Su Jinli had gracefully come to his side, handing him a cup of hangover soup. Her eyes curved, a smile half-smile on her face. She lowered her voice, a tone only the two of them could hear, and said, "Why don't you just follow me?" She leaned closer, her warm breath brushing Jiang Yan's ear. "At least you won't be cornered and afraid to talk back."

Jiang Yan took the soup bowl, his fingertips touching the warmth of her palm, and a wave of warmth instantly surged through his heart. He couldn't help but think of himself when he won the top spot in the imperial examination, his face flushed with nervousness, even speechless. Looking at his son, who was unafraid to debate with the scholars in the hall, he felt a complex wave of emotions. Suddenly, this seemingly absurd scene felt heartwarming.

The moonlight outside the hall flowed softly into the hall through the cracks in the carved window lattices. Its silvery glow shone on the abacus Si Yan was still fiddling with, reflecting a myriad of colors. It also shone on the corners of Su Jinli's smiling eyes. In the fine lines at the corners of her eyes, Jiang Yan no longer saw the sorrow and vicissitudes of a past life, but instead the honey-like luster of being pampered by the entire family in this life, shimmering and radiant.

The presiding scholar wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by the emperor's impatient wave of his hand: "Alright, alright, Jiang Tanhua is a young and talented man. I allow him to use an alias!" The emperor raised his wine glass and saluted Si Yan from a distance, his eyes full of admiration and expectation. "Little fellow, settle the accounts of the world for me well, and I will reward you with ten thousand taels of gold!"

Upon seeing this, Si Yan immediately bowed his hands in thanks, silently fiddling with the abacus in his sleeve. "Thank you, Your Majesty! But the gold is too heavy. I'd like to convert it into cash and use it to open a bookstore..." His voice was laced with cunning and anticipation, causing laughter in the hall.

Amidst the roar of laughter throughout the hall, Jiang Yan looked at his son's eyes, ablaze with excitement, then at Su Jinli's uncontrollable laughter. The helplessness and embarrassment in his heart gradually dissipated, and he finally couldn't help but laugh too. This kid, indeed, had been taught by Su Jinli's words and deeds. He had calculated even the throne room, yet with this unique ability, he had calculated the days of this life into the sweetest honey, immersing the entire Jiang family in this atmosphere of happiness and joy, creating an unforgettable and precious memory in their lives.

After this minor incident, the banquet continued. The conversation gradually shifted from Siyan's pseudonym to his exceptional mathematical talent. Surrounded by a group of Hanlin scholars, Siyan asked him various questions about economics and business. He patiently answered each one, earning the admiration of the crowd with his solid knowledge and sharp thinking.

Jiang Yan, after calming down a bit, also began to communicate with his colleagues. He watched his son speaking freely among the crowd, feeling both proud of his son's outstanding performance and secretly glad that the storm had subsided. He knew that although his son had won the emperor's approval with his genuine talent, the rules of the imperial examination were the foundation of the court, and he would need to be more cautious in the future.

At the women's table, Su Jinli shared anecdotes about Siyan's upbringing with the other ladies. With a twinkle in her eye and a beaming smile on her face, she recounted Siyan's childhood obsession with numbers and the creative ideas she devised to make money. The women around her listened with rapt attention, often bursting into laughter and marveling at Siyan's intelligence and unique personality.

Nian Li, meanwhile, was in a corner of the hall, playing with a few children of similar age. The string of chilies on her waist made a crisp sound as she jumped around, adding a unique vibrancy to the joyous feast. She excitedly recounted her brother's exam experiences to her friends, her eyes filled with admiration and pride.

As the banquet progressed, the atmosphere grew increasingly lively. The sounds of music and laughter intertwined, reverberating throughout the hall. Every member of the Jiang family felt immense joy and happiness on this special night. And Siyan, on this night, further reaffirmed her resolve to use her mathematical talents to contribute to the prosperity of the nation and to continue the Jiang family's glorious legacy.

In the years that followed, Siyan, with his status as the third place in the imperial examination, gradually rose to prominence within the court. He not only proposed numerous unique insights and reforms in the economic sphere, but also actively participated in various commercial activities, promoting the development of national commerce. Under his meticulous management, his bookstore grew in strength, becoming a key venue for cultural exchange within the capital.

Jiang Yan was filled with joy as he watched his son steadily advance on his path. His bond with Su Jinli also deepened, and together they witnessed their children's growth and progress. Influenced by her brother, Nianli also practiced martial arts even harder, dreaming of one day emulating her brother and excelling in her field.

The story of the Jiang family spread throughout the capital, becoming a beloved legend. Their family was filled with love and warmth, as well as wisdom and courage. And Si Yan's ever-present abacus continued to fiddle with his fingers, calculating every detail of life and a brighter future for the Jiang family.

Over time, Siyan's reputation grew, even reaching neighboring countries. Foreign envoys arrived in the capital, fascinated by the young scholar's mathematical prowess and eager to learn from him. Siyan warmly welcomed them, introducing their countries' economic systems and business models, while also learning about the cultures and business philosophies of different countries. This cross-cultural exchange broadened Siyan's horizons and invigorated his thinking.

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