Han Yu and his companions, who were parading through the streets on horseback, also heard the news being discussed in the crowd.
Lady Mingzhao bet 50,000 taels on Han Yu and immediately made 500,000 taels.
Han Yu felt mostly grateful to Yan Qingqing. If it weren't for Yan Qingqing persuading Magistrate Ling to go to the prefectural city to save him, he wouldn't be where he is today.
Moreover, Lady Mingzhao trusted him so much that she staked 50,000 taels of silver on him.
Fortunately, he did not disappoint Madam Mingzhao's expectations and did not let her 50,000 taels of silver go to waste.
Mu Yang and Ji Tongwen quietly rode their horses to Han Yu's side and said teasingly, "Brother Han, we didn't expect Lady Mingzhao to trust you so much."
They bet 50,000 taels of silver on you all at once.
"You're both from Chengyang County, Xuancheng Prefecture, so you must get along quite well."
Although Han Yu doesn't have a powerful background, if he has a good relationship with Lady Mingzhao, then we should really examine him carefully.
Lady Mingzhao is backed by Prince Chen, and Lord Ling even fought Lord Wu in court for her sake.
Han Yu didn't hide anything and said to the two of them, "Lady Mingzhao is my savior. She has been a great benefactor to me."
I originally planned to visit Lady Mingzhao after the palace examination. I just never expected her to trust me so much; thankfully, I didn't let her down.
Upon hearing this, Ji Tongwen smiled and said, "Brother Han, when you go to visit Lady Mingzhao, please take me with you."
Although I am far away in the capital, I deeply admire Lady Mingzhao's deeds.
Ji Tongwen genuinely admired Yan Qingqing, but Madam Mingzhao rarely met outsiders, and he wasn't familiar with Yan Qingqing, so it would be inappropriate for him to make a presumptuous visit.
Mu Yang, who was standing to the side, also said, "Brother Han, don't forget to take me with you. I'd like to see this kind of gambling god for myself."
Han Yu cupped his hands in greeting to the two men and said, "It's rare that you two gentlemen have this intention. I will definitely inform you when the time comes."
To my shame, your talents are no less than mine, yet I was fortunate enough to receive the title of top scholar.
Ji Tongwen waved his hand and laughed, "Brother Han, don't be modest. You are a man of great talent, and this top scholar position is rightfully yours. I am completely convinced."
Han Yu was thinking that Ji Tongwen was indeed a person with a broad mind and a grand vision, and that he could get to know him better in the future.
Then Mu Yang said from the side, "That's right, Brother Ji also bet a lot of money on Brother Han."
Han Yu looked at Ji Tongwen with some surprise upon hearing this. Could it be that he had also bet on him?
To everyone's surprise, Ji Tongwen smiled and said, "Isn't Brother Mu the same?"
Mu Yang laughed and said, "I'm not as wealthy as Brother Ji; I'm just here for fun."
Han Yu was even more surprised when he heard this. It seemed that the two of them had both bet on him. What was going on?
Looking at Han Yu's expression, Ji Tongwen smiled and said, "Actually, this business deal between Brother Mu and me is guaranteed to make a profit."
If we were to become the top scholars in the imperial examinations, we would be happy even if we lost some money.
"If Brother Han becomes the top scholar, then we two will also receive a sum of money, won't we?"
Han Yu: ……
So that's how it can be done! How come he didn't think of that?
The three of them chatted enthusiastically as they strolled through the streets.
The streets were lined with onlookers, especially young women and married women.
Their eyes lit up when they saw Han Yu and the other two.
In the past, only the third-place scholar (状元), second-place scholar (榜眼), and third-place scholar (探花) were good-looking, but this year is different.
Although Mu Yang was exceptionally handsome, Han Yu and Ji Tongwen were no less so, both possessing the appearance of elegant young gentlemen.
With such talent and such looks, he is the dream lover of many unmarried girls.
So they all threw handkerchiefs at the three of them with all their might.
In the eyes of these girls, it's a win no matter who gets hit.
Many high-ranking officials and nobles waited to find a son-in-law after seeing the list.
However, they only captured ordinary scholars who passed the imperial examinations; those who could advance to the top rank were all destined for great things.
Some high-ranking officials or even the emperor had already made their choices in advance. To put it bluntly, they were willing to marry princesses; it was something that ordinary rich people could only dream of.
Li Yueniang, accompanied by her personal maid, watched the top scholar parade through the streets from the Wending Tower.
Wendinglou is the best-located and largest restaurant in the capital.
You can clearly see things like the top scholar parading through the streets and criminals being beheaded.
Without connections and influence, it would be impossible to secure such a good position.
But this doesn't include Li Yueniang. With Xiao Mochen around, she can choose any position she wants.
When Li Yueniang saw that Han Yu had become the top scholar in the imperial examination, her eyes crinkled with laughter.
While feeling happy for Han Yu, I also felt sorry for Li Xinniang.
If my sister had married Han Yu back then, she would be the wife of a top scholar now.
However, Li Yueniang was not a sentimental person. She even called out to Han Yu a few times, but unfortunately it was too noisy down below and Han Yu didn't hear her at all.
Li Yueniang glanced at Ruhua beside her and said with a pout, "It's too noisy here. I called for Young Master Han, but he couldn't hear me."
Ru Hua replied with a smile, "Miss, you could learn from the other young ladies and throw handkerchiefs at Young Master Han."
"What if it hits Young Master Han? He'll look up and see you."
Li Yueniang thought this idea was excellent.
However, the handkerchief is so light that the chances of it hitting her are slim. How many handkerchiefs would she have to throw?
Thinking of this, Li Yueniang had a sudden inspiration. She took out a large piece of silver from her bosom, wrapped it in a handkerchief, and with her hands moving faster than her brain, she flew out with a whoosh before Ruhua could stop her.
It's hard to say whether Li Yueniang was lucky or unlucky, but the handkerchief hit Han Yu squarely on the head.
Han Yu felt as if something had hit his head, and then a warm liquid flowed down his head, causing him to bleed.
Han Yu reached out and touched it, then saw that his hand was covered in bright red blood.
The onlookers on the street immediately fell silent.
Who dared to commit such a violent act in the street, injuring the top scholar?
Han Yu also raised his head and saw Li Yueniang looking at him with a helpless expression.
When acquaintances meet, they should be exceptionally warm. Han Yu had just smiled at Li Yueniang when a wave of dizziness hit him, and he fell off his horse.
Ji Tongwen and Mu Yang, who were standing nearby, were shocked to see this and quickly dismounted to check on Han Yu's condition.
Li Yueniang was also terrified; she hadn't done it on purpose.
She didn't mean to smash Han Yu's head! Could she have accidentally killed him? Oh no, if that happened, she'd be in deep trouble!
Li Yueniang was, after all, just a young girl, and she was completely at a loss when faced with this situation.
Besides, with so many people watching, she couldn't run away even if she wanted to.
Yan Qingqing was still immersed in the excitement of making 500,000 taels of silver.
With this money, she also planned to buy two estates in the suburbs of Beijing, where she could plant peonies and roses to provide raw materials for her cosmetics, thus saving some costs.
Before Yan Qingqing could finish celebrating, A'da rushed in, shouting in a panic, "Madam, Madam, something terrible has happened!"
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