Chapter 606 Top Scholar
The results of the palace examination were announced, and the spring examinations came to an end.
This year's imperial examination has produced many outstanding young talents, with the top-ranking candidates all under the age of twenty-five. Emperor Jingwen was overjoyed, believing that with such excellent young people in Zhao, the country would become even stronger.
The top scholar is Shen Yunzhou, the heir of the Duke of Shen's mansion. The second-place scholar is a talented man from Jiangnan who is twenty-three years old this year. The third-place scholar is even younger, only seventeen years old, and is Meng Chengzhang, the heir of the Earl of Yongchang.
These three men were all handsome and talented young men. Dressed in red and riding tall horses through the streets, they captured the hearts of many young ladies.
The top scholar Shen Yunzhou is already married with a wife and daughter, so they wouldn't have any designs on him.
However, the second-place candidate was still unmarried. When the results of the imperial examination were announced, people had already inquired about him. They heard that he was over twenty years old and still unmarried because a fortune teller had said that he could only get married after passing the imperial examination with flying colors, otherwise he would fail the examination repeatedly.
Furthermore, Meng Chengzhang, the third-ranked scholar, was also unmarried. He was the brother-in-law of the Marquis of Changxing. Although the Meng family had declined, Meng Chengzhang was ambitious and would have his brother-in-law's support in the future, so his career was sure to be successful.
Besides them, there were many other outstanding young people among the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). For example, Gu Xiuwen, the second son of the eldest branch of the Gu family, ranked third in the second class. He was even more outstanding than his elder brother, who was also a Jinshi this year, but ranked slightly lower, thirty-fifth in the second class. Another example was Wang Xuzhi, the son of the Imperial Censor Wang, who ranked ninth in the second class. He was said to be only sixteen years old and was the most outstanding child of the Wang family's generation, with a limitless future.
Parents with daughters of marriageable age often have their minds set on finding an outstanding and promising son-in-law from among these young and unmarried newly appointed scholars, hoping he can bring them future support.
As a result, the Meng and Gu families received more invitations than ever before, all clearly indicating their intention to arrange a marriage. Zhang was overwhelmed with choices when selecting a daughter-in-law, some of whom were seeking her daughter Xuanyi because she had two successful sons but no daughters.
Zhao Shi also received many invitations and couldn't make up her mind, so she came to the Changxing Marquis's residence to ask Meng Jinyao for her opinion.
Meng Jinyao got straight to the point: "Mother, these girls are all quite nice, but I already have someone in mind. Why don't we let my second brother meet my chosen one first and see if they hit it off before making any other plans? What do you think, Mother?"
Zhao was slightly taken aback, then asked, "A-Yao must have chosen a good girl, but I wonder which family she comes from?"
Meng Jinyao replied, "General Guo's only daughter, Guo Miaoyun, is fifteen years old."
Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao was taken aback again and asked hesitantly, "Ayao, General Guo and General Guo died on the battlefield, and the Guo family has no other male descendants. Even though the royal family has been very kind to the Guo family, the Guo family has ultimately declined. Miss Guo now lives with her grandmother, Old Madam Guo. Even if Chengzhang marries Miss Guo, he will not receive any help. Why do you think so highly of Miss Guo?"
Meng Jinyao said calmly, "The court is currently in turmoil, and a new round of the struggle for the throne has begun. Chengzhang's marriage must be handled with utmost care to avoid being dragged into it. Of course, my interest in Miss Guo is not only due to this. I have met Miss Guo several times, and I find that she is not only outstanding in appearance, intelligent and virtuous, and well-read, but also calm, courageous, and resourceful in the face of adversity, possessing the qualities of General Guo. It would be a great blessing to marry such a girl."
After listening, Zhao thought about it for a while and also felt that this Miss Guo was quite good. Although she could not bring any help, the Guo family was full of loyal and righteous people. Marrying the descendant of a loyal minister would also improve her reputation. Moreover, Miss Guo's marriage was a tricky matter for the royal family. If Miss Guo did not marry in the next two years, the royal family would have to grant her a marriage to show their care for the descendant of a loyal minister. Given Miss Guo's status, she had to marry someone of equal social standing. However, prominent families were also pragmatic, and basically no family was willing to marry such an orphan. Cheng Zhang was a newly appointed third-ranked scholar. If he married Miss Guo, he could also leave a good impression on the emperor.
Thinking this, Zhao said, "Then I will send a letter to Madam Guo tomorrow, visit her, and ask her opinion. If she agrees, I will arrange for the two children to meet."
Meng Jinyao nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Mother."
Madam Zhao laughed and said, "Chengzhang is my son, so it's my duty to find him a good girl. There's nothing hard about it. Besides, I'd like to enjoy my grandchildren as soon as possible."
“If things go smoothly, Mother will be able to hold her grandson or granddaughter next year.” Meng Jinyao paused, then asked, “Has Third Sister’s marriage been arranged?”
Zhao replied, "It's settled. The two families have exchanged betrothal gifts. After Chengzhang gets married, we'll arrange her wedding. As for Chengxing, judging from your father's attitude, it seems he doesn't plan to arrange a wedding for him. There's no set timeframe for when his confinement will be lifted."
Meng Jinyao was not surprised. As long as her father was alive, her third brother could not be released, let alone get married and have children. She said, "Since that's the case, then let's do as Father wishes and leave it alone."
Zhao replied, "Okay."
Afterwards, Zhao chatted with her for a while before returning home. As soon as she got home, she asked Meng Chengzhang what he thought. After Meng Chengzhang agreed to meet the Guo family's daughter, she immediately prepared an invitation and had her personal maid send it to the Guo family.
Madam Guo, who was having a headache over her granddaughter's marriage, was somewhat bewildered when she suddenly received an invitation from the Meng family. When Zhao Shi came to visit and explained her purpose, she was even more surprised. Although the Meng family had fallen on hard times, since the eldest daughter of the Meng family became the wife of the Marquis of Changxing and Meng Chengzhang passed the imperial examination with top honors, the Meng family had been slowly regaining its former glory. Many wealthy families were eyeing Meng Chengzhang's marriage, and it was definitely not the Guo family's turn.
Madam Guo assumed that Zhao was a stepmother who didn't care about her stepson's marriage, so she asked, "The Meng family and the Guo family have no connection. Why would Madam Meng think of making my granddaughter her daughter-in-law?"
Madam Zhao replied truthfully, "Madam, I do not know Miss Guo, but my daughter Ayao does. She has met Miss Guo and greatly admires her."
Upon hearing this, Madam Guo suddenly understood. It turned out to be the idea of the Marquis of Changxing's wife. After a moment's thought, she understood why Meng Jinyao had chosen her granddaughter as her brother's wife. However, for the Guo family, Meng Chengzhang was indeed an excellent choice. As the heir of the Earl of Yongchang, he could inherit the title in the future. He was also ambitious, having become a third-place scholar at a young age. With the Marquis of Changxing as his brother-in-law's support, if it weren't for the Meng family's interest, their family would not have been able to reach Meng Chengzhang's level.
Madam Guo didn't agree immediately. Her granddaughter was very opinionated and wouldn't agree to marry just because the other party was well-off. If she agreed rashly, she would probably make a scene. She replied, "Although marriage is a matter for elders to decide, we still need to ask the younger generation's opinion. I will give Madam Meng an answer tomorrow. What does Madam Meng think?"
Madam Zhao replied with a smile, "Then I will await good news from the old lady."
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