Having achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination, Xue He rode through the streets in high spirits, completely dispelling his previous gloom and beaming with joy.
He looked at Shen Ning standing upstairs and gave her a slight bow from afar.
Shen Ning smiled and raised her hand in return.
Xue He looked at her intently for a few moments, but fearing that others might notice something, he reluctantly looked away.
Shen Ning helped him, gave him a place to live, allowed him to earn a living through his own abilities, and gave him enough respect. Moreover, Shen Ning also helped him out of his predicament when he was imprisoned. Otherwise, he probably wouldn't have been able to participate in the imperial examination.
He was naturally grateful for all the kindness shown to him, but this gratitude was also mixed with a little bit of selfishness that only he knew. At this moment, his blood was boiling, and that little bit of selfishness swelled to the extreme.
He is now the top scholar in the imperial examination and will soon be able to enter the court as an official. He will finally have the right to speak with Miss Shen.
"Hmm, this kid's eyes..." are not innocent.
Princess Chang Le had somehow gotten close, resting her chin on Shen Ning's shoulder with an expression of anticipation.
Shen Ning didn't move, letting her lean against him, her gaze following the bustling crowd as they walked away.
Xue He thought he was being restrained, but Shen Ning could see right through him. He probably had his eye on her, but so what?
Shen Ning is not a celestial being, but she considers herself to be quite good. Whether it is her appearance, knowledge, or wisdom, she is no less than anyone else, so it is normal for some people to like her.
Qin Zhuo is also head over heels in love with her now, isn't he?
So Xue He's interest in her doesn't mean anything; that superficial liking is at most a matter of goodwill, not worth mentioning.
Princess Chang Le clearly didn't think so: "The top scholar is barely worth watching, but he'll give that Qin Zhuo a little sense of danger."
Does Xue He create a sense of danger for Qin Zhuo?
Shen Ning: "If Qin Zhuo were to attack him, how many moves do you think Xue He could withstand?"
Princess Chang Le: "..."
So what if you know martial arts? Does knowing martial arts give you the right to bully people like this?
Just as Shen Ning had expected, Xue He became the top scholar in the imperial examination, and her Fuyun Pavilion became famous. It quickly became a sacred place in the hearts of all students, who flocked to visit and take away some books, writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones.
Some families would even bring their children to buy writing brushes and ink, hoping to absorb some of the scholar's talent.
The books personally copied by the top scholar Xue He were even more sought after, and were once sold for nearly a hundred taels of silver each.
Looking at the increasingly thick ledger, Shen Ning felt much more motivated to start making calculations; after all, it was all money.
Indeed, investing in a future top student offers low input and high returns.
Then Xue He arrived.
It just so happens that Qin Zhuo has some rare free time to spend with Shen Ning, and the two are currently reading together in the study.
"Xue He? The newly appointed top scholar?" Qin Zhuo keenly sensed something, his eyes narrowing with a dangerous glint.
Shen Ning found it amusing; what was this person being so wary of?
Shen Ning nodded, then turned to Mo Lin and asked, "Did he say what he came for?"
Mo Lin: "He was carrying gifts, saying he had come to thank Miss."
Shen Ning thought for a moment and decided she should go see him. She stood up, turned around, and looked at the aloof man: "Do you want to come with me?"
Qin Zhuo calmly sipped his tea: "They've come to thank you; it would be inappropriate for me to go."
Shen Ning chuckled: "Alright, then please wait a moment, Young Master Qin."
A scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days of separation. Xue He is now a top scholar. The gatekeeper did not dare to stop him. Instead, he invited him in and sat him in the living room. Yu Zhu even served him tea.
Upon seeing Shen Ning enter, Xue He stood up first and greeted her formally: "Xue He greets Miss Shen."
Shen Ning smiled and returned the greeting: "No need for such formalities, Scholar. Please sit down."
Xue He has gotten used to his status as the top scholar in the past few days, but he is still a little shy in front of Shen Ning.
"Thanks to Miss Shen's care, I was able to make it to the imperial examination. I will never forget Miss Shen's kindness."
Shen Ning remained calm and composed: "It was nothing. I never expected that Young Master Xue would be so talented and make such a name for himself. My humble Fuyun Pavilion has also benefited from this. I should be the one thanking you."
Xue He quickly waved his hand, "No, no, I wouldn't dare."
The two exchanged pleasantries in official jargon for a while. Xue He was clearly not as generous and experienced as Shen Ning, and having nothing more to say, he could only take his leave.
"In short, if Miss Shen needs any help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. I, Xue He, will do my best to fulfill your request."
Shen Ning: "Young Master Xue is so sincere, I am deeply grateful. I also wish Young Master Xue a smooth career and a bright future."
Xue He left with great reluctance, while Shen Ning only awaited liberation.
Although Xue He was the top scholar in the imperial examination, Chen Ning would rather not eat the cake he drew.
He has just passed the imperial examination with top honors, which is indeed glorious, but being a top scholar is only the first step into officialdom.
He had no connections, and he was too naive and straightforward. Someone who couldn't tolerate any wrongdoing could never go far in officialdom.
Unless he can find a powerful patron who will support his integrity and justice without expecting anything in return, he will only end up repeating the tragedy of his previous life.
In terms of ability, Shen Ning felt that he had it.
She has money, connections, and memories of her past life. If she chooses such a husband, she can definitely be his biggest support and help him rise to the top.
It's not worth it.
Let alone the fact that she is currently in a romantic relationship with Qin Zhuo, even without Qin Zhuo, why would she choose such an unyielding and overly benevolent wooden stick?
If she didn't choose Xue He as her husband, then there was even less need for her to support him.
If you knowingly go on a business that's bound to lose money, you're absolutely out of your mind.
Shen Ning returned to the backyard, where Qin Zhuo was still sitting in the same spot drinking tea, as if he had never left.
"I'm back."
"Um."
"What did the top scholar say to you?"
"Didn't you hear that?"
Qin Zhuo shifted his gaze slightly to the side: "What can I hear?"
Shen Ning rested her chin on her hand, staring straight at him, finding it both funny and amusing: "To be honest, I'd really like to see what you look like when you're jealous, but it's not interesting for someone unrelated."
Xue He and Qin Zhuo are not comparable.
Qin Zhuo's lips curled up slightly, but he pressed it down forcefully. He leaned back in his chair, his casual gaze falling on her face: "I don't need to be jealous of someone like that. Your taste isn't that bad."
Shen Ning chuckled: "Arrogant."
Who would boast like that?
Qin Zhuo leaned closer, her beautiful phoenix eyes tilting upwards, filled with a delighted curve, her deliberately seductive appearance exuding a wicked charm: "Don't you like my face?"
Shen Ning fell silent for a moment, but Qin Zhuo was displeased.
"Is this all you care about in me, just your face?"
"Ahem..." Shen Ning felt guilty and didn't dare to look at him: "Well... food and sex are human nature."
Doesn't he have any idea what kind of scoundrel he is? Forcibly kissing her is one thing, but he also bites her every time they meet. If it weren't for his face, would she have put up with it?
Just as she was thinking about it, suddenly her vision blurred and she was pulled into his arms, followed by a deluge of kisses.
Shen Ning, who almost couldn't breathe, was speechless.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
