Chapter 17 The only thing that shone through the Prince Consort’s entire body was his eyes.

The main culprit committed suicide in prison. Because he had signed and sealed the case, there was no need to investigate the Spring Examination cheating case further. Although many people were involved in the case, the crime was not serious.

Punishment or exile, or never being allowed to take the exam again, or dismissal and investigation are all matters for later.

The punishment had not yet been fully determined, and the Fourth Prince pleaded in the court for the innocent students to postpone the Spring Examination, which won him a lot of praise.

After the cheating case was closed and the students took the exam again, the results of the Spring Examination were announced at the end of April. Some were happy while others were sad.

There was a crowd of people at the entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall. The students in long gowns were either crying bitterly, laughing heartily, or throwing their sleeves and leaving, each with their own attitude.

There was also the servant and steward who was looking for a son-in-law from the list, and there was a scramble and a lot of fun.

The high spirits spread to every corner of Bianjing along with the sound of firecrackers, and officials lined up to go to the students' residences to congratulate them.

The top three have the biggest show.

Xiao Wangshu moved out of Meihuayuan half a month ago and moved into a three-story courtyard purchased by the prince in Dongcheng. There was a plaque with the name Siyue Pavilion.

There was a pear tree in full bloom in the courtyard, and the layout was almost the same as the one he lived in at the Xiao Mansion. If it were not impossible, he would have suspected that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had moved his entire courtyard at the Xiao Mansion here.

Along with the courtyard, there was also a maid who appeared in front of him. She was said to be his maid, named Nian Yue.

But it was the time when Jin Chai came, and she was not here to take care of him, but clearly asked him to take care of her.

What's more, when I first saw him, he was extremely thin, with dry and yellow hair that I didn't know where he had been, and there was hay mixed in his hair. His clothes were just two dirty rags, and he looked pitiful, as if he had just escaped from a disaster.

Only her eyes shone with light, and the mole under her eyes hinted at her future beauty.

Others might think it was a humiliation to the prince, but when Xiao Wangshu heard the child's name, he understood. He felt helpless and couldn't do anything. It was hard for His Highness to spend so much effort to find someone.

Of course, he didn't dare say this in front of His Highness.

As for Nian Yue, she felt like she was in a dream for the past six months. First, His Highness appeared to the world like a god and sent people to bring her to the capital. He also gave her a name and asked her to take care of the noble man.

She also met Mr. Xiao, who was so kind that he refused to ask her to do any work and even taught her to read.

She ate well, slept well, and even her clothes were smooth and clean without any bugs. His Highness also kept giving her silver, saying it was regular pay. She was not here to serve anyone.

Thinking that she was just a beggar half a year ago, now when she goes out, vendors call her Miss, she feels even more guilty. At least she can persuade the young master to let her do some chores like serving tea and water, and the young master often does it.

Today she went out to buy something and met her neighbor lady. After chatting with her, Nian Yue remembered that today was the day when the list of results was announced. It was really her fault, so she hurried back to call the young master.

"Sir, the Spring Examination results are out today. I'll go check it out for you. Come quickly."

Nian Yue put the basket on the stone table under the pear tree, turned around and was about to run out, but was stopped.

"Nian Yue, no need."

The curtain of the main room was lifted, revealing Xiao Wangshu with his long sleeves rolled up high and a brush in one hand.

"Sir, why is this?"

Standing there and looking at the young master, Nian Yue was puzzled.

Xiao Wangshu coughed dryly to cover up his mistake and didn't know how to start again. If he said that he was sure that he would be in the top three in high school, it would be a bit arrogant.

It was said that there were not only students on the list, but also servants who were ordered by their masters to come and find a son-in-law. He didn't want to join in the fun, but it was too early for Nian Yue to tell her this at her age.

Just as he was organizing his words, firecrackers suddenly rang out outside the door, gongs rang out, red silk was raised high, and someone shouted:

"Xiao Wangshu, Master Xiao is here, and I have good news for you! You've passed the imperial examination and ranked second in the first class!"

This voice made Xiao Wangshu feel relieved, saving him from having to explain himself again.

As for the ranking, he was not surprised.

After all, he hadn't read a book for a long time, and the knowledge he had learned in the past few months had become rusty.

Furthermore, it depends on the palace examination.

After some delay, when Xiao Wangshu opened the door, many people had gathered outside, all wanting to see the faces of the high school students.

Xiao Wangshu bowed to everyone one by one and asked Nianyue to bring the tea and copper coins that had been prepared long ago to share in the joy. He invited the official in, exchanged some pleasantries, took two ingots from the gift plate and placed them in the official's hand, saying it was a thank-you gift, and coaxed the official to leave happily.

After that, I was very busy. I only responded to the important messages from various parties and also had to thank the teachers in the college.

Yao Ce won the first place, so he will be even busier than him. Brother Liu also passed the imperial examination, and I heard that he was even caught as a son-in-law. He got married right after the palace examination. It was really a wedding night and the time to get his name on the imperial examination.

It was the same day of the announcement, but the scene inside the Forbidden City was quite different. It was no different from any other day, quiet and silent.

In the Cangzhu Pavilion, Princess Duanyang Xie Tingyi, dressed in a green crane skirt, leaned against the railing and looked into the distance. She could only vaguely see a line outside the city. The setting sun was about to fall, adding to the desolate atmosphere.

"Your Highness."

A palace maid came to pay her respects.

"Chai'er, did you see it?"

The voice was ethereal and vague, as if the person was going to ride on the wind and disappear into the clouds in the next moment. Even the fairies in heaven would definitely want to call such a beauty their sister.

She was the most noble princess of Zhongshan State and was deeply favored by the emperor. She wanted to have the moon among the stars in the sky.

"Your Highness, I've seen that the young master has been selected for two places, and the one with the best appearance and figure is the best. The Sixth Prince has chosen a good marriage for you!"

Zichai had a smile on her face, and was happy for her master from the bottom of her heart, but she didn't know that she had found the wrong person.

"Well, do you have a portrait?"

Duan Yang reacted indifferently. Although Princess Shang had great success, it would be difficult for her to advance in her official career in the future. She had heard that it was he who had warned the three examiners in the hall a few days ago that the Minister was her brother's man.

Now that her brother has suffered a great loss, how can he swallow this?

Besides, if he married her, he would naturally be on the Sixth Prince's side. That person is talented, and if he wants to advance in his career, he will only curry favor with the Sixth Prince.

Thinking back to yesterday when her younger brother mentioned the marriage proposal again, although she did not agree, how could she not understand her younger brother's thoughts? Well, she was going to get married anyway, so it didn't matter who she married. She thought her younger brother would not let her feel too wronged in the future.

"Your Highness, of course there is."

Zi Chai took out the scroll from her sleeve and presented it with both hands. She specially found a painter, but the painter only painted an 80% likeness. She said that the real person was more stunning.

Princess Duanyang took it, and suddenly a strong wind blew, and the scroll unfolded downwards with the wind, and the toes of her clothes rustled. Princess Duanyang half turned her head, covering her face and raising her sleeves to block the wind. When the wind died down, she saw Xiao Wangshu in a long green robe, with a figure like pine and cypress, just like a flawless jade with the bright moon in his arms.

Duan Yang was startled, her heart suddenly stopped, and suddenly a crimson color appeared at the corners of her eyes. She suddenly put the drawing paper down, then opened it again in a breath, just staring blankly, as if her mind was taken away.

"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

His body trembled, and his mind returned. Duan Yang looked at Zi Chai with a little more anxiety:

"Chai'er, go and find out where his family is, how many people are there, what his property is like, and what his character is like. You should know everything about him."

These words made Zi Chai stunned. Ever since the Sixth Prince came yesterday, her prince had been worried and worried. Now that the prince was happy, she was naturally happy too.

He agreed immediately and turned to leave, but he forgot the time. He was afraid that he could not leave the palace without the token.

Duan Yang, who stayed where he was, looked at the painting again and again in the afterglow of the setting sun, as if he could never see enough of it.

The author has something to say:

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On how Zichai recognized the wrong person:

The princess ordered, "Go and see the results today. The Sixth Prince has found a consort for me."

Zichai information acquisition process:

My brother's first visit

"Sister, although his talent and learning are not outstanding, he has a good appearance, and the other princes also admire him. If you marry him, I can win over such a talented person, which is a win-win situation."

Zi Chai obtained information: She is pretty, but not the most talented, and knows other princes.

My younger brother came to visit me for the second time (after the second imperial examination, the day before the results were announced).

“Sister, his house is clean, he has good character, and he has a beautiful face.

After you marry him, even if you don't like him, you can live separately. My brother will not make it difficult for me. Haven't I wanted to leave the palace for a long time? After getting married, you can set up your own household. Now is a good opportunity. Besides, with his talent and learning, he is only second in the imperial examination. Being able to marry a princess is a blessing he can't ask for.

Zi Chai got the news: He is not very talented, and can probably get second place in the exam. He is not married, but he is good-looking. Marrying the princess is his chance. He probably has no background and no power.

So Zichai went to find someone - he was good-looking, ranked second in the exam, knew other princes (the prince's study companion), and had just separated from the Xiao family, so he must have a background, right? All the pieces matched.

Unfortunately, he forgot to confirm the name with the princess and the sixth prince. The princess was reluctant and confused, and thought Zi Chai knew the answer, but it turned out to be a mistake.