Chapter 70 Is the Third Brother Back?

Wei Ranzhu was stunned for a moment before realizing that the little guy was talking about Lou.

She quickly shook her head, "Of course not, that's Lou, the concubine of the Left Prime Minister, and the daughter of Mr. Jiang, the wife of the Left Prime Minister."

"Then why didn't Grandpa Jiang's daughter come to such an important occasion today?" the little guy became increasingly puzzled.

"..." A trace of heartache flashed across Wei Ranzhu's eyes, but she quickly smiled and said, "Maybe... she is staying at the mansion to accompany her youngest son. After all, Zuo Sixian is not her son."

As she spoke, she glanced at Bai Yunfeng. In fact, the couple knew in their hearts that Jiang Yinyue's wife had long been in name only in the Prime Minister's Mansion. Everyone knew that the mistress who had the final say in the Prime Minister's Mansion had long been Lou.

——

The palace examination lasts only one day and only tests policy questions, which are set by the emperor himself. The papers are graded on the second day, and the results are announced on the third day.

On the day when the results were announced, everyone in the general's mansion was waiting quietly inside. The fifth and sixth brothers did not go to school, and even Bai Yu'an walked out of his yard and waited in the front hall.

Around noon, good news finally came from outside!

"Congratulations! Congratulations to the General's eldest son, Bai Qing'an, for passing the imperial examination and becoming the second-place winner!" the visitor's voice rose high. "Bai Qing'an, quickly put on your flowers, mount your horse, and enter the palace to meet the Emperor!"

He handed the good news to Bai Qing'an with both hands and whispered, "The Crown Prince also wants to see you today to discuss your admission to the Eastern Palace as his companion!"

In an instant, the cheers of the crowd resounded throughout the general's mansion.

"That's great, that's great." Bai Yunfeng couldn't help crying with joy, "Qing'an got high school, second place! Second place!"

"Yes, all these years of hard work have not been in vain." Wei Ranzhu's eyes were also red. She picked up the big red flower next to her and carefully helped Bai Qing'an put it on. "Child, my good child, mother is happy for you, mother is really very happy."

Bai Qing'an took a step back and knelt in front of Bai Yunfeng and Wei Ranzhu. "I am where I am today thanks to my father and mother's support over the years. I kowtow to you."

"Okay, okay!" Bai Yunfeng and Wei Ranzhu smiled at each other, with pride in their eyes.

Bai Qing'an kowtowed three times respectfully before several children rushed forward and pulled him up.

"Okay, your elder brother still has to go to the palace, so don't bother him." Wei Ranzhu said with a smile.

"That's fine." Bai Qing'an bent down and picked up Li Suining. "Sister, do you want to ride the horse with me?"

"Is it okay?" The little dumpling's eyes sparkled, and the word "want" was almost written on his forehead.

"Why not?" Bai Qing'an carried Li Suining out, "Come on, let's ride the big horse with big brother! Fourth brother, you ride the horse behind us, and wait until we reach the palace gate, then bring your sister back."

"Okay." Bai Shian agreed excitedly.

When they arrived outside the gate, the maroon Arabian horse was already waiting there. Bai Qing'an put Li Suining on it first, and then he climbed on the horse himself.

He smiled and looked at his family, "Dad, Mom, I'll toast to you again when I come back!"

He waved goodbye to his family, then carefully held the little one in his arms and said softly, "Sister, sit tight, we're leaving."

"Okay, let's go." The little dumpling was very happy, waving his little fists and was extremely excited.

From the general's residence to the gate of the imperial palace, there were countless people watching the excitement along the way. Everyone looked at the new first-place winner curiously. When they saw that the second-place winner had a little girl next to him, they stretched their necks even more.

Bai Qing'an kept waving to the people. He had finally successfully taken the first and most important step in his official career.

He secretly vowed that he would move forward step by step, work for these people, and become the protector of the people of Dajin.

Suddenly, Bai Qing'an saw a man in a wheelchair in the crowd. He immediately waved and tentatively called out, "Third brother?"

"Third brother?" Li Suining immediately asked curiously, "Big brother, is third brother here? Have you seen him?"

Bai Qing'an didn't say anything. He saw that the moment he waved, the man in the wheelchair turned around and left, as if he didn't recognize him at all.

Did he see it wrong?

The last time Bai Qing'an saw the third brother Xiao Wu was two years ago, but the man just now... really looked like Xiao Wu.

"Big brother?" Li Suining looked around but didn't see any man in a wheelchair.

"It's nothing, maybe big brother saw it wrong." Bai Qing'an retracted his gaze, he must have seen it wrong.

Xiao Wu didn't come back during such an important time as the New Year, so why would he appear at this time?

He must have seen it wrong.

Soon, they arrived at the palace gate. This year's top scholar and second place winner were already waiting there. Bai Qing'an didn't know the top scholar, but the second place winner... was Zuo Sixian.

"Congratulations, Brother Bai!" Unexpectedly, at this time, Zuo Sixian could still maintain his composure and take the initiative to congratulate Bai Qing'an.

Bai Qing'an suppressed his surprise and congratulated Zuo Sixian as well, "Congratulations, congratulations!"

At this time, Bai Shian also caught up. Bai Qingan carried Li Suining over and reminded him with some hope, "Fourth Brother, take a look on the way back. I... somehow I seemed to see your third brother."

"Third brother is back?" Bai Shian widened his eyes in shock.

Bai Qingan quickly explained, "Maybe I saw it wrong. Anyway, please pay attention."

"Okay!" Bai Shian nodded quickly, "Brother, you can go without worry. My sister and I will go back."

"Well, be careful on the road and pay attention to safety." Bai Qing'an watched them walk away before turning around and standing next to Zuo Sixian, waiting for someone from the palace to lead them away.

Zuo Sixian whispered, "I really didn't expect that you like that sister so much."

"I like it." When he thought of Tuanzi, Bai Qing'an smiled unconsciously. He not only liked Li Suining, but also felt very grateful to her, because he knew that without Li Suining, he would not have come this far.

Zuo Sixian frowned, "Brother Bai, you're not going to show off to me just because I don't have a sister, are you?"

"How could that be?" Bai Qing'an looked at a loss. He didn't expect Zuo Sixian to care about this.

Zuo Sixian said calmly, "Then please stop smiling. It's too eye-catching. Even the top scholar isn't as happy as you, okay?"

"Sorry, sorry." Bai Qing'an quickly straightened his expression and stood up seriously.

After waiting for a while, seeing that no one had arrived, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "The legitimate son that the Prime Minister's Mansion just found is only three or four years old, which is the right age for fun. Doesn't Sixian like him?"

It would have been fine if we didn't mention this. As soon as this matter was mentioned, Zuo Sixian's expression seemed even more annoyed. "It's not like you haven't seen it before, how can you like it?"

"Ah?" Bai Qing'an was confused. "I don't think I've ever seen your family's eldest son."

However, Zuo Sixian just looked straight ahead, obviously not wanting to answer Bai Qingan's question anymore.