and laughed.

So, this is the type of girl Yan Chuan likes?

Yan Qimeng didn't know why, but she always felt insecure and anxious in front of Yan Chuan.

Yan Chuan turned his head casually and saw Yan Qimeng. The smile on his face gradually disappeared, and his eyes began to dart away. He nervously ran to Yan Qimeng.

"Qimeng, Qimeng, please don't misunderstand, Miss Yuan and I are just..."

Before Yan Chuan could finish speaking, Yan Qimeng interrupted him.

"No misunderstanding, I'm watching..."

"real?"

Yuan Nanyan also came over and bowed slightly to Yan Qimeng.

"Miss Yan, how have you been lately? I heard from Brother Yanchuan that your girls' school is doing very well. I'm so envious."

Yan Qimeng heard something: Yuan Nanyan actually called him Brother Yanchuan.

As she spoke, Yuan Nanyan looked up at Yan Chuan with tender affection, and moved her body a little closer to him.

Yan Qimeng felt terrible inside, but she couldn't show it on her face, so she forced a smile.

"Have you been together these past few days?"

Yuan Nanyan blushed slightly and said, "Yes, Brother Yanchuan is a rare talent. My grandfather even likes Brother Yanchuan."

Her father told Yuan Nanyan that Yan Chuan was very likely to be the top scorer in this imperial examination. He was also the only heir of the Yu Prince's Mansion, and not only was he of noble status, but the Chen family also had countless riches.

Recently, His Majesty also plans to entrust the management of the salt mines in Nanning to their family, so the Chen family's wealth is enough for several lifetimes to last them.

After the scientific expedition, Yuan Nanyan asked her grandfather to invite Yan Chuan to their home. She was already captivated by Yan Chuan's background and talent.

When she met him in person, she realized that there were men in the world who were so handsome.

He's handsome, powerful, and rich; you probably couldn't find another man as perfect as him.

Yan Qimeng felt disappointed, but gritted her teeth and forced herself to say, "Fine, you guys continue shopping. I have to go now."

How could Yan Qimeng not be sad? She had been by Yan Chuan's side for two years, and had turned herself into an old maid.

But what was Chen Yanchuan doing? After finishing the imperial examination, he went to find the most beautiful woman in the capital and met with her every day.

She still fantasized that he would come to her house with betrothal gifts after he finished the imperial examination, but it was all just wishful thinking on her part.

"Qimeng, let me explain."

Yan Chuan could tell she was angry, and without turning her head, she spoke to Yuan Nanyan beside her.

"Miss Yuan, please inform Elder Yuan that I have failed to keep my appointment today. I will definitely bring gifts to apologize in person another day."

"Oh... Brother Yanchuan..."

Before Yuan Nanyan could say anything, Yan Chuan beside her chased after Yan Qimeng.

"Isn't Yan Qimeng just Yan Chuan's ordinary friend? She's really annoying."

Yuan Nanyan's attempt to arrange a meeting with Yan Chuan using her grandfather failed, and she kept muttering to herself.

"Yan Qimeng, you stop right there."

Yan Chuan caught up with Yan Qimeng, grabbed her wrist, and anxiously tried to explain his relationship with Yuan Nanyan.

"Yan Qimeng, what are you doing? Miss Yuan took me to see Grand Secretary Yuan, are you going to be angry about that too?"

Yan Qimeng shook off Yan Chuan's hand; he had no idea why she was angry.

Even if he didn't like Yuan Nanyan, why did he avoid her after the imperial examination? Was it because he was afraid of her asking him about their wedding night before the examination?

"Don't flatter yourself, Chen Yanchuan. I don't care what your relationship with Yuan Nanyan is, and it's not worth getting angry about."

Whether you two are together every day or have very pleasant conversations, I congratulate you on finally finding the right girl you were talking about.

And another thing! I, Yan Qimeng, am capable of taking things in stride and won't do anything to you.

Since you didn't want to see me before, don't come to see me again.