As the days passed, when Shen Huaixu went to Changlefang again, he went to look for Jiang Erlang on purpose.

A lot of things have happened in the capital these days, but for those taking part in the imperial examination, nothing is more important than the announcement of the results.

When Shen Huaixu came, Jiang Erlang was reading in the study. Hearing the noise outside, he slowly put down the book in his hand, thinking of what he said when they met last time, as well as Ah Xu's expression, and felt heavy in his heart.

With his mind in a mess, he stood up and suddenly heard the lively greetings outside suddenly stop. Then he heard hurried footsteps coming closer.

"Second brother, I have something to ask you."

A clear voice belonging to someone sounded at the door. Jiang Erlang raised his eyes and looked towards the door. It was the most famous person in the capital during this period besides Fu Yin, and the person he dared not meet - Chen Huaixu.

Chen Huaixu didn't care what Jiang Erlang was thinking, she planned to end the battle quickly.

After closing the door and walking towards Jiang Erlang, she took a chair with her, put it in front of the table facing Jiang Erlang, and sat down.

"Second brother, has Bai Lan come to see you again?"

Seeing Shen Huaixu so serious, Jiang Erlang lowered his head and said softly: "She came here a few days ago..."

Not only did she come, Bai Lan told him a lot of things he didn't know, including that she was attracted to him, but he rejected her.

"In that case, Second Brother should know a lot about the inside story, right? After this incident, Bai Lanruo shouldn't have any bad intentions when approaching you again. Just rest assured, Second Brother."

"Okay, I understand."

The atmosphere between the two of them fell into an unprecedented awkwardness.

Shen Huaixu cleared her throat, intending to cut the Gordian knot. She turned her head and looked out the window, "Second brother, time flies by so fast these days. Sometimes I even dream about what happened in Shili Village."

Jiang Erlang smiled, as if recalling the past as well. His eyes were clear and gentle as he said, "I thought those days in Shili Village were the ones you least wanted to recall."

Chen Huaixu shook his head, "Yes and no. Some things really don't need to be experienced again, and there are also beautiful things that I can't forget."

Time will cast a soft veil over the pictures in memory. The farther away, the more vivid and lively they seem.

"A lot of what made me happy during those days came from you. Second brother, no matter when or where, with you brothers and sisters behind me, I feel like I have a way out and confidence. Similarly, I will also be your way out and confidence, and this will never change."

Jiang Erlang stared at Chen Huaixu for a while, and understood what he meant. The moment he lowered his eyes, the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.

"I... my second brother will always support you, don't worry, Xu."

The days passed quickly, and soon it was the end of the month - the day when the examination results were announced.

What happened in the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion gradually disappeared from people's mouths, and was replaced by many discussions about the imperial examination, like the tide, with waves constantly alternating.

Qian Xiuzhu, Jiang Boliang and Jiang Erlang had been waiting in the carriage since before dawn. Apparently, there were many people who had the same idea as them. It was pointless to get up so early, so they had to wait.

Qian Xiuzhu poured a cup of hot tea for each of the father and son to warm them up. "Erlang, don't be nervous. Drink a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up first. It looks like it's still early, don't be anxious..."

While telling Jiang Erlang not to worry, he unconsciously looked in the direction of the imperial edict, as if he was afraid that he could not see it.

Compared to before, there was a noticeable dark spot under Jiang Erlang's eyes, and it was obvious that he hadn't slept well. He still said patiently: "Mother, I know, you can relax."

"Oh, don't worry, Mom is worried."

…

Time passed bit by bit, and when the first ray of sunshine shone on the earth, the cold weather finally became a little warmer.

Time seemed to stretch exceptionally long, and the chill in the early spring air, which had not yet completely dissipated, made Qian Xiuzhu always want to get off the carriage and stretch her body. Just as she had this thought again, the sound of a gong was heard outside.

"What are you doing?" Qian Xiuzhu quickly pulled open the car curtain and looked out.

There were more people outside than when they first arrived.

"The results are out, the results are out!"

Jiang Boliang's voice was slightly excited. He jumped out of the carriage and said, "Wife, just stay in the carriage. Erlang and I will go and take a look."

Qian Xiuzhu was just about to say she was going too, when she saw the father and son who had been outside the carriage had disappeared in the crowd. She had no choice but to shout at the top of her lungs, "Hey, come back soon!"

Many of those who came to see the list were accompanied by guards or servants, and the area beneath the list was packed with people. Jiang Erlang was tall and had good eyesight, so once he could see almost everything, he pulled back his father who was trying to squeeze in and said, "Father, don't push in yet. I can see clearly enough."

As he spoke, he quickly searched for his own name. After looking through it all, the fatigue that had accumulated over the past few days faded away a little.

"Dad, I'm second," he said to his father.

Jiang Boliang was stunned for a moment, then a huge ecstasy swept over his body and mind, "Really, I really am the second place?"

As if infected, Jiang Erlang also smiled, "Yeah, second."

At this time, someone who had just looked at the list heard what Jiang Erlang said and gave him another look, which made him stop in his tracks. "The second-place candidate is named Jiang Xun. Are you Jiang Xun?"

This time Jiang Boliang completely believed it. He was ecstatic for a while, but then he felt that it was not easy to come this far. However, it did not stop him from showing off to the people around him.

"Look, this is my son. He's the second-place honorific student..."

"What? You haven't gotten married yet. There's no rush to build a career first and then start a family."

"As for the child, let him be. He has always been a hardworking person since he was little..."

The man who started the conversation hadn't spoken yet. He looked at Jiang Boliang who had blended into the crowd with great interest, then looked at Jiang Erlang, "Brother Jiang, my last name is Fan Li, and I'm number 26 on the list. I'm truly fortunate to meet you today..."

Jiang Xun glanced at him warily and said coldly, "It is an honor to meet you, sir. My father and I have to go back and tell our relatives about the good news. So, I'll take my leave first."

Just as the father and son were about to leave, Fan Li stopped them, saying, "Hey, nephew, I see you're quite handsome, and I happen to have a beautiful young girl. I felt you were meant to be together. How about we become in-laws?"

Thanks to Jiang Boliang, the journey back to the carriage was extremely difficult for the father and son.