Gu Nanjiao and Lü Siniang waited at the results posting location all day, but they didn't see Lu Yanzhao or Gu's father.

The two were very worried. Gu Nanjiao had already learned that Lu Yanzhao had passed the provincial examination with top honors, and that her father had also passed the imperial examination with high honors. However, they couldn't find him; perhaps he had returned to the county town.

Gu Nanjiao had no choice but to write a letter to inquire about the situation.

That's the downside of ancient times. There were no telephones, and carriages and horses were slow, so the only way to transmit information was by writing letters.

Who knows how much time that would take to go back and forth.

Now that we're in the capital, we need to get things done at the shop.

In less than a month, the Jiaoniang Pavilion in the capital officially opened.

With Yunshang Pavilion in charge, naturally no one dared to cause trouble.

Gu Nanjiao employed modern management and marketing concepts.

The first day of opening was all about building momentum and making a name for themselves.

They hired a lion dance troupe to perform, making a lot of noise and excitement with gongs and drums. Then they hired a group of people of different heights, weights and builds, who first walked around the stage. Then Gu Nanjiao started promoting the highlights of Jiaoniang Pavilion's clothing. After that, the people of different heights, weights and builds put on the specially made clothes and walked around the stage a few more times.

The crowd couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:

"As expected, clothes make the man and a saddle makes the horse. Her big belly was instantly covered, and her figure became much slimmer."

"Yes, yes! Look at that short guy, wearing that low-cut top, his legs instantly look much longer."

"Is that my wife? Normally her hips are so wide they could fit a basin in them, but in this dress she doesn't look like herself at all. She walks with a graceful and elegant gait, looking just like a lady."

When Bai Luochen and Manager Yun arrived, a large crowd had already gathered outside Jiaoniang Pavilion.

Lu Siniang stood at the door in a flurry and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and aunts, today is the grand opening of Jiaoniang Pavilion. Anyone who orders clothes from Jiaoniang Pavilion will not only receive free makeup, but also some uniquely styled hairpins."

Upon hearing this, everyone was eager to try it out and flocked into the shop to ask about the price.

The people of the capital are not like those in small county towns. Although the clothes in the shops are not cheap, they don't care about the money. As long as the gimmick is attractive, they will buy it first without thinking about anything else.

Gu Nanjiao arranged the ready-made clothes of various sizes that she had prepared in advance, and a smile slowly spread across her lips as she watched the customers surging in.

The middle-aged woman at the front of the line, with a lot of belly fat and somewhat thick legs, excitedly asked Gu Nanjiao, "Shopkeeper, give me one of those ready-made clothes that you just showed me, the kind that can cover up the fat on my belly and legs."

The second one was a round-faced woman, slightly plump, and a bit unkempt.

The third person was a dark-skinned, thin girl with a face covered in acne.

Fourth place...

Actually, the first four were all hired by Gu Nanjiao to create a buzz and build momentum.

"Alright, everyone, one by one, line up."

Seeing that Gu Nanjiao was too busy, Lü Siniang came over to help. The two of them worked very efficiently, delivering the finished clothes to the customers according to their needs. Gu Nanjiao did their makeup for free, covering up their flaws and showing off their strengths, and finally styled their hair into a suitable bun.

She handled each person very efficiently, taking only a few minutes per person.

The older women looked at themselves in the mirror and were overjoyed.

After paying, he excitedly rushed out.

Many were simply curious to see if Jiao Niang Ge really offered free makeup and highlighted her strengths, just as it was advertised.

The middle-aged woman rushed out excitedly, shouting, "I've never worn such beautiful clothes before, nor have I ever had such exquisite makeup and hairstyle. Everyone, hurry up and take a look, or it will be gone!"

Then several more women rushed out and echoed the older woman: "Yes, yes, the shopkeeper said the event is only for the first 100 people, and there won't be any more after that, so everyone hurry up and go!"

The crowd stared at the women before them; just moments before, they had been disheveled and unkempt, but now they were transformed into charming and elegant ladies. Was the Beauty Pavilion truly so magical?

Especially the round-faced, unkempt woman; Gu Nanjiao changed her into a Tang-style dress with a low neckline, her cloud-like black hair styled into a cross-shaped bun, with two strands tied into oval shapes beside her ears, instantly making her look slimmer. Paired with simple hairpins, she looked dignified and elegant.

Upon hearing this, everyone rushed into the shop.

Seeing this, Manager Yun, standing in the crowd, had a slight change in his eyes: "Young Master Bai is right. Both the style of her clothes and her business methods are unique. I will definitely inform the head manager about this. I believe the head manager will be satisfied after hearing it."

Manager Yun has been a manager for over twenty years and deeply understands the principle that clothes make the man. A suitable outfit can accentuate one's strengths and minimize one's weaknesses, but the most important thing is to look at a person's natural features.

But in the end, he had to admire her. He had never seen any of the styles or patterns of the clothes designed by Gu Nanjiao before.

Manager Yun cupped his hands in greeting to Bai Luochen: "There are quite a few customers at Jiaoniang Pavilion today, Young Master Bai, please excuse me, I'll go and help out."

Bai Luochen smiled and nodded: "I happen to be busy with something, so I'll take my leave now."

...

Lu Yanzhao was also extremely busy. The village first celebrated for two days, and then he met with the county magistrate.

The county magistrate praised Lu Yanzhao repeatedly, then asked, "Is he married?"

Lu Yanzhao: "I have a beautiful wife at home, and I only allow one person to love me."

The county magistrate was stunned, then burst into laughter: "The top scholar's righteousness and the couple's love are exemplary."

Lu Yanzhao's refusal was so obvious that the county magistrate could not say anything more.

He had originally intended to marry his daughter to Lu Yanzhao, but unexpectedly, he was already married. It was rare to see someone so young and promising still not abandon his wife who had shared his hardships. It was just a matter of whether he could resist temptation in the future.

Before bidding farewell to the county magistrate, the magistrate said that the magistrate of the prefectural city wanted to see you, and that you should pack your things and go to Yuzhou tomorrow.

Although Lu Yanzhao was the top scholar in the provincial examination, he could not refuse the prefect's kind offer and could only agree.

Realizing he hadn't yet paid his respects to the headmaster, Lu Yanzhao rushed to the Zheng residence without stopping after returning from the county magistrate's office.

Headmaster Zheng cupped his hands in a respectful gesture toward the young man seated above him, saying, "I'm sorry you've suffered; it's my fault for being useless."

The young master rose and offered a helping hand to Headmaster Zheng, glancing at the furnishings in the room: "This humble abode is simple and unadorned; it is I who have burdened you, teacher."

Headmaster Zheng waved his hand dismissively and said, "Although this place is a bit dilapidated, it is quiet and elegant, making it very suitable for retirement."

The young master remained silent for a moment, then said, "The Lu Yanzhao that the teacher mentioned is truly a promising talent."

Headmaster Zheng stood up, bowed to the young master, and said with unprecedented pride, "Your Highness, Lu Yanzhao has already achieved the highest rank in the provincial examination. Such a young scholar is unprecedented."

"Why doesn't Your Highness take this opportunity to win them over? They will be a great help when you return to the capital."

Who is Zheng Shanzhang? He is the former Grand Secretary and the Crown Prince's tutor. Anyone who can catch his eye must be extraordinary.

Just then, the steward came to report that Lu Yanzhao had arrived.

When Lu Yanzhao met Headmaster Zheng, he first knelt down to express his gratitude for the headmaster's cultivation and recognition, and then promised that he would live up to the headmaster's expectations and do his best to enter the top three in the spring examination.

Zheng Shanzhang helped Lu Yanzhao up and introduced him to Chu Luoxun: "This is Lu Yanzhao, the most outstanding student of Nanxiang Academy, who has now passed the provincial examination with top honors."

Chu Luoxun narrowed his eyes when he saw Lu Yanzhao. It was truly astonishing that such an outstanding man could emerge from such a remote and desolate county.

Zheng Shanzhang concealed Chu Luoxun's identity and introduced him to Lu Yanzhao: "This is the friend from Eleven. He now runs a martial arts school."

Lu Yanzhao nodded to Chu Luoxun, which was considered a greeting.

Chu Luoxun said to Headmaster Zheng, "The martial arts school has something to attend to today, so we won't disturb your reunion. Farewell!"

After Chu Luoxun left, Lu Yanzhao was somewhat absent-minded.

He had a gut feeling that this Chu Luoxun was no ordinary person. Although he was dressed in ordinary clothes, his every word and action exuded nobility.

After Chu Luoxun left, Headmaster Zheng pulled Lu Yanzhao aside and chatted for a long time. During the conversation, they talked about the current Crown Prince, and Lu Yanzhao understood the general meaning of Headmaster Zheng's words.

Zheng Shanchang's emphasis on cultivating him seemed to be a sign of valuing talent and respect, but in reality, it was a way to win him over.