Chapter 363 The First Living Target

After the joint examination, there would be a palace examination, where the emperor would ask questions and select the top three, and then announce the results to the world.

The top three candidates are naturally selected from thousands of people, and are ranked comprehensively based on their knowledge and character.

But there is something special about the Tanhualang, which is his appearance.

In addition to being knowledgeable, the Tanhua Lang should also be handsome and have outstanding manners.

I don't know which dynasty it started from, but it has been passed down to this day and has evolved into an unwritten selection standard.

This year is a little different.

Before everyone had a chance to see the true appearance of the third place winner, their attention was attracted by the first place winner.

He has a handsome appearance and dignified manners, but he also exudes a natural lightness and calmness from the inside out.

Even though he is in high spirits, he still remains a humble gentleman.

It is pleasant to watch, like the gentle breeze on the willows, or the drizzle in early spring.

Wait until the second and third place winners come into everyone's sight and then make a comparison.

The third place winner has skin as white as cream, eyes as bright as stars, and a very delicate face.

When he smiled, he looked radiant and his riding posture was upright and elegant. He was a genuine handsome man.

only……

Some girls in the crowd had already started arguing.

"The third place winner is beautiful, but if you look at the whole picture, I think the first place winner is better!"

"I still prefer Tanhualang, who is delicate and exquisite."

"It's delicate and exquisite, but it lacks masculinity. How can it compare to the top scholar who won three prizes in a row?"

"I heard that the top scholar is from the northwest, so why doesn't he have the recklessness of a wilderness man?"

"Who said that the Northwest is only about wilderness and reckless people? You are prejudiced. The top scholar is actually a scholar!"

"The top scholar is handsome, and the third scholar is beautiful. It's really hard to choose."

…

There were many noble ladies among them, who had already obtained information that the common people had no way of knowing before they came.

Catching a son-in-law from the list has always been considered a good story.

I heard that this year is just as lively, with three or four candidates who ranked high in the imperial examination successfully finding marriage partners.

But the top three spots have not yet been taken by any company.

The reasons vary.

The runner-up is thirty years old and already has a virtuous wife and loving children at home, so he is naturally excluded first.

The top two candidates are young and unmarried.

The two people's reasons were surprisingly the same.

The top scholar said, "I have studied hard for many years, but I have not yet served the court or helped Your Majesty, so I dare not indulge in personal love."

What Tanhualang said is similar. As a newcomer to officialdom, it is inevitable that he will be busy and flustered everywhere. He hopes his colleagues will take care of him. He really does not have the time to be considerate and gentle, and he is afraid that he will treat the beautiful woman badly.

The purpose of these noble ladies coming here, apart from joining in the fun, is mostly to meet their husbands.

The top two candidates in the imperial examination declined marriage proposals from other families because of their own reasons.

Whether you can marry one of them in the future depends on your ability.

For these aristocratic families and high-ranking officials, choosing a young man who is about to become an official is a good choice.

Form a stable and trustworthy relationship through marriage and then cultivate it.

If you have good vision and make the right choice, it will help to continue the family's glory.

The top three are the best among these candidates, what modern people call “blue chip stocks”.

He Jinglan was most annoyed to hear those noble ladies discussing things in harmony on the surface, but in fact they all had their own ulterior motives.

She was upset and didn't want to listen any more, so she whispered to Gu Xixi, "Don't listen to them talking and laughing right now."

"In fact, the private struggle has already begun."

"When Mu Nanzhao was the top scorer in the imperial examination, my brother was the runner-up, and they got into trouble like this a lot."

"I've seen all kinds of uglier tactics."

"Fortunately, the Mu and He families are both well-established families, so no one dares to force them to do anything."

Gu Xixi suddenly felt a little worried. What would Jiang Mingyuan choose when faced with enticement, temptation, or even threats?

Given his personality, if he insists on not being arranged into a marriage, he will not accept being wooed by any force.

Is it dangerous?

He Jinglan saw what Gu Xixi was thinking and said, "Actually, you don't have to worry too much about Lord Jiang."

"I don't think he is a pedantic person. He should have his own plan to deal with it."

Gu Xixi nodded and smiled, "I hope so."

As he was speaking, he suddenly felt that something was wrong with the atmosphere around him.

Then look at the four big maids next to them who are desperately making eye contact.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan looked up and saw that the top scholar's horse had deviated from the center line of the street and was heading towards them.

He Jinglan watched Jiang Mingyuan getting closer and closer, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible.

She looked ahead calmly, her lips slightly parted, and whispered without moving her lips: "He's not going to greet you in front of so many people, is he?"

Gu Xixi responded in the same way: "I think that's what he wants to do."

Given Jiang Mingyuan's personality, how could he avoid acknowledging his old friends once he graduated from high school?

On the contrary, we should recognize each other openly and greet each other openly.

This is the Jiang Mingyuan that Gu Xixi knows.

He Jinglan looked at the top scholar who was already within reach and gave a generous and appropriate smile.

"I hope he doesn't do anything unnecessary. I don't want you to be the first target after the results are announced."

In fact, He Jinglan's concerns were somewhat unnecessary.

Because she forgot that there was An Qinghe by her side.

An Qinghe waved his arms and shouted, "Brother Zichu! We are here!"

"I couldn't make it to the inn to announce the good news before the results were announced, so I came here to wait for you! I must congratulate you in person!"

Although the parade has not yet ended, we cannot stay here for too long.

But Jiang Mingyuan dismounted without hesitation, and bowed to the three of them in turn with a smile.

"Thank you. I'm glad to see my friends here."

At this time, all eyes around were focused on him.

Naturally, some people knew that He Jinglan was the legitimate daughter of the He family and the younger sister of the Minister of Revenue He Jinghui.

As a result, He Jinglan received countless inquiring, suspicious and jealous looks.

Could it be that the top scholar has already been secretly having an affair with Minister He's sister?

At this point, the three of them no longer cared what others thought, and they returned the gifts to Jiang Mingyuan one by one and formally congratulated him.

The three of them were genuinely happy for Jiang Mingyuan.

An Qinghe said happily, "After walking along this path, I know that you are not an ordinary person, but the incarnation of Wenquxing!"

He Jinglan and Jiang Mingyuan met at Gu Xixi's farm.

Although they were not familiar with each other, they felt a sense of familiarity when they met again in Beijing.

He Jinglan smiled and nodded, "I wish the top scholar a bright future."

Jiang Mingyuan returned the greeting, "Thank you very much."

When it was Gu Xixi's turn, she had already made some calculations in her mind, "Brother Zichu was the top scorer in the imperial examination. He is so promising. I, your cousin, am proud of him."

He Jinglan was stunned for a moment, and then deeply moved.

Gu Xixi has never hesitated to show off, and she doesn't like to curry favor with others.

She revealed that she was a relative of Jiang Mingyuan for only one reason: to take the blame.

Don't give others the opportunity to speculate on the relationship between He Jinglan, the He family and Jiang Mingyuan.

Jiang Mingyuan's eyes flashed, and he obviously understood Gu Xixi's intention.

"My cousin, Brother An and I are going to Beijing together. Thank you for your care."

"Unfortunately, time is tight today. I'll treat you later and we can find a place to have a drink and chat."