Chapter 161: What a Little Man

After having breakfast, she played with the child for a while. Then Shi Jianli asked someone to send Xier to Minghuayuan, and went to other villa to play with Ming Zhaohuan, Ming Yuelin and others.

After playing for an afternoon, Mingyuelin and Lin Tingwan were sent back by Ji Rangzhou and Ming Zhouhe. Only Princess Kangning and Yu Heming stayed to prepare to go hunting together tomorrow.

After dinner, the four of them took a stroll together in the sunset. Yu Heming asked, "The apricot list will be released in April. Jingyao, how about guessing who gets first place?"

Ming Zhao, who was holding Shi Jianli's hand, squeezed hers and said, "I heard that Pei Ye from Hezhou has been admitted to the Imperial College. He is very knowledgeable and can compete with Yu Wenye and Ming Zhouheng."

Pei Ye was the top three in Hezhou, Yu Wenye was the top three in Jingji, and Ming Zhouheng was the top three in Chaozhou. The three of them were truly evenly matched. Now that the Spring Examination was approaching, it all came down to whose paper would best meet this year's grading standards and please the examiners.

Shi Jianli glanced at him.

"That's right. I estimate that the top three in the palace examination will be these three. But the ranking is hard to guess."

"Aren't the three of them the top three on the Xingbang list? As for their rankings, even a Jijiu like you can't guess. Isn't it embarrassing to ask me, a military commander who doesn't specialize in exams,?"

"You're still trying to trick me." Yu Heming snorted. "Your cousin Yuan Qingchen is not bad either. Why don't you hold him hostage?"

"He himself said he couldn't compare to Ming Zhouheng, and he seemed very sincere. I guess the probability of him not being able to do that is not high."

"That's right. Objectively speaking, your cousin is indeed slightly inferior to the three of them, but it is still possible for him to be in the top few of the second class." If it weren't for those three people, Yuan Qingchen would indeed be a good seedling for the first class. After all, the foundation of the Runan Yuan family is there.

However, there are still a few geniuses appearing in large numbers, making this Spring Examination very lively.

The next evening, they went back to Minghuayuan to pick up the child. As soon as Shi Jianli took Xier into his arms, he burst into tears.

Shi Jianli patted him gently and asked softly, "Is there something wrong with mother? Why do you cry when mother hugs you?"

After coaxing her for a while, Xier stopped crying by grabbing her clothes and stared at her with her black eyes.

Shi Jianli was slightly stunned, then lowered her head and kissed his face, "Little rascal."

Yuan Yuhe smiled and said, "Look at this little aggrieved boy. It seems like he's complaining that you guys didn't take him with you when you went out to play. He was a little unhappy yesterday. He's only one month old. He's very smart."

"Daddy, hug me and see if our Xier is really wronged." Mingzhao smiled and hugged the child, and he really cried twice again.

"What a little cunning fellow." He laughed.

"Xi'er still remembers the smell of mom and dad, and also your voices. You haven't seen him for almost two days, so don't let him feel wronged." Yuan Yuhe helped tuck in the swaddling clothes, "Okay, you can take him back. I'll go to your second brother's place."

After dinner and a bath, Shi Jianli laid the child on the bed, holding his little hand and teasing him. Xi'er could already laugh out loud, and when he was happy, his teeth and eyes were visible, and his little arms and legs were waving vigorously.

Shi Jianli tapped his little nose and said with a smile, "Our Xi'er is so pretty."

Children change every day, and when they grow up a little, it becomes more obvious who they look like.

Mingzhao also spoke up after hearing this: "I remember Yaoyao said at first that he was a bit ugly."

"Don't worry about it. Xier is just beautiful now." She snorted.

He smiled and replied, "Yeah."

After Xier fell asleep due to sleepiness, Mingzhao still carried him to his little bed to sleep. After coming back, he took the person who was sitting on the bed waiting for him into his arms, and his hand skillfully reached to her waist.

Shi Jianli raised her head and kissed the corner of his lips, and his eyes suddenly darkened.

The corners of her lips curved slightly, her waist was held by him, and the expected kiss fell.

Mingzhao also bit her lips lightly, pushing her lips and teeth open, blending his breath with hers.

His dim eyes reflected her misty pupils and the beautiful crimson tails of her eyes. His breath fell on her cheek, carrying a heat that made her almost tremble.

The spring clothes gradually faded away, and the touch of his palm covered her skin. The hot kiss dispelled the coolness of the spring night. The spring pears were wet with rain, and the moonlight fell on her body, but it was even hotter than the spring sun.

Her watery eyes reflected the desire in his eyes to break free from the cage. Shi Jianli tightened her fingers, grasped his wrist, and applied a little force.

He pressed his wrist forward, his fingertips sliding across the back of her hand, squeezing into her fingers and interlocking them with hers, pressing them down on the bed.

The kiss became more intense, tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes, and she moaned softly.

Mingzhao supported her back with his palm and pressed her into his arms, coaxing her in a low voice: "Good Yaoyao, say you love me."

She loosened her grip on his collar and said, "I hate you..."

He held her waist tightly and kissed her neck lingeringly, "Do you really hate it?"

"……Love you."

"I love Yaoyao, too."

After a long time, he stepped back, hugged her quietly, and patted her back gently.

Shi Jianli blinked, her vision gradually becoming clear, and her forehead rested on his shoulder.

After all, he felt sorry for her and didn't really do anything, but he had so many tricks up his sleeve just to kiss her.

The next day, Shi Jianli slept until 9 o'clock and woke up. She heard the faint sound of a baby laughing. She looked over and saw Mingzhao still holding the child and teasing him outside the pearl curtain.

He caught a glimpse of her sitting up inside. Mingzhao put Xier on the small bed, rang the bell above the bed to attract his attention, and then walked into the inner room.

He picked her up and said with a smile, "You're awake."

Shi Jianli responded and nestled in his arms, enjoying his service.

After helping her change her clothes, Mingzhao massaged her shoulders and arms. He stared at the lazy-looking woman for a while and asked, "Are you comfortable?"

"Comfortable." My arms and shoulders were indeed a little sore from hunting yesterday.

"I'm asking about kissing you." He patted her lower back, smiling as usual.

Shi Jianli gave him a look and said, "Shameless."

Mingzhao even placed his finger under her chin and lifted her face. "Answer me? If you're not feeling well, I can try to fix it. I haven't asked anything else yet, so why are you so shameless?"

"It feels good." Shi Jianli's cheeks flushed slightly, and she covered his mouth. "Okay, don't ask anymore."

He talks in one way after another.

He kissed the palm of her hand, simply tied her hair with a hairpin, led her out, and had someone serve the meal.

After washing up, Shi Jianli picked up Xier from the crib and kissed him.

"Ah~" Xier grabbed her collar.

She changed to holding him with one hand, pinched his little hand, let him hold her fingers, shook her hand and played with him, then turned to ask Ming Zhaohuan: "Have you had breakfast?"

"No, I'll wait for you." Mingzhao poured her some tea and held it to her lips, "Drink some to moisten your throat."

…

In April, the Xingbang results were announced, with Pei Ye, Ming Zhouheng and Yu Wenye at the top of the list, Yuan Qingchen at the fifth, and Ming Zhoushi at the bottom.

Then came the palace examination, where the emperor examined the essays and selected the top three.

Finally, the emperor appointed Pei Ye as the top scorer, Ming Zhouheng as the second scorer, and Yu Wenye as the third scorer. They were all granted the title of Jinshi and were paraded through the streets on horseback three days later.

Yuan Qingchen ranked first in the second class and was awarded the title of Jinshi. Ming Zhoushi ranked third and was awarded the title of Tong Jinshi.

For a time, officials and concubines in the capital city turned their attention more to Pei Ye and Ming Zhouheng, in addition to the married Yu Wenye.

The Duke of Anguo’s mansion held a celebratory banquet for Ming Zhouheng and Ming Zhoushi.