A few days later, news came that the two young masters had passed the exam again. The messenger arrived at the door, and the old lady rewarded them with two packets of silver melon seeds and two gold ingots.

All the servants in the manor were given two months' wages as a bonus.

Lady Hou was naturally overjoyed. It was already springtime, and in two months she would be wearing only light clothing.

The custom in the manor in previous years was that the third-class maids wore a gray-brown outfit.

But this year, the lady was in a good mood and specifically instructed the tailor to make a dress in the color of tender green shoots when he came to make new clothes.

This looks fresh and natural, puts me in a good mood, and fits the springtime theme. So Wang Yan was lucky enough to be able to wear some light and beautiful clothes.

This time, without Lady Hou having to be on guard, Gu Ting devoted himself wholeheartedly to the palace examination.

I've already become a candidate for the imperial examination, and there's only one last exam to go. Time is tight; I only have one month to study.

After receiving his grades, he never left his study again, studying day and night.

The weather was still a bit cold in March, so Aunt Yang secretly spent money to buy more silver wire charcoal.

So that he wouldn't lack charcoal beyond his allotted allowance. His aunt herself also knelt before the Buddha every day to write a Buddhist scripture, praying that all the gods and Buddhas would bless Gu Ting to pass the imperial examinations.

……………………

Finally, the day of the re-examination was approaching. This time, Wang Yan even benefited from the young masters' favor and drank a bowl of "Top Scholar's Congee".

To bring good luck, the old lady instructed the head kitchen to prepare this porridge, which everyone in the household was to drink today.

Wash the rice and soak it for 30 minutes. Add a suitable amount of rapeseed oil to make it shiny and prevent it from sticking. This way, the porridge will be cooked in a shorter time and will be thicker.

After the water boils, add the rice and cook for about 15 minutes until the rice grains have opened up. Then add the freshly chopped pork liver, lean meat, pork intestines, and some shredded ginger for seasoning.

After the pork liver and lean meat are cooked, add some salt and pepper, stir well, and then remove from the pot and sprinkle with some coriander.

Then a bowl of rich and fragrant porridge was ready, and Wang Yan drank two bowls in one go.

As expected, after the palace examination, the heir passed the imperial examination and ranked second in the class, thus being granted the title of Jinshi.

Whether it was an off day or a lack of ability, the third young master was ranked third among the successful candidates in the imperial examination.

However, her official position was a certainty, and Aunt Yang could finally hold her head high.

As a result, things got much better for her brothers and the rest of the family. Madam Yang gave each servant in Moyuan Courtyard, regardless of rank, half a packet of silver melon seeds.

The second master was also pleased and asked the second mistress to give him a reward, which the second mistress also gave him half a packet of food.

Wang Xing took back another bag of silver melon seeds, which made Aunt Wang so happy that she almost laughed her nose off.

After passing the examination, the Marquis and his son discussed pursuing the path of military officers, as the position was already secured. They were to work hard in the Treasury Department and eventually advance to the position of Vice Minister of War.

Gu Ting, on the other hand, wanted to enter the Hanlin Academy, but the chances of him participating in the selection process with other Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) were not very high.

The Second Master only feigned joy; he didn't concern himself with anything else. The Marquis did come to inquire several times, but Gu Ting refused to reveal his true intentions, so the Second Master remained silent.

After this happened several times, the Marquis assumed that his second brother had found a way to get ahead, so he stopped interfering.

Little did he know that a few days later, Gu Ting was pacing anxiously over here. A few days ago, he refused the Marquis because he was afraid that the Marquis would do something bad.

But now he went to participate in the selection for the Hanlin Academy, and as expected, he was rejected.

The second master's legitimate father-in-law was the Crown Prince's tutor, so he could have some influence. But before he could even open his mouth, the second mistress smashed a room full of things, so the second master naturally didn't dare to say a word.

Gu Ting had no hope at all with the Second Madam's family; he was waiting for the Marquis.

After returning, I waited for the Marquis to come and ask me questions. Then I could naturally ask him if he had any colleagues who could help him get into the Hanlin Academy.

But no one came to him, so he had no choice but to ask his uncle for help.

However, after I explained my intentions, the Marquis looked at me with disdain. He said, "Why would my Gu family's sons use back channels? If they want to get in, they should do it fair and square, based on their own abilities."

Gu Ting felt as if he had been slapped across the face, a burning, humiliating pain.

However, there was a possibility that a third-class Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) would be released from the capital and sent to a remote and impoverished area to take up an official post, which Gu Ting was absolutely unwilling to do.

Then he thought of Xu Shaoqing, having heard that her father was related to a scholar of the Hanlin Academy.

Her eldest sister's husband was the eldest son of a Hanlin scholar, so finding Xu Shaoqing as her ally would be twice as effective with half the effort.

If Xu Shaoqing is willing to help him, he will be able to rest easy this time.

………………

At the Anbo Mansion, Xu Shaoqing has been kept at home by her mother for various reasons lately, and she wasn't even allowed to go to the peach blossom grove outside the city to host a banquet for guests to enjoy the flowers.

It wouldn't be a big deal under normal circumstances, but recently, I accidentally learned from my brother that both of the Marquis's sons had passed the imperial examinations.

Gu Ting said he would propose marriage once he passed the imperial examination, but for some reason there has been no news at all.

Xu Shaoqing and the others were extremely anxious. She mentioned the third young master of the Marquis's mansion to her mother several times, but her mother just didn't seem to understand.

She was being somewhat subtle, but you can't just say it outright.

Furthermore, with no news from Gu Ting at all, she couldn't help but wonder if Gu Ting would betray her once he passed the imperial examination.

No, I must find an opportunity to go out and see for myself. Gui Xiang and Gui Qin, who knew the inside story, were worried sick every day. They were even more troubled than Xu Shaoqing.

If they can't keep an eye on the Third Miss, and she causes any more trouble, the two of them won't be able to save their lives.

That day, Xu Shaoqing insisted on going to the jewelry shop outside to look at different styles.

Gui Xiang tried to stop her for a long time, "It's just a few jewelry designs, why does Miss need to go there in person! Let them bring them over, and Miss can choose carefully at home?"

Xu Shaoqing frowned and glanced over.

Gui Xiang's face was respectful, with a gentle smile, but her words were anything but yielding.

"The madam instructed us to do so, which is why we received a pair of indigo-inlaid kingfisher feather openwork double-button hairpins and a whole set of pearl headdresses just the other day."

Miss hasn't tried it on yet, or I can get it for you now.

Just yesterday, the sewing shop finished and delivered a set of indigo plum blossom embroidered Hangzhou silk long dress with a front opening. I paired it with pearl jewelry and wore a white silk blouse with floral patterns over it.

I'll have them bring it over right away. Miss, would you like to try it on?

Seeing Gui Xiang's unreasonable and stubborn attitude, Xu Shaoqing finally sensed that something was wrong.

Thinking about it carefully, she hadn't left the house at all during this period, except for inviting guests over.

"No need. Just send me a letter and invite Miss Chen to the Youxiang Pavilion for tea and storytelling."

Gui Xiang took it herself, then turned and saw it off.

Sure enough, less than a quarter of an hour later, my second sister came in with the flowered note.

"I walked to the middle gate and happened to run into your maid going out to deliver a letter. This is quite a coincidence, as I am also going to Youxiang Pavilion today."

Why are you still going to invite Miss Chen? Come with me, let's go together."

Xu Shaoqing smiled and nodded in agreement, but in her heart she knew that she probably wouldn't be able to leave through this door today.

After reporting to the carriage and horse stable, Guixiang returned running shortly afterward.

"The steward of the carriage house, Mr. Feng, said that the master and several young masters also used the carriages today. Several carriages went out, and two carriages had broken frames and were being repaired."

Her suspicions came true, and she was both shocked and furious. Xu Shaoqing felt that she was really foolish. When did her family find out?

For a moment, my mind was a complete mess, I felt weak and my emotions were all over the place, and I couldn't even entertain my second sister anymore.

Seeing that she was really unwell, Xu Shaojin didn't linger and left with her maid.

However, instead of returning to his own room, he went to Jiang's place.

"I think my third sister is really bored at home. Why don't we take her out to play tomorrow?"

"It would be good to have your elderly nanny come with us to the Youxiang Pavilion to listen to some storytelling."

Jiang thought that her husband had already chosen a son-in-law from among the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), and that things had become clearer in the past few days.

Out of love for her daughter, she nodded in agreement and instructed Xu Shaojin to keep a close eye on her younger sister.

Only her parents, second sister, and two maids knew about the absurd things Xu Shaoqing had done.

Moreover, Jiang was unaware that Guiqin, in addition to Guixiang, was also aware of the matter.

Even Xu Shaoqing's wet nurse didn't know the ins and outs of the matter.

Furthermore, when they went out to listen to storytelling, the other people who went with them were all servants. If Xu Shaoqing really wanted to go out and cause trouble, there was no way to restrain her; they could only rely on Xu Shaojin.